Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the e-ARC.

First I wanted to mention that if you haven't read the other Rachel Savernake mysteries you can still read this book and not be too lost. There may be pieces of her backstory missing, but overall it doesn't effect the tone of the book or keep you from understanding the mystery.

I don't frequently read mystery novels and I did find this to be a delight. I enjoyed the mystery and no I did not get close to solving it, but I liked how all the storylines connected and came together. I enjoyed the multiple mysteries not just the locked room conundrum, but the murders and a spiritualist? Color me intrigued.

The one thing I didn't like is how the author chose to describe Orttile and Nell. Both characters are repeatedly described negatively. The author has nothing kind to say about his own characters and even though Nell is described as a fairly good journalist he basically refers to her as an idiot. He makes her seem like a slobby drunk. It just didn't sit well with me.

Advertised as something for Agatha Christie fans, this book was a poorly executed take on a Christie novel.

A Superlative Series..
The third in this superlative series featuring the forthright sleuth Rachel Savernake. The author once again successfully blends a whodunnit in traditional Golden Age vein with an atmospheric Gothic flavouring and a modern feel. The tale moves along at cracking pace, distributing clues and red herrings aplenty, culminating in a tremendous and cleverly done denouement. Superb.