"A delightful read, well-paced, and full of interesting details. There's something satisfying about a murder mystery well told . Hopefully, Sir Gabriel's career as a detective is just getting started." -- The California Review of Books "Smith's novel is a quiet triumph. Each small unfolding supports the next, characters blossom off the page, and the pitch-perfect pacing is as pleasurable as the descriptive detail." -- Library Journal, starred review "A triumph of ingenuity." -- Daily Mail "A charming mix between Agatha Christie and Rumpole of the Bailey . [which] exquisitely opens the door for readers on the history and traditions of the Inns and legal world.
" -- The Times "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 "In this delightful mystery set in 1901 and pleasurably steeped in the politics, philosophies, and social mores of turn-of-the-century England, barrister Gabriel Ward turns detective when one of his colleagues is murdered in the law-focused world of London's Inner Temple." -- The Boston Globe "Smith's first novel provides abundant red herrings, courtroom maneuvers, legal aphorisms . and an appealing atmosphere of stuffy proprieties upended by murder most foul before knitting the two cases together with professional dexterity. Yes, my lord, a sequel is promised and will be most welcome." -- Kirkus Reviews "Quite simply, this is one of the very best debuts I've read in a long time; it's sure to delight the Osman and Thorogood crews and readers of Sarah Caldwell's legal murder mysteries." -- First Clue "Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from start to finish .
showcasing a genuine flair for narrative driven storytelling." -- The Midwest Book Review "Readers will admire Sir Gabriel's wit and the tender partnership he develops with Constable Wright. This series is off to a promising start." -- Publishers Weekly "Whip-smart whodunnit . a guaranteed page-turner with secrets, twists and turns throughout." -- Woman & Home "Sally Smith's accomplished debut is an immersive historical murder mystery with a unique barrister sleuth, Gabriel Ward. The 1901 legal setting is well-drawn and the mystery well-plotted-I thoroughly enjoyed every page." -- C.
L. Miller, USA Today bestselling author of the ANTIQUE HUNTER'S series "Sally Smith's debut novel is an absolute delight. Bright, lively writing that's so evocative I was transported to the fascinating world of the Inner Temple in 1901. Gabriel Ward is a character crafted with such timeless elegance I was immediately besotted! As brilliant a cosy crime story as you'll ever read, I can't wait to immerse myself in the next installment of this ingenious new series. " -- Janice Hallett, internationally bestselling author of THE APPEAL "Delicious, gaslit murder. I loved it." -- Maureen Johnson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the TRULY DEVIOUS series "I loved it! . A whiff of Shardlake and a pinch of Rumpole .
A joy." -- S.J. 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 "Sir Gabriel Ward KC is endearingly eccentric. Intriguing, engaging, and thoroughly satisfying." -- T.E.
Kinsey, author of A QUIET LIFE IN THE COUNTRY.