I really wanted to live this book. However, I could not relate to the heroine. She was very mean. I also thought the mystery was very predictable. Therefore, I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Nevertheless, I recommend this for those that love historical mysteries!

The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge hearkens back to Golden Age mysteries. True confession: I haven't actually read many Golden Age mysteries. I've read a couple of Agatha Christies in my life and they were fine but I'm not a huge fan. I also had never read any other books in this series, which follows a sleuth called Rachel Savernake (love that last name).

None of that mattered. The book holds up on its own; I didn't feel like I needed to read the preceding books in the series to understand it. I also might have missed out on easter eggs or nods to these golden age books mentioned in the description, but that didn't feel like it mattered either. The mystery is compelling (I didn't figure out who did it, rare for me) and I loved the setting: a big sanitorium in the English countryside in the 1930s. It was honestly one of the creepiest settings I've read in awhile.

This book was a great reminder for me that I should stay open minded and read books even when the cover copy doesn't tick any of my boxes. Will be looking for more by this author!

I must have missed the historical setting because I don't do well with those books. But this was overall a good book and the murder plot was very fun.

I did not realize that this is book 3 in the Rachel Savernacke series but I was able to read it and not feel like I was required to read the previous books in the series. It is a well written who-dunnit style story that gripped me immediately and with the twists kept me gripped until the very end.

Sorry it took me a while to be reviewing this book and I'm actually sad it took me a while, to be honest and without wanting to get into much detail I did like it, a bit different from my normal reads but not less good. For fans of mystery and something to clean the palate there's no batter choice, I don't want to enter in much detail but I need to say it surprised me for the best

In 1930, brash reporter Nell Fagan needs a story, and not just an adequate one. She's found what looks like it'll help restore her finances--in a Yorkshire village in 1606, a man disappeared from a locked gatehouse, then, recently, the same thing happened. Nell thinks she's not been revealed as a reporter in the town, even though it appears that someone is targeting her, causing small, potentially dangerous accidents.

Returning to London, Nell confides in her friend Jacob Flint, a clairvoyant debunker. He agrees to get her in front of Rachel Savernake, a brilliant, somewhat reclusive judge's daughter who has successfully investigated other cases. Nell explains this conundrum to her, and tries, unsuccessfully to hit Rachel up for some cash before returning to the town. Rachel is intrigued, and decides to travel there also, then she and Jacob receive bad news -- Nell is dead, and murdered.

Both Jacob and Rachel conduct their own investigations, while sharing information with each other. There are others also in town who are interested in the goings-on there, and in the gatehouse, which has an interesting history to it, concerning the Protestant-Catholic purges that occurred in the past.

Rachel does solve the case, exposing ties both to the 1600s, but also to activities in the first World War that Nell unknowingly stumbled on. It's tragic, and author Martin Edwards constructs a satisfying mystery, full of atmosphere, dark secrets, complex motives and many secrets. It's an engaging story with a clever set of main characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

It took me three tries to read this book. In the first two attempts, I made it to exactly the same spot, 6 paragraphs in, before I put it down to read something else. The third time, I skipped the very beginning and was able to force myself to stick to it. Now, I've not read the first two books about Rachel Savernake, which, after getting through this one, I won't be bothering with. Personally I found Rachel to be completely insufferable. She is so condescending, vain, and self-important that I really wish someone would have bashed her in the head in some cave. But that would never happen because she'd rather send her servants into dangerous situations while bragging about how she just lives for the excitement. I don't know what excitement that would be, since she magically has all the answers without investigating anything, and only sends people out to "confirm her suspicions." To be fair though, I had a pretty good idea of how the historical disappearances occurred and has sussed out the main culprit not far into the book. I feel all the additional subplots that didn't exist until the final reveal were completely unnecessary. It may have just been me, but the beginning of the book made it feel as if this were placed in Victorian times, and then boom, it's after WWI. But then there is someone using the phrase blue stocking? And even using a line from King's The Shining? This book seems to be everywhere except on.my list of enjoyable reads.

The twists and turns in this book were perfect. I love this publishing company, they make the best trillers. They’re an automatic read for me.

An amazing who dun it mystery in a large mansion!!! Absolutely ate this book up! Highly recommend to escape room lovers!

This is an interesting read, particularly if you are a fan of Agatha Christie style mysteries. Set in England in the 1930s, this one has a bit of a creepy feel and is complicated enough so you don’t figure it out right away. My disadvantage is not having read the first two in the series although that isn’t necessary.

I hadn't realized that "The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge," by Martin Edwards, was the third book in the Rachel Savernake series, which led to some slight confusion when she is referred to in the first pages without any context--she finally appears almost 15% into the book. Until that point, it seemed that the novel's primary sleuth would be intrepid journalist Nell Fagan, who has traveled to Blackstone Fell in Yorkshire under an assumed name, purportedly to investigate the mystery of two men who disappeared into a locked tower centuries apart and were each never seen again. But Edwards' puzzle is much more complicated than a simple locked room mystery, and it takes all the cunning and wits of Rachel Savernake, the young and beautiful star of Edwards' series, as well as her retinue of household staff and journalist friend Jacob Flint, to uncover what's really going on in Blackstone Fell.

Author Edwards edits the popular British Library Crime Classics series of Golden Age mysteries, so expect all their usual trappings--a Gothic village peopled with eccentric characters, lots of tea and coffee meetings, a rising body count, and action that builds toward an elaborate set piece which gathers all the major suspects together for the big reveal. I loved the bits of British history woven into the plot as well as the windswept setting, and although I found Rachel herself a bit cold and offputting, I still enjoyed "The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge" and will go back and read the first two in the series to fill in more of her backstory.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC of this title in return for my honest review.

The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge by Martin Edwards is a captivating mystery novel that pays homage to the classic locked-room mysteries of Agatha Christie but with an added a Gothic twist. Set in the 1930s in Northern England, the novel weaves together a complex web of disappearances, murders, and supernatural elements that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The story revolves around Nell Fagan, an investigative journalist seeking a fresh start in her career. Drawn to Blackstone Fell's sanatorium, Nell becomes embroiled in a centuries-old mystery of disappearances from a locked gatehouse. Her quest for answers leads her to enlist the help of Rachel Savernake, a brilliant and enigmatic freelance detective.

Martin Edwards masterfully crafts the plot by intertwining two seemingly unrelated disappearances—one dating back to 1606 and another occurring in the early 20th century. As Nell and Rachel delve deeper into the mysteries of Blackstone Lodge, readers are introduced to a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own secrets and motives.

One of the standout features of this novel is the character of Rachel Savernake. Described as an "ice queen" with a penchant for ruthlessness, Rachel is a complex and compelling protagonist. Her sharp wit, intelligence, and determination make her a formidable detective, and readers will be eager to learn more about her as the story unfolds.

Edwards skilfully blends elements of the supernatural, including seances and mediums, into the narrative, adding an extra layer of intrigue. The subplot involving the challenge of proving the fraudulent nature of a renowned medium adds depth to the story and showcases the characters' various talents and flaws.

The novel's pacing is excellent, with tension steadily building as more disappearances and deaths occur. Edwards keeps readers guessing with clever plot twists and a fair play approach to mystery writing, and fans of golden age mysteries will appreciate the "clue finder" lists.

The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge is a richly layered and engaging mystery novel that will captivate fans of classic whodunits and Gothic mysteries. It is a must-read for anyone seeking an Agatha Christie-inspired mystery with a modern twist.

Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC. The puzzle of Blackstone Lodge is a gothic mystery and gives off Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot), and Sherlock Holmes vibes. I did like how the character, Rachel Savernake, solved the crimes and put all the pieces together. There are a lot a characters to remember and you are left wondering, why are these people mentioned in the book, but it all makes sense in the end. This is an overall great book to read. My only critique is that it is kind of slow-paced for the first 40% of the book, after which it picks up and gets fast-paced. Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone.

The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge is set in Yorkshire in the 1930’s. Nell Fagan is somewhat desperately trying to find a great story to get back in the good graces of a good London newspaper. She’s on the trail of something possibly big in the small town of Blackstone Fell, looking into historic and modern disappearances as well as the local sanatorium. When she realizes the extent of her possible case, she decides to consult Rachel Savernake, our “amateur” sleuth. She is not 100% honest about what’s going on however and Rachel dismisses her. Nell returns to Yorkshire to continue her investigation alone and with difficulty. Meanwhile, Rachel enlists some associates to look into the matters, too.

It’s a good story with a lot going on. The disappearances are a locked room mystery, but more of a sidelight to the main plot. We’ve got seances, dangerous caves, and a spooky tower, and Nell was right to be suspicious of the sanatarium. There are a lot of characters, both dead and alive, but the author does a good job of letting us get to know them. Rachel herself is not particularly likable though. She’s obviously intelligent, but aloof, secretive, and always right. Her sidekicks are more enjoyable.

The plot is well done and moves along at a good pace. There are plenty of clues sprinkled throughout, even if I didn’t catch them all. The Puzzle also has a good surprise at the end, one I didn’t see coming. I’ll probably pick up the next in the series.

A deftly handled set of mysteries spawning more mysteries with a fun cast of characters. Looking forward to more!

Nell Fagan is a reporter and a darn good one. Sadly, she lacks the social skills to stay employed. A big story will fix that and she’s on the trail of a blockbuster.

Hundreds of years ago, a man was seen entering a building. The door was locked behind him but when others went in, it was empty. There was only one door, so what happened? In more recent history, less than twenty years ago, the same thing happened. To find out how the men disappeared would be just the story to get Nell another job. In addition, there are other deaths that seem more convenient than natural. They occurred at a sanatorium, under the care of a doctor. The families weren’t shocked, in fact, might have been relieved. Yes, there are stories to be found at Blackstone Lodge.

To make sure she’s on the right track, Nell enlists the help of Rachel Savernake, or at least tries to intrigue Rachel. In that regard, her plan works. Rachel is intrigued but isn’t interested in partnering with Nell. An attempt on Nell’s life, followed by her disappearance, is enough for Rachel and her friends to take on the case, or cases, as it were.

The story is set in the 1930s Golden Age but the time period blended with the story so well, it wasn’t noticeable. There are a number of characters to keep track of—a clairvoyant and her deaf manservant, a widower, an abusive minister, a doctor whose main prescription is bed rest and a good night’s sleep, a friendly barmaid, and more. Sometimes the character is called by a first name, sometimes by the last name. There are mysteries within mysteries so pay close attention because the bodies are dropping fast.
This is book three in the series but the first one I’ve read. Rachel is a likable character, distant to some, secretive to most, and always willing to take a risk. She’s annoying to those who would want to know her better but not enough for them to walk away. She’s a fascinating woman at a time when it wasn’t fashionable to do so.

Take a trip to a small English village in the 30s and a mystery filled with twists and turns.

This was my first time reading a Rachel Savernake novel and I liked it, but didn't love it. I think the Rachel character was a bit disagreeable for me. I actually liked Nell better but the focus shifted to Rachel after the first part of the book. Overall the book kept up a good pace and was a quick read so I would recommend for readers who like mysteries. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book.

If you are a fan of Agatha Christie’s books, then you’re going to enjoy this one!

The amateur sleuth, Rachel Savernake, in my opinion, is a cross between Miss Marple and Phryne Fisher. She sees through all the lies and deceit and has the uncanny ability to orchestrate situations to uncover the truth for those around her.

This book is set in the 1930s in England, and is such a good amateur sleuth novel. Now I just want another book starring Miss Savernake!

This is the 3rd of a series

The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge is a complexly layered mystery perfect for fans of impossible mysteries inspired by Agatha Christie. Martin Edwards pens the perfect locked-tower puzzle with a gothic edge set in 1930s Northern England.

1930: Nell Fagan is looking for a second chance at a career in investigative journalism and the call of Blackstone Fell's sanatorium is irresistible. In 1606, a man vanished from a locked gatehouse in a remote Yorkshire village, and 300 years later, it happened again. Nell confides in the best sleuth she knows, Rachel Savernake Looking for answers, Rachel travels to lonely Blackstone Fell in Yorkshire, with its eerie moor and sinister tower. With help from her friend Jacob Flint – who's determined to expose a fraudulent clairvoyant – Rachel will risk her life to bring an end to the disappearances at Blackstone Fell where people go in, but never come out.

I am a fan of mysteries, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book very much. The gothic atmosphere added only added to the enigma. I was not able to guess the ending, and Rachel is relentless. She won't stop until she gets answers.