I’m enjoying the Flora Maguire series. Flora is a great character, she’s, pragmatic, inquisitive and intelligent. She misses little. Edwardian London is beautifully described, from the decorative home Flora lives in, to the dark underbelly. When faced with a mystery she doesn’t back down, and she’s supported by Bunny, her loving, and quite charming husband. A new mother when Flora becomes embroiled in a murder and a despicable plan that involves vulnerable children, she’s passionately determined to save them. Good to read them in sequence, but not necessary as the author weaves Flora’s past life into this story, which is intriguing, in itself.

Flora’s life seems perfect. She has a loving husband, beautiful baby and servants to help run her opulent home, but when she receives an invitation to a charitable tour of a children’s hospital, she is soon reminded that life for most Edwardian Londoners can be much harder.
When a student nurse is murdered at the hospital, Flora unearths a plot concerning the abduction of patients. Flora’s perfect life is contrasted with some brilliant descriptions of the deprived areas of the city. There are hooks on almost every page that draw the reader deeper and deeper until they are fully immersed in the mystery. The final chapters are action-packed.
I had read the first book in this series and regret not returning to them until now (book 4). The first book briefly introduced Flora’s childhood, specifically the disappearance of her mother - something which had me intrigued. Luckily the author skilfully weaves the mysteries of Flora’s past throughout the series. Both books that I read work well in isolation – but readers should be aware of tantalising flashbacks and cliff-hangers that will make them want to read all of the Flora Maguire series.