A Case of Mice and Murder: The Trials of Gabriel Ward by Sally Smith

It is a joy to discover a new author and then learn they’ve already published a second book. I started this historical mystery while I was still reading a Victorian mystery by Charles Finch set in 1879 London. This mystery is set in London at the very start of the Edwardian era, in May, 1901.

Gabriel Ward is a London barrister, a King’s Counsel, and argues court cases in the courts of the Inner Temple. He has book-filled rooms near his office chambers and very particular, regular habits. Every morning at two minutes to seven, Sir Gabriel firmly closes the door to his rooms and presses the door three times, just to be sure. One morning, on his way to work, he discovers a body, that of a powerful judge.

Gabriel, who has read quite a bit about modern crime detecting, is assigned to investigate the death, much to his dismay, along with Constable Wright. The pair interview other barristers and judges, cooks, a laundress, porters, a man who sleeps outside a bookstore, and the members of the late judge’s household.

Meanwhile, Gabriel is preparing for a court case representing the publisher of Millie the Mouse, an anonymous bestseller that was left on the publisher’s doorstep. A former governess is claiming authorship and suing the publisher. I’m happy to say that no mice come to harm during the mystery, but some cats help establish someone’s alibi. Gabriel is rather eccentric, and also an appealing and memorable character. I look forward to reading A Case of Life and Limb, which was recently published.

Brenda