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Dorothy Martin #24
The Bath Conspiracy
American Anglophile Dorothy Martin is celebrating her birthday in the historic city of Bath, but the discovery of a number of stolen artefacts throws her plans awry. Retired chief constable Alan Nesbit and his wife Dorothy Martin are in the beautiful historic city of Bath to celebrate Dorothy's birthday, enjoying the city's elegant surroundings, sightseeing, shopping - and champagne. But the celebrations are curtailed when they discover a curious assortment of loot in their car boot during a trip to Stonehenge - from precious artefacts to cheap jumble sale trinkets. The stolen items are linked to various historic sites in Bath, but how did they end up in the Martins' car? As Dorothy and Alan seek to prove their innocence and catch a thief, they are soon swept into a conspiracy that runs much deeper and darker . . .
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2021
72 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne M. Dams
48 books219 followersJeanne M. Dams lives in South Bend, Indiana. The Body in the Transept, which introduced Dorothy Martin, won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Dams is also the author of Green Grow the Victims and other Hilda Johansson mysteries published by Walker & Company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 20, 2023
Most lovely !
October 17, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Bath Conspiracy is the 24th (!) book in the Dorothy Martin cozy mysteries by Jeanne M. Dams. Released 1st June 2021 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This entire series is very cozy and enjoyable and the characters are refreshingly down to earth, intelligently portrayed, and believable. All of the books work well as standalones and this would be a good starting point to hop on the series. The author is adept enough to provide the necessary back story without spoon feeding or info dumping and there aren't any major spoilers from earlier books which aren't included in the blurb on the back cover, namely that Dorothy is an expat American who is married to a retired English chief constable and who now resides in England and they solve mysteries together as a sort of superannuated Nick & Nora.
This is pure escapist entertainment and the language is squeaky clean. There's *very* light unspecific consensual sexual content hinted at in the book, but nothing at all suggestive or off-color (and the characters are married). The narrative arc doesn't contain any real danger or threat and I found it a lovely interlude to a very stressful time. This is the book for a pot of tea and nibbles, curled up on the sofa on a rainy weekend.
Four stars. A lovely read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Bath Conspiracy is the 24th (!) book in the Dorothy Martin cozy mysteries by Jeanne M. Dams. Released 1st June 2021 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This entire series is very cozy and enjoyable and the characters are refreshingly down to earth, intelligently portrayed, and believable. All of the books work well as standalones and this would be a good starting point to hop on the series. The author is adept enough to provide the necessary back story without spoon feeding or info dumping and there aren't any major spoilers from earlier books which aren't included in the blurb on the back cover, namely that Dorothy is an expat American who is married to a retired English chief constable and who now resides in England and they solve mysteries together as a sort of superannuated Nick & Nora.
This is pure escapist entertainment and the language is squeaky clean. There's *very* light unspecific consensual sexual content hinted at in the book, but nothing at all suggestive or off-color (and the characters are married). The narrative arc doesn't contain any real danger or threat and I found it a lovely interlude to a very stressful time. This is the book for a pot of tea and nibbles, curled up on the sofa on a rainy weekend.
Four stars. A lovely read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
June 6, 2021
Alan and Dorothy are enjoying stay in Bath to celebrate Dorothy's birthday. When they find strange items in the boot of their car the adventure begins. This is #24 in the series. It's an interesting plot but I must say, Dorothy's constant need for food is becoming annoying. Sometimes she's just had a hearty tea and she's soon in the pub having fish and chips. It's a wonder she can still walk what with bad knees and constant eating. Still, the crime is always solved and the settings are terrific.
May 16, 2021
Retired Chief Constable Alan Nesbit and his wife amateur detective Dorothy Martin have come to Bath for a birthday treat. When stolen goods are found in their hire car this lovely old couple feel there’s a mystery to solve. You fall in love with the beautiful settings of Bath and Stonehenge. There is plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of this lovely cozy mystery.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2021
My review from www.mysteryandsuspense.com:
When you are in the mood for an easy relaxing mystery with no murder, though not for lack of trying, consider The Bath Conspiracy by Jeanne M. Dams. This is the 24th book in her long-running Dorothy Martin Mystery series featuring ex-pat Dorothy Martin who has now married former chief constable Alan Nesbit.
Over the course of the series Dorothy and Alan have had numerous adventures, some of the more harrowing kind. For this book, Dams settles back into a kinder, gentler type of mystery that provides them with quite a puzzle, but no dead bodies. While there is an attempt on Dorothy’s life and on the life of two other characters in the book, none of them are successful, nor are they written about in any great detail. Rather, the emphasis is placed on the puzzle Dorothy and Alan are working to solve, along with the police.
For Dorothy’s birthday, Alan has taken her for a holiday to the famous city of Bath, England. They plan to do some sightseeing, have Dorothy indulge in some souvenir shopping, visit the cathedral in Bath and the famous site of Stonehenge, then return home. Their plans get turned upside down on the second day of their trip during a trip to Stonehenge. After visiting the stones, Dorothy has indulged in one of her favorite activities, namely souvenir shopping. Loaded down with packages she and Alan prepare to load them into the trunk, or boot as they say in England, of her car. When they open it up, they discover it is already filled with an odd assortment of things ranging from cheap souvenirs worth almost nothing, to a chunk of stone from the quarry where historians believe the stones for Stonehenge were mined. Nothing makes sense, leastwise how they came to be in Dorothy and Alan’s car.
Alan calls in the police and insists their fingerprints be taken immediately which he knows will rule them out as suspects in the thefts. The next day, Dorothy and Alan decide to take a driving tour only to be told their car is unavailable. The hotel provides them with a limousine, and they drop by the garage where the car is being housed and discover someone has damaged the lock trying to pry the trunk open. The police are called again, and Alan begins to insist they be allowed to assist in the investigation since it was their car that was involved. He leans heavily on his experience as a retired chief constable and pushes the police in charge to accept his and Dorothy’s help in solving the mystery of what is happening in Bath.
As Alan and Dorothy begin their investigation, the young man who was chauffeuring them in the hotel limousine is the victim of a hit and run accident that appears to be an attempted murder. Not long after that there is an attempt on another citizen who has become high on Alan and Dorothy’s list as being involved in the thefts. After these two attempts, Alan is determined to stick close to Dorothy, although there is an unsuccessful attempt to lure Dorothy away from their lodgings alone. All these attempts serve to increase Alan and Dorothy’s determination to get to the bottom of things.
As Dorothy and Alan continue to investigate, they also become more acquainted with various people who have some form of connection to what is happening in Bath which provides an entertaining character study for several of the residents. Dorothy and Alan have also developed a warm, comfortable relationship with each other which shines through the story and contributes to the warm, welcoming story of their investigation.
It isn’t difficult to follow the story, nor to figure out the identity of the guilty parties. Still, it is enjoyable to relax and spend some time in Bath and explore some of the famous sites along with Alan and Dorothy. The Bath Conspiracy is an excellent choice for any reader who may have been reading a few too many edgy mysteries or otherwise is looking to find an entertaining read that will provide them with both a sense of calm and some diversion. It’s a great choice to have as a beach or travel read or to provide some relaxation and retreat from the stresses of the day.
I would like to thank Canongate Books, Severn House Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
When you are in the mood for an easy relaxing mystery with no murder, though not for lack of trying, consider The Bath Conspiracy by Jeanne M. Dams. This is the 24th book in her long-running Dorothy Martin Mystery series featuring ex-pat Dorothy Martin who has now married former chief constable Alan Nesbit.
Over the course of the series Dorothy and Alan have had numerous adventures, some of the more harrowing kind. For this book, Dams settles back into a kinder, gentler type of mystery that provides them with quite a puzzle, but no dead bodies. While there is an attempt on Dorothy’s life and on the life of two other characters in the book, none of them are successful, nor are they written about in any great detail. Rather, the emphasis is placed on the puzzle Dorothy and Alan are working to solve, along with the police.
For Dorothy’s birthday, Alan has taken her for a holiday to the famous city of Bath, England. They plan to do some sightseeing, have Dorothy indulge in some souvenir shopping, visit the cathedral in Bath and the famous site of Stonehenge, then return home. Their plans get turned upside down on the second day of their trip during a trip to Stonehenge. After visiting the stones, Dorothy has indulged in one of her favorite activities, namely souvenir shopping. Loaded down with packages she and Alan prepare to load them into the trunk, or boot as they say in England, of her car. When they open it up, they discover it is already filled with an odd assortment of things ranging from cheap souvenirs worth almost nothing, to a chunk of stone from the quarry where historians believe the stones for Stonehenge were mined. Nothing makes sense, leastwise how they came to be in Dorothy and Alan’s car.
Alan calls in the police and insists their fingerprints be taken immediately which he knows will rule them out as suspects in the thefts. The next day, Dorothy and Alan decide to take a driving tour only to be told their car is unavailable. The hotel provides them with a limousine, and they drop by the garage where the car is being housed and discover someone has damaged the lock trying to pry the trunk open. The police are called again, and Alan begins to insist they be allowed to assist in the investigation since it was their car that was involved. He leans heavily on his experience as a retired chief constable and pushes the police in charge to accept his and Dorothy’s help in solving the mystery of what is happening in Bath.
As Alan and Dorothy begin their investigation, the young man who was chauffeuring them in the hotel limousine is the victim of a hit and run accident that appears to be an attempted murder. Not long after that there is an attempt on another citizen who has become high on Alan and Dorothy’s list as being involved in the thefts. After these two attempts, Alan is determined to stick close to Dorothy, although there is an unsuccessful attempt to lure Dorothy away from their lodgings alone. All these attempts serve to increase Alan and Dorothy’s determination to get to the bottom of things.
As Dorothy and Alan continue to investigate, they also become more acquainted with various people who have some form of connection to what is happening in Bath which provides an entertaining character study for several of the residents. Dorothy and Alan have also developed a warm, comfortable relationship with each other which shines through the story and contributes to the warm, welcoming story of their investigation.
It isn’t difficult to follow the story, nor to figure out the identity of the guilty parties. Still, it is enjoyable to relax and spend some time in Bath and explore some of the famous sites along with Alan and Dorothy. The Bath Conspiracy is an excellent choice for any reader who may have been reading a few too many edgy mysteries or otherwise is looking to find an entertaining read that will provide them with both a sense of calm and some diversion. It’s a great choice to have as a beach or travel read or to provide some relaxation and retreat from the stresses of the day.
I would like to thank Canongate Books, Severn House Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
May 11, 2021
Alan Nesbitt decides to take his wife Dorothy to Bath for her birthday. They stay in a very nice hotel. Although their car is valet driven to a parking place on the edge of town, they have the use of a very nice car and driver. The second day they go to Stonehenge. Dorothy loves gift shops, and when they get back to their car, they find the boot filled with boxes and bags they've never seen before! Alan even saw pieces of bluestone! Alan immediately calls in the local police. Alan insists they take his and Dorothy's finger prints, so not only are they not suspects, but Detective Robrealizes who they are, and suggests they may want to help the local police.
Dorothy's love of gift shops soon brings her into contact with Sammy, a young man who has Downs Syndrome. She befriends him, and soon it appears that Sammy might be involved the the petty theft going on from several gift shops. Dorothy and Alan become friends with both Rob and his wife Sylvie, and meet and befriend Sammy' grandmother, Judy. Some of the items stolen are not worth very much. When someone tries to drown Sammy in the large pool at the baths, and then attempts to kill Andrew, the driver of the Royal Hotel's Rolls, with crashing into the car, they know that someone is trying to get rid of folks that might know too much.
No one is actually killed, but there is certainly a mysterious thief in the picture. Alan and Dorothy do their detecting very well among the great sites in the Bath area. This is a fun read with some excitement and good characters.
Dorothy's love of gift shops soon brings her into contact with Sammy, a young man who has Downs Syndrome. She befriends him, and soon it appears that Sammy might be involved the the petty theft going on from several gift shops. Dorothy and Alan become friends with both Rob and his wife Sylvie, and meet and befriend Sammy' grandmother, Judy. Some of the items stolen are not worth very much. When someone tries to drown Sammy in the large pool at the baths, and then attempts to kill Andrew, the driver of the Royal Hotel's Rolls, with crashing into the car, they know that someone is trying to get rid of folks that might know too much.
No one is actually killed, but there is certainly a mysterious thief in the picture. Alan and Dorothy do their detecting very well among the great sites in the Bath area. This is a fun read with some excitement and good characters.
January 22, 2024
Dorothy and Alan head to a holiday in Bath, hoping to enjoy some quiet time together, but in no time at all they find themselves embroiled in criminal events: somebody placed stolen goods in the trunk of their car and, once the authorities rule them out as suspects, they are asked to assist the police in their inquiries. However, the case is baffling - most of the loot is worthless and there’s little to connect any of the items other than that they all seem to come from various museums in the region. Ultimately it is Dorothy’s inquisitive nature that may lead them to the solution, before too many people get hurt…. This is the 24th Dorothy Martin book and one of the slightest. Aside from the rather silly “crime spree” and its even more ridiculous solution, there’s not a lot going on here. Although a few people are injured, nobody dies in this book for a change, but nothing much happens either. And there are a few annoying editing errors (one character named Sylvie becomes “Sylvia” at one point, and at the end of the book Dorothy and Alan give someone a gift after everybody else has left, ignoring the fact that they are visiting someone else’s house at the time). I’ve liked this series in part because of the relationships and in part for the travelog aspects, but this one just feels tired to me.
March 21, 2021
In the latest Dorothy Martin Mystery, Dorothy and Alan, her retired policeman husband, are celebrating Dorothy's birthday with a trip to Bath. They aren't expecting any trouble, but trouble always seems to find them. During a visit to nearby Stonehenge, they discover stolen loot in their trunk. How did it end up in their car? And who is the thief of such an eclectic collection of items? Dorothy and Alan are known for their ability to help solve crimes, so they are quickly accepted into the investigation. Dorothy's ability to chat with people enables her to gather information the police aren't able to get. She and Alan aren't having the restful vacation they were anticipating, but they manage to solve the puzzle and head home for a well-deserved rest. I particularly enjoyed that Dorothy and Alan are a retired couple and that Dorothy gets tired and grumpy and needs naps and breaks!
April 3, 2021
Retired Chief Constable Alan Nesbit and his American-born wife, Dorothy Martin, like to travel the UK. This book finds them celebrating Dorothy’s birthday in the beautiful, historic city of Bath. Living near Bath myself, it was a joy to find that the author’s research was accurate.
Alan and Dorothy hire a car and take a trip to nearby Stonehenge. After a lovely time, they return to the car to find that a very mixed assortment of items, both valuable and of little worth, have been left in the boot. Alan contacts the police and, in view of his previous career, the police are grateful for him and Dorothy to assist them in solving the mystery.
A gentle, cosy mystery but one that is totally believable.
Thank you to NetGalley, Canongate Books, and Severn House for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
Alan and Dorothy hire a car and take a trip to nearby Stonehenge. After a lovely time, they return to the car to find that a very mixed assortment of items, both valuable and of little worth, have been left in the boot. Alan contacts the police and, in view of his previous career, the police are grateful for him and Dorothy to assist them in solving the mystery.
A gentle, cosy mystery but one that is totally believable.
Thank you to NetGalley, Canongate Books, and Severn House for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
May 13, 2021
I'm fond of the characters in this rather gentle British-set series. In this one, the crime is very much a petty crime and a lot of the narration is more a travelog about Bath than a real mystery. Most mystery readers will quickly guess the major plot feature, and frankly I wouldn't put up with that sort of thing with most writers. If you're after a gentle and rather sweet book with mostly nice people in which no one is seriously hurt, read this. If you want excitement, chases, a true puzzle - look elsewhere.
June 27, 2021
If you've never been to Bath, England, here's a great way to go. Jeanne M. Dams takes you on a travel adventure with her heroine, Dorothy Martin. Dorothy and her husband, retired chief constable Alan Nesbit are on vacation in Bath, celebrating Dorothy's birthday, when they get caught up in a crime scheme. Someone has used their car to store stolen merchandise. Now that they are involved, even indirectly, they can't possibly go home until they help solve the case! Meanwhile, we get to follow along and see all the sights, including Stonehenge.
August 31, 2023
I picked this up because of the location - we'll be in Bath in a few weeks, I thought it would be fun to read something based in the town, though I'm not a cozy fan.
Could not finish it. The main character wants to shop and eat while her husband looks indulgently on. There was an encounter with a character who has Downs Syndrome and I didn't care for the way the author dealt, rather insensitively, to that person.
Yes, the city, the surrounding location & attractions are talked about - they are there as tourists - but it wasn't enough to keep me reading. Left off at p.52/Ch.8.
Could not finish it. The main character wants to shop and eat while her husband looks indulgently on. There was an encounter with a character who has Downs Syndrome and I didn't care for the way the author dealt, rather insensitively, to that person.
Yes, the city, the surrounding location & attractions are talked about - they are there as tourists - but it wasn't enough to keep me reading. Left off at p.52/Ch.8.
July 3, 2021
My first time reading a Jeanne M. Dams book. As recommended it is a cosy mystery. I’m familiar with the city of Bath and Stonehenge so I was intrigued. Dorothy Martin and her husband Alan Nesbit make an interesting pair. Of course, Dorothy is the kingpin in solving the mystery. I will read more of this author.
Like Mrs. Dams I too would love to live in England, luckily I do visit fairly regularly. Covid be gone!!!
Like Mrs. Dams I too would love to live in England, luckily I do visit fairly regularly. Covid be gone!!!
July 20, 2021
A favorite author for lots of years who always delivers! I have been to Bath and want to return next year so I was well prepared to love this book, and I did. I like first person viewpoint and I drool at the food consumed. (Except Starbucks.) Good mystery with a fun art side. I wish there were illustrations of the portraits. Wish I had a husband as attentive and involved.
Severn House has several authors I follow and enjoy.
Severn House has several authors I follow and enjoy.
August 4, 2021
A light, cozy mystery that is a GOOD distraction from everyday life. When Alan and Dorothy go to vacation in Bath, as usual they become immersed in a mystery. Someone loaded their trunk with stolen goods, mostly from the gift shops of local museums and attractions. As they begin to investigate, a variety of dangerous accidents occur, threatening their lives. A very nice light mystery. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
January 30, 2025
Retired chief constable Alan Nesbit and his wife Dorothy Martin have gone to Bath to celebrate her birthday in style, staying at a nice hotel and enjoying the sights, shopping, and food of the city. But when someone mistakenly place stolen loot in the boot of their car, they are swept into a curious case of theft that turns into darker paths. Another good read in this cozy mystery series. Free ebook from the library.
June 15, 2021
I Hope She is Writing More Episodes
I still find Dorothy infuriating from time to time, but I suppose that is part of her charm and one of the support beams in most of the plots. I thoroughly enjoy her stories and hope she has a long, fruitful life ahead of her, full of crimes. Other people’s crimes.
I still find Dorothy infuriating from time to time, but I suppose that is part of her charm and one of the support beams in most of the plots. I thoroughly enjoy her stories and hope she has a long, fruitful life ahead of her, full of crimes. Other people’s crimes.
September 4, 2021
Fun story about thefts in the town of Bath. It made it even more interesting by the fact my wife and I spent some time there a few years ago. The Dorothy Martin character was somewhat hard to take. It seemed as if she always was complaining to her poor husband. "I'm tired, I'm hungry, I want to shop, I this and I that, geesh. Other than this I would recommend the book a good read!
September 13, 2021
It was nice to have a mystery without a murder for a change. This is a fun series; however, this particular book felt padded. There were certainly a lot of meals eaten and discussions had without progress. I do like that she gives some insight into sights around England, but it easily could have been 50 pages shorter.
September 27, 2021
Disappointed
Since this looked to be the final book in the series, I expected it to have a little more. Not sure of what...just something. Especially when I had to pay for it. Over all I did enjoy the rest of the series. It was especially meaningful, as I am also of that "certain age". I could certainly relate. I just wish this final one was a little better.
Since this looked to be the final book in the series, I expected it to have a little more. Not sure of what...just something. Especially when I had to pay for it. Over all I did enjoy the rest of the series. It was especially meaningful, as I am also of that "certain age". I could certainly relate. I just wish this final one was a little better.
January 18, 2023
A nice cozy read and, as someone else noted, a pleasant change from serial killers and similar “edgy” suspense-filled books. There certainly is a lot of eating and drinking in this story. It got to be a bit much. At the same time, I liked that Dorothy was not shy about taking a nap when she needed one and that neither she nor Alan had super-human physical abilities.
December 1, 2024
Another fantastic book in the Dorothy Martin series! This one takes place in Bath where Alan & Dorothy are visiting to celebrate Dorothy’s birthday. They are sucked into another investigation which takes a couple weeks to be solved. They meet another detective who they befriend and a limo driver and a young man with Downs who, it turns out, is key to the whole thing. Great book!
May 4, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Part of it was that it reminded me of my long-ago visit to Bath, and encouraged me to look at the (mostly not great) photos I took there. Nice complicated mystery, and I liked the characters.
August 10, 2021
Part travelogue, part mystery (with no actual murder) and lots of food descriptions. A great deal of complaints about getting older, could have done with fewer of those, I read to forget what's going on in my life, not be constantly reminded!
September 21, 2021
The Last But the Greatest!
A most fitting ending to twenty-four amazing Mysteries by Jeanne M. Dams! I genuinely hope She has more mysteries left to write! A great Big 5 Star for a delightful Author.
Respectfully,
Stella Sutton
A most fitting ending to twenty-four amazing Mysteries by Jeanne M. Dams! I genuinely hope She has more mysteries left to write! A great Big 5 Star for a delightful Author.
Respectfully,
Stella Sutton
July 23, 2021
Very quickly read cozy mystery. Another favorite series. This time Dorothy and Alan take an autumn vacation to Bath, and stumble upon a mystery there. Recommended.
January 9, 2022
Series is nice read
"After the others had left we gave"
Error. They including Andree, had to leave Rob's house.
Didnt make sense. Otherwise ok.
"After the others had left we gave"
Error. They including Andree, had to leave Rob's house.
Didnt make sense. Otherwise ok.
March 8, 2022
read entire series straight through!!
I’ve enjoyed each and every book in this 24 book series! Dorthy and Alan are great fun..
hopefully there will be MORE!
I’ve enjoyed each and every book in this 24 book series! Dorthy and Alan are great fun..
hopefully there will be MORE!
February 2, 2023
Having visited Bath several times, the setting was a nice return. The plot was well written. The person at the center of the thefts was a surprise.
June 5, 2024
Lovely cozy. Shall hunt down earlier installments of this series. I think I like this character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews