What do you think?
Rate this book
London Murder Mystery #2
The Murder Museum
Caring mother, school historian, and amateur sleuth Beth Haldane loves to while away an afternoon in the Museum of Art. But will she be next in the frame… for murder?
Beth Haldane is gazing at enchanting paintings of the rolling English countryside when her daydream is rudely interrupted: by the discovery of a teenage girl unconscious on a marble bench.
Shocked, Beth realises this is no snoozing schoolchild. Someone dastardly has carefully crossed the girls’ hands across her white dress, as if she’s in a painting herself. And the girl’s discarded red backpack found in a corner of the museum is totally empty. Is someone suspicious hiding evidence? And who would want to harm this innocent soul?
With poor Sophia in hospital, and the parents of Dulwich Village in uproar that their little darlings might be next, Beth pesters police for updates. And with her keen eye for detail and research skills, Beth is perfectly placed to do some sleuthing of her own… but why are Sophia’s gaggle of friends so close-lipped? Has some typical teenage drama taken a dark turn?
But her questions are ruffling feathers at every turn. With Sophia’s life hanging by a thread, can Beth find her attacker before it’s too late – and before the finger points at Beth herself?
A deliciously gripping cozy mystery that’s perfect for fans of fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Faith Martin.
This book was previously published as The Girl in the Gallery.
Beth Haldane is gazing at enchanting paintings of the rolling English countryside when her daydream is rudely interrupted: by the discovery of a teenage girl unconscious on a marble bench.
Shocked, Beth realises this is no snoozing schoolchild. Someone dastardly has carefully crossed the girls’ hands across her white dress, as if she’s in a painting herself. And the girl’s discarded red backpack found in a corner of the museum is totally empty. Is someone suspicious hiding evidence? And who would want to harm this innocent soul?
With poor Sophia in hospital, and the parents of Dulwich Village in uproar that their little darlings might be next, Beth pesters police for updates. And with her keen eye for detail and research skills, Beth is perfectly placed to do some sleuthing of her own… but why are Sophia’s gaggle of friends so close-lipped? Has some typical teenage drama taken a dark turn?
But her questions are ruffling feathers at every turn. With Sophia’s life hanging by a thread, can Beth find her attacker before it’s too late – and before the finger points at Beth herself?
A deliciously gripping cozy mystery that’s perfect for fans of fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Faith Martin.
This book was previously published as The Girl in the Gallery.
272 pages, Paperback
Published August 17, 2022
528 people are currently reading
568 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
December 8, 2022
EXCERPT: It was quite possible to walk past this set of two creepy rooms without knowing their purpose - and Beth heartily wished she had never been curious enough to find out about it. Although she quite liked the joke that the art dealers had made a spectacle of themselves, her twenty-first-century mind recoiled from the reality of death. And after the recent events which were still horribly vivid, she was all the keener to canter past the whole business.
And that's what she started doing. But as she sped on to the last gallery, containing the current exhibition, she stopped for a second opposite one of her favourite canvases - the spectacular red, white and blue bouquet of Jan van Huysum's still life; one of the jewels of the collection. She'd heard that eighteenth century flower painters were paid extra for insects, and it was one of her little habits to try and spot the wriggling wildlife every time she came. This time, it wasn't a beastie in the bunch of flowers that caught her eye, though. It was something on the very edge of her peripheral vision. Something that, she realised with dread, was in the mausoleum antechamber. Something that meant, however much she did not want to, she had to turn back and look.
Beth's heart started to thud. It was a flash of scarlet.
ABOUT 'THE MURDER MUSEUM': Caring mother, school historian, and amateur sleuth Beth Haldane loves to while away an afternoon in the Museum of Art. But will she be next in the frame… for murder?
Beth Haldane is gazing at enchanting paintings of the rolling English countryside when her daydream is rudely interrupted: by the discovery of a teenage girl unconscious on a marble bench.
Shocked, Beth realises this is no snoozing schoolchild. Someone dastardly has carefully crossed the girls’ hands across her white dress, as if she’s in a painting herself. And the girl’s discarded red backpack found in a corner of the museum is totally empty. Is someone suspicious hiding evidence? And who would want to harm this innocent soul?
With poor Sophia in hospital, and the parents of Dulwich Village in uproar that their little darlings might be next, Beth pesters police for updates. And with her keen eye for detail and research skills, Beth is perfectly placed to do some sleuthing of her own… but why are Sophia’s gaggle of friends so close-lipped? Has some typical teenage drama taken a dark turn?
But her questions are ruffling feathers at every turn. With Sophia’s life hanging by a thread, can Beth find her attacker before it’s too late – and before the finger points at Beth herself?
MY THOUGHTS: There's something strangely endearing about the main characters in this series. Beth Haldane is a young widow, mother of nine year old Jake, and archivist at one of the two local 'posh' schools - Wyatts. She's a local girl and knows an awful lot about what's going on in Dulwich. She's like a magnet for information. Harry York is the local detective who, although he keeps lecturing Beth about keeping her nose out of police investigations, often turns to her for information, usually revealing more than he should in the process. Reading is his passion - who isn't going to love this man? - and he is a devotee of the Golden Age of crime fiction. He also has a twinge of an Irish accent which becomes stronger when he is getting emotional about something. There's a definite attraction between these two characters, but the mechanics of police investigations keep getting in their way.
It really is the characters who carry this story. The Murder Museum is an unconventional cosy. It embraces the subjects of bullying and fat-shaming, and toxic teenage friendships.
Although I didn't find the ending particularly satisfying - I had a few unanswered questions - overall I enjoyed this read and am looking forward to the next in the series.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheMurderMuseum #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 Museum (A Beth
Haldane Mystery #2) 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/...
And that's what she started doing. But as she sped on to the last gallery, containing the current exhibition, she stopped for a second opposite one of her favourite canvases - the spectacular red, white and blue bouquet of Jan van Huysum's still life; one of the jewels of the collection. She'd heard that eighteenth century flower painters were paid extra for insects, and it was one of her little habits to try and spot the wriggling wildlife every time she came. This time, it wasn't a beastie in the bunch of flowers that caught her eye, though. It was something on the very edge of her peripheral vision. Something that, she realised with dread, was in the mausoleum antechamber. Something that meant, however much she did not want to, she had to turn back and look.
Beth's heart started to thud. It was a flash of scarlet.
ABOUT 'THE MURDER MUSEUM': Caring mother, school historian, and amateur sleuth Beth Haldane loves to while away an afternoon in the Museum of Art. But will she be next in the frame… for murder?
Beth Haldane is gazing at enchanting paintings of the rolling English countryside when her daydream is rudely interrupted: by the discovery of a teenage girl unconscious on a marble bench.
Shocked, Beth realises this is no snoozing schoolchild. Someone dastardly has carefully crossed the girls’ hands across her white dress, as if she’s in a painting herself. And the girl’s discarded red backpack found in a corner of the museum is totally empty. Is someone suspicious hiding evidence? And who would want to harm this innocent soul?
With poor Sophia in hospital, and the parents of Dulwich Village in uproar that their little darlings might be next, Beth pesters police for updates. And with her keen eye for detail and research skills, Beth is perfectly placed to do some sleuthing of her own… but why are Sophia’s gaggle of friends so close-lipped? Has some typical teenage drama taken a dark turn?
But her questions are ruffling feathers at every turn. With Sophia’s life hanging by a thread, can Beth find her attacker before it’s too late – and before the finger points at Beth herself?
MY THOUGHTS: There's something strangely endearing about the main characters in this series. Beth Haldane is a young widow, mother of nine year old Jake, and archivist at one of the two local 'posh' schools - Wyatts. She's a local girl and knows an awful lot about what's going on in Dulwich. She's like a magnet for information. Harry York is the local detective who, although he keeps lecturing Beth about keeping her nose out of police investigations, often turns to her for information, usually revealing more than he should in the process. Reading is his passion - who isn't going to love this man? - and he is a devotee of the Golden Age of crime fiction. He also has a twinge of an Irish accent which becomes stronger when he is getting emotional about something. There's a definite attraction between these two characters, but the mechanics of police investigations keep getting in their way.
It really is the characters who carry this story. The Murder Museum is an unconventional cosy. It embraces the subjects of bullying and fat-shaming, and toxic teenage friendships.
Although I didn't find the ending particularly satisfying - I had a few unanswered questions - overall I enjoyed this read and am looking forward to the next in the series.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheMurderMuseum #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 Museum (A Beth
Haldane Mystery #2) 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/...
July 21, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
Katie wrinkled her brow. She and Beth were among the few that could pull off this feat in Dulwich, since Botox had become a hobby of the mummying classes.
Zoe was a dream babysitter, one of those swotty girls who’d been liberated from terminal uncoolness by J. K. Rowling’s wondrous invention, Hermione Grainger, patron saint of over-achieving girlhood everywhere.
She tiptoed further down the corridor, thanking the Lord for her soft soles. Angie Douglas might well turn her nose up at such comforts, and she was never going to argue that these lumpen shoes represented the most stylish choice out there for a woman of her build, but there was a lot to be said for rubber. She felt like the hippo in Fantasia creeping up on a load of half-starved gazelles.
Though much prettier –and a lot less wrinkly –the women were like the velociraptors in the Jurassic Park films: hyper-vigilant; alert to every threat; and presumably, every bit as deadly if anyone dared threaten their young.
Beth felt as though she was getting shorter by the second as he stood up. By the time he was upright, she was like Alice in Wonderland after drinking the shrinking potion.
My Review:
I enjoyed the premise and various storylines which picked up shortly after the first book left off, although I struggled more than a bit with the pacing with this installment and was waffling on the overall rating until I sorted through my favorite quotes and was thus compelled to give it a four-star rating due to the author’s wickedly clever wit alone. While I adore her skills, I didn’t feel as fully engaged with this narrative as I had been with the first book as there was a multitude of loose and rambling story threads to throw me off-track. Yet I reveled in the vibrant character depictions and deviously humorous observations, inner musings, and foibles of this quirky ensemble. My main annoyance was while the storyline of the floundering investigation advanced at an excruciatingly slow rate; in the final pages, it was resolved so quickly it felt anti-climatic. However, I remain eager to read the next installment and am well pleased to announce two new additions to my Brit Vocabulary List with "argy-bargy," which the Urban Dictionary told me was “a heated discussion, perhaps one that has become bad-tempered enough to amount to a spat or minor quarrel,” and is actually of Scottish origin; and OAP, which Mr. Google told me was an Old Age Pensioner and what is now my official designation… I wear it with pride!
Katie wrinkled her brow. She and Beth were among the few that could pull off this feat in Dulwich, since Botox had become a hobby of the mummying classes.
Zoe was a dream babysitter, one of those swotty girls who’d been liberated from terminal uncoolness by J. K. Rowling’s wondrous invention, Hermione Grainger, patron saint of over-achieving girlhood everywhere.
She tiptoed further down the corridor, thanking the Lord for her soft soles. Angie Douglas might well turn her nose up at such comforts, and she was never going to argue that these lumpen shoes represented the most stylish choice out there for a woman of her build, but there was a lot to be said for rubber. She felt like the hippo in Fantasia creeping up on a load of half-starved gazelles.
Though much prettier –and a lot less wrinkly –the women were like the velociraptors in the Jurassic Park films: hyper-vigilant; alert to every threat; and presumably, every bit as deadly if anyone dared threaten their young.
Beth felt as though she was getting shorter by the second as he stood up. By the time he was upright, she was like Alice in Wonderland after drinking the shrinking potion.
My Review:
I enjoyed the premise and various storylines which picked up shortly after the first book left off, although I struggled more than a bit with the pacing with this installment and was waffling on the overall rating until I sorted through my favorite quotes and was thus compelled to give it a four-star rating due to the author’s wickedly clever wit alone. While I adore her skills, I didn’t feel as fully engaged with this narrative as I had been with the first book as there was a multitude of loose and rambling story threads to throw me off-track. Yet I reveled in the vibrant character depictions and deviously humorous observations, inner musings, and foibles of this quirky ensemble. My main annoyance was while the storyline of the floundering investigation advanced at an excruciatingly slow rate; in the final pages, it was resolved so quickly it felt anti-climatic. However, I remain eager to read the next installment and am well pleased to announce two new additions to my Brit Vocabulary List with "argy-bargy," which the Urban Dictionary told me was “a heated discussion, perhaps one that has become bad-tempered enough to amount to a spat or minor quarrel,” and is actually of Scottish origin; and OAP, which Mr. Google told me was an Old Age Pensioner and what is now my official designation… I wear it with pride!
July 25, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Awarded 3.5 stars
Beth Haldane is back in the second instalment of ‘The London Murder Mysteries’ series, the first being ‘Death In Dulwich‘, which I reviewed last week.
Beth has decided to take an early morning visit to one of her favourite places in Dulwich, the local art gallery, arriving at opening time and the first visitor there. Wandering around she comes across a patch of red, which she presumes must be blood. After the events from book one, she decides she isn’t going to investigate what the red is on her own and goes to find help, returning with the receptionist.
She soon feels embarrassed when she thinks that the red is just a scarf, but the look on the receptionist’s face tells a different story. She has spotted the cause. A young girl is lying across the stone tomb of one of the founders of the museum.
With the police called and Detective York on the case (the detective from book one), the two set to discovering what happened, but the investigation won’t be straightforward and an easy one to solve.
I loved the first book in the series so I couldn’t wait to get started on the second. I don’t tend to read many cosy murder mysteries, so these books have been a welcomed change. For me, this book whilst still a great read, didn’t have the pace and the grip of the first book.
I felt like there were too many sub-plots that just didn’t go anywhere so personally, I don’t feel that they brought anything to the story and weren’t needed. The ending wasn’t really that great either, I certainly expected more in the way of ‘catching a villain’ type of ending. There were some exciting moments through too and the main investigation had lots of twists, turns and red-herrings to keep you on your toes. I also felt this book was a bit more gruesome than the first – Which is a good thing.
Overall, the storyline was interesting and it was great to see aspects such as bullying and drug use brought to the forefront. If you like cosy murder mysteries then give this book a go. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I would suggest reading book one first.
Awarded 3.5 stars
Beth Haldane is back in the second instalment of ‘The London Murder Mysteries’ series, the first being ‘Death In Dulwich‘, which I reviewed last week.
Beth has decided to take an early morning visit to one of her favourite places in Dulwich, the local art gallery, arriving at opening time and the first visitor there. Wandering around she comes across a patch of red, which she presumes must be blood. After the events from book one, she decides she isn’t going to investigate what the red is on her own and goes to find help, returning with the receptionist.
She soon feels embarrassed when she thinks that the red is just a scarf, but the look on the receptionist’s face tells a different story. She has spotted the cause. A young girl is lying across the stone tomb of one of the founders of the museum.
With the police called and Detective York on the case (the detective from book one), the two set to discovering what happened, but the investigation won’t be straightforward and an easy one to solve.
I loved the first book in the series so I couldn’t wait to get started on the second. I don’t tend to read many cosy murder mysteries, so these books have been a welcomed change. For me, this book whilst still a great read, didn’t have the pace and the grip of the first book.
I felt like there were too many sub-plots that just didn’t go anywhere so personally, I don’t feel that they brought anything to the story and weren’t needed. The ending wasn’t really that great either, I certainly expected more in the way of ‘catching a villain’ type of ending. There were some exciting moments through too and the main investigation had lots of twists, turns and red-herrings to keep you on your toes. I also felt this book was a bit more gruesome than the first – Which is a good thing.
Overall, the storyline was interesting and it was great to see aspects such as bullying and drug use brought to the forefront. If you like cosy murder mysteries then give this book a go. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I would suggest reading book one first.
Read
July 25, 2018 4 Clever & Cozy Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
do you ever wonder when you’re reading these mystery series set in a small town what you would really think if you kept running across dead bodies? And what would the rest of the people in the town think? This time Beth Discovers a dead body in a picture Gallery... The body is splayed out and in plain sight pretending to be a museum display....
This was a good old fashion murder mystery... Beth is once again on the case working with Detective York... I really do like Beth and I like her interactions with the detective, her best friend Katie, and her daughter... I also like how this old fashion mystery has a bit of a contemporary vibe with the very current teenage issues... really adds another layer to the story and is handled extremely well...
My amateur detective skills were definitely put to the test in this book... filled with many twists and turns I had no idea who the bad guy in this one was... a small town filled with so many eccentric characters giving you so many suspects, leaving you scratching your head and thinking... who done it?
this is the second book in this cozy mystery series, but it could absolutely be read as a standalone... filled with everything you want in a cozy mystery, wonderful characters, a charming setting, and a twisty mystery... absolutely recommend to fans of this genre!
*** many thanks to the author and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my copy of this book ***
do you ever wonder when you’re reading these mystery series set in a small town what you would really think if you kept running across dead bodies? And what would the rest of the people in the town think? This time Beth Discovers a dead body in a picture Gallery... The body is splayed out and in plain sight pretending to be a museum display....
This was a good old fashion murder mystery... Beth is once again on the case working with Detective York... I really do like Beth and I like her interactions with the detective, her best friend Katie, and her daughter... I also like how this old fashion mystery has a bit of a contemporary vibe with the very current teenage issues... really adds another layer to the story and is handled extremely well...
My amateur detective skills were definitely put to the test in this book... filled with many twists and turns I had no idea who the bad guy in this one was... a small town filled with so many eccentric characters giving you so many suspects, leaving you scratching your head and thinking... who done it?
this is the second book in this cozy mystery series, but it could absolutely be read as a standalone... filled with everything you want in a cozy mystery, wonderful characters, a charming setting, and a twisty mystery... absolutely recommend to fans of this genre!
*** many thanks to the author and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my copy of this book ***
August 21, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 2
Beth Haldane is gazing at enchanting paintings of the rolling English countryside when her daydream is suddenly interrupted: by the discovery of a teenage girl unconscious on a marble bench. Shocked, Beth realises this is no snoozing schoolchild, Someone dastardly has crossed the girls hands across her white dress, as if she's in a painting herself. And the girls' discarded red backpack found in the corner of the museum is totally empty. Is someone suspicious hiding evidence? and who would want to harm this innocent soul?
Beth stumbles across another body, this time it's a teenage girl who's found on a bench at the museum, and she's not dead, just unconscious. DI Harry York is once again in the case. We get to know more about Beth, her friend Kate and DI Harry York in this book. They are all likeable characters. The book is descriptively written and easy and quick to read. There's also some humour. I did feel the story ended a little abruptly so I took half a star off for this. This book can be read as a standalone.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #Bookouture and the author #AliceCastle for my ARC of #TheMurderMuseum in exchange for an honest review.
A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 2
Beth Haldane is gazing at enchanting paintings of the rolling English countryside when her daydream is suddenly interrupted: by the discovery of a teenage girl unconscious on a marble bench. Shocked, Beth realises this is no snoozing schoolchild, Someone dastardly has crossed the girls hands across her white dress, as if she's in a painting herself. And the girls' discarded red backpack found in the corner of the museum is totally empty. Is someone suspicious hiding evidence? and who would want to harm this innocent soul?
Beth stumbles across another body, this time it's a teenage girl who's found on a bench at the museum, and she's not dead, just unconscious. DI Harry York is once again in the case. We get to know more about Beth, her friend Kate and DI Harry York in this book. They are all likeable characters. The book is descriptively written and easy and quick to read. There's also some humour. I did feel the story ended a little abruptly so I took half a star off for this. This book can be read as a standalone.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #Bookouture and the author #AliceCastle for my ARC of #TheMurderMuseum in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2018
3.5 Stars
Beth Haldane finds herself involved in another murder. While visiting the local picture gallery, she stumbles upon a young woman laid out like a new display.
Unable to stay away, she launches into an investigation and teams with Detective York again. Dulwich is a small village, crime of this nature never happens here.
So who is this young woman? Where did she come from? Who wanted her dead?
This is an engaging old-fashioned murder mystery. The characters are believable, and likable. This one started out a little slow, but then ballooned into something much more with the addition of twists and turns and dead end clues. The village residents are what I would expect from a small place... where everybody knows your business.
Besides the murder, itself, the author touches upon the issues that plague some schools today ... some bullying and self-image problems. This is a lighthearted tromp in trying to separate truth from lies ... and uncovering a myriad of secrets.
Many thanks to the author / Crooked Cat Books / Netgalley for the copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Beth Haldane finds herself involved in another murder. While visiting the local picture gallery, she stumbles upon a young woman laid out like a new display.
Unable to stay away, she launches into an investigation and teams with Detective York again. Dulwich is a small village, crime of this nature never happens here.
So who is this young woman? Where did she come from? Who wanted her dead?
This is an engaging old-fashioned murder mystery. The characters are believable, and likable. This one started out a little slow, but then ballooned into something much more with the addition of twists and turns and dead end clues. The village residents are what I would expect from a small place... where everybody knows your business.
Besides the murder, itself, the author touches upon the issues that plague some schools today ... some bullying and self-image problems. This is a lighthearted tromp in trying to separate truth from lies ... and uncovering a myriad of secrets.
Many thanks to the author / Crooked Cat Books / Netgalley for the copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
July 24, 2018
I am crazy about this series! What, What! I really enjoy books based in London even there’s some nasty murder to go with it. I also love that the sleuth was a single mom battling issues that us moms can relate to. I also can see why reviewers are saying she’s the modern Miss Marple and have even compared her to one of my all time favorites, Stephanie Plum!!!
There wasn’t loads of gore and violence in these novels, just great murder mysteries that are sure to captivate many readers with their witty and charming characters and portraying a story that has you antsy waiting for the next novel to arrive. I wish there was more mysteries like this. There was the perfect blend of a fun cozy feel and a murder mystery that keeps you turning pages late through the night! #WorthIt!I loved the characterization in these novels and loved the steady pace that captured my attention from beginning to end! I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good murder mystery with great characters are that great added bonus. I give the first two novels in The London Murder Mystery Series a definite 5+ out of 5 freakin’ fantabulous stars!
There wasn’t loads of gore and violence in these novels, just great murder mysteries that are sure to captivate many readers with their witty and charming characters and portraying a story that has you antsy waiting for the next novel to arrive. I wish there was more mysteries like this. There was the perfect blend of a fun cozy feel and a murder mystery that keeps you turning pages late through the night! #WorthIt!I loved the characterization in these novels and loved the steady pace that captured my attention from beginning to end! I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good murder mystery with great characters are that great added bonus. I give the first two novels in The London Murder Mystery Series a definite 5+ out of 5 freakin’ fantabulous stars!
August 23, 2022
Previously published as The Girl in the Gallery, The Murder Museum sees the return of single-mum to Jake, Beth Haldane, a determined and amusing protagonist whose priority is her son. In this tale, Beth indulging in her passion for art at the Museum of Art finds a young girl unconscious on a seat wearing a white dress, in between gazing at the beautiful pictures. DI Harry York is on the case again and it was a treat to return to Dulwich to follow the case and receive updates with Beth. Katie's friendship with bestie Beth is an enjoyable part of the novel, too. Well written and intriguing.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
January 21, 2018
The second book in the series, The Girl In the Gallery can absolutely be read as a standalone, although there are some hints of what happened in the previous book. And now, I want to read book 1!
The story opens with Beth Haldane visiting her absolutely favourite place - the local art gallery. However, among the beautiful paintings Beth discovers more than she bargained for and so once again becomes embroiled in another mystery. A young girl is left barely alive and nobody seems to be looking for her. This book sees Beth thrown together once again with Inspector Harry York who is struggling to determine who the girl in the gallery is, the reason for the way she was displayed and just who could carry out such a heinous act. He begins to lean on Beth's sleuthing skills more and more, opening up to her despite knowing that she probably shouldn't be part of an official investigation. Each time the pair think they've solved one aspect of the case, other clues leave them feeling lost once again and doubting that they will ever get to the bottom of the case. Both see a different side to each other the longer they become involved in the case.
If you like a good old mystery then I'd recommend this book. Set in Dulwich in London, Alice Castle has created a wonderful cast of characters with very interesting back stories. Some of the residents of Dulwich appear to live in their own little universe, oblivious to the real world. They feel they are almost untouchable. After all, this is Dulwich! Real life doesn't happen here! Crime doesn't happen here! Love it! Even the exclusive schools spend more time thinking about their reputations than their duty of care to the pupils.
The book is well paced to make you want to rush through it to find out what on earth has been going on. Alice Castle writes beautifully and draws the reader into the story without overloading them with too much information. Its a book with some good old fashioned twists, turns and dead end clues. Some sensitive issues are touched upon in the book and done very well to highlight such issues as social media dangers and body image problems. The author has managed to draw attention to the horrors that can befall even the most privileged. Its an easy read and perfect for snuggling up on the sofa on a horrible rainy night.
The story opens with Beth Haldane visiting her absolutely favourite place - the local art gallery. However, among the beautiful paintings Beth discovers more than she bargained for and so once again becomes embroiled in another mystery. A young girl is left barely alive and nobody seems to be looking for her. This book sees Beth thrown together once again with Inspector Harry York who is struggling to determine who the girl in the gallery is, the reason for the way she was displayed and just who could carry out such a heinous act. He begins to lean on Beth's sleuthing skills more and more, opening up to her despite knowing that she probably shouldn't be part of an official investigation. Each time the pair think they've solved one aspect of the case, other clues leave them feeling lost once again and doubting that they will ever get to the bottom of the case. Both see a different side to each other the longer they become involved in the case.
If you like a good old mystery then I'd recommend this book. Set in Dulwich in London, Alice Castle has created a wonderful cast of characters with very interesting back stories. Some of the residents of Dulwich appear to live in their own little universe, oblivious to the real world. They feel they are almost untouchable. After all, this is Dulwich! Real life doesn't happen here! Crime doesn't happen here! Love it! Even the exclusive schools spend more time thinking about their reputations than their duty of care to the pupils.
The book is well paced to make you want to rush through it to find out what on earth has been going on. Alice Castle writes beautifully and draws the reader into the story without overloading them with too much information. Its a book with some good old fashioned twists, turns and dead end clues. Some sensitive issues are touched upon in the book and done very well to highlight such issues as social media dangers and body image problems. The author has managed to draw attention to the horrors that can befall even the most privileged. Its an easy read and perfect for snuggling up on the sofa on a horrible rainy night.
August 17, 2022
This was the second one in the series and I enjoyed it as much as the first one. So much so, I’ve been approved for the whole series now and plan to read the third one next. These are quick, easy reads and are just right for a summer read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
July 20, 2018
5*
Despite her inauspicious start at Wyatt’s, Beth Haldane has been promoted. Her initial job had been a part time archive assistant, but her role has changed dramatically. Now she is curating old documents and developing a permanent exhibition about how the founder of Wyatt had been involved in the slave trade. She doesn’t have to be in work until later that morning, so she takes the opportunity to visit her favourite place – Wyatt’s Picture Gallery.
~~'For Beth, finally getting to use her history degree was a dream come true. She had pootled along since her son Ben was born, doing whatever freelance journalism work came up, as long as it fitted in with all the pick-ups and drop-offs that today’s maximum-security parenthood required.’~~
It’s not long before Beth is unintentionally drawn into another horrifying case when she discovers a girl’s body draped over a sarcophagus, part of the mausoleum built in the heart of the Gallery. Enter DI Harry York who, despite his misgivings, needs the information Beth can provide due her involvement with the school and her natural inclination to ferret out information.
I’m enjoying Alice Castle’s humorous and entertaining observations of life in Dulwich, the well to do residents of the area and their privileged offspring. Although Dulwich is part of London it has a village feel, most people know each other and gossip spreads like wildfire. There is a serious side to the stories, particularly in The Girl in the Gallery, when the consequences of, among other things, teenage issues, bullying and social media are explored realistically. The author does an excellent job of getting into the quite scary mindset of the students.
Beth and Harry are learning to trust each other more as their characters develop. There’s a definite spark and sense of will they/won’t they about the relationship. They make a great team. Alice Castle writes extremely well and the story flows smoothly with plenty of misleading clues. Looking forward to book three!
Despite her inauspicious start at Wyatt’s, Beth Haldane has been promoted. Her initial job had been a part time archive assistant, but her role has changed dramatically. Now she is curating old documents and developing a permanent exhibition about how the founder of Wyatt had been involved in the slave trade. She doesn’t have to be in work until later that morning, so she takes the opportunity to visit her favourite place – Wyatt’s Picture Gallery.
~~'For Beth, finally getting to use her history degree was a dream come true. She had pootled along since her son Ben was born, doing whatever freelance journalism work came up, as long as it fitted in with all the pick-ups and drop-offs that today’s maximum-security parenthood required.’~~
It’s not long before Beth is unintentionally drawn into another horrifying case when she discovers a girl’s body draped over a sarcophagus, part of the mausoleum built in the heart of the Gallery. Enter DI Harry York who, despite his misgivings, needs the information Beth can provide due her involvement with the school and her natural inclination to ferret out information.
I’m enjoying Alice Castle’s humorous and entertaining observations of life in Dulwich, the well to do residents of the area and their privileged offspring. Although Dulwich is part of London it has a village feel, most people know each other and gossip spreads like wildfire. There is a serious side to the stories, particularly in The Girl in the Gallery, when the consequences of, among other things, teenage issues, bullying and social media are explored realistically. The author does an excellent job of getting into the quite scary mindset of the students.
Beth and Harry are learning to trust each other more as their characters develop. There’s a definite spark and sense of will they/won’t they about the relationship. They make a great team. Alice Castle writes extremely well and the story flows smoothly with plenty of misleading clues. Looking forward to book three!
August 24, 2022
Any mother would be beside herself to discover a child in distress. That definitely proves to be the case when Beth Haldane is visiting a museum and discovers a teenage girl who appears to be sleeping on a marble bench. She is not just sleeping. In fact she is unconscious. More than that, she is in a flowing white dress, with her hands posed just so. The girl is swiftly sent to the hospital while continuing to remain in her unconscious state.
Beth, who is raising her son Jake alone after his father passed away years before, and other parents of Dulwich are concerned. After not getting the answers she expects from the police, Beth does what comes naturally to her. She uses her innate eye for detail and her natural skills of research to find the answers she needs before any other children fall prey to whatever happened to the teenage girl.
After learning that the girl’s name is Sophia, Beth approaches her friends. However, they have nothing to say, and this makes Beth even more curious. Meanwhile, as Sophia makes absolutely no improvement, Beth is in a race against time. She just might get too close, even to the point of making Sophia‘s attacker look in her direction.
As Beth gets closer to discovering what happens to Sophia, she starts to annoy the Detective Inspector, Harry York, thus beginning quite possibly a new relationship for Beth, which if readers continue this series, will discover. The Murder Museum is the quite enjoyable second book in the Beth Haldane Mystery series. I have already fallen in love with Beth after reading book one, The Murder Mystery, and this second installment follows Beth and her exploits in a natural and effortless manner.
July 19, 2022
Beth Haldane is someone you can root for. She isn't perfect, which she acknowledges to herself rather frequently, but she cares about people and wants justice done where there is injustice. This brings her into contact and frequent conflict with Harry, the Detective Inspector. What I particularly liked about this story is that we get to spend time in not just Beth's head, but Harry's, giving us insight into who he is as a human being, too. Heck, we get to visit quite a few different minds in this installment of the series, including that of pouty, self-centered, and, oh, so spoiled and neglected schoolgirl Sophia. Even her drug wasted "boyfriend" gets a turn and, quite frankly, I hope he doesn't pop up again. Let's just say, bad news.
The mystery begins benignly enough. Beth, playing a childhood game in her head of "Which work of art would you save in a fire?" is making a quick visit to the upscale school museum where she works. Instead of a fun, relaxing visit, however, she finds a body. Well, not quite a body. The mystery girl is still alive but in what appears to be a coma. She's wearing a flowing white dress and has her hands folded against her chest, recalling several works of art that Beth is familiar with. It's the folded hands that won't allow Beth to let the image go and next thing we know, she's off on her own investigation. Her budding friendship with Harry is already shaky but this time it takes off on a roller coaster of a ride as he alternately shoves her away and allows her into his world as the investigation goes along.
The case is baffling. How did the comatose girl get into the mausoleum? Who arranged her so picturesquely? More importantly, who is she? Why haven't her parents reported her as missing? Why is she comatose? Drugs? Why is the upper crust school so shaken? How does a parent make the horrendous decision of life or death for the child they carried within them? What does the Blue Whales challenge have to do with anything? Is social media to blame? How powerful does being a known influencer make a teenage girl feel? Do we blame society? Busy, distracted parents? Seriously, what sort of nasty secrets are lurking under the veneer of upper crust Dulwich? I know I didn't see the ending coming, that's for sure. It was at once satisfying and saddening. Author Alice Castle made me care about her characters, even the ones we only meet in passing, and I was fully, intently invested until the end. And, hey, what about that ending?
If you like multi-layer mysteries with well-defined characters and suspects, you will surely love this one. Go into it with an open mind and be prepared to think, "Whoa!", sit back and think periodically. There's a great deal to this book and this is just an overview of all that is tackled. The world we live in is a complicated one and one never really knows what is going on behind closed doors, be they at home, school, or elsewhere. This one made me think, reflect, and as a former teacher, feel the pangs of knowing I can't gather all my students under my wings and protect them from real life. Kudos to Alice Castle. This series has me hooked.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back to Dulwich. It was an uneasy trip occasionally but I adored the moments when the prose flowed and we saw the world through Beth's whimsical, romantic eyes. I'll be diving into book three asap.
The mystery begins benignly enough. Beth, playing a childhood game in her head of "Which work of art would you save in a fire?" is making a quick visit to the upscale school museum where she works. Instead of a fun, relaxing visit, however, she finds a body. Well, not quite a body. The mystery girl is still alive but in what appears to be a coma. She's wearing a flowing white dress and has her hands folded against her chest, recalling several works of art that Beth is familiar with. It's the folded hands that won't allow Beth to let the image go and next thing we know, she's off on her own investigation. Her budding friendship with Harry is already shaky but this time it takes off on a roller coaster of a ride as he alternately shoves her away and allows her into his world as the investigation goes along.
The case is baffling. How did the comatose girl get into the mausoleum? Who arranged her so picturesquely? More importantly, who is she? Why haven't her parents reported her as missing? Why is she comatose? Drugs? Why is the upper crust school so shaken? How does a parent make the horrendous decision of life or death for the child they carried within them? What does the Blue Whales challenge have to do with anything? Is social media to blame? How powerful does being a known influencer make a teenage girl feel? Do we blame society? Busy, distracted parents? Seriously, what sort of nasty secrets are lurking under the veneer of upper crust Dulwich? I know I didn't see the ending coming, that's for sure. It was at once satisfying and saddening. Author Alice Castle made me care about her characters, even the ones we only meet in passing, and I was fully, intently invested until the end. And, hey, what about that ending?
If you like multi-layer mysteries with well-defined characters and suspects, you will surely love this one. Go into it with an open mind and be prepared to think, "Whoa!", sit back and think periodically. There's a great deal to this book and this is just an overview of all that is tackled. The world we live in is a complicated one and one never really knows what is going on behind closed doors, be they at home, school, or elsewhere. This one made me think, reflect, and as a former teacher, feel the pangs of knowing I can't gather all my students under my wings and protect them from real life. Kudos to Alice Castle. This series has me hooked.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back to Dulwich. It was an uneasy trip occasionally but I adored the moments when the prose flowed and we saw the world through Beth's whimsical, romantic eyes. I'll be diving into book three asap.
November 10, 2017
This is the second book in the London Murder Mysteries, and the characters and locations already seem familiar and comfortable – even to someone who has never been in Dulwich!
We find Beth Haldane once again at her desk – infrequently – supposedly working on the archives of Wyatt’s and the forthcoming exhibits for the history of the school’s involvement in slavery but really her mind is, once again, on solving a mystery. She has a penchant for discovering inert bodies, despite living in a ‘better’ area of London. Coupled with looking after her son Ben, Beth has her hands full with the job, the enigmas whizzing round her head, single parenthood, and widowhood.
I love Alice Castle’s writing .. she has such an extensive vocabulary that I feel mine expanding with each novel. I expect that’s down to her journalistic background. She writes a great mystery, full of false assumptions and red herrings which all make for such a good brain work-out but such easy reads – and full of fun! I shall look sideways at those taking cod liver oil supplements from now on, that’s for sure.
I’d like to say that Beth Haldane’s relationship with Inspector Harry York developed in this second read, but I don’t ‘do’ spoilers, so you’ll just have to read this and see what you think for yourself! One thing’s for sure – you will close the book with a smile on your face and the satisfaction of all loose ends being firmly tied up. I have become a firm fan of this series and look forward to number three! Therefore, I have no hesitation in recommending this to all aficionados of a darn good read.
I received an arc from the author, which had no impact on my opinions. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
We find Beth Haldane once again at her desk – infrequently – supposedly working on the archives of Wyatt’s and the forthcoming exhibits for the history of the school’s involvement in slavery but really her mind is, once again, on solving a mystery. She has a penchant for discovering inert bodies, despite living in a ‘better’ area of London. Coupled with looking after her son Ben, Beth has her hands full with the job, the enigmas whizzing round her head, single parenthood, and widowhood.
I love Alice Castle’s writing .. she has such an extensive vocabulary that I feel mine expanding with each novel. I expect that’s down to her journalistic background. She writes a great mystery, full of false assumptions and red herrings which all make for such a good brain work-out but such easy reads – and full of fun! I shall look sideways at those taking cod liver oil supplements from now on, that’s for sure.
I’d like to say that Beth Haldane’s relationship with Inspector Harry York developed in this second read, but I don’t ‘do’ spoilers, so you’ll just have to read this and see what you think for yourself! One thing’s for sure – you will close the book with a smile on your face and the satisfaction of all loose ends being firmly tied up. I have become a firm fan of this series and look forward to number three! Therefore, I have no hesitation in recommending this to all aficionados of a darn good read.
I received an arc from the author, which had no impact on my opinions. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
September 10, 2022
The Murder Museum by Alice Castle
A Beth Haldane Mystery Book #2 - Previously released as The Girl in the Gallery
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Caring mother, school historian, and amateur sleuth Beth Haldane loves to while away an afternoon in the Museum of Art. But will she be next in the frame… for murder?
Beth Haldane is gazing at enchanting paintings of the rolling English countryside when her daydream is rudely interrupted: by the discovery of a teenage girl unconscious on a marble bench.
Shocked, Beth realises this is no snoozing schoolchild. Someone dastardly has carefully crossed the girls’ hands across her white dress, as if she’s in a painting herself. And the girl’s discarded red backpack found in a corner of the museum is totally empty. Is someone suspicious hiding evidence? And who would want to harm this innocent soul?
With poor Sophia in hospital, and the parents of Dulwich Village in uproar that their little darlings might be next, Beth pesters police for updates. And with her keen eye for detail and research skills, Beth is perfectly placed to do some sleuthing of her own… but why are Sophia’s gaggle of friends so close-lipped? Has some typical teenage drama taken a dark turn?
My Opinion
This series of books is being re-released with new names. I worked my way through this book in a few hours. For me they are quick and easy books to read and make for a good weekend read. Castle grabs the readers attention from the beginning, and holds it until the end. An enjoyable cosy mystery with a great pace.
Rating 4/5
A Beth Haldane Mystery Book #2 - Previously released as The Girl in the Gallery
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Caring mother, school historian, and amateur sleuth Beth Haldane loves to while away an afternoon in the Museum of Art. But will she be next in the frame… for murder?
Beth Haldane is gazing at enchanting paintings of the rolling English countryside when her daydream is rudely interrupted: by the discovery of a teenage girl unconscious on a marble bench.
Shocked, Beth realises this is no snoozing schoolchild. Someone dastardly has carefully crossed the girls’ hands across her white dress, as if she’s in a painting herself. And the girl’s discarded red backpack found in a corner of the museum is totally empty. Is someone suspicious hiding evidence? And who would want to harm this innocent soul?
With poor Sophia in hospital, and the parents of Dulwich Village in uproar that their little darlings might be next, Beth pesters police for updates. And with her keen eye for detail and research skills, Beth is perfectly placed to do some sleuthing of her own… but why are Sophia’s gaggle of friends so close-lipped? Has some typical teenage drama taken a dark turn?
My Opinion
This series of books is being re-released with new names. I worked my way through this book in a few hours. For me they are quick and easy books to read and make for a good weekend read. Castle grabs the readers attention from the beginning, and holds it until the end. An enjoyable cosy mystery with a great pace.
Rating 4/5
December 19, 2017
Beth is once again first on the scene when a body is found, this time in her local art gallery. A young girl is draped over a sarcophagus with her arms crossed on her chest, like a classical figure. In a dither, Beth phones an ambulance, as the girl still has a pulse, and her acquaintance from a previous murder enquiry, Inspector Harry York. Suicide or attempted murder? Then another girl from the same class is found deeply unconscious.
Because she’s determined and dogged, Beth can’t let this go and leave it to the professionals. She’s sure there’s something toxic going on with that group of girls. The writing is gently and funny, while not diminishing the anguish of those involved. Beth’s a brilliant character, intelligent and nosy and an excellent foil for the profession, Inspector York. There’s also a spark between them which I hope continues to flare in later stories. A series to sit back and enjoy. Thoroughly good!
Because she’s determined and dogged, Beth can’t let this go and leave it to the professionals. She’s sure there’s something toxic going on with that group of girls. The writing is gently and funny, while not diminishing the anguish of those involved. Beth’s a brilliant character, intelligent and nosy and an excellent foil for the profession, Inspector York. There’s also a spark between them which I hope continues to flare in later stories. A series to sit back and enjoy. Thoroughly good!
July 22, 2018
You soon realise that Beth has the bad luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. There are many similarities with the previous book, her friendship with Katie, her scathing opinion of all the ‘yummy mummies’ and her often fractious relationship with York, the police officer who has to investigate the cases that she is has the misfortune to be involved in.
But the case she attempts to solve this time is completely different. More modern, some of it believable with regards to the social media influence. But this is cosy crime and there will always be parts that are less believable but that the reader can still enjoy.
I found this book much more sinister than the first. At times it was creepy, the control that certain people had over others, even down to what they were allowed to eat and the refusal by some parents to see a problem caused by social media.
But the case she attempts to solve this time is completely different. More modern, some of it believable with regards to the social media influence. But this is cosy crime and there will always be parts that are less believable but that the reader can still enjoy.
I found this book much more sinister than the first. At times it was creepy, the control that certain people had over others, even down to what they were allowed to eat and the refusal by some parents to see a problem caused by social media.
December 23, 2017
I used to live very close to the setting for Alice Castle’s novels, but I’m pleased to say I never once tripped over any bodies – dead or otherwise. Beth Haldane, on the other hand, seems to be making a habit of it. In this, the second in what promises to be an excellent series, she finds a girl in the art gallery. Beth, as in the first book, is unable to step back and leave matters to others and so gets heavily involved in finding out what is going on. Peer pressure, bullying and the effects these have on teenagers is the underlying theme of the novel. However, Alice’s light touch and gentle humour save this from being a depressing read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can only hope this will turn into a long series. I am already looking forward to the next one.
June 27, 2018
Beth Haldane has had some weeks now, to settle into her new, significantly upgraded, position at the Wyatt school, and is taking a few moments on her lunch break to visit the nearby Picture Gallery and view some of her favorite "old friends" amongst the portraits there.
Unfortunately, this involves walking past the tomb of the founders of the Picture Gallery. Beth finds this pretty creepy, and tries to pass it while seeing as little as possible.
This doesn't prevent her from seeing a shocking flash of blood red out of the corner of her eye. Being a responsible adult, she has to check it out.
It's not blood. It's just red backpack.
But there is a body lying on top of the sarcophagus of one of the dead founders. She calls 999, and then she calls her police detective acquaintance, Harry York.
These are two likable, responsible adults, who are not altogether pleased with the attraction between them. I'm pleased to say that, for all Harry's complaints, Beth has learned something from her past experience with finding a dead body, and doesn't willfully place herself alone in the presence of a killer. She has also learned to share information with Harry, even if he's very annoying about a lack of reciprocal sharing, and frets too much for her tastes about budget restrictions on his ability to investigate everything.
Beth and Harry aren't the only characters, or the only relationship, to live and grow and change. The people we've met in Dulwich continue to become fuller, more developed characters, changed by the things that disrupt their lives.
It's a satisfying mystery, with characters I enjoyed spending time with.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher and am reviewing it voluntarily.
Unfortunately, this involves walking past the tomb of the founders of the Picture Gallery. Beth finds this pretty creepy, and tries to pass it while seeing as little as possible.
This doesn't prevent her from seeing a shocking flash of blood red out of the corner of her eye. Being a responsible adult, she has to check it out.
It's not blood. It's just red backpack.
But there is a body lying on top of the sarcophagus of one of the dead founders. She calls 999, and then she calls her police detective acquaintance, Harry York.
These are two likable, responsible adults, who are not altogether pleased with the attraction between them. I'm pleased to say that, for all Harry's complaints, Beth has learned something from her past experience with finding a dead body, and doesn't willfully place herself alone in the presence of a killer. She has also learned to share information with Harry, even if he's very annoying about a lack of reciprocal sharing, and frets too much for her tastes about budget restrictions on his ability to investigate everything.
Beth and Harry aren't the only characters, or the only relationship, to live and grow and change. The people we've met in Dulwich continue to become fuller, more developed characters, changed by the things that disrupt their lives.
It's a satisfying mystery, with characters I enjoyed spending time with.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher and am reviewing it voluntarily.
December 25, 2017
Inspector Harry York is back! And so is the lovely Beth, archivist at Wyatt's. This is the second in Alice Castle's London Murder series, both of which have been set in well-to-do Dulwich where murders just do not happen. But they do - and our Beth (I can say that as I already consider her a friend) unwittingly discovers them. Wandering through Dulwich Art Gallery, Beth comes across a girl's body lying on a sarcophagus. Cue Inspector Harry York. Then another unconscious body is found - a girl from the same class as the other one. Beth finds the coincidence too great and begins her own speculations and investigations (much to York's chagrin).
Ms Castle deftly juggles serious social concerns (teenage angst, bullying) with her light-hearted observations of the Dulwich well-to-do community. Her prose flows beautifully and kept me reading The Girl in the Gallery in almost one go. Her characters are perfectly portrayed to the extent that I felt I knew them. By the way, what the author doesn't know about the art world, just isn't worth knowing. On top of the mystery, red-herrings, social issues, and wit, The Girl in the Gallery is also an education.
Ms Castle deftly juggles serious social concerns (teenage angst, bullying) with her light-hearted observations of the Dulwich well-to-do community. Her prose flows beautifully and kept me reading The Girl in the Gallery in almost one go. Her characters are perfectly portrayed to the extent that I felt I knew them. By the way, what the author doesn't know about the art world, just isn't worth knowing. On top of the mystery, red-herrings, social issues, and wit, The Girl in the Gallery is also an education.
December 19, 2017
This is a very enjoyable mystery read. The heroine is a well-drawn and extremely likeable character, who provides witty insight and comedic observations about the ‘yummy mummy’ community in which she lives.
The book touches on several heavy themes, teenage angst, bullying, the effects of social media and peer pressure on the self-esteem, even anorexia and self-harm. These topics, added to the additional fears, concerns and pressures experienced by the lead character as a single parent, could easily have led the book to become perhaps too emotionally charged and less fun.
Thankfully, the author provides a deft lightness of touch to the exploration of these serious issues that allows the reader to care about and sympathise with the characters without becoming emotionally bogged down. This keeps the book firmly in the ‘cozy mystery’ category and out of dark psychological thriller territory. If that is your cup of tea, I would definitely recommend this as an enjoyable read. Four stars.
The book touches on several heavy themes, teenage angst, bullying, the effects of social media and peer pressure on the self-esteem, even anorexia and self-harm. These topics, added to the additional fears, concerns and pressures experienced by the lead character as a single parent, could easily have led the book to become perhaps too emotionally charged and less fun.
Thankfully, the author provides a deft lightness of touch to the exploration of these serious issues that allows the reader to care about and sympathise with the characters without becoming emotionally bogged down. This keeps the book firmly in the ‘cozy mystery’ category and out of dark psychological thriller territory. If that is your cup of tea, I would definitely recommend this as an enjoyable read. Four stars.
December 11, 2017
The saving grace of this book is it's beautifully written and uses some lovely vocabulary. I enjoyed it, but felt that the plot was weak, and somewhat confused. I didn't get the point of introducing the drug addict boyfriend of Sophia, as that didn't really go anywhere. The 'villain' wasn't really a villain and, in fact there wasn't actually a crime to solve. I felt the book just tailed off into nothing. I did like the characters, Beth and York. I absolutely loved the divine headteacher, Miss Douglas and her friend, Miss Troughton and thought they were brilliant characters who I'd love to meet again. Leanne, the secretary also had a lot going for her. I generally enjoy this kind of easy read, cozy mystery, but this was just a little too contrived with too many holes for my personal taste.
March 3, 2018
Cosy crime at its best!
I was so excited to read this novel after having devoured Alice Castle's brilliant "Death in Dulwich"; her cosy crime formula for London-based shenanigans just gets better and better. This was a truly gripping read that gave a shocking insight into the darker goings on of the teenage schoolgirl underworld. Yet, it is a story that works on many layers and the intriguing, voyeuristic backdrop of Yummy Mummy Dulwich and all its colourful characters (not to mention the will-they-won't-they subject that is Beth Haldane and Harry York's relationship) offers a fabulous contrast which makes this the perfect hygge read. Add to that the author's wonderfully polished use of language, and you really do have the recipe for a great book.
I was so excited to read this novel after having devoured Alice Castle's brilliant "Death in Dulwich"; her cosy crime formula for London-based shenanigans just gets better and better. This was a truly gripping read that gave a shocking insight into the darker goings on of the teenage schoolgirl underworld. Yet, it is a story that works on many layers and the intriguing, voyeuristic backdrop of Yummy Mummy Dulwich and all its colourful characters (not to mention the will-they-won't-they subject that is Beth Haldane and Harry York's relationship) offers a fabulous contrast which makes this the perfect hygge read. Add to that the author's wonderfully polished use of language, and you really do have the recipe for a great book.
February 9, 2018
Another beautifully written book by Alice Castle. I enjoyed the fresh direction this story headed and some of the unexpected themes it tackled. Just like the first book, I found myself turning the pages faster and faster as I got towards the end - I had to know what happened! Looking forward to seeing what crime Beth Haldane will get herself involved in next - she just can't help herself and I love that about her. She's one of those characters who leaves you feeling as if you know her personally. A terrific read.
December 29, 2017
I am really enjoying this series - although the mystery itself could be read as a standalone.
The characters are believable, the relationships interesting and it’s a great murder mystery.
Keep them coming!
The characters are believable, the relationships interesting and it’s a great murder mystery.
Keep them coming!
December 9, 2022
As much as I appreciate the author's use of extensive vocabulary (love the satisfaction of reading just the right word or metaphor...eg. "her kids' birthday parties lasted days and put the son et lumiere spectaculars of Versaielles in the shade."), I found this second book more difficult to read than the first. The plot is intense, and the issues it deals with—teenage anorexia, cutting, suicide, lack of parental interest on a daily basis—are disturbing.
In this book, the ending comes rather suddenly with everything explained instead of experienced. Not sure why this has to be. I also am sensitive to what I consider "language," and there is a bit more in this book.
However, as a well-written mystery, this is an excellent book. For me as a non-British reader, I loved the delightful slang:
- "huge and very ugly moggy"
- "facing swingeing cuts to her income"
- "One of those swotty girls"
- "immense amounts of giggling and argy-bargy"
- "to winkle it out"
- and this hilarious bit about her son's preferred menu: "not a single fish in all the oceans with its fingers intact"
Enjoy.
In this book, the ending comes rather suddenly with everything explained instead of experienced. Not sure why this has to be. I also am sensitive to what I consider "language," and there is a bit more in this book.
However, as a well-written mystery, this is an excellent book. For me as a non-British reader, I loved the delightful slang:
- "huge and very ugly moggy"
- "facing swingeing cuts to her income"
- "One of those swotty girls"
- "immense amounts of giggling and argy-bargy"
- "to winkle it out"
- and this hilarious bit about her son's preferred menu: "not a single fish in all the oceans with its fingers intact"
Enjoy.
December 16, 2022
I liked this second entry in the Beth Haldane series as well! (Although how Beth gets away with keeping her new job -- a promotion -- at the school is beyond me, as she does virtually no work). I feel almost incorrect classifying this as a "cozy," because there's nothing cozily comforting about the mystery. There are some truly awful things going on in Dulwich! But, Beth's not a professional (that would be Harry who relies on her a lot and then yells at her for getting involved), so I'll stick with cozy.
January 17, 2018
Title: The Girl in the Gallery
Author: Alice Castle
Genre: cozy crime
Blurb: Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Dulwich…
It’s a perfect summer’s morning in the plush south London suburb, and thirty-something Beth Haldane has sneaked off to visit one of her favorite places, the world-famous Picture Gallery.
She’s enjoying a few moments’ respite from juggling her job at prestigious private school Wyatt’s and her role as single mum to little boy Ben, when she stumbles across a shocking new exhibit on display. Before she knows it, she’s in the thick of a fresh, and deeply chilling, investigation.
Who is The Girl in the Gallery? Join Beth in adventure #2 of the London Murder Mystery series as she tries to discover the truth about a secret eating away at the very heart of Dulwich.
Extract: As she sped on to the last gallery, containing the current exhibition, Beth automatically stopped for a second opposite one of her favorite still lives – the red, white, and blue bouquet by Jan van Huysum. Eighteenth century flower painters were paid extra for insects, and she loved spotting all the wriggly wildlife. This time, it wasn’t a bug that caught her eye, though. It was something on the very edge of her peripheral vision. Something that jarred, didn’t make sense. Shouldn’t even be there. Shouldn’t even be there. Something that, she realized with dread, was in the mausoleum antechamber. Something that meant, however much she did not want to, she had to turn back and look.
Beth’s heart started to thud. It was a flash of scarlet.
Wasn’t it Constable who’d added red to all his canvases as ‘the salt in the soup’? Well, Beth felt vehemently her life didn’t need even the tiniest jot more seasoning. She could no longer picture the shade crimson lake without shuddering from head to toe, after her ghastly first day at Wyatt’s School.
No, this time, if anything bad was happening, she was not going to stumble across it on her own. Resolutely shutting her eyes, she sidled back past the niche and then ran straight for the ticket desk. She’d get that girl on the desk to come with her, if she had to drag her all the way.
Review: I am giving this book 4.5 stars. It’s a quick and interesting crime novel that keeps us guessing who the committed the crime.
Something is going on at the Girl’s College and it’s up to Beth and the Inspector, Henry to figure it out.
Beth loves to go to the picture gallery but what she don’ese expect or want is to find a young woman barely clinging to life. At first, they were trying to figure out if the victim was trying to commit suicide or if she was deliberately giving drugs without her knowledge. Then another victim comes around and both Beth and the Investigator know it’s something more serious.
The novel brought me back to my high school years and how hard it was to try to fit in, how to become your own person. I adore the little romance that is going on between the investigator and Beth. Both feel it but neither one will bring it up Beth because she believes it would be a disgrace to her dead husband and Henry because of the job he does. I love how the upper-class moms are characterized, it is pictured like any of the shows that show how the rich live.
This book keeps you guessing on who is the killer. Several leads are found and none turn out. It’s up to Beth to figure it out, and hope she doesn’t get into more trouble.
The only thing that I didn’t like was how it ended. There were several loose ends that were brought up that didn’t get explained.
So, if you are in the mood for a lighthearted novel I would highly recommend this one
Award and RaffleCopter: Alice Castle will be awarding $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
Author Bio and Links;: Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph before becoming a novelist. Her first book, Hot Chocolate, was a European best-seller which sold out in two weeks.
Alice is currently working on the sequel to Death in Dulwich and The Girl in the Gallery. The third instalment in the London Murder Mystery series, it will be published by Crooked Cat next year and is entitled The Calamity in Catford. Once again, it features Beth Haldane and DI Harry York.
Alice is also a top mummy blogger, writing DD’s Diary at www.dulwichdivorcee.com.
She lives in south London and is married with two children, two step-children and two cats.
Alice Castle’s Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/alicecastlea...
Alice Castle is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DDsDiary?lang=en
Links to buy Alice Castle’s books: myBook.to/GirlintheGallery myBook.to/1DeathinDulwich, myBook.to/HotChocolate
The book will be on sale for $0.99.
Author: Alice Castle
Genre: cozy crime
Blurb: Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Dulwich…
It’s a perfect summer’s morning in the plush south London suburb, and thirty-something Beth Haldane has sneaked off to visit one of her favorite places, the world-famous Picture Gallery.
She’s enjoying a few moments’ respite from juggling her job at prestigious private school Wyatt’s and her role as single mum to little boy Ben, when she stumbles across a shocking new exhibit on display. Before she knows it, she’s in the thick of a fresh, and deeply chilling, investigation.
Who is The Girl in the Gallery? Join Beth in adventure #2 of the London Murder Mystery series as she tries to discover the truth about a secret eating away at the very heart of Dulwich.
Extract: As she sped on to the last gallery, containing the current exhibition, Beth automatically stopped for a second opposite one of her favorite still lives – the red, white, and blue bouquet by Jan van Huysum. Eighteenth century flower painters were paid extra for insects, and she loved spotting all the wriggly wildlife. This time, it wasn’t a bug that caught her eye, though. It was something on the very edge of her peripheral vision. Something that jarred, didn’t make sense. Shouldn’t even be there. Shouldn’t even be there. Something that, she realized with dread, was in the mausoleum antechamber. Something that meant, however much she did not want to, she had to turn back and look.
Beth’s heart started to thud. It was a flash of scarlet.
Wasn’t it Constable who’d added red to all his canvases as ‘the salt in the soup’? Well, Beth felt vehemently her life didn’t need even the tiniest jot more seasoning. She could no longer picture the shade crimson lake without shuddering from head to toe, after her ghastly first day at Wyatt’s School.
No, this time, if anything bad was happening, she was not going to stumble across it on her own. Resolutely shutting her eyes, she sidled back past the niche and then ran straight for the ticket desk. She’d get that girl on the desk to come with her, if she had to drag her all the way.
Review: I am giving this book 4.5 stars. It’s a quick and interesting crime novel that keeps us guessing who the committed the crime.
Something is going on at the Girl’s College and it’s up to Beth and the Inspector, Henry to figure it out.
Beth loves to go to the picture gallery but what she don’ese expect or want is to find a young woman barely clinging to life. At first, they were trying to figure out if the victim was trying to commit suicide or if she was deliberately giving drugs without her knowledge. Then another victim comes around and both Beth and the Investigator know it’s something more serious.
The novel brought me back to my high school years and how hard it was to try to fit in, how to become your own person. I adore the little romance that is going on between the investigator and Beth. Both feel it but neither one will bring it up Beth because she believes it would be a disgrace to her dead husband and Henry because of the job he does. I love how the upper-class moms are characterized, it is pictured like any of the shows that show how the rich live.
This book keeps you guessing on who is the killer. Several leads are found and none turn out. It’s up to Beth to figure it out, and hope she doesn’t get into more trouble.
The only thing that I didn’t like was how it ended. There were several loose ends that were brought up that didn’t get explained.
So, if you are in the mood for a lighthearted novel I would highly recommend this one
Award and RaffleCopter: Alice Castle will be awarding $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
Author Bio and Links;: Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph before becoming a novelist. Her first book, Hot Chocolate, was a European best-seller which sold out in two weeks.
Alice is currently working on the sequel to Death in Dulwich and The Girl in the Gallery. The third instalment in the London Murder Mystery series, it will be published by Crooked Cat next year and is entitled The Calamity in Catford. Once again, it features Beth Haldane and DI Harry York.
Alice is also a top mummy blogger, writing DD’s Diary at www.dulwichdivorcee.com.
She lives in south London and is married with two children, two step-children and two cats.
Alice Castle’s Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/alicecastlea...
Alice Castle is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DDsDiary?lang=en
Links to buy Alice Castle’s books: myBook.to/GirlintheGallery myBook.to/1DeathinDulwich, myBook.to/HotChocolate
The book will be on sale for $0.99.
November 12, 2022
A Must Read!
The characters are "real" people. Most of us have met them some time in our lives.
With out giving too much away, if you have children or you are related to some, you cannot afford to read this.
The characters are "real" people. Most of us have met them some time in our lives.
With out giving too much away, if you have children or you are related to some, you cannot afford to read this.
October 17, 2022
The second book in the series about Beth Haldane, a single mother living in affluent Dulwich Village, who solves mysteries with the help of Detective Inspector Harry York.
It has been several months since Beth found her boss murdered and her role at Wyatt's boy's school has expanded, not only because of her promotion, but also because she uncovered that the school's founder Thomas Wyatt financed the school with profits from the slave trade, now Beth is curating an exhibition from the school's archives uncovering the horrible history.
Wandering around Wyatt's Museum of Art Beth finds an unconscious young schoolgirl lying on a stone plinth, posed in a flimsy dress with her hands crossed theatrically over her chest. Barely alive, the girl is rushed to hospital, but no-one knows who she is, surely her parents would have reported her missing? Beth uncovers a dark side to the equally prestigious girl's school College School, there seems to be issues with anorexia, cutting, posing on social media and bad behaviour. Could this be a suicide attempt? An inadvertent overdose? But what about the posing of the body - surely that was done by someone else? And then another girl is hospitalised with the same symptoms. Is there a serial killer or a batch of bad drugs?
I felt that this book was a bit all over the place, there were two 'suspects' (for want of a better word) but the way in which the stories were played out made me feel that even the author hadn't decided who would be the killer until near the end and Beth didn't so much uncover the truth using detective work as catch them in the act. I've seen this dual story done before and better.
It has been several months since Beth found her boss murdered and her role at Wyatt's boy's school has expanded, not only because of her promotion, but also because she uncovered that the school's founder Thomas Wyatt financed the school with profits from the slave trade, now Beth is curating an exhibition from the school's archives uncovering the horrible history.
Wandering around Wyatt's Museum of Art Beth finds an unconscious young schoolgirl lying on a stone plinth, posed in a flimsy dress with her hands crossed theatrically over her chest. Barely alive, the girl is rushed to hospital, but no-one knows who she is, surely her parents would have reported her missing? Beth uncovers a dark side to the equally prestigious girl's school College School, there seems to be issues with anorexia, cutting, posing on social media and bad behaviour. Could this be a suicide attempt? An inadvertent overdose? But what about the posing of the body - surely that was done by someone else? And then another girl is hospitalised with the same symptoms. Is there a serial killer or a batch of bad drugs?
I felt that this book was a bit all over the place, there were two 'suspects' (for want of a better word) but the way in which the stories were played out made me feel that even the author hadn't decided who would be the killer until near the end and Beth didn't so much uncover the truth using detective work as catch them in the act. I've seen this dual story done before and better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews