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A Memory of Murder by Helen Hollick (Taw River Press, 2024)

Posted on 16th June, 2024 in Book Review

A Memory of Murder is the fifth novella in the Jan Christopher Mysteries series. Set in the 1970s in Chingford, north east London, this cosy series follows the adventures of librarian Jan Christopher and her fiancé, Detective Sergeant Laurie Walker. Walker works for Jan’s uncle, Detective Chief Inspector Toby Christopher. 

The story is an intriguing mix of the ordinary, everyday stuff of life – Jan’s work in the library, disrupted by the advent of the decorators; at home with her uncle and aunt; tiffs with her fiancé – and some baffling mysteries. Some bizarre but apparently harmless items are being left outside DCI Christopher’s house. More importantly, the police are working flat out trying to find a missing girl. And then there’s the unsolved murder of Jan’s police officer father, which still casts its shadow.

The book is written in an easy, conversational style with a great deal of gentle humour. The story is underpinned by the well-realised location, with detailed descriptions of topical features such as streets and alleys, level crossings, and bus routes. The sense of period is well conveyed in social and cultural details, that will evoke for many readers a sense of nostalgia (Cassettes! Black Forest gateau! No mobile phones!). The characters are well drawn – I particularly liked the irritating decorators. And, though there are some dark moments, because it’s a cosy you know it will all come out right in the end – but there are plenty of surprises along the way.

A Memory of Murder is an entertaining read that cleverly draws together all the main strands, with appealing lead characters, and enough thrills to keep the reader hooked.

Buying Links:-

Amazon universal:

e-book: https://mybook.to/AMemoryOfMurder

paperback: https://mybook.to/MemoryOfMurderPB

About Helen

First accepted for traditional publication in 1993, Helen became a USA Today Bestseller with her historical novel, The Forever Queen (titled A Hollow Crown in the UK) with the sequel, Harold the King (US: I Am The Chosen King) being novels that explore the events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Her Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy is a fifth-century version of the Arthurian legend, and she writes a nautical adventure/supernatural series, The Sea Witch Voyages. She has also branched out into the quick read novella, ‘Cosy Mystery’ genre with her Jan Christopher Mysteries, set in the 1970s.

Her non-fiction books are Pirates: Truth and Tales and Life of A Smuggler. She is currently writing about the ghosts of North Devon for Amberley Press, and another, Jamaica Gold for her Sea Witch Voyages.

She lives with her family in an eighteenth-century farmhouse in North Devon with their dogs and cats, while on the farm there are showjumper horses, fat Exmoor ponies, an elderly Welsh pony, geese, ducks and  hens. And several resident ghosts.

Website: https://helenhollick.net/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/helen.hollick

Blog: promoting good authors & good reads https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/