3.75 stars, rounded up. I do love a good historical mystery, and this one is set in Birmingham/the surrounding area in 1940. It’s the fifth and I think final book in the series, but the first one I’ve read, so I was getting to know the characters. James Given has left the police but gets called by a former boss to help a friend of his, and investigate potential leaking of engineering plans. I liked most of the characters, but it felt a bit unfair the way Given’s Dad and wife treated him for trying to investigate the death of his former boss… but then I’m not in their shoes, facing the knock on the door because he’s been killed during the investigation (and he’s had a few close calls in previous books by the sounds of things, so maybe his wife has cause to worry).

If you like historical detective series, this is one worth checking out though. I’ll keep an eye out for the earlier books I’ve missed.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Apologies for the delay in providing this.

A Malignant Death is the 5th Inspector Givens WW2 historical mystery by Charlie Garratt. Released 27th May 2022 by Sapere Books, it's 236 pages and is available in paperback 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free, as are the other books in the series.

This is an exceedingly well written and compelling series with very well developed and realistic characters. Set in 1940 in England, Givens and his wife have been forced to return to England from France as the war has made living there dangerous and impossible. He's called back into service to investigate the theft of military blueprints as well as the disappearance of his former boss in the police service. Although this is the 5th book in the series, the plot is self-contained in this volume, so it works well enough as a standalone. The characters do develop very well over the course of the series arc, and there are spoilers in this book which will make it more satisfying and cohesive if read in order.

The author does a good job of describing the racism and antisemitism of the day which can make for distressing (but realistic) reading. The characters are three dimensional and sympathetically and believably rendered. Of all the historical WW2 procedural series I've read, this is a perennial favourite and highly recommended.

Four and a half stars. Readers of Philip Kerr, John Lawton, and Alan Furst will find much to enjoy here.

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

I enjoyed the story. I loved the simplicity of the book. The book was a fast pace read for me, but I was able to follow along with the story. The writer did a great job of keeping the story on point with clear verbiage. The focused on the plot of the story. The drama among the couple was to dramatic, but it did keep the book entertaining.

*Many thanks to Charlie Garrat, Sapere Books, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
My second book in the series with Inspector James Given did not disappoint. Tragic demise of his former superior forces unwilling James/Jacob to conduct an investigation despite protests from both his wife and father. I liked the writing style and well-presented period, the early 1940. The war raging on the Continent looms over the British Isles. The mystery unravels slowly and the finale was rather unexpected which satisfied me as a reader.

This is not my favorite in this series even if it's a solid and entertaining historical mystery, just a bit slower ihmo.
I enjoyed it and can't wait to read the next novel.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A gentle mystery, fifth in a series, that I both enjoyed and felt fell a bit flat. I suppose part of the problem was that the main characters are so well-established at this point, and although I had no difficulty sorting them out, it still leaves you a bit wrong-footed not having a lot of character background.

James Given and his wife Rachel have resettled in England, being forced out of their new life in France by the onset of WWII. James is working for his father at his manufacturing business, but is unsatisfied in his accountancy role, despite having no desire to return to his previous job of police detective. When his ex-boss Henry Dyer gets in touch about some military blueprints going missing, James agrees to help, but is reluctant to get too deeply involved. But Henry soon disappears, turning up dead shortly afterwards, and it becomes more personal. James is soon investigating despite his reservations.

Perhaps part of my issue with it is that period pieces rely on things that were available during that time - in this case, trains, telephones and good, old-fashioned footwork - meaning the related action feels quite sedate and un-urgent. Telephoning ahead to make a hotel reservation and then having to wait until the next day to take a train to where you need to be slows down the pacing somewhat. It's not bad, as you can't force mobile phones and fast cars into a place they don't belong, but it's perhaps a little frustrating and, for me, made this a little bit flat.

Overall, however, a well-written, well-plotted and satisfactorily resolved story, and that's the most important thing.

A Malignant Death
By Charlie Garratt
Series: Inspector James Given Investigations Book 5
Publisher: Sapere Books
Rated: 3
Obtain: Borrow the book after reading the other books of the series or skip it.
Back of the Book: “Every man has his downfall…
June 1940
With most of Europe now in the brutal grip of the Second World War, James Given and his wife, Rachel, have been forced to give up their dream life in France to return to England.
Still haunted by his past cases, James has no intention of resuming his role as a detective in the police force. However, when his ex-boss Superintendent Henry Dyer asks him to investigate the theft of some sensitive military blueprints, James reluctantly agrees to help.
However, things take a turn for the worse when Henry goes missing. Fearing for his friend’s life, James feels compelled to search for him.
With a long history in the force, Henry had plenty of opportunities to make enemies. As James digs further, it becomes apparent that he may have had something to hide.
And though James has vowed to leave behind the danger and violence of his old life, the pull of an unsolved mystery soon proves too strong to ignore…
What happened to Henry? Is his disappearance linked to the theft?
And can James solve the two cases without putting himself in jeopardy…?”

Impressions: I was excited by the title of this book but disappointed once I started reading. The hook came too late in the story for me as it was slow going and not engaging. This book is part of a series, but I read it as a stand-alone novel. Although it was understandable as a standalone there were enough bits throughout that referenced previous storylines and characters that it was annoying. Perhaps reading this together with the previous books would have been more interesting. I was also under the impression that there would be more reference to the war but after reading the author's note at the end it made sense how this was developed to highlight that there was death on the war front but murder still happening on the home front. I think this book would have been better read with its other parts. It was a mystery, and it had an ending I wasn’t expecting but unfortunately it was not exciting as I had already given up on the book. I would suggest going back to the beginning of this series and starting there if you are interested in a saga of mystery this series seems to offer.

Quotes: This was not a religious book by any means, but I did of course find inspiration from the one sentence faith was mentioned. “… There are only two places to look. Inside your heart, and upwards to God. Say a prayer or two, and you’ll know what to do.”
I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

I haven't read the previous books in this series and so I read this as a standalone and it was easy to do that, I dont feel like I had to have read the others before hand. It was an atmospheric and suspenseful read that was easy to read.

James has settled down to life back in England when one day his old boss from when he was in the police, Henry Dyer, calls him asking for help in solving a friend's mystery. He goes to help, but before he can close the case, his boss disappears. Are the two things connected? If so, how? And when his wife Rachel objects to him investigating, will he be forced to choose between his marriage and his feeling of responsibility to his old boss?

I've been enjoying this series, but I'd have to say that the relationship between James and Rachel bothered me more in this book than in any previous one - I'm glad to avoid details I don't want to know in a marriage, but it felt like there was no real connection between the two most of the time, other than living in the same house when it suited. And I think his wife's happiness should have been a much higher priority for him than it was. Nevertheless, that's largely irrelevant to the mystery that forms the focus of the story (though I personally read such books almost as much for the background story as for the mystery). The mystery was managed well and certainly kept me guessing - I'd comment more but want to avoid spoilers! Summary: clean and well-written, with an interesting mystery and some war background; can be read alone for the mystery, but to appreciate the family background, best read as part of a series. Not my favourite but still a good read.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

This is the fifth book in the James Given series. While I had not read previous entries, I had no trouble following the plot.

It's 1940 in England, and former detective James and his wife, Rachel, have returned from France. James is working for his father, who is a tailor, and is unhappy with his situation. Ex-police superintendent Henry Dyer, James' former boss, contacts James to look into the possible theft of engineering blueprints. James is reluctant but feels obligated to help. But before long, Henry goes missing. Does his disappearance have to do with the possible theft or has an old enemy returned?

I enjoy mysteries set in the WWII England, but couldn't warm up to this book. I did not like the Rachel character--her lack of sympathy and her demands that James not become involved. That tainted the whole book for me.

Atmospheric…
The fifth in the Inspector James Given Investigations series finds James and wife Rachel returning from France amidst the backdrop of war. When a case arises that James may be able to assist with, he puts his fears on the back burner. Agreeing to assist, James realises that he simply cannot ignore the lure of an unsolved mystery. An atmospheric tale populated with a credible and well crafted cast of characters and an immersive plot with a solid mystery at heart and a true sense of time and place. A worthy addition to this series but which could also be read as a standalone.

A well written mystery with a surprise result at the end. However I haven't read any of the other books in this series and never warmed to the wife not sure if this was why but throwing him out for trying to solve the mystery didn't sit well with me. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.5 Stars
June, 1940 & with most of Europe now in the brutal grip of the Second World War, James Given and his wife, Rachel, have been forced to give up their dream life in France to return to England. Still haunted by his past cases, James has no intention of resuming his role as a detective in the police force. However, when his ex-boss Superintendent Henry Dyer asks him to investigate the theft of some sensitive military blueprints, James reluctantly agrees to help. However, things take a turn for the worse when Henry goes missing. Fearing for his friend’s life, James feels compelled to search for him. With a long history in the force, Henry had plenty of opportunities to make enemies. As James digs further, it becomes apparent that he may have had something to hide.
This is the fifth outing for James & whilst it could easily be read on its own. I was drawn in from the start & riveted all the way through. The characters are well portrayed & have depth, the pace is very good & there were several times when I was on the edge of my seat. James wants to leave the force behind but can't turn his back & needs to help Henry. A well written page turner, which I devoured
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read