I enjoy vintage mysteries. This one was a pleasurable read, well plotted, with interesting characters, tight writing, and a few surprises.

The setting is London, after the wars. Sally Merton works for an antiquarian bookseller housed in a very old building in London. The family owned business has several generations of the Heldar family running it, and a closely knit group of employees. There is one unpleasant man, who bullies the less assertive employees and is vaguely inappropriate with the female staff.

When he is found stabbed to death, everyone is shocked but nobody pretends that he will be missed. But who killed him? It has to be someone familiar with the business which leaves the other employees nervous. And to add to the general unease, there are rumors of a ghost haunting the building. And more than one person has actually seen a ghostly figure. Is that connected with the murder?

Sally and the owner's grandson Johnny want to clear their co-workers from suspicion so they begin their own investigation. The slightly devious plot and understated writing made this an enjoyable read. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Loved the book, devoured it in one sitting, will most definitely read other books by this author. The writing is smooth and uncomplicated, read it one sitting. The story was entertaining, and it took me back to that era. Will continue to read the other books in this series.

This is the second book I read in this delightful series and I loved it.
It's a gripping and highly entertaining story, full of twists and turns that kept me hooked.
John and Sally are a great couple and I loved how they put together the pieces and solved the mystery.
I learned something new about ancient books and I loved the descriptions of the setting and the cast of characters.
I can't wait to read the next installment as I want to read more by this author.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This my second Johnny and Sally Heldar mystery, and they are great reads. The fact that it is set in an antiquarian bookshop in the 1950s, with lots of fascinating detail about how the shop is run, just adds to the enjoyment of the story. The characterisation is excellent and the story is excellent escapism into another time. I really hope the rest of the series is re-published.

A big thank you to Agora Books for bringing the fans of classic crime so many delights in the form of the excellent recent publications. Some of the authors, like Henrietta Hamilton, might not be household names like Christie and Sayers, but discovering them is indeed a bonus. This particular story is very clever and the reader is not treated as stupid. The plot moves along swiftly and the characters fit the time and setting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more being republished.

A murder-mystery set in an antique bookshop featuring apparent ghost sightings and a developing background romance? What's not to love!

As someone who adores Agatha Christie's mystery novels I went into The Two Hundred Ghost with quite high expectations and it truly delivered!

Though originally published in 1956 ovetime Henrietta Hamilton's 'Johnny and Sally Heldar' series has been forgotten, which is honestly such a shame as this story was as good as any by the timeless Agatha Christie. I am very grateful to Netgalley and Agora Books for allowing me to read this gem of a sadly forgotten crime novel.

One thing to be weary of when reading this story is the identity of the perpetrator. Though the reveal came as a complete surprise I can understand why a modern reader may find fault with Hamilton's murderer and the suggested reasons for why they committed their crime.

However, this in no way impacted my enjoyment of the story and I overall found it to be a solid read.

4.5 stars

trigger warning
<spoiler> grief, mental illness, trauma, ptsd, suicide attempt, lethal illness </spoiler>

One evening, a ghost is seen in 200 Charing Cross Road.
The next day, a person is found dead.

There were all the tags that told me I wanted to read this: crime, ghost, bookstore, London.
This one is from 1956, and you can see that in the gender roles shown, but as I was forewarned I didn't mind that much.

All in all, this is pretty straightforward and cozy for a crime. If you're into Agatha Christie's works, you'll most likely enjoy this, just as I did.

The arc was provided by the publisher.

The Two Hundred Ghost is the first book in a short series by Henrietta Hamilton, featuring amateur sleuths Sally and Johnny. I was keen to read this 1950s murder mystery, having read and enjoyed another Sally and Johnny book, Answer in the Negative, when it was released by Agora Books earlier this year.

This book is set in the world of antiquarian books and features a deliciously nasty victim and a properly twisty plot with an old labyrinthine shop and some ghost sightings. Quirky characters and sinister motives abound.

A cracking little book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Five stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

Ghostly Rumours And Murder....
200 Charing Cross Road, an antiquarian bookshop and a ghost. Despite the ghostly rumours a real person is the brut of concern for Sally Merton. Namely one Mr Butcher. When said Mr Butcher is found dead suspects are numerous, Scotland Yard is called and Sally conducts her own investigation with the help of Johnny Heldar. The sometime amateur sleuths, Sally and Johnny Heldar, are both likeable and amenable and make an enjoyable duo and this is their first outing. Hugely enjoyable classic crime, fully entertaining with well drawn characters and an engaging plot. A very worthy reissue from Agora Books (and part of their ‘Uncrowned Queens of Crime’ series). Highly recommended.

The ghost known to inhabit the Heldar’s antiquarian bookshop hasn’t been seen for many years. But oddly, it’s recently been sighted by several of the staff. One of the clerks, Sally Merton isn’t so bothered by these supposed manifestations as she is by the unwelcome advances of her unpleasant colleague, Victor Butcher. But Sally isn’t the only one to have an unpleasant confrontation, so when he is found dead, stabbed in the back at his desk, many at Heldar’s fall under suspicion. Sally’s situation gives her a prime view of the investigation, and in a position to help Johnny Heldar in finding the murderer.

Originally printed in 1956, The Two Hundred Ghost is the first of four books written by Henrietta Hamilton, all featuring Johnny and Sally Heldar, and the second reprinted by Agora as part of their “Uncrowned Queens of Crime” series.

Set in the world of 1950s London antiquarian booksellers, Hamilton introduces us to her crime-solving duo of Johnny Heldar, and Sally Melton. While we learn quite a bit about Johnny (partner in the family antiquarian bookselling business, served as a Commando experience in WWII) Sally’s history is never given, and she remains something of an enigma. Hopefully this will be fleshed out in the remaining two books. But, this does not mean that she is in any way subservient to Johnny in the investigation. With her valuable observations and insights, she takes a very active role in solving of the case, which is something of a rarity for the time.

The police are convinced that someone in the shop is involved—and there are several viable suspects to consider. Because Butcher was universally unpleasant but had his pet targets in a shell-shocked book packer and a young, mentally limited messenger. But there is also the typist, who vehemently states her joy at his death, and the youngest Heldar, who’s knife is the murder weapon. Knowing the occupants as well as they do, as well as the routine in 200 Charing Cross Road, gives Sally and Johnny a leg up on the police in the investigation. And the recent theft of antiquarian books from other shops adds to the mystery. Was Butcher involved, and if so, did it lead to his murder? Hamilton provides the reader with all the facts in the form of motives, opportunity, and alibis. Although I will admit that in some instances there was a bit of repetition regarding information, it was never to the point that I needed, or wanted to skip over any of it. Much appreciation though for the tidbits regarding antiquarian books and their trade that Hamilton scattered throughout the story. The information provided an insight into that little seen trade, and taught me at least one word I’d never heard before…incunabula.

I’ve been in something of a reading funk lately, and The Two Hundred Ghost finally got me out of it. Most well-read mystery readers won’t have any trouble working out the solution. But Hamilton still manages to provide an interesting surprise or two along the way. While this is by no means in the top tier of mysteries, it is quite well done, and a very entertaining read.

Source - Review Copy (Agora Books via Netgalley)

Originally published in 1956, this was the first of four detective novels which Hester Denne Shepherd wrote as Henrietta Hamilton. As with "Answer in the Negative" which Agora Books recently put out in their Uncrowned Queens of Crime series, it features Sally (Merton) and Johnny Heldar.

The murder here takes place in the premises of the Heldar family's antiquarian book business, and the background has the authenticity provided by an author who had personal experience of that trade. The story is relatively short and does not have a great deal of sleuthing, The professional police probe some of the animosities felt towards the murdered man and make an arrest. The amateurs look beyond that, and, partly by exploring the tale of a ghost in the building, stumble upon the solution.

The writing shows a deft and light touch, making for very easy reading. There is a little romance and some good dialogue. The characterisation is vivid.

Very recommendable to readers who enjoy well-written traditional detective novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Agora Books for the digital review copy.

I hadn’t heard of The Two Hundred Ghost by Henrietta Hamilton before Agora offered me a free copy to review. Hamilton only wrote four novels, all between 1956 and 1959; and all featuring Johnny and Sally Heldar. Agora published Answer in the Negative earlier in 2020, as part of their Uncrowned Queens of Crime series; and have now issued The Two Hundred Ghost, the first in the series.

Johnny Heldar is an ex-commando whose family own an antiquarian bookshop at 200, Charing Cross Road, an early eighteenth-century building. An old tale of a ghost has been revived and some of the women working there are on edge. Sally Merton, who works in the shop, is pestered by Victor Butcher, a deeply unpleasant and disliked colleague. The cleaning lady finds Butcher the next morning, dead with a knife in his back.

The pacing is very good with the action taking place over ten days – time enough for the plot to develop and for us to register how various characters live by themselves, giving a sense of loneliness that so many people had post-war. It invokes the atmosphere of 1950s London very well. A thread involving valuable books that have gone missing from other booksellers is incorporated. There is a side-helping of romance as Johnny and Sally realise they love each other. It’s low-key, though – there isn’t even a kiss until, presumably, just after the last page.

Henrietta Hamilton was a pseudonym used by Hester Denne Shepherd (1920-1995). After serving in the Wrens during the war, she worked in a London bookshop, selling antiquarian books. That insider knowledge does make the novel realistic. I think it’s great that Agora and other publishers are reissuing these books for a new audience and I really enjoyed The Two Hundred Ghost. It’s a gentle read and I finished it in a few hours. I thoroughly recommend it and I do hope Agora release the remaining two Hamilton books soon.

#TheTwoHundredGhost #NetGalley

This fun and light mystery was originally published in 1956, one of my favourite eras to read. I'm so happy there seems to be a resurgence in reviving and republishing such books! Whilst this book isn't full of tension and suspense, it is well written and well worth reading. There's just something so refreshing about it. Such an easy read, too. No plodding along. I read it in one sitting.

A ghost is spotted by a few employees in an antique book shop in London, not exactly a usual occurrence. When a murder occurs, there are many questions...is there a link? What is the point, if any? How and when was the weapon taken? The list of suspects grows and the workplace becomes strained and we find appearances can be deceiving. Information is withheld from the police while Sally and Johnny, who both work at the shop, do investigating of their own which takes them on some twisty turns. One discovery was especially intriguing for me! Descriptions of old atmospheric buildings and old books grab my attention immediately so this is a great fit. The subplot is interesting as well, an ideal read on a very snowy cold November day.

Those who enjoy cozy mysteries, especially those in this era, will enjoy this book. After reading it, I researched the author, Henrietta Hamilton, and happily discovered this book is part of a series!

My sincere thank you to Agora Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of an ARC of this charming read in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.