Let Darkness Bury the Dead

Detective Murdoch #8

by Maureen Jennings

Canada's premier author of historical mystery fiction returns with a brand new and highly anticipated Murdoch Mystery, with an older and wiser Detective Murdoch.

It is November 1917. The Great War is grinding on, chewing up young men by the thousands. Initially, in the loyal Dominion of Canada, people are mostly eager to support the Motherland and fight for the Empire. Men perceived as slackers or cowards are shunned. But the carnage is horrendous and with enforced conscription, the enthusiasm for war is dimming.
William Murdoch is a widower, a senior detective who, thanks to the new temperance laws, spends his time tracking down bootleggers and tipplers; most unsatisfying. His wife, Amy, died giving birth to their second child, a girl who lived only a few hours more. Murdoch, racked by grief, withdrew from four-year-old, Jack. This he regrets and would dearly love to make up for his negligence.
As we enter the story, Jack, now twenty-one, has returned from France after being wounded and gassed at the Battle of Passchendaele. It is soon apparent that he is deeply troubled but he's not confiding in his father. He does, however, seem to be bound by shared secrets to another wounded former soldier, Percy McKinnon.
Murdoch suddenly has much more serious crimes than rum-running on his hands. The night after Jack and McKinnon arrive home, a young man is found stabbed to death in the impoverished area of Toronto known as the Ward. Soon after, Murdoch has to deal with a tragic suicide, also a young man. Two more murders follow in quick succession. The only common denominator is that all of the men were exempted from conscription.
Increasingly worried that Jack knows more than he is letting on, Murdoch must solve these crimes before more innocents lose their lives. It is a solution that will give him only sorrow.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Canada, Historical, Historical Mystery, Crime

330 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2017

About the author

Maureen Jennings, now a Canadian Citizen, was born on Eastfield Road in Birmingham, England and spent her formative years there until she emigrated to Canada at the age of seventeen with her mother.

This has meant that she still feels a deep connection with her homeland. It has also no doubt been a strong influence in her love for, and her writing about, the Victorian period. She attended the University of Windsor where she attained a BA in philosophy and psychology.

A couple of years trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life resulted in her returning to university, the University of Toronto, this time where she earned an MA in English literature.For the next eight years, she taught English at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute at a time when the English department seemed to be chock full of writers. Eric Wright, went on to write the highly successful Charlie Salter mystery series, Graeme Gibson, Peter Such, and others were writing both novels and poetry. An exciting time in so many ways but after eight years, another change of direction and in 1972, Maureen left Ryerson to become a psychotherapist, which was a long time interest. She has continued in private practice since then, although nowadays she mostly conducts creative expression groups and writes. Always passionate about dogs, she is happy to own a border collie named Jeremy-Brett and a mixed breed named Varley.

Series:
* Detective Murdoch
* Christine Morris
* Detective Inspector Tom Tyler

Reviews

[Jill Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canadian author Maureen Jennings has a new entry in her "Murdoch Mysteries" series. The book, "Let Darkness Bury the Dead", is set in Toronto in 1917 as it seems war-weariness had hit many Toronto residents after three years of war. There are demonstrations - large and small - by war protesters and resistance by those people who thought the war was worth the losses in lives. Everyone seemed to have a point of view about the Great War, and most, by 1917, were not shy in expressing those views.

William Murdoch is a police detective in Toronto. His character was introduced by Jennings in her first book in the series, "Except the Dying", in 2010 and this book, "Let Darkness Bury the Dead", is the seventh in the series. I haven't read any of the previous books, but I have read all her Tom Tyler WW2 books, set in England. In those books, as well as the one I just read, Jennings writes character and place studies, and the mystery part of the book is often underdeveloped. Jennings has aged her characters and brought them up through the years, which is always the mark of a good series writer.

In this latest book, Will Murdoch is waiting for his son, Jack, to come back from the war in France. Jack served for a year but has been invalided out and returned to Toronto. His injuries, however, are as much mental as they are physical, and Will tries to find the right way to treat him. Jack has brought a friend. Percy, with him who has also been traumatised by the actions they did and the death they saw. In the first days of Jack's homecoming, various young men are found murdered around the area. All non-combatants, they had been beaten to death by persons unknown.
Will Murdoch and his department have been charged with finding the killers. The book proceeds to an ending that is both somewhat logical and somewhat justified.

Is this a great book? No, but it is a good one, as long as the reader knows their getting as much character and atmosphere as mystery. And that's fine in this case. I am going to try to go back and read Jennings' backlist.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first novel by Maureen Jennings that I have read, I have been a fan of the Murdoch series for years and have recently been able to get caught up to date with the series. My older two children love watching the show. So I approached this novel with both eager anticipation and a little cautious trepidation. I need not have had any concerns. Now some might ask why I would begin with the most recent, book in a series both in publication order and chronologically. Something about the cover and the title just grabbed my attention, and even though I had planned to get around to reading a Murdoch book for years, this is the one that starts it. And I can emphatically state it will not be the last.

This most recent Murdoch novel was published 10 years after the previous, and after a very successful Tv series based upon the character. In the Authors preamble Maureen informs us that this novel begins 20 years after the previous one. In this story Murdoch is 56 years old, a senior detective, and his son Jack is just returning from the trenches of the Great War, the year is 1917.

This book was very hard to put down once I started. I read it in 4 sittings one day, my morning commute to work, my lunch break, my afternoon commute, then staying up way to late to finish it. This is one of those books that as I was reading it, I kept saying ‘just one more chapter’ and the next thing I knew it was the middle of the night and the book was finished. Not having read any of the other stories, it was like encountering an older friend after along absence. So much was familiar but there were subtle differences. In fact, it greatly enhanced my opinion of Murdoch.

The story is intriguing in many ways. An older Murdoch, who seems to have lost some of his faith or his practice of it. His son returning from way, with both physical injuries and emotional wounds. Jack has returned with a chum from the war and is very loyal to his mate Percy. But Percy is struggling with his return home even more so. And bodies start piling up right away. And there are some strange indications, a while feather, and yellow crosses being chalked on the victims. Jack is distance and keeping strange hours. Murdoch is investigating the murders, and when you throw in a young woman who grew up with jack that is very much anti war. And you have an explosive story.

This story was a great read, and I have already picked up two others by Jennings to put in my ‘to be read’ pile. Great characters, great pace, and delving into some serious issues. If you are a fan of the series and have not checked out the books, do so, you will not be disappointed. And if you love historical fiction or mysteries then you will be in for a real treat with this story. A very solid 5/5 Stars!

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s 1917 in Canada, and the war is dividing the community. Some think every able-bodied man should do his duty and enlist. Others think the war is wrong. But you cannot tell who is fit for duty just by looking, and you don’t know who is rightfully exempt due to special circumstances. This is the town that Detective William Murdock’s son Jack returns to with his buddy Percy, both invalided out of the service. But re-entry into civilian life is fraught with problems, and the two soldiers struggle to find their way. Then the deadly attacks begin, protest rallys become more boisterous, and the town’s people are all on edge. Author Maureen Jennings has painted a descriptive picture of life at that time, and the character development of the soldiers as they struggle to cope was masterful. This psychological thriller will keep you turning pages to the end, even if you think you know who the killer is.

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the best Murdoch yet!!!!! The last 30 or so pages were so fast-paced and harrowing!
An amazing and emotional read, especially at this time of year with Remembrance Day looming.

Jennings moves Murdoch forward from the last book to 1917. Murdoch has a son who is returning from the front and Jennings' descriptions of Murdoch and his son Jack's interactions upon his homecoming were very moving. Jennings is able to evoke a lot of emotion in simple and subtle images - for example Murdoch noting Jack's darned socks. This is great writing (imho)!

I really appreciated how Jennings included real WWI documents or newspaper clippings throughout the book, as well as Jack's poems about his experiences in the trenches. It felt really close to home with the setting being in Toronto. Jennings showed how the war also affected everyone at home, with men who were exempt from service being wrongfully shamed and the gov't propaganda which covered up the true horrors of the war. The "cowardice" story line was also very eye-opening. To top it all off, Jennings closes with a letter by Siegfried Sassoon himself, just to drive home the senseless loss of life for really very little reason at all.
Lest we forget.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the best one of the Murdoch series!! There was definitely a haunting sadness to this story that was heavy, but the mystery was engrossing and seeing how WWI affected people in Toronto was interesting and enlightening--and not something we often see. I think of this book as the "Rocky Balboa" of the Murdoch series and I think it definitely delivers, introducing new but just as likeable characters (respect to Madge Curnoe) and giving us a good insight into Murdoch's future! There were also so many intertwining stories handled really beautifully.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murdoch’s son is home from WWI, and nothing is right. A string of murders is confusing, violent, and may be tied to the shell-shocked Jack, and several other mysteries and dramas flow through the very dark story. The ending is oddly lickety-split for the series and somewhat less effective as a result, but as usual Jennings’s research makes the story vivid, and all the threads tie off, albeit in heartbreaking ways. Halfway through I suspected what would happen, not due to any brilliance on my part but because the author creates the psychology of the characters so well. Oof.

[Cornel Diaconu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murdoch returns in this episode after like 20 years after previous one; this time as a chief detective. He is recovering still from the loss of his wife, Amy, and their new born girl. And he is welcoming back his son, Jack, returning from the war zone (WW 1) in Europe, being wounded.
But things start to escalate quick after this, and in between this arrival and the ceremony to give him a decoration for being a war hero more crimes happen, some boys are killed and apparently they are also marked for being cowards because they were exempted from conscription - seem someone things they deserve to die because of this.
Luckily for Murdoch (if this can be said it's a luck) he learns that his son is not responsible for these murders (not that he really suspected him, but he was almost close to do this.
I did not find the ending to be much thrilling, in fact I almost was getting to bet the killer was who it was revealed to be.
And somehow I kinda expected Murdoch will speak some words as a fresh pensioneer, in the very last chapter.
Or maybe it's better the way it ended really ?

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have seen the Murdoch Mysteries on television, you are familiar with the characters Maureen Jennings created. She has also written several books, which deal only with Murdoch, since some of other characters are only featured in the television series.

In this latest book WWI is raging, and Murdoch's son, Jack, wounded in combat, has come home to Toronto along with his best friend, Percy. From the moment of their arrival, murders begin to take place, murders of young men perceived to be cowards because they are not in the service.

The book is sad and thought-provoking as the war in Europe seems to pervade everything. William Murdoch tries to understand, but how does one understand chaos? He can only hope that his son is not involved in the murders. The mystery almost takes a back seat to the tragedy that has engulfed Europe and the rest of the world, but no matter what William Murdoch does his duty.

[Patcholi1961 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thoroughly prepared to not like this book. I read the authors' foreward and she said that she had time shifted Murdoch 20 years into the future in order to capitalize on her current interest in the period of the First World War.

I thought, "Oh Boy! Here we go, then. The book will 'Jump the Shark'. Boy was I ever wrong. This is my favourite Murdoch (to date...). There are excerpts from period source material, both soldiers' journals and command handbooks, as well as what I assume to be original poetry written from a soldiers' point of view.

The whole is spectacularly moving and incredibly accurate.

I have read primary sources from this period before, in order to get a sense of my grandfathers' own participation.

Thank you, again, Ms Jennings for the perspective which I was less aware of: the reality on the home front in Toronto. White feathers. Yes. But I had no idea that Canada had a short-lived Prohibition during the First World War.

[Penny (Literary Hoarders) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a series of dud reads, I reached for Maureen Jennings and her historical Detective Murdoch mystery, Let Darkness Bury the Dead. I knew that this type of book would work well to pull me from the reading slump I've been in.

I wasn't worried either about not reading any of the previous Murdoch Mysteries because even Jennings notes that she has specifically set this one when Murdoch is much older than he is in the TV series, so it does not confuse those reading/watching that series. So this particular one works very well as a standalone.

I did feel the ending rushed to its close, and the killer was fairly easy to identify, but those are two small issues really in an overall very enjoyable story.

I own the full series of her Tom Tyler mysteries, and have read Season of Darkness already, so reading the rest in this series will be a pleasure.

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of this series, however I must admit when I heard that the series was jumping forward to WWI I was surprised. Being a fan of books set around the time of WWI I was intrigued. I am really glad I read this book, for me it was an interesting perspective on WWI, most WWI books I have read are set in either England or France so to read one set in Toronto was a new perspective that was interesting. I hope there are more books to come in this series.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, enjoyable read. I was familiar with Detective Murdoch from the TV series, but had not read any of the novels prior to this. I did get a chance to hear the author speak at my local library, and from that was encouraged to read this book.
I liked the writing very much, the history given throughout the story, and the engaging cast of characters. I may start at the beginning and read more of this series.

[Meg Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. A gentle but compelling read. I liked the time period, I liked the Canadian setting, I liked the minimal, but effective, war references - it never felt like she was trying to write about something she wasnt familiar with.
Perhaps an abrupt ending but anything else would have dragged the book out unnecessarily - I didnt feel it was lacking.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who has not read the previous 7 books in this series (but has watched the tv series):
3 stars as a mystery
3.75 stars as historical fiction

[Margaret Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really curious what was going to be in the first Murdoch novel since the show came along. I can't say "extensive time jump" was what I expected, but it was a really solid choice. The WWI setting wound up being really interesting, and seeing Murdoch in his new role of senior detective was really interesting. Also I love Madge, she's great, would read a Madge spinoff. With the important role WWI played in Canada's history as a nation, there's a danger in overglorifying it, but Jennings steers clear of it and treats PTSD in much the way I've come to expect of her.

[Marielle Authier · Rating 4 out of 5]

***½

[Jim Napier · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eighth and most recent entry in the hugely popular William Murdoch mystery series finds the Toronto detective at first delighted to have his son Jack return alive from the Great War. Only a year earlier Murdoch’s only child marched off to fight in Europe; but now he has returned home after being wounded and gassed, and like so many others, suffering the psychological effects of that terrible conflict. He’s accompanied by his close friend, another ex-soldier, Percy McKinnon.

Jack moves back in with his father, but Percy finds lodging with a Chinaman named Ghong Lee, who gives him some opium to help him cope with recurring nightmares in which he is forced to relive the horrors of war.

But within twenty-four hours of their return a young man is found beaten to death. Soon afterwards another young man commits suicide. Two more deaths follow. Although the men are killed in a variety of ways, they all die in a very small area of Toronto, suggesting that their deaths might be related, and Murdoch’s joy over Jack’s homecoming soon turns to concern when the deaths throw suspicion on Jack and his fellow soldier Percy. It is a father’s worst nightmare.

Murdoch’s investigation leads him into the shadowy world of illicit alcohol, gaming houses, and much more, as the story comes to a terrible and violent conclusion.

As we have come to expect, Jennings’ tale eloquently captures the atmosphere of wartime Canada, set against the backdrop of a Toronto altered by that conflict. But there is also an underlying social theme to the story which reveals a divided Canada, encompassing not only those who went to war and the families who supported them, but also those who opposed conscription – not only conscientious objectors but also women who argued against their husbands, sons, and brothers being sent off never to come home again, or at best, to return maimed and shattered by their experiences. Let Darkness Bury the Dead raises important moral issues that persist in conflicts today, in such far-flung places as Afghanistan and Iraq.

[D J Rout · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't say that I like this shift to World War I too much. This Murdoch Mystery is more about the experience of returned soldiers in Canada than it is about an actual mystery, and the mystery is once again solved by a bit of legerdemain from the author, in which a set of fingerprints is fortunately found in time to prove who the culprit is, and where a man who by all rights should've been murdered by the murderer clings to life and returns to consciousness to give some crucial information.

A suicide that appears to be part of the mystery is left unexplained, and I won't bore you with my inference about it.

There is less emphasis on disease and squalor in this book than the previous Murdoch Mysteries, which may show different concerns on the author's part, or just that early 20th century Toronto is much cleaner and healthier than the late 19th century Toronto.

There is a good and rather heartwarming acknowledgement of the TV series at the start. It's always good to see that authors aren't totally removed from the real world and when they see their books adapted, that they can acknowledge them.

As interesting as this is in showing the Canadian action and response in World War I, and the plight of the returned soldiers therein, I can only hope that the author returns to the late 19th century for the next novel.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a decade since the last William Murdoch mystery was published, and this return to the series is first-rate. Author Maureen Jennings brings us into the year 1917. Murdoch is widowed, now a senior detective at downtown's police headquarters, and his son returning from World War I. Young Jack is only 20, and dealing with demons of his own.

I'm not going to lie; I wasn't fond of Amy, the woman Murdoch married in the previous book. So, I wasn't disappointed at him being widowed. He is also feeling the stirrings of middle age interest in a woman named Madge Curnoe, who seems far better suited to both his temperament and his beliefs. This was a good thing, from my perspective; other fans of the series may well disagree.

Jennings presents us with not only an excellent police procedural, as seemingly unconnected murders happen all over Toronto ... with the evidence pointing to Jack as the culprit ... but also into the experience of soldiers experiencing PTSD (or shell shock, as it was then known). She draws on contemporary publications and reports for some of her sourcing, and this makes the tale all the richer.

This is a fine addition to a delightful series of historical mysteries. Highly recommended.

[Valerie Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to hear Maureen Jennings speak at an event on November 2, 2017. She was an engaging speaker and talked about her research process which is always done first hand. This, the newest Murdoch Mystery, is set in 1917 during WWI. Her research for this novel included time spent at the National War Museum and reading accounts from the day as well as materials used in training the troops. She said it was important to get the facts straight but also to show the attitudes prevalent at the time. It is this that has given this book such heart.

William Murdoch is not exempt from worry. His son, Jack, is returning from overseas, wounded and suffering from the effects of poison gas. Even though he is happy and relieved at his son's return, a series of murders that soon follow make him wonder if Jack has been changed beyond recognition by the horrors he has witnessed and played a part in.

The mystery is almost secondary to life at the time and the fear, pain and sorrow from the dreadful loss that was occurring in the trenches. Despite that, it is an enjoyable read and gives an eye-opening picture of what life was like in Toronto in 1917.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1917 and Detective Murdoch is now in his fifties. Thanks to the new temperance laws, he spends much of his time pursuing bootleggers and citizens who still enjoy their illegal alcoholic drinks. His 21 year old son, Jack, who has just returned from the war front in Europe, is physically and mentally wounded. Jack and his friend, Percy, struggle with their wounds and their mental state. Meanwhile, young men who have been excused from conscription are being found murdered. Murdoch must solve the crimes before there are more victims. Meanwhile, he is worried about Jack and is hoping Jack is not involved with the murders. The book gives the reader an idea of how many people viewed “slackers”, those men who were not fighting in Europe. Then, there were those few unpopular individuals who campaigned against war. As always, I appreciate the research the author did to help us understand what life was like during those turbulent times. I think this one of Jennings' better books.

[Agnesxnitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for Christmas and intended to try not to read it straight away but it didn't last beyond the end of January!
This new Murdoch story is set during WW1. Murdoch is in his 50s, a widower after his wife died giving birth to their second child, a daughter, who also died. Murdoch and his son, Jack, have carried on together, but when the Great War opens, Jack volunteers and joins the Canadian New Army.
Now he has returned from the Western Front, injured in body and mind, with a friend and comrade in arms. Murdoch is, as ever, busy with work, especially with a large proportion of the police force now in a different uniform. Jack is involved in something, but his father can't work out what - and then a series of murders, seemingly without motive, spring up across Toronto.
Worried by this new development, and Jack's inability to want to communicate with him, William investigates, discovering that human nature is pretty much as ever it was - but concerned his son may well be deeply involved with the violent deaths.
A worthy new chapter of the Murdoch Mysteries!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a way to end 2017 off with this book. This is my first Murdoch novel I have ever read and I am glad Maureen Jennings made it clear at the beginning that her book will be okay for newer readers - of course this comes off the great success of CBC's Murdoch Mysteries.

I will definitely make an effort to go back and read books 1 - 7; Jennings writing is so captivating and approachable. She truly does an amazing job with her background research that makes the world come to life.

"Let Darkness Bury the Dead" takes place during WWI - Murdoch now finds himself in his 50s. Amy passed away during childbirth - losing the baby during labour - which unfortunately withdrew Murdoch from his son Jack. The novel opens up with Jack returning from the war after suffering an injury. During his return home to Toronto, Murdoch tries to reconnect with his boy but finds himself solving a case of several young men being murdered - all who have been exempt from the war.

Well done Maureen Jennings!

[Jeanie Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt as if I were there in every scene. Maureen Jennings refined so many details. I really enjoyed the book and it filled in many of the gaps left since the end of book #7.

I was at first disappointed at the huge difference between the TV show and the books; however, as I was drawn into the books I was grateful to be in the universe of the literary Murdoch. Once I opened myself to the "alter universe," I was able to enjoy the books for the master pieces they are.

This book was no different. Before long, it was easy to draw a deep connection to Jack. Like he was emerging throughout the series just to be in the flesh for book eight. The first 7 books Murdoch was in desire of having a family of his own. But war is a terrible thing and what was the tole on poor Jack?

I highly recommend this book. If this is the only one of the series you read - do it. If you like historical fiction or mystery novels this is a great read.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murdoch is much older in this long-awaited addition to the series, and has been promoted to Senior Detective. I heard the author speak and she said she wanted to distance her character from the popular TV series, and this was one way to do it - set it far enough into the future that the TV series wouldn't have gone there. The book is set in 1917 (the third year of WWI) and conscription has been implemented. There is wonderful detail here; it is evident Jennings has done much research. There are a number of "inserts" (excerpts from actual letters, speeches, proclamations, etc. of the time) which shed light on prevailing attitudes. A main theme in the book is the views of the public toward "slackers", men who were not fighting or who had gotten exemptions. The pacifist movement and the effects of the war on soldiers (shell-shock) are also dealt with.

[Carril Karr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read any of the Murdoch stories but did see two of the TV series.
I was born in Toronto, I know a bit about the history of the city too, so I was very interested to find this book. World war 1 commemorations have been very much the background for three and a half years now. This story is very poignant based as it is midway in the war when Canadian troops have been sorely used and abused by the top command. Murdoch’s boy is invalided home with a bad arm and lungs affected by gassing. The mystery involves him, fellow soldiers, friends and others against a background of politics, impoverishment, and sheer nastiness by some of the characters.
Unfortunately there are several murders before the mystery is solved, but there is finally closure and Murdoch and his boy are brought closer together.

[The Honest Book Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The eighth book in the Murdoch Mysteries jumps the story 17 years from end of book seven, apparently due to the TV series. I've not seen the TV series, so didn't know if there was anything I needed to know before reading this book.
After reading the book, I don't think I've missed anything from not seeing the TV series.

There are a lot of differences in this book from the original seven, mainly due to some characters no longer being a part of Murdoch's life. I wont' give any of the details away, because I don't want to spoil the book for anybody.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first seven, and I think it's because of the jump in time. There were many historical details, as we've come to expect, and they were interesting. However, I still found myself wanting to go back seventeen years.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the Murdoch Mystery books! This is the last written so far and has Murdoch in his fifties and being the senior detective at a different station. His son, Jack, has recently returned from the front (WW I), where he received an injury. Murdoch and his son seem to be on different time schedules and never get the chance to discuss what happened during his time on the front. Jack’s time is spent taking care of his friend, Percy, who has also been injured and has returned home. The first night they are back, Murdoch becomes involved in a murder investigation with little clues to follow. Several other murders occur and Murdoch and his team of detectives determine that all of the victims were young men who were not sent to war. Murdoch does not realize how troubled most young soldiers are when they return home. And it turns out, the murderer is someone that Murdoch knows.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, these books are hard to find! This is the first Murdoch book I've gotten to read, and it makes me curious about the earlier ones. I appreciate the author sharing that she was pleased with how the CBC handled her characters and storyline, yet this book which is set fifteen years after the end of the last season has obvious differences. Still filled with adventure, bicycle riding, finger marks, constables, and sordid neighborhoods, this time it's personal, as Murdoch's son is involved. A little hint at the Spanish Flu epidemic and a pithy comment from Murdoch, "hold your breath at all times, constable, it's the only way to avoid the flu," says it all. I guessed the criminal right away, and it wasn't all that difficult to figure out but it was a pleasure to be back in Toronto with an able constabulary coming to right the wrongs during a pitiful era.

[Lucy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maureen Jennings’ Let Darkness Bury the Dead is part of the Murdoch Mysteries series, with Detective William Murdoch as a central character. In this instalment, it is 1917, World War 1 is nearly over and Murdoch’s son Jack has just returned home. The underlying subject of the book is PTSD (‘shell shock’ as it was then known) and the central mystery highlights the trauma faced by returning soldiers as they attempt to reintegrate into society. While any Murdoch reader will note the lack of Crabtree, Brackenreid and Dr. Ogden in Let Darkness Bury the Dead, Jennings has introduced three new engaging characters, and has constructed a thoughtful, empathetic and well researched account of the trials faced by these soldiers. The writing is fast-paced, and interspersed with army documents, Jack’s poetry and incredible historic detail. A compelling and moving read. Recommended.