Loved everything about this book. Outstanding narrator. The characters were all amazing. I loved the idea of Mabel working for the Useful Ladies Agency. Her budding romance is going to be fun to watch. Gladys the dog, adds an extra zing. I was shocked by who the villain was. Already have the next in the series to read. Going to become one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Highly recommend.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Body on the Doorstep by Marty Wingate is a fun and cozy murder mystery set in London during the 1920s. Mabel is determined to be an independent woman and the story highlights her journey from a small town woman to one of London’s most useful women. The plot was slow and relatively predictable at times but that is what made the book so charming and delightful. I look forward to reading the next installment of the London Ladies’ Murder Club.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an advanced copy of this wonderful novel.

I really enjoyed reading and listening to this book. Naomi Frederick narrates this story wonderfully. I was captivated from the beginning and did not want to stop listening. These kinds of cozy historical mysteries are my favorite. It is not too cheesy or simplistic nor too confusing with numerous characters that are difficult to keep up with. I enjoyed the confident main character and the situations in which she found herself and thought it was a very engaging read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to review it in exchange for my honest thoughts!

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘A Body on the Doorstep’ by Marty Wingate.

This is Book 1 in Wingate’s new series of cozy historical mysteries set in 1920s London. The overall title is the London Ladies Murder Club.

In 1921 Mabel Canning arrives in London. She is proud to be a modern, independent woman and has signed up with the Useful Women’s Agency, which provides a variety of services to the ladies of London.

During her first week she is assigned to assist Rosalind Despard, a wealthy former music hall star, organise a wake for her husband, who after seven years has been declared legally dead. Just as they are raising their glasses to toast the memory of Guy Despard, the doorbell rings. There is shock all around when there is the body of a young man on the doorstep. In his pocket is a letter from Guy!

Alongside her duties for the agency Mabel searches for clues with Rosalind’s brother, Park Winstone, and his adorable terrier, Gladys. Park had formerly been with Scotland Yard. No further details to avoid spoilers.

I enjoyed this cosy mystery very much, finding that it had a nice balance between an intriguing whodunnit with a degree of gentle humour. It’s clear that Mabel has quickly been bitten by the amateur sleuth bug and there’s even a tip of the hat in the direction of Agatha Christie.

Overall, I found ‘A Body on the Doorstep’ a fun cosy mystery that sets up the formation of the London Ladies Murder Club. I certainly plan on continuing with the series as published.

I'm always up for trying a new cozy mystery series and I do really enjoy historical cozy mysteries. A Body on the Doorstep is the first book in Mary Wingate's London Ladies' Murder Club series.

I really liked the main character Mabel Canning. She reminded me a little of Jacqueline W.inspear's Maisie Dobbs. While Mabel isn't a trained investigator, she has a keen mind and good observational skills - both important attributes for solving murder.

Since I read a lot of cozy mysteries, it is a high bar for a series to be original. While I don't mind some overlap in series, I do like there to be something unique about a series. Mabel works for the Useful Women's Agency which is a sort of a Jill of all trades type job - anything from running errands (like picking up dry cleaning) to answering correspondence to helping hang pictures to taking escorting a child to the train station. And in Mabel's case it also includes solving a murder. Instead of being employed by one family, the reader is exposed to a wide swath of London society.

I'm not sure if this will carry over into future books, but in this book, we also get to see a bit of the entertainment scene of the 1920s. It is not something that has really been showcased in the other 1920s set English mystery series I read.

I already have book 2 on my Kindle and very much looking forward to what is next for Mabel as she formerly takes on investigative cases and heads up an investigative team at the Useful Women's Agency.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/01/a-body-on-doorstep-by-marty-wingate.html

4.5* rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital review copy of "A Body On the Doorstep" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Right out of the gate I've got to say that this is one of my favourite series openers that I've read in a long time. I requested to read this for review as I love a 1920s cosy mystery series and loved that this one wasn't centred around the idea of titled lady detective. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE them (Lady Eleanore Swift, Dodo Dorchester et al) but I'm very glad to have met Mabel Canning to add to Augusta Peel (Emily Organ) and Kitty Underhay (Helena Dixon) for a different perspective within this genre.

Mabel is a new transplant to London, seeking an independent and fulfilling life and so she finds herself an employee of the Useful Women's Agency. From washing dogs to escorting troublesome young schoolboys to their train, Mabel is taken all over London and one particular job stands out from the rest when she finds herself becoming a part of a particularly intriguing murder.

Throughout the rest of the book, as we work to solve the mystery (or mysteries in the case of this story!) we find ourselves introduced to the core group who I suspect will make up 'the gang' for the rest of this series - Cora and Skeff who are already establishing themselves as being firm friends of Mabel, Park Winstone a potential love interest and his sister Rosalind who I think will end up in Best Friend territory. We also have the trusty dog sidekick in the form of Gladys plus multiple well meaning and supportive additional figures who help round out a lively and appealing cast of characters.

The mystery/mysteries in this story were intriguing and provided plenty of twists, turns and red herrings and whilst I had my suspicions about the ultimate 'bad guy' I didn't guess the ultimate reason and catalyst for the story.

Overall the London Ladies' Murder Club is a very very welcome series addition to my roster of 1920s(ish) cosy mysteries and I can't wait for book 2!

A Body on the Doorstep is released on January 11th 2024

Literally starting with a man keeling over on your doorstep, on your first day of work and at a wake (almost) was Mabel’s introduction to the Useful Women’s Agency from where she was assigned to help Rosalind the widow, deal with the fact that her husband has just been declared dead after seven years of being missing.

The story could not be anything but interesting with a Victorian sort of setting, and Mabel trying to help everyone on the sidelines, whilst also solving not just one but two murders. The characterisation was spot on, the descriptions down to earth and vivid. Also very charming.

Altogether a very good read for the holidays, despite the murders.

I really enjoy historical mysteries and this is a great entry to a new series set in London a couple of years after the end of WWI. Mabel Canning has ventured forth to London to live as an Independent Woman. She gets a job working for the Useful Women’s Agency. It’s a weird business with women for hire to perform the sorts of tasks that, perhaps in the pre-war era would have been performed by servants. She returns books to the library and does the mending and flower arranging for people who seem too helpless to do these things for themselves.

On one such assignment, she opens the door to a murder victim. Mabel gets involved with helping to solve that murder mystery as well as the disappearance of her client’s husband seven years previously. Along the way she encounters all sorts of interesting people and starts working with the client’s protective brother and his adorable dog.

The mystery was intriguing and I really enjoyed reading about this period in 1921 when women were starting to earn their own livings, get their hair bobbed, and doing adventurous things like eating in a restaurant alone. The story moved along quite quickly and I’m eager to read the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I absolutely loved A Body on the Doorstep by Marty Wingate. 😍 I read it one day! This is the first book in the London Ladies’ Murder Club series and I can’t wait to read the second. It’s 1921 and the fmc, Mabel, has just moved to London to become an “independent woman” as she’s always dreamed of being. She has a job with the Useful Women Agency (that actually existed) and finds herself in the middle of more than one murder. Mabel goes on to prove just how useful she is.
I really enjoy how strong and yet innocent Mabel is. And the handsome Park Winstone, ex-Scotland Yard, seems like he’ll be around to stay, which I’m also a fan of. I was especially amused by Mabel’s housemates, and their endearing personalities. I can’t wait to read book 2! 5 ⭐️

A Body on the Doorstep by Marty Wingate

My Thoughts /

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Marty Wingate and Bookouture publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I'm going to begin by letting you all know that this is my very first NetGalley read and I'm so excited!!

How lucky am I to have received a winning book on my first request!

A Body on the Doorstep opens in 1921 London (post WWI) where we find our main character, Mabel Canning, making her way to her first 'useful' job of the morning. You see, Mabel, moved to London so that she could fulfill a lifelong dream. Mabel isn't interested in marriage, or courting, or playing the social scene, no, Mabel wants nothing more than to live as an 'independent' woman. Moving to London was just the beginning, and, being accepted onto the books at the "Useful Women Agency" is another step towards her lifelong dream.

I love that the author has created this independent woman, and Mabel is just the right mix of 'independent' and 'will accept help when required'. She is fiercely independent but will dote on her elderly father and friends. She mourns the loss of her childhood best friend to the Spanish flu but doesn't dwell on it and chooses to remember the fonder moments to their friendship. She's a quick learner and smart as a whip. In short, Mabel has a good head of those independent shoulders.

And she'll need all those smarts when, at her first job for the "Useful Women Agency" a body drops dead on the doorstep. As happens in cosy mysteries, there is more than one mystery to solve. In A Body on the Doorstep there are three. I enjoyed the author's descriptions of the post World War I setting and I had no trouble inserting myself into the pages of 1921 London. The story moves along quickly and the cast of secondary characters introduced are all well fleshed out and really quite pivotal to the storyline. I can easily see any of them as returning characters and, I certainly hope they will.

The author has written a compelling complex storyline, but it reads easily, and the clues dropped along the way assisted with understanding the big reveal at the end.

At the end, the author hints that there are big things in store for Miss Canning, and I for one want to be there to read them!

A Body on the Doorstep, the first instalment of the London Ladies Murder Club series is due for release on January 11, 2024.

Just loved this one! Couldn't get enough. I just had to know how this would end. I couldn't stop reading. The culprit was totally unexpected. I was so surprised. Wonderful mystery. A very good read.

(Netgalley read.)
Mabel wants independence and moves to London to try life on her own. She works at the Useful Women’s Agency where she’s sent off to all sorts of jobs, one of them is to help out at a wake which ends with Mable stumbling upon a dead body on the doorstep.

I really like Mabels job, a perfect way to have her stumble over more bodies in the future.

Mabel is a fun character and she’s not rich like they often are in these books. But I look forward to see what her neighbors are up to in the following books, Cora and Skeff… they are roommates ;)

I did stop reading a few times thinking the dialog sounds American, thinking I had spotted a juicy clue but nope.

Did I solve it? Yes, after a fashion.

3,5 rounding up

Title: A Body on the Doorstep
Author: Marty Wingate
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5

Fiercely independent Mabel Canning can’t wait to begin working for the Useful Women’s Agency. But when she discovers a body on her client’s doorstep, it’s time to add solving murders to her job description…

London, 1921: Mabel Canning is proud to be a modern woman working for the Useful Women’s Agency, carrying out tasks for gentlewomen from flower arranging to washing muddy dogs. But when she answers the door for wealthy widow Rosalind Despard, she almost chokes on her cucumber sandwich when she finds a soldier’s body on the doorstep.

As she offers tea to the policemen of Scotland Yard, Mabel can’t resist getting drawn into the investigation. Who was the mysterious dead man? And why was he holding a letter for Rosalind, written by her husband on the day he disappeared?

As Mabel hunts for clues, she joins forces with Rosalind’s handsome brother, former detective Park Winstone, and his adorable terrier, Gladys. But when Mabel suspects she is being followed, the detective duo know that time is running out before the killer strikes again.

As she investigates, Mabel discovers dusty old photographs that help her reveal the soldier’s true identity. But as she gets closer to uncovering the young man’s murderer, she knows she’s also one step closer to danger... Can she outsmart the killer and save Park and Rosalind before they also turn up dead as doornails?

Let’s be honest: I could never work for the Useful Women’s Agency. Mabel is a better person than I am, because I would probably have had a breakdown after toting that heavy painting all over the house while that rich lady hemmed and hawed about where to hang it. That being said…I enjoyed this book. I like the set-up, and Mabel was a fun character. I like the cozy mystery feel to the story and world, set in the midst of London. That was a nice twist. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series very soon.

Marty Wingate is a bestselling author. A Body on the Doorstep is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.)

(Review live on 1/6).

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC. I'm really impressed with the first book in this series. The story has lots of twists and turns and the characters are really fun. Hoping the second book will be just as good. A definite 5 stars from me!

Special thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

Overall I loved this book. I am always on the hunt for a cute and cozy murder mystery book that can pull me away from the stress of the real world. This book gave my heart just what it wanted and gave me a cozy feel. I know that sounds weird to read about when talking about a book about murder, but I loved that this book gave me the classic “who done it” vibes. It made me think of the move “Clue” where we get that cozy and fun story about a murder.

I am giving this book a 3 out of 5 based on the fact that it was a little predictable (I had the murderer picked out from the beginning) but I did still enjoy this book!

I liked this book and immediately read book 2. The mystery kept me guessing. I liked the characters and the setting

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

When 1920s modern woman Mabel discovers a soldier’s body on her client’s doorstep, she’s drawn into the investigation to uncover his identity and his connection to the wealthy widow’s missing husband. Teaming up with the widow’s brother, a former detective, Mabel unearths old photographs that help unravel the mystery but also put her in the killer’s crosshairs. Racing against time, can Mabel outwit the murderer before it’s too late to save her friends?

This fun and entertaining cozy mystery has a clever plot and likeable characters. I enjoyed Mabel’s point of view, and look forward to reading more of her exploits!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

4 Stars
One Liner: An entertaining read

1921, London
Mabel Canning has moved to London from her village in Sussex to live like an independent woman. Thirty-two and unmarried, she applies to freelance at the Useful Women’s Agency run by Lillian Kerr. No job is strange for the women from this agency. Be it writing letters or cleaning attics, they have to do it all to earn their living.
Mabel’s job takes her to the house of wealthy Rosalind Despard. When a dead man rolls into the house at the event, Mabel can’t help but step in and offer support to the widow. Soon, she becomes involved in the mystery, hoping to find more information. Mabel works with Park Winstone, Rosalind’s brother, and his cutie dog, Gladys, to uncover the mystery.
Soon, she realizes it is not an easy task. With her life at risk, can Mabel solve the crime before it’s too late?
The story comes in Mabel’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
Well, here’s another historical cozy I couldn’t resist. It helped that book #2 is available for request in case I liked this one.
Mabel is an easy character to like. She loves her father, nanny, and her friends back home. Yet, she has her ambitions and wants to give her best to find a footing in the city. She is open-minded most of the time. It helps that she is naturally inquisitive and can use her brain when necessary.
I like how we meet an array of characters from different backgrounds. They are well-defined without being elaborate. Cora, Skeff, Rosalind, Bridget, and Mr. Chigley make a mark. Though Mrs. Chandrashekar (Mabel’s Indian nanny) doesn’t have an active role, we can see how much she has influenced Mabel.
Park Winstone (former Yard detective) is the grumpy, protective brother (of Rosalind), though we know he can take a joke and be a fun person. His doggie, Gladys, is adorable. A bit of a naughty little thing but brave, too.
Augustus, the eight-year-old, is a mischievous monkey. His mother is a recurring client of Miss Kerr and wants someone to keep her unruly son in check. I wish to see more of him in the series. The poor kid deserves a better mom. He is too smart for his own good.
The mystery starts well. Right away, we have some suspects. The list grows as more information comes out. Of course, the Yard, for all its expertise, seems to miss important clues. The Inspector might not be that bad, though. We’ll know in the coming books. I could guess the criminal and am happy to say I got it right.

To summarize, A Body on the Doorstep is a delightful start to a new cozy mystery series. I’m excited to read the next book and see Mabel solve more crimes.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

It's 1921 and Mabel Canning, 32 year old independent woman, moves to London from the country to become just that, independent. She finds a job with the Useful Womens' Agency doing jobs that used to be done by servants who, presumably, are now also independent women. When serving drinks and nibbles at a wake arranged by the widow she opens the door to be faced with a body falling in. Unknown man. Whilst doing odd jobs of collecting hats, washing dogs, escorting young boys to trains and the like she befriends the widow and sets out to investigate both the murder and the mystery man as well as possibly solving the mystery of the husband - vanished, no body so seven years later declared dead legally hence the wake. Assisted by widow's brother, Gladys, two highly entertaining ladies living in the flat above her, the concierge of the flats and a police inspector she gets into various tangles and some hilarious scenes but with enough menace to remember it is a murder that she's investigating. There is a lot of character development and description, being the first in what I assume will become a series. There are splendid descriptions of grimy foggy London and there is rather too much reminding us that Mabel is an independent woman. I'm afraid that the murderer was no surprise but I do read an awful lot of darker thriller/murders. A good start and I hope that Mabel's developing career succeeds. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I really enjoyed the concept of this series, the setting and the characters. It was different from the usual high society lady detective series (which I do love but am kind of tired of the same thing over and over). The mystery grabbed my attention once it began in earnest and I couldn't put the book down. However, I did have to put the book down to go to sleep and thus forgot all about the clue that made me solve the mystery pretty much right away. I got distracted by a red herring but figured it out before Mabel. It was rather obvious and could have been solved quickly if anyone had bothered to think of it. I questioned the police use of forensics but then they didn't actually do much of that. I did like how the diversity of London was worked in and especially appreciated how it was shown, not told.

Mabel is a great character. She's fiercely independent yet also devoted to her dad and friends back home. She's mourning the loss of her best friend to the Spanish 'Flu but doesn't dwell on it. She's able to look back fondly on her memories. Mabel doesn't do anything rash or stupid during her investigation even though she may want to. She has a good head on her shoulders and good instincts. Mabel keeps an open mind now she's in London meeting all sorts of people. She's tenacious, intelligent and loyal. Mabel is someone I would like to be friends with. I love how she deals with young Augustus, a naughty 8-year-old boy. She's still young enough to think like a child and have sympathy for him even though she's "middle aged" (at 31!). Augustus is funny and sad at the same time. Poor kid wants attention and goes about getting it in the wrong way. He's clearly intelligent but lacks parental support. His mother is a nit wit and his father is oft absent. I knew a kid just like that so I think Augustus is fully believable. I hope Mabel is called upon to escort him to the station in future books.

Rosalind Despard is a wealthy woman through marriage to the self-made Guy Despard. She was once a performer on the music hall stage until Guy fell desperately in love with her. They were not your usual wealthy young man about town and opportunist. It seems like they adored each other and were quite the progressive couple. His disappearance truly upset Rosalind and she's been worried about him ever since. The presence of a dead body on the doorstep is enough to rattle her. Rosalind seems to have a nervous disposition but she recovers quickly with the help of good friends. Rosalind is highly intelligent and an astute businesswoman. She notices something her lawyer and bookkeeper never noticed or are hiding from her. Her maid, Bridget, can be grumpy but she's devoted to Rosalind, having been the backstage minder at the music hall. Bridget is loyal and protective of Rosalind but not over protective. That role goes to Rosalind's brother, Park Winstone. Park loves his sister very much but he doesn't always treat her like an adult. He worries about her mental health and her physical well-being. Park mistrusts Mabel and her intentions yet Mabel was hired through an agency! To be fair, he just arrives when the body shows up so he doesn't know the particulars. He's cautious and rightfully so. Park is slow to trust but when he does, he is a supportive and a good listener. His dog Gladys is a little bit unruly but very cute. She takes to Mabel right away which should show Park that Mabel is a good person!

Cyril Godfrey is Rosalind's most devoted friend and old stage partner from the music hall days. He's the king of bad dad jokes which apparently audiences in the 1920s still enjoyed. The constant "Boom boom!" after his truly awful jokes drove me crazy. Less of him please. He's jovial and over-the-top but means well. He's good to the girls he works with. If he has one fault, he dwells too much on the past. He's one of those ageing performers clinging to his last bit of fame as times and tastes change. If he thinks the cinema in 1921 is closing the music halls, wait until talkies! I think comparing movies and the stage is apples and oranges and he shouldn't blame the cinema for changing tastes. Bad dad jokes are never funny and his type of act is a relic from the Victorian era. This soon after WWI, I'm thinking people want an escape. I found him incredibly annoying.

Thomas Hardcastle, Guy Despard's solicitor, has been running the business in Guy's absence. The lawyer seems to be hiding something. He's a little evasive and squirrely when Rosalind asks direct questions. Gabrielle Roche is Guy's secretary. She seems efficient but a bit arrogant, like she knows better than anyone else about how to run the business. She's also Irish and devoted to Irish independence. Mabel spied Gabrielle where she shouldn't be in the house speaking with some men during the wake. That makes her a good suspect for... something?! Who is Michael Shaugnessy and why did Guy have to rush off to see him? Is he mixed up in the Irish independence movement somehow? Inspector Tollerton is firm but seems fair enough. He's doing his job and his friendship with Park means he's serious about finding out what happened to Rosalind's husband.

Miss Florrie Hart has taken Rosalind's place on the stage with Cyril. She's young and naïve and seems to be missing her fella. First, was he really her fella when no one seems to have seen him with her? Second, did he ghost her or is something else going on? Poor Florrie. She's the weepy sort who prefers hand wringing to action.

Mabel's father's friend, Mr. Chigley, is a porter at the flats where Mabel lives. He's very kind and thinks of himself as a surrogate father to Mabel. He seems more willing to allow Mabel to live an independent adult life than her father is though. Her father checks up on her way too much but that keeps Mabel in check for she fears of word getting back to her father that she was up to something dangerous. Mabel's new friends, Cora and Skeff, are a lot of fun! They're a couple and Mabel accepts that just as they accept her as a new friend without question. Skeff is a more masculine type, raised in a newspaper family. She works as a reporter for her uncle's paper as an investigative journalist. She's fair and doesn't like tabloid sensations, just the facts. She just wants the truth to be known. It's so sweet how supportive Skeff is of Cora's talent as a milliner. Cora works for someone else now but she could branch out on her own. She's a clever designer and a sweet person. Skeff has a level head and can handle the business end of things while Cora is the creative genius. They should go into business together. Their friend Flea, a mysterious figure at the docks, is intriguing and unusual. He's a valuable asset to the investigation yet doesn't have any more clues to help figure out what happened. Could he be in danger because he's so observant? I hope not.

This was fun enough that I'm ready to read the second one. I was already approved and will be reading it after Christmas!

Miss Lillian Kerr is the proprietress of the Useful Woman Agency. She has a knack for knowing what each woman is most useful at and matching them with the right job. Some of the jobs sound ghastly to me! She's tough and shows Mabel who is boss in a passive aggressive way but seems Mabel can live up to her high standards. Miss Kerr isn't too sure about Mabel being involved in a murder investigation though.