I loved this book! I loved this story and I loved that it was Harry who had contacted Kitty and Nora not realising what was going to happen to him and how he would need all the help he could get. I also enjoyed how his solicitor Blair became involved in trying to solve the murder as well as getting Kitty and Nora to find out the truth. I loved all the twists and turns and how sometimes people aren’t always what they seemed to be. I loved having Jimmy and Arthur being there for Nora and Kitty as well as Mrs Lockhart and the girls dad Dr Markham. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was sad when it came to an end but I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I would highly recommend reading this book and the previous book in the series if you love a cozy mystery with an amazing story but also amazing characters.

I would like to thank Troubador Publishing Ltd and NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy.

This is a mystery series set in the 1930s staring twin amateur young female sleuths which is a nice change as most I have read lately have been older. The mystery is interesting with plenty of twists a sort of locked room feel. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 3.5 stars rounded up

It all started so well. But Kitty and Markham's private investigation business is now reduced to looking for lost pets.

But then an insurance salesman turns up needing their help, but he doesn't know he's about to be charged with the murder of his disabled brother...

There's a lot not adding up about this seemingly obvious case though...

Another excellent adventure

I thank NetGalley and Troubador Publishing for an advance reader copy of “Death by Misdirection.” All opinions and comments are my own.

There are definitely some mysterious goings-on in this second Kitty and Nora Markham historical mystery, ably penned by Ali Simpson. That is, if those first three chapters are any indication. And never mind that beginning, will they be able to find out who really killed George Gosse and save his brother, poor Harry, from the hangman’s noose? ‘Cause the police think they have the bad ‘un, that’s for sure. But the Markham Twins are up for the challenge.

Fast-paced, cleverly plotted (with some big reveals) and featuring two young woman who uses their intelligence and “crime-fighting” skills to best advantage, “Death by Misdirection” offers up an exciting story that will keep you invested until the final page. And for fans that like a little romance combined with their mystery-solving, readers can enjoy how Kitty and police constable Jimmy are getting along. More on that in future installments.

Warm, Witty, and Delightfully Suspenseful

A truly delightful cozy mystery! The dialogue sparkles, the clues are fun to follow, and the atmosphere is wonderfully comforting. I especially loved the friendships and humor woven throughout. I’m already excited to read the next book in the series!

Oh the joy of being back in Laburnum Villas with Kitty and Nora!

Following the previous summers case, the twins have taken up residence using their skills to help find lost pets, much to their dismay.

That is, until they're visited by an insurance broker who is in dire need of some specialist assistance!

I adored being back with the twins and co, and feel quite fond of them after so many pages together. Watching them grow into their roles and watching the relationships between the two and their supporting characters has been a joy.

A must read for all fans of a classic whodunnit, as you're doing yourself a disservice for leaving this on the shelf.

Ali Simpson’s Death by Misdirection is a clever, atmospheric cozy crime that balances intrigue with charm, making it a delightful continuation of the Markham Twins Investigate series.

At first, Kitty and Nora’s fledgling detective agency seems destined to fade into obscurity—reduced to chasing lost pets rather than solving serious cases. But when a meek insurance salesman arrives at their door, accused of murdering his disabled brother, the sisters are thrust into a mystery that brims with contradictions. The police are convinced of his guilt, yet puzzling details—a raincoat left under the body, a shadowy figure named Holt-Roberts, and the impossible question of how one man could be in two places at once—suggest a far more tangled truth.

Simpson weaves the investigation with elegance and wit, capturing both the sisters’ determination and the eccentricities of their world at Laburnum Villas. The interplay between Kitty and Nora adds warmth and humour, while the case itself grows darker and more complex, pulling the reader into a web of secrets, deceit, and family revelations.

What makes the novel so engaging is its blend of classic mystery tropes with fresh twists. The story feels cozy yet compelling, with enough red herrings and unexpected turns to keep readers guessing until the final reveal.

Death by Misdirection proves that the Markham Twins are more than capable of tackling serious crime, and it’s a satisfying, elegantly plotted mystery for fans of traditional whodunnits with a modern, character-driven flair.

With thanks to Ali Simpson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

Unfortunately, the easiest thing a reader can do is to stop reading, That is what I did only a few pages in because time is precious. The relationship of Arthur to Kitty and Nora is not explained when they appear. There is a reference to "family," but is that Kitty and Nora? Mrs. Lockheart? Frustrating.

3.5 stars

Second in a series featuring identical twins Kitty and Nora. After their first case, they had business cards printed up as private investigators but mostly find lost objects for people. Then they are approached by Harry, whose brother, blinded in WWI, is bludgeoned to death. It doesn't take long for suspicion to fall on Harry.

There is an odd vibe to this book, almost juvenile fiction. Very simply written with lots of emphasis on the twins and their friends and love interests. A pleasant, if not exciting read. It does pick up a bit as time goes on. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Ali Simpson uses the tropes of Golden Age Crime Fiction with superb effect. The Markham twins are the most charming private investigators I have encountered in recent years. Despite the 1930s setting, the plot is completely relevant to the 2020s, and never becomes too Cozy for my liking. Kitty and Nora are feisty and forward thinking and Jimmy and Arthur are worthy sidekicks and handsome too. In fact the whole cast of characters in the series is fabulous.
Torquay, birth place of Agatha Christie provides a perfect backdrop to a compelling plot that kept me guessing to the very end.
The denouement is deliciously dark and clever, and for a horrible moment I thought at least one of my favourite characters was about to be murdered.
Ali Simpson's literary career is in the accent and I can't wait to read the third book in this series.

Cosy historical mystery, set in Torquay so very local to me which is always a nice bonus. Kitty and Nora help investigate the murder of a man at his home, for which his brother is later arrested. It’s a gentle and light read, with some potential romance on the horizon, and the inevitable perilous drama finale. Recommended for those liking Helena Dixon’s local cosy mysteries.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

The Markham twins are at it again! Another cozy instalment of solving mysteries with Kitty, Nora and Jimmy. I really enjoy the sisters, but I wish there was more development in their characters to set them more apart. That’s just my opinion because I want more, but I think the level of detail and events was appropriate for pacing.

I admire how headstrong the women are and for the time period, it’s especially impressive.

Now that I’ve read two parts of their story I can’t wait to see what comes next for them. I’d love to see them get into more trouble and more serious crimes like this story. Overall, solid little mystery that was a perfect for an easy ready on a snowy day.

I really enjoyed the book, such a clever read. I’m a bit under the weather right now, but once I’m back to full power I’ll post a proper review. Sorry for the delay!