A man is found dead in the Metropole hotel in Leeds and Kate Shackleton’s friend and erstwhile lover, Marcus Charles is sent from Scotland Yard to investigate. The dead man is someone with whom Kate is acquainted and his widow asks her to investigate his death for her.
Marcus does not seem keen to have Kate involved in the investigation even though she can ask questions and get answers where he might not be able to. Kate also has a case of her own to investigate – Deirdre Fitzpatrick – a young married woman who is causing her husband concern by disappearing for days at a time.
This is the fourth book in this intriguing mystery series set in nineteen twenties West Yorkshire. It is well written with an interesting heroine and the era is brought vividly to life. I like Kate’s employee, Sykes the ex-policeman and he plays quite a big part in this episode.
The period details are well done and I enjoy the background because I used to live in the area myself and have stayed more recently in the Metropole. I like the way the author demonstrates the problems Kate faces as a single woman though her status as a widow gives her more options than she would have as a spinster. If you want a mystery series which is not set in London or the Home Counties then try this one – it is something a bit different.
As an aside the Metropole is still there in Leeds and it does look like the picture on the cover of the book. I have stayed there several times.
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