www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/07/28/books/review/visionary-tech-books.html

How the publisher describes it:

Perfect for fans of Glass Onion, The Traitors, and Murdle, this immersive, high-concept mystery puts you at the center of a decades-old case. With razor-sharp twists, sly misdirection, and a clever nod to Agatha Christie, THE GAME IS MURDER reinvents the closed-circle whodunit for a new generation.

The setup? A murder mystery party with real stakes: a decaying English manor, an unsolved crime from the 1970s, and a cast of cunning suspects. Your mission: read each account, weigh the clues, and name the killer. But beware—nothing is quite as it seems.

If you love solving puzzles, testing your theories, and outwitting unreliable narrators, you won’t want to miss this one.

More from the publisher on the book:

About the Book:

In this fresh and immersive murder mystery that riffs on crime classics, the reader is put in the role of the Great Detective, reinvestigating an infamous never-before-solved case from 1970s England.

You are invited to a very special murder mystery party. The game is simple: Listen to the witnesses. Examine the evidence. Solve the case. Be careful. Trust no one. All might not be as it seems.

If you agree to play the role of the Great Detective, you must undertake to provide a complete solution to the case. A verdict is not enough. We need to know who did it, how they did it, and why. Are you ready? Can you solve the ultimate murder mystery—and catch a killer?

About the Author:

Hazell Ward lives in Wrexham in North Wales, where she spent many years as an adult education teacher before going on to work for a charitable organization as a mentor to young people. She completed an MA in creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and is currently juggling finishing her PhD with writing her second novel. She was short-listed for the Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition in 2021 and won the Crime Writer’s Association Short Story Dagger in 2023 for her story “Cast a Long Shadow,” published by Honno Press. The Game Is Murder is her debut novel.

• My thoughts:
• This is a bold, original and creative story that rewards the reader’s paying attention and thinking. It is rather ingenious in how it borrows from the genre. For example, I noted that the chapters are all named after famous detective novels; to name a few that are included there are A Murder is Announced by Christie; The Documents in the Case by Sayers; Footsteps in the Dark by Heyer; The Daughter of Time by Tey; and Artists in Crime by Marsh. Also, even within the first few chapters, astute readers will recognize names-there is Stanley Gardner, Wilkie Collins and Nicholas Blake. For certain, the more crime stories a reader knows, the more they will exclaim as they read.
• The case involved a murder that, at least in the beginning of the novel, seemed reminiscent of Lord Lucan. Readers hear the story of what happened, initially by a family member and the story takes off from there.
• This book will be adored by its intended audience.
• Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this title.

---

From the publisher:

Reviews:

From Kirkus Reviews:

THE GAME IS MURDER

by Hazell Ward ‧

Hardcore fans entranced by all those Easter eggs may well turn the last page wondering if they’ve missed even more.

Move over, Anthony Horowitz. First-timer Ward has entered with a whodunit just as playfully meta as yours, though in very different ways.

Back in 1974, banker-turned-gambler Lord John Verreman, faced with financial ruin and divorce, sneaked into the basement of his estranged wife’s home and attacked Lady Antonia Verreman with a lead pipe, only to discover that the woman he’d killed in the dark was actually his sons’ nanny, Sally Gardner. At least that’s the story David Verreman tells the guests assembled at the Berkeley Club half a century later to determine once and for all whether or not David and Daniel’s father, who vanished before he could be brought to trial, was really guilty. The 13 guests include DCI Nicholas Blake; coroner Ronald Knox; pathologist Cameron McCabe; Sally’s husband, merchant seaman Stanley Gardner; Antonia’s sister, Carolyn Keene-Wade; and others whose names, like Ward’s chapter titles, pay tribute to the authors and classics of the detective story’s Golden Age. After kicking off with an elaborate contract between The Author and The Reader, Ward keeps interjecting pop-up games along the way and changing the rules of her big game, so that A.N. Author, King’s Counsel, the prosecuting attorney in one part of the story, turns into a witness for the defense in another part. Clues like the putative murder weapon will be analyzed to within an inch of their lives and all parties in attendance will stand accused, singly and jointly, of crimes and misdemeanors before the author pulls one last rabbit from her hat in a denouement likely to be hailed with both surprise and exhausted relief. Hardcore fans entranced by all those Easter eggs may well turn the last page wondering if they’ve missed even more.

Praise:

“A high-energy mystery, both exclamation point and question mark – like Agatha Christie on amphetamines. Imagine a labyrinth packed with ninety-degree turns and spiralling staircases and art on the walls – and a ruthless guide addressing you directly from the page – and you’ve got a sense of The Game Is Murder, a striking, playful novel for neither the faint of heart nor the slow of wit.” –A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman In The Window

“Move over, Anthony Horowitz. First-timer Ward has entered with a whodunit just as playfully meta as yours, though in very different ways.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A postmodern puzzler that dares to pull apart every trope in the book – literally.” –Antony Johnston, New York Times bestseller and author of Can You Solve the Murder?

“A significant achievement, packed with insight and invention, The Game Is Murder presents the reader with a fiction killing that seems to defy explanation. It is witty and remarkable and entirely unpredictable.” –Alex Pavesi, author of Eight Detectives

“Strikingly original, but with nods to Golden Age crime, it’s an ingenious story of constantly changing perspectives. Different, clever, and highly entertaining!” –Guy Morpuss, author of A Trial In Three Acts

“Clever and unusual…What an intriguing start for this author!” –FirstClue Reviews

“Excellent fun, and perfect for anyone who loves Murdle.” –The Bookseller

I enjoyed every paragraph of Keyes most recent book Again, Rachel. Therefore, I was thrilled to be given early access to this title by the publisher.

This is a story about Anna who is one of Rachel’s sisters. (The clan appears in a number of titles including an earlier book featuring Anna.) As the story opens, Anna has been a high achiever with her New York job and income. However with Covid, the end of a relationship and more, it has all become way too much for her. So she heads back to Ireland.

Not sure what she will do there, Anna is contacted on behalf of a friend who needs her help with a big real estate project. Anna hopes that her prior work experiences will be transferable. Will they? One complication is that an old love of Anna’s is also working on this development. Will sparks fly? Watch what happens in this long but enjoyable story that also touches on some issues including menopause.

What I liked about this book:

The characters, the setting, the ability to sink right in, the humor, the warmth-so much to recommend in these pages.

Fans of Keyes and those who like women’s fiction, give this one a look. Perfect for a summer day read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada-Doubleday Canada for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 30 July 2024

An e book bargain

#mysterywriter #NetGalley

One thing that I love about Sulari Gentill is that she never seems to rest on her laurels. I very much enjoyed her novels about Rowly Sinclair and his group of friends. These are historical mysteries, set in the 1930s, in a series that began with A Few Right Thinking Men. There are good characters who are good friends and good stories in each of the entries.

Ms. Gentill then began to write some standalone novels and stories set outside of Australia. These include After She Wrote Him, The Woman in the Library, and now, The Mystery Writer. Each has an intriguing and, perhaps quirky, story.

In this new book, Theo (Theodosia) has decided to leave law behind. She wants to be a novelist. When her mentor is killed and her brother becomes a suspect, the scene is set.

A few things to ponder…who was the murderer, where is Theo’s manuscript, and what secret things are happening? Get ready for the unraveling.

It is easy to recommend this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 19 March 2024

Jennifer Chiaverini wrote her first Elm Creek Quilters title back in 1999. It was called The Quilter’s Apprentice and introduced many of the characters who have continued in the series. I enjoyed that novel and have read many of the books in this series.

Here readers again meet up with the inimitable Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, founder of Elm Creek Quilts and a woman of an age to have a lot of history. Summer, who has been with the group from early on, again features here along with many other characters.

This time the story centers on a quilt that Sylvia and her sister made for the World’s Fair all the way back in 1933. Summer wants to exhibit it and many memories are brought back for Sylvia about the quilt and her relationship with her sister.

Here events unfold that will impact on the future of the society.

Those who enjoy stories that feature crafts and some good people will enjoy this one. I am so glad that Chiaverini is continuing this series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Readers who like the Elm Creek Quilters may want to look at some of this author’s other books, both those that are/not part of the series. Publishers Weekly says “Series fans and newcomers alike will be glad to be in Sylvia’s company.”

Pub date: 01 April 2025

304 pages

Other books by the author:

I have read Jennifer Chiavarini’s quilting novels and enjoyed them all. Of her historical novels, I have read Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival and found the story to be quite interesting. So…I was truly looking forward to reading this book. I found the history to be fascinating. While I knew something about Byron’s relationship with his half sister. I knew less about his marriage. I knew almost nothing about Ada and her complex relationship with her mother. Reading about her life was compelling. I would rate this book more highly except that I wished the narration had been a bit livelier.

The Museum of Lost Quilts

It was for us: The Women’s March by Jennifer Chiaverini

by Victoria Purman-an e book bargain

#TheRadioHour #NetGalley

The Radio Hour is the most recent book of Australian women’s fiction that I have read. I have recently noted enjoying books by Sophie Green and Sandie Docker. Now, I can add Victoria Purman to the list of Aussie authors whose titles will carry an automatic “I want to read that one.”

There are many things that I loved about this book. The historical post WWII, 1950s look at life for women in Australia was intriguing and involving. Women, who just as in other countries, held significant positions during that war were expected to go back home. While there, they could enjoy listening to radio soaps to break up the monotony. How these soaps were made and the world of radio production were well portrayed in these pages. Readers come to understand how these serials brought a common experience to friends and family who then discussed them.

Women who worked were often “old maids” and not given the best of the jobs. In this story, the 50 year old MISS Barry (why does her new boss keep calling her Mrs? Just one way of not paying attention or showing respect it would seem) is given the job of working with a new (and incompetent) writer of a soap that is meant to rival another highly popular one. Will is succeed and, if so, how or why? Will any radio soap prevail as TV comes to Australia?

Most importantly, the reader of this book will route for Miss Barry. If she can succeed, other women will feel that they might too.

It is easy to recommend this title to those who enjoy stories about this time with good characters and just enough plot to keep the pages turning.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 February 2025

From the Publisher

I am excited to share The Queen of Fives with readers. This author’s last book was so enjoyable and this new one will, I think, also offer readers a good escape.

Many thanks to the team at HTP for this opportunity.

The book:

The Queen of Fives

Author: Alex Hay

Publication Date: January 21, 2025

ISBN: 9781525809859

Graydon House Hardcover 

About the book:

“Bridgerton meets The Sting in this effervescent offering…. Hay has conceived of a wholly original take on Victorian London and populated it with a gallery of colorful underworld types. The plotting will have readers on the edges of their seats as one twist after another sets the stage for a series of jaw-dropping revelations. This literary confection is a delectable treat.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A confidence scheme, when properly executed, will follow five movements:

I. The Mark II. The Intrusion. III. The Ballyhoo. IV. The Knot. V. All In.

There may be many counter-strikes along the way, for such is the nature of the game; it contains so many sides, so many endless possibilities…

Nothing is quite as it seems in Victorian high society in this clever novel set against the most magnificent wedding of the season, as a mysterious heiress sets her sights on London’s most illustrious family

1898. Quinn le Blanc, London’s most talented con woman, has five days to pull off her most ambitious plot yet: trap a highly eligible duke into marriage and lift a fortune from the richest family in England.

Masquerading as the season’s most enviable debutante, Quinn puts on a brilliant act that earns her entrance into the grand drawing rooms and lavish balls of high society—and propels her straight into the inner circle of her target: the charismatic Kendals. Among those she must convince are the handsome bachelor heir, the rebellious younger sister, and the esteemed duchess eager to see her son married.

But the deeper she forges into their world, the more Quinn finds herself tangled in a complicated web of love, lies, and loyalty. The Kendals all have secrets of their own, and she may not be the only one playing a game of high deception…

Try it:

THE QUEEN OF FIVES

By ALEX HAY

A confidence scheme, when properly executed, will follow five movements in close and inviolable order:

I. The Mark.

Wherein a fresh quarry is perceived and made the object of the closest possible study.

II. The Intrusion.

Wherein the quarry’s outer layers must be pierced, his world peeled open…

III. The Ballyhoo.

Where a golden opportunity shall greatly tempt and dazzle the quarry…

IV. The Knot.

Wherein the quarry is encircled by his new friends, and naysayers are sent gently on their way…

V. All In.

Where all commitments are secured, and the business is happily—and irrevocably—concluded.

A coda: there may be many counterstrikes along the way, for such is the nature of the game; it contains so many sides, so many endless possibilities…

Rulebook—1799. 

Day One

The Mark

1

Quinn

Five days earlier

Here was how it began. Four miles east of Berkeley Square, a few turns from Fashion Street and several doors down from the synagogue, stood a humble old house in Spitalfields. Four floors high, four bays across. Rose-colored shutters, a green trim to the door. A basement kitchen hidden from the street, and a colony of house sparrows nesting in the eaves, feasting on bread crusts and milk pudding scrapings.

On the first floor, behind peeling sash windows, stood Quinn Le Blanc.

She changed her gloves. She had a fine selection at her disposal, per her exalted rank in this neighborhood—chevrette kid, mousquetaire, pleated gloves for daytime, ridged ones for riding, silk-lined, fur-edged. All shades, too—dark, tan, brandy, black, mauve. No suede, of course. And no lace: nothing that could snag. The purpose of the glove was the preservation of the skin. Not from the sun, not from the cold.

From people.

She pulled on the French kid—cream-colored with green buttons—flexed her fingers, tested the grip. For she was the reigning Queen of Fives, the present mistress of this house; the details were everything.

“Mr. Silk?” she called from the gaming room. “Have you bolted the rear doors?”

His voice came back, querulous, from the stairs. “Naturally I have.” Then the echo of his boots as he clumped away.

The gaming room breathed around her. It was hot, for they kept a good strong fire burning year-round, braving incineration. But now she threw cold water on the grate, making the embers hiss and smoke. She closed the drapes, which smelled as they always did: a tinge of tobacco and the sour tint of mildew. Something else, too: a touch of cognac, or absinthe—one of the prior queens had enjoyed her spirits.

Quinn examined the room, wondering if she should lock away any valuables for the week. Of course, she had no fears of not returning on schedule, in triumph, per her plan—but still, she was venturing into new and dangerous waters. Some prudence could serve her well. The shelves were crammed with objects: hatboxes, shoeboxes, vinegars, perfume bottles, merino cloths, linen wrappings. But then she decided against it; she despised wasting time. The most incriminating, valuable things were all stored downstairs, in the bureau.

The bureau contained every idea the household ever had, the schemes designed and played by generations of queens. It stood behind doors reinforced with iron bolts, windows that were bricked up and impassable. It was safe enough, for now.

“Quinn?” Silk’s voice floated up the stairs. “We must be punctual.”

“We will be,” she called back with confidence.

Confidence was all they had going for them at the Château these days.

The Château. It was a pompous name for a humble old house. But that was the point, wasn’t it? It gave the place a sense of importance in a neighborhood that great folk merely despised. There were tailors and boot finishers living on one side, cigar makers and scholars on the other, and a very notorious doss-house at the end of the road. Quinn had lived in it nearly all her life, alongside Mr. Silk.

Quinn descended the creaking staircase, flicking dust from the framed portraits lined along the wall. They depicted the Château’s prior queens, first in oils, later in daguerreotype, with Quinn’s own picture placed at the foot of the stairs. Hers was a carte de visite mounted in a gilt frame, adorned with red velvet curtains. In it, Quinn wore a thick veil, just like her predecessors. She carried a single game card in one hand, and she was dressed in her inaugural disguise—playing the very splendid “Mrs. Valentine,” decked in emerald green velvet, ready to defraud the corrupt owners of the nearby Fairfield Works. She was just eighteen, and had already secured the confidence of the Château’s other players—and she was ready to rule.

That was eight years ago.

Quinn rubbed the smeared glass with her cuff. The house needed a good spring clean. She’d given up the housekeeper months ago; even a scullery maid was too great an expense now. Glancing through the rear window, she caught her usual view of the neighborhood—rags flapping on distant lines, air hazed with smoke. The houses opposite winked back at her, all nets and blinds, their disjointed gardens tangled and wild. She fastened the shutters, checking the bolts.

Silk was waiting by the front door. “Ready?” He was wearing a bulky waistcoat, his cravat ruffled right up to his chin. His bald head shone in the weak light.

Quinn studied him, amused. “What have you stuffed yourself with?”

“Strips of steel, if you must know.”

“In your jacket?”

“Yes.”

“For what reason?”

“My own protection. What else?”

Quinn raised a brow. “You’re developing a complex.”

“We’re living in a violent age, Le Blanc. A terribly violent age.”

Silk was forever clipping newspaper articles about foreign agitators, bombs being left in fruit baskets on station platforms.

“Stay close to me, then,” Quinn said, hauling open the front door, squinting in the light.

Net curtains twitched across the road. This was a quiet anonymous street, and the location of the Château was a closely guarded secret, even among their kind. But the neighbors kept their eyes on the Château. Nobody questioned its true ownership: the deeds had been adulterated too many times, sliced out of all official registers. In the 1790s, it was inhabited by an elusive Mrs. B—(real name unknown). Some said she’d been a disgraced bluestocking, or an actress, or perhaps a Frenchwoman on the run—a noble comtesse in disguise! She caught the neighborhood’s imagination; they refashioned her in their minds. B—became “Blank,” which in time became “Le Blanc.” Her house was nicknamed le Château. Smoke rose from the chimneys; queer characters came and went; the lights burned at all hours. Some said Madame Le Blanc had started a school. Others claimed it was a brothel.

In fact, it was neither.

It was something much cleverer.

The Queen of Fives. They breathed the title with reverence on the docks, down the coastline. A lady with a hundred faces, a thousand voices, a million lives. She might spin into yours if you didn’t watch out… She played a glittering game: lifting a man’s fortune with five moves, in five days, before disappearing without a trace.

The sun was inching higher, turning the sky a hard mazarine blue. “Nice day for it,” Quinn said, squeezing Silk’s arm.

Silk peered upward. “I think not.” He’d checked his barometer before breakfast. “There’s a storm coming.”

Quinn could feel it, the rippling pleasure down her spine. “Better and better,” she replied. “Now, come along.”

They made an unassuming pair when they were out in public. An older gentleman in a dark and bulky overcoat, with a very sleek top hat. A youngish woman in dyed green furs, with a high collar and a sharp-tilted toque. He with his eyes down, minding his step. She with her face veiled, gloves gripped round an elegant cane. Always listening, watching, rolling dice in their minds.

Silk and Quinn had a single clear objective for the day. Audacious, impossible, outrageous—but clear. He showed her his appointment book: Three p.m.—Arrive in ballroom, Buckingham Palace, en déguisé.

“In disguise? Doesn’t that go without saying?”

“You tell me. Has your costume been delivered?”

“Not yet. But we have a more serious impediment.”

“Oh?” he asked her.

“I’ve still not received my invitation card to the palace.”

They turned into Fournier Street. Silk tutted. “I’ve dealt with that. Our old friend at the Athenaeum Club will oblige you.”

“You’re quite sure? We’ve never cut it so fine before.”

“Well, you might need to prod him a little.”

“Just a little?”

“The very littlest bit, Quinn.”

Unnecessary violence was not part of their method. But persuasion—well, that was essential. Let’s call a spade a spade: the Château was a fraud house, a cunning firm, a swindler’s palace ruled by a queen. It made its business by cheating great men out of their fortunes. In the bureau stood the Rulebook, its marbled endpapers inscribed with each queen’s initials, setting the conditions of their games.

And this week the Queen of Fives would execute the most dangerous game of her reign.

Quinn paused outside the Ten Bells. “Very well. We can’t afford any slips. I’ll go to the Athenaeum now. Anything else?”

Silk shook his head. “Rien ne va plus.” No more bets.

They gripped hands. He gave her his usual look: a fond gaze, then a frown. “Play on, Le Blanc.”

She grinned at him in return. “Same to you, old friend.”

They parted ways.

And the game began.

Excerpted from THE QUEEN OF FIVES by Alex Hay. Copyright © 2025 by Alex Hay. Published by Graydon House, an imprint of HarperCollins. 

The author:

ALEX HAY grew up in the United Kingdom in Cambridge and Cardiff, and has been writing as long as he can remember. He studied history at the University of York, and wrote his dissertation on female power at royal courts, combing the archives for every scrap of drama and skulduggery he could find. He has worked in magazine publishing and the charity sector and lives with his husband in London. His debut, The Housekeepers won the Caledonia Novel Award, and was named a Best Book of the Summer by Reader’s Digest, The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, and others. His second novel, The Queen of Fives, publishes in January 2025. Alex lives with his husband in South East London.

Links:

Buy Links:

HarperCollins page: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-queen-of-fives-alex-hay?variant=42418202050594 

BookShop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-queen-of-fives-original-alex-hay/21448543?ean=9781525809859 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-queen-of-fives-alex-hay/1145522986 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1525809857/keywords=historical%2Bfiction?tag=harpercollinsus-20 

Social Links:

Author Website: https://alexhaybooks.com/ 

X/Twitter: https://x.com/alexhaybooks?lang=en 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexhaybooks/?hl=en 

This is the penultimate entry in the Maisie Dobbs series. How I will miss her when she is gone! A Sunlit Weapon is an excellent addition to the Dobbs stories.

What I liked most in this book was the way in which Winspear created a world and opened that to readers. There is a fair amount about Maisie’s home life here including her marriage to American, Mark. Readers also see Maisie as a parent to Anna. She is willing to fight for her child and any parent who reads this one will perhaps relate to how painful it is when a child is unhappy. With Maisie on her side though, readers can certainly hope that Anna will soon feel better. Readers will also be glad to again meet up with Priscilla, Billy, Brenda, Maisie’s dad and so many others.

The mystery itself is complex and involving. Who is shooting down planes including some that are being ferried to bases by women? Why were two Americans involved in some dark plans? Will they suvive?

Also in the story is Eleanor Roosevelt. Feelings about her propel some of the plot forward.

There is social history in this book that readers will find of interest. The story of women pilots and the segregation in the U.S. military have places in the novel.

Winspear reminds me of the importance of the people for whom we care. She also continues to show Maisie’s growth. With Maisie on the case, readers can hope that some sort of order will be restored…even during war time.

I highly recommend this title and all of the books in the Maisie Dobbs series.

Some other books about Maisie

The Comfort of Ghosts (Jacqueline Winspear)

It can be so hard: The Consequences of Fear

A good entry in a winning series: The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear

A WWII mystery (and a good one): To Die But Once

A Maisie Dobbs bargain: In This Grave Hour

I recently read Van Praag’s The Witches of Cambridge and very much enjoyed it. I loved the way that this author added magical elements to a story with characters with whom I enjoyed spending time. Once I read that, I vowed to read more by this author. The Lost Art of Letter Writing fully met my expectations and I definitely recommend it. There are again elements that require suspension of disbelief while adding depth to the story.

In this novel, readers meet a number of characters. First off is Clara. She owns a special shop with everything a person could possibly need to write a beautiful letter, whether or not they choose to send it. Clara too writes letters with the special pen left to her by her grandfather. She does not necessarily know the recipients but has seen them in Cambridge. One of the people to receive Clara’s letters is a widower who is raising a teen. Readers may be surprised to see what happens to him and will wonder about what it means to have a wish fulfilled.

Readers also meet a young woman who can foresee the bad that may become someone and a young man who is preternaturally talented in his music. They also will meet a ghost.

Around these character’s intersecting stories is the story of the letters that change Clara’s life. She goes to Amsterdam to get them translated and meets another important character there.

The stories of all of these people overlap in places. I cared for everyone and loved this story. By the way, I also loved this book’s cover.

Have you read anything by Van Praag? What did you think?

The Witches of Cambridge by Menna Van Praag

Kate Charles is one of my absolute favorite mystery authors. She has written a couple of series; these include the Book of Psalms series (that starts with A Drink of Deadly Wine) and the Callie Anson series of which Desolate Places is the most recent, although it was published in 2021. I so hope that Charles will keep writing. I held off reading this one for the longest time because it was the only of her books that I hadn’t read and I didn’t want to be done.

Charles is an American who writes stories that are based in England with Ecclesiastical matters having an important place. Callie Anson is a deacon who is awaiting ordination as a priest. In this fifth in the series, along with Callie are many recurring characters. These include Brian with whom Callie works and Marco who is her fiancee. There is also Callie’s brother Peter who falls in love often and Callie’s rather difficult mother. There are then the various police officers and Callie’s good friends.

In this entry, a woman from a rather upper middle class background is found dead in a rundown hotel. Felicity had recently herd from an old boyfriend and her husband has been having an affair (small spoiler). Who murdered her and why?

Among the suspects is Tariq who is an illegal immigrant. Callie becomes involved in helping him without telling Marco (because of his work as a family liaison officer) with the police. Charles does a good job of helping the reader to feel empathy for Tariq. Readers will also hope that Tariq would invite them for dinner.

This is a well told story with much on the relationships of the many characters. Some of these go well while others face tragedy. For me, Desolate Places was a delight from start to finish.

If Charles doesn’t write more soon, I will have to go back and reread both series. That would not be a hardship. I could also read the standalones again.