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Posie Parker Mystery #7
The Saltwater Murder
MURDERED WITH A BOX OF TEARS…
London, 1924
Posie Parker has been called to her most baffling case yet.
Amyas Lyle, London’s top young lawyer, has been found with his head in a box of poisoned saltwater.
It’s the perfect murder. But who hated him enough to do such a thing?
Following a trail of strange notes, all of which speak of the sea, and saltwater, Posie travels from London to the seaside resort of Whitley Bay, looking for answers. But nothing can prepare her for what she finds there.
Can Posie find Amyas Lyle’s cold-blooded killer before further deaths take place? Can she protect those Amyas has left behind?
As Britain celebrates an Olympic summer, will Posie manage to enjoy a holiday romance of her own? And just what is wrong with Inspector Lovelace? Why is he behaving so oddly? Is it anything to do with his new, smart appearance and some very carefully starched shirt collars?
This is a classic murder mystery which will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey. The Saltwater Murder is full of intrigue and red herrings, and is the seventh book in the delightfully classic Posie Parker Mystery Series, although this novel can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story in its own right. A clean read, with no graphic violence, sex or strong language.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2019
About the author
L.B. Hathaway
26 books352 followersCambridge-educated, British-born L.B. Hathaway writes historical fiction. She worked as a lawyer at Lincoln’s Inn in London for almost a decade before becoming a full-time writer. She brings her love of detective novels set in the Golden Age of Crime and an obsession with English history to her own writing.
The Posie Parker series of cosy crime novels span the 1920s. They each combine a core central mystery, an exploration of the reckless glamour of the age and a feisty protagonist who you would love to have as your best friend.
Her other interests, in no particular order, are: very fast downhill skiing, theatre-going, drinking strong tea, Tudor history, exploring castles and generally trying to cram as much into life as possible.
The Posie Parker series of cosy crime novels span the 1920s. They each combine a core central mystery, an exploration of the reckless glamour of the age and a feisty protagonist who you would love to have as your best friend.
Her other interests, in no particular order, are: very fast downhill skiing, theatre-going, drinking strong tea, Tudor history, exploring castles and generally trying to cram as much into life as possible.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
May 28, 2019
One of the best books of the series. After reading the last book, Murder in Venice, I wasn’t sure if there would be any more Posie books, and if there were, if I would read them. I was so disappointed in the last book. But this book was great...good mystery, good characters. And, I think that Posie has sorted herself out personally, after many false starts.
May 31, 2019
Another fabulous Posie Parker mystery! I really enjoyed the character development in this one, and there were so many interesting characters!
I'm almost crying over the ending.... FINALLY Posie gets her happy ending. I wish it had been longer, there was so much more she could've added. I appreciate the suspense of making the reader wait until the very end to find out about Posie and the Inspector... but it was sad to have so little of that relationship.
Please do at least one more so we can see them together as a couple!! Now I have to go reread the end of the last one to make sense of that ending that left me hanging!!
I'm almost crying over the ending.... FINALLY Posie gets her happy ending. I wish it had been longer, there was so much more she could've added. I appreciate the suspense of making the reader wait until the very end to find out about Posie and the Inspector... but it was sad to have so little of that relationship.
Please do at least one more so we can see them together as a couple!! Now I have to go reread the end of the last one to make sense of that ending that left me hanging!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2021
To be honest, I'm getting tired of every handsome stranger ending up being either a murderer or dead, just to push Posie and the inspector together. And I'm pretty sure Sergeant Rainbird was already married some 3 books ago, so how on earth is he dating Prudence now? I think the author lost interest in things she had set up earlier (like the fortune teller saying that Alaric and Posie will have kids together) and is just pushing her own agenda with very little regard to how the story would naturally flow. AND I haven't heard anything about Count De La Rosa in ages! What happened to him? He used to show up in every book completely uninvited.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2021
An intriguing read through parts but like many in this genre it really struggled to stick the landing.
A slow build up with meticulous bread crumbs laid was undone but a rapid ripping off of the band-aid. It felt like a TV series that finds out it’s getting cancelled a season ahead of what was planned and needs to wrap up every story line in one episode.
A slow build up with meticulous bread crumbs laid was undone but a rapid ripping off of the band-aid. It felt like a TV series that finds out it’s getting cancelled a season ahead of what was planned and needs to wrap up every story line in one episode.
July 1, 2019
This is another excellent addition to the Posie Parker canon. While complete in itself, it also seems to round out parts of the very long story arc. The book opens in the Olympic summer of 1924 with a gruesome murder by an unusual method. Posie is in good form here through the investigation, and the twists along the way were unexpected. There is a good deal of development in several relationships among the various characters in the book; and the ending quite satisfied me.
I'm fairly sure it's an indie publication like the previous volumes. As usual with Hathaway's novels, the prose is facile and the editing top-notch. I.e., I found no typographical errors or infelicities to speak of.
Oh, just by the way. This series is an example of me the reader totally taking the bait, hook, line, sinker, and so forth. I obtained the first of the series for zero money on a freebie day; and I've regularly purchased the rest of the series at retail price, and Posie is on my buy-on-sight list. So this was a big multi-year win for the author who gave away that free sample back in 2015.
I'm fairly sure it's an indie publication like the previous volumes. As usual with Hathaway's novels, the prose is facile and the editing top-notch. I.e., I found no typographical errors or infelicities to speak of.
Oh, just by the way. This series is an example of me the reader totally taking the bait, hook, line, sinker, and so forth. I obtained the first of the series for zero money on a freebie day; and I've regularly purchased the rest of the series at retail price, and Posie is on my buy-on-sight list. So this was a big multi-year win for the author who gave away that free sample back in 2015.
June 13, 2019
I love L.B. Hathaway's books, and #7 in the Posie Parker Mystery Series may be the best yet. Posey continues to collaborate with her friend Richard Lovelace of Scotland Yard, but she is struggling in her personal life, feeling unsettled and adrift after the tragic death of her fiancee'. Her new case is certainly challenging: a prominent barrister, soon-to-be judge, is murdered in a gruesome way. The investigation into his death leads to a labyrinth of secrets and individuals who will do anything to keep their secrets from being found out. An innocent man is already in jail when Posey has the revelation that leads her to the true killer, and the many dangling threads of the web of deceit are connected for a shocking conclusion. Posey's personal life, however, takes a very positive turn, and her future may be very different from her past. I hope the reader gets to find out in future Posie Parker Murder Mysteries!
May 28, 2019
Authentic whodunnit
I am a Posey Parker fan so not without bias but I read many period mystery series and I think this is one of the best. Posey goes on holiday but we know trouble turns up wherever she goes and this is no exception. Lots of plot twists and fascinating context of post WWI society and the rise of the British Fascist party.
I am a Posey Parker fan so not without bias but I read many period mystery series and I think this is one of the best. Posey goes on holiday but we know trouble turns up wherever she goes and this is no exception. Lots of plot twists and fascinating context of post WWI society and the rise of the British Fascist party.
June 1, 2019
I read this in one gulp. Plenty of wrong turnings to take and characters to suspect. It goes at a rattling pace without being one of those books where you have to keep turning back to make sure who’s who and keeps you guessing until the last chapters. Great read.
May 28, 2019
Wonderful, Exciting, Intriguing Book
Everything turns out okay; My kind of book. There were so many twists and turns. I didn’t know until the end who the real culprit was.
Everything turns out okay; My kind of book. There were so many twists and turns. I didn’t know until the end who the real culprit was.
January 30, 2020
SO GOOD. Right when you think you’ve cleverly figured out the twist .... L.B. Hathaway twists the twist. Can’t wait for book #8.
July 9, 2024
I really enjoyed the mystery in this book and was very happy with the ending, although I’m confused after reading the ending of the previous book in the series. But I have two things that really annoy me. 1) the continuous use of describing people as ‘fat’. And 2) if I have to hear Posie say “as sure as bread is bread” one more time I think I’ll scream. Lol.
October 17, 2021
Gripping, salty and full of historical flavour
I read this in half a day, and was so caught up in the story I almost missed the supermarket opening hours. The story is excellent, full of complex and individual characters, and the action moves apace. The description of post WW1 Britain is intelligent and full of factual places and settings. The footnotes at the end of the novel detailing the true facts, those slightly amended for fictional purposes, and those just made up greatly enhance the reading experience, and offer several areas of further research for those interested in history and some little known but odd occurrences.
I would highly recommend this to all fans of authors such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and more recently Kerry Greenwood of Miss Phryne Fisher fame.
This is the first of the Posie Parker mysteries that I have read. I will now have to go and get the rest, starting with book 1 (trying to forget all the spoilers for the earlier books I just read 🤣). I would therefore recommend starting at the beginning of the series to enjoy the ongoing background story arcs.
5 out of 5 yellow umbrellas 🌂
I read this in half a day, and was so caught up in the story I almost missed the supermarket opening hours. The story is excellent, full of complex and individual characters, and the action moves apace. The description of post WW1 Britain is intelligent and full of factual places and settings. The footnotes at the end of the novel detailing the true facts, those slightly amended for fictional purposes, and those just made up greatly enhance the reading experience, and offer several areas of further research for those interested in history and some little known but odd occurrences.
I would highly recommend this to all fans of authors such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and more recently Kerry Greenwood of Miss Phryne Fisher fame.
This is the first of the Posie Parker mysteries that I have read. I will now have to go and get the rest, starting with book 1 (trying to forget all the spoilers for the earlier books I just read 🤣). I would therefore recommend starting at the beginning of the series to enjoy the ongoing background story arcs.
5 out of 5 yellow umbrellas 🌂
November 7, 2024
Delightful. This is the 7th book in the series. I didn’t care for #6 at all. Gave #7 a go and it was sweet redemption. I look forward to the next one.
June 10, 2019
Enjoyed this latest entry in the series
I enjoyed the intriguing plot and Posie's "men woes". The ending was a welcomed surprise.
Please continue to write more Posie Parker stories.
I certainly recommend this series. I'm a loyal fan.
I enjoyed the intriguing plot and Posie's "men woes". The ending was a welcomed surprise.
Please continue to write more Posie Parker stories.
I certainly recommend this series. I'm a loyal fan.
June 7, 2019
My favorite Posey book so far!
I was so disappointed when the last book ended with the death of her fiancé, and then the tease of the epilogue. This was a wonderful way to continue the series. I hope there will be more.
I was so disappointed when the last book ended with the death of her fiancé, and then the tease of the epilogue. This was a wonderful way to continue the series. I hope there will be more.
June 2, 2019
great mystery. hated the good/bad guy
sure, he had good qualities, but not enough. didn’t see the bad guy coming. they left something out for us that, had we had it, we could have solved the mystery too. still a good mystery.
sure, he had good qualities, but not enough. didn’t see the bad guy coming. they left something out for us that, had we had it, we could have solved the mystery too. still a good mystery.
June 2, 2019
This series just gets better and better! Posie is a breath of fresh air.
January 9, 2020
Absolutely a Premeditated Murder
Suitable for teen - adult
No sex
No harsh language
Hideous method of murder, but you can handle it
Setting:
1924 England
Main character:
Posie Parker, a young female detective, works with and is respected by the police. It's refreshing that she's not an amateur stumbling over bodies and inserting herself into official business.
Plot no spoilers:
Posie becomes involved in the investigation of the gruesome murder of a man who she'd been acquainted with years ago. Everything points to the conclusion that he was of such low character that his passing may just have been well-deserved. But, was it?
Good story, interesting, but not an "edge of your seat" page turner.
Although previous books in the series would add solid background about other characters, I don't think reading them is necessary to reading this one.
If this is the last of the Posie Parker series, it's a satisfying one, although I'd welcome another.
Suitable for teen - adult
No sex
No harsh language
Hideous method of murder, but you can handle it
Setting:
1924 England
Main character:
Posie Parker, a young female detective, works with and is respected by the police. It's refreshing that she's not an amateur stumbling over bodies and inserting herself into official business.
Plot no spoilers:
Posie becomes involved in the investigation of the gruesome murder of a man who she'd been acquainted with years ago. Everything points to the conclusion that he was of such low character that his passing may just have been well-deserved. But, was it?
Good story, interesting, but not an "edge of your seat" page turner.
Although previous books in the series would add solid background about other characters, I don't think reading them is necessary to reading this one.
If this is the last of the Posie Parker series, it's a satisfying one, although I'd welcome another.
February 8, 2020
The Posie Parker series has gotten better over time, and this is one of the better mysteries in the series. Although the characters are not always as complex as I would like, the general historical context—in this one the Paris Olympics of 1924 and the rise of the British fascist party play important roles. The first murder is ingenious and awful, but helps to set up the victim as simultaneously aggressively ambitious, but secretly working for the British government. There are drugs, illegitimate children, and a satisfying conclusion to the romance of Posie and Inspector Lovelace. Recommended.
June 22, 2019
Posy Parker
What a wonderful series of books, written so beautifully and capturing attention into the wee hours of the night. I love how L.B. describes everything so that you almost feel as if you were there; the scents, the clothes! the buildings, the furnishings, the way places make you feel! Also, even the weather, the feelings - good and not-so-good of our protagonist, and her friends, and even her foes!
Highly recommend. Start with book one, and I just know you will just keep going, as I have. I’m waiting for #8 with bated breathe
What a wonderful series of books, written so beautifully and capturing attention into the wee hours of the night. I love how L.B. describes everything so that you almost feel as if you were there; the scents, the clothes! the buildings, the furnishings, the way places make you feel! Also, even the weather, the feelings - good and not-so-good of our protagonist, and her friends, and even her foes!
Highly recommend. Start with book one, and I just know you will just keep going, as I have. I’m waiting for #8 with bated breathe
October 4, 2019
L.B. Hathaway is back on form with a mystery in which just about everyone you meet could plausibly be the killer. From timely political concerns (Parker crosses paths with the early British Fascist party) to a thoughtful revelation of the victim's true character, the book has all the ingredients of a satisfying detective story.
May 1, 2020
Predictable
I really enjoyed the first few books in this series. Unfortunately the last two books find me wondering how Posie can sit up and take nourishment for all the loss in her personal life. She does seem to recover rather easily. All this leads us to a most predictable and safe ending.
I really enjoyed the first few books in this series. Unfortunately the last two books find me wondering how Posie can sit up and take nourishment for all the loss in her personal life. She does seem to recover rather easily. All this leads us to a most predictable and safe ending.
Read
October 3, 2019The plot itself isn't horrible, but everything else in this novel suggests that L.B. Hathaway is an alien with a low opinion of human intelligence and only a tenuous grasp of human behavior.
January 14, 2025
wow, wow, wow! this is one full of action, intrigue, and mystery.
The way Amyas died is one I have not read before and I read many. Posie's life and that of those around her also changed. Her receptionist mourns the lost of her fiancé who died in the last book while on duty. This book is set on a year after the last book. Posie's own fiancé has passed on.
I remember from the last book where Richard profess love for Posie but his wife is still alive when he said it. But by the end of that book, she perished in their house fire while he was getting ready to leave Vienna for England.
Posie has a thing with Max on the train ride home from Vienna. Toward the end of this book Max disappeared. That leaves Posie alone in the world again for Richard and Posie.
It seems Posie really didn't have time to mourn anyone in her life. Even though her feelings for the said Fiancé has changed, I feel she still need time between for her next love. Max and her is only a fling but still she only just found out he has disappeared and more likely killed. It is so quick for her to realize she has feeling for Richard Lovelace.
The way Amyas died is one I have not read before and I read many. Posie's life and that of those around her also changed. Her receptionist mourns the lost of her fiancé who died in the last book while on duty. This book is set on a year after the last book. Posie's own fiancé has passed on.
I remember from the last book where Richard profess love for Posie but his wife is still alive when he said it. But by the end of that book, she perished in their house fire while he was getting ready to leave Vienna for England.
Posie has a thing with Max on the train ride home from Vienna. Toward the end of this book Max disappeared. That leaves Posie alone in the world again for Richard and Posie.
It seems Posie really didn't have time to mourn anyone in her life. Even though her feelings for the said Fiancé has changed, I feel she still need time between for her next love. Max and her is only a fling but still she only just found out he has disappeared and more likely killed. It is so quick for her to realize she has feeling for Richard Lovelace.
November 10, 2021
In the Shoes of Agatha!
A most delightful, entertaining and cozy read.
It is a very English book, which deals with horrendous crimes against persons and humanity but the author does not push them into the reader’s face. Everything is done nicely, and in the author’s eloquent, flowing prose.
The author tells us in her end piece of her devotion to Agatha Christie and it shows in the story: private detective helping a police officer to solve a crime; the 1920’s period; the character, layout and form of the story – with everybody congregating in the meeting room at Lincoln’s Inn Fields for the surprising denouement – with a delicious and heart warming twist at the end.
At the junctions of fiction with fact, the author has been careful to maintain the true factual picture of those times. In that respect, at the very end of the book, she gives the reader a chapter-by-chapter explanation of the true history of the place and time and where fiction takes over. I really enjoyed this book – almost as much as a real Christie – I can picture me reading more Hathaway’s in future
A most delightful, entertaining and cozy read.
It is a very English book, which deals with horrendous crimes against persons and humanity but the author does not push them into the reader’s face. Everything is done nicely, and in the author’s eloquent, flowing prose.
The author tells us in her end piece of her devotion to Agatha Christie and it shows in the story: private detective helping a police officer to solve a crime; the 1920’s period; the character, layout and form of the story – with everybody congregating in the meeting room at Lincoln’s Inn Fields for the surprising denouement – with a delicious and heart warming twist at the end.
At the junctions of fiction with fact, the author has been careful to maintain the true factual picture of those times. In that respect, at the very end of the book, she gives the reader a chapter-by-chapter explanation of the true history of the place and time and where fiction takes over. I really enjoyed this book – almost as much as a real Christie – I can picture me reading more Hathaway’s in future
July 6, 2019
The murder victim is someone Posie knew when she was a girl. In the intervening fifteen years he has become a very successful barrister and was recently appointed a High Court judge. Then he dies in a combination of saltwater and nitric acid. Very unpleasant and very final. A series of threatening notes and mysterious postcards from a north coast resort are the only real clues. the victim himself had nominated a short list of suspects. 1924 London is very jazzy and crowded. The Grape Street Detective Agency is very busy. But Posie makes time to help her friend the Chief Inspector. Soon she finds herself in the Northumbrian seaside resort trying to trace the dead man's family. Surprises abound in this mystery. Spoiler alert, despite the murder, there is a surprisingly happy and satisfying ending.
September 9, 2019
Amazing as always!
I've followed Posie now for a long time it seems. I've never been disappointed in any of the books, and this one is up there with the top favorites. After the last book set in Venice I thought there might not be anymore , but was delighted to see this one. It was an amazing, and wonderful page turned! I was hooked from the beginning and deported back in time to Posie time. Everything about these books is amazing and lovely, and a mystery. I didn't see this one coming at all, but knew something was off. I hope you enjoy these wonderful books about an amazing woman, Posie Parke.
I've followed Posie now for a long time it seems. I've never been disappointed in any of the books, and this one is up there with the top favorites. After the last book set in Venice I thought there might not be anymore , but was delighted to see this one. It was an amazing, and wonderful page turned! I was hooked from the beginning and deported back in time to Posie time. Everything about these books is amazing and lovely, and a mystery. I didn't see this one coming at all, but knew something was off. I hope you enjoy these wonderful books about an amazing woman, Posie Parke.
November 13, 2021
It's Complicated
L.B.Hathaway has written an emotional, dramatic, twisted murder mystery that enthralls, captivates and captures your heart. Vibrant, beautiful, handsome,secretive ,cunning and manipulative,caring, open and honest characters sharing these pages bringing to life a tale so beautifully laid to place this mystery before you that once you begin this journey you will become so entrenched that time simply falls away until you discover you've come to the end without notice, But you will feel satisfied and maybe a little peckish if you forgot to sit down with a snack for while you read. 😉🤔🤨😮😧😏🙂😀 Kat
L.B.Hathaway has written an emotional, dramatic, twisted murder mystery that enthralls, captivates and captures your heart. Vibrant, beautiful, handsome,secretive ,cunning and manipulative,caring, open and honest characters sharing these pages bringing to life a tale so beautifully laid to place this mystery before you that once you begin this journey you will become so entrenched that time simply falls away until you discover you've come to the end without notice, But you will feel satisfied and maybe a little peckish if you forgot to sit down with a snack for while you read. 😉🤔🤨😮😧😏🙂😀 Kat
June 30, 2026
THE SALTWATER MURDER
A Posie Parker Mystery #7
L. B. HATHAWAY
https://amzn.to/4eYpQQD
Review by Author Roy Murry
Posie Parker, P.I., has a knack for accumulating and storing investigative information until an epiphany arises and she brings everyone together à la Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot "Summation Gathering”.
In 1924, an important English Judge is murdered in chambers in an unusual way: a box is delivered, and the contents kill him. He has also been receiving postcards from a saltwater tourist destination in the U.K.
London's Chief Inspector Lovelace asks Posie to help with the investigation of the crime. She is well known to the victim and all the possible criminals, which puts her in a difficult situation.
From this point on, a whirlwind of confrontations and information is produced. However, only Posie puts it together, and when the murderer makes a statement, the events leading to the killing arise.
A Posie Parker Mystery #7
L. B. HATHAWAY
https://amzn.to/4eYpQQD
Review by Author Roy Murry
Posie Parker, P.I., has a knack for accumulating and storing investigative information until an epiphany arises and she brings everyone together à la Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot "Summation Gathering”.
In 1924, an important English Judge is murdered in chambers in an unusual way: a box is delivered, and the contents kill him. He has also been receiving postcards from a saltwater tourist destination in the U.K.
London's Chief Inspector Lovelace asks Posie to help with the investigation of the crime. She is well known to the victim and all the possible criminals, which puts her in a difficult situation.
From this point on, a whirlwind of confrontations and information is produced. However, only Posie puts it together, and when the murderer makes a statement, the events leading to the killing arise.
November 1, 2021
English Cozy
This was the first Posie Parker book I have read, definitely out of order. But it was lovely, charming, great character development and twisted subplots and plot. The ending wasn’t unexpected, but it was challenging. (Both the solving of the case and the romance). I enjoyed the detail of London, medicine/doctors, barristers and fish markets. Adding Whitly Bay into the mix was an added bonus. And again multi tasking. I will start at the beginning, and suggest this, with the character development that happened.
This was the first Posie Parker book I have read, definitely out of order. But it was lovely, charming, great character development and twisted subplots and plot. The ending wasn’t unexpected, but it was challenging. (Both the solving of the case and the romance). I enjoyed the detail of London, medicine/doctors, barristers and fish markets. Adding Whitly Bay into the mix was an added bonus. And again multi tasking. I will start at the beginning, and suggest this, with the character development that happened.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews