Yay! A book set firmly in the stunning York Minster and the historic city of York. I’ve read many historical books and time slip novels set here, but nothing like a cosy mystery as far as I can recall. This novel hits the spot and then some. It’s like being with old friends and as this is a debut, that’s pretty good going!
There’s a lot to like here. Comedy, mystery, a who dunnit Cluedo style drama and a sleuth who constantly drops in literary quotes, references and more. A great deal takes place in the (Fictional) university library. The university has been renamed but the feel of the place and the grand library is all very recognisable. The history and the academic background give a feel of grandeur and historical intrigue to the whole affair.
The city of York is well evoked and described and the sense of searching for the truth in a gothic city where secrets can hide in the shadows, comes across well. Inspector Halloran and Sergeant Banks are great characters - grumpy and serious in a world where they of course have to solve a murder or two. Compare them to Kitt however and they bounce of each other nicely.
There’s twists, a good old fashioned who dunnit to solve and some cracking literary puns along the way. Watch out for the bad dad jokes - but there they’re part of the charm! And that’s how I think of this book - charming, great reading, a cracking fireside mystery and want-to-meet-again characters. Set in the fascinating city of York and all its gothic splendour takes this to another level.
Recommended.

cosy-mystery, law-enforcement, friendship, librarian, library, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, york

Librarian Kitt has closed herself off from most people since her live in deserted her ten years ago, but she has one best friend and an assortment of dear friends at work who are the best sort of characters. But one day the stone faced pair known as Inspector Halloran and Sergeant Banks come to the University library in full view of friends and foe alike to question Kitt about her best friend, Evie, who has been taken in as the prime suspect in the bizarre murder of Evie's ex who had recently dumped her. That's only the first murder and the first confrontation! It's a good plot, with more twists than a double helix! A side plot is of Kitt and Halloran learning why they have built walls around self while suspicious of a mutual attraction they discover. Besides all that, there are countless literary (especially of mysteries) references even to the point of groaningly bad jokes!
Thank goodness that Quercus Books gave in and granted my request for a free ebook via NetGalley!