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mjporterauthor's review
5.0
Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders is a wonderfully plotted novel, with a cast of unmissable characters that is an absolute delight to read. And the cover is fantastic too.
It made me laugh out loud on many an occasion, and the eclectic mix of cast and events, keeps the reader hooked as the story progresses, from the guinea pig to the motorcycle 'bad-boy,' from London to Leeds to Whitley Bay to Scotland. And oh, how I loved the letters from Cousin Alan.
It trundles along at a wonderful pace, filled with exquisite detail and I would struggle to decide on a favourite character because all of them, even the bit part characters, are so well sketched.
This is genuinely an absolute treat if you enjoy a mystery deeply steeped in the times (1929-1930) and with an unmissable cast. Looking forwards to Book 3.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
It made me laugh out loud on many an occasion, and the eclectic mix of cast and events, keeps the reader hooked as the story progresses, from the guinea pig to the motorcycle 'bad-boy,' from London to Leeds to Whitley Bay to Scotland. And oh, how I loved the letters from Cousin Alan.
It trundles along at a wonderful pace, filled with exquisite detail and I would struggle to decide on a favourite character because all of them, even the bit part characters, are so well sketched.
This is genuinely an absolute treat if you enjoy a mystery deeply steeped in the times (1929-1930) and with an unmissable cast. Looking forwards to Book 3.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
booksbybindu's review
4.0
‘Skelton’s Guide To Suitcase Murders’ is all that you need from historical crime fiction, it’s light hearted with great characters, rich with details from the era and warmth that radiates off the page! This is the follow up to ‘Skelton’s Guide To Domestic Poisons’ but you don't need to have read that to enjoy this one. I haven't and thoroughly enjoyed my time in this world.
Shelton is a renowned barrister and when a woman is found dismembered in a suitcase, it is up to Skelton to prove the innocence of the victim’s husband. But he is known to be able to solve the unsolvable! Along with Edgar and Rose, he starts to look into the case. His cousins are once again roaming the country - very helpfully in the town in which the victim was born. Maybe they will find some clues along the way.
I think some of my favourite parts of this book were the letters which the cousin, Alan, sends to Skelton as they were illuminating the social history of the period. It's the people in history who fascinate me so storylines along these lines always appeal. I also loved Skelton’s wife's obsession with out doing her friend and the mention of women flying around the world! Shelton as a character was extremely well developed. I can imagine him with all his success now returning to his working-class roots in Leeds and marvelling at how far he had come. Plus, I did like how he didn't have legal successes in all his cases as that to me would be unrealistic but is a trope that many writers forget about when creating characters. Failures make them human and therefore we are more like to relate to them as a protagonist. Although, I have to say I think the stand out character for me was Edgar with all his foibles and love of theatre and celebrity. Once again very fitting of the age!
This might be classed as a slow burner of a mystery but I enjoyed this as it allowed the reader to get to know the characters, grasp all the points and clues. Although, once again I didn't guess the murderer! I thoroughly recommend this book.
Shelton is a renowned barrister and when a woman is found dismembered in a suitcase, it is up to Skelton to prove the innocence of the victim’s husband. But he is known to be able to solve the unsolvable! Along with Edgar and Rose, he starts to look into the case. His cousins are once again roaming the country - very helpfully in the town in which the victim was born. Maybe they will find some clues along the way.
I think some of my favourite parts of this book were the letters which the cousin, Alan, sends to Skelton as they were illuminating the social history of the period. It's the people in history who fascinate me so storylines along these lines always appeal. I also loved Skelton’s wife's obsession with out doing her friend and the mention of women flying around the world! Shelton as a character was extremely well developed. I can imagine him with all his success now returning to his working-class roots in Leeds and marvelling at how far he had come. Plus, I did like how he didn't have legal successes in all his cases as that to me would be unrealistic but is a trope that many writers forget about when creating characters. Failures make them human and therefore we are more like to relate to them as a protagonist. Although, I have to say I think the stand out character for me was Edgar with all his foibles and love of theatre and celebrity. Once again very fitting of the age!
This might be classed as a slow burner of a mystery but I enjoyed this as it allowed the reader to get to know the characters, grasp all the points and clues. Although, once again I didn't guess the murderer! I thoroughly recommend this book.
alittlemixofvix's review
3.0
The premise of this one intrigued me – finding a body in a suitcase with all clues pointing to the husband, but the husband is adamant he didn’t do it. However I found the execution a little bit lacking, it was an ok read but it didn’t stimulate me. It is part of a series, but you don’t have to have read the first book to read this one.
I liked the main characters Arthur and Edgar, they worked well together and there were some comedy moments. I also enjoyed the fact that this story was loosely based on a real case and that it was one of the first to involve forensic entomology as evidence – which I didn’t find out until the end.
I found the pace very slow and there were lots of other story lines going on at the same time, some seemed to have no impact on the main case and others ending up giving a tiny clue far down the line. I personally felt it just didn’t have the excitement and the urge to discover the truth that many other mysteries have.
Overall so-so, in the end the time period it was set in and the main characters were the more enjoyable aspects for me than the actual plot.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I liked the main characters Arthur and Edgar, they worked well together and there were some comedy moments. I also enjoyed the fact that this story was loosely based on a real case and that it was one of the first to involve forensic entomology as evidence – which I didn’t find out until the end.
I found the pace very slow and there were lots of other story lines going on at the same time, some seemed to have no impact on the main case and others ending up giving a tiny clue far down the line. I personally felt it just didn’t have the excitement and the urge to discover the truth that many other mysteries have.
Overall so-so, in the end the time period it was set in and the main characters were the more enjoyable aspects for me than the actual plot.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
annieb123's review
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders is the second outing for intrepid barrister Arthur Skelton and his faithful clerk Edgar presented by David Stafford. Released 22nd April 2021 by Allison & Busby, it's 352 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes finding phrases or passages so much easier when reading.
The story arc is unusually well plotted, with a plethora of possible suspects and motives for several disparate plot-lines which interweave and culminate in a satisfying and well written denouement. Even the secondary characters are very finely drawn including Skelton's clerk, and his wife (a fervent feminist and lady gym master and something of a badass).
I loved the interplay between Arthur and his clerk and his trepidation at crossing his lady wife without good reason. Although he's a bit hapless, he's a tenacious and honourable protagonist and I enjoyed seeing him develop even more in this second installment of what I *fervently* hope will be a long series. Although this is the second book in the series, it's a good standalone story. I heartily recommend acquiring the first book as well, as this is a series which was strong straight out of the gate and in my opinion continues to improve.
Much like the first book in the series, the author's notes at the end of the book are absolutely worth a read. I liked his fictionalised murder and the ending. A caveat, however: don't read the historical notes before the actual story - there are major spoilers.
A lovely and entertaining mystery. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders is the second outing for intrepid barrister Arthur Skelton and his faithful clerk Edgar presented by David Stafford. Released 22nd April 2021 by Allison & Busby, it's 352 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes finding phrases or passages so much easier when reading.
The story arc is unusually well plotted, with a plethora of possible suspects and motives for several disparate plot-lines which interweave and culminate in a satisfying and well written denouement. Even the secondary characters are very finely drawn including Skelton's clerk, and his wife (a fervent feminist and lady gym master and something of a badass).
I loved the interplay between Arthur and his clerk and his trepidation at crossing his lady wife without good reason. Although he's a bit hapless, he's a tenacious and honourable protagonist and I enjoyed seeing him develop even more in this second installment of what I *fervently* hope will be a long series. Although this is the second book in the series, it's a good standalone story. I heartily recommend acquiring the first book as well, as this is a series which was strong straight out of the gate and in my opinion continues to improve.
Much like the first book in the series, the author's notes at the end of the book are absolutely worth a read. I liked his fictionalised murder and the ending. A caveat, however: don't read the historical notes before the actual story - there are major spoilers.
A lovely and entertaining mystery. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
stacys_book_nook's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vstewart76's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
alice_mcneill's review
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
xnikkiheart's review
3.0
SO this is technically part 2 of a series involving Mr. Skelton. I did not know that going into the book and was rather lost at times with references that I either didn't understand or came from the first book, I'm not sure which. However, it didn't really take away from the overall story. The story was interesting but lacked that "investigative" nature that most detective novels held. If you really like that sort of story, this would not be for you. But if you want a story you can put down and pick up periodically while not really losing your place, this might be a better fit.
Thank you to #NetGalley and publishers for the ARC of #SkeltonsGuidetoSuitcaseMurders in exchange for the review.
Thank you to #NetGalley and publishers for the ARC of #SkeltonsGuidetoSuitcaseMurders in exchange for the review.