The Murder Question

London Murder Mystery #3

by Alice Castle

When her best friend goes missing, amateur sleuth Beth Haldane is determined to do some digging of her own… but can she crack the mystery before it becomes a murder?

Beth Haldane is worried. First her dear friend and fellow single mother Jen suddenly gets married to a new man who seems too perfect to be true, then she moves out of leafy Dulwich Village – and now seems to have disappeared without a trace.

Beth knows Jen would never leave her little daughter to handle playground predicaments or her sneaky stepmother alone. Heading to Jen’s new home for answers, Beth’s knocks on the periwinkle-blue front door go unanswered. Police are convinced the lovebirds are on an extended honeymoon: but Beth suspects Jen’s new husband is up to no good… why does no-one in Dulwich know where he came from? Are his looks hiding a dark past?

With Jen’s unpleasant ex popping up at every turn, and gruff but handsome policeman DI Harry York insisting Beth should leave things to the professionals, it’s going to take all her sleuthing skills to track Jen down. But searching Jen’s overgrown garden for clues, Beth hears a twig snap… and next thing she knows, she’s woken up in a hospital bed.

Someone in normally peaceful Dulwich Village will do anything to stop her reaching the truth. Can Beth get to the bottom of this mystery before she’s the next to disappear?

A totally addictive murder mystery that’s perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Elly Griffiths.

This book was previously published as Calamity in Camberwell

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Contemporary, Fiction, Detective, British Literature

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2022

About the author

Alice Castle lives in South London. She was a feature writer on national newspapers for many years. She has a degree in Modern History from St Andrews University, is the British Royalty expert for Flemish TV, and lived in Brussels for nearly a decade. Her first novel, Hot Chocolate, sold out in two weeks and her second, the cozy crime novel The Murder Mystery, is an Amazon bestseller. She has written nine more whodunnits starring single mum amateur sleuth Beth Haldane. She has also written two psychological thrillers for Harper Collins, The Perfect Widow and The Invitation, under the name A.M. Castle

Reviews

[Sandysbookaday (on indefinite hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

EXCERPT: Beth's breath was rapidly misting up the window as she squinted this way and that, trying to work out what was going on. She stepped back a little to wipe the condensation down with the sleeve of her coat. Suddenly, a twig snapped somewhere behind her in the dense mass of dripping darkness that was the garden. In the quiet, it was as loud as a gunshot going off. She clutched her chest. Her heart had started pounding. Was it a fox? Or maybe Jen's beloved cat, Meow? She knew from Magpie that sometimes you could see cats' eyes glittering in the darkness. She swung round, suddenly supremely conscious that she shouldn't be here. But there was no sign of the cat, or anything else. Thank goodness. She turned back again.

Instantly, there was a flurry of movement right behind her. Then pain exploded through her skull as something hard and heavy connected mercilessly with the back of her head.

ABOUT 'THE MURDER QUESTION': When her best friend goes missing, amateur sleuth Beth Haldane is determined to do some digging of her own… but can she crack the mystery before it becomes a murder?

Beth Haldane is worried. First her dear friend and fellow single mother Jen suddenly gets married to a new man who seems too perfect to be true, then she moves out of leafy Dulwich Village – and now seems to have disappeared without a trace.

Beth knows Jen would never leave her little daughter to handle playground predicaments or her sneaky stepmother alone. Heading to Jen’s new home for answers, Beth’s knocks on the periwinkle-blue front door go unanswered. Police are convinced the lovebirds are on an extended honeymoon: but Beth suspects Jen’s new husband is up to no good… why does no-one in Dulwich know where he came from? Are his looks hiding a dark past?

With Jen’s unpleasant ex popping up at every turn, and gruff but handsome policeman DI Harry York insisting Beth should leave things to the professionals, it’s going to take all her sleuthing skills to track Jen down. But searching Jen’s overgrown garden for clues, Beth hears a twig snap… and next thing she knows, she’s woken up in a hospital bed.

Someone in normally peaceful Dulwich Village will do anything to stop her reaching the truth. Can Beth get to the bottom of this mystery before she’s the next to disappear?

MY THOUGHTS: I don't know quite what it is about this series that keeps drawing me back. I love a good mystery, but in The Murder Question, the mystery definitely takes a back seat to Beth's life. Yet, I enjoyed it. It's entertaining. Amusing. I could easily be friends with Beth. I wouldn't employ her, but we could be friends.

Beth's friends and workmates are ganging up on her, saying that after almost a decade of being a widow it's time she got back on the dating bandwagon. Beth is slowly coming around to their way of thinking. She misses the companionship of a relationship. And her friend Jen's sudden marriage to the unknown Ted has only reinforced her own loneliness. But while she is browsing a dating website one day, she finds something disturbing. Then, Jen disappears.

I like the way Beth bumbles around in her 'investigations'. She has no finesse, no real idea of what she is doing. Probably just as I would do in her place. She's relatable. Ordinary. She's not beautiful, but rather resembles a Shetland pony with her long thick fringe, sturdy build and short stature. She has a bit of a thing for local DI Harry York, who always seems to be rescuing her from whatever predicament she finds herself in, but doesn't believe her feelings are reciprocated. Harry, a DI addicted to the works of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and Margery Allingham, has a disastrous love history. He has all but given up when he is called to a flat where the body of an elderly pensioner has been laying undiscovered for some time, and he wonders if this will be his fate.

The characters are definitely what attract me to this series. From the smug newly married, pregnant Janice to the head 'yummy mummy' at the school gates, they are all beautifully drawn and realistically portrayed.

Every book in this series gets better and now I'm ready for book #4, The Murder Plot.

⭐⭐⭐.9

#TheMurderQuestion #NetGalley

I: @alice_castle_ @bookouture

T: @AliceMCastle @Bookouture

#contemporaryfiction #cosymystery

THE AUTHOR: Alice Castle lives in South London with her two children and two cats. She was a feature writer on the Daily Express for many years and has written for most other national newspapers. She has a degree in Modern History from St Andrews University, is the British Royalty expert for Flemish TV, and lived in Brussels for nearly a decade.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Murder Question (A Beth
Haldane Mystery #3) by Alice Castle for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Cozy Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the third book in this fabulous cozy series it can be read as a standalone, but I would strongly encourage you to read all the books in this wonderful series.... this definitely is not your atypical Posey crime series there is just a little more substance (for lack of a better word) to it... each of these books have dealt with very timely and sensitive subject matter... this time it is domestic violence... as somebody who live through an emotionally abusive marriage I can say the subject matter was handled very intelligently and sensitively... it’s not always easy to infuse serious topics into a lighter read, but major props to Alice Castle for doing this extremely well!

Beth is back! Beth is such a relatable character she really could be any of us.... a single mom just trying to navigate the school pick up, who occasionally runs across dead bodies..... OK I don’t know about you, but I’ve never run across a dead body so that part might not be quite as relatable.... this time Beth is very concerned about her BFF Jen‘s new marriage, something doesn’t seem quite right..... why is it that are closest of friends can smell a rat, and yet we cannot?

What I really loved about this book was its focus on Beth’s personal life... we even got a healthy dose of romance... Love that Harry York, he is just such a good guy! Beth’s friends were even encouraging her to try out Tinder, but I am hopeful that she has already met her perfect match.... but NO worries mystery lovers there is a dead body in the book! Along with plenty of suspects, twists, and turns... my amateur sleuth skills were once again put to the test, and once again I was completely foiled.... I really love the direction this series is headed in, and I cannot wait for the next book!

Absolutely recommend to cozy mystery and crime thriller lovers, this is a very well-done series!

*** many thanks to the author and Rachel atRachel’s Random Resources for my copy of this book ***

[DJ Sakata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

To onlookers, her long fringe, sturdy build, and diminutive stature might say adorable little Shetland pony, but inside, Ben’s exams made her feel like an overbred dressage horse, nostrils flaring, quivering with nerves before going into the ring to do utterly impossible things with her hooves.

Puberty was lurking round the corner, like the bad fairy at the Christening. It would change her soft-skinned, gorgeous boy, with his luxuriant eyelashes and ready smile, into a gangling, bristly, spotty giant that she would scarcely recognise or want to acknowledge.

‘What happened? Not a pervert? What was he, a boob man?’ Sam leaned in to get all the details. ‘Toe sucker?’ said Lily understandingly.

Oh come on, don’t you recognise Ryan Gosling when you see him? Someone’s just using his picture. You can bet he looks nothing like that at all.

‘I should go to the movies more. The only things I see now are superhero films with Ben. He’s ten… I don’t think I’ve seen a man who isn’t wearing a mask and a Lycra bodysuit for years.’ ‘Well, you can probably find loads just like that on Tinder,’ said Sam.

What do you call it when you’ve had déjà vu twice? Déjà vu-vu? Or déjà déjà vu?

My Review:

I have become quite a fan of Ms. Castle’s wry and sardonic humor and cleverly amusing depictions of her characters’ appearance, temperament, and contemplations. Her vivid and evocative descriptions never failed to call forth keenly sharp and smirk-inducing visuals. This installment had a lighter tone than the first two volumes as the focus was not on solving a murder (until much later in the book) but rather on the characters themselves.

Widowed for eight years, Beth felt under pressure from her friends and co-workers to return to the social minefield of dating. Her colleagues even introduced her to Tinder – oh my. And being a world-class procrastinator, Beth did what she did best - she dithered and ruminated - over everything. I adored the little pixie boot-wearing sprite but there were times I wanted to give her a good pinch, or ten.

My curiosity was quickly piqued and remained alert to something rather foul and troublesome occurring in the home of her friend Jen, although the discovery of what exactly was always thwarted by Beth’s scatty dithering. I was beginning to despair that the wily author had forgotten to include my favorite Detective Inspector, the Inscrutable Harry York, although he was just busy elsewhere until midway through the book. I look forward to more pairings and hopefully sparks flying for this somewhat recalcitrant duo in future installment as I am totally grooving on this author’s lush word skills. My latest extra fun bonus word addition to my Brit List was “goolies,” which are those rather useless appendages that my coy and genteel Grandmother called the family jewels, but of course, only when absolutely necessary.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 3

Beth Haldane is worried. First her dear friend and single mother Jen suddenly gets married to a new man who seems perfect to be true, then she moves out of leafy Dulwich Village - and now seems to have disappeared without trace. Beth knows Jen would never leave her little daughter to handle playground predicaments or her sneaky stepmother alone. Heading to Jen's new home for answers, Beth's knocks on the periwinkle blue front door go unanswered. The police are convinced the lovebirds are on an extended honeymoon: but Beth suspects Jen's new husband is up to no good....
why does no-one in Dulwich know where he came from.

Beth can't imagine what has happened to her friend Jen, and it's another mystery Beth has to try and solve. We learn more about Beth's personal life in the first half of the book, the second half is more about the mystery. Beth is the only one who suspects that there's something wrong when Jen disappears. Once again she tries to find out what has happened. This is another well written cosy mystery that's quick to read. This book can be read as a standalone.

I would like to thank #Netgalley #Bookouture and the author #AliceCastle for my ARC of #TheMurderQuestion in exchange for an honest review.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. Although this was a slow-burner the intrigue in this story was interesting and as I read these books I’m getting to know the characters which makes it an enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to reading the others in this series soon. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so easy to let yourself be drawn into Beth Haldane's world. Alice Castle's writing engages you quickly and you find yourself rooting for Beth. Given that, this installment in the series focuses almost as much on her private, home world as the mystery itself. Beth is a romantic. We get the "meet cute" moment when Beth and her late husband James met, for instance, and her trepidation as she's urged to enter the dating world again. For reasons she is yet to admit, she can't quite stop thinking of Detective Inspector Harry York every time that topic comes up. He both fascinates and frustrates her. Interestingly enough, since this series takes us into the minds of different characters, he's growing tired of being alone, too. His purchase of Beth's favorite tea is a sweet, telling gesture.

As for the mystery, we do get a glimpse into the mind of the missing Jen. Her new husband, after initially seeming perfect, is abusive, seemingly both physically as well as mentally. Dulwich is proof positive that we never know what secrets hide behind firmly closed doors. Then, Jen goes missing. Beth. always drawn to a mystery, can't help snooping. This time it lands her in the hospital. Harry is there when she wakes up.

Where is Jen? Who put Beth in the hospital? Who is that mystery doctor she vaguely recalls seeing one night? Will all her dates be as, uh, odd as the first? Was sending son Jake for extra tutoring a good idea? Who ransacks Beth's office? Is online dating dangerous? Does the pressure to bow to the opinions of the "yummy mummies" of Dulwich play a role in keeping spousal abuse hidden? What other secrets are hidden behind firmly closed doors? Will Harry be around to save her the next time she gets in trouble?

There's so much more. Life is never simple, even in upper crust areas. One of the things I applaud Alice Castle for is stepping forward and tackling difficult topics.Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back to Dulwich. I hope to return soon as I look forward to following Beth and her ability to find trouble without trying as this series continues. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what is next for Beth and Harry. I've spent reading time in their heads and like them both immensely, so I'm rooting for them.

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

As I've said before about this series, I initially kind of liked this book. It kept me engaged and interested in what happened. It's only looking back, given my intense dislike of the fifth book in the series, and a more critical eye toward how this one was written, that the rating plummeted.

Rather like with the previous instalment, this book has a slightly split personality. Again, it's a cozy mystery - it fills in all the Bingo card squares. If it's meant to be something more than that, the majority of what I read completely failed to get the memo. But, as with the previous instalment in the series, the POV occasionally flips to that of the possible victim (here, a friend of Our Heroine Beth's who seems to have gone missing), and it is dark, as though the author had delusions of Scandi noir or something. And - spoiler - none of that has anything to do with anything. Just like last time, the flashbacks and POV pivots are completely irrelevant to the myster(ies) at hand. I wouldn't even call them red herrings, really - the only person they serve to throw off the scent is the reader, since literally no one else in the book outside the two characters involved in the scenes ever knows anything about them.

I believe it was in this book that Beth's true feelings about her sort-of boyfriend the hot detective are made clear, and it was all weirdly uncomfortable and depressing for a cozy mystery. I don't expect - or want - any heroine I'm reading about to be worshipful of her boyfriend, whatever his profession, but Beth's opinion of this guy and (ironically, considering the truly pathetic level of effort she puts into her own job) his work ethic is sadly low. This does not make for any kind of foundation for a relationship. She basically believes, on whatever factual basis, that he'll take any easy solution that comes along and call a case closed, or if no easy solution falls into his lap will be perfectly fine with shrugging and sticking the file on the Unsolved shelf and moving on. This is her justification in her own mind for much of her sleuthing: not the usual, that the cops are looking at the wrong person or that she is better equipped to get at some answers than the police, but instead that the investigating officer, with whom she is now sleeping, just won't bother, that he is no more invested in his job than she is in hers. Which is a terrible thing to say about anyone. Later this begins to turn into a contempt for him (also very un-cozy-like); here I think it was just the idea in her own weird head (based on not much) that he won't listen to her, he doesn't care whether he has the truth or not, she'll just have to do the investigating.

Which lands her in the hospital.

Twice.

But that won't stop her! No, she is intrepid. Or maybe just stupid - some authors, especially cozy mystery authors, tend to get those two things mixed up.

The story had potential. The idea that this friend has gone missing and no one is recognizing her absence as a real problem except for Beth is intriguing ... though I'm not sure it holds water. It's because - as with the last book - nearly all of the characters are awful people that this concept stands up; the friend's ex-husband is weak and pathetic, his new wife doesn't really care, and there isn't much of anyone else to speak up. The resolution to the mystery in no way satisfied the expectations built by a fairly decent setup.

And I have to say - I'm a little annoyed by the fact that after I had to spend the entire book with Beth forgetting over and over (AND over) to give her friend Jen (not her "best friend", as the description has it, but a sort of casual see-you-around-but-don't-think-of-you-otherwise friend) the wedding present she has kicking around in her car, the wedding present which Beth spent a lot of time over and which she thinks Jen will love, the wedding present about which much is told except what it actually is ... after a whole book of this, I think it just ends up in the bin, and the reader is never even told what it was. It's not a Chekhov's-gun level of irritation, but I expected there to be some sort of payout, a button on the end of the story - maybe "here, daughter of Jen, you might like this", followed by revelation and reaction, or ... I don't know, something. Anything that wasn't ... nothing.

The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course Beth Haldane is happy that her friend Jen got married. But when she disappears and leaves her daughter pretty much in the care of Beth, quite naturally Beth becomes concerned. Putting on her hat as a more than efficient amateur sleuth by now, Beth begins to ask questions. Where is Jen and why would she leave her young daughter right after getting married?

Perhaps it’s just a honeymoon? At least that’s what the police think. But since not much was known about Jen‘s new husband, Beth suspects otherwise. Not only does Beth not know anything about Jen‘s new husband, especially considering they are best friends, no one else seems to know anything about him. Not even where he came from.

DI Harry York does not want Beth to interfere. However, Beth does not listen. Not only does best continue to ask a lot of questions, she keeps running into Jen‘s ex. And he is not the most likable person. More than that, she faces dead ends at every turn. Yet she hopes against hope that Jen will be found safe and sound.

As this Beth Haldane Mystery series continues to unfold, readers are granted a deeper look at who Beth is. This book discusses more about Beth’s marriage to James, and how he passed away, and why she is reluctant to act on her attraction to Harry. We also learn a bit more about Harry actually, and why he is so drawn to Beth, and what he does to win her over.

Concern for her son Jake it’s only one thing on her mind. Discovering that her office has been ransacked is yet another concern. During previous situations, Beth has stuck her nose in to some precarious issues, but this time she may have gone too far and actually ends up in the hospital. It is quite obvious that someone does not want Beth finding out what happened to Jen.

What an excellent installment in a series that has become quite endearing to me in a very short period of time. I love how Beth never shies away from her responsibilities as mother to Jake. She never forgets how important his education is and always puts him first despite her more than curious nature to solve crimes that sometimes involve murder. I also enjoy the fact that her new relationship with Harry isn’t it always easy, but something that is slow burning.

This thorough enjoyable read kept my attention from beginning to end and had me more than eager to jump right into book four, The Murder Plot.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Beth’s BFF gets married, she’s not real keen on the groom. He’s just too much for her to believe he can really be that perfect. After the wedding, when Jen seems to have disappeared, no one else seems to think she’s missing…after all, they’re newlyweds and they spend time alone.

Being the only one who suspects something is wrong, Beth uses her skills to try and track down her BFF. When Beth wakes up in the hospital, she realizes she needs to get this figured out before someone stops her from digging for good.

The third series in this book is just as quick and fabulous a read as the first two. Each reads fine as a stand alone, so give it a read…you won’t regret it!

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in this cosy mystery series set in the rarefied suburb of London known as Dulwich Village.

The FMC Beth Haldane is a widow and mother to a ten year old son. She works as an archivist at the prestigious private boys school Wyatts, where she is currently curating an exhibition exposing the founder's links to the slave trade.

Her new friend Jen has recently remarried after her husband's affair with a single woman became the talk of the yummy mummies at the playground edge. But when Beth pops into Jen and Ted's new home in Camberwell (a terrible comedown for a Dulwich Village resident) to drop off their wedding present she senses a bit of an atmosphere and Jen doesn't seem her normal self. Since Beth's little boys is having tutoring once a week in Camberwell, Beth pops in to see Jen, always trying to give the increasingly bedraggled present. But every time she goes round either Ted insists on sitting in on their conversations or Jen just isn't home. More concerningly, Jen's daughter Jessica, who is also ten, has been staying with her father Tim and his new partner Babs. Whilst Beth can understand that the newlyweds might want some alone time, she feels it is odd that Jen could be apart from Jessica for so long, and leave her with the 'home wrecker'.

When Jen goes round yet again and finds no-one home, and Jen not answering her phone, she is convinced that there is someone in the house and decides to go round the back and see if Jen is maybe working while wearing headphones, oblivious to the phone and the doorbell (obviously doesn't have a Ringo doorbell LOL), but as she is peering through the window someone bashes Beth on the back of the head, knocking her unconscious.

Once again I am struck by the fact that Beth doesn't actually do any detecting or investigating, instead the murderers feel compelled to attack her at a time when the long-suffering DI Harry York is desperately racing to stop her from being completely foolhardy. In fact this was very odd all round as the reader only discovers whether there has been a murder right at the end of the book, until then it's just Beth running around for weeks wondering what has happened to Jen but failing to file a missing person's report with the police!

I received this book through Kindle Unlimited.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beth Haldane is worried. First her dear friend and fellow single mother Jen suddenly gets married to Ted who seems too perfect to be true, then she moves out of leafy Dulwich Village – and now seems to have disappeared without a trace. But searching Jen’s overgrown garden for clues, Beth hears a twig snap… and next thing she knows, she’s woken up in a hospital bed.
This is the third book in the series & is easily read on its own but I love a series & need to start from the beginning. I love how the characters are developing over the series. Beth is worried about Jen but with work, Jake being in Year 6, considering starting to date & all the other thinks a busy single working mum has to cope with she puts Jen on the back burner. I loved this book as whilst there are still the same characters the format is different from the other books in the series. Beth & Harry’s relationship seems to have stalled in this book & she's being pushed to start dating by friends & colleagues. A well written entertaining read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Previously published as Calamity in Camberwell, The Murder Question sees the return of single-mum to ten-year-old Jake, Beth Haldane, a determined and amusing protagonist whose priority is her son. In this tale, Beth's friend, Jen, an IT guru has recently gotten married and Beth is trying her hand at online dating but happens across Jen's new husband on the dating app she's using. When Jen goes missing, Beth, drawn to a mystery, can't resist snooping but her efforts could be dangerous or leave her in hospital. DI Harry York is on the case again and it was a treat to return to Dulwich, South-east London to follow the case alongside Beth and Harry. Well written, funny and intriguing will plenty of evil shenanigans, The Murder Question also includes some thought-provoking themes.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth has been to visit her friend Jen, who is recently married. Only to find her friends new husband on a dating app. Later Beth see's a tension between Jen and her husband. Only to find that Jen is not answering her calls or answering her door.. Once Beth files a missing persons report she starts to try and find her on her own. Once she is bashed in the head while looking in Jens windows, York steps in to help. With Jen missing her daughter Jessica is now with her father and step mother full time. But what has happened to Jen. thanks netgalley.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Murder Question by Alice Castle
A Beth Haldane Mystery Book #3 - Previously released as Calamity in Camberwell

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When her best friend goes missing, amateur sleuth Beth Haldane is determined to do some digging of her own… but can she crack the mystery before it becomes a murder?

Beth Haldane is worried. First her dear friend and fellow single mother Jen suddenly gets married to a new man who seems too perfect to be true, then she moves out of leafy Dulwich Village – and now seems to have disappeared without a trace.

Beth knows Jen would never leave her little daughter to handle playground predicaments or her sneaky stepmother alone. Heading to Jen’s new home for answers, Beth’s knocks on the periwinkle-blue front door go unanswered. Police are convinced the lovebirds are on an extended honeymoon: but Beth suspects Jen’s new husband is up to no good… why does no-one in Dulwich know where he came from? Are his looks hiding a dark past?

My Opinion

This series of books is being re-released with new names. Out of the three books I have read so far this is definitely the slowest as the plot develops slowly - however the book is still a quick read. The further I get through this series, the more interested as I get to know the characters for. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Rating 4/5

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been to Dulwich (where protagonist Beth Haldane lives) or Camberwell (where her newly married friend Jen lives). Heck, I've barely been to London. But after reading Calamity in Camberwell I somehow feel I now have a clear image of both places and their inhabitants... particularly the Dulwich yummy mummies with their giant cars and white trousers and obsession with private tutoring (yes, we have them here too). Beth's particular frenemy, Belinda, being the quintessential example.

Alice Castle clearly excels at this observational detail, taking you right into the heart of these lives and communities. I definitely related to Beth, a single mother to ten-year-old Ben (though I never quite worked out why she didn't want him to call her "Mum") with a fascinating-sounding job running a newly-created research institute, which she loves. All this puts her in a tiny minority in Dulwich (where "women who worked and enjoyed it were in shockingly short supply"), so her friendship with kindred spirit Jen is important. Now, though, Jen's married, and in Camberwell, and there are inklings that everything in the garden is not as rosy as it could be... (I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say that poor Jen's husband-picking skills are not the best.) Then, Jen seems to just disappear...

Meanwhile Beth has other worries to contend with, like Ben's future education, pressure from her friends to begin dating, and her *very* slow-burning friendship with a certain Detective Inspector...

Calamity in Camberwell is a lovely read, intriguing and well observed, and Beth is adorable. I want to be her friend! It probably does help to have read the previous books in the series (which I haven't as yet, though I'm sure I will) but it's not essential as the story is self-contained... though I suspect may contain a spoiler for a previous adventure. I do want to know more about the back-story to Beth's job at Wyatt's and previous sleuthing!

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Murder Question’ by Alice Castle.

This is Book 3 the Beth Haldane series of cosy mysteries set in South London. It was originally independently published in 2018 as ‘Calamity in Camberwell’. While all of these mysteries can be read as stand-alones, reading them in order allows for a better sense of its characters’ development.

Beth is concerned about her friend, Jen, who has recently married a man that she has only known a short time. Jen and her young daughter moved from Dulwich Village to Camberwell. It’s definitely not as posh a London postcode as Dulwich. At one point Beth has to remind a friend that “Camberwell isn’t a war zone, you know.”

Beth is currently ferrying her son, Jake, to weekly tutoring sessions in Camberwell and taking the opportunity to pop in and visit Jen. However, she becomes increasingly worried as Jen doesn’t seem her usual self and later proves increasingly difficult to get hold of. At Dulwich Village Primary Beth observes that Jen’s daughter seems to be spending all of her time with her father and new stepmother, which is strange. As time passes with no contact, Beth reports Jen as missing. The police, including DI Harry York, don’t appear overly concerned; so Beth decides to do a spot of sleuthing …..

There’s also a subplot in which Beth’s friends are encouraging her to start dating. She’s very uncertain though signs up for Tinder… with predictable awkward results.

This case was a bit of a change of pace for the series, though ‘The Murder Question’ and its answers proved a compelling and enjoyable mystery. I have become very fond of Beth and look forward to continuing with this series.

[Renko Dekker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of August and another book finished! Another great read from Alice Castle called The Murder Question. It's already book three in the Beth Haldane series I received from Bookouture via Netgalley. This newly republished book will be out on 22 August.

Again, we follow Beth Haldane who starts to worry when a close friend appears to be missing. She knows from her past experiences that she shouldn't dive head first into this, but calmly investigate without putting herself in danger. That is obviously easier said than done. An exciting investigation follows.

In book three we get to know the characters even more. They are well worked out and it feels as though you've known them for quite some time - they could very well be neighbours or people you know. The story itself slightly differs from the other two books and that is a welcome change. It makes the series much more believable because of this. Moreover, the fun thing is that the decisions Beth makes, could very well be something you could come up with.

Again, a very nice book and I can't wait for the rest of the series!

4,5/5⭐

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calamity in Camberwell is the third book I’ve read by Alice Castle (I am really hoping there will be a number four) and this one didn’t disappoint. Alice Castle has created an unusual amateur sleuth in Beth Haldane, one who is both credible and intelligently written. I liked the gentle humour in the first two books and, I’m pleased to say, that continues into this one. Where the storytelling differs is that this time Beth isn’t tripping over a corpse. The main subject matter is domestic abuse, but this is handled with sensitivity. Without giving too much away, this is more of a slow-burning mystery than a murder hunt from the offset. Another five-star read from an author who I hope will supply many more in the series of London Murder Mysteries.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Murder Question, the third book in the Beth Haldane mystery series, continues the story of Beth Haldane, widow, single mother and amateur sleuth. This is a true cozy mystery with all the things that make you love a cozy mystery but there is more character development and introspection from Beth and less sleuthing in this story. The real mystery doesn’t become apparent until halfway through the book and almost took a back seat to Beth's personal life. The writing is gentle and funny and her books cover some thought provoking themes. The series does not need to be read in order but i would recommend reading at least one of the previous books to become familiar with the many characters in Beth's life and village. This is a series to sit back and enjoy.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Murder Question is the third mystery in the Beth Haldane mystery series by Alice Castle. In this mystery, Beth finds herself tied up in a case when her friend, Jen, seems to be missing. As Beth combs through the clues she uncovers the answers to all of her questions.

I have come to enjoy the Beth Haldane mysteries and this newest book was a good addition to the series. The mystery is fast paced and the book quick and easy to read. I enjoy the characters and seeing how Beth’s mind works as she unravels the mystery. I found this to be a nice mystery and I look forward to seeing what is next for Beth! I would recommend this mystery to cozy mystery fans!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

[Isabella May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consumed this in a weekend!

I've loved all of the stories in this series so far - and Calamity in Camberwell was no different! We still have that page-turning will-they-won't-they get together scenario between Beth and York. We still have the juicy and colourful cast of characters - expanding to include this mystery's line-up of suspects. We still have the author's fabulous array of words and thoroughly addictive writing style. Combine that with a clever plot and a cosy background tempering the novel's evil shenanigans, and you have the perfect novel, just made for curling up with.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Murder question by Alice Castle.
Beth Haldane mystery book 3.
Beth Haldane is worried. First her dear friend and fellow single mother Jen suddenly gets married to a new man who seems too perfect to be true, then she moves out of leafy Dulwich Village – and now seems to have disappeared without a trace.
I absolutely love this series. Great story. I can’t wait for book 4. 5*.

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC of this book with thanks to the author and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

Calamity in Camberwell is the third of The London Murder Mysteries series, and whilst it can be read as a standalone novel, I would personally recommend reading the series in chronological order for the full Beth Haldane experience.

I was hooked straight back into Dulwich and Beth’s penchant for curiosity of the kind that is proverbially threatening to felines. I love both the order of her small world, (realistic to parents who know the constraints of work, schoolrun, teatime, bedtime, repeat) and the way that she constantly manages to break free of those bounds and walk blithely into excitement and , less enviably, danger.

Having read the previous two books, I was wondering how the author would develop the series, as it seems highly unlikely that the same school mum, however nosy, would keep tripping over dead bodies in her routine suburban life! I needn’t have worried however, as Alice Castle clearly has that firmly in mind and has varied the pace here with more of a slow-burning domestic mystery. Far from finding an immediate corpse, Beth (and the reader) develop a slow unease about her newlywed friend, Jen, that builds into anxious tension gradually as the plot unfolds.

This follows a pattern in this series of taking a difficult theme and exploring it sensitively: previously child abuse and social media peer pressure have been covered, this time it is domestic abuse. The abuse depicted is not graphic, but may be triggering to some as the details of emotional and mental control are depicted with realism and understanding.

In line with this theme, the author explores other aspects of adult romantic relationships: we see Beth worry about whether the tempestuous encounters between herself and Detective Inspector York would be harmful to herself and her son in a romantic relationship, and this is thoughtfully contrasted with other examples: Janice, Katie, Tim and Babs, and of course, Jen and Jeff.

The balance in this novel is therefore more weighted towards Beth’s personal life than before, where her personal life acted as setting and character development but did not play a major role in the plotline. Here we see more of a 50/50 split between Beth’s concern for her friend and investigating the concerning behaviour, but also her fears about her own (lack of) relationships and her reluctance to dip her toe back in the dating pool. Along with this there are, of course, some further appearances of the Detective Inspector, who has now won MY heart completely by scoffing chips as well as loving classic crime novels!

To sum up, another great cosy mystery here from Alice Castle, with a slightly larger helping of romance than before, though still delivered in Beth’s familiar awkward and emotionally reserved style. A highly recommended series for lovers of classic and cosy crime alike.



Beth’s eyes flicked off to the right and, unbidden, a large policeman appeared foursquare in her thoughts. Ruffled dark blond hair; a direct blue gaze – usually through cross and rather narrowed eyes; a big, navy blue pea coat; and, for some reason, whenever she thought of him he was carrying a takeaway cup of coffee. But could she describe him as a great man, as Janice put it? A potential date, a possible stepfather for Ben, for heaven’s sake? When he was always so annoying? And usually very cross with her? She couldn’t remember their last exchange, but it was something on the lines of her being a total idiot, with a death wish, who wasn’t safe out alone. Hardly hearts and flowers.

– Alice Castle, Calamity in Camberwell

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Murder Question (A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 3), Alice Castle
Originally titled Calamity in Camberwell. This review is merely a placeholder until the new edition is uploaded to Goodreads. Publication of new edition is August 22, 2022.

It's so easy to let yourself be drawn into Beth Haldane's world. Alice Castle's writing engages you quickly and you find yourself rooting for Beth. Given that this installment in the series focuses almost as much on her private, home world as the mystery itself. Beth is a romantic. We get the "meet cute" moment when Beth and her late husband James met, for instance, and her trepidation as she's urged to enter the dating world again. For reasons she is yet to admit, she can't quite stop thinking of Detective Inspector Harry York every time that topic comes up. He both fascinates and frustrates her. Interestingly enough, since this series takes us into the minds of different characters, he's growing tired of being alone, too. His purchase of Beth's favorite tea is a sweet, telling gesture.

As for the mystery, we do get a glimpse into the mind of the missing Jen. Her new husband, after initially seeming perfect, is abusive, seemingly both physically as well as mentally. Dulwich is proof positive that we never know what secrets hide behind firmly closed doors. Then, Jen goes missing. Beth. always drawn to a mystery, can't help snooping. This time it lands her in the hospital. Harry is there when she wakes up.

Where is Jen? Who put Beth in the hospital? Who is that mystery doctor she vaguely recalls seeing one night? Will all her dates be as, uh, odd as the first? Was sending son Jake for extra tutoring a good idea? Who ransacks Beth's office? Is online dating dangerous? Does the pressure to bow to the opinions of the "yummy mummies" of Dulwich play a role in keeping spousal abuse hidden? What other secrets are hidden behind firmly closed doors? Will Harry be around to save her the next time she gets in trouble?

There's so much more. Life is never simple, even in upper crust areas. One of the things I applaud Alice Castle for is stepping forward and tackling difficult topics.Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back to Dulwich. I hope to return soon as I look forward to following Beth and her ability to find trouble without trying as this series continues. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what is next for Beth and Harry. I've spent reading time in their heads and like them both immensely, so I'm rooting for them.

[Claire Sheldon]

Oh what a palaver!

I wasn’t sure what I was taking on when I read the blurb for this book, I realised hadn’t read the two books before hand so I was intrigued.

It turns out that not all Crime novels are the same they just vary in the amount of gore. I have landed upon what they call Cozy crime, that at times made my journey to work a whole different experience! I became lost in a novel that at times I wondered if we were ever going to make it to the point but did that matter because I was enclosed in loveliness of it all! Like a big quilt on a winter evening!

Yes Beth’s best friend Jen is not returning her calls or answering the door, and Beth’s son might not get into the “best” school in the town as there is little chance he will pass the entrance exams. Beth’s friends think it’s time for her to start dating again, while she is trying to keep a lid on feelings for a certain DI that at times makes her so mad! But oh what a lovely story I am reading.

The author cleverly sprinkles domestic violence into the story, but she does it in such a way that it leaves our imaginations minds to fear the worse! But oh what a lovely story. I felt the sorriest for Jessica the daughter of Beth’s missing best friend, no body seemed interested in her wellbeing or how she felt about the whole situation! Though the characters never found out about the violence, I am sure Jessica would have been very aware of what was going on with her mum? But this after all is a lovely story and we are not delving into those depths.

Yes I enjoyed the book, and how the author made me dislike some of the characters without going into paragraphs of detail about their characteristics and I wasn’t contently checking how much more of the story I had left to read.

If I was more experienced in this type of crime novel I might of enjoyed it more. But I did feel at the end of every journey to and from work and the snatched moments on the sofa. Oh what a lovely story I was reading and but isn’t that the aim of Cozy crime?

A big thank you to Rachael at Random Resources and Alice Castle for my advance copy of Calamity in Camberwell.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the London Murder Mysteries series sets out on a different path from the first two, and it poses quite an enigma!

Beth Haldane finds herself in the neighbouring area of Camberwell every week since she took the step of digging into her sparse funds to pay a tutor for Ben, her beloved son, to give him the best chance of moving on to a better school - hoping against hope that perhaps Wyatt's may find a place for him. As her best friend Jen recently remarried and moved there, it gives them the perfect opportunity to meet up for a cuppa and a natter each week - but somehow, Jen and Jeff don't seem to have the newly-wed glow that Beth would expect and it niggles at her that something's not quite right. As Jen goes missing, we again meet the very desirable DI Harry York who despairs of Beth's nose for trouble ...

Another fabulous addition to this series. No chance of these mysteries becoming formulaic, this is a very different read from the first two - although Beth does seem to be a magnet for trouble! Her penchant for finding herself in the middle of things hasn't changed and this book contains plenty of fodder to get your brain ticking over. As always, this author's prose is a real treat, using a more varied vocabulary than is generally found - and all the more enjoyable for it! This is a really well-planned puzzle; plenty of potential 'baddies' and none of them were the one 'whodunnit' for me - that was a total surprise! It's good to be back in the world of Dulwich with it's yummy-mummies and posh shops, catching up with Beth's family and seeing her life progress. For me, these novels are a cut-above the usual mysteries abounding, and I wouldn't want to miss out on this series. Without doubt, worthy of a full five stars!

My grateful thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for both my copy and the invitation to join the Blog Tour. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
Beth Haldane is missing seeing her friend, Jen, at the school gates. Jen was the only other single mother in Dulwich, until she remarried and moved to Camberwell. Beth’s friends are trying to persuade her to start dating again, after eight years of widowhood, and have installed an app on her phone. Beth is decidedly undecided about the whole dating thing and uses all the delaying tactics she can think of. She’s also feeling guilty about organising after school tutoring for her son, Ben. She really just wants to give him the best chance of securing a place at Wyatt’s, the most prestigious boy’s school in the area and Beth’s workplace.

Beth decides stop at Jen’s for tea and gossip on her way to pick up Ben from his tutor’s house, hoping to make it a weekly catch up. Agonising over Ben and the dating issue aren’t the only things Beth has to worry about as she begins to get the feeling all is not well with Jen and her new husband when she sees Jeff’s active profile on her dating app.

It seems Beth’s tendency to find trouble is alive and well, although this story has a slower pace and Beth doesn’t immediately find herself plunged into a difficult situation. There’s more emphasis on characterisation and Beth’s contemplations about Ben—his schooling and how he would feel were she to start seeing someone—and why her thoughts keep turning to a certain policeman. But eventually her attempts to find out if there’s anything amiss in her friend’s life puts her right back in the middle of a dangerous puzzle, propelling her into DI Harry York’s orbit once more.

I’m really enjoying Alice Castle’s writing—the skilfully descriptive prose and dry humour directed at the more well to do Dulwich residents. Another good mystery with a well defined, wonderful cast of characters. I was drawn into this immediately and, as with the previous books, it covers relevant social issues which are handled with care. It’s good to know there are more coming.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by this author.  This is also book #3 in the London Murder Mystery series.  I would class this as a cosy mystery type of book, very much along the line of Agatha Christie and MC Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series.  I do like a cosy mystery and have read plenty in the past, but this is not my usual choice of genre these days.  Saying that, I found this book a refreshing read from the usual gruesome and graphic crime books that I have been reading lately!

Single mum, Beth Haldane is London’s modern day answer to Miss Marple.  Her fellow single playground friend, Jen is marrying and moving away.  Soon Beth begins to realise all is not right with Jen and her new husband and enlists the help of DI Harry York to help her solve the mystery!  On a personal note, Beth is having to put up with her friends who are trying to persuade her to start dating again, leading to some humorous and light hearted moments!

I did enjoy this book.  Beth’s character was very likeable and although I didn’t know her back story from the previous books I found it quite easily to pick up as I read this book.  I also particularly liked DI Harry York and would definitely like to see more of him in future books!  All of the characters were realistic and I warmed to them straight away.

If you’re after a good ‘old-fashioned’ mystery brought right up to date, then this is definitely the book for you!  It’s fun, it’s easy to read and it won’t have you feeling queasy with the sight of blood.  Cleverly written and well thought out, I would definitely recommend this book.  I’m off to read the first two in the series now!

[Joanne Cartwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read with just a bit of suspense and tension but also beautifully woven storylines including a very empathetically written foray into the world of suspected domestic abuse.
The main character, Beth, is a less than typical sleuth, juggling single motherhood with a job and her compelling need to solve crime (compelled in part by the chance to spend her time with a dishy policeman I think!). The balance in this book leans in favour of telling the tale of Beth’s everyday life and the crime itself is woven into her background story rather than being the main event.
Having read book one of this series it was nice to see the continuation of the main characters, and their development. The only downside to this book for me was a couple of spoilers for book 2 so definitely read them in order if you want to find out the suspects and culprits as Beth does!
That said I will still be reading book 2 as this author has a writing style that means that even if you already know “whodunnit” you would happily read the book all over again.

[Susan Roebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a feel-good series (even if it includes murders and domestic abuse!). Beth, a tiny woman with a lot of hair and a delightful ten-year old son, is the unexpected sleuth - unexpected to her because these incidents seem to find her, rather than she seek them out. Beth is a lovely character who is developed in each of the books and now I can see her as a friend. And D I Harry York makes his appearance which is cause for celebration as I like him too. Beth does as well, but she still keeps her feelings under wraps after the death of her beloved husband.
The crime, this time, takes us out of Dulwich and down the road into Camberwell where the author sets the scene perfectly. Looking forward to the next one in Herne Hill (this is a true trip around SE London) and hope Harry York makes another appearance (hint hint)