Murder in Belgrave Square by Catherine Coles

I enjoyed this fourth book in the Tommy and Evelyn Christie Mystery series. While it builds on the previous novels in the series, it reads well on its own. It is set about a century ago in London, where Tommy and Evelyn are escaping all the aftermath of their solving murders at the estate. Even so, murder visits them when a man is found on their back doorstep stabbed to death.

Much of the plot centers around young women and how marriages are arranged for them. There is a good exploration of marrying for love rather than for financial support or place in society. There are also issues of family members not getting along and secrets from the past that have devastating consequences.

Another aspect of the plot deals with Tommy and Evelyn being childless. A newborn is found next to the murdered man and Evelyn gladly takes over her care. This is a touching part of the novel as we wonder how Evelyn will feel if the parents of the child will be identified and and the baby returned to their care.

I liked how the characters were drawn. Tommy is Lord Northmoor, having come into the title somewhat reluctantly and with a good sense of not using his entitlement to lord it over others. He and his wife investigate the unusual murder by listening to people and making good observations.

This is a good novella in the British cozy mystery genre.

You can read my reviews of the previous books in this series I have read: Murder at the Village Fete and Murder in the Churchyard.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Catherine Coles has been a legal secretary, a night carer, in a bar while completing a law degree, a family law practitioner, a childminder, a foster carer, a home carer, a receptionist, facilitating car deliveries for online customers, and a PA/HR Manager. Now she writes full time and lives in the north east of England. You can find out more at https://catherinecoles.com/.

Inspired Press Limited, 125 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Book Sirens. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)