ARC Review: A Body on the Doorstep by Marty Wingate

A Body on the Doorstep
Author: Marty Wingate
Series: London Ladies' Murder Club (Book 1)
Publication: Bookouture (January 11, 2024)

Description: Fiercely independent Mabel Canning can’t wait to begin working for the Useful Women’s Agency. But when she discovers a body on her client’s doorstep, it’s time to add solving murders to her job description…

London, 1921: Mabel Canning is proud to be a modern woman working for the Useful Women’s Agency, carrying out tasks for gentlewomen from flower arranging to washing muddy dogs. But when she answers the door for wealthy widow Rosalind Despard, she almost chokes on her cucumber sandwich when she finds a soldier’s body on the doorstep.

As she offers tea to the policemen of Scotland Yard, Mabel can’t resist getting drawn into the investigation.

Who was the mysterious dead man? And why was he holding a letter for Rosalind, written by her husband on the day he disappeared?

As Mabel hunts for clues, she joins forces with Rosalind’s handsome brother, former detective Park Winstone, and his adorable terrier, Gladys. But when Mabel suspects she is being followed, the detective duo know that time is running out before the killer strikes again.

As she investigates, Mabel discovers dusty old photographs that help her reveal the soldier’s true identity. But as she gets closer to uncovering the young man’s murderer, she knows she’s also one step closer to danger...

Can she outsmart the killer and save Park and Rosalind before they also turn up dead as doornails?

A totally unputdownable and utterly charming Golden Age cozy mystery from USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey.

My Thoughts: Mabel Canning has determined to leave her small town and move to London where she will be a useful woman. It's 1921 and Mabel is thirty-two. World War I is over, she's lost her best friend to the Spanish flu, and has decided that it is time to make her dreams come true.

She gets a job with an agency which supplies "useful women" to do any sort of task for gentlewomen. Mabel has a variety of tasks to perform from washing a dog to escorting a slippery eight-year-old to the train which will take him to school. But the job helping a woman plan for a wake is the one that consumes her and points her to a rather different career path. 

Rosalind Despard is planning a wake for her husband who disappeared seven years earlier. Mabel starts by making sandwiches for the guests, but, when a body is discovered on the doorstep and a letter from her husband is found on his body, Mabel finds herself solving a mystery or two. 

Along with Rosalind's brother Park Winstone and Park's dog Gladys, Mabel finds herself investigating to discover who the man was and eventually what happened to Rosalind's husband. Her investigations take her to music halls and the London Docks and let her make friends with some of the women who live in the same flats where Mabel lives. 

I liked the period detail in the story. I also liked that Mabel was taking steps to secure her own independence and becoming more confident in her abilities as the story progressed. I like her relationship with Park Winstone. They seem like they could be a good team for investigating future crimes since they successfully solved this one.

Fans of cozy British mysteries and historical mysteries will enjoy meeting Mabel and her friends and colleagues.  

Favorite Quote:

"Would you rather have been Maid Marian?" Winstone asked.

"Only if I had my own bow and arrow," Mabel replied.

"Would Robin allow that?"

"Would Marian ask permission?" Mabel retorted. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.