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.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

A Case Of Mice And Murder
Sally Smith

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the first book in this new series - The Trials Of Gabriel Ward and one that I'd been really looking forward to grabbing and diving in to explore.

It's my first read by this author but I was really drawn to the front cover and I love a good cosy mystery read.
This was all really giving me Agatha Christie vibes.

This was set in the early 1900's, with the murder being within the Inner Temple at the heart of the London legal world.
It was interesting that although the Temple held the offices of barristers and the like, the police were not allowed to enter.
This left our lovely MC Gabriel to lead the investigations.

We follow this case alongside the latest case that Gabriel had taken on - seemingly unconnected, but this was all well written, weaving both stories together throughout.
Both cases intriguing and the plotting was so well worked that I was totally invested in trying to solve each of them.

I really enjoyed getting to know Gabriel and his little habits. He made for a very believable.character and one I'd like to continue getting to know better over time through the series.

So, I listened to this on audio book and I found that the narrator did a fab job of presenting the characters and this really suited the genre and era of the book - it was quite calm and quiet though, which did mean that I couldn't easily focus fully whilst doing jobs etc.
Not a big issue as such, just a heads up that if you like to only audio book whilst doing the housework, you might find it tricky without headphones.

Otherwise, an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to grabbing book 2 soon.




💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

I really enjoyed the setting of this novel. The universe of lawyers who live in a special community to which regular laws do not apply, the kindness of our main character, Gabriel, the fact that I could not guess who the murderer was... I do want to read/listen to the next installment of this series.
I do have some issues with the narrator, though. I don't know if it was his voice or microphone, but I found the audio to be muffled and hard to hear (I had to rewind and listen again a number of times), specially at the end of sentences. However, this did not stop me from enjoying the audiobook.

Surprisingly Good!

I initially expected A Case of Mice and Murder to fit neatly into the cosy crime genre, but it turned out to be much more. Labelling it simply as cosy crime would be an understatement.

Gabriel, our protagonist, is caught in a compelling mystery, trying to solve both a murder and a case of stolen identity. Set at the turn of the 20th century in the Temple district of London, the novel blends historical intrigue with sharp detective work, making for an unexpectedly engaging read.

I read this title last year and thorough ply enjoyed it. I’m not sure how I ended up with an audio copy as well, but I’ve just listened to it in almost a single sitting. It’s superb. The narration throughout is perfect; just the right pace and intonation with a great collection of character voices. The story is set in 1901. A top Judge is murdered and his body left on the doorstep of one of the Inns of Court. Who killed him and why? That’s the murder mystery element, but what takes this tale to another level are the characters, period detail and attitudes. The Temple area is so well depicted, it’s very visual with its strange rules, layout and traditions. Gabriel is a likeable eccentric, determined despite himself to get to the bottom of things. The social mores, particularly the attitudes to women and servants are so well described. I have to say, I enjoyed this even more second time round and it still felt fresh and compelling. A brilliant tale, well told. What a cracking series.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable cosy murder mystery set at the turn of the twentieth century mainly in the hallowed grounds of The Temple in London, the enclosed medieval precinct home for lawyers, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the everyday city life.

Reclusive barrister Gabriel Ward, with a keen, young police constable to assist him, is tasked to uncover the murderer of the country’s most senior judge, who was found dead in The Temple grounds,. At the same time, one of Gabriel’s legal cases involves the disputed authorship of a children’s book. The plot moves along quickly, with some well-developed characters, and interesting descriptions of life in that era, not least the role of women in society, and loose ends are neatly tidied up at the end of the book which is the first in a new series. I am already impatient to read about Gabriel’s next investigation.

The audiobook is very well read by Matthew Lloyd Davies.

Prepare to be whisked back to the start of the 20th century, 1901 and the mysterious enclave of London’s legal centre, the Temple, which finds itself outside the normal jurisdiction of the law. Barrister Gabriel Ward is embroiled in the case surrounding the true authorship of children’s book Millie the Temple Mouse, when he suddenly finds himself investigating the murder of the Lord Chief Justice within their very own walls. Drawing on his knowledge from within the courtroom and the help of Constable Wright, Gabriel puts to work his sleuthing skills. Full of the mysterious atmosphere of this secret inner sanctum, the nuances of the period and several red herrings, this cleverly researched and plotted story kept me on my toes to the very end. The voice of narrator Matthew Lloyd Davies absolutely suited the tone of the story. A superb performance and a great cosy crime. I look forward to seeing more of Gabriel.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for a review.

I respond to this with a resounding...meh. A shrug of the shoulders. I can acknowledge that there is a mystery reader who will love this book. Who will love the Holmesian Gabriel and the intricate 'here are all the conversations we have to solve the murder' plots that don't really extend beyond one location in central London. I, however, am not that person. I was bored. And quickly losing track of which old lawyer was which. The narrator was good.

A Case of Mice and Murder” is a delightful cozy murder mystery set in 1901, brimming with charm and wit. The story features a cast of engaging, believable characters and subtly explores the challenges faced by women of the era. The audio book narration is excellent, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of the time and adding to the book’s overall appeal. A thoroughly enjoyable read—I’m already looking forward to the next in the series.

Narrated by Matthew Lloyd-Davis
Presented by Bloomsbury UK Audio

Another fun detective story!

Err, I mean, LAWYER.

Yes, Sir Gabriel Ward is tasked with investigating a murder that's happened on Temple grounds. That's not, as I first misunderstood, a literal temple, but rather a special lil section of London where Lawyers rule. Gabriel is a little odd, but it's part of his charm.

I'll admit, the narrator didn't work for me at the beginning. For some reason I find some male narrators hard to hear at times, like they trail off at the end of the sentences or in the middle and I can't make out the words properly. Very frustrating. I also found the pacing off compared to how I'd read, but I wouldn't go so far as to say he did a bad job.

He did grow on me as I became more involved in the story, but I did find myself tuning out a lot at the start. The story sucked me in though and I regretted not paying thorough attention!

There's a double mystery here - the murder that Ward has been tasked with investigating, and the case he's currently undertaking in his role as a lawyer, that concerns the author of a children's book. It's the latter that really piqued my curiosity; Millie the mouse has become a hugely successful book and yet her authorship is unknown. Fascinating!

Eventually this book delivered everything I've really been enjoying in the Japanese crime novels I've been devouring: strange, seemingly irrelevant pieces, a large cast of potential suspects, quirky stories and completely wild ideas. I enjoyed the way everything started to be pieced together and the ultimate conclusion.

This is a great introduction to the series, but given all the clues and red herrings I'd love to read this one physically so that I can properly absorb every detail.

Highly recommend to crime fans who just want a straight up murder mystery without the brooding detectives and their messy love lives.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

Initially, I had my doubts about this narrator but he grew on me as the book continued. His voice gives you a feeling of “Conan-Doyle” and his Sherlock mysteries.

This is an enjoyable but slow-burning murder mystery that Agatha Christie fans will love

With a historical backdrop and a sideline of cosy crime, this is a *very* British murder mystery. It combines all the fun and humour of the country with all the quirks and eccentricities that surround this location in London, all wrapped together to make a delightful listen.

An intriguing, clever and witty murder mystery with a wonderful and atmospheric setting. The narration of the audiobook was just right, exactly the voice needed! I can't wait for the next one!