What do you think?
Rate this book
Webs of Ink
In early 1920s London, Maud West has gained a public reputation as “London’s Lady Detective,” though the title is largely of her own making. Her self-written newspaper accounts bring her notoriety, but not the professional respect she craves. Instead of high-profile investigations, she is routinely assigned divorce work, missing persons, and blackmail—cases that rarely challenge her talents or elevate her status. When a frightened woman comes to her office claiming she is being stalked by a strange man, Maud senses a rare opportunity to prove her skill. As she digs deeper, she discovers that her client’s troubles are tied to a clandestine gang operating within the city. The threats quickly escalate, and soon Maud herself becomes a target.
Elsewhere in London, Agatha Christie is both a new mother and a rising author, thrilled to see her first detective novel in print. Yet she hungers to observe a real investigation firsthand. Maud West’s exploits in the newspapers captivate her imagination and fuel her desire to study genuine detective work.
To Agatha’s astonishment, she receives a message from Maud requesting a private meeting. Maud outlines the increasingly perilous case and proposes a As a public figure tied to the investigation, she needs someone inconspicuous and sharp-minded to assist her. Agatha, a crime novelist rather than a known detective, is the perfect covert ally. Together, the celebrated detective and the rising mystery writer become entangled in a dangerous, twisting web that will test their ingenuity, courage, and trust as they work to bring justice to light.
Elsewhere in London, Agatha Christie is both a new mother and a rising author, thrilled to see her first detective novel in print. Yet she hungers to observe a real investigation firsthand. Maud West’s exploits in the newspapers captivate her imagination and fuel her desire to study genuine detective work.
To Agatha’s astonishment, she receives a message from Maud requesting a private meeting. Maud outlines the increasingly perilous case and proposes a As a public figure tied to the investigation, she needs someone inconspicuous and sharp-minded to assist her. Agatha, a crime novelist rather than a known detective, is the perfect covert ally. Together, the celebrated detective and the rising mystery writer become entangled in a dangerous, twisting web that will test their ingenuity, courage, and trust as they work to bring justice to light.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2026
About the author
Rebecca Connolly
113 books1,362 followersI was born once upon a time, and I started making up stories right away. Eventually, I started writing them down, and never stopped! I have a day job, which gets in the way of my writing, but it pays the bills so I CAN write, so I guess that's okay! I am a bookworm, which I think is key to being a writer, and I am always looking for inspiration! I live in Indiana, am obsessed with hot chocolate, and I am on track to be the best aunt in the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 3, 2026
The idea of Agatha Christie teaming up with London’s Lady Detective, Maud West, to solve a mystery immediately caught my attention! I was looking forward to an exciting historical detective adventure, and the premise certainly held a lot of promise.
What I discovered was a story that leaned more toward traditional historical fiction than the fast-paced mystery I had anticipated. Much of the novel explores the personal lives, backgrounds, and experiences of these two women, with the actual investigation taking time to develop.
I particularly enjoyed the moments when the mystery began gaining momentum around the middle of the book, and the final portion delivered some of the excitement I had been hoping for. I would have loved to see more of that investigative action throughout the story.
Although this wasn’t quite the detective adventure I envisioned, I appreciated the interesting premise and the opportunity to explore these two women’s lives in 1920s London.
For readers who appreciate content details… There is a brief mention near the end, during an investigation, of a man believed to have been involved in a homosexual relationship. It is not a central part of the story.
Overall, I think readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction with a developing mystery will appreciate this novel.
I received a complimentary physical copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing and was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
What I discovered was a story that leaned more toward traditional historical fiction than the fast-paced mystery I had anticipated. Much of the novel explores the personal lives, backgrounds, and experiences of these two women, with the actual investigation taking time to develop.
I particularly enjoyed the moments when the mystery began gaining momentum around the middle of the book, and the final portion delivered some of the excitement I had been hoping for. I would have loved to see more of that investigative action throughout the story.
Although this wasn’t quite the detective adventure I envisioned, I appreciated the interesting premise and the opportunity to explore these two women’s lives in 1920s London.
For readers who appreciate content details… There is a brief mention near the end, during an investigation, of a man believed to have been involved in a homosexual relationship. It is not a central part of the story.
Overall, I think readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction with a developing mystery will appreciate this novel.
I received a complimentary physical copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing and was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
November 5, 2026
I love a good mystery or suspense story, and I love the 1920s, so Webs of Ink was right up my alley! Add in a female detective teaming up with a female mystery writer? Even better!
I'd never heard of Maud West before reading this book, but she sounds like a fascinating woman, especially for her time. I enjoyed learning a little about her life, and I really enjoyed the unique premise of her working with a young Agatha Christie together. I also liked learning that the mystery was based on a real case Maud had worked on. It was fun getting a little peek into the lives of these women, both personally and professionally. I was especially surprised by how supportive Maud's husband was of her work, considering the era. I'm still not quite sure how she managed to keep her occupation a secret from her children!
I found the case itself fascinating, and there were several moments that had me on the edge of my seat. It goes to show that you don't need constant car chases or over-the-top action to create suspense and keep readers turning pages. If you enjoy historical mysteries, 1920s London, and a clever female detective, this is definitely one to add to your reading list!
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher and a digital copy from NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I'd never heard of Maud West before reading this book, but she sounds like a fascinating woman, especially for her time. I enjoyed learning a little about her life, and I really enjoyed the unique premise of her working with a young Agatha Christie together. I also liked learning that the mystery was based on a real case Maud had worked on. It was fun getting a little peek into the lives of these women, both personally and professionally. I was especially surprised by how supportive Maud's husband was of her work, considering the era. I'm still not quite sure how she managed to keep her occupation a secret from her children!
I found the case itself fascinating, and there were several moments that had me on the edge of my seat. It goes to show that you don't need constant car chases or over-the-top action to create suspense and keep readers turning pages. If you enjoy historical mysteries, 1920s London, and a clever female detective, this is definitely one to add to your reading list!
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher and a digital copy from NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Read
August 26, 2026This one wasn’t really for me. I guess the characterization of Agatha Christie didn’t quite land for me, making it feel like there wasn’t much reason for using her in the book as opposed to a completely fictional character. Who might like this? Fans of 1920s-style police fiction, complete with shadowy crime figures and enforcers along with a dash of real-life female detective history.
I received this ARC from Shadow Mountain via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I received this ARC from Shadow Mountain via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 3, 2026
Although this is a crime novel (albeit one more on the cozy side), I think I'd call it more literary biographical fiction, because Connolly investigates these two women with such depth. Of course, we know who Agatha Christie was, but this book takes place before her first book was released in the UK. Maud West was actually one of the few female private detectives working in London at the time, so... Plus get one of West's real cases to solve! You can read my full review here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/11/0...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I have to admit that this book was an absolute thrill to read. I am still new when it comes to knowing about Agatha Christie but this book gave insight not only on her career as a writer but also insight on her role as a wife and mother! Before reading this I also had no clue who Maud West was but after doing some research I managed to have a deep admiration for her. She sounds like a pretty cool person! Overall I think if you are someone who enjoys this kind of history this is a book for you
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.75 stars: I inhaled this book! It was so fun to see the author Agatha Christie team up with the detective Maud West to solve a complicated mystery, all while balancing their lives as wives and mothers. There was a lot here about the nature of womanhood, safety, and morality. I especially enjoyed the scene where Maud kept her children safe even while she was on a case. I thought the pacing was done extremely well here, because I was engaged throughout and never got confused or felt anything dragged. I do wish we got to see more of Christie's writing process. since she mainly talked about writing. I really enjoyed this!
Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC copy; all opinions are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC copy; all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What if a female detective joined with a mystery writer?
This is a wonderful blending of fact into a fictional premise based in the question of what if Maud West, a real, female detective, teamed up with Agatha Christie. This story, based in true cases of Maud West, looks at how their true personalities and strengths might have blended together to the enjoyment of both women and the reader. How would the pressures of marriage and children effect each woman? How would they work together to bring a little justice to the world? Such a great read with a truly engaging plot. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.
This is a wonderful blending of fact into a fictional premise based in the question of what if Maud West, a real, female detective, teamed up with Agatha Christie. This story, based in true cases of Maud West, looks at how their true personalities and strengths might have blended together to the enjoyment of both women and the reader. How would the pressures of marriage and children effect each woman? How would they work together to bring a little justice to the world? Such a great read with a truly engaging plot. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: October 26th 2026
"You'll never get it, Maud. You see... in many ways, you are better than Sherlock. Because you are real, whereas he is fiction. Who needs Sherlock Holmes when the world has Maud West?"
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Shadow Mountain in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
WARNING: it's another unpopular opinion!
I admit that I was sold as soon as I discovered that this story was based on a case of a real female detective back in the 1920s. Add the fact that Agatha Christie is one of the lead characters and that the two were going to pair up to investigate a case, and I simply couldn't wait to read Webs Of Ink. I might have had the wrong expectations for this book after reading the blurb though, because this wasn't quite the suspenseful and tense mystery I thought it was going to be... Instead, this book was mainly a historical cozy mystery with a LOT of focus on the personal lives of both women. Not necessarily a bad thing of course, but not the story I was expecting nor what I was in the mood for unfortunately.
Before I continue, I have to give credit where credit is due, and I loved the incorporated historical facts and true crime elements. The fact that Maud West was a real female detective in the 1920s really adds something extra to the story, and I could also appreciate that a lot of details of the case are actually based on a real case Maud West investigated back then. I also loved the bookish angle with Agatha Christie playing such an important role in the plot. Sure, it is never confirmed that the two women actually met, but it sure would have made for an interesting duo.
I think that one of the things that bothered me was the fact that Webs Of Ink turned out to be surprisingly dull for a long time. There is a lot of telling instead of showing, with a lot of focus on tiny details that don't exactly matter in the plot. On top of this, the actual case gets buried under details and scenes relating to the personal lives of both Maud West and Agatha Christie. I don't mind some background, but I do think the balance was lost here and it distracted too much from the actual case. It also slowed down the pace considerably, and I somehow never found myself to be truly invested in what was happening (although I can't deny that the final part moved a lot faster).
Another element related to this is the fact that we have to deal with quite a big cast of characters, and some of them only appear briefly at that. The fact that a lot of characters seem to have more than one name only makes things more confusing to be honest, and especially those related to the personal lives of the women. Do we really have to know the pet names of their children?! I also can't say that I was too big of a fan of the writing style itself. There was just something about the tone and word choice that never convinced me, even though I get that the author was trying to make the characters sound as if they were living in the 1920s. Maybe she tried to go for an Agatha Christie style? Either way, the writing never managed to win me over personally.
All in all my experience with Webs Of Ink wasn't quite as good as I hoped it would be. I'm definitely partly to blame, because I had the wrong expectations... If you are looking for a tense detective thriller, you are better off looking elsewhere. BUT. If you like historical cozy mysteries with a lot of focus on family dynamics and less on the crime itself, Webs Of Ink might just work better for you. I'm suspecting this might actually be the first book of a series, but I personally don't think I will be continuing it if this is turns out to be true...
November 5, 2026
If you love historical mysteries, the 1920s, and Agatha Christie novels, you absolutely need to pick up this book!
In Webs of Ink, the author pulls off a brilliant meeting between Agatha Christie and private eye Maud West, showing that much like Christie’s own books this story goes way beyond the typical cozy mystery.
Set in 1920s London, this gripping story follows a woman battling addiction as she finds herself trapped in a dangerous web of counterfeit currency and criminal schemes. This is a clever, moody mystery that highlights two great, contrasting leads and really lets them shine. I hadn't previously heard of Maude West and I'm looking forward to finding out more about her!
For those who enjoy historical mysteries featuring compelling female protagonists, an element of intrigue, and a clever literary narrative, Webs of Ink is highly recommended. I'm hoping for many more adventures for Maude and Agatha.
In Webs of Ink, the author pulls off a brilliant meeting between Agatha Christie and private eye Maud West, showing that much like Christie’s own books this story goes way beyond the typical cozy mystery.
Set in 1920s London, this gripping story follows a woman battling addiction as she finds herself trapped in a dangerous web of counterfeit currency and criminal schemes. This is a clever, moody mystery that highlights two great, contrasting leads and really lets them shine. I hadn't previously heard of Maude West and I'm looking forward to finding out more about her!
For those who enjoy historical mysteries featuring compelling female protagonists, an element of intrigue, and a clever literary narrative, Webs of Ink is highly recommended. I'm hoping for many more adventures for Maude and Agatha.
July 19, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this electronic ARC. What an interesting idea for a book- a real female English detective, Maude West, from the 1920s working with the real mystery writer Agatha Christie to solve at first a crime and then a murder. Some of the details from the detective work of Maude were based on actual accounts even if Agatha and Maude never worked together. I love how both women were strong independent women who had careers but were also wives and mothers. I also was encouraged by the supportive roles both husbands played. This was a unique detective mystery and I very much enjoyed reading it.
November 9, 2026
This was a solid read. Great mystery with great characters. Loved the historical aspects based on real people and events. It was a quick read and super fun!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While far from a new author, I was only just introduced to Rebecca Connolly's books and had only read one (Three Queens) prior to this one. The thing that I think I enjoyed most about this one, is the same that I enjoyed about the last: an interesting imagining of relationship between actual known people in history. In this case, Agatha Christie and Maud West. While I was fairly familiar with Agatha Christie, I must admit that I had personally never heard of Maud West prior to this book, so for those also unfamiliar, she was a female detective in 1920s London. Despite my familiarity, I found I was able to enjoy the story all the same. This pairing may be fictional, but it is one that made sense to me, and I enjoyed seeing these two women come together to solve a mystery of their own. This story truly felt like a combination of historical fiction and cozy mystery in a wonderful 1920s setting... and I loved that some of the details actually did come from Maud's real-life investigations. This is definitely story that has me intrigued to learn more about both of these women's lives outside of this fictional partnership too. If you're a fan of Agatha Christie or 1920s mysteries, this is certainly one worth checking out.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Do you love historical crime fiction? Murder mystery thrillers? How about Agatha Christie novels? Well, I have a book for you! Webs of Ink by Rebecca Connolly is being published on November 3, 2026, and it has all the above ingredients and more.
Connolly began by pairing Maud West, famous female detective from London, England in the 1920's, with Agatha Christie to create a murder mystery triumph. In her story, Connolly uses the time frame of Agatha Christie's first book publication (The Mysterious Affair at Styles) to introduce Christie to West. West is famous for using disguises to help solve her private detective cases, and Connolly melds the two women's lives and expertise to plot out a mystery for a counterfeiting crime ring.
The case Maud West solves in Webs of Ink is a true case that she solved during her career. Some of the events in the novel actually happened to West with details from her actual written accounts. Christie and West's husbands are also accurately portrayed. Now we get to the fictional part. There is no evidence that Maud West and Agatha Christie ever actually met, the fact that they could have makes for quite an entertaining story.
Before reading Webs of Ink, I had never heard of Maud West. I looked her up and had fun perusing her disguises and crimes solved. I am so glad I did too because that made this fictional romp so much more fun to read. I purposely left out much of the storyline in this review so as not to create any spoilers for my mystery reader fans.
If you enjoy a historical murder mystery with actual real life people depicted in the tale then I would recommend reading Webs of Ink when it debuts in November from Shadow Mountain Publishing. I am rating Webs of Ink with four stars.
I want to thank NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing and Rebecca Connolly for the Advanced Reader's Copy of Webs of Ink in exchange for this honest Review.
#WebsofInk #RebeccaConnolly #NetGalley #MaudWest #AgathaChristie #ShadowMountainPublishing
Connolly began by pairing Maud West, famous female detective from London, England in the 1920's, with Agatha Christie to create a murder mystery triumph. In her story, Connolly uses the time frame of Agatha Christie's first book publication (The Mysterious Affair at Styles) to introduce Christie to West. West is famous for using disguises to help solve her private detective cases, and Connolly melds the two women's lives and expertise to plot out a mystery for a counterfeiting crime ring.
The case Maud West solves in Webs of Ink is a true case that she solved during her career. Some of the events in the novel actually happened to West with details from her actual written accounts. Christie and West's husbands are also accurately portrayed. Now we get to the fictional part. There is no evidence that Maud West and Agatha Christie ever actually met, the fact that they could have makes for quite an entertaining story.
Before reading Webs of Ink, I had never heard of Maud West. I looked her up and had fun perusing her disguises and crimes solved. I am so glad I did too because that made this fictional romp so much more fun to read. I purposely left out much of the storyline in this review so as not to create any spoilers for my mystery reader fans.
If you enjoy a historical murder mystery with actual real life people depicted in the tale then I would recommend reading Webs of Ink when it debuts in November from Shadow Mountain Publishing. I am rating Webs of Ink with four stars.
I want to thank NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing and Rebecca Connolly for the Advanced Reader's Copy of Webs of Ink in exchange for this honest Review.
#WebsofInk #RebeccaConnolly #NetGalley #MaudWest #AgathaChristie #ShadowMountainPublishing
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Netgalley Review
Settle in for this exciting and emotional story, with great characters and the perfect blend of fact and fiction.
The author guides us through the story using long chapters that allow us to fully immerse ourselves in each bit before moving on to the next part.
The chapters would swap character points of view which was interesting. I enjoyed reading from both points of view. Sometimes the characters had their own separate storylines and sometimes they would merge together. It was an interesting technique that I enjoyed. Whilst it wasn't explicitly labelled as to whose point of view you were reading from, it was clear from the way that it was written.
There was an interesting flow between the chapters created by the swap in points of view and whether or not we were on a separate storyline. I liked this technique and enjoyed picking it back up at each reading session.
There was a good pace to the book. Whilst we moved through the story fairly well, we were slowed down by the characters' thoughts, feelings and other surrounding details. These details really brought the story to life.
The characters brought determination and friendship to the story. The main characters worked well together and I enjoyed reading about their adventures. There were some emotional and tense moments, which added an extra layer to the story.
I enjoyed reading how resilient and determined the main characters were. They had come from different walks of life and both survived a tumultuous time in history. Their gender, and expectations based on it, had an impact on what they could do, but they did their best to bring some sort of justice to an unfair world.
Finally we come to the settings. Whilst it was a character focused story, there were some nice details that brought the story to life and allowed us to become fully immersed in the story.
Overall it was an excellent read, with a wonderful blend of fact and fiction. Perfect for cosy mystery fans. I recommend.
Settle in for this exciting and emotional story, with great characters and the perfect blend of fact and fiction.
The author guides us through the story using long chapters that allow us to fully immerse ourselves in each bit before moving on to the next part.
The chapters would swap character points of view which was interesting. I enjoyed reading from both points of view. Sometimes the characters had their own separate storylines and sometimes they would merge together. It was an interesting technique that I enjoyed. Whilst it wasn't explicitly labelled as to whose point of view you were reading from, it was clear from the way that it was written.
There was an interesting flow between the chapters created by the swap in points of view and whether or not we were on a separate storyline. I liked this technique and enjoyed picking it back up at each reading session.
There was a good pace to the book. Whilst we moved through the story fairly well, we were slowed down by the characters' thoughts, feelings and other surrounding details. These details really brought the story to life.
The characters brought determination and friendship to the story. The main characters worked well together and I enjoyed reading about their adventures. There were some emotional and tense moments, which added an extra layer to the story.
I enjoyed reading how resilient and determined the main characters were. They had come from different walks of life and both survived a tumultuous time in history. Their gender, and expectations based on it, had an impact on what they could do, but they did their best to bring some sort of justice to an unfair world.
Finally we come to the settings. Whilst it was a character focused story, there were some nice details that brought the story to life and allowed us to become fully immersed in the story.
Overall it was an excellent read, with a wonderful blend of fact and fiction. Perfect for cosy mystery fans. I recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Webs of Ink is an absolute delight — a smart, atmospheric mystery that pairs two wonderfully different women and lets them shine in all the best ways. Set in 1920s London, the story brings together Maud West, the self‑styled “Lady Detective” hungry for real recognition, and a young Agatha Christie, eager to observe genuine investigative work beyond the page. Their partnership is as unexpected as it is entertaining.
What I loved most is how Rebecca Connolly balances tone: the book feels light on its feet, yet the stakes are real, the danger credible, and the emotional beats surprisingly tender. Maud is sharp, ambitious, and just a little bit theatrical; Agatha is observant, thoughtful, and quietly brave. Watching them navigate mounting threats, blackmail, and a shadowy criminal network is simply fun — the kind of fun that comes from two clever women refusing to be underestimated.
The 1920s setting is vivid without ever feeling heavy, and the mystery itself twists neatly without relying on shock value. Instead, it’s the characters — their growing trust, their contrasting strengths, their shared determination — that make the story sing.
If you enjoy historical mysteries with strong female leads, a dash of danger, and a wonderfully bookish twist, Webs of Ink is a treat. I’d happily follow Maud and Agatha on many more adventures.
With thanks to Rebecca Connolly, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
What I loved most is how Rebecca Connolly balances tone: the book feels light on its feet, yet the stakes are real, the danger credible, and the emotional beats surprisingly tender. Maud is sharp, ambitious, and just a little bit theatrical; Agatha is observant, thoughtful, and quietly brave. Watching them navigate mounting threats, blackmail, and a shadowy criminal network is simply fun — the kind of fun that comes from two clever women refusing to be underestimated.
The 1920s setting is vivid without ever feeling heavy, and the mystery itself twists neatly without relying on shock value. Instead, it’s the characters — their growing trust, their contrasting strengths, their shared determination — that make the story sing.
If you enjoy historical mysteries with strong female leads, a dash of danger, and a wonderfully bookish twist, Webs of Ink is a treat. I’d happily follow Maud and Agatha on many more adventures.
With thanks to Rebecca Connolly, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I read the premise, I was really excited for this book - a bit true crime (Maub West was a real detective) and part police procedural (Agatha Christie’s knowledge of poisons, working with a cop to do research for a future series with a female lead detective), mixed together to form a fun mystery fiction story.
However, I never really found myself getting into the book and I think it’s because my expectations weren’t met (to be fair, it might not be the books fault). The book feels like a mix of historical fiction and a cozy mystery. There is more about Maub and Agatha’s personal lives than I would have guessed (e.g., confiding in their husbands, their kids, etc) and the women being stalked ends up playing a bigger role. Yes, Maub is a detective which inherently isn’t a cozy mystery, but it has the rest of the vibes I expect in a cozy mystery - it feels more lighthearted of a mystery, Floozie and Agatha are amateurs, the characters are quirky, the focus is on the puzzle side of the mystery vs the darker themes you might expect from a drug-running gang.
I think if you go into this looking for a book more akin to the Miss Marple series itself, you’ll likely enjoy the book.
Thank you to Rebecca Connolly, Shadow Mountain Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
However, I never really found myself getting into the book and I think it’s because my expectations weren’t met (to be fair, it might not be the books fault). The book feels like a mix of historical fiction and a cozy mystery. There is more about Maub and Agatha’s personal lives than I would have guessed (e.g., confiding in their husbands, their kids, etc) and the women being stalked ends up playing a bigger role. Yes, Maub is a detective which inherently isn’t a cozy mystery, but it has the rest of the vibes I expect in a cozy mystery - it feels more lighthearted of a mystery, Floozie and Agatha are amateurs, the characters are quirky, the focus is on the puzzle side of the mystery vs the darker themes you might expect from a drug-running gang.
I think if you go into this looking for a book more akin to the Miss Marple series itself, you’ll likely enjoy the book.
Thank you to Rebecca Connolly, Shadow Mountain Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2026
The premise of this story was very interesting. Maud West was a female detective in London during the 1920s. She typically did not get assigned to the high profile, intense cases. When a young woman, admittedly addicted to drugs, came to her about a counterfeit drug ring how could she pass that up. Now the interesting part of the story this is also during the time Agatha Christie released her first mystery novel. What would happen if a lady London detective and a mystery writer worked together on a case. Now although these two, probably never met in person. This idea was a fun twist on a murder mystery. Now for me, I thought the story dragged a little bit. I admittedly fast forwarded through some parts, where other parts held me captive. By the time I got toward the end, I was curious how things would play out. I enjoyed that these two women were able to have successful careers, but also be available for their children and husbands. Also the thought to have Ms. Christie’s creative talents and attention to detail help investigations was intriguing. I appreciate the authors research into the lives of these two women, and the true events that took place. It was interesting to learn some background of Agatha Christie, as she was an author I read as a teenager. I received a complimentary copy of this. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 29, 2026
"𝘐𝘯 𝟷𝟿𝟸𝟶𝘴 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯, “𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘋𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦” 𝘔𝘢𝘶𝘥 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘢 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘶𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦."
🔎𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
When I read the description, I was instantly hooked. Mystery, Agatha Christie, 1920s London—what’s not to love? Absolutely nothing. 🔎🖊️💰
I loved the peek into the personal lives of two real women: Agatha Christie and Maud West. The author clearly did her research and stayed true to who they were. I adored Maud’s fierce independence and love for her family, and Agatha’s devotion to her family and her writing. It was truly delightful to get those glimpses of family life. 💗 The story really picks up once they team up to solve the mystery of a young girl being followed. The intrigue kept me turning pages, and I adored the delicious ending to this charming mystery set in the Roaring Twenties.
𝟒/𝟓⭐️I enjoyed and recommend this book!
🖊️𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞:
•1920's London
•Strong & intelligent women
•Mysteries!
•Real women in fictional stories
•Women in male dominated jobs
🔎𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary review copy of this book. This is my honest review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
🔎𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
When I read the description, I was instantly hooked. Mystery, Agatha Christie, 1920s London—what’s not to love? Absolutely nothing. 🔎🖊️💰
I loved the peek into the personal lives of two real women: Agatha Christie and Maud West. The author clearly did her research and stayed true to who they were. I adored Maud’s fierce independence and love for her family, and Agatha’s devotion to her family and her writing. It was truly delightful to get those glimpses of family life. 💗 The story really picks up once they team up to solve the mystery of a young girl being followed. The intrigue kept me turning pages, and I adored the delicious ending to this charming mystery set in the Roaring Twenties.
𝟒/𝟓⭐️I enjoyed and recommend this book!
🖊️𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞:
•1920's London
•Strong & intelligent women
•Mysteries!
•Real women in fictional stories
•Women in male dominated jobs
🔎𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary review copy of this book. This is my honest review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Webs of Ink by Rebecca Connolly is a fascinating fictional story that brings together Maud West and Agatha Christie. Maud is a female detective who is quite talented, female or not, and finds herself facing a huge case opportunity. Initially, she’s intrigued and quite drawn to protect and help the young woman who brings to her a dangerously layered case. Agatha Christie has just published a book in America and gets invited by Maud to bring her perspective as an author. I love the energy and banter between these two brilliant minds. The mystery itself is plausible and moves a great pace, keeping the reader engaged throughout. While Maud is a master of disguise, Agatha is a creative writer with experiences from her own war efforts. Both women are married, younger mothers, who are balancing the demands of raising a family and pursuing their passions. Together, they bring a fresh perspective on women sleuths in London during the 1920s. I cannot wait for their next adventure!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Webs of Ink is a historical novel looking at the lives of Maud West and Agatha Christie. Although they probably didn’t meet each other, they lived in the same time period, so it was clever how Connolly put them together to solve one of Maud West’s actual mysteries.
I am a big mystery fan and I love reading historical novels, so this was a big winner for me. The history was incredible. The research was in-depth and I learned some interesting things about the time period, along with many new things about both Christie and West. I also liked how Connolly explored not only their careers, but also their home life as well. Using both women’s areas of expertise to solve the mystery added the final touches perfectly.
I have read several of Connolly’s books and this is one of my favorites. She is at the top of her game on this book. I highly recommend it.
Contents: Clean, kisses only. No profanity. I love finding books I can relax and read without worrying about the content, then recommend to my friends and daughter as well.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing. All these thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am a big mystery fan and I love reading historical novels, so this was a big winner for me. The history was incredible. The research was in-depth and I learned some interesting things about the time period, along with many new things about both Christie and West. I also liked how Connolly explored not only their careers, but also their home life as well. Using both women’s areas of expertise to solve the mystery added the final touches perfectly.
I have read several of Connolly’s books and this is one of my favorites. She is at the top of her game on this book. I highly recommend it.
Contents: Clean, kisses only. No profanity. I love finding books I can relax and read without worrying about the content, then recommend to my friends and daughter as well.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing. All these thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 31, 2026
I received an ARC ebook from PW’s Grab-A-Galley giveaway.
Webs of Ink is historical fiction about a private detective, Maud West, and mystery novelist, Agatha Christie. These women don’t know each other at the start. Maud’s assistant, Clarke, had heard about Agatha’s first novel so a meeting is arranged to introduce the two women. They decide to team up to solve the case Maud had recently begun. Both women are extremely observant. Maud is great with disguises and Agatha with pharmaceuticals which they use to help solve the case. This book is based on an actual case taken on by Maud West.
I am a more recent fan of mysteries and this one was engaging and leaving me wanting to read past my bedtime. I think Rebecca Connolly did a superb job depicting her characters and describing the often dangerous situations they encountered. There is much witty and humorous dialogue throughout, especially between Maud and Sergeant Malone. I also enjoyed this book because it portrays strong and smart women, who are also wives and mothers, taking on roles typically held by men at that time.
Webs of Ink is historical fiction about a private detective, Maud West, and mystery novelist, Agatha Christie. These women don’t know each other at the start. Maud’s assistant, Clarke, had heard about Agatha’s first novel so a meeting is arranged to introduce the two women. They decide to team up to solve the case Maud had recently begun. Both women are extremely observant. Maud is great with disguises and Agatha with pharmaceuticals which they use to help solve the case. This book is based on an actual case taken on by Maud West.
I am a more recent fan of mysteries and this one was engaging and leaving me wanting to read past my bedtime. I think Rebecca Connolly did a superb job depicting her characters and describing the often dangerous situations they encountered. There is much witty and humorous dialogue throughout, especially between Maud and Sergeant Malone. I also enjoyed this book because it portrays strong and smart women, who are also wives and mothers, taking on roles typically held by men at that time.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was everything I hoped it would be! I love the mystery of it. There was plenty of danger and intrigue. It's just so great!
I love how the author uses real people as her characters. And put them into her fictional situations. Maud West was a 1920s lady detective. I loved the way the book showed her as a real person who had to protect herself and her family from the unsavory people she attracted as a private detective. I'm not sure how she did this as a job, I would have been terrified!
Maud has a case that she's working that she needs help from a brand new author, Agatha Christie. It was so fun to me that the author put these two women together. Both were mothers. Both had experience of some sort in solving cases, Agatha's happened to come from her own imagination. But these two women work so well together in the story.
And the mystery they are solving. It definitely kept me wondering what was going to happen next and who was going to jump out of the shadows at one of the women.
This book is so great! Make sure you grab it.
I love how the author uses real people as her characters. And put them into her fictional situations. Maud West was a 1920s lady detective. I loved the way the book showed her as a real person who had to protect herself and her family from the unsavory people she attracted as a private detective. I'm not sure how she did this as a job, I would have been terrified!
Maud has a case that she's working that she needs help from a brand new author, Agatha Christie. It was so fun to me that the author put these two women together. Both were mothers. Both had experience of some sort in solving cases, Agatha's happened to come from her own imagination. But these two women work so well together in the story.
And the mystery they are solving. It definitely kept me wondering what was going to happen next and who was going to jump out of the shadows at one of the women.
This book is so great! Make sure you grab it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story of a real (but widely unknown) female detective and the very famous Agatha Christie working together to solve a real case was fascinating! The plot itself was a great idea and I loved the author’s note. I did feel that there could have been more showing, rather than telling. And there were many moments that could have been much more intense and been amped up to make the story move along at more of a thrilling, gripping pace. There were two scenes this was done well, but several others that fell flat and would’ve added so much to the overall tension of what should have felt like more stressful situations. My favorite part of the story, honestly, were the depictions of healthy, joyful family life. Loved the marriages and relationships between children and parents. We need more of that in fiction and it was well done.
Kisses only and no profanity.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this ARC! All opinions are my own.
Kisses only and no profanity.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this ARC! All opinions are my own.
November 4, 2026
In Webs of Ink, the author creates a meeting between Agatha Christie and private detective Maud West. Just as many of Agatha Christie’s stories wouldn’t fall into a cozy category, neither does Webs of Ink. This is 1920s London when there is a recession, and there are many desperate people. The book gives the reader a case of a young woman being followed. She is addicted to a drug. She is working for a criminal organization delivering money, that is counterfeit.
The book is very well written. The author gives us insight into two strong women, that made a difference in the home and outside it.
I may have not known exactly what to expect when I picked up Webs of Ink, but I certainly came away with an enthusiasm for Rebecca Connolly’s writing and the women who are the main characters of the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of the novel.
The book is very well written. The author gives us insight into two strong women, that made a difference in the home and outside it.
I may have not known exactly what to expect when I picked up Webs of Ink, but I certainly came away with an enthusiasm for Rebecca Connolly’s writing and the women who are the main characters of the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of the novel.
October 20, 2026
I was immediately pulled in by the premise of this. 1920s London? Agatha Christie joining a lady detective to solve a crime? Yes please!
I would label this book is more historical fiction with a mystery subplot. It really focuses on Maud and Agatha as people and their lives and careers (all while they’re investigating.) I enjoyed this, but if someone goes in seeing "Agatha Christie" in the synopsis and expects a Christie style whodunnit they may be disappointed. The mystery was still interesting, but not really one meant for the reader to try and solve themselves.
I’d never heard of Maud West before and loved learning that so much of this story was based on her real cases. I love that the author combined fact with fiction, and I’m eager to learn more about her after this book.
I’ll admit that while I really liked this book, I wouldn’t say I loved it. Did I find the plot interesting? Yes. Characters? Also yes. Did it steal my attention and hold me riveted? No, not really (although the last couple chapters were a bit more exciting.)
Does that mean it’s a bad book? Absolutely not! For the right reader and the right expectations, this is definitely one to pick up.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the digital ARC. I was not required to leave a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are completely my own.
November 5, 2026
Two powerful females in the roaring 20's come together to solve a mystery and take on a crime ring that endangers them and their families; are you interested? I sure was- and was rewarded for my reading this story.
Agatha Christie and Maud West are both real women and the case the book focuses on has several true and historical elements. The fact that they worked on it together is fiction, but several of the people involved are real. It was fascinating to read about their lives, their families (both were married with children) and their careers. I would call it more of a historical fiction book with a mystery element- but the danger felt real as they became involved in a criminal gang's deadly web.
Both women were famous in their own areas and I thought it was fun to have them join forces in the book.
I received a book from Shadow Mountain Publisher for my honest review.
Agatha Christie and Maud West are both real women and the case the book focuses on has several true and historical elements. The fact that they worked on it together is fiction, but several of the people involved are real. It was fascinating to read about their lives, their families (both were married with children) and their careers. I would call it more of a historical fiction book with a mystery element- but the danger felt real as they became involved in a criminal gang's deadly web.
Both women were famous in their own areas and I thought it was fun to have them join forces in the book.
I received a book from Shadow Mountain Publisher for my honest review.
November 5, 2026
I really adore this book and the premise of two historical figures, private detective Maud West and writer Agatha Christie, teaming up to solve an actual crime. The professions compliment each other and even though there is no record of them ever having met it is delightful to consider. The characters are well written and I liked how their skills complimented the other allowing them to work together. The case was multilayered, interesting, and I was invested in the outcome. On top of the wonderful story the book is lovely with decorated end pages and details between the chapters and on chapter pages that are reminiscent of the time period.
I highly recommend this book to readers of historical fiction or readers that enjoy Agatha Christie.
Thanks to the author and Great Reads for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I highly recommend this book to readers of historical fiction or readers that enjoy Agatha Christie.
Thanks to the author and Great Reads for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read
November 2, 2026Webs of Ink offers an intriguing historical mystery built around an imaginative partnership between real-life detective Maud West and a young Agatha Christie.
Rebecca Connolly brings 1920s London to life through a case involving stalking, blackmail, a clandestine gang and escalating personal danger.
The contrast between Maud’s desire for professional recognition and Agatha’s curiosity about real investigative work gives the partnership an engaging foundation.
Their unlikely alliance combines the ingenuity of a seasoned investigator with the sharp observations of an emerging crime novelist.
With its historical setting, literary connection and suspenseful premise, the novel has strong appeal for readers of historical mysteries and classic detective fiction.
Rebecca Connolly brings 1920s London to life through a case involving stalking, blackmail, a clandestine gang and escalating personal danger.
The contrast between Maud’s desire for professional recognition and Agatha’s curiosity about real investigative work gives the partnership an engaging foundation.
Their unlikely alliance combines the ingenuity of a seasoned investigator with the sharp observations of an emerging crime novelist.
With its historical setting, literary connection and suspenseful premise, the novel has strong appeal for readers of historical mysteries and classic detective fiction.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a cute little mystery. It actually has Agatha Christie vibes (even if it is slightly more complicated than most of her mysteries). The main characters are a real life lady detective named Maud West and Agatha Christie herself. The mystery is based on a real case with some extra detail added by the author. There is also no indication that these lovely ladies ever met in real life, but they likely knew about each other at some point. If this turns into a series, I would read additional installments.
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a cozy mystery with a bit of thriller added in.
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a cozy mystery with a bit of thriller added in.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of an advanced copy received from NetGalley
I didn't knew that Maud was an actual person until I reached the end of this book. I personally haven't read any book from Agatha Christie yet and after this book I guess she'll climb up my tbr shelf. This is why I love to read historical fiction books, because it helps me to know the existence of wonderful
women, such as Maud. I truly enjoyed the book and please, don't base on my reading history, it took me a long time because life happens. There was of course a moment when everything felt rushed, but it turned out to be a really good end. I truly believe this book has potential and that it deserves a chance.
I didn't knew that Maud was an actual person until I reached the end of this book. I personally haven't read any book from Agatha Christie yet and after this book I guess she'll climb up my tbr shelf. This is why I love to read historical fiction books, because it helps me to know the existence of wonderful
women, such as Maud. I truly enjoyed the book and please, don't base on my reading history, it took me a long time because life happens. There was of course a moment when everything felt rushed, but it turned out to be a really good end. I truly believe this book has potential and that it deserves a chance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews