This was such a joy to listen to - the kind of classic, character-driven whodunnit that you can completely sink into. Set in the heart of London’s Inner Temple in 1901, the story begins when Sir Gabriel Ward KC, a brilliant barrister with a quiet, orderly life, stumbles over the dead body of the Lord Chief Justice outside his chambers. No shoes, dressed for dinner, stabbed with a silver carving knife.

Gabriel is swiftly and reluctantly pulled into running an unofficial investigation (Temple rules mean no police allowed without permission!), and at the same time, he’s drawn into a curious case involving a children’s book - Millie the Temple Church Mouse - anonymously submitted to a publisher and suspiciously claimed by an author after it achieves enormous success.

It’s such a well-layered mystery, with dry humour, a beautifully drawn historical setting, and a touch of quiet eccentricity. I loved the pacing, the period detail, and how both mysteries were equally compelling. The audiobook narration by Matthew Lloyd Davies was just perfect - calm, crisp, and full of character. He brought Gabriel to life exactly as I imagined.

A brilliant start to what I hope will be a long series. The second - A Case of Life and Limb - has just been published and I’m dying to read it!

Highly recommend this book if you like your murder mysteries to be classic, clever, quiet, and slightly quirky.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for gifting me a copy of the audiobook.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this audiobook. Firstly...the audio narrator is BRILLIANT. I felt like I'd been transported back in time and it really, really brought the story to life. As an avid crime reader, I really enjoyed a historical crime story without any of the technology of today's police procedural format.

The intersecting stories of the Lord Chief Justice's murder and Milly the church mouse were really intriguing. I loved Gabriel's quirky and charming nature...I loved how he wasn't at all elitist and made time for everyone regardless of class. I liked the evolving relationship between Gabriel and the police officer he was paired up with. The ending was really fantastic. So neatly pulled together...I have to say, the writing was brilliant, articulate, funny in places and just charming.

My only criticism of this lovely tale are that there are SO many characters and I really wish I'd written them down because I struggled to keep up on audiobook.

Sadly this was a dnf for me. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed it more reading physically/ebook or if it just wasn't for me generally.
I was just a bit bored. I love a good mystery but I didn't care for this one or the way it was written. I do find these types of historical mysteries that try and make themselves akin to the sherlock holmes sort are often 50/50 for me. Some I devour, some I just don't get fully invested in to and this unfortunately was one of the latter.

I listened to the audio version. I plan to read it on kindle and see if I like the story better, I think I will. The narrator ruined this book for me. Mediocre performance at best. I feel I’m a good judge of this as, I listen to most of my books because I’m legally blind. I wouldn’t recommend the audio version, but read the book.

I was blessed with an audio ARC of this book. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

This book is so well written I absolutely loved it. What a page turned, Can’t wait for Life & Limb…..

When the Lord Chief Justice is discovered murdered in the grounds of the Inner Temple, London, eccentric barrister Gabriel Ward is asked to investigate.

A Case Of Mice And Murder by Sally Smith is such an engaging tale, I loved every second of the audiobook. Thanks to the narration of Matthew Lloyd Davies, you are immediately drawn into the exclusive domain of Inner Temple, one of the Inns of Court in central London. The story is set in 1901, and little over a hundred years later it is difficult to believe how much has changed since then.

The story features two threads. Firstly, there is the murder of the Lord Chief Justice, the country's head of judiciary. Not only is the murder shocking, particularly as the grounds of Inner Temple are locked overnight, but the body is also discovered without socks. The idea of what is considered to be scandalous at the turn of the twentieth century is amusing and is a recurrent theme throughout the story. Since the police do not have jurisdiction over the Inner Temple, it is barrister Gabriel Ward who is tasked with investigating the murder. It was fascinating learning about life in the Inner Temple, particularly the peculiarities that set it apart from the rest of London.

The second thread consists of a case that Ward is defending. A publisher found the manuscript for a children's book, which has proved extremely successful. Someone has come forward, claiming to be the author, and is suing the publisher. For me, this thread was the more entertaining of the two storylines. I loved hearing about Millie The Temple Church Mouse, the way in which the story was used as a teaching tool for children and the mystery around the identity of the author.

Gabriel Ward is a fascinating character, one I am sure will be part of a long series of books. Ward is set in his ways and keeps very much to himself, where possible. His life revolves around routines, something that today would immediately be identified as neurodivergent, but in 1901, is considered "odd". Ward's "oddness" means that he's very observant, extremely knowledgeable and doesn't judge other people.

As Ward grapples with both cases, we meet a range of characters, some of whom become immediate suspects in the murder as they are only interested in furthering their own careers. It is the servants that really bring the story to life, the way in which they know everything that is going on and keep things running smoothly. As for the conclusion of the two cases, I didn't have a clue, but thoroughly enjoyed the way in which the storylines were eked out to keep you in suspense. If you enjoy cosy crime, then this audiobook/book is definitely one to check out. I'll certainly be investigating the sequel, A Case Of Life And Limb, very soon.

I have not read anything by Sally Smith before, but the outline appealed to me. Set at the start of the 20th century in The Inner Temple, an area of London populated by lawyers and judges, we meet Gabriel Ward KC. Gabriel has a precise routine, nut this morning it is interrupted by a body, one with bare feet, lying across the doorway to his chambers. The body turns out to be that of the Lord Chief Justice, and Gabriel soon finds himself, along with the help of a young police constable, investigating the death.
The narrator was perfect for the book, The pace was just right. A very enjoyable book to listen to. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy.

I enjoyed this cosy murder mystery story. There's something quite engaging about the main character who quietly gets on with things and solves the case with the help of an enthusiastic policeman sidekick. It's set in the very early years of the 20th century, and there's a strong sense of that time period, and also the place where it is set, throughout. The audiobook narrator was particularly good and really brought the story to life.

I love Gabriel, love this series, and loved this audiobook that made me travel in time and space. Excellent experience
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

An engaging crime story set in the early 1900s.

When the Lord Chief Justice is found dead, without his shoes, reluctant amateur detective Gabriel Ward must look into what occurred while also ensuring he's ready for his day in court, defending his publisher client against the alleged true author of the infamous Millie the Temple Church Mouse story.

Set amongst the pomp and circumstance of upper class, legal early 1900's London, this is an intriguing case where new and old techniques are used to solve the who dunnit.

Look forward to reading more of this series.

I listened to this as an audiobook from Netgalley and I'm voluntarily reviewing this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in this book, the setting - Temple, was wonderfully described I felt I could step right into it off the page. The character of Sir Gabriel with his eccentricities and quiet air reminded me of Hercule Poirot and the whole book in fact was worthy of Agatha Christie herself. The plot was fantastically done, completely logical and had me guessing at the little twists and reveals until the end.

The side character of the police officer was a great fit and I thought he worked well with Sir Gabriel's character.

I am already looking for when the next book is due out as I can't wait to read more from Sir Gabriel.

This is an excellent murder mystery book, and the audiobook is delightful and fun to listen to. The two cases in the book are very well laid out and keep you guessing right to the end.

Gabriel Ward lives in London in 1901, working as a lawyer. He soon becomes a reluctant sleuth when the Lord Chief Justice is discovered dead on his front door. Working with Constable Wright, he endeavours to solve the crime. The relationship and banter between Gabriel and Constable Wright are a delight to listen to.

While investigating the murder, he also has a law case to work on - that of the disputed authorship of the renowned children's book Millie the Temple Church Mouse.

The book is read by Matthew Lloyd Davies, who does an exceptional job with the story. He brings the story to life with his different voices and characteristics.

This is the first in a series of books about Gabriel Ward, and I'm eager to read and listen to more of this series.

This charming cozy mystery introduced me to the Inner Temple—a historic legal enclave in London I had never heard of before. At first, I mistakenly thought it was a religious setting, but a quick Google search cleared up the confusion and added even more intrigue to the story.

When a murder disrupts this insular legal community, an internal investigation is launched with the help of Gabriel Ward, a King’s Counsel (KC) who is brilliant but socially anxious, slightly OCD, and agoraphobic. Paired with a young constable, Ward navigates the case with intelligence, wit, and a surprising amount of charm, gradually stepping outside his comfort zone.

The “mouse” in the title is tied to a book at the center of the mystery—an unusual but clever detail that fits the story’s legal-literary tone.

Matthew Lloyd Davies delivers a standout performance as narrator. His voice perfectly suits the characters and setting, and I’ll definitely be seeking out more of his work.

I’m already looking forward to the next installment when it releases in July.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury UK Audio for providing a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

A CASE OF MICE AND MURDER is a delightful, cosy historical mystery set in the elite world of the Inns of Court.

Cosy historicals are probably my favourite mystery sub-genre. I love history so a well researched book set in the past tickles that itch alongside the satisfaction of knowing, when you open the book, that you will get a resolution of whodunnit by the end. There will be bumps along the road and false trails, but in the end, the murderer will be caught.

It is so clear that the author was a barrister herself - and one who practiced in the Temple. The book has such a familiarity with the area and the technicalities of the law. Her research into an Edwardian barrister (for a non-fiction she has also written) shines through in the authenticity of the practices at that time. This all makes the world Gabriel Ward inhabits so believable.

The book itself centres around the murder of the Lord Chief Justice and also an ownership case of a children's book. I really liked how they played off one another, taking time and focus away, but also the pacing of revelations. They don't follow the same direction, with breakthroughs and twists at different times, which really helps the tension and forward progression of the tale.

I liked the narrator, Matthew Lloyd Davies. He really captured the soothing voice of Gabriel Ward, which helped bring him to life - this easy to overlook man who was as peculiar as he was brilliant.

I am definitely going to pick up the next book in this series!

I really loved this novel - a cosy crime on the surface, but one which has a lot to say about class and misogyny.

You can tell that the author is a long-time resident of the Temple - her knowledge of the law, the geography, and they types of characters who also live or frequent the Inns of Court shines through in every detail - so much so that she has included a note at the end that highlights the (very few) places in which she has not been 100% accurate. Each of them was demonstrably necessary for the story, but she’s wise to do this, as without it there would be a queue of her barrister colleagues lining up to point them out.

It’s a clever plot, well acted out, and her reluctant but brilliant amateur sleuth, Gabriel Ward, is wise and kind and a little more worldly than he might seem at first. And although a knowledge of the Inner Temple Gardens and environs will obviously enhance your enjoyment, you don’t *have* to know any more than the author tells you to like this book.

📚AD-PR: Raven Books via NetGalley.

The first in a new crime series. Set in the Inner Temple, London 1901. Sir Gabriel Ward KC investigates a crime while acting as a barrister in a complex legal case
Thank you to Bloomsbury UK Audio and NetGalley for the ARC. My review is freely given.
This book meets all the requirements of an historical cozy crime, with its Interesting setting and Intriguing characters It is elevated by its exploration of social injustice and the inferior role of women at the time.
I listened to the audio book and found the narration rather monotonous. Having read the second book in the series and thoroughly enjoyed it so may revisit this one in the traditional format. I think this is going to be very popular series.
For fans of Agatha Christie and Charles Dickens.

A cosy crime whodunnit set in the cloistered world of the Inner Temple in 1901, featuring Gabriel Ward KC as the reluctant detective investigating the death of Lord Chief Justice Dunning. In a parallel plot line, Ward is also representing the publisher of an anonymous children’s book when a woman claiming to be the author turns up demanding recognition and reward. The characters are engaging and the narration is compelling. All in all, an audiobook I am happy to recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury audio for the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook.

A Case of Mice and Murder takes you to London's Inner Temple in 1901. Lord Chief Justice Dunning has been found dead and barrister Gabriel Ward KG is tasked with investigating the murder. In parallel, Ward is looking into a case involving an unidentified author of a children's book that has become a worldwide success.

I absolutely loved this journey into the closed world of the law courts, with its diplomatic but highly charged professional rivalries and its strict codes of conduct, and the extended supporting cast of police, servants and the legal professionals' families. A Case of Mice and Murder is an immersive novel with vividly described scenes.

The two narrative threads - the murder and the enquiry into the mysterious author of a children's book - are wound together expertly (if you'll excuse the pun). Both mysteries are solved very gradually. This is not a novel of high-speed action and sensational plot twists, but a decorous unravelling.

There's a wonderful cast of characters. The barrister, Ward, wise and staid, is an absolutely endearing character and Constable Wright an excellent foil. Sure, they are all archetypal -- the barrister, the policeman, the vagrant, the governess, the judge's wife, the kitchen maid, etc. are all dressed in the right costumes, with the right voice and vocabulary for their role and social station. Nonetheless, they also stand out as wholly convincing individuals with their own unique personalities. And there's not one of them that I wouldn't look forward to meeting again in another novel!

I see that A Case of Mice and Murder has been compared to novels by Agatha Christie and Rumpole of the Bailey. Not sure I'd agree. While indeed it's in the classic murder mystery tradition, it reminded me more of J.S. Fletcher, albeit more sedate.

Note on the narration:
When I listened to the audio extract, I found Matthew Lloyd Davies' voice perfectly suited to the novel. He sounds exactly as you would expect a somewhat elderly barrister in 1901 to sound like, lending a warmth and gravitas to the character. Unfortunately though, while listening to the book I found his voice frequently over-modulated: I couldn't always hear what he was saying, especially on the dips where the volume dropped significantly in the lower pitches at the end of sentences.

However, I won't deduct a star from my rating; I just recommend reading A Case of Mice and Murder rather than listening to it, if you have any hearing difficulties.

All in all an excellent, entertaining mystery. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Unfortunately this one just wasn't for me. Second half was definitely better and I was pretty invested by the end. Audio narration of the posh London barristers and judges was a little grating.

An enjoyable start to a new detective series (book 1 of The Trials of Gabriel Ward) it Is set in the early 1900’s and it begins with Gabriel starting his day in his chambers when he finds the dead body of the Lord Chief Justice of England, stabbed in the chest whilst wearing evening dress but no shoes, not knowing what happened and the only person with a alibi Gabriel is deemed the only one who can investigate, so reluctantly he agrees to try and find the killer.
Matthew Lloyd Davies does an excellent job at the narration, his voice suited the era the book is based in.