Nobody should be in the market… for murder!
Even though its famous opera house has shuttered its doors for the war, Covent Garden remains one of the most exciting, bustling areas of London. It’s where Hannah Merrill and Aunt Violet have their bookshop and, in spite of the recent spate of burglaries in the area, it’s generally thought to be a good neighbourhood.
So Hannah is surprised when she sees a fellow shopkeeper – a jeweller named Jacob Cornelis – having a heated argument with a stranger. Especially when the next day Cornelis is found dead in his shop, apparently the victim of another burglary.
But what shocks Hannah more is when she meets the policeman supposedly there to investigate the crime. Because he is none other than the man who Hannah saw arguing with Cornelis the day before.
Hannah knows it’s up to her and Violet to investigate. But they don’t know they’re about to uncover a secret underworld of theft, murder and blackmail. And they must act fast, before the Covent Garden Killer strikes again…
A gripping and unputdownable Golden Age cozy crime mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Helena Dixon and Verity Bright.
Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/MurderCoventGarden
The latest instalment in the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet series brings murder almost to Hannah’s doorstep. When another shop owner is murdered, Hannah almost accidentally ends up investigating his death. However, her involvement is complicated by issues in her own life.
Aunt Violet, usually her stalwart companion in investigating, is somewhat distracted by the reappearance of the mysterious Mr Alfara- someone who she stoutly refuses to discuss with Hannah. Aiden is keeping his own secrets as well and Darius seemingly disapproves of Hannah involving herself in the case.
The advantage of this, is that it enables Hannah to co-opt Archie and Penny, her employees, to help her and thus, their characters are fleshed out more in this book.
The case itself keeps Hannah, and the reader, guessing right to the end and I still hadn’t worked it out by the time all was revealed.
I've said before that one of the reasons I like this series is because the war adds a different dimension to it. However, it’s also because it doesn’t shy away from social realities of the time and Hannah, like many of her real life counterparts, fears that marriage will involve curtailing her activities. She wants to be with the man she loves, but not at the expense of her independence and for a time it seems as though that is in real jeopardy. It will be interesting to see as the series progresses, how that balance is sought. I look forward to the next instalment!
Anita was brought up in London, a city with a history that has always fascinated her and influenced her first attempts at writing. Her first three novels featured a 17th Century West Country family on the losing side of the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Other previous work includes an Edwardian Cosy Mystery series featuring amateur sleuth, Flora Maguire set in early 20th Century London and Cheltenham. Anita’s most recent work is the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mysteries set in WWI from Boldwood Books.
Social Media Links –
Twitter: @AnitaSDavison
Instagram: @anitadavison3740
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AnitaDavisonNews
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/anita-davison
Comments