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June 1940

As the battle for supremacy in Europe rages in France, York’s beleaguered police are baffled by a series of crimes at the city’s museums.

A bungled break-in at the prestigious Yorkshire Museum is quickly followed by the murder of Lance Richards, a sub-curator at the neighbouring Castle Museum, who is bludgeoned to death.

The main suspect for the murder is the dead man’s co-worker, Anthony Gill, a quiet and unprepossessing clerk. But he doesn’t have an alibi and is stubbornly uncooperative with the police. His desperate lawyer employs Jemma and Bobbie, from Smoke & Cracked Mirrors, The York Ladies Detective Agency, to investigate the crime on Gill’s behalf and prove his innocence.

Meanwhile, the women join forces with King’s Detective Agency to find evidence for a high-profile divorce case between wealthy aristocrat, Baron Stokesley, and Jodie, his Hollywood starlet wife.

In a twisting series of events, which take the women from cramped hotel bathrooms to danger in the wine cellars of historic country houses, Jemma starts to suspect that their cases are entwined.

Vengeful passions and a dark crime lie beneath the civilised, genteel, and slightly dusty veneer of those elders who preserve our history.

But which of the thousands of antiquities owned by the museum is the murder weapon?
And if Anthony Gill didn’t murder Lance Richards, who did – and why?

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2022

81 people are currently reading
88 people want to read

About the author

Karen Charlton

26 books468 followers
Karen Charlton is an international best-selling author of historical crime fiction.

Her Detective Lavender Mysteries are based on the fictional adventures of Stephen Lavender, a real-life detective with the Bow Street Police Office in London.

Her brand new series, The York Ladies' Detective Agency Mysteries, feature a couple of enterprising young women, Jemma and Bobbie, who launch a private inquiry agency in York during WW2.

​​Her standalone, debut novel Catching the Eagle is the true story of her notorious ancestor, Jamie Charlton, who was convicted of Northumberland's biggest robbery.

Find out more about Karen's work at http://www.karencharlton.com

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Clemens.
1,340 reviews130 followers
August 17, 2023
This excellent WWII detective adventure is the 2nd volume of the wonderful "York Ladies' Detective Agency Mysteries", featuring Mrs Jemima "Jemma" James and Miss Roberta "Bobbie" Baker of Detective Agency "Smoke & Cracked Mirrors".

At the back of the book you'll find within the Autor's Note/Acknowledgements some very useful historical and personal info concerning this exciting WWII mystery, and you can read the bibliography.

Storytelling is of a top-notch quality, the characters are all very believable and lifelike, while the atmosphere in and surroundings of York, England, during WWII are wonderfully described and pictured by the author.

The book starts off in May, 1640, in York, when a supposed bungled burglary at the Yorkshire Museum leaves a dead person, a man who's called Lance Richards, who was an employee of the Castle Museum himself.

Apprehended and brought to justice in what the police thinks is the killer of Richards is a certain man called, Anthony Gill, who's an employee of Castle Museum, but he won't say anything to police or his lawyer, but somehow Jemma will be able to convince him to reveal something.

Jemma and her livelong friend and now detective colleague Bobbie will lead the investigation into the death of Lance Richards, but alongside this case there's also the divorce case between Jodie and Baron Stokesley, and soon enough these two cases will become entwined concerning the subjects of art theft, BUF, adultery and various other crimes.

What is to follow is an amazing and delightful detective mystery, that start with a steady build-up towards a smart action-packed plot, in which Jemma and Bobbie, in combination with some personal and professional help, will get to the bottom of these cases, and in the end they will be able to solve these cases in their own clever female fashion, and reveal the culprit(s) in a most convincing thrilling way.

Highly recommended, for this is a splendid addition to this wonderful WWII series, and that's why I like to call this 2nd episode: "An Impressive York Ladies' Detective Sequel"!
Profile Image for Vanessa Wild.
615 reviews20 followers
December 7, 2022
The second in the York Ladies’ Detective Agency, this one involving a robbery and murder at a museum and also the shadowing of an actress whose husband wishes to divorce her.

I found this a fun and intriguing mystery. Having read the first book in the series, Smoke & Cracked Mirrors, I was looking forward to reading the second and I wasn’t disappointed. I love Jemma and Bobby, I think they make an intrepid sleuthing duo. As I live near York, I like that I can recognize some of the places such as the Castle Museum. It’s so easy to visualize. It’s set during wartime and the writing style gives a great feel for the era. I had to keep on my toes as I progressed through the story as the plot lines are quite intricate and there are quite a few characters. An enjoyable read and I’m looking to the next book.
Profile Image for Kristin.
1,005 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2023
Jenna and Bobbie continue their female detective series occurring during WWII. In this adventure they follow an actress and try to solve a murder. This book has more adventure and danger than the first book of the series. I also think the book reflects on the difficulties of being women detectives in this age more accurately.

I read the audiobook version and the narration was definitely improved from the first book. Give it a try for an atmospheric historical mystery.
Profile Image for Barbara Rogers.
1,749 reviews207 followers
December 2, 2022
Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: York Ladies’ Detective Agency Mysteries #2
Publication Date: 11/15/22
Period: WWII – 1940 York, England
Number of Pages: 358

What a great mystery! The author has certainly done her research and many of the places and events within the story actually happened. Each book contains more than one mystery because it covers the cases on which the ladies are currently working. In this book, the perpetrator seemed pretty obvious to me, but what was not obvious was the background and circumstances of the murder. The other case had a lovely twist that you didn’t really see coming and it was pretty cool.

The Smoke and Cracked Mirrors detective agency is commissioned by the lawyer for Anthony Gill who has been accused of murdering his colleague at the Castle Museum in York. As they begin their investigation and meet all of the involved characters, they are sure many of those people are not being straightforward with them. As the case progresses, it morphs into something so much bigger- and nastier than the original murder. Many people are in danger – including Bobbie and Tom (Jemma’s step-nephew).

The second case they are working on was brought to them by Mr. King of King’s Private Inquiry Agency based in Leeds. Whenever Mr. King takes on a case that includes anything in York, he contracts with the York Ladies’ Detective Agency to investigate any clues in their area. This case involves a Baron who is married to a famous actress – and he wants to divorce the actress. Baron Stokesley, a wealthy aristocrat, wants the detectives to gather evidence that he can use in court to prove his wife is being unfaithful. However, it turns out that Jodie, his wife, is one very sharp lady who knows exactly what the Baron is up to and thwarts the detectives at every turn. Is she actually having an affair? If so, with whom? Can they catch them together? The possible paramours keep getting eliminated – maybe she isn’t cheating.

This was a lively story filled with characters you love, hate, feel sorry for, identify with, or who break your heart. The only reason I didn’t give the book a 5-star rating is on the personal side of the story – not the mystery side. As with any series, we learn more and more about the recurring characters as we move from book to book. I’d become personally invested in one of the strong, handsome, patriotic, loving, caring male characters – all of those great attributes you’d want in a person. However, it appears his outcome is NOT going to be a good one unless the author creates some miracle. I don’t care for where things seem to be heading for him, his wife, and their relationship. I’ll read the next book to see where it goes, but if the turmoil persists, I’ll probably quit reading the series. I read to escape real-world things, and this situation is much too real-world to suit me. I also get tired of Jemma and her ‘stomach fluttering’ when a certain male character is around. Jemma is married and shouldn’t even be considering or thinking about other men given her personal situation/relationship. Ah – I guess we’ll see where it goes.

I definitely recommend this book and this series for the mystery. If you choose to read it, I hope you’ll enjoy it.
472 reviews5 followers
October 5, 2024
Well written...want to read more...

Lots of foreknowledge of e?vents I do not know they knew in 1939/40 in Britain and some repetition but overall a good, solid story with many twists and turns...kept me guessing.
Good new almost at the conclusion of the book.
What will Jemma do?
Long time til the end of the war and all its tragedies.
Could mention more of what was happening on the continent at this time to give us the perspective of the folks living at that time in each year of the years to follow...would love more historical context using all the research this author puts into her books.
Would recommend as a novel about life on the homefront during WWII in York.
Love the evolution of the main characters and their families and how they are learning
to cope with the current shortages and the remaking and making due that war always engenders.
Stories are well thought out and have satisfactory complexities.
Love the main characters are women with strong and distinct personalities and ambitions. Makes the stories involving the issues of the day resonate with this boomer era woman! I did not live through this time...there are so few people now who did! And...my parents, aunts and uncles and grandparents...all gone now...did. It is always nice to read about the era in which they lived their formative years and the hardships they dealt with...even though most were Americans...they served in the Navy, Army and in Civilian service...USO in NYC and my Mother-in-law was an ambulance driver in NYC!...my mom's brothers were in the Navy...her eldest brother on a submarine in the Pacific in both WWII and Korea and her younger brother on board ship at the end of week and Korea...and other...uncles and aunts, etc.
Enjoyed these books...all two so far...and a couple in the Detective Lavender and Constable Woods series.

Profile Image for Jennifer .
1,595 reviews37 followers
July 27, 2023
Jemma and Bobbie from Smoke & Cracked Mirrors are back with more mysteries to solve in this second book in the York Ladies' Detective Agency series. Set in York during June of 1940, and whilst Jemma is still searching for her missing husband, the duo are asked to prove a man's innocence. Two of the city's museums have been subjected to vicious crimes, and a bungled break in at the Yorkshire Museum is quickly followed by the brutal murder of the sub-curator at the Castle Museum, Lance Richards. Anthony Gill is the main suspect, and the clerk not only does not have an alibi but is also uncooperative with the police, so his lawyer hire Jemma and Bobbie to help prove his innocence. They are also trying to get evidence for a famous actress's aristocratic husband so that he can have a divorce. In the background, the nation waits for any news from the men trapped at Dunkirk. A gripping read with wonderful characters and an original storyline, which kept me happily turning the pages. I personally feel you need to have read book one to fully understand the main characters backstory, and the missing husband storyline obviously continues from the previous book. However, this did not stop me loving the duo of Jemma and Bobbie, or from enjoying the story.

Profile Image for Amalia.
128 reviews3 followers
March 1, 2023
Four reasons I’m giving Four Stars to Dancing With Dusty Fossils by Karen Charlton:

1. THE SETTING - the story takes us to 1940 York, a time full of intrigue and atmosphere. WWII books featuring young women are very popular right now but the author finds a fresh angle, an interesting location and a great plot.

2. THE DETECTIVES - Jemma James and Bobbie Baker are nice, clever and very resourceful, a worthy pair of protagonists, and the secondary characters are every bit as good.

3. THE RECORD - author Karen Charlton has previously written the Detective Lavender Mysteries, a fun regency mystery series. This is the second book in a new series and enjoys her signature excellent writing and clever storytelling.

4. THE SUMMARY - If you’re in the market for an enjoyable, gentle, heartwarming mystery with unexpected plot twists, this could well be the book for you.


1,034 reviews11 followers
November 23, 2022
Whilst I love the Lavender/Woods duo in Karen's other series, Jemma and Bobbie are rapidly becoming my favourites. They encapsulate the young women of the era with their heroics, love, friendship, pain and steadfastness. The author describes in detail what living in and around York during WW2 was like and draws a clear picture of the social history of that time along with other little nuggets of information which we may not have known. The story just flows and is a great page turner as the reader tries to find out not only who the murderer may be but also what is happening in the women's personal lives, all set in the time around the Dunkirk evacuation.

Really looking forward to the next book. Definitely recommended.
Profile Image for Laura.
255 reviews
November 29, 2022
I haven’t read the first book (Smoke & Cracked Mirrors) in the York Ladies’ Detective Agency series, so while Dancing With Dusty Fossils works well as a standalone book, I felt I had missed out on a lot of the backstory and would recommend reading that first.

The author has really captured the spirit of the beginning of the 1940’s and has obviously done a lot of research about York during that time. The characters are well written and the two main protagonists are very likeable, independent women.

Some clever plot twists, humour and intrigue make this a very enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and The Book Club Reviewer Group for the advance copy in return for an honest review.
38 reviews
February 7, 2023
Fascinating story!

This very cleverly constructed mystery is really two tales simultaneously. Full of action, great characters, well-described scenes, and plenty of plot twists, it was charming to read! Set in a different time from her Detective Lavender stories, this book expands on the detective agency started by two very smart friends in the 1940’s. A great adventure! I couldn’t put it down. 😁
57 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2024
Please keep writing this series!

Great book. Two young, attractive women running a private detective firm during WWII. Intriguing theft from museums, a lord looking to divorce his beloved famous actress wife, and the continuing mystery of what happened to one of the detective's husband, who disappeared. Good humored dialog against the backdrop of the Dunkirk evacuation. Excellent!
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,332 reviews134 followers
December 8, 2022
Dancing With Dusty Fossils by Karen Charlton.
The York Ladies' Detective Agency Mysteries Book 2.
While Jemma continues to search for her missing husband, the citizens of historic York are shocked by a series of vicious crimes at the city’s two museums.
Really enjoyable read. Gripping. Cleverly written. 5*.
Profile Image for ML Carver.
65 reviews
December 26, 2022
Smiling finish

Fun characters, good plot, satisfying finish. When I finish a book and find myself with a smile on my face, I know I'm in a good series. Looking forward to all of these. Karen Charlton is one of my favorite authors for her entertaining, complex and we'll developed stories & characters.
Profile Image for Roland Taub.
100 reviews3 followers
January 25, 2023
Another very good book!

Just so you know I don't give 5 stars very often. I wish I could give 4.5 stars to this one. A much better crafted story than the first book. Since Ms. Charlton kept this book to just two cases it moved along much more rapidly. I am quickly becoming a real fan of Jenna and Bobbie.
Profile Image for julie young.
450 reviews15 followers
November 10, 2022
Feisty, intrigue. As Jemma and Bobbie continue to build their private investigation business they are employed to.look into two cases which take them on a steep learning curve and stretch their abilities. Danger stalks them and violence hits those close to them. Jemma continued her search for husband Michael . Thoroughly entertaining read with great characters .A great second book in this series.
540 reviews10 followers
November 17, 2022
I loved the two main characters, they literally come alive through the pages.
The book contains social history as well as a charming story line.
I can't wait to read further stories of this crime busting duo.
34 reviews
November 20, 2022
A well-researched, well-written mystery set in Britain in 1940. So good to read a novel with "lifelike" characters. Now I can't wait for the next in series to find out what happens with Michael, and, of course, to see which mystery Jemma and Bobbie get embroiled in.
Profile Image for Lin.
198 reviews33 followers
November 20, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. Not only is it a good, solid murder mystery, featuring interesting characters, but the historical and geographical setting of the story grounds it thoroughly, giving it a real feel of the times and attitudes.
Profile Image for Kamini Mehta.
524 reviews10 followers
November 28, 2022
I love Jemma and Bobbie and their determination to be detectives in a time where that was rare. As usual, there are a number of confusing events, including theft and murder. I won't say too much more, but I thoroughly enjoyed this.
3 reviews
December 3, 2022
intriguing and enjoyable

I’ve enjoyed all Karen Charlton’s books, including this! I like how she takes the reader on a journey back in time and keeps your mind active trying to figure out who committed the crime. Well done!
Profile Image for Angie Boyter.
2,299 reviews95 followers
December 18, 2022
4- . Still enjoyable, but not quite as good as the first for 2 reasons. First, a few too many coincidences and implausibilities that went a bit beyond just being surprising and clever. Second, the war-related elements were more sobering, and the ending was a real downer.
Profile Image for Beccy Thompson.
810 reviews17 followers
January 16, 2023
I adore this series not least because I graduated from a York university and know the city and destinations in these books well. I love the strong female leads in this book and their dedication to seeing things through.
Well written and paced just right to keep the pages turning
105 reviews
February 1, 2023
Historic exciting. Fun

I would hope everyone reads this. There is insight aplenty and excitement galore with touches of WW11. This is a great series that I hope continues a long time
Profile Image for Cherylbestlife.
452 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2024
Enjoyed…

I love period pieces, a good mystery and strong family and friendships. This book hits all of these things. I enjoy shadowing these female private investigators and following along as they follow the clues.
3 reviews
October 1, 2024
Interesting detective yarn

Great 2nd book following two lady detectives set in 2nd World War York.
Good mystery with interestingly interwoven plotlines.
Recommended and looking forward to a third book in the series.
199 reviews
December 7, 2022
intertwined complex Tale of Murder and Theft

This is the best book Carolyn has ever written It has so many interactions that lead in different directions.
I truly enjoyed it
Author 5 books3 followers
January 9, 2023
These protagonists are spunky, relatable, independent women capable of sifting through complex cases and piecing together disparate clues. I found this to be a very enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Sharon R Scheber.
5 reviews
February 8, 2023
Dusty fossils review.

It was entertaining and steady reading. I can't say that I couldn't put it down, but it came close. Just a good book for reading any time of the day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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