Private investigators Sebastian Clifford and Lucinda ‘Birdie’ Bird are approached by the daughter of a mother who was murdered and her father was found guilty. The case never sat right with Daryl and she wants it reviewed hoping to find her father innocent. The investigators find the Daryl's mother was involved with an activist's group and wonder if that led to the murder. As they wind their way through this cold case, they find a tangled mess and threats. I have not read the other books is this series. I didn't find any issues with reading this one first. I loved the characters especially Seb and Birdie. This was a challenging case and I enjoyed the solution. #netgalley

I really enjoyed reading how this cold case was approached and resolved. Not so many twists and turns but the research process and methodical teamwork was well thought through and engaging. Seb and ‘Birdie’ are an awesome and highly professional team. They have a great dynamic and such huge respect for each other. As this is book seven, the key relationships are in place and allow the focus to stay where it should be. These two ex-policepersons don't attempt to second guess their ex-colleagues but rather work with them. This builds serious credibility, cooperation and assist in the resolution of the case.

I love that their private lives are essentially private. On the fringe for the most part so not a significant part of the storyline. Just enough to add some depth to each of them.

Its five out of five on the enjoyment scale

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this copy.

This is the first book that I have read in Sally Rigby's "Detective Sebastian Clifford " series and although I enjoyed it I must admit that I wasn't as gripped as I was in her Cornwall series and I couldn't seem it invest in the main characters in the same way, having said that, Birdie and Seb did seem to grow on me.
Podcaster is a word that detectives dread hearing but when Daryl Bradstone approached P.Is Sebastian (Seb) Clifford and Lucinda (Birdie) Bird her story made them listen.
Daryl's mother had been murdered thirty six years ago, she was poisoned with cyanide and her father, on very scratchy evidence, had been found guilty of her murder and had died in prison.
When podcaster Ali Simmons contacted Daryl and asked for an interview what she had to say peaked Daryl's interest. Ali had discovered that Helen Bradstock had been quite active in an organisation hell bent on uncovering high level corruption and they were ruffling the feathers of very powerful people, could this be connected to her mother's murder ? was her father innocent, had he died in prison needlessly ? Daryl needed to know.
Seb and Birdie decided to take the case even though it was very cold.
As this story unfolds, Birdie and Seb become certain that the podcaster was on to something big and they both called in favours from friends and ex colleagues in the police force to uncover the unscrupulous activities of people with deep pockets and friends in high places, friends that could make things happen, friends who could make things disappear.
This was more of a cosy mystery that a supercharged one, perhaps now that I know the characters better I will be more invested in the next book in the series..
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this Arc, this review is totally voluntary.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. Sally Rigby is an author who writes crime fiction well. This book is no exception. Sebastian and Birdie are Private Investigators who take on a cold case. A man jailed for the murder of his wife is believed innocent by their daughter. The case had me gripped from the beginning. The Seb & Birdie work well as a team, with complementary skills.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy crime fiction. Although part of a series it can be read as a stand-alone

This is a great series of books and a good example of the genre. Great characters and story line which really draws you in. Would recommend.

Seb and Birdie take on a cold case which leads them down a road of doubt, deceit, danger. and frustration, uncovering more than they bargained for. Well-written with good strong characters. Another enjoyable read by this author and recommended for murder mystery fans.

I loved this book! I was hooked on it right away and was dying to find out what happened!
It was such an easy read which I always appreciate!
If you’re looking for a mystery this is definitely a good book for you!!

Question Of Guilt - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

DCI Clifford Book 7 by Sally Rigby, Question Of Guilt will keep you glued to every page of this fast-paced, character-led crime-thriller.

Follow Seb and sidekick Birdie as they untangle a web of secrets and lies to expose a merciless killer.
Can they bring closure to their client and deliver justice on the guilty?
Read Question Of Guilt to find out the truth... satisfaction's guaranteed!

This was my first time reading this author and I really enjoyed it. Although this is the Seventh book in the series I was able to easily step into it as there was enough background on our main duo Private Investigators Seb and Birdie. I thought they were great characters who complemented each other really well. The storyline was one that pulled me in from the start and kept me interested throughout, excited to see how it would play out. This was a cold case they had been asked to look into, to see if it had infact been a miscarriage of justice.
Having read this, I am looking forward to starting at book one and making my way through this series! I'm always on the lookout for new authors in this genre, particularly a good series to get stuck into, and I feel I've found the perfect one!

This was the first book I have read from this particular part of Sally Rigbys writings - I have read The Cornish Mysteries before.

This was a mixture of cold cases, police procedural and a cosy mystery but they all worked well together.

Sometimes I found it a bit long winded but all in all it was an enjoyable read.
Sally Rigby had obviously done her research and it was well written - even though there were dark sides to the story.

This is the story of a case (that was supposedly solved). Daryl Brackstone's father died in prison after being convicted of the crime of murdering her mother. She has never believed and still does not believe he was capable of murder. When she hires Seb and Birdie to review the facts and hopefully find something that would absolve her father, it quickly becomes apparent that someone has secrets that they want to keep buried.

This was an interesting mystery with suspense that continued to build from one chapter to the next. The victim was not just an ordinary housewife, which made this case even more interesting to follow along. Every time they uncovered something new, the case become more exciting, but also more dangerous.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for the arc of this exciting crime fiction.
A mother's murder. A daughter's quest for truth. A killer ready to strike again.
When Daryl Brackstone approaches private investigators Sebastian Clifford and Lucinda ‘Birdie’ Bird about her mother's decades-old murder, she's hoping to finally uncover the truth. Her father died in prison for the crime, but Daryl has never believed in his guilt.
This is another book in the Sebastian Clifford series and every bit as enthralling as the other books.
Rugby writes believe, life characters who could easily be your neighbour.
The plot is always twisty which keeps you on page and needing to uncover the truth.
A blend of true crime fiction and bouts of humour keep the tempo up and the story moves forward too, at a good pace.
If you haven't read this author before, I highly recommend her books.
Kerry Kennedy Author

Question of Guilt is a truly compelling addition to the Detective Sebastian Clifford series. From the first page, I was swept into the mystery – it’s one of those rare reads I simply couldn’t put down. The premise is chilling: a mother murdered, a daughter determined to uncover the truth, and a pair of seasoned investigators who quickly find themselves in dangerous territory.

Despite the dark core of the story – a decades-old killing and a buried conspiracy – this novel has an unexpected feel-good quality. Perhaps it’s because the case is cold, giving both characters and readers space to process the tragedy with some distance. Or maybe it’s the chemistry between Seb and Birdie, whose thoughtful, human approach brings depth and warmth to the investigation.

The story unfolds with the perfect balance of suspense and emotional stakes. Helen Brackstone isn’t just a victim; she’s revealed as a complex woman whose life and choices ripple through the decades. As Seb and Birdie dig deeper, they uncover more than just a murder – they disturb secrets that powerful people are still willing to kill to protect.

Fast-paced, smart, and emotionally satisfying, Question of Guilt is another hit in a consistently strong series. Fans of layered mysteries and dynamic duos will love this one. Highly recommended.

This is the first book by Sally Rigby I have read and I don’t think it will be last, I almost read it in one go. Seb and Birdie, both ex-police have a Private Investigation Agency in Market Harborough. They are approached by Daryl Blackstone, when she was 14 her father was convicted of murdering her mother and has since died in jail, she wishes them to look into the case as she believes her father to be innocent.
Well written and with a few twists Seb, his daughter Keira and Birdie pursue the case.
My thank to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

This is book seven in the Sebastian Clifford series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. I truly enjoyed this book. The suspense gripped me and I just wanted to finish the book. Our main characters Sebastian Clifford and Lucinda ‘Birdie’ Bird, are great and I liked them from the start. This was the first book I read in this series and will check out the others. Sally her writing style dragged me into this story and didn't let me go. I liked that we are looking into a cold case and although the plot wasn't spectacular, it kept me entertained. If you like private investigators, mystery and an easy read, you should definitely try this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this copy.

A very good, cold case thriller from the author. I really like the characters, especially Seb who is a private investigator. The characters are quite interesting and believable, with a good flow, very clever plotting and a gripping storyline. The pace was steady throughout and although it is part of a series, there was enough background information for the reader. It is a quick, easy read which I quite enjoyed and would recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

a brilliant page turner and excellently paced book. i didnt want to miss out on what was going to come next and felt like Sally helped me feel a little smarter every time i figured out something new alongside the detectives on this miscarriage of justice. but it kept me turning the pages and guessing in equal measures too. i was fully invested by the end and really wanted to know how this was going to play out. was it the dad who murdered his wife? what was the wife actually involved in? and is their darker forces at work here that noone even new about?

Two former police detectives now turned Private Investigators. A decades old murder of a woman and the subsequent arrest, trial and prison sentence for her husband, he died in prison. The daughter has never believed that her father was guilty. She ask Seb Clifford and partner Birdie Bird to investigate, ably assisted by Seb's daughter. Turns out that the mother wasn't quite the quiet housewife envisaged but belonged to an activist group investigating corporate corruption. The corporate men are still there, still active and still dangerous. Seb and Birdie have their work cut out. Plenty of pink herrings at least, well define characters and a clean read, bit more than cosy but not gory. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy.

The fifth Sally Rigby book I have reviewed and the first Sebastian Clifford book I have read. As with the four Cornwall Murder Mystery books I have thoroughly enjoyed 'A Question of Guilt' which looks at a cold crime. I have purchased the rest of the Sebastian Clifford series and feel that I was able to read this as a standalone without any issues. I will not write any spoilers but the finish of this book left me wanting to read the next in the series as soon as possible. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

I found this plot was intriguing and interesting, from the first pages to the end pages. It had good characters, and a good ending.
I recommend this book as well as all the author has written. Given arc Net galley and Storm publishers.