A Case of Fear and Favour

by Sally Smith

Genres: Crime, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 368
Series: The Trials of Gabriel Ward #3
Rating:

Synopsis:

A priceless medieval book has been stolen from the Inner Temple. The librarian has been murdered at his desk. Once again, Sir Gabriel Ward KC must provide answers.

Gabriel meanwhile is preparing to represent a tiny sweetshop in Brighton brought to the brink of ruin by the postponed coronation of King Edward VII. Winning the case will save the sweetshop and change the law for ever. Yet for once he does not object to being pressed into acting as detective, because another miscarriage of justice may be on the cards.

The Temple authorities already have their prime suspects: Jitendra Shah, an Indian law student, and Lesley Roberts, the scandalously female assistant librarian, neither of whom fit the profile of a 'true' member of the Temple. Both were in the library at the time the murder must have taken place. Each claims not to have seen the other. At least one of them must be lying. But does this make them a killer?

Gabriel is convinced there is far more to this case than meets the eye. And in matters of murder, Gabriel is very seldom wrong…

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

When I got offered an eARC of Sally Smith’s latest Gabriel Ward book, A Case of Fear and Favour, there was noooo way I wasn’t jumping on it right away. I’ve loved the previous books and their loving but sometimes critical depiction of life in the Inner Temple, the ancient rules and regulations of the lawyers there, and of course, of Gabriel Ward himself, a bit stuffy but ultimately a very good man.

Over the course of the novels, Gabriel’s found himself getting more involved in the wider world beyond the Inner Temple, and that results here in him amazing everyone and himself by taking a pro bono case. I love that we get an explanatory note afterwards discussing the real law around that case and the historical precedent, which is carefully considered!

Other than Gabriel’s pro bono case, there’s also a mystery in the library of the Inner Temple, with the death of the librarian and the disappearance of some priceless documents. It turns out to be (unsurprisingly, given it’s a novel) not unconnected with Gabriel’s case, as well, and everything proceeds veeery neatly.

I enjoyed the introduction of the characters Lesley Roberts (a proto-feminist) and Jitendra (a figure based partially on some of the experiences of Gandhi), which tugged Gabriel out into the world just a little more, and opened his eyes to more injustices he’d never considered before.

Overall, a good entry to the series, and definitely a series I recommend to mystery lovers — especially if being set in a rather odd location (the Inner Temple, a long-standing inn of court) and around the time of the delayed coronation of King Edward VII appeals!

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

A Case of Life and Limb

by Sally Smith

Genres: Crime, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 336
Series: The Trials of Gabriel Ward #2
Rating:

Synopsis:

Winter, 1901. The Inner Temple is even quieter than usual under a blanket of snow and Gabriel Ward KC is hard at work on a thorny libel case. All is calm, all is bright - until the mummified hand arrives in the post...

While the hand's recipient, Temple Treasurer Sir William Waring, is rightfully shaken, Gabriel is filled with curiosity. Who would want to send such a thing? And why? But as more parcels arrive - one with fatal consequences - Gabriel realises that it is not Sir William who is the target, but the Temple itself.

Someone is holding a grudge that has already led to at least one death. Now it's up to Gabriel, and Constable Wright of the City of London Police, to find out who, before an old death leads to a new murder.

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I loved Sally Smith’s first Gabriel Ward book, so I was very eager to dig into A Case of Life and Limb. I enjoyed it just as much, though the wintery vibes are a bit at odds with the weather, and enjoyed once more the kindness and decency of Gabriel, the way his conscience nags at him so that he seeks out true justice — and the way the real world outside of his work is beginning to tug at his attention, through his friendship with Wright and his unexpected detective work.

I did find that this sequel did have a few surprises: I didn’t expect a particular character to die, I didn’t expect one of Gabriel’s trials to be quite so sad, and I saw a certain issue coming somewhat but I almost expected it to be a red herring — I’m trying not to say too much, in order to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say that sadness touches the story more than I’d expected. There’s also some period-typical homophobia (not approved of by Gabriel).

I did feel that a particular event didn’t linger quite so much on Gabriel as I’d expected, but then he is a rather dry character and not really moved to great grief.

All in all, I probably prefer the first book as a fun reading experience, but I did really enjoy this too, and in some ways it surprised me, well-versed in reading crime as I am. And you’ve got to love the introduction of Delphinium, and Gabriel’s surprising affection for her.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

A Case of Mice and Murder

by Sally Smith

Genres: Crime, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 352
Series: The Trials of Gabriel Ward #1
Rating:

Synopsis:

The first in a delightful new mystery series set in the hidden heart of London's legal world, introducing a wonderfully unwilling sleuth, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Nita Prose.

When barrister Gabriel Ward steps out of his rooms at exactly two minutes to seven on a sunny May morning in 1901, his mind is so full of his latest case-the disputed authorship of bestselling children's book Millie the Temple Church Mouse-that he scarcely registers the body of the Lord Chief Justice of England on his doorstep.

But even he cannot fail to notice the judge's dusty bare feet, in shocking contrast to his flawless evening dress, nor the silver carving knife sticking out of his chest. In the shaded courtyards and ancient buildings of the Inner Temple, the hidden heart of London's legal world, murder has spent centuries confined firmly to the casebooks. Until now.

The police can enter the Temple only by consent, so who better to investigate this tragic breach of law and order than a man who prizes both above all things? But murder doesn't answer to logic or reasoned argument, and Gabriel soon discovers that the Temple's heavy oak doors are hiding more surprising secrets than he'd ever imagined...

When I started Sally Smith’s A Case of Mice and Murder, I was not really expecting to like Gabriel Ward. He seems at first blush like he’s going to be a persnickety old guy. But he quickly won me over with his love of routine, his little rituals, his love of books, and most especially, his kind and gentlemanly manner to everyone, of all classes, no matter his opinion of them.

The book is set in 1901, and steeped in the traditions of the Inner Temple (which is, to be clear, one of the four “Inns of Court” in London). Gabriel lives almost entirely within the Inner Temple, works there, and is deeply content and happy — until he’s confronted one day by a dead body lying on the steps of his chambers.

I guessed the resolution of both the murder and the other case Gabriel works on, but in a good way where it all made sense and hung together. There was no “oh it’ll be the most unlikely person, so the murder is XXX”; it all makes a good amount of sense. I missed a couple of minor details along the way, but figured out the main thrust of it. I don’t require a fair play mystery, but I can very much appreciate one, and this was fun.

I felt like knowing a bit about law from the Secret Barrister’s writing, and being primed for a legal mystery by Sarah Caudwell’s work, helped quite a bit with settling into the context of the mystery… But mostly it was a surprisingly warm story, and that captured my interest and my heart. There’s a deep affection for the setting and for the traditions of the Inner Temple, the rituals of lawyers, and for the justice lawyers can stand for. I can’t wait to spend more time with Gabriel, and will be getting the second book posthaste, once it’s out!

[Edited to add: And I’ve been approved for the ARC, in fact, and will be plunging straight in!]

Rating: 4/5