This is book six in a series. The books are set in the war but the main storyline is about a murder. I liked the characters. It is a solid read with many twists.

“The Pimlico Murder” is the sixth book in Mike Hollow’s Blitz Detective series, set in London during the second World War. This time Detective John Jago is out of his element as he is sent (by Scotland Yard!) to Pimlico to investigate the murder of Terry Watson, a lodger found in the Anderson shelter behind his landlord’s house. With Constable Peter Craddock along to play Watson, the two find themselves outside of their comfort zone in a new area trying to solve the crime.

We learn quite a bit about Terry and quite a bit about life during wartime. Terry was into biking, involved with the fascist party, and probably doing a bit of blackout looting on the side. So why did he have two white poppies (anti-war symbols) in his pocket? Why wasn’t he in the service? Was he a lady’s man or a quiet charismatic boy? What was he doing working for a bookie? And why did he have two bricks in his bag?

Mr. Hollow does a fantastic job setting the scene and introducing a wide-ranging set of characters. Life in London wasn’t easy, and people found different ways to cope with the blitz and trying to survive with the specter of death constantly hanging over them. Unfortunately, the plot wasn’t as strong as the characters – most of the investigating involved our detectives talking to someone and finding something out, going elsewhere and finding something else, and returning to the original person and confronting them with their lies, at which point they changed their story and the cycle started over. Everyone lied and hid truths for a variety of reasons, not all of which had to do with the murder. When the truth finally came out, it was more of a relief than a great conclusion. And Jago’s glacial romance with the American journalist (who had no real role in this novel) is an annoying distraction – I know he’s English, but just tell her how you feel!

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Allison & Busby via NetGalley. Thank you!

I really enjoyed this book, it has quite a slow start and felt a bit cheesy in places with the conversations but over all it was good. As side from that I loved the characters and story line, the mystery was great to follow and wasn't predictable or dull. Perfect for a weekend read.

Jago is moving into the centre of London and the Blitz hammer on.
This time he is looking at the death of someone who is not the kind cyclist he at first appears.
Clever detective work and moral standards in a world a little mad.

This is the sixth in the Blitz Detective series set in London in World War Two, featuring Detective Inspector John Jago of London’s East End police. This time, he is seconded to investigate a murder in the Pimlico part of west London. Taking his regular assistant Detective Constable Peter Cradock with him, Jago examines the newly-discovered body of Terry Watson in an Anderson shelter in the garden of the small house where he lodged and embarks upon the hunt for the murderer. With the killing taking place around Armistice Day, Jago reflects upon his experiences of death and injury in the Great War, and with two white poppies found upon Watson’s body. Watson’s rather murky background emerges as the investigation proceeds and witnesses are interviewed and suspects emerge.
The snail-pace platonic friendship with the American journalist Dorothy Appleton continues at near-imperceptible progress as Jago seems unable to commit to her or to fully accept or recognise the intense feelings he has for her. The author writes with precision and narrative ability, and the fundamental decency and lonely vulnerability of the character of DI Jago continues to appeal; he is a good man trying to tackle the bad behaviour of Londoners during a time when the whole country is under threat of German invasion and with the added peril of nightly bombing. Mike Hollow has performed his historical research with diligence and creates an authentic-looking portrait of wartime London – fully recommended as well-written excellent historical fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review The Pimlico Murder. All opinions and comments are my own.

Mike Hollow's Blitz Detective series is excellent and I loved The Pimlico Murder. I don't think it's the best in the series, but a good read nonetheless.

The Blitz Detective mystery book # 6

In a few words:

Detective John Jago is dispatched to Pimlico to investigate the suspicious death of Terry Watson, a young man, found in an Anderson shelter. With his assistant Constable Peter Craddock they soon find themselves knee-deep in Pimlico’s shady underworld.

My thoughts:

I love this series although set during wartime the stories are centered on a murder investigation rather than the war itself. All books are standalone, but they are best enjoyed in chronological order.

What caused Watson demise, who is behind his murder and most intriguing why were bricks in his rucksack? History tells us lots of looting happened during the Blitz and where did these shady characters fence their loot? Well, leave the answer in the capable hands of a master storyteller and you will be pulled into an investigation that is hard to put down. This story is dialogue driven; never ending exchange between characters, the style is very lively. Jago and Craddock investigation brings them multiple times facing and questioning bookies, thugs, racketeers and suspects. Definitely this is a gripping and twisty police procedural at its best and one that has kept me intrigued and captivated until the end.

Through the book is Jago’s friend Dorothy Appleton, the American reporter pops in and out. Their relationship is still a cat and mouse game...time to clear the air on this one...:)

In all, “The Pimlico Murder” is a good addition to the series and is a solid mystery full of twits. The Blitz in 1940 has giving the author numerous possibilities and I bet he has more stories to create....

Mike Hollow’s The Pimlico Murder features his series detective, Detective Inspector John Jago. Jago had previously come to the attention of Detective Superintendent Ford, the Head of CID Operations for The Met’s K District. As the book opens, Ford has been promoted to Chief Constable, in charge of the Met’s entire detective force. He wants to “borrow” Jago to help Scotland Yard during a manpower shortage – starting with a murder in Pimlico.

The move outside the East End allows Hollow to introduce new characters and new background, although DC Peter Cradock accompanies Jago as always. I’m pleased about that: seeing series characters gives a nice solid foundation to the plots, giving the reader comfort that there’ll be a safe outcome whilst allowing them to enjoy the sense of jeopardy. Ask Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, GK Chesterton, etc. – they will tell you that readers love a series.

Jago has a lady friend (no, that’s not a euphemism – she’s a friend and she’s a lady) and we can tell that Jago loves her, even though he won’t admit it, even to himself. And it looks like she loves him too. It’s great to have a touch of romance but I do wish it was a bit more than a touch so far into the series!

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, although I’m unconvinced about the motive being strong enough for murder. However, that’s just my opinion – it’s quite possible that real-life detectives would sigh heavily and say “You’d be surprised, son.” There are quite a lot of characters to remember, so do pay attention!

#ThePimlicoMurder #NetGalley

Armistice Day, November 1940, London. D.I. John Jago and D.S. Peter Cradock are seconded to Scotland Yard to investigate when a dead body of a man is discovered, battered to death, in an Anderson shelter. Tho white poppies were found on his body next to his bicycle. What is the significance of them. It seems he was an enthusiastic cyclist and had joined a local club. But what could have been the motive and who is the guilty party.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery, with its cast of likeable and varied characters. A good addition to the series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3 ½ stars really. This is the sixth book in the series and you probably don't need to start at the beginning. I haven't butI did enjoy this enough to go back to book 1. Good relationship between Jago and his DC. Liked that the plot and storyline was built around factual events of the time. There was a particular strand to this plot that had a bit of an unsatisfactory conclusion for me, hence the ½ a star. Thanks to Netgalley.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “The Pimlico Murder.” All opinions and comments are my own.

The Blitz is still raging in November, 1940 as our story begins. Armistice Day, to pin it down exactly.

Inspector John Jago has been seconded to Scotland Yard for a murder case, a body found in an Anderson Shelter in Pimlico. Luckily, he can bring along Constable Peter Cradock. Handy, that.

The dead man’s identify is established. What’s not established is what he was doing with the bricks found in his bike kit – going to do a bit of robbery, perhaps. Lots of looting happened during the Blitz, history tells us that. And that white poppy he had -- a symbol of peace during a time of war. All this is going to be connected in Mike Hollow’s capable hands; he’s been doing it for a while, as “The Pimlico Murder” is #6 in his “Blitz Detective” series, and Jago and Cradock have proven to be quite the policemen.

The secondary story that ranges through the books is Jago’s relationship with Dorothy Appleton, the American reporter that is staying in London and writing stories for her Boston paper. This is moving at a snail’s pace. Yes, he has issues, a big one at least he clears up for Dorothy in this book. But I think it's time for him to make a decision in his life like those he makes in his investigations. Especially since Dorothy is making some in hers.

Of course, the dead man was a bad ‘un, leading an immoral and illegal life. Jago gets the truth out of everybody in bits and pieces. It takes a while; you’ll have to be patient. That will surprise you, perhaps; but maybe not, if you think it though and think about what makes a human upset enough to kill. Mr. Hollow wants you to think about it, that's for sure.

Always included is a city trying to survive while bad men do bad things. Luckily Jago and Cradock are there to sort that out, too. As usual, our author takes a simple case and weaves a complex tale.

One thing we can count on is Jago’s opinions on how the second world war came about when it wasn’t supposed to, when the “war to end all wars” was supposed to be just that. Sobering, and so very true. A good historical mystery engages a reader like this, and this one certainly does that..

An author’s note outlines the research behind the story, including one particular “too outlandish to be true” moment that he included. Thanks are due Mike Hollow for bringing this period of wartime London to life.

My first encounter with this wonderful series, an old fashioned whodunit full of twists and turns set during the Blitz and blessed with a cast of unforgettable characters & lots of great dialogues. I can't wait to get the previous titles👍
A very entertaining novel that deserves to be read and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Allison & Busby for this terrific ARC!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This is the first book I have read from this author and have to say I really enjoyed it, fast paced, good characters and basically a good storyline.

The Pimlico Murder is book number 5 in the Blitz Detective series and sees Jago and Craddock working away from their usual patch of West Ham as they are seconded to Scotland Yard.

However, for regular and new readers to the series there is no need to worry as the author, Mike Hollow, has still delivered an excellent and very readable crime novel set during the Second World War with all the usual twists, turns and red herrings.

It’s a definite recommend from me

I'm a fan of the Blitz Detective series since I read the first book. It's a great historical mystery series and the Blitz is one of the main elements as it's pervading everything that happens and is always present as a part of the investigation.
This story is one of the best in this series and there's a new setting and new type of people.
The plot mixes historical facts with fiction and it's always informative and I learned a lot about what was really happening.
The mystery is solid, full of twists, and the solution came as a surprise.
John Jago and Craddock are an interesting and well developed couple, I like their approach to investigation and how they are developed.
I can't wait to read the next story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a very good addition to the Blitz Detective series. It begins Armistice Day 1940. John Jago, the Blitz Detective, is being called to Scotland Yard to help with a suspicious death case in Pimlico. He and his Sergeant, Cradock, drive to Pimlico, check in at the station, and go to the site of the death which is a small Anderson shelter in the back yard of a home. The lodger in the home, Terry Watson, has an ugly wound on the left side of his head. There is a bicycle there on which he must have been working. He had two white poppies in his pocket, and a couple of house bricks in a bag on the bike.

Jago and Craddock have a lot of work trying to find out more about the man. The landlady thought he was nice enough, and her daughter Jenny knew him a little. He had been an enthusiastic and competitive cyclist and had been a bookie's runner. He was recently attacked while carrying the Bookie's bag. They soon find out that Pimlico has a shady side besides the bookies, with thugs, protection rackets, and looting. Jago and Craddock have to go back to several people several times, because they often didn't tell them what they needed to know. At this point, there doesn't appear to be as much bombing as during the earlier books, but you do get a feel for life in London during the war. The reader is kept guessing until the surprise almost at the end.

A Dark And Sinister Underworld….
The sixth outing for the Blitz Detective and Jago finds himself in Pimlico faced with a suspicious death. It’s not long before the Detective and his sidekick, DC Craddock, finds themselves ensconced in a dark and sinister underworld. Enjoyable and entertaining historical mystery with engaging protagonists and a compelling plotline. A worthy addition to this very well written series.

The Pimlico Murder is the second "Blitz Detective" book I've read, though it's the sixth in the series. Its cast of characters and setting are effectively rendered by Mike Hollow. The plot, on the other hand, was full of unfulfilled promises: interesting leads and moments of confrontation that never quite gelled. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you'll find The Pimlico Murder fun weekend reading, but if you want a mystery that leaves you eagerly guessing to the end, it may not be the title for you.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGallet; the opinions are my own.

Mike Hollow's Blitz Detective series is excellent and I loved The Pimlico Murder. A young pacifist is found murdered in an Anderson shelter on Armistice Day 1940.. Between his politics, personal life and ties to the Underworld, John Jago and DC Craddock have plenty of suspects and motives, it is narrowing it down that is the problem. Jago and Craddock are interesting characters and the setting during the Blitz in 1940 gives them numerous possibilities .I look forward to the next book! Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #THePimlicoMurder.

I can never resist a murder mystery, especially not one set during the inter-war period. The years around WW1 and WW2 not only brought terrible conflict but also a huge amount of societal change, providing plenty of inspiration for novels. Mike Hollow's new WW2 series definitely makes use of these factors and this new book, The Pimlico Murder, explores the death of a young man in an Anderson shelter. The realities of life in London during the war: the rationing, the fear of bombs, the sudden arrival of so many new people to the capital are wonderfully portrayed by Hollow who really brings the setting to life.

The plot, however, I found a little weaker. There were a few continuity errors which impacted the reader's ability to try and solve the murder themselves. I also felt that the book needed a more thorough editing, there's a long-winded passage in which the pathologist gives the detective instructions on how to find the hospital. This is completely unnecessary for the reader and also one would hope that a detective could find a massive building without too much help!

I enjoyed the investigation and lead detective Jago's slow burn romance with a journalist. I hope that the sequel to this book has the above minor changes implemented as I would really enjoy these books if they were a little more stream-lined!