1959
Flora and Jack attended the traditional Bonfire Night celebrations in Lewes where different local societies compete to build effigies of current or historical characters engage in a parade with carts.
At one point a man falls from his cart and Jack is the one who discovers that the man was fatally stabbed. The prime suspect for the killing is a colleague of Jack’s and he feels compelled to investigate even though Flora is less motivated and also that the friendly DI is on leave with a dolt left to manage the case as quickly as he can without regard for justice.
A bit more dark and twisty than usual, but an excellent read. *****review
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Bookouture via NetGalley.
#MurderByFirelight by @merrynallingham #FloraSteeleMysteriesBk12 @bookouture #NetGalley
Avail Sep 04, 2025
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Murder by Firelight is the 12th book in the Flora Steele mystery series and definitely starts with a bang. Flora and Jack are attending the traditional Bonfire Night celebrations in Lewes and the scene with its crowds and noise and is vividly depicted. In the midst of this, one of the particpants in the parade falls from their float and dies right in front of them.
I loved the fact that Flora and Jack were back in Abbeymead for this book. The mysteries do seem to work better for me when the pair of them are on home ground. Unusually for this series, Flora is very reluctant to get involved with what turns out to be a murder investigation. However, the prime suspect for the killing is a colleague of Jack’s and he doesn’t think that the police are going to do a fair job so is determined to make sure that the truth is uncovered.
The mystery is a tricky one for the couple to solve as there doesn’t seem to be any real motive for the killing. As always, there are several twists and turns with a few red herrings for Jack and Flora (and the reader) to follow.
This was a fun read and I enjoyed being back in Abbeymead and catching up with some of its inhabitants especially Charlie who has temporarily resumed his job as book delivery boy. The relationship between Flora and Jack continues to grow and I am definitely invested in the couple and seeing what happens to them next.
Although this is the 12th book in the series, it could easily be read as a stand alone but I feel that people would probably get more enjoyment from it if they had read one or two of the earlier books.
Thank you as always to Net Galley and the publishers Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Book 12 in the series…. No one can hold a candle to amateur detectives Flora Steele and Jack Carrington as they ask the burning question… Who is the killer walking the cobbled streets of their historic little town? Deliciously dark and twisty… Will have you locking all the doors and flipping pages in order to find out what happened…

Three and a half stars.

Flora and Jack are living in Lewes several days a week while he is lecturing at the college, but Flora is keen to get back to Abbeymead and her book shop, All's Well' which is being looked after in her absence by her assistant Rose. It's Bonfire Night, a very special night in Lewes where different societies compete to build effigies of current or historical characters which they place on top of floats and parade around the town before setting them alight.

However, this Bonfire Night in 1959 one of the people standing and waving on top of the floats suddenly falls off right in front of Flora and Jack, as they struggle to help him Jack discovers that the victim, Trevor French, is bleeding heavily and may have been stabbed. When Mr French dies in hospital Flora tries to distance them from the investigation. but Jack feels a certain responsibility, especially when he discovers that his friend Detective Inspector Alan Ridley is on leave and his replacement seems determined to arrest Jack's neighbour Leo Nelson, who is renting Jack's old cottage.

I have read the first two books in this series and found them pleasant, cosy, historical mysteries, I may have complained about the pair's detection being more following up notions and jumping to conclusions previously and there is some of that here, although they do both acknowledge that they got everything wrong this time. Also, last time I complained about Flora racing in to find evidence at a suspect's house and putting herself in danger - this time it's Jack who does something stupid!

Anyway, an enjoyable mystery set in a part of the world I know quite well.

Available on Kindle Unlimited.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is set in the 60s. It does not become clear that this is in this era until mid way through the book. The characters were dull.

4 Stars
One Liner: Good!

Flora and Jack attended the annual Lewes bonfire celebration in November, where the bonfire societies take processions, dress in various costumes, and set fires to effigies. However, neither of them expects the celebration to end in someone’s death. Trevor French, chief of the Grove Bonfire Society, stumbles from the parade float. Someone wanted him dead, but who?
The resident sleuths do their bit and think they have figured out the case, only to realize they were wrong. Moreover, they realize a bit too late that the killer is willing to do anything to prevent being caught.
The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
So, we are in the twelfth book of the series. The story can work as a standalone, though you might enjoy it more if you read at least a couple of earlier books.
After complaining about the FMC’s overenthusiasm in the previous books, it’s a relief to see her reluctant to take on a new case in this one. Of course, it’s the MMC who has the itch to know what happened. That said, they solve it together, as they often do, so all is good.
November’s winter plays a good role in the story and elevates the plot as well as the setting. The descriptions of the bonfire night, the costumes, etc., are well done without slowing the narration.
The mystery is quite interesting, with some twists and turns and a few red herrings. I did figure out who the killer was and the reason for it. Easy, since all the clues are provided to the reader. We are not kept in the dark to maintain suspense.
As always, the side characters add extra charm to the story by appearing a few times here and there. Not a lot of developments in that area, but there are a few. Though the FMC’s clinginess to the past could create some trouble for the couple in the future.
I think I can guess what the next case is likely to be. Let’s see if I’ll be right!

To summarize, Murder in Firelight is a quick cozy mystery that will keep you hooked from start to finish. It’s a small book and can be finished in a couple of sittings.
Thank you, Sarah, NetGalley, and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Flora and Jack are settling into married life and looking forward to Jack's time teaching ending. However, while attending a local festival they witness a murder and the tenant in Jack's old home is the most likely suspect. For once Jack is the one wishing to investigate. Following are lots of false starts and an additional murder before all becomes clear. A highly enjoyable books.

Flora and Jack are at Bonfire night when one of the members falls from a float and lands right at their feet. Jack aims to help the man only to find that he's been stabbed. The immediate suspect is the man renting Jack's old house and while they aren't friends, Jack strongly believes in the man's innocence. In a twist from the norm, he has to convince Flora to sleuth as she wants nothing to do with the investigation. She does cave and becomes intrigued by all the twists and turns this case brings on.
I love this series, I love Flora and Jack, but I did find myself frustrated by Flora's stubbornness a few times throughout the book. I understand her attachment to her cottage but Jack is clearly not comfortable there but sucking it up to make her happy. I do hope they can come to a solution that makes them both happy. I was happy to see that they are now fully back in Abbeymead and can't wait to see what trouble they find themselves in next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC

Another great cozy mystery in this series. Flora and Jack are finally nearing the time they can move back full time to their beloved town when they witness a murder. Against Flora's wishes, the two seem to be in the midst of things and find themselves investigating when the local police set their sites not he wrong man.
Lots of twists and turns make this a great and enjoyable read. I love Flora and Jack and seeing what they get up to. Already looking forward to the next in the series.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Bonfire night isn't usually a celebration Flora and Jack Carrington plan for, but this year, as his time at Cleve College is about to end, they decide to attend the nationally celebrated Lewes fireworks. It is spectacular, and they are both enjoying themselves enormously when a participant from one of the floats falls at their feet. Amazed to find his hands blood soaked when he tries to move the victim out of the road, Jack isn't surprised to learn the police have begun a murder investigation. With the main suspect living in his old home, Jack and Flora begin to look a little more closely at who could have been responsible. The suspect list isn't long, but nothing seems to fit in quite the way they'd imagined, and when Jack and another peripheral player are both attacked, it seems their killer has no intention of being caught. As Christmas grows ever closer, it becomes clear they are dealing with an individual far more dangerous than they've ever encountered before, and if they're not careful, their New Year plans may be permanently cancelled.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. Book twelve in this series definitely took everything up a notch or two! The danger they found themselves in, the difficulties they had getting close to a solution, and a hesitancy to get involved were all way more than previous books, and I thoroughly enjoyed every word! I have a feeling there were a few clues, or red herrings, relating to book 13, which I will be anxiously awaiting. This was brilliant, I loved it and recommend it unreservedly!

It's Bonfire night for the Societies of Lewes and they groups are marching from the top of town to the bottom. Flora and Jack are watching, and suddenly a masked man falls off the float right in front of them. He has been knifed in his side and is dead. The man was Trevor French, the Chief of the Grove Society. The man who was standing beside the dead man was Leo Nelson, who had purchased Overlay House from Jack. Inspector Ridley is on leave to take care of his mother, and the replacement is not very good. He is only considering Leo Nelson as the culprit. Of course, Flora and Jack have to do their investigations to save the man who is living in Overlay House. They quickly learn that Edwin Brooker had been the former Chief and was also standing beside the dead man and now is back as Chief.

As the book nears the end, Flora decides she has to do one more thing. She orders a new dress from a very successful dress maker. That turns out to be a very dangerous thing!

This book is a great addition to the series. I thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC allowing me to read the book before publication.

I really love this series and can't believe we're already on book 12.

Flora and Jack are now married but that doesn't stop them investigating crimes and mysteries. I love the whole setting of this series from the wonderfully written characters to the perfect cottage feel. And what's not to love about a mystery book with a bookshop. It's a perfect read for me. I very much recommend this series.

Flora and Jack are watching Bonfire Night at Lewes and it’s quite a spectacle. All is entertaining until a man falls off the float at their feet and they realize he’s been stabbed! Flora and Jack aren’t planning to get involved. After all, they didn’t know the man, it’s almost Christmas, and Jack’s time with the college is coming to an end so they will be able to live full time in Flora’s hometown. Flora is not ready to investigate as she is excited not to be dividing her time between two towns, but when an acquaintance of Jack’s is the main suspect, Jack is the one getting involved this time. But soon Flora is pulled into the sleuthing.
The mystery is twisty with hidden motives to dig out. The characters are lovely; Jack and Flora are happily married and their friendships in the town are important. The setting adds to the Christmas feeling with cold weather and snow falling.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.

One of my favorite series…Flora…favorite familiar characters in a lovely setting…oh yes college and a bookstore…friends…love and marriage…mystery…I like these stories…I like this author. I always wonder what Flora will do next. What about her new husband? Her Friday night group of friends…the recipe for a fun read. Curl up with a cup of steaming herbal tea…do not forget the yummy scones…journey with Flora…thanks Netgalley.