It was a pleasure to be reunited with barrister Arthur Skelton and his trusty clerk - and friend - Edgar Hobbes. I loved the scenes where Arthur and Edgar discuss the briefs that have been sent to him. By the way, if you want to discover the inspiration for the character of Arthur, check out David's blog. I should say at this point that it's not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this second one.

Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders sees the return of characters from the first book, including Arthur's cousin, Alan, and his sister, Norah, who travel the country with their caravan spreading the word of God at meetings, and often gathering useful nuggets of information for Arthur's cases along the way, relayed in Alan's chatty letters.

Another returning characters is Rose Critchlow who helped Arthur with his previous case and is now working as an articled clerk in the solicitors who provide most of Arthur's work. Once again, she makes a valuable contribution, one that leads to an important discovery and provides an insight into the emerging science of forensic entomology at the same time. Amongst her other attributes, the reader learns, are superb navigational skills. 'Rose knew the way. Of course she did. Five minutes with a map and Rose would be able to take you straight to the green-eyed yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu or the lost kingdom of She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed.'

As in the first book, the reader gets an insight into Skelton's domestic life with wife, Mila, and children, Lawrence and Elizabeth. I particularly enjoyed the episode in which Arthur is entrusted with the Christmas shopping list, including purchasing gifts for the children. 'He'd been told by many people that, if you value your health and sanity, you should never venture into a toyshop at Christmas time. Climb the Matterhorn by all means, take the waters in Moscow during a cholera epidemic, but stay away from toyshops.' Does Arthur return with exactly what was specified on the list? Come on, he's a man isn't he?

Arthur's wife, Mila, is a wonderful character and definitely nothing like the She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed of John Mortimer's Rumpole series. Mila is an avid reader of the newspapers, teaches archery to local girls and has lately developed a rather grand ambition. She and Arthur have a touching relationship such that I found it hard to forgive the author for putting Arthur through the mill at a sudden turn of events.

Alongside Arthur's attempts to find the evidence needed to achieve the acquittal of his client, Doctor Ibrahim Aziz, are entertaining interludes in which the reader witnesses Arthur's court appearances in other cases in which he has been instructed. He frequently ponders on the small things can turn a case and influence a jury.

The book is also enlivened by references to real life figures such as the renowned pathologist, Sir Bernard Spilsbury. I especially enjoyed Arthur and Edgar's memorable encounter with a star of stage and screen in their favourite eating place, Kembles. By the way, it's here that Edgar, seeking to reduce his portly stature, eschews the delights of veal and ham pie for an egg salad that Arthur describes as looking like  'the sort of thing that Mr Gandhi might have eaten as a form of protest'.

Do Arthur and Edgar get to the bottom of the (suit)case? What do you think...?

Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders is another delightful addition to the series. I loved its combination of period detail, ingenious mystery and amiable humour, and I'm already looking forward to Arthur's next guide to dastardly deeds.

Great fun, a well plotted, amusing, historically accurate and beautifully written pastiche that brings alive a fictionalised account of a famous murder from almost a century ago and introduces an understated hero in barrister Arthur Skelton.

This is the first of what I am sure will be a long series as a new unassuming hero emerges.

Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders is the second book in the series about barrister Arthur Skelton. I haven't read the first book in the series, but don't think it is necessary. It can be read as a standalone.

It's set in Britain in 1929. Skelton and his associate Edgar are trying to proof the innocence of the husband of a murder victim. All evidence points toward the husband, but Skelton has a feeling the man didn't do it. Luckily, his staff, his relatives and some lucky coincidences point him in the right direction.

Since this is a the story of a barrister, we get to go to court with Skelton, and not only for the suitcase murder case. Sometimes the plot seemed to veer off in a direction so far off the story and I felt bored only to notice that this meandering was actually for a reason and would put one tiny puzzle piece of the jigsaw in place.

If you like a slow mystery with some albeit slow but unexpected turns and twists, this is the right book for you.

This series is becoming a favorite as I love the humor and the quirky characters.
This is the second novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it as it's engrossing and highly entertaining.
It's not a classic whodunit as it mixes the personal story of the characters with the plot and the mystery is part of a more complex story with a number of subplots.
The author does an excellent job in delivering a story that flows and never confuses the reader, it always keeps your attention alive and all the different subplots are very enjoyable.
The historical background is well researched and vivid. Even if David is high-middle class we meet people from all the social classes and there's plenty of description of how terrible was the life of the poor.
I love David but I also love Alan, the travelling preacher cousin who wants to help people to meet Jesus through joy. The letters that Alan write are always interesting and funny.
The mystery is solid and the solution came as a surprise.
I strongly recommend this novel as it's well written and entertaining.
Many thanks to Allison & Busby for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I thoroughly enjoyed Arthur Skelton's first outing in Skelton's Guide to Domestic Poisons and I think I enjoyed his second outing with the Suitcase Murders even more. It was a joy to spend time with the characters, especially the evangelical cousins Alan and Norah who are just so amusing and lovely that I'd like to meet them in real life for a gospel singalong and a cup of tea. The actual murder mystery was well plotted and interesting too.

I would recommend that readers start with Domestic Poisons before reading Suitcase Murders, because many of the characters introduced in the first book continue their story arc in the second.

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

Skelton’s Guide to Suitcase Murders by David Stafford is a cozy historical murder mystery set in 1920s England and based loosely on a real case. Although it’s the second title in the series (preceded by Skelton’s Guide to Domestic Poisons), audiences can enjoy it without reading the first. Known for his propensity to win hopeless cases, Suitcase Murders follows barrister Arthur Skelton as he sets out to defend Dr. Ibrahim Aziz, who’s been accused of murdering his wife and packing away her remains inside a discarded suitcase. Armed only with a quirky array of characters and unconventional etymological forensic evidence, he’s got his work cut out for him to prove his client’s innocence and prevent a British-Egyptian diplomatic scandal.

Despite the grisly details of the murder, Stafford’s whimsical voice and clever prose immediately set a light, easy tone. Skelton and Edgar, his long-suffering clerk, spend much of their time traveling to and from locations in their quaint little town to meet clients and discuss their findings, resulting in many memorable, hilarious exchanges. Their familiarity with one another also leads to several frank conversations about racism and international relations in post-World War I England. Stafford demonstrates a clear awareness of the problems with the rise of the British Empire while still portraying likable characters living within a system defined by it. On several occasions, Skelton must come to terms with strategies that work in favor of his European clients but simply won’t do for Dr. Aziz, regardless of his innocence.

Skelton’s role as a barrister is an interesting choice since most mysteries feature professional or amateur investigators solely focused on solving a single mystery. Skelton, however, juggles many cases over the course of the novel—the titular suitcase murder almost completely forgotten at certain points. It’s difficult not to view this as a flaw since readers are primed to parse through the text for clues about Dr. Aziz’s case only. Furthermore, Skelton’s role as a lawyer also means he seldom takes an active role in the investigation; clues seem to fall into his lap, and he receives conveniently relevant correspondence from friends precisely when he needs it. It is only in retrospect that readers can make sense of the various cases, letters, and acquaintances scattered throughout Suitcase Murders, but the process of getting there is tedious for those unaware of this reward waiting at the end of the novel.

While Skelton and Edgar are jovial and sweet with their bumbling ways, the diverse cast of female characters is the true highlight in Suitcase Murders. From Skelton’s wife Mila, who teaches archery and fancies flying a plane to Africa, to Rose, a bright young lady training to be a lawyer, to Phyllis Pitt, a positively ghastly woman who revels in causing trouble, Skelton manages to showcase a robust cast of women who anchor the story to the minutiae of everyday life. I only wish Stafford had included a similarly nuanced portrayal of Dr. Aziz and his Egyptian heritage. Unfortunately, readers never learn more than the fact that he’s Egyptian.

A charming, surprisingly funny murder mystery romp with memorable characters and dialogue, Skelton’s Guide to Suitcase Murders is perfect for unwinding after a long day. It’s a quick, engaging read, and the inviting setting of a quaint English town will draw readers in and leave them excited to visit again for Skelton’s next great adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for sharing an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, thank you very much to NetGalley, Allison & Busby, and the author for this review copy in exchange for the honest review.

Overall, for me, this story is really interesting but I sometimes got quite puzzled about how the story proceeds. This story does not only revolve around the investigation, it tells the story of Skelton’s everyday life. The example is like what other cases he had, visiting his parents, buying gifts for his children, exchanging letters with his cousin, basically his everyday life and mixed with the investigation. For me, clues are coming to him and he solves them to the end. There are other prominent characters that are also helping him and Edgar with the investigation such as his cousin and Rose. For me, the pace is okay at the beginning, becomes much slower in the middle, and becomes fast-paced after a major incident and toward the end. I like the characters and humor in this story, making the story not really serious (even though the case is serious). I actually got really shocked when the murderer was revealed, like why I didn't realise it before? This book is inspired by a true crime case and the second installment in the series. I give this story ⅘ stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐.

It's always a joy to find a new series that just ticks all the boxes - emotionally engaging without excessive somberness, a lovely sense of humor, a fantastic core team of sleuths (cousins Alan and Norah are a new favorite of mine), and mystery that, while not particularly "fair play-ish," holds up under scrutiny without requiring an excel spreadsheet and map of train routes from 1954. I gave myself just two chapters at a sitting with one as I was enjoying it very much; it's a great time. A strong recommend.

This is my first book of the series. I love historical crime fiction and I have to confess a suitcase murder was in the news headlines in my country a few days before I saw this on Netgalley... so I just had to read it!
I think fans of Perry Mason and other lawyer cum detectives will enjoy this series. But the most notable difference is the treatment of women. Unlike Perry Mason which seems very patriarchal to modern readers, this story has a wonderful young woman named Rose and of course Skelton's wife Mila who, in my opinion, were much stronger characters than the men!
Skelton doesn't really investigate the crime. It felt more like pieces of information fell into his lap. But he did put the puzzle together at the end and save the day.
Overall an enjoyable light read.

Skelton’s Guide to Suitcase Murders by David Stafford
This whimsical murder mystery set in 1929 is a second outing for the barrister Arthur Skelton. He sets out to defend those people accused of terrible crimes which they did not commit. This time it is an Egyptian doctor who is accused of killing his wife. The book is peopled by an array of interesting characters – Mila, Arthur’s wife, who is horrified by the fact that a childhood friend has a much more exciting life than her and plans to fly to Australia. The awful Phyllis Pitts, who has Arthur running around defending her young son for various different crimes.
Then there is Arthur’s cousin who travels the country to bring the “Joy of Jesus’ Love” and also provides food for the starving people unable to find work in this time of crisis. He writes letters to Arthur whilst investigating on his behalf.
As in the last book Arthur is ably assisted by his clerk, Edgar and the formidable Rose who has just moved to London and has an amazing capacity for always knowing the direction in which to direction to travel. As with the last book this is loosely based on a real case and I feel that the author has evoked the period between the wars extremely well.
The use of etymological forensic evidence to prove where the body had been located enabled the introduction of a love interest for Rose in the person of Vernon Goodyear. The book is light-hearted and has some laugh out loud sections such as this description of Phyllis.
Phyllis shuffled her weight in the chair. Her stately physical presence was a triumph of modern corsetry. Many whales had given their lives to make her the woman she was, but the creaking, each time she moved a muscle, could be deafening.
I also loved the description of Mila’s Saturday morning archery class for girls very amusing.
A stiff breeze was blowing. Trying to teach the girls to adjust their aim in order to take its effect into account was a thankless task. Bows were pointing dangerously in all directions.
“But you said we had to aim to the left, Mrs Skelton.”
“Not ninety degrees to the left. You’re poking Virginia’s eye out as it is and once you let go of the string, that arrow will fly all the way through her head and hit the pavilion windows.”

I would like to thank the author, David Stafford, the publishers, Allison and Busby and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murder is the 2nd installment in the Arthur Skelton series by David Stafford.
Set in 1929 England, a dismembered woman was found inside a suitcase and the police quickly identified her as the wife of an Egyptian doctor, Dr. Aziz. We follow Arthur Skelton, a barrister, and his clerk, Edgar as they journey to clear the name of Dr. Aziz who was accused of killing his wife and find out who's the real killer.

This was a delightful read! A cozy mystery that reminds me of Agatha Christie's books. It's humorous and it has a solid plot. The characters are well fleshed out. They're funny and interesting. I especially enjoyed the banter between Skelton and Edgar. The mystery was well done and based loosely on a true story.

My only issue — this book could've been shorter. There were too many subplots that it felt unnecessary, making the book deviate from the main plot.

Overall, this was a fun and engaging read. I highly recommend it to fans of whodunnit and cozy mystery.

Thank you Netgalley, David Stafford and Allison & Busby for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is written in a very British style so you may need to puzzle over a few bits of slang. Otherwise it is funny, exciting and hard to put down.

Did not get it. Interesting premise, but then the plot ambles around the houses. The investigation into the “suitcase murder”, once it did get going, goes off more tangents than a pyramid’s inner walkways. Could not understand the hierarchy of the investigators or the legal system or the political implications of defending a potential Egyptian wife murderer. Too many side characters, got bored in the end. The “reveal”: The reader had no chance of ever working this case out.
Interesting era, though.
Not terrible, but not memorable either.

Book Review for Skeleton’s Guide to Suitcase Murders by David Stafford
Full review for this title will be posted at: @cattleboobooks on Instagram!

Skelton's Guide to Suitcase Murders by David Stafford is a stupendous thriller read. With every chapter the mystery deepens and you won't be able to put it down before finishing it. The author , apart from the mystery, has discussed the challenges faced by women in this world. He has shown some really strong women characters in the book which elevates the charm of the story.

I would strongly recommend the book for all the mystery lovers. The characters, the plot and the climax are in perfect synchronization. Also, the thing which I liked most in the story is that the author has not attempted to make our protagonist, Arthur Skelton, a perfect lawyer. The climax of the book was totally unexpected. The book is definitely a five star read.

This book was not of my usual choosing but I quickly found myself fully absorbed in this historical thriller.

The author's voice is quite fluid, the narrator masterful, the flow well balanced, the atmosphere palpable with touches of humor.

I particularly enjoyed the character descriptions, not overdone but clever, and the ease of visualizing left me feeling as though I knew each personally:

face artistically divided by a long slender nose/
chin that stayed dark dark even after a shave/
on the balls of his feet as if ready to race off/
he had a moleish look without his glasses/

The story is suspenseful with subtle clues as you progress but nothing prepares you for the twist ending. I appreciate a story where gore is not needed to tell of a harrowing murder.
Absolutely engrossing, fantastic narration, storytelling at its best!

I would say this book was a 3½ for me. I liked it, the plot, the characters, the sense of humour, but I think it lacked in investigation when compared to detective novels in general.

It makes sense in a way, because Skelton is a barrister, that we see him working on many cases throughout the book, but it felt that, in the first half of the narrative, there was too much going on, and not so much attention to the case that is in the title, what is enhanced by all the details we see from Skelton's personal life, family and other relations. This characteristic got me divided. Although I liked it, I felt that it deviates a little from what is promised in the blurb.

Nonetheless, apart from this, I enjoyed the time I spent reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish.

oved, loved, loved this! A light, fun (and funny!), quirky and well-plotted story with great characters, wonderful dialogue and a well-done mystery.

In this second in the series, set in 1929/30, Arthur Skelton and his clerk Edgar are asked to represent Dr Aziz, an Egyptian doctor accused of murdering his wife and stuffing her into a suitcase. Their search for clues takes them around England, whilst Arthur's cousin Alan, a Welshman who travels the UK bringing the 'Joy of Jesus' to folks in mourning, heads to Scotland - and the late Mrs Aziz's home town - and assists Arthur by writing marvellous letters that helpfully include little details about some of the suspects. The mystery is both satisfactorily explored and resolved, with a number of little twists throughout to keep you guessing.

Based loosely on a true story and written during lockdown, this is highly recommended!

This book was overall delightful and whimsical. Even the worst characters (Phyllis Pitt, for example) are fun to read about. In the late 1920s, barrister Arthur Skelton is set to represent Ibrahim Aziz, a doctor accused of murdering his wife in a rather gruesome fashion. Skelton and his colleagues set out to prove his innocence, taking them all throughout the UK. Readers learn a bit about etymological forensics (a field I didn't know existed!), flying 100 years ago, and the state of Egyptian-British relations at the time. The only reason this gets 4 stars is because some of the conversations between characters seemed like they were going to be subplots (Edgars feet & potential marriage) and then didn't really take off or tie in--but I still didn't mind reading about them as they were entertaining!