This book, though well-written, left me feeling underwhelmed and somewhat disappointed. The plot, reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s work, lacked the excitement I was hoping for. Set in 1960s Oxford with a snow-covered backdrop, it features PC Trudy Loveday and Dr. Clement Ryder investigating a suspicious car crash. Despite its potential, the story was slow and occasionally boring, requiring breaks from reading.

This is a really well written and exciting detective mystery that is excellently plotted with smart characters. I really enjoyed guessing at every twist and turn and in particular the final chapters are incredibly satisfying.

A great English murder mystery set in a time before mobile phones and internet. New Year's Eve 1962 in snowy Oxford. A snowstorm wasn't going to stop the partygoers attending the 'place to be and to be seen!' The next morning when a body is found in a car, WPC Trudy Loveday and coroner Clement Ryder are called in to investigate, With everyone giving a different account of the evening, it seemed that several of the guests might have reason to want to be rid of the victim. Trudy and Clement have a lovely relationship, she a very young inexperienced WPC and has only been given this opportunity because of lack of assistance due to the weather conditions and Clement an elderly, semi retired coroner called in for the same reason. They needed to solve the mystery and in a hurry!

Another good book in the series starring Trudy and Clement – an unlikely friendship, but he’s a good mentor who guides her to think carefully and often outside the box. I love the way they solve crimes – it fascinates me. The snowy scenes are a perfect background. There was a visible thread of sexism in the early days when policewomen were less likely to join the force. Trudy works hard to win approval and justify her position with the difficult Jennings, who never seems to know what to do with her. Not that he needs to worry, as she is self-motivated. It’s an interesting case in which Clement’s son finds himself absorbed and involved. Or does he like Trudy?

I have the full series and thoroughly enjoying it. Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital.

Really enjoyed this - will definitely be recommending and looking forward to the next one by this author!

Thanks to Netagally and the author for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. I found it very intriguing, the case in which the detective had to solve was intriguing. It kept my attention. The way in which we found out the information it was very interesting.

A great book with lots of twists and turns. The last few chapters were amazing. Really well written characters too. Highly recommended.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

This book reminds me a little of an Agatha Christie whodunnit. It's an old fashioned detective story set in the early sixties with a young WPC and a coroner working together to solve cases, much to the resentment of a senior police officer.

It all starts at a New Year's Eve party following which a murder takes place but whodunnit? There's a long list of suspects all of whom have something to hide but who was desperate enough to commit murder? A nice detective story.

I enjoyed the book and found it gripping; great fun with all the clever twists and turns. I felt the last few chapters were extremely well written!

I enjoyed this book and have not read the others in the series which I now plan to read. A great plot that keeps you intrigued until the end.

Despite this being part of a series and #7 it was easy to read as a standalone whodunnit. I haven’t read any of her books before so it’s lovely to know there’s a whole series to look forward to. I’ve already ordered the first 2. A strong 4/5.

Good story and memorable characters. Easy to stick with the story and keep reading. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC.

On New Year's day 1963, after the party where the wealthy Millie Vander expected Terry Parker to propose, Terry is found dead in his car.
WPC Loveday along with her friend coroner Clement Ryder set out to find out what happened.
The story twists and turns throughout and has a satisfying ending. Really good story

With thanks to the author, publishers HQ Digital, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

The 7th installment of the Trudy Loveday and Clement Ryder series. I had no idea about this when I started reading, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book in any way. This is a cozy whodunnit, set in the middle of a big freeze in early 1960s England, with two very likeable main protagonists, a victim that many apparently had an axe to grind with, and a plot that unfolds slowly from a seemingly innocuous beginning into a complex mystery with an unexpected but satisfying conclusion. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, I'm already looking forward to reading the previous works in the series!

I read this no realising that it was part of a series. Takes you right back to the 1960's. Easy read and a good read.

Back to 1960s Oxford with Trudy and Clement, the 8th and final adventure with these two. I enjoyed the story and became very interested in who had vomited the crime. I feel there are some question that need answering so I am hopeful for a ninth book.

My first dip into the series but straight away I was engrossed. Great plot and it’s easy for the reader to be transported back into this era in a way that reminds me of classic Agatha Christie. Will definitely recommend

I read ‘A fatal night’ as a standalone novel as I didn’t know about this series but loved its traditional mystery feeling; as a young man is found dead in his car on a cold night an investigation is launched and several suspects come to light.
This novel is set in the 1960’s but still maintains a contemporary, easy read flow but Martin writes in a way that builds great tension and atmosphere so the novel feels more than simply a cozy mystery.
The plot definitely kept me guessing and I’d definitely go back to read the previous books from the series!

Another good tale of WPC Loveday and Dr Ryder well constructed with a few red herrings thrown in.
This book has a seemingly simple beginning which gets more intriguing as one reads and has a great ending!
I throughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one.