Murder, I Spy

Dora and Rex 1920s Mysteries #1

by Lynn Morrison

When a bright young man teams up with a glamorous femme fatale, the identity of a murderer won't be the only secret they'll unmask.

London, 1922. Between gallivanting in his Rolls-Royce and darkening the doorways of London's hotspots, Lord Reginald “Rex” Bankes-Fernsby has almost succeeded in banishing the battlefield nightmares that plague his sleep. Pity he can't say the same about that nagging lack of direction in his life.

If only he were like his best friend Freddie - self-assured, suave, and up to his ears in secrets. But when Freddie is murdered, Rex doubts the verdict. Was Freddie really cut down while up to no good or was he killed in the line of duty?

Rex turns to the only person in London capable of helping him find out - Theodora Laurent, London’s most notorious femme fatale and Freddie's last known lover.

Theodora has a hundred reasons to let sleeping cats lie, but those disappear into the aether when Rex shows up on her doorstep and someone takes a shot at her head. Together, they’re catapulted into a race for their lives, where identifying the murderer is their only hope for survival.

There’s just one problem. Freddie wasn’t the only one keeping secrets. If Theodora isn’t careful, Rex’s search for the truth could send her cunningly constructed empire falling like dominos.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Cozy

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2023

About the author

Lynn Morrison lives in Oxford, England along with her husband, two daughters and two cats. Originally from the US, she has also lived in Italy, France and the Netherlands. It’s no surprise then that she loves to travel, with a never-ending wishlist of destinations to visit. She is as passionate about reading as she is writing, and can almost always be found with a book in hand. You can find out more about her on her website LynnMorrisonWriter.com.

You can chat with her directly in her Facebook group - Lynn Morrison’s Not a Book Club - where she talks about books, life and anything else that crosses her mind.

Reviews

[Lynn Morrison]

MURDER, I SPY, the first full-length book in my 1920s Dora & Rex mystery series, is ready for release on April 26th. It is perfect for fans of Miss Fisher and Downton Abbey.

Lord Rex is determined to discover why his best friend was shot dead behind a pub in London's slums. His search takes him to the doorstep of Theodora Laurent, London's newest femme fatale and his best friend's last companion. He expects to get some answers. Instead, Rex and Dora end up dodging bullets.

With the pair in a race for their lives, their search will take them across London, from the dockside slums to the highest echelons of society. Snappy dialogue, car chases, and quick wit will keep you turning the pages until late into the night.

If you want a sneak peek at the series, the prequel novella MURDER AT THE FRONT is available for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8ln9kn5234

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great pair these two make! I loved their relationship and getting to know them through their investigation. It was nice for the woman to be the more proficient of the two for a change and enjoyed how she saved Rex from himself (and others). The mystery was solid but the reveal could have been drawn out more. Otherwise, a wonderful start for a new (to me) series and I can’t wait to see what they get up to next.

[Huldie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

The story was okay but there were glaring errors. At one point Dora is reading a book that she calls "hounds of the baskervilles" when the correct title is The Hound of the Baskervilles. She addresses Red's grandmother as Lady Rockingham, when she is the Dowager Duchess and should be addressed as "your grace." Errors such as these distracted me from the story.

[Jeri]

Could not finish. Affected, annoying, overly simplistic. 15% and I was done.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

A good start. Dora is the experienced spy who's been in the game since her husband died during WWI in France. When Rex started to investigate the murder of his good friend Freddie, the first thing he did was visit Dora who was supposed to be Freddie's most recent lady friend, but the relationship was more complicated than he realised.

There is also a fun set of secondary characters that I hope would come back in the next books. The audio version also contains the prequel to the series about how Dora started in the spy business.

[Diana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am surprised by the great reviews of this book. I wanted to like it, but all the characters were so unlikeable. Dora is so arrogant (no man can resist me) and treats other people like dirt. Rex is stupid and has no backbone.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read,

Loved the historical timeline. Post ww1 espionage and adventures. Especially enjoyed a female spy and protagonist who was a lot kore abapble than the male hero.

[Rebeccah · Rating 3 out of 5]

1

[Shelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This certainly did not live up to the advertising. It was so cliched. Dora worries about keeping Rex convinced she’s just a flighty society girl while simultaneously handling the car like a Grand Prix racer or disguising herself as a working class girl, etc. She effortlessly charms everyone blah blah blah. DNF.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m tempted to read the second one to see if it’s possible these characters (plot…literally everything) are as two dimensional as this book. The “chemistry” that’s supposed to exist between Rex and Dora is nonexistent, the plot is both boring and implausible, and the whole thing is overly simplistic and juvenile feeling.

[Nic2416 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Entertaining but I felt like the author was beating me over the head with how alluring, enthralling, intoxicating etc. Dora was. Eye rolls ensued with each successive mention. She also comes across as being superior than everyone else and she needs some humility or human frailty.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Girl and Adventuress

If you’ve ever seen a trailer for a new movie, with its montage of dramatic and action packed snippets, and thought I’ve got to see that, then you know how important that advertising is to the actors and movie creators. Well, when it comes to books the only “trailer” an author and publisher has is a book’s synopsis and reader reviews. So, when I stumbled upon the synopsis for Murder, I Spy, by Lynn Morrison, it was repeatedly likened to Downton Abbey and the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Naturally, being a huge fan of both, I asked for and received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in exchange for my honest review so I could form my own opinion. Unfortunately, as so often is the case comparisons can create an expectation that is not as visually accurate as a movie trailer. This explains why after the first two chapters I was disappointed. Oh, not in the book—heavens no! The book is a triumph at depicting a strong female protagonist “It Girl” and adventuress who serves her need to be free in a post WWI society where social and gender constraints are the norm, all while serving her country discretely. Granted, she’s a 24 year-old English aristocrat born with a silver spoon, meaning she’s titled, highly educated and doesn’t lack for money or its material trappings. But, that is where the comparisons need to end. They are unfair to Ms. Morrison and the expert characters and premise she has created with the Dora and Rex Mysteries, which are a category unto themselves. This is in large part due to the way the thoroughly researched story unfolds. As the reader, you are not waiting until the end of a story for the denouement, where all is revealed in front of a manor house full of suspects. No, like one of Theodora (Dora) Laurent’s trainees, you are slowly being conditioned to think and deduce as a spy would the mystery before you. It is an immersive feeling that creates a fine line for the reader to walk. Much like the line between the spy persona of Theodora Laurent and her real identity Dora, that the protagonist walks in service of her country. In fact, Ms. Morrison emphasizes many lines that become blurred in England’s post WWI society. Gender, social, and economic lines that were once distinctly drawn between classes, men and women, are now hard to reinforce when The Great War made them irrelevant just four years earlier. No, I cannot say whether or not you will like this book if you like Downton Abbey or Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. I will however advise you to approach this series without comparing it to anything else. It is hearty enough to stand alone free of shadows. But, I will strongly urge you to by this book and then head to the author’s website to download the prequel novella, Murder at the Front. It is the origin story for the Dora and Rex Mysteries and it is exceptional! In fact, is it so riveting and substantial in storyline that I’m amazed it wasn’t offered for sale as a book in the series. Once you’ve read the books you’ll become a convert as I have and in the words of Dora, or do they really belong to Theodora Laurent, you’ll “…enjoy the lick of the flames far too much to walk away”.

[Ана Хелс · Rating 5 out of 5]

Запознайте се с най-кьопавите шпиони – детективи в историята на мистериозното МИ5/6, които си заслужават нулите пред имената, но абсолютно никаква цифричка след тях. И на всичкото отгоре дори не са нарочно смотани или вдъхновени от персонажите на Роуън Аткинсън или Джеки Чан, ами доста сериозно се смятат за манна небесна, спасение свише на всички благородници в нужда у дома и зад граница. Но фактите са си факти – вземате две благородни дупета, които някак са оцелели през Голямата война, от немайкъде ги зарибявате да си пъхат носовете къде трябва и не трябва, и да разравят лични и държавни тайни с хубава , голяма пръчка докато ситуацията прилично се ароматизира, и очаквате да са фантастични професионалисти.

И очакванията ви се покриват, ама не поради някакви лични качества или достойни за уважение усилия, ами по волята на великият Късмет ТМ. А това работи, винаги, навсякъде, независимо дали са замесени кралски особи, фашисти, професионални главорези или опиумни царе, двойката Рекс и Дора оцеляват без дори едно одраскване по кутрето и заедно посрещат залеза с чаша шампанско в ръка. Това можете да е прелестна саркастична трактовка на великата тропа с Големият лош шпионин, но всъщност имате два особено смотани образа, прекарващи целият невъзможен пълп на класическият ноар през цедката на феминистичната дамска криминална литература. Защото водеща в двойката е очарователната Дора, чийто образ ще ви кара да си удряте челото с длан толкова пъти, че цялата Ода на радостта може да изкарате през плясъци.

Представете си дъщерята на съвсем немаловажен лорд, която бяга на фронта далече от задушаващата любов на благородното си семейство, и се жени за приятел от детинство, който по съвместителство е богат виконт, представител на лгбт движението и умира при предателска мисия, която е нейното бойно кръщене в детективстването. Тя успява да го разкрие по силата на неща като случайност, тъпота на извършителите и намиране на четирилистна дет��лина, но големият бъдещ шеф на британското разузнаване вижда нещо в нея, и я представя на света като френска фем фатал, пред която Майли Сайръс, сестрите Кардашиян и Лил Ким могат просто да влязат в манастир от отчаяние и прекомерно приличие. И никой не я заподозира дори за секунда, дори лорд Рекс, който е бил близък другар на мъртвият ѝ съпруг.

Да, такива абсурдности се очаква да приемем с чаша вода и широка усмивка, но някак Лин Морисън успява да си продаде историята, с абсолютно всичките ѝ недостатъчности, недоизказаности, исторически абсурди, зловредни персонажни решения и какво ли още не. И ако се кефите на който и да е рандъм Бонд филм, и сте добре предразположени към феминизма, някак си харесвате всяка една от историите, и искате да знаете докъде може да стигне авторката в измислици – премислиците си. Ако има такова нещо като хубава литературна катастрофа – това ще е .

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best books, for me, are when I feel like I’m actually there with the characters, not just reading about them and that’s the case with Murder, I Spy. It’s been a while since I’ve read an historical mystery and this book has rekindled my desire to read more!
Dora is wonderful, loved her. She’s not only intelligent and quick witted, but the author writes her so well that she’s totally believable as an adventurous woman ahead of her time. I also love Inga, Dora’s loyal and trusted companion. Along with Harris, they make a good team and I hope we get to see more of them both in future books, along with the Dowager too. All the characters are well written and I laughed aloud at times when poor old Rex got all discombobulated, not knowing how to take or deal with Dora and some of her actions and antics 😆
Fast paced at times - though with enough slower times that it never felt rushed - there’s action and excitement, with twists and turns in the plot that keep you guessing until the end, loved it!
I’d recommend reading the prequel, Murder at the Front, beforehand, as it’ll give you more detail of Dora’s first encounter with Rex and the events that lead to her current position. I already felt I knew the main characters straight off and didn’t have to go through the ‘getting to know you’ period.
Really well written characters, plot and settings - I was transported to 1920’s and didn’t want to leave! Very much looking forward to continuing on Dora’s journeys and adventures in book 2 😄

[Starfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This teetered on the edge between a high three-star and a low four-star read for me.

On the plus side, it's fun seeing how Dora and Rex first really started working together (yes, Murder at the Front was where they first met, but Rex never REALISED he was working with Dora in the prequel novella. I also really enjoyed the way the book transported me to 1920s London- a time period I don't think I've ever read anything set in before. And I do like Dora, who feels like a 1920s Hedy Lamarr.

On the minus side - it'll come as no surprise to anyone who's read previous reviews I've written that I like my characters competent. If a book has two POV leads, I really like them to be equally competent - perhaps in different ways, but still relatively equal. And that's really, really not the case in this book.

Yes, Dora is uber competent, but Rex just... isn't. There might be the raw ingredients there, but he basically spends the entire book feeling bamboozled and confused and led around by his second brain as Dora pretty much manipulates him from scene to scene to get what she wants. That's not a dynamic I enjoy when there's an uber competent male lead and a female with almost zero agency or ability of her own, and I don't love it any more just because it's genderbent in this one.

On the plus side, the ending suggests that it's not a dynamic that continues into Book 2, so I'm grateful for that - and I'm definitely looking forward to getting on with Book 2 next month.

[Christine Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, light audio book just when I needed it.

Getting to travel back to the glamorous part of the 1920's and following a murder mystery are two of my favorite things, so the book had an advantage from the start. The mystery itself wasn't terribly sophisticated or subtle, but it didn't seem to me that the mystery was what it was really about. Instead, it seemed to be more focused on the development of the characters of Dora and Rex and establishing the foundation of their relationship which, no doubt, will serve as the basis for follow ups.

For that reason alone, I reduce the stars: I wanted a bit more complexity out of the puzzle at the core of the novel, and the author just didn't provide it. The solution to the whole problem didn't require amazing acuity or skill on the part of the spies, so I was a little disappointed in that.

However, the narration was fun to listen to; it's always nice to hear British characters read with a British accent. I enjoyed the audio version very much.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would definitely recommend reading the prequel Murder at the Front again and moving right into Murder, I Spy. Although Murder, I Spy takes place a decade later than the prequel, it puts you in the right mindset for these wonderful characters. It’s been 10 years since Rex and Dora had crossed paths and they more than make up for the lost time when a mutual friend is murdered and they work together to uncover why it happened and who did it. Very vivid descriptions put you right into the story and lots of action and intrigue keep you hooked. Dora is unquestionably a force to be reckoned with and we do learn a bit of her background. Some surprising twists and a wonderful nod to author Jessica Baker’s A Lady Thea Mystery. Loved Rex’s grandmother. She was definitely an unexpected plus to the story. I can’t wait for the next adventure with these great characters.

[Kathy Penn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful find. Murder I Spy has everything I look for in a mystery--British characters, witty dialogue, and a twist. Add the WWI setting and I was in heaven.

Despite the serious circumstances, the book opens with a charming scene of champagne corks popping on a wedding night. Not too many pages in, though, tragedy strikes, and you're caught up in the reality of soldiers and nurses in wartime. I love to learn a bit of history when I read fiction, and the "real" setting for this mystery satisfied that need for me.

I'm a former English teacher and a writer, so trust me when I tell you that this book is not only entertaining but also very well-written. I strongly suggest you grab it now. I predict you'll fall in love with Dora and Rex. I did, and I'm off to download Book II in the series.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start for new series, thought it takes half the book to discover why Dora has become an uncover agent for a little known British organization. The blending of cultures in the early 1920's is describing well, as is the painful memories Lord Rex and his upper class male friends brought home from WWI battlefields.
Rex's grandmother, Lady Rockingham not only accepts Dora into her home to hide out during investigation, but wonder of wonder the two women get along famously, leading Rex to wonder what his grandmother may have done in her youth.
There is much gallivanting around London, both in upper crust areas and the docks trying to discover why their friend Freddie was killed. I enjoyed most of the book, though I figured out what was the cause of Freddie's death.

[Anne Kavcic · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A fun introduction to a new series, following on the heels of the Keys of Oxford series (one of my favorites). Although the Dora and Rex series doesn't have any paranormal elements, it promises to be fun and suspenseful. Dora's back history is fascinating and we want to read more (perhaps it will come in a later book), and Lord Rex and his friends are good, honest young men who help solve this first murder mystery of one of their friends. (OK, as young people in the 20s they also do their share of hijinks too!) I like the characters, story and writing and look forward to the next book.

[Laurie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and especially enjoyed the narration.

Love the plot and plucky main characters. This first book sets the stage for the series where someone dies and then two independent parties each work to figure out whodunnit. They work together, while keeping their purposes under wraps.

There’s a chase scene with guns, some late night adventures, abductions, and red herrings before they come to the conclusion. The very ending is a sweet reveal.

Looking forward to more adventures.

The audio includes a novella at the end that explains a previous encounter of the two main characters. Very special story.

[Carrie ✨ The Blinging Bibliophile✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a typical first book in a cozy mystery series, with the first half being quite clunky but the second half picked it up.

Dora is a spy taking a respite while still remaining undercover in her false identity.

Rex is a war veteran Lord? Duke? I missed it. It didn't really come into play like it would in a Regency.

The come together to solve the murder of a mutual friend. I liked it enough to try the 2nd book even though I did guess our culprit.

Anyway, I've read and liked Lynn Morrison's latest co-authored work so thought I'd check out her solo series. Bonus that the first seven of the series are offered on audio.

[Mbsuther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, Spy

That would be the more appropriate title. First of all, the ratings for this book are what hooked me. And, spoiler alert, the blurbs were only mostly accurate. What made the storyline good was the "ineptitude" of Lord Rex and the "quick-wittedness" of Dora. (BTW, this would have been a fabulous 60's/70's TV series.) That said, the author plays her characters off each other in a very deft way. As with alot of these series, the second and third level characters are also well played. I want to see how these two manage, as she is the more experienced and is easily the leader of the team. A very good series start. A 4.6 out of 5 rating.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having briefly ‘met’ Dora previously, I couldn’t wait to get to know her better. She is a bright young thing in the very best sense of the term: Smart, sassy, brave, dazzling and utterly amazing - what a leading lady this series has! Rex is the perfect foil and their partnership looks set to be one of my favourites. The plot keeps you guessing, the characters are so likeable and the things they get up to are so entertaining. It’s very easy to picture both the characters and their surroundings, as they are painted so vividly through Lynn’s words - I can’t wait for more!

[Karen Soriano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this book to be released in Audio. There was so much chatter about the ebook when it was released. I had read other books by Lynn Morrison so I new it was going to be good. The descriptions of the time period, the clothes and the setting in London are so true to life its easy to picture. I was captivated from the first page to the last.
It may make more sense to read the novella first. It will give you a background of what Rex was going through. I love Pearl Hewitt's narration. She really brings the characters to life!

[Celest · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Intriguing Mystery

This is by far one of the best mysteries I've read lately. Lynn Morrison is an excellent writer with a lot of knowledge included in her work. This book was full of surprises, intrigue and excitement. There was never a lull in the series of events unfolding during the investigation of the murder. The characters were all very different and realistic, I loved Dora and Rex, especially Dora. I appreciate the way everything was wrapped up in the end and enlisting a new spy into the fold. Thanks to Prime Reading for this book, it was wonderful.

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDER, I SPY is a delightful, fresh initial adventure in Lynn Morrison's "Dora and Rex 1920s Mysteries" series. Promoted as a Amazon Kindle 1st read, it drew my attention for the time period, with the English setting and mystery- spy intrigue. I read the prequel to set the stage for the historical mystery series. Some English mystery series seem stiff and dry. However, the amusing character development of Rex and Dora, as well as twists and turns in the plot, keep this light read entertaining. I anticipate the next installment. 4.5 rating

[Fred Masek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about who killed Freddie and what was he investigating . We followed the clues ( and twists and turns) which included the properness of the English. The interaction of the upper class with the lower class was classical. There were loads of surprises and great characters. All in all a page turner that could not be put down. I recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy and am writing this honest review voluntarily.

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not sure why this didn't work for me. I'm generally a fan of books with clever female leads. I think the problem was, for me, she comes off as a bit mean. Sure, she's a spy, and has to keep that fact secret, but I didn't care for her manner. And he mostly comes off as not too bright. I got to just about the halfway point and, as far as I could tell, there'd basically been no progress. So a DNF for me.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and well paced mystery. I liked both Rex and Dora and it was nice to see the female as the one with the skills. Rex will catch up, I’m sure, but it was fun to see Dora with the know-how. I also liked her bravery and pluckiness. The mystery was good and provided a few surprises along the way. Supporting characters were interesting and added much to the story. I'll be sticking with this series.