*Thanks to Park Row Books and NetGalley for the complimentary copy for my honest review*

Am I the only one that had the worst time telling the characters apart? They all seemed to blend into each other and I honestly couldn't tell which perspective we were talking from at certain times. The "mystery" also fell pretty flat for me, I didn't care enough about it and was really struggling to finish this book. Also I'm really not sure how this book is being compared to Harry Potter, it had the fantastical elements but that's about it.

Fantastic mystery with great world-building. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series. Such a unique take, and I think enjoyable for those who do not normally read mysteries.

DNF. It's my fault this didn't work for me really--I didn't read the blurb closely enough and was expecting a lot standard historical mystery and didn't realize it was fantasy, and I just couldn't get into the fantasy world here. Others who are more into urban fantasy may enjoy this more.

I have to say that this book, in my opinion, would be great for fans of Harry Potter because it has fantasy that is creative and clever — the sort of “everyday places that are really extraordinary” fresh look at typical surroundings. The mystery was well-paced and suspenseful. It would also be a good recommendation for readers of historical mysteries. This was a new author to me — and I see that this is her debut and also the start of a series!

Thank you for making me part of the tour!

It feels a lot like a first book. Lots of good ideas but the execution is lacking a bit. The pace of the plot felt off to me. It got going than stopped abruptly and lingered then got going again.

I liked the main characters Marion and Bill I got a feel of them. What they wanted, what they were about. The secondary characters were more prop to the story then full fledged characters.

The idea is interesting, a secret organization doing business from the underground of London. The links to the historical timeline are teasingly well done (Bletchley, the weapon's race, etc.) and inserted in this somewhat alternate world that has potential.

Very much a first book that delivered less then promised.

1958, and 23 year old Marion has just begun a new job at what everyone thinks is a book store. It is actually a front for a group called the Inquirers, mysterious detectives who operate beneath the city of London. Shortly after starting this job, she finds out that her grandmother has sold her home and is moving to the U.S. Marion does not want to leave London, so fortunately is able to move into a small apartment/room in the building where she works. It is at that time that her friend and mentor is placed on house arrest for killing a co-worker. Marian is privy to some information that she is not supposed to have, but it leads her on a quest to find the true murderer and free her mentor.

This story led into some very unexpected directions. There was some James Bond type pieces of equipment to use, as well as some serious spying and evil. I was not as engrossed in this story as I would have liked to be. There were several characters that blended together for me as well as a rather convoluted plot with some meandering chapters that did not add to my interest. When the story was about halfway through, it did get more interesting and I was able to enjoy the ending of the story. Marion is a great character. She is extremely smart and is able to put clues together and figure things out. I am not sure if the introduction of the series caused it to have some slower periods or if this is the way the series will go. I will definitely try the next book in the series to find out as I did enjoy the premise of secret societies, alternate history, amateur sleuthing and the James Bond vibe.

In the secret tunnels under the city of London there are a group of detectives, called inquirers, that work for Miss Brickett’s Investigations and Inquiries. Their job, using their skills and unique gadgets, is to solve crimes that have baffled Scotland Yard. Marion Lane is training to be an inquirer and finds herself drawn into the murder of a filing assistant.

With a little fantasy, a touch of steampunk, and a locked room mystery, this quirky, fun book had a lot of possibilities. The gadgets are interesting, the mystery is intriguing, and the characters are varied – some charming, some sinister, and others simply mysterious. But, somehow it didn’t quite gel for me. I liked Marion a great deal, but the story seemed to jump around a bit and some of the descriptions of the tunnels and the gadgets were a little difficult to follow. Since this isn’t the typical type of book I read, it could be that I couldn’t fully appreciate it. It is definitely a book that could appeal to a reader who enjoys fantasy and gadgetry, with some steampunk undertones. I would give it 3.5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

London 1958. The city is still trying to pick up the pieces shattered during World War II. Far below the city streets are a series of secret tunnels and passages, shifting doors and hallways, gadgets of all kinds and the home of Miss Brickett’s Investigations & Inquiries. A group of researchers, spies, agents that take on the cases that Scotland Yard cannot solve.

As the story opens, Michelle White is on duty, monitoring the letter boxes. All over London are secret receiver boxes that take letters (tips) from the streets down a six-mile pneumatic system, to land in Miss Brickett’s Filing Department, where they are read and either passed on or filed away. This night, April 11, Michelle received a letter addressed to her with only “a name, a time a place and one simple revelation.” She decides to investigate, grabbing her belongings and heading upstairs, toward the library and the locked room gate. Once inside, Michelle is murdered in a decidedly gory manner. Her body is discovered in a locked room, a la an Agatha Christie murder mystery.

Enter Marion Lane, a resourceful young woman, eager to rise through the ranks. She and her best friend, Bill, are apprentices, spending part of each day in various departments to learn what a successful Inquirer needs to know. I felt like I was on the set of “Get Smart” or a James Bond movie (without the coolness).

Michelle’s murder seems to just fade away until the last third of the novel, but all the efforts Marion and Bill have been putting forth are to solve the mystery. It’s convoluted and not very interesting. Well I will admit that the aluminum (I think) snake had cameras in its eyes and could detect movement was kinda cool in a creepy sort of way.

This is supposed to be the first book in a new series, but I’m done. The story was interesting enough to keep me reading, but it was a slow read. Therefore, Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder receives 3 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

London 1958 finds our main character, Marion Lane working at Miss Brickett’s Secondhand Books and Curiosities, which is actually a front for a secretive crime-solving agency that uses underground tunnels, trapdoors, booby traps, vacuum tube delivery methods and many other interesting gadgets.

When Marion’s friend Frank finds himself accused of murdering Michelle White in the Lock Room, the reader is plunged into a locked door mystery. Marion teams up with another apprentice, Bill, to try to find out whodunit.
Additionally, Marion, who was orphaned after her mother’s suicide, must contend with her interfering and unlikeable grandmother, who disapproves of Marion’s little job at a bookshop and wishes only to marry her off., even going so far as to sell the family home from under her.

Although the initial setup to the story was very interesting, the telling was a little flat. There wasn’t a lot of character development but Marion was likeable. Quirky and fun with clockwork birds and fun gadgets, the book could have used a little more fleshing out. I would have enjoyed to know more about the agency itself.

I didn’t get very far into this one before I was too bored to continue on. After such a long fantasy kick, I just wasn't feeling this mystery anymore. DNF'd about 7% in..

Such a great premise for a book! really original and compelling! I had a few issues with the heroine. She seems a bit clueless (!) at times which makes her moments of insight a little unbelievable. The plot is also a little draughty. It is difficult to believe that a group of private investigators can all be duped. I don't want to explain more because that'll give it away.

This was an enjoyable enough book, though there are a lot of novels out there that are similar, and there’s not much that makes this one particularly unique or notable.

The writing is fine and the story has no major flaws, but the full package feels like one of many in a crowded sub-genre.

This is sort of a spy book with a dash of steampunk, and the combination worked fine but failed to provide much in the way of “wow” moments. The story takes some time to get going and while the pacing and plot are better in the second half, it ends with a bit of a whimper.

The solve was predictable but not problematically so, except for the fact that it felt like it was revealed too early, and the action that followed wasn’t particularly climactic.

I expect those who don’t typically read books like this one will enjoy it more than those who devote a lot of read time to the genre. If you don’t normally delve into stories like this, it will likely feel fresh and interesting. But if, like me, you read a lot of similar material, this one won’t feel particularly memorable.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder by T.A. Willberg.

After the not-so-beloved secretary ends up murdered, it becomes clear to this secret society of detectives that this was an inside job. Everyone is a suspect, and nobody feels safe.

Unfortunately I read about half of this and then gave up. To be honest, it was just too redundant. The infighting and bickering, how everyone was their own brand of strangely attractive, and everyone behaved a bit too childish for an elite secret society. The premise started out strong, but after a while I just felt like I was on a weird high schoolish hamster wheel. I just couldn't latch on to this one.

Marion Lane’s life is complicated to say the least. Her only family member is an unfeeling grandmother. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, she lives with her grandmother and it’s not easy.

She gets a job at a local bookstore, but things aren’t as they seem and this is no ordinary bookstore. Below ground, there is an investigative agency complete with hidden tunnels and ingenious gadgets. To add to the intrigue, there’s a dead body of one of their agents.

When a close friend is accused of the murder, Marion is determined to find the real killer. She never expects to uncover the hidden secrets of the agency.

This is a difficult book to summarize. There are so many things going on with this story. Sometimes I found it hard to follow. It kind of reminded me of the old cable TV series The Librarians with Agatha Christie overtones. A little mystery, a little fantasy and quite a bit of drama. It’s been compared to Harry Potter, however, I’m one of the few that haven’t read that series, so I can’t compare them.

It started slowly for me as we were introduced to all the characters. There are so many different characters and at times it was hard to keep them all straight. Once the story took off, I was intrigued to figure it all out but there were so many twists and turns. It all led to an explosive finale. I could easily see this as a movie.

I’m curious to see if there will be a sequel or if this is the beginning of a series. If it is, it’s off to an interesting start.







FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I didn’t know what to expect and I choose this book because I found the blurb fascinating and I thought it could be a lot of fun.
It is a lot of fun but even if the blurb talked about Agatha Christie I can say that it’s quite different, more steampunk mixed with intrigue and secret society than Golden Age tropes.
This is a gripping and highly entertaining story, I had a lot of fun reading of the organisations, how it works and the secrets that can exist in a secret organization.
The plot is fast paced, full of twists and turns, well written and I wasn’t able to put it down once I was hooked (after a few pages).
Marion is a very interesting characters: a girl who was hurt by life and is struggling for her independence and happiness. The character development is excellent and the cast of characters is fleshed outand interesting.
I loved the complex and detailed world building and I hope this is part of a series because I want to learn more about the organization and the characters.
I had a lot of fun reading it and it’s highly recommended.
Many thanks to Harlequin Park Row and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

In many ways, Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder by T. A. Willberg reminds me of Harry Potter with a secret agency, a main character who is a first year, and, of course, a villain among the ranks. The ending clearly indicates a sequel might be coming. The first installment provides a fun escape from reality. So, I look forward to what may come next.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2021/01/marion-lane-and-midnight-murder.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and the Fall 2020 mystery/thriller blog tour from Harlequin Trade Publishing.

This was super fun! Set in 1950s London, it's a secret society of investigators complete with underground tunnels and ingenious gadgets that give them a jump on the police. It very much reminded me of the TV show Warehouse 13. I thought the author did a great job of creating that secret, underground world that was just slightly off-kilter of the world we know and filled the story with really likable characters - that includes the ones we weren't supposed to like. I was completely engaged and delighted every minute I was reading this!

Marion Lane was a rather recent hire on an unusual team and was being trained in the art of solving crimes. However, she soon dangerously learned that much more was at stake, costing more than one person their life. Moreover, quite possibly her discoveries could soon prove to place her very life in danger.

Serious secrets of a rather fantastical nature were being kept at all costs, but Marion, along with friend and fellow employee Bill were determined to find answers. It is 1958 London and Marion's place of employ is dark and secretive, including the use of intriguing gadgets and such used in the attempt to solve crimes.

After a woman is murdered, Marion, only employed a few months, leaves no stone unturned in the course of her job, but even more so after the murder. What Marion discovers not only unleashes previously well-hidden secrets, but places her life and that of others in danger.

What a delightful story. I loved the suspense, but I also loved the suspended reality this story contained. This debut novel definitely caught my attention and now I cannot wait to see what next this new author has in store for her readers.

Many thanks to Park Row and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I’m going to copy what others have said about this book: it was such a fun read and my only regret is that there isn’t more!

Plunged into the depths of underground London in 1958, I was instantly capitivated by both my imagination and my curiosity as I was swept away into a world I wished I were a part of!

I love London, England…I’ve been there numerous times and recently (in my last trip) did a Jack the Ripper tour…and I found myself wondering if any of the streets I’d walked were in this book.

The story was executed brilliantly. There is a whimsical element to the Agathy Christy feel, a haunting whisper of a past that has me wanting more in this world.

Marion Lane as a character is endearing, strong, capable and I couldn’t imagine anyone else being the hero of this story!

Somewhere in the depths of Miss Brickett’s Investigations and Inquiries, which masquerades as Miss Brickett’s Secondhand Books and Curiosities, there must be a door that leads to the Invisible Library as well as some stacks that wander into the “L” space that leads to Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.

Or if there isn’t, there certainly ought to be. While the Discworld librarian would probably just throw some bananas at the entire mess, Irene Winters, the Librarian who serves as spy, agent and occasionally thief on behalf of the Invisible Library would fit right into Miss Brickett’s. To the point where I wonder if the Library hasn’t used Miss Brickett’s as a training program on multiple occasions.

Because first-year Miss Brickett’s apprentice Marion Lane has exactly what it takes to become Irene’s kind of librarian, and her misadventures read like just the kind of thing that Irene probably cut her teeth on.

And just as much the kind of misadventure that cut its teeth on her.

Marion Lane, like Miss Brickett’s itself (and Miss Brickett herself, for that matter) is more than she appears to be. Miss Brickett’s (the agency) is the kind of place that feels like it ought to exist, even though it really doesn’t. Both in the sense that it would be marvelous if there were people whose lives were dedicated to resolving issues and solving crimes for anyone who needs help, and it would be marvelous if said secret agency operated in secret tunnels under one of the great cities – like London.

London in particular, is so large, has been a city for so long, and has such a many-layered history that we’re not surprised when real things that have been lost for decades – or centuries – turn up under it. Like lost Underground Stations – something that has really happened.

Miss Brickett’s, both the agency and the person, also intersect with the post-World War II history of women who found important jobs and purpose during the war and just weren’t interested in giving it all up afterwards. Particularly women who served at Bletchley Park as codebreakers.

Come to think of it, Sparks and Bainbridge (The Right Sort of Man, A Royal Affair and the upcoming A Rogue’s Company) would have fit right into Miss Brickett’s – even if they would have chafed at some of its many rules and restrictions.

But there are secrets in and under Miss Brickett’s. Not just the secrets its Inquirers investigate, but the secrets that they are keeping. Including their own. Because Miss Brickett’s conceals some of the very shady parts of Britain’s involvement in the late war. And because it guards the mysterious and deadly “Border” between the worlds we know – and someplace we very much don’t.

So when the “Border Guard” is murdered in a locked room named the “Lock Room” Marion Lane risks her apprenticeship and her life to determine who really done it. Because it couldn’t have been the person who was framed for it.

It’s up to Marion and her friends and frenemies to discover the truth – before that truth discovers that they are out to get it – and definitely before it gets them.


The gorgeous UK cover
Escape Rating A-: The blurb is a bit misleading. While the murder at the heart of this mystery is a locked-room mystery, the totality of Marion’s story bears no resemblance to anything by Dame Agatha.

Rather, this reads like it sits at the dangerous crossroads between The Invisible Library and the Scholomance of A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik. The dark passages under Miss Brickett’s, the atmosphere of “here be dragons”, complete with monsters that serve as the equivalent of real, honest to goodness dragons, feels very much like the dark, dank and deadly corridors – and especially the lost halls – of the Scholomance.

It’s also clear that survival skills are an unstated but absolutely necessary part of all three curriculums.

While Marion’s misadventures read like some of Irene Winters’ training at the Invisible Library, Marion as a character is very much like El in A Deadly Education. She’s young, she’s still learning, the apprenticeship feels like her last chance to save herself, she’s in over her head and the place and everyone in it really are out to get her.

Not everyone in either case, but that’s how it feels from each of their perspectives at the time the stories open.

Marion’s situation is in many ways more poignant because it is based in the real. She knows that she doesn’t want the life everyone thinks she should want – marriage and children – and she definitely doesn’t want it with anyone that her grandmother picks out for her. She’s desperate to escape her situation and Miss Brickett’s is more than just a job, it’s Marion’s ticket out of her life and into something meaningful, purposeful and marvelous.

She has a lot riding on this apprenticeship – if she can just stick it for the three years required, not merely survive but receive good evaluations, she’ll be offered a full-time position as an Inquirer – which includes room and board at Miss Brickett’s and away from her harridan of a grandmother.

But, as much as the creepy monsters under the agency, the mysterious “Border” and the hidden laboratories add to the chilling atmosphere of both Miss Brickett’s and the story, it’s the human side of all the equations that compels the reader to explore this world with Marion.

We feel for her personal predicament in the outside world, but it’s her motivations inside Miss Brickett’s that push her to investigate the murder. And it’s those same human motivations that are behind everything; pride, ambition, greed, jealousy and revenge, set against the need to keep the agency’s actions secret at all costs.

And it’s that balance and its breaking, the need to give justice to both the many – the people of London who rely on Miss Brickett’s services – as well as to the few – both the victim of the murder and the man framed for it, set against Miss Brickett’s own need to keep the agency secret so that “Official” London doesn’t shut down its clandestine and frequently illegal operations, that underpins the whole story and provides both its dramatic tension and its relief and release.

Marion and Miss Brickett’s are both fascinating characters. Marion’s career at Miss Brickett’s and her life are both at their starting points. Based on this initial outing, it’s clear that both have many more marvelous stories to tell us.

I hope we get to read them.