The Case of the Four Fingers

by Liz Hedgecock

Meet a detective duo – a century apart!

When new constable Steph is sent to mark time at a Liverpool police station on the verge of closing, she sees it as the death of her career. Then she meets Nora, the hundred-year-old ghost of a police officer, who’s determined to get a few more cases under her belt.

Together they investigate the Case of the Four Fingers, a macabre episode which has haunted Nora for over sixty years. It resulted in a young man’s death – and never went to trial.

However, Steph finds this cold case the least of her problems: having a ghost colleague isn’t easy. Nora’s bossy, out of step with modern life, and has a habit of disappearing whenever her boss turns up. Finally, Steph learns something that makes her question their whole relationship.

Can Steph and Nora learn to trust each other? Will they solve the case before the police station is sold to developers? And what will happen if they do?

Genres: Mystery

147 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2022

About the author

I grew up in south London, did an English degree, and then took forever to start writing. The stories started to grow longer...and then the murders began!

I tend to write Victorian mysteries of a not-too-scary nature. I've somehow managed to have 3 separate Sherlock Holmes-themed series (why make things easy?). I also co-wrote the Caster & Fleet mystery series with Paula Harmon, and my Maisie Frobisher Mysteries series is a spinoff from that.

I write a modern cozy mystery series, Pippa Parker Mysteries, and my newest series, The Magical Bookshop, is a cozy mystery series with a touch of fantasy and magic.

Visit my website for book info, links to stories, and my blog, in which I ramble on about all sorts of things. Hope to see you soon.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining ghost listening. 🎶🎵✨

This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 1 of 2

Sheph is sent to the haunted police station. She is the only person there 8 AM to 6 PM and no one comes in. Then she meets the woman ghost and the superintendent. They open a case of the four fingers and the fun begins. Great story and ending.

I would recommend to readers of fantasy ghosts mystery novels. 2024

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and couldn't put it down! It's a short but gripping story featuring a detective duo with a difference. I highly recommend it, and would happily read more if it were to become a series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, not really for me. Wanted a quick, easy read between other books, but it wasn't really my cup of tea.

[Kelly A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the usual mystery with a little paranormal thrown in. This book takes you on a different ride and there are mysteries within the mystery. A newly minted Constable ends up working with a ghost to solve an old mystery. It begins slowly but draws you into what happened to Tom Tinsley and whose four fingers were those found in a box. Intriguing, interesting and unexpected.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Avis Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A “whodunit” mystery with a cozy supernatural twist. I don’t usually read supernatural stories but, knowing what a great writer Liz Hedgecock is, I couldn’t resist reading an ARC offered on Booksprout. I was not disappointed. She was inspired by a visit to an historic building and of course ended up thinking “What if ..........” What would you do if you were the only police constable in a historic, dilapidated police station? What if you could see ghosts from the past who could help you solve an old case found in the Filing Room? This is a fascinating story, really well written and thought out. It even gives the reader an insight into how the treatment of women in the police force has developed. I hope we see more of WPC Steph and the ghostly Nora solving more cold cases. This could be another addictive series from the author. Highly recommended reading for cozy mystery fans.

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constable Steph has just transfered to a new station and is called in the Inspectors office and given a new responsibility, running her own stattion. However it's the Bridewell, which is in the process of being decommisioned and sold to be turned in to apartments. More a punishment than a promotion.
Shortly after getting there she meets Nora, a ghost from almost a century ago. She is flabbergasted and has a bit of a tough time believing all that's going on.
Nora talks her in to researching old files and soon s
they are working on the case of the four fingers.
This is a quick read but quite interesting and the characterss are well rounded. It may be a one off but I hope it's a new series as it has good potential.

Disclaimer:I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constable Stephanie aka Steph is recently transferred to Liverpool! When she’s suddenly put in charge of a dilapidated station house that’s ready to be demolished in 2 weeks she’s not happy. When she arrives and discovers a strange woman there it unsettles her! Turns out it’s a ghost who has been stuck there from the early 1900’s. Together they solve the crime of an innocent young man! When he is freed to go to his eternal peace with the help of the Inspector she feels like she did a proper job of a detective despite being a constable!
I was surprised by this book and this new author or new to me! I absolutely loved this book! I look forward to reading many more books in the series and by this author!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constable Stephine Sharpe was asked to go to Bridewell.Everyone in the precinct hestitated to go there. But she does her duty and goes there and gets the surprise of her life when she meets her first ghost Nora . The building was going to be turned into luxury flats and she had to be the caretaker for the time being. Nora wanted her to help solve a case of the four severed fingers .A sergeant Mannings was handling the case at that time. A young lad Thomas Tinley was wrongly accused. It was up to Stephine and Nora to find the true culprits. There is a lot of mayhem and humor in this story. A Very enjoyable read. I received this book free via booksprouts and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Marcia Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is my second time reading a book by this author, and I have enjoyed it very much. In this story, Stephine heads to another police station in Bridewell. Then, she meets Nora, who is the ghost of a police officer who is seeking aid in solving a case of four fingers. Steph is perplexed and curious at the same time, but she decides to help her ghost coworker. Together, they investigate who committed the bizarre act and what led to it. A laugh-out-loud funny and unputdownable book, the author knew how to arouse the reader's curiosity. Each page is a compelling invitation to get involved. Definitely worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunted police station, cold unsolved cases and a surprising crime busting partner, which only happens to be over 100 years old, what an introduction to policing for PC Steph!

A short fun read for Halloween, which I enjoyed very much. Full of exciting challenges, a clever mystery, an extremely satisfying end to the villains but that is not unusual for Hedgecock's books. I hope that this develops into a proper series and I would certainly want to read more about Nora and Steph in the near future!!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cool book to read.
Oh joy oh joy her own station okay it out of way, rundown Bridewell Station were nothing happens but still! Yet she no more got settled then action, adventure, and a mystery came her way. Now out of the blue Stephanie who of course is being a thoughtful and dedicated police officer has to help when another officer ask for her to assist with a case. This was so fun to read the character were something else the story was trippy and it was entertaining from start to finish. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Renee Arthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steph is a new constable at the Erksine Police Station. With only busy-work to do there, her Inspector sends her to Bridewell, a practically abandoned police station, and the craziness begins. She was expecting to be bored. What she wasn't expecting was seeing a ghost! This is a well written, fun cozy mystery and the setting was very cool. I really enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tom Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual go to but I am really pleased to have read this book. The author has you gripped and you won’t stop turning the pages until you know the final outcome.
I found the story to be very well written and has you en captured into the story too, you are with Steph and Nora every step of the way.
I thoroughly recommend reading this novella.
I received this arc for free and I wanted to leave an honest review.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super adorable. I loved Steph's ghost partner Nora. They are a great team. They were able to solve a cold case through a combination of present-day technology and ghost-assisted history to fill in the gaps about what wasn't reported in the news. I hope Steph and Nora return to solve more cold cases and allow ghosts to move on.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Kavcic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-done short read, with many of the facts taken from a real case. It features a Constable in Liverpool who must take her turn in a nearly abandoned police station, and discovers she can see the ghost who died about 100 years ago. After the two decide to trust each other, they collaborate on a very interesting cold case from the 1960s - with a number of surprising turns. I'm leaving this honest review after receiving advance copy.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, well defined and thought out characters. The cases are realistic. Steph learns she needs to work and trust the ghost she sees. They have a number of twists and turns while working on a cold case.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Case of the Four Fingers is a short but fun read with likable characters, human and otherwise. The story is well-written and kept me engaged from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Doty Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. A few chapters before picking up speed. Once that was done, very turns, twist, learning how each person was friend,foe , frenemes, or flat out ,untruthful and no help. a Retired policeman ghost ? well why not? even ghost need a hobby, why not with cold cases?

A must read.

[MandyMart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author and it will not be my last. This was highly entertaining and somehow believable. Really looking forward to reading more by Liz Hedgecock. Give this a read. You’ll enjoy Stephanie’s character too! Nice, smooth writing style. Superb!

[Kate Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I loved the characters and can’t wait to read the next one! No cliff hangers and fantastic storyline.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a unique book!
Suspenseful, entertaining, gripping - I loved it.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Helen Tonks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. Couldn’t put it down!
Second book of Liz Hedgecock I like her short stories!
Thank you 😊

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newly transferred Constable Stephanie Sharpe finds herself assigned all the less appealing jobs at her new posting, so it's not a surprise when she is charged with the care of the essentially decommissioned Bridewell station. After meeting Nora the ghost constable who is driven to solve a cold case, Steph begins an investigation - but not it's not without its challenges.

Steph is a terrific investigator and Nora is a valuable member of the team despite her ghostly obstacles. Together they are unstoppable.

I loved the premise of this story and wanted to read it the moment I heard the concept. The plot held up to its promise and the author delivered a deliciously eerie tale. What a treat!

Thank you to Booksprout and Liz Hedgecock for a chance to review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie, Steph for short is a constable who wants to see some action so she transfers from her rural precinct in Chelsea to the city of Liverpool. Her first big assignment is to watch over the deserted Bridewell station before it is sold in two weeks. She is feeling down since this was not what she was looking for when she transferred until she meets Nora a ghost attached to Bridewell. Things begin to look up when with the prodding of Nora she decides to look into a cold case Nora is sure was mis-handled and the boy who died in jail was innocent. So the adventure begins and with some laughs we are taken to a page turning cozy mystery which has you turning pages until the surprise ending. I can't wait to see where this series goes. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read many of Liz Hedgecock’s series and enjoyed them all. While building a new story requires introducing characters, places and times, the beginning of this one seemed to drag a bit. Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars. It wasn’t until several chapters in that the pace picked up. After that I was fascinated and the ending was a surprise. Definitely I would be interested in this becoming a series now that the basic facts are set. While there are ghosts in this story, they are generally the victims. It will be interesting to see how this cold case group of dead, undead and skeptics develop.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful tale from the imagination of Liz Hedgecock. I do not normally choose paranormal stories, but I thought I would give it a try. The characters, setting and the story were so interesting that I was immediately drawn in. What a delightful adventure! I would love to read more about Steph, Nora and Inspector Farnsworth!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the way Liz Hedgecock wrote this, it was what I was hoping for from the description. I loved the blend of supernatural and mystery and it was what I was hoping for. I hope there is more like this book, as I really enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

a clever young woman detective connects with the spirit of an imperfect woman detective from the past

can they solve the current case before outside forces destroy elements linked to them?

friendships and ingenuity across time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this really entertaining. It has a very interesting storyline. The characters are unique. Stephanie and Nora had a unique partnership in solving this mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful well written book that I really enjoyed reading.
This is the first book I have read by author Liz Hedgecock.
But it won't be my last... Loved reading...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.