'The Midnight Hour' is the sixth entry in the popular Stephens & Mephisto series by Elly Griffiths. i'm a fan of both the Ruth Galloway and Harbinder Kaur series and was excited to try 'The Midnight Hour' which is more of a historical series as this book is set in 1965.
The Stephens & Mephisto of the series (previously known as The Magic Men) are two former members of a shadowy team called The Magic Men who worked undercover during WWII. We are given little background to their previous lives, except to learn that Max's knowledge as a magician was invaluable to their wartime efforts. Previous novels in the series have focused on Max, now an actor and Edgar, a police officer, teaming up to investigate various crimes in and around Brighton. In this edition, Griffiths has expanded the world of Stephens & Mephisto, giving greater time to Emma and Sam, with their newly created detective agency. Emma is a former detective and also Edgar's wife. While Sam is a journalist. Both women are determined to use their exceptional range of skills to try and uncover the truth behind the death of Bert Billington. Also heavily involved in the case is WDC Meg Connolly. There is marked contract between the 'official' approach and that of the two private detectives, but even more so, there is a contract between the approach of the male and female characters. I enjoyed watching how the three women teamed up as much as possible to drive the case along.
There are great details about life in the police force at this time (1960s) and also the variety circuit back in the 1920s and onwards. Wonderful to read about the theatre world at that time. Not exactly a cozy mystery - a little too detailed on the murder in parts but a fantastic read and great fun.

The Midnight hour is the next instalment of Elly Griffiths “Brighton Series”. The ninety-year-old impresario Bert Billington is found dead, plenty of suspects to choose from. He has been poisoned; his youngest son accuses his mother, Bert’s wife of the deed. She calls in Emma Holmes and Sam Collins to prove her innocence. Emma is a former Detective sergeant.
It is set in 1965 and is very well observed, Emma must take her small son along with her when she interviews suspects. A great cast of characters, some loveable some less so! Great storyline with plenty of twists. Another great book by Elly Griffiths it doesn’t disappoint

The sixth book in this historical mystery series which has now reached 1965. This book deals with the murder of a theatre impressario in the village of Rottingdean. Edgar Stephens and Max Mephisto have a much more background role in this book, which suits me as I feel they are past their best. The female characters lead the action and it adds an interesting dimension to the series. The change in emphasis reflects the social changes in the 1960s that call into question the traditional roles of women.
As with previous books, Elly Griffith has written a superb mystery that once started it is difficult to put down. It is always a joy to read one of her novels.

Big fan of Elly Griffiths never lets her readers down, lover her writting. The new Stephen & Mephisto mystery so easy to read and get involved with the characters. Emma , Edgar's Stephen wife has been employed by Verity to solve the murder of her deceased husband Bill Billingston . Working in the thearter there lives cross with friend Max Mephisto . Edgar's police team are investigating the same crime and they put there resources together to solve the crime. Edgars up incoming detective Meg Connolly solves the mystery with her help from Emma . Meg was my favourite character in this book, we will here more I am sure of this character in her next book in this series I should think.
Thank you Netgally for letting me preview the good.

This was an intriguing crime read about the death of elderly impresario Bert Billington whose son is concerned his mother Verity played a part in his fathers death resulting in a police investigation and Verity herself employing private investigators to get to the real truth of events. Set in the middle of the 1960s it was interesting to be reminded of the attitudes towards women in many respects including within the police force. There were some well written characters and suspicion could have fallen on many of them especially considering the complex past of Bert.

As a fan of Elly Griffiths, I have read all of the series with forensic archaeologist, Dr Ruth Galloway, which is brilliant but this is my first read of the Brighton Series and it was certainly different but highly entertaining. It can easily be read as a standalone but I now feel the need to get the rest in the series.

The Midnight Hour is set in the 1960s and a theatre impresario, Bert Billingham, is found dead in his chair one Sunday by one of his sons. He has been poisoned and the son accuses his mother, Verity, of murdering Bert. Verity hires private investigators Emma, previously police officer and wife of Edgar, and Sam, previously a reporter, to look into it.

There are numerous twists and turns alongside an interesting slant on sexism in that era.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Quercus Books and Elly Griffiths for my ARC of The Midnight Hour in return for my honest review.

Recommended.

I've read all of the Dr Ruth Galloway series from Elly Griffiths and have been meaning to read the Brighton series (they are on the shelves waiting to be read). When offered the chance to read number 6 in the series I thought why not, I usually have to read things in order but decided to jump in at number 6 to see if you can read it as a stand alone, and I would say yes you can, it didn't spoil my reading and in fact I will now be picking up the remainder of the series to read. And so to The Midnight Hour.......Set in the 1960's the Brighton Mystery series features Edgar Stephens and Max Mephisto who forged their friendship during the war, Stephens goes on to become Superintendant Stephens in the Brighton police force whilst Max is now working as a jobbing actor. There are a host of characters who are more prominent in this novel, Emma StephCens (wife to Edgar and private investigator), Sam Collins (reporter and private investigator), D.I. Bob Willis, WDC Meg Connolly to name but a few.

When a theatre impressario Bert Billington is found dead at home by his son, the son suggests his mother Verity (retired showgirl/dancer) has killed her husband. Verity engages Emma and Sam to investigate her husbands death which could be difficult as Emma's husband is also investigating the death. There are some great details about the what it was like to work in variety from the 20's to the late 50's, the type of acts and how it could be dangerous for women, who always needed their wits about them. There is always a humour in the writing of Elly Griffiths which makes her a joy to read. If you've never read this series dive in to book 6 and just enjoy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus for an early copy.

I love historical crime and this series ticks all the boxes for me (if we are OK with calling the 1960s 'historical'!) - this isn't my first book in this series and so I knew more or less what to expect. I wasn't disappointed and actually think this is one of the stronger instalments in the series.

In this book, set in 1965, a theatrical impresario (Bert Billington) is found dead. When it is revealed that he was poisoned, the suspicion falls on his wife and ex-showgirl, Verity. However, it seems that there are plenty of people with a grudge against Bert - and private detective duo Emma Holmes and Sam Collins are called in to see if they can help when the police are failing.

Having previous knowledge of the series definitely helped as regular readers will know that Emma Holmes (one half of the private detective duo) used to be a police officer until she married Edgar Stephens, her boss. It also helps to have a bit of a back story for Max Mephisto and his daughter, Ruby, who crop up as regulars in the novels. All this is explained in the back of the book for new readers, but I think knowing it makes those who have followed the series more invested in the characters.

What I love about these novels is the show business setting - both the old-fashioned world of music halls and pantomimes and the new film industry. The fact that some of this book centres around the filming of 'Dracula' in Whitby is a huge bonus for me as I love the story and the place. The fact that movie stars and showgirls rub shoulders with police officers (who are sometimes starstruck) is an engaging element of the novel.

I also like the characters - especially Meg Connolly, the young police officer who is at the centre of the police side of the investigation. She's a charming and endearing character - a bit self-conscious at times, but really finding her feet in the Brighton police force. I also especially liked eccentric new widow Verity - a woman with one eye on her showbiz past and not willing to give up the limelight yet.

The plotting of this one is well-done and I had absolutely no idea where it was going! It isn't fast-paced or packed with thrills, but is instead gently engaging - I actually read this in one sitting as I hid from the heatwave outside and it was an absolute pleasure to be in 1960s Brighton for a few hours.

I'd recommend this to those who enjoy police procedurals with an interesting historical setting. The social history of the era is well done and there is a quiet feminist slant in the depiction of so many capable and strong women on all sides of the investigation. I'd recommend that you start earlier in the series if you haven't met these characters before, but only so you don't miss some of the lovely characterisation and subtleties of the relationships.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Once again Elly Griffiths has delivered an absolute gem, this is a superb book. There is the right balance of characters, plot and tension to make an outstanding read. Excellent.

I am a huge fan of Elly Griffith's Ruth Galloway novels but have only recently read some of the Brighton mysteries series which I now adore. The Midnight Hour is set in 1965 and follows the investigation into the murder of theatre impressario Bert Billington. Emma Holmes who now runs her own private detective agency with journalist Sam Collins is hired by Billington's widow to investigate. I loved the fact that the women investigators take centre stage in this novel although the old familiar characters - Edgar Stephens, Max Mephisto and Ruby reappear. I love the Brighton setting and period detail of these novels and would highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review a digital ARC.

Disclaimer: I love Elly Griffiths' work. Both this series and the Dr Ruth Galloway series are among the very best murder/mystery/police procedurals being published today.
I wanted to start with that so you know I do have a bias where Elly's work is concerned :)

Brighton - 1965
This novel kicks off with what would be, if this was a T.V. series, a pre-titles sequence. Ageing showbiz beauty, (the one and only Verity Malone), answers the door to her son, Aaron, who's come for a visit to show his Dad, ex-theatrical impresario Bob Billington, his new motorbike. Pleasantries with Mum, then in to the sitting room to see Dad, only to find him dead in his favourite armchair!

And cue titles...

The T.V. allegory is appropriate, I feel, as showbiz plays a big part in all the Brighton series, and this is no exception.

The police begin their investigation when it's found the deceased died due to ingestion of rat poison. The police investigative team is DI Bob Willis and WDC Meg Connolly. The wife of the deceased then employs an all – female detective agency to investigate on her behalf, as her son Aaron believes she poisoned her husband. This dynamic duo is of course Emma Stephens, (wife of Superintendent Edgar Stephens, and former police detective), and her friend Samantha Collins, newspaper reporter.

In the early stages, we follow both teams, with Emma and Sam making progress as they each speak to the various parties involved in the case (the gardener, who saw a mysterious brown coated woman at the house on the day of Bert Billington's death, the former nanny, the 'day' woman and of course, the children; David, who runs the family business, Seth, film star, and Aaron, mechanic.

Seb is in Whitby, filming a Dracula movie with the one and only Max Mephisto! Seb asks Max to have a word with Superintendent Edgar Stephens, his long time friend, to tell him that his mother had nothing to do with poisoning his father.

We learn that Bert Billington was a serial philanderer, who left many broken hearts, and single mothers in his wake, including chorus girl Glenda, who killed herself and her child when his affections went elsewhere.

And so there's only one character missing, Max's daughter, the TV star Ruby. And she arrives at Emma and Edgar's home, as beautiful as ever and full of fun.

End of part one.

Following a further death, the investigation continues apace, and I won't go any further into the plot, suffice to say it all makes sense, we are steered back and forth in our suspicions, the denouement is skilfully played, and the loose ends tied up. The post-ending scenes are nicely done as well.

Out of interest, I didn't guess who it was, and that was great :)

What else can I safely say?

There are life changing events for Max and Ruby. Sam is side-lined for a while as she is sent to report on a real-world investigation in the North-West. I wasn't sure why at first, now I think it's to provide more of that sense of place and time, and also possibly to show us that the times they are a changin', that the country is losing it's innocence.

As always, this book has great prose from a great writer, her books are always readable, the characters, even minor ones, always fully fleshed out and believable, and behave with real motivations, (Meg's mother for example). With superb scene setting and atmosphere and a real sense of place and time for each location, which can be easily missed by less skilful writers.

Attitudes of the time are addressed (e.g. the way some of Meg's male colleagues behave towards her), but these and other points aren't hammered home that 'this is wrong and needs to change', it's handled with far more subtlety than that.

It's interesting how far this series has come, with Emma, Meg and Sam now the leads. The combination of Emma and Meg works best for me. Emma is inspirational to Meg and Emma seems to enjoy her role as mentor. The high-born Mrs Holmes and the naive WDC Connolly are a great team, combining detective & people skills, instincts and methodology.
Edgar and Max have become, not exactly peripheral, but secondary characters in these books, and that's no bad thing. Maybe Elly is just mixing things up, and the next book will be driven by Max and Edgar, but I can't see it somehow. More Holmes, Connolly and Collins please!

And finally, a huge thanks to Netgalley & Quercus Books for approving me for an advance copy of this book!

David Frost said "Love is staying up all night with a sick child - or a healthy adult.". A book that keeps reading till 3 am is an excellent book.
Maybe I'm a bit biased as I think I could read Elly Griffiths' shopping list and rate is as "gripping, highly entertaining, 5*". In this is case it's the right way to define this book as I read it turning pages maniacally and couldn't stop till I read the last word.
It's a complex story, full of twists and turns, a puzzle where there's one main suspect who's also an unreliable witness. Plenty of red herrings and a solution that came as a surprise.
I was happy to read about Emma investigating again and her relationship with WDPC Meg is interesting as it's based on common experience and bypass and social difference.
There's a lot going on in the life of the characters, fleshed out as usual, and there's plenty of references to the "The Feminine Mystique" and the beginning of the feminism movement. It's something so revolutionary that one of the male characters is considering it a possible motive for killing.
There's a quite bleak description of the entertainment in first part of the XX century: plenty of power plays and no metoo to prevent abuse.
A highly entertaining, gripping and well written story, highly recommended.
Many thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Another great book from Elly Griffiths. The story is intriguing and the characters are totally believable and charming, even the not so nice ones! Keeps you guessing right til the end.

Theatre impresario Bert Billington is found dead in his retirement home and no one suspects any wrongdoing – until the postmortem reveals he was poisoned. As in many cases, suspicion is cast in the direction of his wife, an ex-Music Hall star. Verity wants to ensure her innocence so, not relying on the police to do this, calls in Emma Holmes and Sam Collins, a private investigating duo with their heads well and truly screwed on. They feel relatively comforted in the knowledge that a friend – and actor – is filming with the dead man’s son, but is anyone telling the whole truth? Meanwhile a young WPC is trying to move up the ranks – unsuccessfully because it is 1965 and she is a woman – but maybe her male colleagues should be giving her more credit for what she thinks. Layered with a plot that grips the reader, plus the setting of 1960s Brighton – where life is improving for many women but still not completely ‘free’ – this is the first I’ve read in this series and though the story didn’t lose anything because of it, I feel you’d need to read the others to get a better understanding of the characters. Very, very enjoyable.

This is the latest in the Brighton mysteries series from this author and, set in 1965, we encounter some of the same characters from the earlier novels. An aged music hall impresario is found dead in his chair and, when poison is detected, suspicion falls initially on his wife, a fabulously faded star of the variety stage. The plot unfolds unerringly with delightful period detail in setting and characters making this another absorbing read from this author who never disappoints!

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. I do love this series, and that it references history and contemporary things without beating you over the head with “look, I’ve done research!”. I think I need to re-read the ending to get that straight in my head, but that’s on me, not the author. All the favourite characters are here, and I liked that this one let Emma and Meg take front stage, in a plausible way. A great addition to the series and if you’ve already read earlier books, you’ll be very happy with this latest one. Elly is definitely one of my favourite authors.

Thank you for my copy of this book to review.

I have read all of the Ruth Galloway books but this is my first in the Brighton series.

Elly Griffiths always writes in a cosy, familiar way that make it impossible not to get absorbed from the first page.

I enjoyed how all the characters were woven together and how they all had a motive which kept you guessing. The private detectives added something extra to the police investigation and I liked the magic/show-business storyline.

A definite 5* read, one of my top authors and I have now bought the other 5 in the series to start from the beginning and I’m hoping they’ll be a seventh.