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London Murder Mystery #4
The Murder Plot
As snow covers perfect little Dulwich Village, amateur sleuth Beth Haldane is certain something’s amiss. There’s a suspicious solicitor, poorly pooches and… a plot to murder?
Beth Haldane is getting ready for a quiet Christmas with her son and their beloved grumpy cat when fellow single mother Nina begs her for help. Something fishy is going on with Mr Potter, the solicitor she works for… business is slow, with the accounts empty. So why does his wife have such an impressive collection of designer dresses?
Unable to resist a puzzle, Beth agrees to cover Nina’s job as a receptionist to get a closer look. But just as she finds a mysterious key hidden away in the office, Mrs Potter arrives in floods of tears with terrible news for her husband. Their precious pet, Lancelot the Great Dane, has been found dead in his basket. Mrs Potter suspects a poisoning…
Beth is shocked anyone would harm a beloved family pet, but the Potters are definitely hiding something. When an elderly widow comes to Mr Potter’s office begging for help with her will, Beth starts to suspect foul play… is Mr Potter taking advantage of this sweet old lady? And why is he curiously cool, when his whole family are distraught about Lancelot?
Beth is determined to find what the mysterious key unlocks, discover Mr Potter’s secrets and get answers about the local pet-killer before they set their sights on an owner next time. But is Beth getting closer and closer to her own sticky end?
Beth Haldane is getting ready for a quiet Christmas with her son and their beloved grumpy cat when fellow single mother Nina begs her for help. Something fishy is going on with Mr Potter, the solicitor she works for… business is slow, with the accounts empty. So why does his wife have such an impressive collection of designer dresses?
Unable to resist a puzzle, Beth agrees to cover Nina’s job as a receptionist to get a closer look. But just as she finds a mysterious key hidden away in the office, Mrs Potter arrives in floods of tears with terrible news for her husband. Their precious pet, Lancelot the Great Dane, has been found dead in his basket. Mrs Potter suspects a poisoning…
Beth is shocked anyone would harm a beloved family pet, but the Potters are definitely hiding something. When an elderly widow comes to Mr Potter’s office begging for help with her will, Beth starts to suspect foul play… is Mr Potter taking advantage of this sweet old lady? And why is he curiously cool, when his whole family are distraught about Lancelot?
Beth is determined to find what the mysterious key unlocks, discover Mr Potter’s secrets and get answers about the local pet-killer before they set their sights on an owner next time. But is Beth getting closer and closer to her own sticky end?
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2022
321 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Alice Castle
20 books153 followersAlice 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 18, 2018
Another fabulous installment in this cozy series, this time with a bit of a holiday vibe...
First of all is there anything more adorable than a children’s Christmas performance This book is seriously worth a read just for the Christmas performance alone, it brought back so many memories.... I was laughing so hard, I can definitely tell Alice Castle has been to her fair share of these wonderful performances.... however this book was so much more than just a Christmas play, it was filled with wonderful characters, and a delicious mystery, everything I have come to expect from this series....
Beth is back and has made a new friend in Nina.... Nina is a bit of a rebel mom, I mean she even gives her children carbonated drinks *gasp* Full disclosure my kids were drinking soda from a very young age, I know! The horror! But it was all part of my master plan because only one of them still drinks soda, LOL! But I digress... Nina works for a lawyer/solicitor and is convinced that there is something unsavory going on... Nina nose Beth’s reputation so she asks Beth to help investigate the mystery.... Beth of course has never met a mystery that she did not want to solve!
The strength of this series is really in these fabulous characters! Beth of course is fabulous, but I’ve loved each and every secondary character that Miss Castle has brought in... although I would like a bit more of Harry in the next book, please and thank you! Having said that it was really nice reading a holiday mystery after reading so many holiday romances!
This is a definite can’t miss if you are a fan of the mystery genre, this book can be read as a standalone, although I’d recommend starting with the first book...
*** huge thanks to Rachel and the author for my copy of this book ***
First of all is there anything more adorable than a children’s Christmas performance This book is seriously worth a read just for the Christmas performance alone, it brought back so many memories.... I was laughing so hard, I can definitely tell Alice Castle has been to her fair share of these wonderful performances.... however this book was so much more than just a Christmas play, it was filled with wonderful characters, and a delicious mystery, everything I have come to expect from this series....
Beth is back and has made a new friend in Nina.... Nina is a bit of a rebel mom, I mean she even gives her children carbonated drinks *gasp* Full disclosure my kids were drinking soda from a very young age, I know! The horror! But it was all part of my master plan because only one of them still drinks soda, LOL! But I digress... Nina works for a lawyer/solicitor and is convinced that there is something unsavory going on... Nina nose Beth’s reputation so she asks Beth to help investigate the mystery.... Beth of course has never met a mystery that she did not want to solve!
The strength of this series is really in these fabulous characters! Beth of course is fabulous, but I’ve loved each and every secondary character that Miss Castle has brought in... although I would like a bit more of Harry in the next book, please and thank you! Having said that it was really nice reading a holiday mystery after reading so many holiday romances!
This is a definite can’t miss if you are a fan of the mystery genre, this book can be read as a standalone, although I’d recommend starting with the first book...
*** huge thanks to Rachel and the author for my copy of this book ***
August 3, 2023
Favorite Quotes:
Beth realised she had never enjoyed a Nativity so much… The Angel Gabriel was extremely reluctant to hand over the Godchild to Mary, as it was her brand new Luvabella doll playing the pivotal role. Once that tug-of-war was over, one of the Year 1 oxen bit a shepherd on the leg and the Three Wise Men got lost, their Sat Nav having apparently failed in the desert. Billy and Bobby MacKenzie, playing the role of bouncers – characters who had oddly not appeared in the original Gospels – had a not very sotto voce fight over who was going to tether Mary’s extremely uncooperative donkey, and only their mother’s blistering intervention from the audience got events moving again. Finally, one of the angels absentmindedly lifted up her skirts to reveal she wasn’t wearing any knickers, at which point many parents gave up live-streaming the event for fear of prosecution on public decency grounds.
She fumbled out the Nokia phone, looking askance at its blocky buttons. ‘Cool,’ breathed Ben, taking it from her with the reverence of an Egyptologist examining a rare papyrus. ‘That’s so… old.’
Poor Janice was starting to get that look of occasional blank terror Beth had often seen on expectant mothers’ faces, and which had no doubt been on her own, as the horrible truth dawned that two people couldn’t continue in one body indefinitely, and there was only one possible exit route.
‘Bet you thought we was all too old for hanky-panky. Well, let me tell you, a Freedom Pass in’t just for the buses, love… It’s like the January sales, sometimes, down at the sheltered housing. And I’m in a good position now that Ivy Penrose has passed.’
How do you even know that much? We’re just piecing things together. Honestly, I ought to just tap your phone line. It would cut our investigation time in half.
My Review:
I have enjoyed each intriguing, humorous, and cunningly penned installment in this series, but I believe I enjoyed this one most of all. Alice Castle has laced her well-crafted mysteries with delightfully amusing wry wit, clever comedic observations and insights, and humorously depicted and enticingly quirky characters. I smirked and reveled in the nimbly described antics and colorfully detailed encounters and shenanigans the highly curious Beth manages to entangle herself within, but she just can’t herself. I totally adore Beth and suspect we would be fast friends if we ever had the chance to meet. She also provided a treasure trove of new additions for my Brit Vocabulary List with blimmin’ - a milder version of bleeding or bloody; boyf – boyfriend; moggie – a common cat; titch – a small amount or small person; cozzie – swimsuit; off-licence – liquor store; and shirty – irritable and bad-tempered.
Beth realised she had never enjoyed a Nativity so much… The Angel Gabriel was extremely reluctant to hand over the Godchild to Mary, as it was her brand new Luvabella doll playing the pivotal role. Once that tug-of-war was over, one of the Year 1 oxen bit a shepherd on the leg and the Three Wise Men got lost, their Sat Nav having apparently failed in the desert. Billy and Bobby MacKenzie, playing the role of bouncers – characters who had oddly not appeared in the original Gospels – had a not very sotto voce fight over who was going to tether Mary’s extremely uncooperative donkey, and only their mother’s blistering intervention from the audience got events moving again. Finally, one of the angels absentmindedly lifted up her skirts to reveal she wasn’t wearing any knickers, at which point many parents gave up live-streaming the event for fear of prosecution on public decency grounds.
She fumbled out the Nokia phone, looking askance at its blocky buttons. ‘Cool,’ breathed Ben, taking it from her with the reverence of an Egyptologist examining a rare papyrus. ‘That’s so… old.’
Poor Janice was starting to get that look of occasional blank terror Beth had often seen on expectant mothers’ faces, and which had no doubt been on her own, as the horrible truth dawned that two people couldn’t continue in one body indefinitely, and there was only one possible exit route.
‘Bet you thought we was all too old for hanky-panky. Well, let me tell you, a Freedom Pass in’t just for the buses, love… It’s like the January sales, sometimes, down at the sheltered housing. And I’m in a good position now that Ivy Penrose has passed.’
How do you even know that much? We’re just piecing things together. Honestly, I ought to just tap your phone line. It would cut our investigation time in half.
My Review:
I have enjoyed each intriguing, humorous, and cunningly penned installment in this series, but I believe I enjoyed this one most of all. Alice Castle has laced her well-crafted mysteries with delightfully amusing wry wit, clever comedic observations and insights, and humorously depicted and enticingly quirky characters. I smirked and reveled in the nimbly described antics and colorfully detailed encounters and shenanigans the highly curious Beth manages to entangle herself within, but she just can’t herself. I totally adore Beth and suspect we would be fast friends if we ever had the chance to meet. She also provided a treasure trove of new additions for my Brit Vocabulary List with blimmin’ - a milder version of bleeding or bloody; boyf – boyfriend; moggie – a common cat; titch – a small amount or small person; cozzie – swimsuit; off-licence – liquor store; and shirty – irritable and bad-tempered.
May 16, 2024
I was already beginning to be a bit sick of Beth Haldane by the time I got to this book, and my level of contempt for her escalated here (probably priming me for the sheer blazing loathing that made me DNF the next book). Her bestest friend Katie has had the temerity to go away with her family over Christmas, leaving poor Beth all alone (except, you know, for her son), and bereft. In case her utter self-centeredness hadn't already been made clear in earlier books, here it becomes crystal: oh, fine, Beth supposes it's acceptable for Katie to go on a family vacation - but who is Beth going to sit with at the Nativity play?? Katie should have thought of that.
Well, since she doesn't have Katie, Beth gloms on to - or is glommed on to - by Nora or Nina or whatever her name is, whose kid is also playing a rock or whatever. They bond instantly, to Beth's immense and slightly defensive surprise - because Nora? *checks* Nina is loud and tacky and obviously lower class, and Beth, while not top drawer herself, is obviously a bit uncomfortable with the insta-friendship. Hopefully none of the other moms will see them together.
Something is going on at Nina's job, so she inveigles Beth into investigating it (because - heaven help the town - Beth now has a reputation for Sherlocking), and the sort of hijinks ensue that are generally found in the more idiotic of cozy mysteries. (Beth is not very bright.) Eventually someone is murdered - after a slew of neighborhood dogs having mysteriously died, which - really, this author does not like dogs. Neither does Beth, which does not endear me to her. Either of them. And it's all pretty absurd.
And, of course, none of it matters in terms of the series, because it's a dead certainty that the minute Katie comes back Beth will drop Nina like she was on fire.
This is a not-great book filled with awful people doing remarkably stupid things. And dogs dying. Yup, that's exactly what I look for in a good cozy mystery (said no one ever).
Well, since she doesn't have Katie, Beth gloms on to - or is glommed on to - by Nora or Nina or whatever her name is, whose kid is also playing a rock or whatever. They bond instantly, to Beth's immense and slightly defensive surprise - because Nora? *checks* Nina is loud and tacky and obviously lower class, and Beth, while not top drawer herself, is obviously a bit uncomfortable with the insta-friendship. Hopefully none of the other moms will see them together.
Something is going on at Nina's job, so she inveigles Beth into investigating it (because - heaven help the town - Beth now has a reputation for Sherlocking), and the sort of hijinks ensue that are generally found in the more idiotic of cozy mysteries. (Beth is not very bright.) Eventually someone is murdered - after a slew of neighborhood dogs having mysteriously died, which - really, this author does not like dogs. Neither does Beth, which does not endear me to her. Either of them. And it's all pretty absurd.
And, of course, none of it matters in terms of the series, because it's a dead certainty that the minute Katie comes back Beth will drop Nina like she was on fire.
This is a not-great book filled with awful people doing remarkably stupid things. And dogs dying. Yup, that's exactly what I look for in a good cozy mystery (said no one ever).
August 29, 2022
Number four is this series and it was another good one. Still set in Dulwich and it continues with mist of the same characters and a mystery thrown in for good measure. I’m really enjoying these books and each one is different in lots of ways. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
August 24, 2022
Beth Haldane has acquired a bit of a reputation as an amateur sleuth. Meeting another school mom named Nina at the gate, afford her and unusual opportunity. She takes on a job as receptionist, something that she does not feel skilled at. However she agrees because Nina is concerned that something is going on at the solicitor’s office where she works. She asked Beth to dig into matters.
Beth does her best to see what she can find out concerning this environment that she finds of thrust into. Beth has ruffled feathers many a time in her searching for answers no matter the situation. That definitely is the case here, even to the point of upsetting her new boss. Can Beth smooth things out enough in order to find the answers that are facing her now?
While Beth‘s reputation has gotten her involved this time, it has further affected her relationship with Harry. While it is no doubt that the two make a fine couple, his losing his patience with Beth becomes abundantly clear.
While Beth is a proud mother to Jake, she tries to be different from other school moms, referring to them as yummy mummies. Besides being a great mom, she has been developing strong friendships along the way, even if some of these friendships place her in the line of danger on occasion.
Beth is a delightful protagonist, one with a smooth combination of wit and wisdom. This book is set in the Christmas season, thus adding another layer to an already enjoyable book in what is proving to be a wonderful series.
Beth does her best to see what she can find out concerning this environment that she finds of thrust into. Beth has ruffled feathers many a time in her searching for answers no matter the situation. That definitely is the case here, even to the point of upsetting her new boss. Can Beth smooth things out enough in order to find the answers that are facing her now?
While Beth‘s reputation has gotten her involved this time, it has further affected her relationship with Harry. While it is no doubt that the two make a fine couple, his losing his patience with Beth becomes abundantly clear.
While Beth is a proud mother to Jake, she tries to be different from other school moms, referring to them as yummy mummies. Besides being a great mom, she has been developing strong friendships along the way, even if some of these friendships place her in the line of danger on occasion.
Beth is a delightful protagonist, one with a smooth combination of wit and wisdom. This book is set in the Christmas season, thus adding another layer to an already enjoyable book in what is proving to be a wonderful series.
October 17, 2022
Re-published with new titles and cover designs, the Beth Haldane Mysteries is a series of seven cozy mystery books dealing with widow Beth Haldane and her quest to solve mysteries while raising her son in the upscale Dulwich Village.
Each book deals with a murder mystery revolving around the residents of Dulwich Village with the elite Wyatt's School and College School and other landmarks of the village making up the scene of the crime. Each murder mystery is connected to a social/moral issue (child sexual abuse, incest, peer pressure, health and image issues amongst teenagers, abusive relationships, cheating and jealousy, foul play/fraud, etc.) which becomes the motive for the crime.
As an inquisitive character with a strong sense of truth and justice, Beth can't resist attaching herself to each mystery and doing everything possible to make sure the culprits are caught and punished, which irks DI Harry York to no end.
In my opinion Beth should just become a private investigator instead of staying on as an archivist at the Wyatt's School, a job she rarely finds herself doing.
The thing that gradually became annoying as I kept reading the books was Beth's constant introspection and self musings about everything that was happening in her life at that moment, her past, her future, etc...it was repetitive and most times steered away from the issue at hand.
I have so far read the first four books in the series. I will continue and read the rest of the books but I feel I do need a break from all the incessant self musings/brooding of Beth.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Alice Castle for the e-Arcs of the books.
Ratings:
The Murder Mystery (previously published as Death in Dulwich)- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Murder Museum (previously published as The Girl in the Gallery)- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Murder Question (previously published as Calamity in Camberwell)- ⭐⭐⭐💫
The Murder Plot (previously published as Homicide in Herne Hill)- ⭐⭐⭐💫
Each book deals with a murder mystery revolving around the residents of Dulwich Village with the elite Wyatt's School and College School and other landmarks of the village making up the scene of the crime. Each murder mystery is connected to a social/moral issue (child sexual abuse, incest, peer pressure, health and image issues amongst teenagers, abusive relationships, cheating and jealousy, foul play/fraud, etc.) which becomes the motive for the crime.
As an inquisitive character with a strong sense of truth and justice, Beth can't resist attaching herself to each mystery and doing everything possible to make sure the culprits are caught and punished, which irks DI Harry York to no end.
In my opinion Beth should just become a private investigator instead of staying on as an archivist at the Wyatt's School, a job she rarely finds herself doing.
The thing that gradually became annoying as I kept reading the books was Beth's constant introspection and self musings about everything that was happening in her life at that moment, her past, her future, etc...it was repetitive and most times steered away from the issue at hand.
I have so far read the first four books in the series. I will continue and read the rest of the books but I feel I do need a break from all the incessant self musings/brooding of Beth.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Alice Castle for the e-Arcs of the books.
Ratings:
The Murder Mystery (previously published as Death in Dulwich)- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Murder Museum (previously published as The Girl in the Gallery)- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Murder Question (previously published as Calamity in Camberwell)- ⭐⭐⭐💫
The Murder Plot (previously published as Homicide in Herne Hill)- ⭐⭐⭐💫
November 14, 2018
My first book by this author, but it's the fourth one of a series. I have not read the other ones and I admit this story can be read as a stand alone, but I do regret not having read the rest. I felt like I missed a lot. Not that I could not follow, but I am talking about the life of the main character. She is such fun, that I would have liked to get to know her sooner.
It's a nice cosy mystery with a very funny amateur sleuth. She made me smile a lot.
The author did a really good job in fooling me by letting me focus on one thing while incorporating little bits of something else. She left me wondering how those two were connected. And then, finally, she puts me out of my misery by bringing them together and surpising me with the outcome.
A lovely story that makes you looking forward to the sequel. 4 stars.
Thank you, Alice Castle and RachelsRandomResources.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
It's a nice cosy mystery with a very funny amateur sleuth. She made me smile a lot.
The author did a really good job in fooling me by letting me focus on one thing while incorporating little bits of something else. She left me wondering how those two were connected. And then, finally, she puts me out of my misery by bringing them together and surpising me with the outcome.
A lovely story that makes you looking forward to the sequel. 4 stars.
Thank you, Alice Castle and RachelsRandomResources.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
December 28, 2022
For the most part I enjoyed the first three entries in this cozy mystery series set in a posh fringe area/village of London. However, this one absolutely did not work for me! First off, we don’t even get a murder until the 78% point of the book (unless you count what appears to be the serial poisoning of dogs in the village). But that wasn't the dealbreaker for me. It was Beth, our lead, who acted like a brainless fool for most of the book, putting herself, and her child in ridiculously unbelievable situations.
After being nearly killed (several times) in the first three books, does Beth keep out of danger? No, of course not; she goes looking for it. As the book opens Beth meets a woman – Nina – at her son’s school nativity play. Seemingly within minutes Nina identifies Beth as the “woman who solves crimes” and asks Beth to investigate something odd going on at the small law firm she works at (it’s just Nina and one lawyer). Since Beth is on holiday from her regular job, Beth agrees to take Nina’s place at the firm as the office manager (because of course this would happen in real life). In return, Beth leaves her beloved 10-year old son Jake in Nina’s care each day (because of course any caring mother would leave her child with a complete stranger for hours at a time). We’re taken through page after page of Beth’s endless searches to figure out what’s going on at the law firm (she doesn’t discover anything until very late in the book) until a body finally appears.
We’re told that Beth and Harry now have a real relationship (although they’re keeping it secret from Jake). But Harry is pretty much off-page through most of the book and has no idea what Beth is up to.
I considered just DNF this book at about the 40% point, I was so angry with Beth, but decided to find out what actually happens, so began skimming …. A lot of skimming. The resolution of the crime is almost an afterthought, thrown in at the end.
Yet, as much as I disliked this, I will pick up the next in the series. I remain curious as to whether Jake will get into the posh boy's school. I'd also like to see Harry take more of a role. And finally, I'd like to see Beth act with more intelligence.
After being nearly killed (several times) in the first three books, does Beth keep out of danger? No, of course not; she goes looking for it. As the book opens Beth meets a woman – Nina – at her son’s school nativity play. Seemingly within minutes Nina identifies Beth as the “woman who solves crimes” and asks Beth to investigate something odd going on at the small law firm she works at (it’s just Nina and one lawyer). Since Beth is on holiday from her regular job, Beth agrees to take Nina’s place at the firm as the office manager (because of course this would happen in real life). In return, Beth leaves her beloved 10-year old son Jake in Nina’s care each day (because of course any caring mother would leave her child with a complete stranger for hours at a time). We’re taken through page after page of Beth’s endless searches to figure out what’s going on at the law firm (she doesn’t discover anything until very late in the book) until a body finally appears.
We’re told that Beth and Harry now have a real relationship (although they’re keeping it secret from Jake). But Harry is pretty much off-page through most of the book and has no idea what Beth is up to.
I considered just DNF this book at about the 40% point, I was so angry with Beth, but decided to find out what actually happens, so began skimming …. A lot of skimming. The resolution of the crime is almost an afterthought, thrown in at the end.
Yet, as much as I disliked this, I will pick up the next in the series. I remain curious as to whether Jake will get into the posh boy's school. I'd also like to see Harry take more of a role. And finally, I'd like to see Beth act with more intelligence.
August 24, 2022
Previously published as Homicide in Herne Hill, The Murder Plot 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, it is soon to be Christmastime. Her best friend, Katie is on a skiing holiday with her family and won't return until New Year. Nina, another single mother to her son Wilf, plonks herself next to her at the school nativity play and strikes up a conversation. Nina's employer, a solicitor called Mr Potter, has a dog, Lancelot the Great Dane, and something is amiss at his company. Then Lancelot is found dead in his basket... Beth, drawn to a mystery, can't resist getting involved.
It was a treat to return to Dulwich, South-east London to follow events alongside Beth and Harry York. The writing is funny and expressive and the plot is intriguing will plenty of shenanigans. I loved the inclusion of Nina and I hope she features in the other books.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
It was a treat to return to Dulwich, South-east London to follow events alongside Beth and Harry York. The writing is funny and expressive and the plot is intriguing will plenty of shenanigans. I loved the inclusion of Nina and I hope she features in the other books.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 13, 2018
*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.*
The fourth in The London Murder Mysteries series, Homicide in Herne Hill, sees Beth taking on a side job to help out a friend suspicious of her boss.
Technically the story does stand alone, but the development of the characters and their relationships is better experienced by reading the books in order. For example, Harry seems strangely controlling unless you know that Beth has developed habits of secrecy and nefarious deeds (in the name of good) that regularly put her in physical danger!
The murder plot in this story is a slow builder, with most of the tension coming from Beth’s attempts to access information and the intrigue from the side plot of a rash of poorly pets in the Dulwich area.
We see less of Beth’s usual work setting, and her son, as the plot necessitates her spending most of her time on her investigations and Ben gets to spend his days with television and junk food at the irrepressible Nina’s flat.
Which brings me to a small criticism this time round: why oh why does Beth, who strongly distinguishes herself from the judgy mummy clique, keep on and on about the food Nina serves and the entertainment she provides? After all, she’s looking after Ben for free, feeding both of them most evenings, on what is clearly a limited budget, and also offering a warm, friendly ear as and when Beth requires it whilst expecting no financial reward or emotional support herself! I got a little bit cross with Beth under the circumstances and felt her obsession with Nina’s breaded products wasn’t that different from Belinda and co sniffing at Beth’s lack of extra-curricular activity provision!
Other than that minor irk, the novel is the usual well-written family-friendly mystery I’ve come to expect from this author, and a welcome addition to the Dulwich death toll. This series is highly recommended for fans of the amateur investigation genre looking for a well-rounded main character with realistic life problems outside of the fatal ones!
‘I’m Beth, my son Ben is in Year 6,’ she said, proffering a hand. Her new companion, busy rooting through the pockets of a puffy winter jacket, didn’t seem to notice. ‘Yeah, Nina,’ she said. ‘My Wilf’s just started this term, Year 1. I know who you are. You’re the one who keeps catching murderers.’
‘Oh!’ Beth was stunned. She’d realised she’d been getting a few sidelong glances in the playground recently. But were people saying that about her? And was it even true? ‘I’m not sure that’s really… I just seem to be in the right place. Or maybe the wrong place, if you know what I mean.’
Nina gave her a level look. ‘Just as long as I don’t get knocked off just for sitting next to you,’ she said. Then just as Beth started to worry she was serious, she let out a huge guffaw. ‘Nah, you’re all right. At least you’re doing something interesting. I get the feeling that if I hung out with some of the other mums, all I’d get would be a bad case of baby brain. And that I can do without,’ she said, nudging Beth sharply in the ribs. To her surprise, Beth found herself laughing. There was something infectious about the twinkle in Nina’s eye.
– Alice Castle, Homicide in Herne Hill
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
The fourth in The London Murder Mysteries series, Homicide in Herne Hill, sees Beth taking on a side job to help out a friend suspicious of her boss.
Technically the story does stand alone, but the development of the characters and their relationships is better experienced by reading the books in order. For example, Harry seems strangely controlling unless you know that Beth has developed habits of secrecy and nefarious deeds (in the name of good) that regularly put her in physical danger!
The murder plot in this story is a slow builder, with most of the tension coming from Beth’s attempts to access information and the intrigue from the side plot of a rash of poorly pets in the Dulwich area.
We see less of Beth’s usual work setting, and her son, as the plot necessitates her spending most of her time on her investigations and Ben gets to spend his days with television and junk food at the irrepressible Nina’s flat.
Which brings me to a small criticism this time round: why oh why does Beth, who strongly distinguishes herself from the judgy mummy clique, keep on and on about the food Nina serves and the entertainment she provides? After all, she’s looking after Ben for free, feeding both of them most evenings, on what is clearly a limited budget, and also offering a warm, friendly ear as and when Beth requires it whilst expecting no financial reward or emotional support herself! I got a little bit cross with Beth under the circumstances and felt her obsession with Nina’s breaded products wasn’t that different from Belinda and co sniffing at Beth’s lack of extra-curricular activity provision!
Other than that minor irk, the novel is the usual well-written family-friendly mystery I’ve come to expect from this author, and a welcome addition to the Dulwich death toll. This series is highly recommended for fans of the amateur investigation genre looking for a well-rounded main character with realistic life problems outside of the fatal ones!
‘I’m Beth, my son Ben is in Year 6,’ she said, proffering a hand. Her new companion, busy rooting through the pockets of a puffy winter jacket, didn’t seem to notice. ‘Yeah, Nina,’ she said. ‘My Wilf’s just started this term, Year 1. I know who you are. You’re the one who keeps catching murderers.’
‘Oh!’ Beth was stunned. She’d realised she’d been getting a few sidelong glances in the playground recently. But were people saying that about her? And was it even true? ‘I’m not sure that’s really… I just seem to be in the right place. Or maybe the wrong place, if you know what I mean.’
Nina gave her a level look. ‘Just as long as I don’t get knocked off just for sitting next to you,’ she said. Then just as Beth started to worry she was serious, she let out a huge guffaw. ‘Nah, you’re all right. At least you’re doing something interesting. I get the feeling that if I hung out with some of the other mums, all I’d get would be a bad case of baby brain. And that I can do without,’ she said, nudging Beth sharply in the ribs. To her surprise, Beth found herself laughing. There was something infectious about the twinkle in Nina’s eye.
– Alice Castle, Homicide in Herne Hill
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
November 14, 2018
Homicide in Hernie Hill is the fourth in The London Murder Mysteries series, but it does stand alone pretty well. I, however, would like to go back and read the other books because I feel like the characters and relationships would feel even more realistic if I had known them from the beginning.
That doesn’t take away from how great this story is though. This slow burn, murder mystery is tense and intriguing. I enjoyed the characters. They are real feeling, compelling and relatable. They are well rounded with realistic life issues.
I’m a fan of this novel. I would like to read the series in order now, to get an even better understanding of the characters. I highly recommend this one!
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
That doesn’t take away from how great this story is though. This slow burn, murder mystery is tense and intriguing. I enjoyed the characters. They are real feeling, compelling and relatable. They are well rounded with realistic life issues.
I’m a fan of this novel. I would like to read the series in order now, to get an even better understanding of the characters. I highly recommend this one!
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
September 19, 2022
Possibly a 1.5 stars. I get cosy mysteries are a gentler pace, but this one didn’t have a murder until 78% through the book (if you exclude a few dogs being poisoned). Beth makes a new (fairly chavvy) friend, who suspects something is up in the solicitor’s office where she works. So with impeccable logic, Beth agrees to dump her child with said new friend and use her Christmas holiday to instead go to work in the office and sleuth around. She seems to turn up and spend more time working at her fake job than she does at her actual one in term time. Previously we were bashed over the head in book one with endless references to Beth’s fringe - now in book 4, it’s her height. I don’t think you can go more than a chapter without there being some reference to it. Amnesiac readers will find it helpful, but for most people, it’s unnecessary.
I can’t say I’d be inclined to read any more of these, if I didn’t have some as ARCs. This one was received as a free ARC from NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I can’t say I’d be inclined to read any more of these, if I didn’t have some as ARCs. This one was received as a free ARC from NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
November 11, 2018
So I’m a huge fan of this series having read all four of the instalments but it can be read as a stand-alone without missing too much. I will recommend that you start at the beginning because it’s such a good series!
It’s coming up to Christmas and Beth Haldane’s best friend Katie has gone away until new year leaving Beth feeling a little lonely. A chance encounter at her son Ben’s Nativity play and she meets another single mum, Nina.
Nina is the polar opposite of Katie, she’s loud, bouncy, eats processed food and doesn’t associate with the so called yummy mummy society of Dulwich. Knowing Beth’s reputation for solving mysteries Nina tells her she feels something dodgy is going on at the solicitor's she works at. Unable to resist a puzzle, she puts herself and her new relationship on the line to get to the bottom of it.
It’s nice to be back in Dulwich with Beth. It feels like I’m visiting an old friend!
I liked the addition of Nina, she’s down to earth and fun, okay she lets her six year old have fizzy drinks and a diet that consists of pretty much junk food but nobody’s perfect! I wonder if her and Beth’s other friend Katie will meet in the next book, I’d like to see that.
Now much as I love this series, I didn’t feel like the mystery was quite as strong as the previous ones, with the majority of the juicy bits happening in the second half of the book but of course that is just my opinion. Also I’d like to see a bit more from the dishy detective Harry Young who Beth is now in a relationship with, but seemed noticeably absent for most of the book.
Overall Homicide On Herne Hill is a fun cosy mystery, full of great characters, witty observations and perfect for curling up with during these chilly nights.
It’s coming up to Christmas and Beth Haldane’s best friend Katie has gone away until new year leaving Beth feeling a little lonely. A chance encounter at her son Ben’s Nativity play and she meets another single mum, Nina.
Nina is the polar opposite of Katie, she’s loud, bouncy, eats processed food and doesn’t associate with the so called yummy mummy society of Dulwich. Knowing Beth’s reputation for solving mysteries Nina tells her she feels something dodgy is going on at the solicitor's she works at. Unable to resist a puzzle, she puts herself and her new relationship on the line to get to the bottom of it.
It’s nice to be back in Dulwich with Beth. It feels like I’m visiting an old friend!
I liked the addition of Nina, she’s down to earth and fun, okay she lets her six year old have fizzy drinks and a diet that consists of pretty much junk food but nobody’s perfect! I wonder if her and Beth’s other friend Katie will meet in the next book, I’d like to see that.
Now much as I love this series, I didn’t feel like the mystery was quite as strong as the previous ones, with the majority of the juicy bits happening in the second half of the book but of course that is just my opinion. Also I’d like to see a bit more from the dishy detective Harry Young who Beth is now in a relationship with, but seemed noticeably absent for most of the book.
Overall Homicide On Herne Hill is a fun cosy mystery, full of great characters, witty observations and perfect for curling up with during these chilly nights.
November 13, 2018
The London Murder Series by Alice Castle is quickly becoming one of my favorite series in the genre!
Beth has had a hard time recently with the events that took place in book 3, no spoilers here!!! That changes when she meets Nina, who sits next to her at a school function. She notices right away that she isn’t part of the “yummy mummy” group. She discovers that she has never enjoyed a Nativity as much as she has this one, with Nina giving her plenty of laughs. Beth thinks she could really be friends with Nina.
Beth can’t resist a good conundrum, so she listens to Nina’s concern about her job in the solicitor’s office. She can’t really put her finger on it, but something seems off in the office. Little does either woman realize how very “off” the business really is. Beth finds herself right in the middle of another mystery, and is there any connection with the recent spell of pet’s dying from poisoning. This may turn out to be the most dangerous and twisted mystery Beth has yet faced!
I loved the mystery, and I loved catching up with Beth and some of my other favorite characters. Castle does give us a bit more of Beth’s romance. Just like the other secondary characters, I’m coming to love Nina. She is just as fun and quirky as the others!!!!
Castle has mastered the art of writing a clever, witty mystery. She knows how to keep the storyline moving with great surprises, and she also fills the pages with great satire that brings plenty of laughs. Each book she writes gets even better!!!!
Beth has had a hard time recently with the events that took place in book 3, no spoilers here!!! That changes when she meets Nina, who sits next to her at a school function. She notices right away that she isn’t part of the “yummy mummy” group. She discovers that she has never enjoyed a Nativity as much as she has this one, with Nina giving her plenty of laughs. Beth thinks she could really be friends with Nina.
Beth can’t resist a good conundrum, so she listens to Nina’s concern about her job in the solicitor’s office. She can’t really put her finger on it, but something seems off in the office. Little does either woman realize how very “off” the business really is. Beth finds herself right in the middle of another mystery, and is there any connection with the recent spell of pet’s dying from poisoning. This may turn out to be the most dangerous and twisted mystery Beth has yet faced!
I loved the mystery, and I loved catching up with Beth and some of my other favorite characters. Castle does give us a bit more of Beth’s romance. Just like the other secondary characters, I’m coming to love Nina. She is just as fun and quirky as the others!!!!
Castle has mastered the art of writing a clever, witty mystery. She knows how to keep the storyline moving with great surprises, and she also fills the pages with great satire that brings plenty of laughs. Each book she writes gets even better!!!!
November 14, 2018
Homocide in Herne Hill is the fourth book in the series written by the English author Alice Castle. I very much enjoy this series of books and find the heroine, single Mum Beth Haldane most engaging.
The author has a fine eye for observing people, noting their idiosyncrasies and reproducing them in her books. In this book we are introduced to Beth's new friend, Nina. They meet as Christmas approaches and Beth Haldane’s best friend Katie has gone away until new year leaving Beth feeling a little lonely. At her son Ben’s Nativity play she meets another single mum, Nina.
Nina is a lively character and certainly has an interesting way with words. She often mixes up well known phrases, which is very funny. However, dogs are dying in an unexplained series of occurrences in Beth's area of London. It is very suspicious.
Nina knows of Beth's reputation for solving mysteries and she has a puzzle she wants Beth to solve, centred on the solicitor’s office where Nina works in Herne Hill. Nina tells her she feels something dodgy is going on at the solicitor's she works at and Beth, unable to resist a puzzle, puts herself and her new relationship on the line to get to the bottom of the mystery. As the plot thickens it threatens to drag in not just Nina and her boss, but several of the yummy mummies of Dulwich, too. Beth is about to find out just how far some people will go to keep up appearances.
Homocide in Herne Hill is another excellent book by a fine author of cosy crime. I highly recommend it.
Val Penny
The author has a fine eye for observing people, noting their idiosyncrasies and reproducing them in her books. In this book we are introduced to Beth's new friend, Nina. They meet as Christmas approaches and Beth Haldane’s best friend Katie has gone away until new year leaving Beth feeling a little lonely. At her son Ben’s Nativity play she meets another single mum, Nina.
Nina is a lively character and certainly has an interesting way with words. She often mixes up well known phrases, which is very funny. However, dogs are dying in an unexplained series of occurrences in Beth's area of London. It is very suspicious.
Nina knows of Beth's reputation for solving mysteries and she has a puzzle she wants Beth to solve, centred on the solicitor’s office where Nina works in Herne Hill. Nina tells her she feels something dodgy is going on at the solicitor's she works at and Beth, unable to resist a puzzle, puts herself and her new relationship on the line to get to the bottom of the mystery. As the plot thickens it threatens to drag in not just Nina and her boss, but several of the yummy mummies of Dulwich, too. Beth is about to find out just how far some people will go to keep up appearances.
Homocide in Herne Hill is another excellent book by a fine author of cosy crime. I highly recommend it.
Val Penny
December 16, 2018
This is the next instalment in the story of Beth Haldane, widow, single mother and amateur sleuth. Beth is an eloquent, intelligent and witty central character and the omniscient narrator shares her thoughts as well as her actions to great effect. I love Alice Castle’s descriptive writing, detailing the minutiae of Beth’s daily life, loves, triumphs and anxieties in a spellbinding fashion. As murder mysteries go, the series remains resolutely in the cozy end of the genre with a sparing amount of murder and mayhem. If you seek adrenaline-fuelled all out action and adventure, this is not the series you are looking for. If you enjoy a more measured approach to tales of hidden suburban lawbreaking with a healthy dose of satirical exploration of the desire to be seen to be living a perfect life and excelling at parenting, this should be right up your street. My taste more often runs along slightly darker lines but the characters (three brand new, well rounded and deliciously enjoyable characters stood out for me in this novel) and descriptive writing in this series keep bringing me back for more and I look forward to finding out what’s next for each of them in the next instalment.
November 13, 2018
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This is a really good story and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Beth is a fabulous character, well developed and I really like her. I love her personality and she suits this story so well. I have read all the books in this series so far and they have all been very enjoyable – and I would go as far as to say that I think this one is her best yet!
The plot for this one was great, well developed and it had plenty of twists to keep me engaged. The amount of detail was spot on, it kept to the plot without adding in additional details that I feel can sometimes distract from the main parts of the story.
Five stars from me for this one, a very enjoyable read- highly recommended!!
This is a really good story and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Beth is a fabulous character, well developed and I really like her. I love her personality and she suits this story so well. I have read all the books in this series so far and they have all been very enjoyable – and I would go as far as to say that I think this one is her best yet!
The plot for this one was great, well developed and it had plenty of twists to keep me engaged. The amount of detail was spot on, it kept to the plot without adding in additional details that I feel can sometimes distract from the main parts of the story.
Five stars from me for this one, a very enjoyable read- highly recommended!!
November 26, 2018
This is the fourth book (though they would all work alone) in a series by Alice Castle. The writing is funny and perspicacious, including remarks on keeping up with the yummy mummies and the problems of rearing a ten year-old boy in modern times. There’s tension between Beth and her current boy-friend (or is he yet?) Harry, the police officer and this heightens her self-doubt about snooping. Yet again she finds a body. Yet again, you know she’s too nosy but you’d be the same! I love this series. Highly recommended for cosy crime lovers.
October 11, 2018
Beth's back - such a dear heroine and (ahem) so is Harry York. Just as well, I love him. This time dogs are being poisoned in this very readable mystery. And is it only dogs? That's the question. Ms Castle has a fine eye for observing people, noting their idiosyncrasies and reproducing them in her books, producing delightful (and perhaps not so) quirky characters. This is a fine series, easily read. Each book could be read alone, but I recommend starting with Death in Dulwich.
October 24, 2018
I really enjoyed this, the fourth in Alice Castle's London Mysteries. It was a real pleasure to be back in Beth Haldane's world. I loved its gentle humour, the colourful characters and Beth's wry observations on the world of the "Yummy Mummies".
I am so looking forward to number five! A well plotted intelligent read.
I am so looking forward to number five! A well plotted intelligent read.
November 3, 2018
Another cosy mystery from Alice Castle, enjoyable and gripping.
December 31, 2018
This series gets better!
Beth and Harry are falling for each other despite Beth interfering in too many police matters.
I love the area, I love the characters and a light murder to solve. Great
Beth and Harry are falling for each other despite Beth interfering in too many police matters.
I love the area, I love the characters and a light murder to solve. Great
November 17, 2022
It's the Christmas holidays and Beth Haldane is safely ensconced with her son at home. Her BFF Katie and family have gone skiing leaving Beth a bit high-and-dry, until she befriends another mum at the school gates, Nina. Nina is most definitely not like all the other Dulwich Village school mums, first off she works for a living as receptionist/dogsbody to a local solicitor, and second she is very working class. (There is a dreadful running joke that Nina gets all her proverbs/well-known sayings wrong eg, 'take it to the gravy' instead of 'take it to the grave', it's not in the least bit funny and it's rather unkind).
Anyway, Nina is convinced that her boss, Mr Potter is up to no good and persuades Beth to cover for her as receptionist while NIna looks after Beth's son (looking after consisting of feeding oven chips and fish fingers and plonking him in front of the TV all day). Soon Beth is breaking into her boss' office and trying to unlock his desk and filing cabinets.
Meanwhile, there is a spate of dogs dying, possibly poisoned, which has got the yummy mummies up in arms.
The romance with DI Heath has progressed, although I suspect Alice Castle is having second thoughts as neither seems particularly happy, especially since Beth seems to solve more cases that the police do.
This is the fourth book in the series that I have read and my feeling is that these are so 'cosy/cozy' that there is very little detecting involved, we read a lot about coffee in chi-chi shops and expensive handbags, and cat hairs then out of thin air Beth solves the crime without (as my maths teacher used to say) showing the workings. It is always as an afterthought that someone asks 'how did you know that X was the murderer' just so we the readers can find out what happened. These are okay but TBH if I didn't have the eighth book sitting on my TBR pile as an ARC and the books are all on Kindle Unlimited I probably wouldn't bother reading any more.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Anyway, Nina is convinced that her boss, Mr Potter is up to no good and persuades Beth to cover for her as receptionist while NIna looks after Beth's son (looking after consisting of feeding oven chips and fish fingers and plonking him in front of the TV all day). Soon Beth is breaking into her boss' office and trying to unlock his desk and filing cabinets.
Meanwhile, there is a spate of dogs dying, possibly poisoned, which has got the yummy mummies up in arms.
The romance with DI Heath has progressed, although I suspect Alice Castle is having second thoughts as neither seems particularly happy, especially since Beth seems to solve more cases that the police do.
This is the fourth book in the series that I have read and my feeling is that these are so 'cosy/cozy' that there is very little detecting involved, we read a lot about coffee in chi-chi shops and expensive handbags, and cat hairs then out of thin air Beth solves the crime without (as my maths teacher used to say) showing the workings. It is always as an afterthought that someone asks 'how did you know that X was the murderer' just so we the readers can find out what happened. These are okay but TBH if I didn't have the eighth book sitting on my TBR pile as an ARC and the books are all on Kindle Unlimited I probably wouldn't bother reading any more.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
October 23, 2022
The Murder Plot by Alice Castle
A Beth Haldane Mystery Book #4 - Previously released as Homicide in Herne Hill
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
As snow covers perfect little Dulwich Village, amateur sleuth Beth Haldane is certain something’s amiss. There’s a suspicious solicitor, poorly pooches and… a plot to murder?
Beth Haldane is getting ready for a quiet Christmas with her son and their beloved grumpy cat when fellow single mother Nina begs her for help. Something fishy is going on with Mr Potter, the solicitor she works for… business is slow, with the accounts empty. So why does his wife have such an impressive collection of designer dresses?
Unable to resist a puzzle, Beth agrees to cover Nina’s job as a receptionist to get a closer look. But just as she finds a mysterious key hidden away in the office, Mrs Potter arrives in floods of tears with terrible news for her husband. Their precious pet, Lancelot the Great Dane, has been found dead in his basket. Mrs Potter suspects a poisoning…
My Opinion
This series of books is being re-released with new names. These are quick little mystery books to read and I can easily finish one in a few hours. Set during the festive season, this book can be read at any time of year and would even work as a standalone.
Once again the plot of this book is slow, but an entertaining cosy mystery.
Rating 4/5
A Beth Haldane Mystery Book #4 - Previously released as Homicide in Herne Hill
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
As snow covers perfect little Dulwich Village, amateur sleuth Beth Haldane is certain something’s amiss. There’s a suspicious solicitor, poorly pooches and… a plot to murder?
Beth Haldane is getting ready for a quiet Christmas with her son and their beloved grumpy cat when fellow single mother Nina begs her for help. Something fishy is going on with Mr Potter, the solicitor she works for… business is slow, with the accounts empty. So why does his wife have such an impressive collection of designer dresses?
Unable to resist a puzzle, Beth agrees to cover Nina’s job as a receptionist to get a closer look. But just as she finds a mysterious key hidden away in the office, Mrs Potter arrives in floods of tears with terrible news for her husband. Their precious pet, Lancelot the Great Dane, has been found dead in his basket. Mrs Potter suspects a poisoning…
My Opinion
This series of books is being re-released with new names. These are quick little mystery books to read and I can easily finish one in a few hours. Set during the festive season, this book can be read at any time of year and would even work as a standalone.
Once again the plot of this book is slow, but an entertaining cosy mystery.
Rating 4/5
September 2, 2022
Beth Haldane is getting ready for a quiet Christmas with her son Jake and their beloved grumpy cat Magpie. Her best friend is on a skiing holiday so Beth goes to the school Nativity play by herself where she meets fellow single mother Nina who begs her for help. Something fishy is going on with Mr Potter, the solicitor she works for… business is slow, with the accounts empty. Unable to resist a puzzle, Beth agrees to cover Nina’s job as office manager aka general dogs body to get a closer look. Mrs Potter arrives in floods of tears with terrible news for her husband. Their precious pet, Lancelot the Great Dane, has been found dead in his basket. Mrs Potter suspects a poisoning. Beth is shocked anyone would harm a beloved family pet, but it’s not the first dog to be poisoned.
The fourth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. However I love series & I’m thoroughly enjoying how the characters are developing throughout the series. I love Beth & feel that the reader does get into her head. I also love Beth’s relationship with Harry, which is now moving forward all be it with some hiccups. Once again there's a slow build to the crime & clues are left but I didn’t pick up on them until the denouement when I thought, of course. There's a lovely mix of humour & intrigue. This series just keeps getting better
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The fourth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. However I love series & I’m thoroughly enjoying how the characters are developing throughout the series. I love Beth & feel that the reader does get into her head. I also love Beth’s relationship with Harry, which is now moving forward all be it with some hiccups. Once again there's a slow build to the crime & clues are left but I didn’t pick up on them until the denouement when I thought, of course. There's a lovely mix of humour & intrigue. This series just keeps getting better
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
November 23, 2022
This is Book 4 in Alice Cadtle’s Beth Haldane series of cosy mysteries set in South London. I combined reading with its unabridged audiobook edition.
This novel was originally independently published in 2018 as ‘Homicide in Herne Hill’. While all of these mysteries can be read as stand-alones, reading them in order allows for a better sense of the individual characters’ development.
Beth Haldane is looking forward to a quiet Christmas with her son and their beloved grumpy cat when a new friend, fellow single mother Nina, begs her for help. Nina is convinced that something dodgy going on with Mr Potter, the solicitor she works for. Apparently there seem to be few clients or money coming in yet the Potters have an extravagant lifestyle.
So Beth agrees to fill in for Nina as receptionist and gather what information she can. However, Beth is rather inept in her covert investigations giving rise to some humorous scenes. Meanwhile, a number of local pets have died of poisoning, creating anxiety that a pet killer is on the loose
Overall, this was the essence of a gentle cosy, apart from the worry caused by the pet poisonings.
This novel was originally independently published in 2018 as ‘Homicide in Herne Hill’. While all of these mysteries can be read as stand-alones, reading them in order allows for a better sense of the individual characters’ development.
Beth Haldane is looking forward to a quiet Christmas with her son and their beloved grumpy cat when a new friend, fellow single mother Nina, begs her for help. Nina is convinced that something dodgy going on with Mr Potter, the solicitor she works for. Apparently there seem to be few clients or money coming in yet the Potters have an extravagant lifestyle.
So Beth agrees to fill in for Nina as receptionist and gather what information she can. However, Beth is rather inept in her covert investigations giving rise to some humorous scenes. Meanwhile, a number of local pets have died of poisoning, creating anxiety that a pet killer is on the loose
Overall, this was the essence of a gentle cosy, apart from the worry caused by the pet poisonings.
September 5, 2022
Part 4 in the Beth Haldane series is called The Murder Plot. I got it from Bookouture via Netgalley and it will be out on 22 August.
Beth is in need of a friend since Katie has gone on holiday and Beth feels quite alone. She happens to befriend Nina who tells her about the suspicions she has about her job. Beth, the sleuth that she is, can't resist and takes up Nina's job to investigate. That's when things turn sideways.
I couldn't really get into this book even though I really liked the previous three books. The character of Nina is not really likeable, in my opinion and she is a major part of the book. Furthermore, the story itself is not that strong. Only after about 3/4 of the book the story actually started and that's really a waste. Hopefully the other 3 books will be better.
2,5/5⭐
Beth is in need of a friend since Katie has gone on holiday and Beth feels quite alone. She happens to befriend Nina who tells her about the suspicions she has about her job. Beth, the sleuth that she is, can't resist and takes up Nina's job to investigate. That's when things turn sideways.
I couldn't really get into this book even though I really liked the previous three books. The character of Nina is not really likeable, in my opinion and she is a major part of the book. Furthermore, the story itself is not that strong. Only after about 3/4 of the book the story actually started and that's really a waste. Hopefully the other 3 books will be better.
2,5/5⭐
August 28, 2022
When I saw this cover I thought I was ready for Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed the festive atmosphere and the solid mystery.
It's an entertaining cozy and Beth is becoming an expert sleuth and I love her character.
It could have been a 5* but the death of a pet is a big NOT in the world of cozy mystery and I rated this book down even if it's relevant to the plot.
Recommended, tw: death of a pet
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's an entertaining cozy and Beth is becoming an expert sleuth and I love her character.
It could have been a 5* but the death of a pet is a big NOT in the world of cozy mystery and I rated this book down even if it's relevant to the plot.
Recommended, tw: death of a pet
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
September 14, 2022
The Murder Plot by Alice Castle is the forth book within the new Beth Haldane Cosy Mystery series and these books have been a good read. However, I am finding them predicable.
This book is full of good strong twists and turns throughout and another great book and I highly recommend this series.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author Alice Castle for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is full of good strong twists and turns throughout and another great book and I highly recommend this series.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author Alice Castle for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2023
Did not expect that!
A really clever mystery. Was totally in Beth's life from the first page. Well written, characterisation excellent, language outstanding. I highly recommend this book.
A really clever mystery. Was totally in Beth's life from the first page. Well written, characterisation excellent, language outstanding. I highly recommend this book.
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