The second in the York Ladies’ Detective Agency, this one involving a robbery and murder at a museum and also the shadowing of an actress whose husband wishes to divorce her.

I found this a fun and intriguing mystery. Having read the first book in the series, Smoke & Cracked Mirrors, I was looking forward to reading the second and I wasn’t disappointed. I love Jemma and Bobby, I think they make an intrepid sleuthing duo. As I live near York, I like that I can recognize some of the places like the Castle Museum. It’s so easy to visualize. It’s set during wartime and the writing style gives a great feel for the era. I had to keep on my toes as I progressed through the story as the plot lines are quite intricate and there are quite a few characters. An enjoyable read and I’m looking to the next book. ( )

What a great mystery! The author has certainly done her research and many of the places and events within the story actually happened. Each book contains more than one mystery because it covers the cases on which the ladies are currently working. In this book, the perpetrator seemed pretty obvious to me, but what was not obvious was the background and circumstances of the murder. The other case had a lovely twist that you didn’t really see coming and it was pretty cool.

The Smoke and Cracked Mirrors detective agency is commissioned by the lawyer for Anthony Gill who has been accused of murdering his colleague at the Castle Museum in York. As they begin their investigation and meet all of the involved characters, they are sure many of those people are not being straightforward with them. As the case progresses, it morphs into something so much bigger- and nastier than the original murder. Many people are in danger – including Bobbie and Tom (Jemma’s step-nephew).

The second case they are working on was brought to them by Mr. King of King’s Private Inquiry Agency based in Leeds. Whenever Mr. King takes on a case that includes anything in York, he contracts with the York Ladies’ Detective Agency to investigate any clues in their area. This case involves a Baron who is married to a famous actress – and he wants to divorce the actress. Baron Stokesley, a wealthy aristocrat, wants the detectives to gather evidence that he can use in court to prove his wife is being unfaithful. However, it turns out that Jodie, his wife, is one very sharp lady who knows exactly what the Baron is up to and thwarts the detectives at every turn. Is she actually having an affair? If so, with whom? Can they catch them together? The possible paramours keep getting eliminated – maybe she isn’t cheating.

This was a lively story filled with characters you love, hate, feel sorry for, identify with, or who break your heart. The only reason I didn’t give the book a 5-star rating is on the personal side of the story – not the mystery side. As with any series, we learn more and more about the recurring characters as we move from book to book. I’d become personally invested in one of the strong, handsome, patriotic, loving, caring male characters – all of those great attributes you’d want in a person. However, it appears his outcome is NOT going to be a good one unless the author creates some miracle. I don’t care for where things seem to be heading for him, his wife, and their relationship. I’ll read the next book to see where it goes, but if the turmoil persists, I’ll probably quit reading the series. I read to escape real-world things, and this situation is much too real-world to suit me. I also get tired of Jemma and her ‘stomach fluttering’ when a certain male character is around. Jemma is married and shouldn’t even be considering or thinking about other men given her personal situation/relationship. Ah – I guess we’ll see where it goes.

I definitely recommend this book and this series for the mystery. If you choose to read it, I hope you’ll enjoy it. ( )

This is the second novel in Karen Charlton's historical mystery series set in York in 1940, centred around the York Ladies' Detective Agency run by Jemma James and Bobbie Baker. As before, there are several plot threads around the various cases they are investigating, includes thefts from a York museum, a murder that turns out not to be one, a search for evidence of adultery to justify a divorce, possible Fascist links and, in the background, the ongoing search by Jemma for her husband who has been missing for the last five months. This was enjoyable and I really like the two major characters and their family members, though some of the plot developments seemed a little far fetched. The story ends against the backdrop of the evacuation from Dunkirk, with family members returning to Blighty, but also a poignant tragedy for Jemma concerning the fate of her missing husband. I hope there are more to come. ( )