Review - Murder at Midnight

 If you have followed me for very long, you've probably noticed I tend to read a lot of historical mysteries.  The Lilly Adler series is one of my favorites (but honestly, I have so many favorites) and I'm sharing the fourth with you today.  Check out the previous reviews of this series I've done:

1) A Body in the Garden (click here) 

2) Silence in the Library (click here) 

3) Death at the Manor (click here) 

Author: Katharine Schellman

Copyright: Sept 2023 (Crooked Lane Books) 316 pgs

Series: 4th in A Lilly Adler mystery series

Sensuality: mild with adult situations/topics referenced

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Cozy, Amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: widow Lily Adler

Setting: 1815, Hertfordshire England

Obtained Through: Library

     Book Blurb:  "Regency widow Lily Adler is looking forward to a quiet Christmastide away from the schemes and secrets she witnessed daily in London. Not only will she be visiting the family of her late husband; she will be reunited with Captain Jack Hartley, her friend and confidante, finally returned after a long voyage at sea.

     But secrets aren’t only found in London. Jack’s younger sister, Amelia, is the center of neighborhood scandal and gossip. She refuses to tell anyone what really happened, even when an unexpected snowstorm strands the neighborhood families together after a Christmas ball. Stuck until the snow stops, the Adlers, Hartleys, and their neighbors settle in for the night, only to be awakened in the morning by the scream of a maid who has just discovered a dead body.

     The victim was the well-to-do son of a local gentleman—the same man whose name has become so scandalously linked to Amelia’s.

     With the snow still falling and no way to come or go, it’s clear that someone in the house was responsible for the young man’s death. When suspicion instantly falls on Jack’s sister, he and Lily must unmask the true culprit before Amelia is convicted of a crime she didn’t commit."

My Thoughts:  Lily, as independant as ever, is asked to assist in investigating while they are all snowed in. Her sleuthing skills are tested as so many people are hiding secrets.  

Captain Jack (Hartley) is back from sea (Wahoo!) and his usual easy going nature is stretched thin by his sister immediately being the murder suspect.  Matthew Spencer, the romantic interest, tries to spend as much time with Lily as possible... until the murder pulls her away.  John Adler, Lily's brother-in-law and the magistrate, is in over his head and relies on Lily to direct the investigation and cover his missteps. 

The snowstorm is well done and the growing tensions of the stranded group are drawn very well.  The plot has many twists and all the secrets produce some curveballs.  The writing style makes this an easy and enjoyable read that I hated to put down.  

The climax had a tense and suspenseful killer confrontation, my favorite.  All-in-all, another wonderfully done entry in this top notch historical mystery series.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

Review - A Body In The Garden

I was interested in this new series when I read it would appeal to Tasha Alexander and Rhys Bowen fans, which I am.  I do believe the comparison is just.  Here is the first book in the new Lily Adler mystery series.


Author: Katharine Schellman
Copyright: April 2020 (Crooked Land Books) 327 pgs
Series: 1st in Lily Adler Mysteries
Sensuality: mild
Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Cozy, Historical Amateur Sleuth 
Main Character: Lily Adler, still grieving society widow
Setting: 1815, London England
Obtained Through: Library
Book Blurb: "London 1815. Though newly-widowed Lily Adler is returning to a society that frowns on independent women, she is determined to create a meaningful life for herself even without a husband. She's no stranger to the glittering world of London's upper crust. At a ball thrown by her oldest friend, Lady Walter, she expects the scandal, gossip, and secrets. What she doesn't expect is the dead body in Lady Walter's garden.
Lily overheard the man just minutes before he was shot: young, desperate, and attempting blackmail. But she's willing to leave the matter to the local constables--until Lord Walter bribes the investigating magistrate to drop the case. Stunned and confused, Lily realizes she's the only one with the key to catching the killer.
Aided by a roguish navy captain and a mysterious heiress from the West Indies, Lily sets out to discover whether her friend's husband is mixed up in blackmail and murder. The unlikely team tries to conceal their investigation behind the whirl of London's social season, but the dead man knew secrets about people with power. Secrets that they would kill to keep hidden. Now, Lily will have to uncover the truth, before she becomes the murderer's next target."

Lily Adler was very much in love with her deceased husband, which is refreshing.  She is also smart like Sherlock, which is necessary for this case.  Captain John (Jack) Hartley was her late husband's best friend and initially feels a sense of duty to look after Lily.  He clearly cares for her after a while.  Lady Serena Walter, Lily's dear friend may not be the same girl she remembers.  Miss Ofelia Oswald of West Indies money who is being presented into society.  Lovely and smart, she helps to find the killer of her friend.  The Bow Street Runner, Mr. Page is an interesting character and I hope to see him again in future books in the series.  Jem, an industrious messenger boy who Jack pays to be his eyes and ears is delightful.
The setting runs the gamut from London society to the rough docks.  The author describes them well and you easily feel yourself there.  The plot is twisty and involves shipping and business shenanigans that gives it realism.  The pace maintained steadily throughout.
The killer confrontation was well crafted and tension filled.  I must say, I had only slightly suspected this character as the killer.  Well done.  The wrap up is absolutely perfect, loved it.
Lily Adler is a fantastic heroine in every aspect and she may be my favorite going forward.  The writing is balanced and nuanced.  Ms. Schellman incorporates diversity with Jack being half Indian (New Delhi) and Ofelia from the West Indies naturally and seamlessly.  There is humor sprinkled for light-hearted touches.  This book is a delight from beginning to end and highly recommended if you like historical cozy mysteries.
Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.