British Bulldog

Mirabelle Bevan Mystery #4

by Sara Sheridan

WWII is over but Mirabelle's time in the backrooms of Whitehall has made her the most stylish sleuth in Brighton. Perfect for fans of ITV's The Bletchley Circle. .1954, Brighton, London and ParisWhen Mirabelle receives a bequest from a lately deceased wartime acquaintance she is mystified - she hardly knew the man but it is not long before she realises that he certainly knew her. She is drawn back to re-examine her memories of WWII and is shocked to find that other people's experiences do not chime with her own and more importantly, with what she knows of her erstwhile lover, Jack Duggan. Following the trail to the threads of what's left of the resistance movement in Paris, Mirabelle is forced to face secrets she didn't even know that she had.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Cozy Mystery, Historical, France, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2015

About the author

Born in Edinburgh. I'm a complete swot - love books always have! Currently obsessed with late Georgian/ early Victorian culture, the subject of several of my novels, and with 1950s Britain for my Mirabelle Bevan murder mystery series set across the UK - and even one in Paris. Occasionally write tie-in books for historical dramas on TV, children's picture books and short stories, mostly for charitable causes.

Reviews

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much reminiscing about Saint Jack and the secrets Mirabelle uncovers about him are rather a let down in the dramatic sense. Also, the mystery aspect was rather weak.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed the previous books in this series and this book is perhaps the best of the series so far. It certainly kept me turning the pages to find out what happened. Mirabelle receives a commission to discover what happened to an RAF airman who failed to make it home after the end of the war.

She is dubious about taking on the task but when someone tells her to drop the case the oppositions pushes her to find out what happened to Philip Caine. The job takes her to Paris where she end sup in danger and finds out more than she really wanted to know about her dead lover's past.

This is a well written story set in Brighton and Paris in the 1950s. It could be read as a standalone novel but is probably best read as part of series so that you can follow the development of Mirabelle's relationships with her business partner, Vesta and with Alan McGregor - the local police Superintendent.

[Stef Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful addition to the Mirabelle Bevan series by the amazing Sara Sherdian. An amazing piece of prose about a woman struggling with the realities of the world in a post war Britain. Mirabelle is such a smooth agent, working her best skills and navigating the tricky political and spy fields of the 1950's.
A heroine worthy of the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, Mirabelle continues to go to strength to strength, and I will never tire of reading and 're-reading this wonderful books, and enjoying each twist and turn of the narrative.
Jolly spiffing read! Recommended highly!

[Marguerite Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series and all of the characters in it. An added bonus for this one was that it was set in Paris, one of my very favourite cities.

The mysteries in these stories are intriguing, but they are only half the interest for me. The rest is in the historical context, the continuing themes of what WWII did to people's lives and mines, and of course in the characters and their varied relationships. It's relatively unusual to have a WWII theme in this kind of 'cosy' mystery - and I call it cosy only because there's no actual blood and guts. But the horrors of war aren't skimped on, trust me - it's just that the detail is rather psychological than physical, and the physical detail isn't dwelt upon - it doesn't need to be. I also really enjoy that the series looks at the war from a female perspective, whether it's through Mirabelle's eyes as one who was involved with Whitehall, Vesta's as one who experienced it through her parents (and the associated racism) or in this case, Christine, the French spy/informer whose story was heart-wrenching.

Of course, I'm also loving the way Mirabelle and Alan's relationship is developing, and who sympathetically Sara Sheridan deals with Mirabelle's former relationship with her married lover - and lots of twists and turns on that one this time too.

Another pacey and thoroughly enjoyable read, it won't be long before I go back for the next one.

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th Mirabelle Bevan mystery I have read after a gap of several years. From that standpoint it is clear to me that you can enjoy reading British Bulldog without any background knowledge. You will soon discover that Mirabelle is a brave and sometimes foolhardy heroine, determined to get to the truth in her investigations.
Leaving her friends and colleagues in Brighton, Mirabelle travels to Paris to look for Philip Caine, a British serviceman who disappeared in 1944. She is astonished to discover that Philip had worked alongside her deceased lover, Jack Duggan, and that Jack had lied to her about many aspects of his life. From the moment that she approaches one of Philip’s ex-contacts from the Resistance Mirabelle finds herself in danger, but she cannot resist following clues and instigating action. Just when Mirabelle is at her lowest, her close friend Superintendent Alan McGregor arrives in Paris, out of his depth, but prepared to risk everything to save her.
This fast-moving adventure is authentically described in its 1950s context and expresses the confusion and depression felt by many people post-war. Outdated views about the role of women have been challenged during wartime but domesticity is returning to those without Mirabelle’s bold courage. A great adventure which could so easily be transferred to the screen.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. I enjoyed this entry in the series more than the last book. While there was an occasional somewhat outlandish situation, overall it was a good story and mystery plot. I liked the introduction of the Cold War themes, and the storyline that demonstrated how much of a cloud still hung over Europe almost 10 years after the end of WWII. I'm glad that the relationship between Mirabelle and the Inspector finally seems to be moving forward also. Her constant remembrances of Jack were getting wearisome. It was time for her to move on. (And us with her!)

[Constance Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mirabelle is an intelligent, progressive woman, which I like. In this entry in the series she finally sees her deceased lover as the man he was - ie., only as human as the rest of us - and she begins to be able to move on in her on life. Her character remains well developed and believable, and the primary background characters are also strong women. What a delight!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is much better than the last one. It kept my interest throughout the book, although some of the events that Mirabelle gets involved, are hard to believe. She even kills a man and seems not to have much emotion about that. Even MacGregor doesn't have much response to this. It's nice to see that Mirabelle is starting to 'get over' Jack and her and MacGregor are getting more involved.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I found this series. This is the 4th book and I still have to read the third but you can read them out of order. A smart, elegant British woman with a history of espionage during WWII is the detective and she is very engaging. Looking forward to getting book three.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really really struggled to get through this. It just didn’t hold my interest enough. It also ended up being half-set in Paris, and my whole point in reading this series is to learn more about Brighton (not Paris). So this was really tough going for me!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mirabelle's foray into Paris and into cold war spy craft. Resolution of some of her feelings for Jack and also Allan McGregor.

[Beaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, set in Brighton, and went to Paris, a place I love. Will be looking out for more by this author x

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!
Maribelle & Vesta are an awesome crime solving duo with a progressive friendship. My only gripe is the relationship with McGregor is moving slow.

[mrs josephine moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good one

Easy read enjoyable good holiday read looking forward to book five 1 2 3 r 4 5 6 r 7

[Emily Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting.

[susan nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

[Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

1950s-set private detective novel. Mirabelle is tasked with finding a British airman shot down over France during WW2.

[Ann Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has many good reviews but it did not do much for meI found the plot got a little bit too complex.

[Eve Mitleton-Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining

I enjoyed another Mirabelle Bevan story. They are sufficiently intricate to hold one’s interest but not too far fetched. Good!

[kaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

the twistiest mirabelle bevan yet! sara sheridan has a beautiful writing style, & i enjoyed the look further into mirabelle's past too

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first encountered the lovely Sara Sheridan at an Edinburgh Women For Independence conference where she was one of the speakers. I was so taken with not only what she had to say about women and politics but also with her enthusiasm that I decided to look up her books once I got home.

I am not usually a fan of murder mysteries and detective stories – I much prefer fantasy or sci-fi when it comes to fiction. However, Sara’s descriptions of her latest series about Mirabelle Bevan, a former Special Operations Executive agent in World War Two who now works for a small debt collections agency in Brighton have completely ensnared and captivated me. I quickly read the first two novels in the series – “Brighton Belle” and ” London Calling” and am hoping to get a hold of the third one, “England Expects” soon.

Sara was kind and gracious enough to send me a copy of the fourth and latest chapter of Mirabelle’s adventures, along with some of her earlier works, for Glasgow Women’s Library, following chat on a visit to Glasgow. I believe that “British Bulldog” could be read as a stand-alone novel but would recommend that readers do seek out the previous instalments, as it follows on so well with the continuing stories of Mirabelle, her sidekick Vesta Churchil and Superintendant Alan McGregor. This story takes us from the familiar settings of Brighton and London to mid-1950s Paris. I don’t know very much about this era but Sara’s rich descriptions do make you feel that you are right there with well-researched attention to detail and tone.

This tale is one of escaping prisoners of war, Nazi colloborators and secret agents and weaves a story that brings in more details from Mirabelle’s past and her relationship with her late lover Jack Duggan. Mirabelle reminds me somewhat of Agent Peggy Carter from the Marvel franchise, in that she is determined and courageous and not afraid to take risks, while being really stylish as well as multi-layered and at the same time carrying a torch for a lost love. Sara is not afraid either to tackle issues of the time, particularly around Mirabelle’s associate Vesta, a young black woman in post-war England.

The Mirabelle Bevan series is definitely one that I would highly recommend – strong, capable women in an era where it was still not entirely acceptable to be one, fast-paced action and intrigue in classy locations with an even balance of glamour and post-war austerity and a heroine with real emotion and depth. I do know that there will be more adventures of Mirabelle and her team in the offing and I for one am looking forward to them. If TV producers are searching for a new addition to dramas such as “The Hour” and “Call The Midwife” they would do well to get in touch with Sara.

[T. K. Elliott (Tiffany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a series which improves with time, as we find out more about the characters, their backgrounds, and their motivations.

This time, Mirabelle Bevan is informed that she has inherited a large some of money - but only if she finds out what happened to a man who escaped a German PoW camp in 1942 and was never seen again. The book follows her investigation into what (obviously, or it wouldn't be a very interesting book) expands beyond the realms of a simple missing person case.

A significant subplot is Mirabelle's grieving for her lover, Jack, who died several years ago (before Book 1). This has been a running theme through the books, and Mirabelle is finally starting to move on, and also to realise that the Jack she knew was not the whole man. Just as Jack hid his relationship with Mirabelle from others, he also hid things from Mirabelle. Some of those things are revealed in this book.

I enjoyed the way Sheridan dealt with the various aspects of grief here: Mirabelle's grief for Jack, which she has been compelled to keep secret due to the nature of their relationship; wives' publicly acknowledged grief for dead husbands; grief for the end of an era, as Mirabelle realises how much London has changed, and how many people want to move on and forget the war and those who gave so much.

It's also interesting to consider that in most books, the "other woman" is the husband-stealing villainess: here, Mirabelle is the "other woman", and our sympathies lie with her: Mirabelle's love and grief are no less real for not being socially sanctioned.

The main plot, of course, was that of the missing man; in this, Mirabelle is at her elegant, ruthless best. She moves towards the conclusion with a certain smooth implacability, bringing all the threads together and making all tidy, the way only Mirabelle Bevan can.

I think we are also seeing a change in emphasis away from events of the war, and towards the Cold War of the 1950s, which will doubtless be important in the following books. The next book, Operation Goodwood is already out on Kindle.

[Chrystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

British Bulldog by Sara Sheridan - Very Good

Ah, what a joy to pick up a page turner and fly through. Loved this book. The best so far.

This is the fourth of, what the author said would be ten, Mirabelle Bevan books.

Mirabelle worked in Whitehall during the war, involved behind the scenes in SOE and also with a married operative. In post-war Britain, she has moved to Brighton and her lover has died leaving her bereft and damaged. In book one, she inherits a Debt Collection Agency and also discovers a talent for mystery and intrigue when she got involved in murder. Since then, intrigue has found her each year and 1954 is no different.

She receives a strange bequest, an inheritance if she will try and find a man missing in Europe since 1942 when he escaped from a German POW camp. The trail takes her from Brighton to London to Paris and into danger.

I originally started reading this series when I saw the author talk about the first in the series at the BookFest. It was the year I decided to see authors I knew little about to try and broaden my reading. I particularly liked the idea that Mirabelle's recovery would mirror that of post-war Britain. Each year, both move on, slowly but surely - it has been nicely done so far.

Fast and pacey this is definitely the best book so far and I can't wait for the next one now.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I debated whether to give this 5stars but in the end I decided on 4 because there was quite a big chunk in the middle of the book I found a bit boring. There was a bit too much soul-searching and introspection over Jack (this is a personal preference and shouldn’t put anybody off trying this book).

However, Mirabelle is becoming one of my favourite sleuths, in a review of the first book I was critical of how passive Mirabelle was, this has not been the case since then, she is not a ‘kickass’ heroine but she certainly makes use of her intellect and the skills she developed during her time with SOE.

I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mirabelle Bevan is visited by a solicitor who informs her that a former military contact has recently died and left her some money in his will. On the condition that she tracks down what happened to his old WW2 buddy who escaped from a prisoner of war camp with him. The trail send Mirabelle off to Paris tracking down spies, Nazi collaborators and information about her deceased lover. Another fantastic outing for the intrepid Miss Bevan. I was glad to see that she is finally getting over Jack and can see a possible union with the faithful detective McGregor.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth Mirabelle Bevan mystery. Set in the locations of Brighton, London and Paris in 1954.

I love this series of mystery/suspense novels that Sara Sheridan has created, that start off in 1950's Brighton, but can end up anywhere in the world...as this one did in Paris.

Always well written and well plotted. They are pure enjoyment!

Please visit my blog @ https://finalchapterreadersgroup.word... like and follow.

[Damien G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the series.I like how the series has developed. The themes in this story address the effect the war had on many people.The book set in in the fifties allows us to see the post war world, and the clash with Russia.Moreover we see that secrets have a habit of coming back to haunt and change lives.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I struggled to get through the first two books in this series. Books #3 and #4 did not have that issue.
British Bulldog takes place mostly outside of Brighton, so it's a nice change of scenery for Mirabelle.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all these books in the series and this was the best yet, intriguing, gripping and mysterious.

[Seth Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first of the Mirabelle Bevan books I've read (I'll have to go back and read the first ones now.

Lots of nice twists and turns with an interesting perspective on the French Resistance.