M. J. Trow clearly has a great time researching contemporaneous historical characters for bit parts in his Grand and Batchelor series. Set in the late 1800’s, this outing sees the former journalist James Batchelor and Civil War veteran Matthew Grand investigating murders in the London art world. James Whistler and John Ruskin play major roles, along with a host of minor true life characters.

Like others, I’m hoping that in the next episode, Batchelor will ditch his horrible fiancee!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love M J Trow books and I loved this one.
An excellent historical mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed as it is engrossing and highly entertaining.
The historical background is vivid and well researched, the characters are likable and fleshed out, the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Last Nocturne is a period mystery, set in 1878 London. Grand and Batchelor, the main characters, run a small private inquiry agency. In this volume, the seventh in the series, the two are hired by James Whistler—yes, that one—to investigate John Ruskin, who has deprecated Whistler's art. That's not much of a mystery, but then bodies start showing up and it's clear that something very wrong is underway, and it's based in the London art world. Several other artists make appearances—as does Oscar Wilde.

In all, this is a lively frolic for those who appreciate mysteries for their context as much as their plotting. Neither is remarkable on its own, but together they make for a rewarding read for fans of period mysteries.

I received a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

When I clicked on this story to request an arc, I expected this to be a Victorian romance. Hopefully, based on the title, about a musician. Last Nocturne made me think immediately of composer Frederic Chopin since I'm a classically trained piano player. However, once I started this book I learned that my initial assumption about the story was not correct. This mystery, detective story immerses the reader into Victoria era London and makes history come alive again throughout the story. I enjoyed seeing how the author wove this intricate story that took me as a reader on a journey with a compelling if not dark mystery at times. I enjoy mystery and thriller stories as long as they are not too morose or morbid and while this story was on the brink of what I was comfortable reading about in a mystery, I found myself sucked into the story and curious to see how the resolution would come about. Overall, I'm glad I gave this book a try and I enjoyed being along the journey to meet these characters, solve this mystery and see how all the loose ends would be tied up by the end of the story. Thanks to net galley for sharing an advanced copy of the Last Nocturne with me!

I am a huge fan of MJ Trow's books. We have some things in common. I don't share his gifts as a writer but we did go to the same school and we both had long careers as teachers. We certainly share the same acerbic views of the bean counters and politically correct apologists who run schools these days. If you want first hand knowledge of these miserable characters, then read any of Trow's wonderful Peter 'Mad' Maxwell series. They are great entertainment - very, very funny, but with a serious side, too.

Like his creator, Peter Maxwell has left the chalk face and retired to his Isle of Wight home, but Trow's brilliance as a historian still shines in the Grand and Batchelor series, of which The Last Nocturne is the seventh. Reviews of some of its predecessors are here, and the new book has the usual dazzling mix of real-life characters - try Oscar Wilde, GF Watts, John Ruskin and James McNeill Whistler for starters -  knockabout humour and murder most foul.


Grand & Batchelor are private investigators based in 1870s London and - much to the relief of James Batchelor, who is a terrible traveller - The Last Nocturne has its feet securely on home soil. Grand is from a wealthy New England family, and fought bravely for the Union in The War Between The States, while Batchelor is a journalist by trade. Murder - what else? - is the name of the game in this book, and the victims are, you might say 'on the game'. Cremorne Gardens were popular pleasure gardens beside the River Thames in Chelsea, but after dark, the 'pleasure' sought by its denizens was not of the innocent kind. 'Ladies of the Night' are being murdered - poisoned with arsenic - but the killer doesn't interfere with them, as the saying goes, but instead leaves books by their dead bodies.

As the two investigators become involved in the police hunt for the bookish poisoner, they are still doing the day job which, in this case, is being employed by Grand's fellow countryman Mr Whistler - he of the painting of his mum - to dig out any dirt they can find on art critic John Ruskin who, 'as any fule no' (to quote Nigel Molesworth) wrote, of one of Whistler's paintings, "never expected to hear a coxcomb ask two hundred guineas for flinging a pot of paint in the public's face"

Trow has great fun with John Ruskin's back story, particularly his disastrous marriage to Euphemia 'Effie' Gray , and the disastrous first night of their honeymoon when he was so traumatised by her luxuriant pubic hair that he was unable to continue with his marital duties. The Pre-Raphaelite painter John Millais clearly had no such qualms, as he married Effie in 1855, and they produced eight children.

The search for the killer, however, continues, but G & B, along with the police, remain mystified. They even resort to a seance involving the well-known society medium, Miss Florence Cook, whose reputation has gone before her:

"The murmurs from the guests were mixed, but Florence was used to that. Speaking for herself, she couldn't really see why people were always so surprised when she was from time to time exposed as a fraud. What did they expect? That the dead would turn up on cue to talk to people about the other side? Why would Uncle Norman come back to a seedy scullery in Acton to tell his niece that it was all very l, he was at peace, and he'd been talking to Beethoven only the other day, who told him to tell little Bessie to carry on with her piano lessons?"

Eventually G & B solve the mystery, but rather more by accident than design and the book comes to a dramatic and entertaining conclusion. The Last Nocturne is published by Severn House, and is available in hardback and as a Kindle.

1878 sees Enquiry Agents Matthew Grand & James Batchelor working for the artist Whistler, who wants them to dig the dirt on John Ruskin for the sin of criticising his artwork. The investigation becomes entangled with a murder case as several young women are killed in Cremorne Gardens, a place notorious for assignations. Outside of the cases, Grand is pursuing his engagement with Lady Caroline Wentworth, and a new assistant, Alexander Martin nicknamed Gan, comes to work for Grand & Batchelor. Gan is a marvel at remembering and organising information and via his character, Oscar Wilde makes an appearance in this story.

The last couple of books in this series have been great, but I found this one a little lacklustre. The cases took ages to get anywhere, and there was far too much of Caroline Wentworth, a character who does little but slow down the story. On the plus side, I think Gan seems likes a promising character for further development, and I enjoyed the mention of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (a favourite of mine), but the story progressed far too slowly.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Severn House, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

It 1878 and while Lord Beaconsfield & Bismarck are in Berlin trying to bring peace to the first Balkan Peninsula War, Matthew Grand (an American Civil War veteran) & James Batchelor (a former English Newspaper journalist), the genial owners of an inquiry agency in London, are trying to resolve a string of murders committed at night in the city's Cremorne Gardens.
"Last nocturne", the latest whodunit born from the incredible imagination of the Welsh author M J Trow brings together an unforgettable cast ensemble of fictional & nonfictional characters that will definitely stay with the reader well after the last chapter, a very tight & twisty plot and lots of laughter. Yes laughter because "Last nocturne" is first and foremost a very funny murder mystery taking place among the artistic world of late 19th century England. To be enjoyed without moderation!

Many thanks for Netgalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel prior to its release date

Fans of historical fiction might enjoy this mystery set in 1878 which blends murder with real life people. Clara Jenkins is the second prostitute to be poisoned and left with a book in her lap, which means Matthew Grand and James Batchelor have a challenge on their hands. THEN a man dressed in women's clothes is murdered. At the same time, James McNeill Whistler is fighting with a critic and one of his paintings has been vandalized, There's a lot going on- so much so that Trow might have done better to split and expand the two plot lines (although they odd come together. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC,

1878 The painter Whistler wants Grand and Batchelor to uncover dirt of Ruskin, in retaliation for his comments about one of his paintings. They are also investigating the deaths of various streetwalkers as the police seem to be totally incompetent. Will Batchelor ever get married to the awful Lady Caroline Wentworth.
An enjoyable historical mystery, a decent addition to the series which can be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

MJ Trow is an author to be relied on for an intriguing historical crime with a touch of humour in his descriptions and the words that come out of his characters’ mouths. In ‘Last Nocturne’ the investigation of the deaths of young women in a London park centres on the artistic milieu and features , amongst others, Ruskin, Whistler and Oscar Wilde.
Trow weaves a knotty mystery for his private enquiry agents , Grand and Batchelor, to unravel.

I used to love M.J. Trow's books, but have found that less true with each recent book.

Yes, I love the characters of Batchelor and Grand, as well as Mrs. Rackstraw and Maisie. Lady Caroline, however, is annoying. Gan could prove interesting.

However, the plot. It seems M.J. is so taken with the idea of introducing historical figures, he has forgotten there needs to be a compelling story surrounding them. Where, to me, the focus of the book should have been the murders, M.J. spent more time on the libel case and the conflict between the two men. Yes, the touch of the paranormal was fun, but not enough to keep me reading.

Trow does write delightful dialogue. That is something I always enjoy.

Overall, I found the book amusing but directionless. The author had more fun finding ways to insert historical characters into the plot than having an actual cohesive plot. I'm not completely giving up on Trow, but I sure hopes he narrows his focus in future books. Rating: Poor

A Victorian mystery set in the world of Art. Matthew Grand and James Batchelor are private investigators. Grand is about to take the final step in his relationship with Lady Caroline and Batchelor does not know where his future lies. They are hired by Artist James Whistler to check out critic John Ruskin with whom he is having a feud. They also find themselves looking into the unusual deaths of women in Cremorne Gardens the bodies found posed with books. This is an enjoyable story looking into Grand and Batchelor’s everyday lives as they investigate. The main characters stand out and the end setting for catching our murderer is most entertaining when things don’t quite go to plan. These are all characters you would enjoy revisiting.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.