Review - A Body on the Doorstep

Title:   A Body on the Doorstep

Author:   Marty Wingate

Series:  London Ladies Murder Club Book 1
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Audiobook ALC

Narrator:  Naomi Frederick

Length:  9 hr 3 min

No. of Pages:   311

Date of Publication:   January 11, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Fiercely independent Mabel Canning can’t wait to begin working for the Useful Women’s Agency. But when she discovers a body on her client’s doorstep, it’s time to add solving murders to her job description…

London, 1921: Mabel Canning is proud to be a modern woman working for the Useful Women’s Agency, carrying out tasks for gentlewomen from flower arranging to washing muddy dogs. But when she answers the door for wealthy widow Rosalind Despard, she almost chokes on her cucumber sandwich when she finds a soldier’s body on the doorstep.

As she offers tea to the policemen of Scotland Yard, Mabel can’t resist getting drawn into the investigation. Who was the mysterious dead man? And why was he holding a letter for Rosalind, written by her husband on the day he disappeared?

As Mabel hunts for clues, she joins forces with Rosalind’s handsome brother, former detective Park Winstone, and his adorable terrier, Gladys. But when Mabel suspects she is being followed, the detective duo know that time is running out before the killer strikes again.

As she investigates, Mabel discovers dusty old photographs that help her reveal the soldier’s true identity. But as she gets closer to uncovering the young man’s murderer, she knows she’s also one step closer to danger... Can she outsmart the killer and save Park and Rosalind before they also turn up dead as doornails?

A totally unputdownable and utterly charming Golden Age cozy mystery from USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Mabel Canning is a forward-thinking and independent woman eager to begin working for the Useful Women's Agency. However, when a man's body is found on her employer's doorstep, Mabel makes the immediate decision to get to the bottom of things. Meanwhile, she takes on quite a few various assignments for the agency. 

More than once Mabel knocks heads with former detective Park Winstone and the pair become unlikely partners in what promises to be an enjoyable series by Marty Wingate. I love Mabel, then Park and his dog Gladys were wonderful additions, and the ever present danger that faced Mabel the deeper she dug for answers was intriguing.

Cozies are a favorite of mine, and coming in with the first book in a new series was a true delight. I can't wait to see what else is in store for Mabel.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today best-selling author Marty Wingate writes mysteries and histories—all fiction and all set in Britain. The London Ladies Murder Club is Marty’s latest mystery series, set in 1921 London, and inspired by the real-life Useful Women agency, which carried out all manner of domestic jobs for those gentlewomen fallen on hard times. A Body on the Doorstep, book one, will be out January 2024. Marty’s historical fiction books include The Orphans of Mersea House, set in 1957 in a town on the Suffolk coast and Glamour Girls, about a Second World War female Spitfire pilot. Marty is also the author of the First Edition Library mysteries and the Potting Shed and Birds of a Feather series. Marty prefers on-the-ground research whenever possible, and so she and her husband regularly travel to England and Scotland, where she can be found tracing the steps of her characters, stopping for tea and a slice of Victoria sponge in a café, or enjoying a swift half in a pub."