Hello lovelies! I can not tell you how excited I am that Alice Castle's Beth Haldine series has been republished with Bookouture! I absolutely love this series and I'm re-sharing my reviews of the series so far:
The Murder Mystery:
Meet Dulwich Village's most daring resident, Beth Haldane. Mother to a sweet little boy, owner of a sulky cat… and solver of mysteries?
It's a crisp spring day in Dulwich Village when Beth arrives at the intricate iron gates of Wyatt's School for her new job as the historian's assistant. But on a lunchtime stroll admiring the pristine grounds of this five-hundred-year-old institution, Beth is shocked to stumble over the body of her new boss Alan Jenkins: spectacles askew, his mustard-yellow tweed jacket covered in blood.
Gossip about outsider Beth spreads like wildfire. The parents in the playground are all whispering: did she bump him off to get her hands on his job?
Desperate to clear her name and protect her own little boy, Beth turns her research skills to hunt for the true killer. She soon discovers Alan rubbed his fellow teachers up the wrong way… could the handsome headmaster be involved? Why did Beth see a flash of the school receptionist's bright pink jumper at the murder scene? And what is the groundskeeper hiding?
When Beth returns from her sleuthing to find her office in disarray and documents missing from the archives, it's clear this prestigious school hides a deadly secret. But with parents and teachers panicking that the long-protected reputation of Wyatt's is under threat, will Beth herself be in the murderer's sights before the school bell rings?
Wander down the cobbled streets of Dulwich, where nothing is as perfect as it seems! Fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Faith Martin won't be able to put down this deliciously gripping mystery.
This book was previously published as Death in Dulwich.
You can buy your copy here: https://geni.us/B0B5F85LQ3social
Review:
Beth Haldane is a single mum, just about scraping by after the death of her husband trying to provide for her nine year old son Ben. She lives in the affluent Dulwich Village, surrounded by yummy mummies with far too much time on their hands. When she's offered an archivist assistant job at Wyatt's, a much sought after boys school in the area, she jumps at the chance. Unfortunately for her on the first day she finds her boss, Dr Jenkins dead.
Feeling that she's the only suspect, she embarks on finding the real culprit, much to the annoyance of dishy DI Harry York.
This book puts the cosy into cosy mystery! It's a good old fashioned style whodunnit, with plenty of suspects, red herrings and mystery. It really reminded me of the Agatha Raisin series by MC Beaton which I absolutely love.
I was quite surprised that Dulwich Village is actually a real place in South London. I honestly thought before I started reading it that it was entirely out of the writer's imagination but now I want to go and visit it although I don't think I'd want to live there, not with all those yummy mummies hanging around!
I really liked Beth. She's hard working, a little stubborn with an OCD streak and has a tendency for bouts of low self esteem. I think any mum, single or not, would understand the constant struggle of trying to do your best for your child or children that Beth goes through on a day to day basis. The way she butts heads with DI York, who seems a little cold and formal, was a nice touch and I look forward to their relationship growing.
I did feel that Beth's friend Katie seemed a little too perfect, even though she's meant to be the so called 'normal' one like Beth and she was just there as a bit of a plot device to move the story on but of course that's just my opinion!
A fantastic start to the series that I would recommend this book to those who love a good cosy mystery.
The Murder Museum:
Caring mother, school historian, and amateur sleuth Beth Haldane loves to while away an afternoon in the Museum of Art. But will she be next in the frame… for murder?
Beth Haldane is gazing at enchanting paintings of the rolling English countryside when her daydream is rudely interrupted: by the discovery of a teenage girl unconscious on a marble bench.
Shocked, Beth realises this is no snoozing schoolchild. Someone dastardly has carefully crossed the girls' hands across her white dress, as if she's in a painting herself. And the girl's discarded red backpack found in a corner of the museum is totally empty. Is someone suspicious hiding evidence? And who would want to harm this innocent soul?
With poor Sophia in hospital, and the parents of Dulwich Village in uproar that their little darlings might be next, Beth pesters police for updates. And with her keen eye for detail and research skills, Beth is perfectly placed to do some sleuthing of her own… but why are Sophia's gaggle of friends so close-lipped? Has some typical teenage drama taken a dark turn?
But her questions are ruffling feathers at every turn. With Sophia's life hanging by a thread, can Beth find her attacker before it's too late – and before the finger points at Beth herself?
A deliciously gripping cozy mystery that's perfect for fans of fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Faith Martin.
This book was previously published as The Girl in the Gallery.
You can buy your copy here: https://geni.us/B0B5F5WP8Hsocial
Review:
This is the second in Beth Haldane series and as with most series it works well as a standalone.
So we're back with Beth, who seems to have a knack for finding trouble! This time she finds a girl barely alive, laid out in a mausoleum within the museum Picture Gallery. No girl has been reported missing and it's a race against time to find out who she is.
You know it's rare that I find a sequel that's better than the first but that's the case with The Murder Museum. There's plenty of twists and turns with a very surprising ending.
This book also deals with the issues of today's teenage girls with all the social media and trying to look like they have the perfect life. Also there are the sensitive subjects of anorexia and self harm showing how these mental illnesses are often misunderstood or marginalised as not being 'that serious'.
I like the fact we get to know DI York and Beth's friend Katie making them seem a little more rounded than in the first book and not just there for Beth to bounce her ideas off.
I'm not going to say too much more in case of spoilers but I would highly recommend this to fans of MC Beaton or Agatha Christie.
The Murder Question:
When her best friend goes missing, amateur sleuth Beth Haldane is determined to do some digging of her own… but can she crack the mystery before it becomes a murder?
Beth Haldane is worried. First her dear friend and fellow single mother Jen suddenly gets married to a new man who seems too perfect to be true, then she moves out of leafy Dulwich Village – and now seems to have disappeared without a trace.
Beth knows Jen would never leave her little daughter to handle playground predicaments or her sneaky stepmother alone. Heading to Jen's new home for answers, Beth's knocks on the periwinkle-blue front door go unanswered. Police are convinced the lovebirds are on an extended honeymoon: but Beth suspects Jen's new husband is up to no good… why does no-one in Dulwich know where he came from? Are his looks hiding a dark past?
With Jen's unpleasant ex popping up at every turn, and gruff but handsome policeman DI Harry York insisting Beth should leave things to the professionals, it's going to take all her sleuthing skills to track Jen down. But searching Jen's overgrown garden for clues, Beth hears a twig snap… and next thing she knows, she's woken up in a hospital bed.
Someone in normally peaceful Dulwich Village will do anything to stop her reaching the truth. Can Beth get to the bottom of this mystery before she's the next to disappear?
A totally addictive murder mystery that's perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Elly Griffiths.
This book was previously published as Calamity in Camberwell.
You can buy your copy here: https://geni.us/B0B5HC99ZBsocial
Review:
After seeing her friend and fellow single mum Jen remarried after a particularly nasty divorce, Beth's friends try to convince her to start dating again. But Beth is reluctant, as she feels something is off about Jen's new marriage.
Her fears start to grow and Jen and her husband disappear. Unsure of what to do, she turns to DI York to help her.
The Murder Question has a different feel to it than the first two books, because it doesn't involve Beth stumbling across a dead body or nearly dead body, instead it focuses a bit more on Beth, her life and her friendships.
Having read the previous novels, I feel like I know Beth so well now yet still I'm finding out new things about her, like more about her marriage to Ben's dad (his name has escaped me as I'm writing this) who died eight years earlier.
I still massively enjoyed The Murder Question and recommend it to anyone who loves cozy mysteries!
The Murder Plot:
As snow covers perfect little Dulwich Village, amateur sleuth Beth Haldane is certain something's amiss. There's a suspicious solicitor, poorly pooches and… a plot to murder?
Beth Haldane is getting ready for a quiet Christmas with her son and their beloved grumpy cat when fellow single mother Nina begs her for help. Something fishy is going on with Mr Potter, the solicitor she works for… business is slow, with the accounts empty. So why does his wife have such an impressive collection of designer dresses?
Unable to resist a puzzle, Beth agrees to cover Nina's job as a receptionist to get a closer look. But just as she finds a mysterious key hidden away in the office, Mrs Potter arrives in floods of tears with terrible news for her husband. Their precious pet, Lancelot the Great Dane, has been found dead in his basket. Mrs Potter suspects a poisoning…
Beth is shocked anyone would harm a beloved family pet, but the Potters are definitely hiding something. When an elderly widow comes to Mr Potter's office begging for help with her will, Beth starts to suspect foul play… is Mr Potter taking advantage of this sweet old lady? And why is he curiously cool, when his whole family are distraught about Lancelot?
Beth is determined to find what the mysterious key unlocks, discover Mr Potter's secrets and get answers about the local pet-killer before they set their sights on an owner next time. But is Beth getting closer and closer to her own sticky end?
A totally addictive cozy mystery perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and T.E. Kinsey.
This book was previously published as Homicide in Herne Hill.
You can buy your copy here: https://geni.us/B0B8QMTGGJsocial
Review:
Having read all four of the instalments, I would say The Murder Plot can be read as a standalone without missing too much. I will recommend that you start at the beginning because it's such a good series!
It's coming up to Christmas and Beth Haldane's best friend Katie has gone away until new year leaving Beth feeling a little lonely. A chance encounter at her son Ben's Nativity play and she meets another single mum, Nina.
Nina is the polar opposite of Katie, she's loud, bouncy, eats processed food and doesn't associate with the so-called yummy mummy society of Dulwich. Knowing Beth's reputation for solving mysteries Nina tells her she feels something dodgy is going on at the solicitors she works at. Unable to resist a puzzle, she puts herself and her new relationship on the line to get to the bottom of it.
I liked the addition of Nina, she's down to earth and fun, okay she lets her six year old have fizzy drinks and a diet that consists of pretty much junk food but nobody's perfect! I wonder if she and Beth's other friend Katie will meet in the next book, I'd like to see that.
As much as I love this series, I didn't feel like the mystery was quite as strong as the previous ones, with the majority of the juicy bits happening in the second half of the book but of course that is just my opinion. Also I'd like to see a bit more from the dishy detective Harry Young who Beth is now in a relationship with, but seemed noticeably absent for most of the book.
Overall The Murder Plot is a fun cosy mystery, full of great characters, witty observations and perfect for curling up with during these chilly nights.
The Murder Walk:
A pleasant stroll in the park, catch ups over coffee and... a body among the spring bulbs?
Single mum and school historian Beth Haldane has promised her new beau, Detective Harry York, that her sleuthing days are behind her. But when she stumbles over the body of local artist Mark Smeaton while ambling in the park, it's clear a dangerous killer is on the loose in peaceful Dulwich Village. Shocked, Beth can't resist delving into the mystery.
Snooping around the nearby cozy cafes, Beth listens carefully to gossip and soon learns Mark's graffiti-style art was famously controversial. There are plenty who might want him gone. Was it the suspiciously charming gallery owner? A disgruntled resident offended by Mark's art? Or an old school chum with a dark secret about Mark's true inspiration?
A dinner party hosted by a dear friend soon gives Beth the chance to grill all her suspects over wine and nibbles. But following a lead back to the scene of the crime, Beth's search of a hollow tree throws up a mysterious envelope that stops her in her tracks… will her sleuthing get her in hot water before she can find the villain, and before there's another fatal plot in the park?
An absolutely gripping mystery that fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and The Thursday Murder Club won't be able to put down!
This book was previously published as Revenge on the Rye.
You can buy your copy here: https://geni.us/B0B8QMTGGCsocial
Review:
Back in Dulwich with Beth, her son Ben is on the cusp of an important interview at the prestigious Wyatt's, which will determine whether he will be starting there in year seven but of course Beth has something to distract her, by stumbling across a dead body with a dog sitting next to it!
The dead man turns out to be artist Mark Smeaton, who didn't seem to have an enemy in the world. Roping in her reluctant friend Katie, she dives head first into the mystery.
Another fun and entertaining cosy mystery from Alice Castle!
I make no secret I'm a huge fan of this series, having read the first four, so when I knew the fifth one was coming out, I knew I had to read it! It can easily be read as a standalone but I'd recommend starting with the first Death In Dulwich if you want to get to know the characters a bit better.
So the last book wasn't my favourite but I felt this one Beth was back to her best, nosing into a mystery while DI Harry York fumes and wishes she'd stop putting herself in danger.
I really enjoyed seeing a different side to Beth's friend Katie in this book. Usually so put together and effortless, but that's all shattered by a very naughty puppy called Teddy, who seems like a tornado of fluff wrecking everything (and eating) in sight.
An honourable mention goes to Colin the Labrador for a) being called Colin and b) just sounding adorable and being the complete opposite of Teddy.
I also cheered when the dishy DI Harry York was featured a bit more, whom, I have to say I have a little literary crush on.
I'd recommend The Murder Walk to anyone who likes a classic style whodunnit, with well drawn characters and a sprinkling of humour.
The Murder Club:
A club of card enthusiasts gather in a magnificent mansion. But someone has been dealt a deadly hand…
In peaceful Dulwich Village, a group of elderly residents meet every week for Bridge Club. Green cloths are laid over square tables, the deck is carefully dealt, and every beady eye is on the lookout for cheating.
Amateur sleuth Beth Haldane has never understood the rules, but she's drawn into the drama when her mother's bridge partner Alfie Poole is found dead. He was last seen heading out for a breath of fresh air after a particularly tricky hand.
Beth knows poor Alfie was a sweet old man, but when she learns he was poisoned it's clear someone wanted him gone… Suspecting skulduggery, Beth questions each member of the club. Did the retired doctor slip Alfie a sedative? Is the ex-English teacher quite as clumsy as she seems? Or was it Alfie's daughter, wanting her inheritance early?
Organising a re-enactment of the day Alfie was killed, and making sure exactly the same cards are dealt, Beth keeps a close eye on who comes up trumps… but then her own mother Wendy starts choking on her cup of tea. Thankfully Wendy is rushed to hospital just in time: but the poisoner is still on the loose. If Beth plays her cards right, can she catch the killer – or is the deck stacked against her?
An utterly gripping murder mystery, perfect for fans of T.E. Kinsey, Agatha Christie and The Thursday Murder Club.
This book was previously published as The Body in Belair Park.
You can buy your copy here: https://geni.us/B0B8TCHFGZsocial
Review:
In the Murder Club Beth is asked to investigate the death of Alfie Pole, her high maintenance mum's long suffering bridge partner. She'd convinced that it's murder but Alfie was in his eighties, why would anyone want to kill of an old man?
I am already a huge fan of this series, they're fun, quick reads with great characters that I just love catching up with.
Poor Beth, she thinks her life is going to plan, good job, dishy detective boyfriend and her son Ben is finally attending the much sought after Wyatt's school. Then she has to deal with her mum! You can tell that Beth loves her but her selfishness and old before her time attitude is hard for her to deal with. I completely understood Beth's frustrations, you'd have to have the patience of a saint to deal with her mother!
There's also some nice character development in this novel, we also find out a little bit more about Beth's past and why her relationship with her mother is quite so fraught. It also sets it up nicely for the next novel in the series.
The Murder Club is a humorous and fun cosy mystery that you can really lose yourself in for a few hours.
The Murder Hour:
A ticking clock, a grand Edwardian home… and a countdown to murder?
Beth Haldane stands on a quiet street outside an ornate front door, glances down at her watch and taps her foot impatiently. Since her partner Detective Harry York moved into her little house in Dulwich Village, things are a bit too snug. Now Beth whiles away the hours waiting for house viewings and searching for the perfect new home for them and her little boy.
When a flustered young woman finally arrives and introduces herself as the estate agent, Beth is looking forward to taking in the exposed red bricks and wooden floorboards of this charming Edwardian property. But when she peeks into a built-in wardrobe, a lifeless body is a greeting she wasn't expecting.
Panicked, the estate agent soon identifies the man as her boss Richard Pettit.With police on the way, Beth takes charge of scouting for clues. Why is the house echoingly empty of furniture except for a carefully folded pile of clothes in one room? Was the estate agent late because she was bumping off her boss? And what are the nosy neighbours hiding?
With rumours spreading all over Dulwich that Beth herself was the intended victim, when she is sent an anonymous message warning her off the case she knows she's on the right track. But can she catch a killer before her own time runs out?
A deliciously addictive cozy mystery read that fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Agatha Christie and T.E. Kinsey will adore!
This book was previously published as The Slayings in Sydenham.
You can buy your copy here: https://geni.us/B0B8TBYHFLsocial
Review:
So I'm back with the seventh in Beth Haldane series, I can't quite believe there's been that many! I would recommend having read a few of the previous books before getting stuck into this book, as there are a few recurring storylines that you might miss out on.
Beth and Harry's relationship is moving to the next level, as he moves into her house. Unable to cope with all of his boxes, Beth reluctantly agrees to look at houses outside her beloved Dulwich.
She gets a nasty shock at a house in Sydenham when she finds the body of the estate agent. Unable to leave the mystery to her policeman boyfriend Harry York, she starts to investigate. Can Beth figure whodunnit before anyone else gets hurt?
It's so nice to be back with this series, it's like catching up with old friends.
Beth is still on top form, procrastinating from the really big issues in her life and concentrating on solving mysteries. I also enjoyed the little bit of tension that builds throughout the novel between Beth and Harry surrounding their moving in together, I felt it added a whole new layer to their relationship.The Murder Hour is a fast paced and fun cosy mystery with likeable characters that you can't help going back to.
About The Author:
Before turning to crime, Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Alice is an avid reader of crime fiction, her favourite stories are cozy crimes with a strong sense of place. When she couldn't find a series about her beloved south London, she decided to write her own – and single mum amateur sleuth Beth Haldane was born. Alice also writes twisty psychological thrillers for HQ Digital under the name A.M. Castle. The Perfect Widow was a top selling audiobook in 2019 and The Invitation hit the top 50 on Amazon UK in 2021. Alice lives with her two children and two cats and, if she isn't writing or reading a whodunit, she'll be watching one on telly.
Author Social Media Links
Website:https://alicecastleauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alice.castle.355
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceMCastle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alice_castle__/
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/alice-castle
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