I apprecitate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this a really interesting read and the characters are quite engaging. it kept me reading until the end. I highly recommend.

I wanted to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good murder mystery novel. Recommend

I had a few download issues with the book and by the time it was sorted, the file had unfortunately been achieved. Happy to re-review if it becomes available again.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery in a new to me series! Barrister Skeleton tries to get to the bottom of the case when a woman's body is found in a suitcase. Her husband is accused and Skeleton is asked to represent him. The case was interesting, but I really loved the people involved and their relationships, which I think is indication of a good cozy.

Using a barrister and his cases from the past as a spring board David Stafford has created a great cast of characters around Arthur Skelton - I love his clerk, Edgar, a cultured soul! This second book, that can be read as a stand alone, has him convinced that Dr Aziz is innocent of his wife's murder and as he tries to uncover the true facts of the case we have some fun side plots with flying exploits, a guinea pig, the odd tango, forensic entomology and an examination of what is at the root of sexual magnetism. It is an enjoyable read and keeps you guessing as different elements are uncovered, although I did feel one side plot was left hanging near the end, and I will definitely looking out for more books in the series.

Unable to download so I tried downloading sample from kindle .. also didnt work .. must be my devices .. looks attractive and sorry to miss it ....

Thank you, publisher and netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable murder mystery with some fun characters. I especially enjoyed the banter between the characters. There was good amount of suspense and a satisfying ending too.

I just don't think I liked it enough to read the first book or continue with the series. Hence the 3 stars.

Celebrated barrister Arthur Skelton and his clerk Edgar are back for a second outing, this time investigating the case of a woman’s dismembered corpse found in a suitcase. Evidence points to her husband, Egyptian Dr Ibrahim Aziz and he is soon in jail. Cue Skelton, who is convinced of his innocence and has to find out the truth before the judge dons his black cap.

I raved about the first entry in this new series and voted it my favourite book of the year. It ticked every box on my mental list of things that make for a good mystery (and indeed a good novel) and had wit, charm and story in spades. Talk about starting with a bang…but Mr Stafford set the bar very high and he fails to match the sheer joy of the first novel. Not that this one is without its merits, it just takes the scenic route and the pages are filled with meanderings that in many cases have little or nothing to do with the case. Edgar goes on a diet, Mia wants to buy an aeroplane and Skelton goes Christmas shopping. The cousins visit Scotland and help the impoverished locals with songs and a soup kitchen. Rose puts Nancy Drew to shame and does quite a bit of investigating herself, making a very insightful point about the dangers of charisma. There is a lot in here, but at times it reads like a series of witty anecdotes rather than a novel and hangs together rather loosely, the sleuthing taking a back seat too much of the time. The characters continue to be entertaining, but we didn’t learn anything about them that we didn’t know already. I’d read another as anybody who can come up with a book like the first is well worth reading. More investigating next time please.

This is the second book in this excellent series, it’s no t one which you need to read in order though.
Set in the 1920s Skelton is a barrister who always tries to help his clients and Dr Azores appears doomed.
From guinea pigs to aeroplanes via crystal radios and a suitcase this book is ace!

A woman’s dismembered corpse is discovered in a suitcase, and police quickly identify her husband, Doctor Ibrahim Aziz, as their chief suspect. Incriminating evidence is discovered at his home and his wife was rumoured to be having an affair, giving him clear motive.

With his reputation for winning hopeless cases, barrister Arthur Skelton is asked to represent the accused. Though Aziz’s guilt does not seem to be in doubt, a question of diplomacy and misplaced larvae soon lead Skelton to suspect there may be more to the victim’s death.

Aided by his loyal clerk Edgar, Skelton soon finds himself seeking justice for both victim and defendant. But can he uncover the truth before an innocent man is put on trial and condemned to the gallows?

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Just looking at the blurbs and gorgeous cover tempted me to request and read this book! It's pretty decent book with cozy vibes while I read this book!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

I had such a hard time finishing this book. I'm sorry because it wasn't my kind of book at all, sure at the start I was intrigued by the title but then it went haywire andd I just couldn't keep reading it.
I won't recommend it to people who love nice and fast paced narrations.
I'm finally done but I felt that the feel of the book was lacking, I skipped many parts and sad to say that I didn't find the book to be my type.

Thanks to Allison & Busby for the ARC!
I enjoyed the first book in this series, and was happy to see that there was a second.
I was not disappointed, the Suitcase Murders was a great read!
Mr. Stafford is a wonderful writer, I can envision all the scenes and characters so clearly.
Set in late 1920s London and England, and again based on comtemporary sources, this is not a typical 'murder mystery'. It's more about the characters and their relationships with each other, and a lot of co-incidence leading to solving the mystery.
Arthur is a lovely protagonist, he's very smart, but constantly distracted by his family and friends, and life in general. This doesn't stop him from being very responsible and dedicated to his clients.
He's helped out by his clerk Edgar (who gets his own subplot this time), and his travelling cousins who share their discoveries in delightful letters. His family contributes to making his life just a little more complicated.
Should be perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and anyone else who's looking for a fun and well-written story.

Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders is the second outing for intrepid barrister Arthur Skelton and his faithful clerk Edgar presented by David Stafford. Released 22nd April 2021 by Allison & Busby, it's 352 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes finding phrases or passages so much easier when reading.

The story arc is unusually well plotted, with a plethora of possible suspects and motives for several disparate plot-lines which interweave and culminate in a satisfying and well written denouement. Even the secondary characters are very finely drawn including Skelton's clerk, and his wife (a fervent feminist and lady gym master and something of a badass).

I loved the interplay between Arthur and his clerk and his trepidation at crossing his lady wife without good reason. Although he's a bit hapless, he's a tenacious and honourable protagonist and I enjoyed seeing him develop even more in this second installment of what I *fervently* hope will be a long series. Although this is the second book in the series, it's a good standalone story. I heartily recommend acquiring the first book as well, as this is a series which was strong straight out of the gate and in my opinion continues to improve.

Much like the first book in the series, the author's notes at the end of the book are absolutely worth a read. I liked his fictionalised murder and the ending. A caveat, however: don't read the historical notes before the actual story - there are major spoilers.

A lovely and entertaining mystery. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

DNF

Wish I knew before requesting this book that it was part of a series. Even though you don't necessarily need to read the first book before this one, I found it hard to connect with it and the characters. I felt in some parts that the book was dragging so decided to leave it unfinished.

‘Skelton’s Guide To Suitcase Murders’ is all that you need from historical crime fiction, it’s light hearted with great characters, rich with details from the era and warmth that radiates off the page! This is the follow up to ‘Skelton’s Guide To Domestic Poisons’ but you don't need to have read that to enjoy this one. I haven't and thoroughly enjoyed my time in this world.

Shelton is a renowned barrister and when a woman is found dismembered in a suitcase, it is up to Skelton to prove the innocence of the victim’s husband. But he is known to be able to solve the unsolvable! Along with Edgar and Rose, he starts to look into the case. His cousins are once again roaming the country - very helpfully in the town in which the victim was born. Maybe they will find some clues along the way.

I think some of my favourite parts of this book were the letters which the cousin, Alan, sends to Skelton as they were illuminating the social history of the period. It's the people in history who fascinate me so storylines along these lines always appeal. I also loved Skelton’s wife's obsession with out doing her friend and the mention of women flying around the world! Shelton as a character was extremely well developed. I can imagine him with all his success now returning to his working-class roots in Leeds and marvelling at how far he had come. Plus, I did like how he didn't have legal successes in all his cases as that to me would be unrealistic but is a trope that many writers forget about when creating characters. Failures make them human and therefore we are more like to relate to them as a protagonist. Although, I have to say I think the stand out character for me was Edgar with all his foibles and love of theatre and celebrity. Once again very fitting of the age!

This might be classed as a slow burner of a mystery but I enjoyed this as it allowed the reader to get to know the characters, grasp all the points and clues. Although, once again I didn't guess the murderer! I thoroughly recommend this book.

I enjoyed the first book immensely and hoped that the follow up would be as good if not better, and I did enjoy it. The characters are quintessentially British and the storyline captures the feeling in Britain at the time the book is set. It is a murder mystery that could be from the golden age of crime. A very good read.

Skelton’s Guide to Suitcase Murders is another absolute treat served up by David Stafford. It’s funny, quirky, clever, entertaining and well written. And based on a true case (legal case, not suitcase. Although in that case (no pun intended) I suppose, yes, it’s also based on a true suitcase, but I digress…).

This eagerly-awaited (by me) follow-up to Skelton’s Guide to Domestic Poisons doesn’t disappoint. Far from it!

Barrister Arthur Skelton and his clerk Edgar are back, and joined by a new assistant, Rose. They’re defending Dr Aziz, who has been accused of murdering his wife; her body was found dismembered and stuffed into a suitcase.

As in Book 1, Arthur is helped by his cousin Alan who, together with his sister Norah, travels across the country joyfully spreading the word of God (while learning how to tango). Alan sends long, rambling letters back to Arthur. The letters are hilarious and it’s fun trying to pinpoint what small detail in Alan’s stories will end up helping Arthur to solve the mystery.

Savor the words
These books aren’t to be read for instant thrills and high-adrenaline excitement. They are to be savored and enjoyed. They’re a plateful of scones, not a shot of sherbet. The pace is deliberately rather slow and the enjoyment is in the details and tangents and rambling conversations.

In the end, most of the details, while somewhat long in the telling, serve a purpose and shed light on the story or characters in some way. Bit by bit the characters and their concerns are revealed. Such as Edgar’s sore, small feet and his attempts to lose weight and find love. Or why Rose has a growing interest in forensic entomology. They also lighten the text, which veers entertainingly from the serious to the silly.

For example, at one point Arthur, Rose and Edgar are discussing the quality of sexual magnetism as personified in Laurence Olivier.

“It possibly develops as a result of childhood neglect. Some people crave love, affection and attention so much that it becomes a single-minded mania that commands the way they move, speak, everything. It often becomes an obsessive need to possess. Essentially, it’s a hunger – conscious or unconscious – not just to be loved , but to be certain that you are loved, to know that you’ve captured the soul, or whatever you want to call it, of another person – or of all other people – and either temporarily or permanently you own it.”

Edgar asks is it Freud who says this? No, Rose explains. It’s what the brother of one of the girls in Rose’s Girl Guides patrol, who worked backstage at the Birmingham Rep, had said about the actors.

I’ve read that this is part of a three-part series. Let’s hope that that’s not true. If I could look forward to a never-ending series of Skelton’s Guides for many years to come, I’d be a happy woman.

My thanks to Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.

Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders is actually the second installment in David Stafford's murder mystery series. I did not realize it prior to reading this, but I feel like it can be read as a standalone. Unfortunately it took me a while to get into Suitcase Murders. The beginning was very confusing to me and the story felt messy. I found the letters from his cousin Alan to be an info dump in the beginning, but later realized that this was used to gain extra information about the murder which was actually kind of a smart and funny move. Once I realized this I could also enjoy those chapters more.

I found the premise to have a lot of potential but I expected more in the sense of suspense and unexpected twists. The side characters were a great addition, but I found the switching between POV to be a bit confusing. I did enjoy the banter between Arthur and his colleague and friend, Edgar and also between Arthur and his wife Mila.

Around the second half of the book I started to enjoy the story more and felt like there was more action and intrigue. I found the ending to also be very satisfying. In conclusion I would rate Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders by David Stafford 3 stars.

So much to love about this book! It is the second in the series and I will definitely be reading the first and looking forward to the next in the series. With quirky and entertaining characters, this is a clever story with Arthur Skelton at the helm. Very well-paced and humorous in parts, I can highly recommend this to anywone who likes a good whodunnit with intriguing and fascinating characters.

Thank you so much to the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this and I look forward to reading more in the series.

A welcome return for Arthur Skelton - I loved the first book and this one is just as good.

When the body of a woman is found in a suitcase, it seems a rather open and shut case...the husband did it!! Or did he???? Dr Ibrahim Aziz, is an Egyptian GP who is arrested and set for trial. Convinced his wife is still alive Skelton and trusty sidekick, Edgar, dash around trying to find the truth amongst the murky underworld of career criminals.

We again meet Alan and Nora. Skelton’s cousins who are continuing to spread the word of god whilst also picking up local gossip to pass on to Skelton. A rich addition to the story are the letters they share. We also meet Rose from book one who finds clues, innovations and maybe a little romance along the way.

Another great read!