A Case of Mice and Murder: 'A delight from start to finish' Sunday Times

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A delight from start to finish SUNDAY TIMES I loved it! ... A whiff of Shardlake and a pinch of Rumpole ... a joy S.J. BENNETT, author of THE WINDSOR KNOT 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 childrens 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 judges 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 Londons 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 doesnt answer to logic or reasoned argument, and Gabriel soon discovers that the Temples heavy oak doors are hiding more surprising secrets than hed ever imagined... The first in a brand-new series introducing a wonderfully eccentric sleuth, perfect for fans of S.J. Bennett, Janice Hallett and Richard Coles. Gabriel Ward will return in 2025. A cunning and delightful mystery with rich, wonderful characters and period detail so vivid, you can touch it IAN MOORE, author of DEATH AND CROISSANTS Sir Gabriel Ward KC is endearingly eccentric. Intriguing, engaging, and thoroughly satisfying T.E. KINSEY, author of A QUIET LIFE IN THE COUNTRY A total delight! ... Intelligent, insightful mystery ... all skilfully woven together with a poignant, human story. I devoured it in one sitting! SARAH YARWOOD-LOVETT, author of A MURDER OF CROWS

Reviews

It is rare that an original protagonist appears in historical crime fiction but Sally Smith has created one in Gabriel Ward ... a delight from first page to last * Sunday Times *
Whip-smart whodunnit ... a guaranteed page-turner with secrets, twists and turns throughout * Woman & Home *
I loved it! ... A whiff of Shardlake and a pinch of Rumpole. The plotting is brilliant and its a joy for any lover of literature or justice -- SJ Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot
A cunning and delightful mystery with rich, wonderful characters and period detail so vivid, you can touch it -- Ian Moore, author of Death and Croissants
The world of barristers living and working in the Temple in 1901 is perfectly evoked, and Sir Gabriel Ward KC is endearingly eccentric. Intriguing, engaging, and thoroughly satisfying -- T.E. Kinsey, author of the Lady Hardcastle series
This was a total delight! An intriguing, intelligent, insightful mystery, giving a glimpse of a secretive society in the heart of London, all skilfully woven together with a poignant, human story. I devoured this in one sitting! -- Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, author of the Dr Nell Ward Mysteries
Such a clever and well-constructed plot, so beautifully written and an absolute delight to slip into and be carried into the world of the Inner Temple and all the characters within. I adore Sir Gabriel Ward KC -- Fliss Chester, author of the Lady Cressida Fawcett Mysteries
Obligatory legal warning: this delightfully quirky historical murder mystery, featuring an endearing KC turned sleuth to solve a most intriguing crime, is highly addictive. Five stars -- Jessica Bull, author of Miss Austen Investigates
I liked this book from the start; on page 55, I fell in love with it. Sally Smith has achieved something much more than a murder mystery ... a novel to warm the soul -- Oskar Jensen, author of Helle and Death
In A Case Of Mice and Murder Sally Smith has created a charmingly eccentric golden age sleuth, and a compelling murder mystery. An excellent work of historic fiction which I thoroughly enjoyed! -- Guy Morpuss KC, author of Five Minds
Delicious, gaslit murder. I loved it -- MAUREEN JOHNSON, author of YOUR GUIDE TO NOT GETTING MURDERED IN A QUAINT ENGLISH VILLAGE

Author Bio

Sally Smith spent all her working life as a barrister and later King's Counsel in the Inner Temple. After writing a biography of the famous Edwardian barrister, Sir Edward Marshall Hall KC, she retired from the bar to write full time. A Case of Mice and Murder, her first novel, was inspired by the historic surroundings of the Inner Temple in which she still lives and works and by the rich history contained in the Inner Temple archives. A Case of Mice and Murder is the first in a series starring the reluctant sleuth Sir Gabriel Ward KC.