Murder in Belgravia

Set during the early years of World War I, Murder in Belgravia by  Lynn Brittney introduces a new series subtitled A Mayfair 100 Murder Mystery. London is flooded with women seeking jobs and  Chief Inspector Beech has been advocating for using women on the police force in non-traditional jobs, but has met some resistance from the older male officers. (The American version of Murder in Belgravia will be released on March 2019 by Crooked Lane.)

While he is investigating the murder of Lord Murcheson supposedly at the hands of his meek, mild wife Lady Harriet, Inspector Beech realizes he needs a woman to assist in interviewing the injured wife.  He organizes a group called Mayfair 100 and off they go solving the murder and lots of other crimes.

He recruits two professional women he knows from his youth. They are Caroline Allardyce, a doctor, and the newly-widowed Victoria Ellingham, trained in the law.  Adding to his squad, he includes PC Billy Rigby and veteran police officer Arthur Tollman to round out the squad. Their headquarters are to be in Victoria's mother's luxurious home in Belgravia.


While Dr. Allardyce treats the gravely injured Lady Harriet, Chief Inspector Beech questions the staff at the Murcheson home and determines one of the maids is missing. As they search for Polly, Lady Harriet fights for her life and cannot be questioned. They also learn that since his return from the war injured, Lord Murcheson has been subject to fits of rage.

As Beech, Victoria, Caroline, Rigsby and Tollman investigate the murder, they found themselves in the midst of brothels, underworld drug rings catering the the upper classes and Harley Street physicians abetting the addiction to drugs.

Interesting set of characters and an intriguing plot. This is the first in the series. Looking forward to others.

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