I did not know this book was part of a series when I first started reading. The cozy care and interaction between the characters in the household of Dr. Tavernor reeled me in. Murders, maps, and a houseguest who needs protection propel you into this historically detailed and credible 1600’s era mystery in a coastal English country town. And then you find out the doctor was forced to leave his position as a ship’s doctor by an injury, and cannot help but dream of going back out to sea…A comfort read if you like history, mystery, and the spirit of adventure. The rest of the Dr. Tavernor books are now on my want to read list!

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC to be published 5/2/23

It’s 1605, and Devon’s Tavy valley is where sleuth and country doctor, Gabriel Taverner puts himself and his household in danger, when he takes in and cares for a young woman who has attempted suicide in a nearby lake. Suicide is illegal, and if it were discovered that Gabriel had tried to hide that fact he would be in serious trouble. Additionally, the woman appears to have been terrified of something and was trying to escape from that something or someone, which in itself brings danger to this quiet idyllic spot.

The woman appears to be connected to a man found dead in a drainage ditch and a mysterious figure who is seen in the middle of the night peering through the window of Gabriel’s home.

Gabriel begins to uncover clues to these links, and finds that the spice nutmeg seems to be a recurring and connecting theme. Nutmeg is becoming more valuable by the day, not least because it’s thought to be a cure for the plague.

Further clues lead Gabriel into much danger when other murders appear to be connected with the man in the drainage ditch, and therefore the woman he has nursed back to health.

With authentic period detail, skilful writing, and characters who compliment the plot, ‘The Cargo from Neira’ engrossed me right from the start.