I am great fan of ‘golden age’ and early 20th century crime fiction but E.C.R. Lorac is a new writer to me as is her creation Inspector Macdonald. This is fairly surprising as 'Murder by Matchlight' is the 25th in a series of 45, so she must have been doing something right!

Unfortunately, at the start this novel did not work for me; the writing and dialogue felt stilted and improbable and falsely jovial and overall this had the feel of a not particularly well scripted British film from this era.

But there is much here that should appeal to me: the victim’s nationality and background, the locations of the scenes, the clever puzzle at the heart of the story but initially somehow this all did not fully gel for me and I was left thinking that this may not be one of the better golden age stories.

However, after stopping myself getting frustrated by the terribly English and terribly uptight form of dialogue, I really started to enjoy this book. And in fact, I now think it is actually a gem!

As much as it is a ‘golden age’ whodunit, it is more importantly a study of national identity and the ‘British Spirit’ that carried that nation through the horrors of the Second World War and in particular, the bombing raids carried out on British Cities. It is very much a period piece, but none the worse for that, and written very near the time in which the book is set and as such in a very real way fascinating period details come to the fore: everyone carries an identity card as a matter of course, many characters live in ‘digs’ and have lost their homes and families in the bombing raids carried out by the Nazis. Simple comments are made about railings being removed (for use in munitions factories as part of the war effort) and so no public spaces can ever really be closed even if no one can find their way around the city at night as there is a ‘blackout’ in force. All of this is presented in a very natural, matter of fact way that brings a sense of reality and believability to the writing and makes the book a great historical piece in addition to the scattering of clues and red herrings throughout the novel which makes for a great story as well.

My hope is that many more E.C.R. Lorac titles are released as I am very keen to see this author’s take on the progression of Britain and Europe towards and through wartime, particularly if this social history provides the background for some great crime stories!

1945 London is gripped by the blackout and the parks is not a place that most people would want to be. However, three people find their way to the park in the pitch dark for various reasons of their own. They also witness a murder but not the murderer.

It is a very atmospheric setting and unraveling it seems inexplicable because the reasons for each of the gentlemen being there at that very dark moment seem questionable. Each one has reasons which may seem plausible but on going back through their claims, too many coincidences start creeping in, and this starts different lines of questioning.

Plodding through in a slower pace 1945 style gets the job done of course.

The characters are all splendidly described and the setting of London during this period was bleak but not miserable. There was plenty of lightness in the story as well so that it was not a difficult read.

I only wish the covers could be a bit more attractive!

This is a well written vintage mystery by an author that I had not heard of before. Apparently she wrote quite a number of novels featuring Chief Inspector Robert MacDonald, as well as one other mystery series. Although this is an old fashioned mystery, and the setting is certainly in the past, the book was easy to read and in some respects didn’t seem as dated as I would have expected. I really enjoyed it and will be on the lookout for more novels by this author.

This book a police procedural set in London during WW2. The descriptions of the blackout and the Nazi bombing of London add a rich sense of atmosphere to this novel. The mystery itself is well plotted and the novel is well written. The characters are well drawn, and except for the victim, all seemed pretty likeable. The ending was a complete surprise to me although it certainly was plausible.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well plotted mystery with only very minimal violence. In actual fact, the murder in this novel is just barely described.

This is a reprint of a story first published in 1945. I very much like older period murder mysteries and I enjoyed this one. The crime itself takes place in blackout London with people actually comfortable with the monotony of the nightly bombing to go walking the streets as if it were normal times and the street were lighted. The crime therefore is only heard and discovered after the fact by the sounds associated with hitting and falling. Chief Inspector Macdonald is assigned to the case that in the very middle of a horrific war hardly seems to be worth the effort of solving. People are dying nightly with the bombing and this was a murder of a not so nice man. Still he persists and investigates discovering much about the suspects and the villain. I can’t imagine hearing a murder and from the scant information gathered being able to solve any part of the crime and yet the author paints so clear a picture of the inspector doing just that and the reader willingly follows along. I liked the characters and will read more of this author.
Note: I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for a review copy of this eBook. The comments below are my own.
The story begins on a dark November evening in a park in war blackened-out London. Within a few feet of a couple of strangers a man is brutally killed with a coal-hammer. One of these witnesses has a brief sighting of the killer when the victim lights a match to his cigarette seconds before he is struck down Then the murderer is gone into the black night.
Scotland Yard Chief Inspector MacDonald is soon on the scene to investigate the crime. The first mystery the inspector encounters is the identity of the victim: he is carrying another man's identity card. This begins a wartime whodunit, howdunit and whydunit which requires MacDonald and his sidekick,Inspector Jenkins, to find the killer. Their suspect pool is drawn mostly from the victim's lodging, a rundown apartment house, along with some people from the victim's checkered past.
It's a bleak story set against the background of life in wartime London. Characterization is a strong point of this novel: there's several strong characters who combine to breathe life into a somewhat tedious puzzle story. It's difficult to miss a moral debate played out in the story: why bother with the murder of a charlatan in the midst of the carnage of the air attacks on London? MacDonald says ignoring crimes will lead to the end of civilized society. The opposing view, "he got what he deserved so don't waste time looking for who killed him", is less argued.
This edition of "Murder by Matchlight" contains an informative introduction as well as a bonus short story by Ms. Lorac-- both of which are worth reading.
Recommended.

This book was first published in 1945, reprinted in 2015, and reprinted again in 2019. It is one of 48 books written in the Robert Macdonald series by Edith Caroline Rivett using the pseudonym ECR Lorac. She also wrote an additional 23 books under a second pseudonym, Carol Carnac

This book opens in November during WWII. The mystery here is who killed a man on a bridge in Regent’s Park in the dead of night in blacked out London. Chief Inspector Robert Macdonald is assigned the case. He has two witnesses who didn’t see the murder, but heard it. He finds bicycle tracks that go nowhere. And there a whole cast of characters who might or might not be involved in the murder. When he finds out the dead man isn’t the man on the identity card in his wallet, his case gets much more complicated.

This mystery has the distinct aura of authenticity because it was written in the middle of WWII about events that take place during the battle for Britain. It is heavy with descriptions and light on dialogue so it has a dense feel about it as well. But if you like cozies and have read all of Agatha Christie’s and Dorothy Sayers’ books, you might like reading a book by one of their contemporaries.

I have read one other book by the author Fire in the Thatch by E.C.R. Lorac and while I enjoyed that tale, this book was a lot more fun to read and to dissect. This story spans a very short time with a lot of overworked policemen doing a lot of leg work. This aspect of hunting for the truth is discussed in excruciating detail and while I enjoyed every minute of it, it is something to keep in mind if one is not inclined to enjoy the finer details. Classic crime books have the discussion of human nature in droves, this book is no exception. The murder occurs in matchlight with more than one witness, one or more of them might have a personal stake in the entire episode. We start off with the man who wandered aimlessly into the park and actually witnesses the murder. The other is a man with no good reason for being under the bridge where the murder occurred and few more get added as the investigation progresses. This is London during the blackout time and this adds a whole layer of atmosphere since the murder and the detection occurs in literal (and figurative)darkness. Inspector MacDonald is tired but courteous as he keeps re-engaging with the people who shared the lodging of the murdered man. Each of these people is stranger than the other and they make fascinating reading. This is not a large book but there is a lot packed into it. 

On the whole, I think if given a chance I would read more books written by this author. The preface by Martin Edwards as usual provides deeper insight into the time and place and an added depth of emotion to the reading experience. This kind of preface should never be skipped. It could probably be the reason I enjoyed the book enough to give it a full five stars!

A really enthralling mystery set in England in the middle of the WW2. The period of the time was captured beautifully, and I felt that I was in the middle of things, the bombing and the blackouts. The mystery was very clever too, as it wasn't until the end that I picked who "did it", by that time all was revealed.
Written first in 1945, the book really embodies the period and thoughts of the time. Fabulous read.

An excellent introduction to Murder by Matchlight sets the tone of the e-book reissue of this classic mystery. Written by E.R.C Lorca, one of those included in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, Murder by Matchlight tells us of London during World War II. This is not a period piece. Lorca, was alive during this period. She was a prolific writer, this being the 26th novel featuring her detective, Chief Inspector Robert MacDonald of Scotland Yard.

It is November, London is in blackout. The Luftwaffe continues to pummel the city, while anti-aircraft guns return fire. Bruce Mallaig enters Regent's Park on a moonless night. While sitting quietly on a bench near a bridge, he is interrupted by someone creeping under the bridge. Another person appears, he says, “Anyone about? ' Bruce puzzled, remains very still. The fellow on the bridge lights two matches. The second flare reveals a sullen dark face then Bruce hears a dull thud, a heavy body falling and silence.

Inspector MacDonald is called to investigate. Who is the victim? Finding the identify leads MacDonald to a ramshackle boarding house that caters to the theater crowd. These suspects are the primary focus of MacDonald's investigation, however he is astute enough to seek out all options.
I found the story fascinating. People in Britain during that time really did say “Jolly good: and “By Jove!” The famous British stoicism is matter of factly shown. War is here. Death is everyone's neighbor. Lorac's characters give voice to the feeling's and thoughts of Londoner's under siege. This is not just a mystery story, It is an accurate window leading back to the past.

Full disclosure: I received a copy from netgalley.com and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for the opportunity.

Another great golden age mystery, again from another writer that I haven't come across before. I used to think that I was quite well read when it came to those classic British mysteries from early to mid last century, this series from poisoned pen press just keeps on showing me how wrong I was about that.
This story is set during London in the second world war. This adds a special twist to the mystery itself, with much of it taking place in darkness, in the middle of the blackout. In fact, in many ways, what makes this a mystery to puzzle out, only works because of this setting, with two people witnessing the murder, but due to the blackout, not really being able to see much at all.
One of the joys of these books has been the way that it shows the period in which they are set so clearly. If you were interested in wartime history in England but were not that bothered about mystery books, I think that you would still get a lot out of this. It sets the scene so well.
I have to admit that I didn't solve this one until right at the very end when it all became obvious. It worked well as a mystery and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Murder by Matchlight is a cleverly plotted, old-fashioned police procedural set in London during the Blitz. Bravo to Martin Edwards and the Poisoned Pen Press for resuscitating these old books, which remain very satisfying 75 years after their initial publication.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Clever British mystery set in 1945. While the mystery is great, it kept me guessing until the end, what really makes it shine is how beautifully it portrays life in London during WWII. The murder takes place during the nightly blackout. The trails and characteristics war-time London play a big part in the story. To top it all off, I just love the characters in the story, they are eccentric, enjoyable and deftly drawn.

A fun vintage read set during the London Blitz - lots of red herrings and the characters of Ramses and his commando son are especially colourful! The motive is disappointing, and there are places where the investigation slows and gets repetitive. Great background, though.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This novel is set during WWII, which is both integral to the plot and provides a very specific, interesting and well-defined historical setting The murder is carried out in a park which is accessible because the railings have been removed for use in the war effort, and the murderer's face is visible only by the light of a match because of the blackout. There are references throughout to bomb shelters and rationing and the blackout is relentless.

I thought this was well-plotted and really quite fast-moving, especially in the middle section. The police officers were measured and likeable and I was kept guessing as to who the killer might be. It is very much of its time in containing a few examples of racial stereotyping, but otherwise it was a good read.

"Murder by Matchlight" is a mystery originally published in 1945 and set in London, England during World War II. The story included details about what life was like during blackout conditions and with bombs occasionally being dropped. The murderer uses these conditions to nearly get away with the perfect murder, but the detective and his team slowly and methodically dug up clues and sorted through suspects. They asked good questions and had a good feel for who was lying and who was telling the truth. Part of the problem is that the dead man was carrying identification papers that belong to someone else who died during a bombing. They must discover who the dead man really is and if someone from his past had a reason to kill him.

Like the detective (though he didn't say so until the end), I suspected a certain character fairly early on, though not for a clear reason. Most of the suspects had solid alibis, and some of these alibis were questioned as further clues were uncovered. Several reenactments were necessary to determine how the murder was carried out and who could've done it. The detective and his team were likable as were many of the suspects. The story was mildly humorous. There was a fair amount of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting and clever mystery.

An old fashioned British mystery that transports you back to wartime London. If you like the writing style from the 40s, you'll like this. With a good mystery puzzle and very well-written characters, A good, but not great ending and a very worthwhile read for this kind of novel.

Thanks very much for the free review copy!

I love Ms Lorac books and I think this the best I read so far.
It's full of twists, turns, red herrings and keeps you guessing till the end.
I was happy to meet again Chief Inspector MacDonald and follow him while he solves the mystery.
It's a very intriguing and enthralling plot, I read it in two setting and couldn't let it down.
The historical setting is very interesting as it pictures London during the Blitz and gives a lively and realistic picture of what should have been living under the bombs.
I hope to read other books by this author soon.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC