Sepulchre Street

Love, Love, LOVE this series by Martin Edwards and this one did not disappoint!

Once again, Jacob Flint finds himself solving a murder by partnering with the intrepid Rachel Savernake and her loyal companions.

A fast-paced read with plenty of murders to keep the reader engaged.

Bring on the next one, Martin, I’m a huge fan!

A Most Unusual Exhibition..
The fourth in the Rachel Savernake series, set London 1930’s, and Rachel has been invited to a most unusual private art gallery exhibition. Once there the artist, Damaris, asks an odd favour - for Rachel to solve her murder. When Damaris is guillotined to death, seemingly by her own hand, Rachel must question herself. Meanwhile a fellow party guest has his own mission and threads will soon merge in a tale where nothing is quite as it seems. Combining a Golden Age touch of puzzling mystery and deftly drawn characters with more modern twists this is a fitting addition to this very enjoyable and well written series.

A delicious murder mystery reminiscent of the fabulous Golden Age of crime fiction and the third title in a series featuring the crime-solving talents of Rachel Savernak and her very faithful gang.
An absorbing "clue-finder" set in and around London at the beginning of the Great Depression, cleverly plotted, gorgeously written and exquisitely choreographed with a colorful cast of highly determined amateur-sleuths and some unforgettable misfits....

This terrific whodunit needs to be slowly savored if you really want to resolve its rather complex shenanigans.
Clues are everywhere and anything which throws some light on who the criminal might be must be carefully examined. It is also a compelling fictional tapestry of English society in the early 30's.

Teeming with lots of terrific historical details and full of great verbal pyrotechnics, this highly entertaining and often humorous criminal romp really deserves to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to Aria & Aries and Netgalley for this wonderful ARC

Another great Rachel Savernake adventure!! I highly enjoyed it. It was such a great throwback to the Golden Age of Detective reading. I highly recommend this to historical mystery lovers!

Thank you to Netgalley and Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus for approving my request to read and review this book.

Once again Martin brings a fabulous story with Rachel and the great cast of characters!! The story, plots, descriptions, and historial details make the book a fantastic read. The start is with the death of an avant garder artist Demaris, The story weaves between various suspicious characters to a satisfying ending, which you will not see coming.

I look forward to book 5. This book will be recommended to my fellow readers!

Martin Edwards writes very satisfying crime novels. The longer this series goes on the better it gets. I enjoy the plotting, his characterisation and world building. I even googled to see if there was a Sepulchre Street in Rye.

The fourth of Martin Edwards' Rachel Savernake crime novels begins with a gem of an idea. Ms Savernake has been invited to the of opening of an exhibition at the Hades Gallery, entitled "Artist in Crime" , and is asked by the avant-garde artist to "solve my murder".

What transpires is a thrill-infused investigation into that murder and those resulting from it.

The author captures the spirit of genuine 1930's thrillers-there are two daring rescues by Rachel's chauffeur- and reminds us that the genre, even then, was far from "cosy", with references to extramarital affairs, gay and lesbian characters and abortion.

Despite some of these elements,and an aura of the macabre and vaguely outre, I found the plot slightly dull. Rachel's sidekick, Jacob Flint seemed here to be ineffectual and, indeed, superfluous most of the time, a development not to my liking.

While this was ever-entertaining, and always well-written, it was a little disappointing. However it is recommendable at 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, Head of Zeus, for the digital review copy.

Sepulchre Street is the fourth book by Martin Edwards (no relation!), featuring Rachel Savernake; her staff; and the journalist, Jacob Flint. The premise is that an artist, Damaris Gethin, asks Rachel, “Will you solve my murder?” When Damaris dies, a few minutes later, Rachel accepts the challenge.

There is a small cast and they are well delineated, so it’s easy to remember who each character is. Although it is possible to read the book without having read the other books in the series, I suspect a new reader would be somewhat bewildered and certainly wouldn’t enjoy the book as much as they would if they’d read the earlier books in the series. Martin Edwards is highly skilled, as befits the President of the Detection Club and recipient of the Crime Writers' Association's Diamond Dagger award.

I enjoyed the book (thanks very much, NetGalley and Head of Zeus, for my free review copy) but I felt a little dissatisfied when I finished it. I didn’t think the reasons for Damaris’s death were really adequate – although I accept we all have different perspectives. At one point in the book, Jacob tries to work without Rachel, which is understandable and laudable as he realises his dependence upon her, but is possibly out of character. Another strand of the plot was resolved in a dramatic way that I accept was completely consistent with the characters’ behaviour and was essential for the overall resolution of the tale, but which still felt over-convenient and manufactured. That said, no, I can’t think of a better way of tying up that sub-plot, but I’m still mumbling, “It was just too convenient.”

Only those who have followed the series will appreciate an almost throwaway comment that Jacob felt Rachel’s arm firmly around his waist. Does the fact that this sticks in my mind mean that I’m alive to the subtle characterisations and can identify with Jacob, or is it an inditement of the narrative that this one line resonates after I’ve finished the book? I, obviously, like to think it’s the former – but I would say that, wouldn’t I?

I definitely recommend this book, but I suggest you read the previous books in order first, as you will enjoy it so much more.

#SepulchreStreet #NetGalley

"How can you solve a murder before it's happened?

'This is my challenge for you,' the woman in white said. 'I want you to solve my murder.'

London, 1930s: Rachel Savernake is attending renowned artist Damaris Gethin's latest exhibition, featuring live models who pose as famous killers. But that's just the warm-up act...

Unsure why she was invited, Rachel is soon cornered by the artist who asks her a haunting favour: she wants Rachel to solve her murder. Damaris then takes to the stage set with a guillotine, the lights go out - and Damaris executes herself.

Why would Damaris take her own life? And, if she died by her own hand, what did she mean by 'solve my murder'?

There are many questions to answer, and the clues are there for those daring enough to solve them...

Rachel Savernake faces her most puzzling murder yet in this glamorous gothic mystery from the winner of the CWA Diamond Dagger. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Richard Osman."

I mean, armchair detectives that we are, our blood runs hot at the idea of being asked to solve a murder by the victim themselves right?

Sepulchre Street is set in glamorous and glitzy 1930s London and is the fourth in the tongue-gnawingly addictive Rachel Savernake Mystery series. Rachel is the independent and tenacious daughter of a judge and is also a wealthy heiress, an heiress with a difference. Murder is her wheelhouse and there's nothing she enjoys more than sinking her teeth into cases as an amateur detective. This time she is in attendance at a waxworks display of past criminals at Hades Gallery when the "Queen of Surrealism" artist Damaris Gethin approaches Rachel to solve her murder case. It is clearly a tricky prospect as she's still alive. But not for long. She sticks her neck out and mayhem ensues.

Rachel's journalist friend and colleague Jacob Flint is another of the twenty invited guests on hand to witness the rather untoward and dramatic death. But death isn't the only crime on order. Rachel and her team get buried up to their gullets in the dark and disturbing case.

My, oh my, but this was a juicy murder story with hints of noir and the supernatural. One of my favourite aspects is the surprise at the end, a clever addition. Rachel isn't my favourite sleuth in the world but she is spunky and entertaining. The solution is quite satisfying.

If you like cozy mysteries which aren't too cozy you may adore this immersive series as much as I do.

My sincere thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this thrilling novel.

I've read all the books in this series by Martin Edwards, and found them very enjoyable. Sepulchre Street is an excellent addition to the series, and the character of Rachel Savernake is just as inscrutable, clever and witty as in the rest of the series. This is a must for fans of Golden Age murder mysteries, written by the supreme expert on the genre. Martin Edwards' books on the history of detective fiction are required reading for anyone wanting more information about the subject and neglected authors from the period.

Whilst I have read many prefaces by Martin Edwards to Golden Age Mysteries this is only the second time I have read any of his own books, although I have purchased them in Kindle format. I think that I must go back to the earlier ones as soon as possible.

London, 1930s: Rachel Savernake is attending renowned artist Damaris Gethin's latest exhibition, featuring live models who pose as famous killers. But that's just the warm-up act...

Unsure why she was invited, Rachel is soon cornered by the artist who asks her a haunting favour: she wants Rachel to solve her murder. Damaris then takes to the stage set with a guillotine, the lights go out – and Damaris executes herself.

Why would Damaris take her own life? And, if she died by her own hand, what did she mean by 'solve my murder'?

There are many questions to answer, and the clues are there for those daring enough to solve them...
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I was troubled reading this book in that it was only my second introduction in the authors fiction writing and I don’t think he explained enough about all the various characters to new readers and I felt confused with who was who. As there were so many different characters perhaps a cast list would have helped me understand the various plot lines more easily.

This very experienced writes a very exciting story which had me really gripped until the very dramatic conclusion. I enjoyed reading this very much and will certainly look out for more of his previous books in the future. Well Recommended.

This is the latest in Martin Edwards Rachel Savernake series in the style of the golden age of crime, this gothic offering, set in 1930s London, begins in a shocking way. The wealthy Rachel, an arts patron, has been invited to the aptly named Hades Gallery for the Queen of Surrealism, Damaris Gethin's private viewing of her latest macabre exhibition, a private viewing that has models emulating waxworks of notorious killers. Gethin makes an extraordinary request of Rachel 'I want you to solve my murder', and when Gethin takes to the stage as Marie Antoinette with a guillotine, the artist kills herself in a traumatising and horrifying piece of suicidal performance art in front of a small audience that includes Jacob Flint, The Clarion crime reporter.

Flint is there for different reasons, he is working on leads involving the beautiful and scandalous Mrs Kiki de Villiers, a married woman. Savernake and Flint find themselves looking into Gethin's life and her death to ascertain who is responsible, and into de Villiers, a more obstacle ridden inquiry as there are parties who have their their own plans, and will brook no interference. Part of the investigative team are longstanding series regulars, Clifford Truelove, his wife, Hetty, and his sister, Martha, members of Rachel's household. The mystery behind Rachel's character remains, and the dynamics between the characters are largely unchanged, with the reclusive Rachel in charge with her relentless determination, superior skills and abilities, Jacob is no intellectual match, and he is still in love with her. Could there possibly be any connections between the 2 cases?

This is a thrilling and twisted addition to the series with its dangerous inquiries that uncover blackmail, murders, false identities, assassins, government plots, ruthless and powerful criminals and more. Our protagonists once again work with Inspector Philip Oakes and visit the remote and desolate Romney Marshes in Kent and Rye in Sussex, the location of Sepulchre Street, both places are instrumental to this darkest of historical mysteries. Whilst I was entertained and engaged, I am hoping that Edwards goes on to throw more light on Rachel's background, and that there is more character development too in what is an enjoyable series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I always enjoy a Rachel Savernake thriller. Anything by Martin Edwards is good for me and this one is no exception. There's always good quality writing and great plot twists and characters. Even though this is the fourth in the series, there is no lowering of quality or mystery. I enjoyed the way this mystery all panned out and we got to visit Rye and romney marsh. Such historical intrigue there! Scene setting is second to none and just when you think this is cosy crime and you know what to expect...no you don't!

Rachel Savernake has been invited to Damaris Gethin's art exhibition where she is challenged to solve Damaris' murder before it has even taken place. When Damaris executes herself in front of her guests, Rachel is left puzzled over what really happened and begins her search for the truth.

A fantastic rollercoaster journey of a story.

I found the initial concept intriguing and was instantly hooked. I enjoyed following the characters on their escapades around London as they tried to uncover the truth. I particularly loved Rachel as a character because she was so witty and intelligent. This book has an incredible sense of place and setting. Martin Edwards has done a brilliant job of writing in a 1930s style throughout, making it really immersive.

A thoroughly enjoyable book full of twists and surprises that will captivate you.

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I was drawn to the cover design and thought this looked like my kind of book.

I really liked this. Historical mysteries are a favourite of mine, and I felt the author brought the characters and the setting to life very well, giving some of the characters enigmatic qualities. The writing had a classic feel, and I was reminded a little of Conan Doyle and Christie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book.

Another great entry in this series from Martin Edwards sees Rachel Savernake asked to investigate a suicide, (or is it murder?)

First off, a few words about Miss Savernake. I think she's one of the great modern crime literature creations. She's outrageously beautiful, incredibly intelligent, deadly as a rattlesnake, and loyal to the core to her friends. A wonderful person to have as a friend, but a frankly terrifying enemy, wrapped up in a sweet bundle of femininity. Yet somehow she's also fragile, maybe because if *that* secret were revealed to the world at large, her life as she knows it would be over. I hope she's around for a long time to come.

Just had a thought about how great it would be for the author to give us a flash-forward to Rachel's later life in the 1950s or 60s, as a Miss Marple-esque sweet old lady! That'd be fun.

Back to Sepulchre Street. We start with a request to solve a 'murder', that looks like a suicide, and the following story entangles dangerous gangsters, society belles, wicked women, deadly danger, romance, humour and an engaging plot, which reaches to the very heights of London society, to it's depraved depths.

Another wonderful escapade for Miss Savernake. I hope there's many more to come.

Highly recommended, easy Five Star rating.

Definitely a book to completely immerse yourself in to thoroughly follow the various storylines and characters motives, something I fully enjoyed doing. Rachael Savernack and journalist Jacob Flint find themselves at a living art presentation staged by avant garde artist. She asks Rachael to solve her murder, and then takes her own life. Not one to shy away from a mystery, Rachael dives into getting to know the various characters who may have been involved, while Jacobs own investigation into some of the same people is brought to an abrupt end by his editor. Set in the 1930’s, London and the countryside are portrayed as home to both the wealthy and those hit hard by the depression. With plenty of suspects who are willing to plant red herrings, I didn’t see the ending coming. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Head of Zeus, for an advance readers copy. Martin Edward’s Lake District mysteries have long been a favorite series of mine, and this one, while very different, is just as good.

Sepulchre Street is the fourth in the author’s historical crime series featuring Rachel Savernake. It’s a series I only discovered when I read the previous book, Blackstone Fell.

Rachel Savernake is not so much a private detective as a personal detective pursuing investigations that spark her interest. As she herself admits, ‘It’s the thrill of the chase. I yearn for it like an addict craves the needle’ and her favourite pastime is ‘Asking what if?’ But it’s not just any old crime that attracts her: her taste is for the ‘exotic’.

The author teases us by continuing to hold back information about Rachel’s past growing up on the remote island of Gaunt. (Some readers may find this frustrating but I find it tantalising.) What we do know is that she is a very wealthy young woman. However, her early life remains shrouded in mystery. She zealously guards her privacy and is a formidable adversary. Beware what she carries in that glittery evening bag! She’s incredibly well read, resourceful and imperturbable in even the most fraught situations, although, at times, her lack of fear appears to some to verge on recklessness. In fact, she’s just supremely confident she’ll be able to find a way out of any situation.

The members of Rachel’s household – Martha Trueman, Martha’s brother Clifford, and Clifford’s wife Hetty – are devoted to her. Although performing the role of servants – housekeeper, cook and chauffeur come bodyguard – it’s clear they’re the closest Rachel has to a family and may know more than they’re letting on about her past. Rachel is particularly good at utilising their various talents as part of her investigations whether that’s gathering gossip or carrying out a little subterfuge. Crime reporter, Jacob Flint, is once again involved in the story. It’s fairly obvious he has a huge crush on Rachel. He himself admits that from the moment of their first encounter she has fascinated him ‘to the point of obsession’.

The author describes Sepulchre Street as ‘as much a thriller as a detective story’ and the story certainly involves some dramatic scenes, often involving poor Jacob who seems to make a habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. There’s also a returning character who’s not your common or garden villain but performs the role of shady behind-the-scenes manipulator.

Rachel’s attempts to discover the reason behind the grisly death of Damaris Gethin, carried out by Damaris’s own hand, involve a number of other characters and plot lines which attract the spotlight for much of the book. Some of these plot lines incorporate quite contemporary themes. Of course, Rachel, who possesses observational and deductive skills to rival Sherlock Holmes, arrives at the answer to the mystery well before everyone else, including, I suspect, most readers. In fact her methodology – ‘I simply follow an idea until I find something that proves that I’m wrong’ – has a distinctly Holmesian flavour.

Sepulchre Street will appeal to fans of classic crime fiction (think Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers) and those who enjoy the challenge of unravelling an intricate plot. A neat touch is the addition of a ‘cluefinder’ at the end of the book (apparently all the fashion during the ‘Golden Age of Murder’ between the two world wars) in which the author identifies all the clues you very likely missed.

Sepulchre Street is the fourth book in Martin Edwards' series featuring the enigmatic Rachel Savernake. A famous artist asks Rachel to solve her murder and then dies publicly in a guillotine incident in front of an invited audience. Is it a murder or is it a suicide? And how does the glamorous socialite Kiki de Villiers fit in to the story?

Lots of intrigue, lots of desperate dashes against time, assassinations and political interference mean this is an exciting episode of the series. Recommended for lovers of golden age detective fiction.

📗📗BOOK REVIEW 📗📗
Sepulchre Street By Martin Edwards

The fourth book in the Rachel Savernake series, set in 1930’s London, and can be easily read as a stand alone thriller. Somehow I’ve missed this series so my first read, but not my last. I’ll be going back to the earlier books. This is really well written, and as the author explains at the end of the book he uses Cluefinders, made popular by both British and American detective writers in the 1920’s and 30’s. I loved this idea: a book with clues for the readers to solve the puzzle themselves as they read. So pay attention!

Briefly, Rachel is invited to an art exhibition held by Damaris Gethin, as is her colleague and journalist Jacob Flint. Neither of them know why they have been invited by the so called Queen of Surrealism. At the event Rachel is approached by the artist Damaris who asks her to solve her murder!! A bit strange as she is still alive but then matters take a shocking turn when Damaris takes her own life in a most appalling manner.

I wish I’d known at the start of the book that this was a clue-finder, such a fascinating concept. It makes me want to go back and hunt for the clues I missed. A delightful murder mystery in the style of the Golden Age of crime fiction this was an enjoyable read. Great story, hard to categorise: verging on historical cosy but with some dark moments, I thought it was fun.

This was an engaging story and there were many elements to this story. Rachel and her loyal staff are the main characters but also Jacob Flint, a crime writer. It starts at an art gallery in London but a lot of the action takes place in Kent. There are a number of suspects and the way they are all gathering at a similar place made me wonder what would happen. The suspects come from various ways of life, from gangsters to a government assassin. There are some dangerous moments but Rachel is well prepared and is very intelligent and is way ahead of others in working events out. This was the first I had read in the series but there was no problem in reading it as a stand-alone but it would be good to see what happens next. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

London 1931. Artist Damaris Gethin at an art exhibition in the Hades Gallery, asked Rachel Savernake to solve her murder, then she kills herself in front of the invited guests. Meanwhile, Jacob Flint, crime reporter, for The Clarion is interested in socialite Mrs Kiki de Villiers, someone with a murky past and connected to gangsters. Together there will soon be other deaths to investigate.
An entertaining historical thriller and mystery, written in the style of 'The Golden Age'. Another good addition to this enjoyable series with its varied and interesting characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I love Martin Edwards books, especially this series. I am really partial to historical murder mysteries and he has a excellent flair for them. I have read all of the books in this series and love the way he has developed the characters. I have come to know them well and enjoy the main protagonists. I'm invested in their story lines and look forward to each new book as they come out. The author is excellent with his plot lines and he likes to throw a red herring or two in which keeps you guessing. I really recommend this series.