Summary: Murder Comes to Call (A Beryl and Edwina Mystery book 4) by Jessica Ellicott
The
lean years following World War I can lead to desperate acts—even in the quiet
English village of Walmsley Parva. When a series of burglaries seems to
culminate in murder, brash American Beryl Helliwell and proper Brit Edwina
Davenport are eager to solve the case . . .
World-renowned adventuress Beryl Helliwell cited for
“reckless” motoring? Why, the very idea! Constable Gibbs just has it in for
her. The solution? Charm the magistrate, of course. But days after Beryl's
appearance before the bench, she and Edwina pay a visit to the magistrate only
to find his home ransacked and the man himself lying dead at the bottom of a
grand staircase.
Given the state of the house, his death appears to be
connected to a rash of robberies in the village. Declan O’Shea, the handsome
helper Beryl hired to assist their aged gardener Simpkins, falls under
suspicion after having had his own run-in with the magistrate—but mostly, Beryl
believes, because he’s Irish.
While unofficially looking into the magistrate's murder, the
ladies are hired in their official capacity as private inquiry agents to find
census reports that have gone missing. Is someone trying to hide something from
the census takers—and could that theft have anything to do with the
magistrate’s death? Beryl and Edwina are once again in fine form as they engage
in a little reckless sleuthing to bring these assorted mysteries to a speedy
conclusion. . . .(from Amazon).
My thoughts about the book
When former celebrity adventuress Beryl Helliwell and local
budding novelist Edwina Davenport are hired to investigate a series of burglaries,
one with implications of national importance, they find local magistrate’s home
burgled and the man himself dead at the bottom of the grand staircase.
Murder Comes to Call is installment 4 out of 4 in A Beryl and Edwina Mystery series by Jessica Ellicott. The story is set in post WW1 English village Walmsley Parva where inquiry agents Beryl and Edwina are hired to investigate the theft of village census reports when they find the local magistrate dead in his home. Under cover of working on the census case, Beryl and Edwina take it upon themselves to investigate all cases of criminal activity in the village. They suspect all are somehow connected and do not shy away from using slightly unorthodox sleuthing methods to find the culprits.
Main character former celebrity adventuress Beryl Helliwell tends to make somewhat rash decisions. She is a people person and relies on her glamorous and charming appearance to get her out of trouble whenever she colors a bit outside the lines. I find her an amusing character who is my favorite of the story.
Second main character is solicitor’s daughter Edwina Davenport who tries to keep secret that she writes a book in-between investigating cases. She is very concerned with her reputation, but I like her reserved and very proper personality. She seems a very good sleuth which makes me wish she would have better self-confidence.
I read it as a
standalone and a first by this author, but I found the main characters so well
crafted and relatable, I could have wished them to be my friends in real life. I
was drawn in by the amusing parts describing Beryl and Edwina’s thought process
as they were investigating. It highlighted their unique strengths and
friendship which altogether seems to make them such a strong team. These
elements I find make this story memorable.
The writing and dialogue conveyed a slightly old-
fashioned vibe. The opulent English countryside setting felt reminiscent of
Agatha Christie with a bit of Downton Abbey environments thrown in. The best part
of this story was the amusing description of when Beryl and Edwina visited the
village gossip lady to get information without revealing anything themselves.
Anyone who enjoys a well written historical cozy
mystery set in post WW1 rural England would enjoy this story. As will fans of Jessica
Ellicott. I am curious what comes next from this author, and will be on the
look-out for any other releases from Jessica Ellicott. Similar authors to
explore might be Alyssa Maxwell or Andrea Penrose.
Thank you to publisher Kensington Books and NetGalley
for this eARC which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All
opinions in this review are completely my own.
Conclusion: Murder Comes to Call
is the captivating, charming and amusing cozy mystery about Beryl and Edwina as
they solve murder and theft in post WW1 English countryside.
Rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: charming plot, great writing, captivating
character building
Book Details
Hardcover : 288 pagesISBN-10 : 1496724844
ISBN-13 : 978-1496724847
Product Dimensions : 0.04 x 0.04 x 0.04 inches
Publisher : Kensington (October 27, 2020)
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