October 1900
Constable Adam Crawford enjoys attending the public lectures at University College, and on discovering the body of Alice Groves in her rooms he knows that she really is student Helen Richardson. But is she, and why was she killed. Dr Murray is approached to help, and evidence leads her to Herne Bay where she meets ex-Detective Reid. Soon he also discovers a body of an archaeological student. But the murders don’t stop there.
Crawford, Reid and Murray investigate while Inspector Blunt looks for the quickest solution.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and varied characters. A good start to a new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This turned out to be one of my top five reads this past year. And I read almost a book a day! I especially enjoy Victorian era mysteries so I knew right away that this would be in my sweet spot. What made it especially enjoyable was the writing and the characterizations of all the minor characters. I had a bit of a suspicion as to what might be the archeological finding that was the cause of the murders, but I wasn’t able to figure out who the murderer was and what connected up all the victims.

Apparently, this is going to be the first in a series starring the archeology professor, Margaret Murray. Then, following up on the author’s note, I learned that she was a real person. I fell down a rabbit hole reading about her writings on the European witch trials and her theory of an early witch cult that became the foundation for the Wiccans. Wow! I will definitely be looking out for more books in this series!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This wasn't really for me. There were too many characters to keep on top of - students, lecturers, police officers, characters with more than one alias, stuffed owls etc etc. It was quite a 'cosy' mystery, with a tone that grated on me and was very sexist and dated. I appreciate that this was set in 1900, but it wasn't written then! I'm not entirely clear why the male victim had to die and I find it very hard to believe that Margaret would have done what she did to the explosive secret document at the end - it would go against all her training and beliefs.

Again, MJ Trow has taken on a real-life character and posited them front and centre as an amateur detective. He did this successfully with the poet and raconteur Christopher Marlowe and again with the poet Chaucer, so it will be very interesting to see how this series featuring archaeologist Margaret Murray develops.

As mentioned, Dr Margaret Murray really did exist and was associated with University College in London where she began her studies in Egyptology under the guidance of William Flinders Petrie in 1894 - she was 30 years old. She began her teaching career two years later, which is where we find her in 1900 when our story begins.

Margaret is approached to investigate when the body of one of her "students" is discovered. Prevailing police attitudes towards this young girl are draconian by our modern sensibilities, where women of an independent disposition are considered whores. Even the fact that there are female students attending the College are frowned upon by the ranks of male misogyny among both teaching staff and students.

One has to remember than England in 1900 was still under the reign of Queen Victoria (d.1901), the Boer War was still ongoing (1899–1902), and the scare of the Ripper murders was still fresh in peoples' minds (1888).

Trow weaves a tale that traverses the halls of education to the slums of London and back again. The narrative is engaging and easy to follow whilst the character of Murray herself put me in mind of another formidable late-to-career Margaret, the actress Margaret Rutherford.

M.J. Trow’s new historical mystery series kicks off with Four Thousand Days, a story that introduces Margaret Murray, an amateur sleuth based on an actual person. Margaret Murray was an archaeologist and junior lecturer at University College, London at the time of this mystery, October, 1900, This was a surprising book in so many ways. While I enjoy the appearance of actual figures, such as Rudyard Kipling and General William Booth from the Salvation Army, I didn’t realize until afterwards that several of the other characters, archaeologist William Flinders Petrie, and retired detective Edmund Reid, were historical figures as well. They were both intimately involved in this book.

The Friday lectures at University College are open to the public. Constable Adam Crawford of Scotland Yard attends Margaret Murray’s archaeology lectures. Because of that, when he finds Alice Grove’s dead body in her apartment at two a.m., he recognizes her. He doesn’t recognize her, though, as a prostitute. He recognizes her as Helen Richardson, a woman who also attends the Friday lectures.

Crawford isn’t happy with the supervising inspector who calls Alice’s death a suicide, and he complains about that to a student who refers him to the “cleverest person I know”, Margaret Murray. Margaret views the dead woman as one of her own, an archaeological student, so she works with Crawford. The discovery of a ticket sends her to a seaside resort where she meets retired Scotland Yard Inspector Edmund Reid. He’s interested, but becomes even more intrigued when a dune collapses on him, and a body falls out. It’s another female archaeologist, and, despite the incompetent local police force, he knows she was strangled.

Margaret and Reid team up in the investigation, at least exchanging information. But, it’s a party for Constable Crawford’s engagement that provides the necessary hints for Murray. As with many amateur sleuths, she finds herself trapped with a killer.

While Four Thousand Days was a fascinating mystery involving actual people, I was disappointed in the climatic confrontation. Earlier in the story, Murray talks about the most rewarding thing about being an archaeologist. “It’s about filling a gap.” As an amateur sleuth, she felt she was filling a gap in knowledge. However, I felt let down as to the killer, and the killer’s motive. Even Murray’s actions following the reveal were disappointing.

Four Thousand Days is an intriguing story involving women’s roles in 1900 England. It was a fast-paced story with great characters. I was just disappointed when the ending fell flat.

I have always loved M J Trow’s novels especially his Maxwell series and I was really excited to see this new series. It’s set in 1900 and features a female archaeology lecturer, Margaret Murray who is actually based on a real person. She becomes involved in a murder mystery when one of her students is murdered.
The historical detail is brilliant with real attention to what was going on in the world at that time. I loved the main characters too. Margaret Murray is a brilliant amateur sleuth and the supporting cast were excellent. I especially loved retired Inspector Reid and Thomas, who runs the local tea room but has a very murky past.
The plot was interesting and had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader interested. The main problem as far as I was concerned was that there were simply too many characters especially at the beginning of the novel. It was quite difficult to keep track of the different groups of students, lecturers and general public. The other thing that I was less convinced by was the ending. The murderer came as a total surprise which is fine however, the final part of the book was the murderer explaining their actions at length which really meant that they were explaining the plot. This seemed a bit clumsy especially for a writer with such a great track record.
I did enjoy reading the book as a whole though and will definitely read any future books featuring Dr Murray. Thank you to Net Galley and Severn House Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Bursting With Atmospherics…
The first in the Margaret Murray series of mysteries finds archaeologist and sometime amateur sleuth, Margaret, with a body to contend with. Set 1900, London, at University College, this mystery is bursting with atmospherics, a credible cast and an intriguing storyline. Clearly well researched the author has done a super job in bringing the cast to life. Witty, dry humour laces the plot and seals the deal. Very enjoyable reading.

It was an ok story but in all honesty I very nearly didn’t get beyond the first chapter due to the mass influx of characters, with no discernible storyline. I don’t wish to spoil the ending, but I will say it felt as though the author just threw a pin into a dartboard, and where it landed, that would be the killer as it seemed to come completely out the blue, and it’s a good job the killer gave their motive as you’d never have guessed why they did it if not

Four Thousand Days is set at the beginning of the 20th century in and around University College London; but it isn't dry and dusty. There are plenty of academic jokes (I like the Jeremy Bentham ones), but they don't take away from the story if they're not to your taste.

(Honorary) Dr Margaret Murray is the main character: an archaeology lecturer, clever, unconventional, small in size but big in character. She's concerned when a student of hers is murdered and enlists the likeable Constable Crawford to help her solve the mystery. Then retired detective Edmund Reid gets involved. Who's killing people involved in a Roman dig, and why?

There's a fine sense of place, with period details bringing 1900s London alive. Flashes of delightful dry humour enliven the authorial voice, especially when describing the workings of Margaret's mind.. And I enjoy this version of Edmund Reid, short, bearded, balding, most unlike the Ripper St Reid.

So far so good. But there are minus points.

The opening is confusing, which is not the best start.. Who are these people? When is it set? I had to trust that it would improve, and it did, but flicking through this book in a library or bookshop I'm not sure I'd have bothered to go on.

The pacing is patchy. It can gallop along, with plenty of surprises and the momentum to keep the reader eager to find out what happens next. But there are too many ''humorous' scenes with students talking to one another, which slow things down, distract, aren't funny, and don't seem to add anything to the plot. (And I got fed up with so many women students giving up their studies.)

It's the ending that lets it down most, for me. Why just drop in the fact that the character who turns out to be the murderer has killed before as a throwaway snippet of reported thought? Maybe it was flagged enough for other people to tell, but not for me. It's far too tell-y and, frankly, feels like cheating. Though Margaret's sang-froid at the time is a treat to read.

And her decision at the end is deeply unsatisfactory, though I understand why it had to be that way (there will be more books in this series). It doesn't seem in character. It also explains the otherwise obscure title.

In spite of these drawbacks, I did enjoy the book. Will I read the next one? Probably. But I hope these are glitches that will be ironed out by book two.

It's such a delight to discover what could be the first volume in a very satisfying historical mystery series. M.J. Trow has some fine mysteries behind him, so this new one featuring turn-of-the-20th Century archaeologist Margaret Murray promises to be exactly that. Murray is a lecturer at University College London with an interesting mix of students attending her tutorials, as well as others attending her Friday lectures, which are open to the public. Shortly after befriending one of Murray's "regulars," a policeman who is a Friday attendee discovers another of Murray's students dead. Then Murray pulls in Reid, a famous retired detective, and this cohort of academics and law enforcement are on the case.

Margaret Murray is an historical figure: raised in India, later a largely self-trained archaeologist and lecturer at University College London, and finally a well-known folklorist and scholar of Wicca. She's the perfect character around whom to build a series, particularly given her academic (and now law enforcement—and even one underworld) connections. This first mystery involves a discovery that may challenge a major historical timeline, adding to the excitement of the novel.

If you enjoy historical mysteries (particularly if you've been mourning the loss of Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody), you'll be delighted by this new title both for itw own sake and for what it make promise in the future. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

An intelligent new historical mystery series from MJ Trow introduces us to the brilliant archaeologist Margaret Murray. The only female archaeology lecturer at University College London in 1900, Murray becomes involved in the investigations after her student is found murdered. I've always been curious about archaeology, so I was immediately drawn in by the premise of this book. Murray is witty, independent and strong in the male-dominated worlds of academia and investigations. It was fascinating to find out she actually existed; she was a woman ahead of her time. Other real-life individuals appear in the book, and make for interesting characters, including Rudyard Kipling. The dialogue is peppered with sly wit. Well-paced and well-plotted, with characters that make you wonder whodunnit and why, this book surprised me in who the culprit turned out to be. A gratifying and atmospheric mystery. Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is a very interesting historical mystery, set in 1900 and taking place mostly in, and around, University College London, which is a place I know well. Margaret Murray works in the archaeology department and hears that a young woman, who attended her public lectures has been murdered. Before long she is thoroughly embroiled in the mystery, alongside young Constable Adam Crawford, who also attends Dr Murray’s lectures, and who is not content with his superior’s suggestion that the young lady has committed suicide.

There are lots of real-life cameo appearances as we follow Crawford, Dr Murray, Mr Reid, a former detective, and the students on a search for the truth. I really enjoyed the setting, as well as the characters and there was a lot of period flavour which was great fun. I would happily bump into Dr Murray again, if there is a sequel to this mystery. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

Indiana Jones in a skirt. That's M.J. Trow's latest protagonist, Margaret Murray.

The only female lecturer in the archaeology department at University College, London in 1900, Murray pulls out the magnifying glass when one of her students is murdered.

Murray actually was an archaeology lecturer and many of the people she asks for help are real too: The investigator in the Jack the Ripper case, Rudyard Kipling, William Flinders Petrie, Jeremy Bentham. She even visits the founder of the Salvation Army to research prostitution.

Trow's Murray is liberated, forthright, witty and brilliant. Her investigation turns up an artifact that leads to a shocking, satisfying conclusion.

Bring on book two!

Set in 1900 London, M.J. Trow uses the University College of London (UCL) as a fitting backdrop for Dr. Margaret Murray, professor of archaeology.

A young constable who has attended Margaret's free public lectures on Fridays recognizes the body a young woman in a rented room. She, too, had been attending the free Friday archaeology lectures, but Alice Groves/Helen Richardson had been living a double life.

Constable Adam Crawford is not pleased that his superior has decided immediately that the death is a suicide, eager to write off the death of a young prostitute as of no concern.

Margaret Murray, on hearing Crawford's doubts, determines to find out more. She eventually meets retired Detective Reid, who has a formidable reputation with Scotland Yard, and the two try to uncover what Helen and another young woman seeking a degree in archaeology and whose body Reid inadvertently discovers on a beach in Kent, had in common.

I enjoyed this one, maybe not quite a believable murder mystery, but interesting characters and rather fun.

NetGalley/Severn House
Historical Mystery. Nov. 25, 2022. Print length: 224 pages.

A thoroughly entertaining mystery story. Margaret Murray is a lecturer in archeology at University College, London in 1900. When one of her students is found dead, she sets out to find the truth, aided by a young police constable, a retired detective inspector, the owner of the local café and some of her students
As usual M J Trow writes an easy to read narrative backed with a gentle humour. The characters are distinctive and very likeable. A delightful read and I look forward to reading the next in the series.

224 pages

5 stars

Constable Adam Crawford is settling a dispute in front of a tenement in the middle of the night when it is decided to visit the young woman who is the source of all the fuss. Crawford finds her dead body in the residence.

DI Athlegar Blunt who has a superior attitude immediately dismisses the young woman’s death as suicide. He goes on to say that she was a prostitute - without any evidence. But Constable Adam Crawford who found the body believes otherwise. The young woman’s name was Helen Richardson (a/k/a Helen Groves). and she was an archeology student in Margaret Murray’s section.

When Margaret hears of her death, she feels duty bound to look into it. She, like Constable Crawford, doesn’t believe it was a suicide.

Margaret begins her investigation with the help of some unlikely people, including retired Inspector Edmund Reid. Then another woman archeology student is found murdered on the beach. She apparently was “on the game” as well as Helen.

When a professor at the college is murdered in his office, Margaret finds him. DI Blunt answers the call, but fortunately Inspector Reid shows up and wrests the case from the bumbling Blunt. (Perfect name for the idiot, if you ask me.)

When Blunt arrests the wrong man for the crimes, Margaret, Crawford, Reid and the others are in a race to save him.

The murderer turns out to be a surprise - at least for me. The reason for the murders is explosive.

This is a delightful little novel. It is well written and plotted. It reads in a linear fashion and the transitions are flawless. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked Margaret a great deal (and her owl), and Reid. They’re made for each other in my opinion. Mr. Trow writes non-fiction as well and they are those that I have previously read. This is my first work of fiction of his. I surely hope to read more about Margaret Murray. I was very surprised and pleased to learn that she was a real person.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.