In The Red Ribbon by H. B. Lyle, Captain Vernon Kell’s fledgling secret intelligence service faces being shut down before it has even begun its job of saving the British Empire from German and Russian spies. The spring of 1910 was a turbulent time in England. King Edward VII died on May 6 and George,…
Hushed in Death by Stephen Kelly is the third book in the Inspector Lamb series set in the spring of 1942 at a hospital for veterans in rural England that leaves Lamb with a village full of suspects. Hushed in Death opens very somberly. The Elton House’s gardener Joseph Lee is discovered floating in the pond,…
Let’s face it. We Americans have been regaled with stories of our forefathers since we were old enough to spit peas. George and his cherry tree, Honest Abe, and Trust Buster Teddy—but what do we know about our friend and once foe: England? Except for cursory mentions in history classes, a lot of us don’t…
In addition to the return of Endeavour on Masterpiece Mystery this week, PBS will air The Tunnel, a French-English co-production from 2013. If the initial episodes are any indication, this police procedural might be worth digging into. Fair warning to those who prefer their mysteries on the mild side, however—there’s uncomfortable stuff ahead. We begin…
When Downton Abbey finally ended after six glorious seasons, I don’t think I was alone in feeling an acute sense of loss. Even my husband was maudlin for about three days after the finale. On the whole, it was a satisfying ending, where all the storylines—both upstairs and down—were tied up neatly. Even poor Lady…
It’s the last episode of Series 2, and we’re still dealing with the fallout from Gary Bell killing Abigail Redmond in Episode 1. Gary was executed for Abigail’s murder, and hunky vicar Sidney Chambers (James Norton) hasn’t quite gotten over it. He’s drinking to excess, hanging on past last call at the pub, and dribbling…
Read this exclusive guest post from Susanna Calkins about 17th-century murder ballads, and then make sure you're signed in and comment for a chance to win a copy of Susanna's book, A Death Along the River Fleet! The murders in my Lucy Campion mysteries are largely described through ballads, broadsides, and other penny pieces, which…
Amanda (Morven Christie) has thrown herself into Sidney’s campaign to have Gary Bell released from prison. She’s calling in favors from her rich, influential friends. She’s meeting Sidney in a tea shop and ordering his tea with not too much milk, just the way he likes it. She’s talking about hope. Sidney (James Norton), looking…
After the Fire by Jane Casey is the 6th Maeve Kerrigan Novel (Available May 3, 2016). London police detective Maeve Kerrigan has spent plenty of time at Murchison House. One of the many cement high-rise towers comprising the Maudling Estate housing project, Murchison House is home to a motley mix of society. From domestic abuse…
Hard Light by Elizabeth Hand is the 3rd Cass Neary Crime novel that sees punk photographer Cass Neary hook up with a dangerous crowd in London (Available April 19, 2016). Fleeing Reykjavik and a cluster of cult murders, Cass lands in London to rendezvous with her longtime lover Quinn, a person of interest to both…
