Murder at the Tower of London

Museum Mysteries #9

by Jim Eldridge

London, 1899. Daniel Wilson and Abigail Fenton, the museum detectives, are called upon to investigate a bizarre murder at the White Tower, the heart of the Tower of London. The dead body of a Yeoman is found inside a suit of armour belonging to Henry VIII, having been run through with a sword.

When details of this suspicious outrage are reported to the Prince of Wales, he fears this may be an expression of Republican unrest and calls upon Wilson and Fenton to investigate further.

As their inquiries proceed, Wilson and Fenton learn about the long and bloody history of the Tower of London, unlocking hidden secrets at the heart of the mysterious deaths .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Crime, Audiobook

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2024

About the author

Jim Eldridge is the author of many books for children, including titles in the My Story series, the Warpath books, and How to Handle Grown-Ups. He has had 250 TV scripts broadcast in the UK and internationally for children's and teen television, and is also the creator and writer of Radio 4's long-running comedy-drama series, King Street Junior.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lovely addition to the series, but all in all not one of my favourites. Too much talk about cars tends to have that effect on me

[Anton Müller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Eldridge's Murder at the Tower of London is a captivating historical mystery that blends intrigue and rich historical detail. Set against the iconic backdrop of London's famed Tower, the novel follows an engaging protagonist as they navigate complex clues and a series of suspenseful twists. Eldridge's meticulous research brings the Tudor era vividly to life, a real must-read for fans of historical fiction and thrilling mysteries alike. I really enjoyed that engrossing tale that kept me guessing until the very end!

[ghostly_bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

CAWPILE 7.54
4 STARS

Read for Battleathon August 2024.
I am nearly there! 9th book out of 10 in the Museum Murder series.
I really enjoyed the history and the setting of this one- the tower of London lends itself well to be the location of this novel.
I don't want to spoil anything but the events at the end were really exciting and compelling.
I can't wait to jump into 10 out of 10 and finally finish this series!

[Beachcomber · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded up. As always, favourite characters solving interesting crimes. There is a fair bit of info dumping which is sometimes shoehorned in - Abigail explaining an entire history of something to Daniel, which seems a bit unlikely. And vaguely reminded me of a Scooby Doo episode towards the end as everything wrapped up, but overall I continue to enjoy this series and look forward to the next book.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1899 and a body is discovered hidden in a suit of armour that once belonged to Henry VIII. The dastardly deed being committed in a Royal establishment, news of it was not wanted to become known to the media and the general public. The body is that of one of the Yeoman Wardens who work at the Tower.

The Prince of Wales is consulted and he suggests that Daniel and Abigail Wilson should undertake the investigation so that it need not come out into the public domain. Superintendent Feather of the Metropolitan Police force is called in to lead the assistance to be offered to the duo so that when the situation is solved officers would be available to make the necessary arrests.

Two other murders are committed and suspicion is that they may be related to the death of the Warden. So the Wilsons add that factor into their investigations. They interview many of the folk who work t the Tower and also those who knew the other two people murdered, one of whom is the brother of the Warden.

There are plenty of suspects but Daniel Wilson suspects that the motive for the murders are linked and that the perpetrators of the crimes are involved in some plot to commit a crime at the Tower of London itself. He also believes that some high-powered person is the mastermind of the whole operation.

Investigations are extensive, plenty of suspects are interviewed as Abigail, once an archaeologist, manages to keep her involvement in the investigation unknown by taking a strong interest in an archaeological dig that was taking place at the Tower.

The police play their clandestine part in the investigation providing support for the Museum detectives and making arrests relating to the other two murders that have taken place. As a consequence this leads to confirmation that all the activity is linked and that there is a 'Mister Big' at the head of it all.

Nothing leaks out to press or media and thus the investigative work continues unhindered until, after much hard work and a clever plan to arrest the culprits, a dastardly plot against the Crown was unravelled and the Museum Detectives' case was successfully closed.


A shocking murder is discovered at the heart of the Tower of London. The dead body of a Yeoman Warder is found inside a suit of armour belonging to Henry VIII, having been run through with a sword, and when details of this outrage are reported to the Prince of Wales, he fears this may be an expression of Republican unrest striking at the very home of the Crown Jewels. In the hopes of hampering the spread of news about the crime, the Prince reluctantly calls upon the services of Daniel Wilson and Abigail Fenton, the museum detectives, to investigate further.

As their inquiries proceed, Wilson and Fenton learn about the long and bloody history of the Tower of London, but dark deeds are not confined to the Tower's shadowy past. More bones will see the light of day and the twists and turns of

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a Beefeater is found stabbed to death and stuffed into a suit of armor at the Tower of London, Daniel and Abigail are called out by Edward, the Prince of Wales to help the police in the investigation. Like the previous book Edward wants this kept secret from the press and public for the sake of the royal family. The Prince of Wales has previously detested Daniel because he blamed him and his boss Fred Aberline for the untimely death of his cousin who was suspected of being Jack the Ripper. Putting his antagonism aside he calls in Daniel and Abigail to help with the police inquiries. They find that the victim's twin brother had been viciously killed and his tongue cut out just a few days before. The victim had taken his brother to a Salvation Army meeting in hopes it would help him get off the booze and turn his life around. Was that why the man was also killed at the Tower? Did it have anything to do with the murder of a Salvation Army worker and many attacks on others? We meet many of London's underworld criminals along with corrupt policemen and an aristocratic (almost) super-villain. Really exciting book and the extra background facts and history of the Tower were fascinating.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice enough story, but I prefer the murder mysteries set in World War Two.
Daniel and Abigail Wilson are approached by Prince Albert Edward (King Edward VII) to investigate the murder of a Yeoman Warder in the Tower of London. They're known as the Museum Detectives. Daniel was a police officer, and Abigail was an 'eminent archaeologist'. As they continue their enquiries, in cooperation with Scotland Yard and local stations, more murders come to light, as well as the corruption of a whole police station, and the foiling of a robbery. All this has to be done without anything getting leaked to the press. Daniel and Abigail collect various pieces of the jigsaw puzzle and, along with their police colleagues, solve the crimes, without any publicity whatsoever.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

1899. When a Yeoman of the Guard is found murdered at the Tower, the Prince of Wales is determined that it must be kept completely secret, so he hires Daniel and Abigail to investigate. In the meantime, Inspector Feather two murders just outside the Tower, and one of the victims was the twin brother of the Tower victim. Both Feather and the Wilsons believe there is a connection, but what could it be? As they did deeper, they discover gangsters, police corruption, and more, in this convoluted mystery that is hard to put down.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite entries in the series. I found it a bit too talky especially when it came to cars. And the insertion of historical facts by Abigail at every opportunity got very tiresome. The mystery was pretty good but I thought it kind of fell flat at the end when it was tied up rather quickly. Jim Eldridge is one of my favorite authors but I think i may have to give this series a rest for a while.

[Holly Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is the 9th Museum mystery because the Tower of London is actually a Museum....in this one a theft is planned and it is up to Daniel and Abigail to stop it with their friend Inspector Feather and others of the Police force....Many bodies start piling up and the Crown Jewels themselves are the prize for sneaky and enterprising thieves.....

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

August 1899. A body of one of they Yeoman Wardens is found in the Tower. The Wilsons are employed to find the murderer, while Inspector Feather is investigating the death of Salvation Army Captain Merchant, and the attacks on other members. But more deaths occur. Is there a connection between them all.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.

[Kelly Grice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time Abigail and Daniel are investigating a series of murders for Prince Edward. One of the victims being a beefeater from the Tower of London. The book switches back and forth in it’s investigation between the two detectives and sergeant Feather. It’s interesting and has some tense moments. The ending was pretty good too.

[Rhonda Struthers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing mystery set in the late 1800s. The author include many interesting facts of the history Tower of London which I was able to relate through my tour of this historical site. I enjoyed the museum detectives investigation which uncovered many clues, suspects, twists and the solution to close the case. I look forward to my next museum detective read.

[Donald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of the best in the series, far too many murders involved, with the mastermind revealed far too late and then in a rush it seems. The important fact two bodies are in fact twins, not just brothers, just isn't mentioned until halfway through the book, and it's not even really relevant to the plot, I was expecting mistaken identity or something but no...

[Jhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book

A wonderful edition to the museum detectives series. The historical facts that are included in the research of this series is is fascinating for history buffs and mystery lovers. I highly recommend this book for all readers.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy this series and like the main protagonists. Another good addition to the series.

That said I am getting fed up with the typos and little errors in this series. I am constantly finding small errors and have to question who is proof reading?

[Gene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful series. If you enjoy mysteries set in London, you won’t be disappointed with these.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun murder mystery with a historical twist.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

love this series......Abigail and Daniel are called on again to solve a Museum Mysteries

[Eydie sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series. It's one of my favorites.

[Charlotte Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love readong this series, nice enjoyable reads

[J Grimsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read with the usual delightful characters and historical detail.

[Martin Hollands · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nicely crafted tale.

A good read.

[Michael Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

While still good, the plot line has changed from a who donit to a police procedural.


The perp is eventually intoduced and there isn't any mystery for the reader.
Armstrong is becoming tiresome.

[Sally Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic loved it

[Lyn Mayberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually liked this book. I've read several of this series and I usually find Abigail Fenton odious in the extreme so she generally ruins the books for me. She was better in this book but she continued to harp on about her position in society because she was a woman. She needs to get over herself. She is actually the only one who makes an issue of her womanhood. No-one else does, but she immediately leaps to the defensive as if she assumes that everyone else will.

[Erika Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series! Never disappoints.