Reviews

A Murder Unmentioned by Sulari Gentill

annarella's review

5.0

I love this series and I loved this book.
It's a lovely comedy of manners and a very good mystery.
I started it as soon as I got it and couldn't put it down.
It's lovely to meet again Rowland, Edna and the cast of characters, like meeting again some old friend and getting to know what happened and what changed.
The mystery is good, entertaining and engaging, full of twists and turns. It kept me guessing till the end and I was surprised by the unexpected ending.
I love the style of writing and I love the mix of historical fiction and mystery.
I love this series because they are good mysteries and the historical background is well researched and somehow it seems to reflect the current historical moment.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC

yvonne84's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

vesper1931's review

4.0

Thirteen years ago in 1920 Henry Sinclair was killed, now accusations have been made that Rowland Sinclair killed his father. Old secrets are revealed but will they help to prove his innocence or not. Then another murder is discovered and the noose is tightened around Rowland.
An enjoyable and interesting mystery revealing more of the history of the Sinclair family.
A NetGalley Book

howjessicareads's review against another edition

4.0

Full review coming for Shelf Awareness. A great entry in this historical series.

larisa2021's review against another edition

5.0

Series improves with each installment, and it started out top notch.

archytas's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

In my review of the previous entry to this series, I noted that Gentill had firmly landed on the side of fun history cameos, and lighter character tone (to balance heavier political material). Here, of course, she proves me wrong by centring firmly at the heart of the series: the Sinclairs and the book is probably the strongest in the series yet. Gentill explores both the privilege of the family and the trauma that has created such a strong sibling bond. The plot is directly related to the relationships - most murder mysteries rely on the characters being inexplicably dense, but here Gentill plays the reticence of the family - born both of a ruling-class set of mores and the nature of abusive families - to parlay the plot into adequate realism. The book also fleshes out Ernie, the young nephew of Rowland, recognising the child's scene-stealing potential. It is hard to write children well, but Ernie lands in the mind's eye from a joyous run. This series has been a great pleasure to discover, and I have been madly recommending it lately, hoping this quality continues.

annarella's review against another edition

5.0

I love this series and I loved this book.
It's a lovely comedy of manners and a very good mystery.
I started it as soon as I got it and couldn't put it down.
It's lovely to meet again Rowland, Edna and the cast of characters, like meeting again some old friend and getting to know what happened and what changed.
The mystery is good, entertaining and engaging, full of twists and turns. It kept me guessing till the end and I was surprised by the unexpected ending.
I love the style of writing and I love the mix of historical fiction and mystery.
I love this series because they are good mysteries and the historical background is well researched and somehow it seems to reflect the current historical moment.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC

tonstantweader's review against another edition

4.0

A Murder Unmentioned is the sixth book in the Rowland Sinclair series and the third I have read. The unmentioned murder is from the past. Rowland was fifteen when his father died and he was sent to England. We now learn his father was murdered and suddenly Rowland is the prime suspect. The other suspect is his brother, Wilfred. Complicating matters, there is another murder and clearly some secret maneuvering in the background.

The Rowland Sinclair series is a historical mystery series that takes place in Australia during the years fascism was growing in Europe and around the world. Fascist politicians were building power in England and Australia as well and anti-fascist activism by labor and the left were critical to turning those countries away from the abyss. Sinclair is one of those who fought fascism, at considerable risk. Genti;l mixes fiction and fact seamlessly with great effect.


A Murder Unmentioned is the third book in this series I’ve read and my favorite. I was engrossed in the events, perhaps because the mystery was so much more individual, not part of some larger movement or conspiracy. The mystery in the past was fair and I began to suspect the solution, not too soon, but soon enough I was not surprised by the revelation. That’s the way it should be. In the other books in the series, I faithfully read the bits of real news and fictional news snippets that open the chapters. This time I skipped them. I think that may be the reason I found this book so much more enjoyable.

I received an e-galley A Murder Unmentioned from the publisher through NetGalley.

A Murder Unmentioned at Poisoned Pen Press
Sulari Gentill author site
A Decline in Prophets by Sulari Gentill
Paving the New Road by Sulari Gentill

★★★★
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2019/02/27/9781464206979/