I really loved this novel, it was so genuinely fresh, such gossipy fun, with some really relatable characters. The wit was sparkling, everything was so modern, and topical, an absolute hoot to read, most enjoyable!
Callie is a Milliner, and is soon to be a bridesmaid for Harriet, her best friend since schooldays. Callie struggles to make money, Harriet is filthy rich. For some reason, Harriet’s mother doesn’t like Callie, but all is revealed later. Both ladies are at a swanky party, enjoying the drink and gossip, whilst a little further down the river, a rowing eight have hit a body in the Thames, and the Police are called.
Detective Caius Beauchamp is called in to lead the investigation. This case appears to have links to an unresolved theft of pension fund monies some years ago, in which the suspect and money have disappeared.
Caius is a throughly modern detective, more interested in taking care of himself, he diets, usually smoothies of a revolting colour, and is extremely considerate towards his team, not what we expect from the Met Police today?! Caius receives a tip from a MP, that both cases are connected and if he can solve the case, then he will have in the future , Carte Blanche to pursue cases that he personally wants to investigate
Upper classes can be annoying with a braying sense of entitlement, but this novel manages to make a MP seem human. I love the character of Arthur Hampton, the Right Honourable, whose party trick is putting his foot in his mouth over a number of years, a very refreshing person.
There is a very light touch, and a hint of romance that creates characters that you really root for. I guessed the “ father” issue, but otherwise I was fully engaged with this novel.
I haven’t read the first book, but will make amends for this omission very soon. A five star read.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Faber and Faber Limited, for my advanced digital copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave a review to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

This wasn’t my favourite, too much casual swearing and not as engaging as it could have been. I can see that others would enjoy it but it didn’t live up to my expectations after reading other reviews.

I didn’t realise that this book was the second book in a series when I requested it. I haven’t read the first book, The Other Half so there were times when I feel that I missed out on some back story.

This is a clever murder mystery involving all different classes of society. A body dragged from the Thames with links to a years old case. I really did enjoy the police procedural part of this book and the main character was likeable.

There is many characters in this story, all interwoven and most of them not very likeable at all. There is an overlying theme of society and how different people act. The rich behaving badly and feeling of expectation.

Thanks to Faber and Faber for my advance copy of this book to readers. Published on April 4th

I enjoyed this comical crime caper which had a touch of Oscar Wilde to it, fittingly as it starts off with a theatrical production of a Wilde play. The plot concerns DI Caius Beauchamp investigating the death of a woman found in the Thames and a cold case from twenty years ago of a missing schoolgirl. I liked the humour and the relationship between Caius and his colleagues Amy and Matt. There’s plenty of twists and turns in the story as well as a romance between Caius and a woman he meets in the theatre. It’s well put together and entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Faber and Faber for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

I loved, ‘The Other Half,’ and I am delighted to say that this second in the series is another 5-star read for me. Again, we have D I Caius Beauchamp and his team, consisting of the lovely Matt and Amy. The book begins in the last Saturday in August, when a group of rowers find a body in the water. Nearby is a party, hosted by Harriet Simpson-Bamber, about to marry the wealthy Inigo and an old schoolfriend of milliner, Calliope Foster, even if it is something of a toxic friendship.

Before long, Caius is investigating the death of the woman found drowned, who was linked to a pension scandal some years ago. Also linked to this crime is a cold case, involving a girl who went missing from a girl’s boarding school that, coincidentally, Callie and Harriet both attended.

In the beginning, I was concerned there were too many links to the previous novel which seemed initially unlikely, including characters that appeared in the first book. However, I need not have worried. Charlotte Vassell entwines both mysteries and the characters effortlessly. As well as those with inherited wealth, she includes the murk of politics, with the excellent new character of Arthur Hampton, who is a controlling and powerful figure and who decides to involve himself in the career of our hero.

I am so pleased that I discovered this series. I would suggest reading these in order, but whichever order you read them in, you should definitely read them if you are a crime fan. I have a new must-read author. Loved this – thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

I absolutely love Charlotte Vassell's writing style, it completely meshes with what I want in a book, quirky, entertaining, a bit gossipy (quite a bit gossipy if I'm being honest) and some characters that you really root for.

This is the second Caius Beauchamp story - and he's in as excellent form as ever. He is the most modern of modern police officers, taking care of himself, his team and the people around him in a way that's almost superhuman.

Beauchamp has been stood up on a Tinder date at the theatre. Luckily he finds the stunning and confident Callie sitting next to him on the other side and they hit it off, even when they find a dead body in the audience. Luckily Callie has the presence of mind to give her business card to one of Caius's colleagues when Caius is called away to deal with the body.

At the same time, his professional life takes an upwardly mobile turn as he is requested to meet a high-flying MP to talk about a number of secretive matters. Caius finds himself moving in fancy circles, going to private members' clubs and being given details about the high and mighty. He's not quite sure what his role is, but is interested enough to find out more, particularly when some of the details start to spread into other investigations that he's aware of.

Caius is also trying to spend more time with Callie, but doesn't want his professional life to interfere with their burgeoning relationship so is quite circumspect about what he tells her.

There are so many threads to the tale, all expertly woven together by Charlotte Vassell. Its utterly gripping, a true page-turner and I can't wait to rave about it when I see it out in print

For the second time Vassell has successfully delivered! Once again we are gifted exclusive access to observing the machinations of the upper classes. The quirky police team led by the glorious Detective Caius Beauchamp juggle a couple of cases that start to feel a tad personal. They have mysteries to solve and healthy snacks and fancy teas to consume.
Some of the crossover coincidences defy belief however they are integral to the plot.
It’s not essential to have read The Other Half before this, but you’d get more from it if you do. You’ll also have two brilliant reads instead of just one :)

The second outing for Charlotte Vassell's immensely likeable detective Caius Beauchamp and his small but effective crew - Matt and Amy.

The In Crowd takes us back into the world of the upper classes and those who aspire to greatness. But it's a distinctly murky world. This time we throw politicians into the mix and everyone knows how dodgy they are.

Two cases end up on Caius' desk - a missing man who may have run off with the company pension scheme which is linked to the discovery of a body in the Thames plus the historical case of a missing schoolgirl - Eliza Chapel.

Caius Beauchamp is thoroughly likeable and now he's over his cheating girlfriend it's time for him to get back on the dating horse too. Of course the course of true love never runs smooth. His first meeting with Calliope Foster is memorable to say the least but as feelings develop there's a further fly in the ointment as Callie appears to be linked every which way to both the cases he's investigating.

This second book develops the characters of the Major Investigation Team and gives us two cracking mysteries to solve into the bargain. And no, before you ask I didn't guess the solution. I never do. I simply enjoyed the slightly twisty ride.

I loved this as much as the first book - The Other Half. It's well written, intelligently plotted, funny, smart and a cut above a lot of other whodunnits. I am very much looking forward to a third book.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.

The In Crowd sees the very welcome return of DI Caius Beauchamp and his colleagues, DS Matt Cheung and DC Amy Noakes, as they are once again drawn into the strange, and often underhand world, of the rich and the shameless. This time they are faced with two cases - both triggered by situations that may or may not be natural or accidental in causation - but which lead them into a very intriguing and muddled situation involving politics, cover ups and missing people and missing millions. Our lovely detecting trio aren't the only familiar faces we get to see again. albeit that I think most readers will be far happier with their presence than a certain other rogue from The Other Half, a very different Mr Beauchamp who has not yet learned his lesson in how to behave like a civilised human being it seems ...

What I love about this book, and it's predecessor, is that there is a wonderfully rich and warm vein of humour that threads through it, particularly from between the three Detectives as they navigate these two very different yet equally interesting cases, and somewhat complicated personal; lives, especially for Caius, even if he doesn't yet know it. From a rather unfortunate 'meet-puke" as the author puts it (very apt), to a tangled web of personal connections that lead him right back to his potential 'murder for millions' investigation, it seems the poor chap is destined to have a complicated love life. I do love him as a character, his well meant attempts to keep his colleagues healthy which are only ever met with a lukewarm reception, to his principled nature and dogged determination, he's a lot of fun to be around. Matt and Amy hold their own too, and as a trio they work well together. Matt has a strange obsession with lavender shortbread (don't ask) and Amy is chasing down a promotion, but they are just a fun bunch to spend time with.

The investigations this time are both complicated and strangely simple at the same time. One is a cold case, triggered by the situation in which Caius met Callie - the story of a teeneager who vanished from an exclusive boarding school a couple of decades earlier and who was never found. The second was that of a woman whose body was found in the Thames - the subject of an unexpectedly bloody opening to the book - who had been previously linked to a scandal in which a company pension fund had been syphoned away, the owner and the money never to be seen again. One is being motivated by a political angle, the other Caius' desire to do right by the missing girl. Both lead to some very surprising revelations and, in one case, a rather disturbing discovery.

The book has a good pace, the stories are equally compelling, and the characters are so varied and, sadly, believable, that even where they may seem to be exaggerated, they really probably aren't. Charlotte Vassell really does a brilliant job of creating that privileged politico-edged 'country club and pony set', both celebrating and riculing their pomposity and entitlement at the same time. And it works so well. I was completely immersed in their lifestyle, repulsed and fascinated by it, and laughing along with Caius, Matt and Amy as they poked fun and disbelief at how the other half lived. It's not the first time they have set foot in that particular world after all.

Definitely recommended. If you haven't read The Other Half then I recommend you start there first. Not entirely necessary - this book stands well alone - but it's good to see the progression of the characters and to understand the background of Beauchamp v Beauchamp a little better. The books, and characters are growing stronger each time and it's clear the author loves her Detectives just as much as we do. Can't wait for more.

Charlotte Vassell, The In Crowd.

A return for Detective Caius and his personal brand of police work. I really like the world Vassell has created in these. A gaping look into the vapid elite tinged with murder and scandal. My second Vassell book in as many months and equally as compelling. This one features the return of some characters and a slightly more complex storyline as two mysteries converge into one. Brilliant.

Thanks to #NetGalley for this one!

I absolutely loved this book. In a crowded police procedural market, Charlotte Vassell has written a genuinely fresh and interesting book, with sparkling characters and a very welcome sprinkle of humour. More please

Brilliantly witty. Part crime novel, part social satire. Charlotte Vassell sure knows how to write. I need to read the first in the series pronto!

4-5 stars

If you like mystery/thrillers which are just a bit different, are quirky and with plenty of good humour then check out Charlotte Vassel’s Caius Beauchamp series.

It’s the last Saturday in August and eight somewhat muscular chaps are doing their weekly row on the Thames at Richmond. This particular Saturday their workout doesn’t go swimmingly when the oars hit a body bobbing in the river. Same day, similar time, a large Georgian villa also in Richmond, is the location for an elegant garden party where seventy socialites and politicians chink glasses and quaff Pimms. The host is supremely rich but (supremely boring) Inigo who is celebrating his engagement to Harriet. The mint, cucumber and strawberries of said Pimms is being sliced by Harriet’s best friend Callie (Calliope) who sure is kept busy as these guests are thirsty and oblivious to the body being fished out of the Thames. Meanwhile, a few days later, Caius is working another case but is asked by his boss to go to understaffed Richmond to investigate. Initially, he believes the death of the female is accidental but then things get way more complicated and the plot thickens. Caius and Callie narrate the tale.

I have so looked forward to reading this as I loved ‘The Other Half’ and I think this one is even better. The tone, especially at the start, is brilliant, it’s so funny as it sends various souls up and the dialogue is whip smart. The characters are fantastic. Caius is one of the most likeable central figures in this genre - he’s fascinating, clever (but not arrogant) intuitive, a bit complicated, very moral but also very amusing and great company. The banter and camaraderie between him and his team (DS Matty Cheung and DC Amy Noakes) is so good, their relationship is easy and relaxed with Amy and Matty definitely having Caius’ number. Callie is wonderful, I really like her and fingers crossed she becomes a fixture but some of the other characters are entertainingly GHASTLY especially Harriet. I’ll bet the author had great fun creating her. Some characters are as dodgy as whilst others are wincingly inappropriate. There’s a delicious satirical send up of the more wealthy characters which makes for a most entertaining read and snorts of laughter. The author is skilful at characterisation as all are portrayed vividly and in full technicolour.

As for the mystery or mysteries, they are very intriguing and Caius etc are presented with enigmatic puzzles which start to slowly connect, slotting together to reveal the bigger picture. It seems there’s a master puppeteer pulling the strings but fret not, Caius has his number. Along the route to a really good ending and seamlessly blending with the humour, there are some pertinent issues such as ethical (or not) clothing, corruption, financial irregularities as well as homophobia, racism, misogyny and worse. It’s a good mix of the entertaining with the serious.

Overall, this is a well written novel which keeps making me smile which has to be a good thing. The pace is spot on, the storyline is gripping, it’s twisty with the author leaving you wanting more.

Ps. I’d prefer less odious Rupert Beauchamp next time or better still, he gets a much deserved comeuppance!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

‘The In Crowd’ by Charlotte Vassell is a sequel to the savage and smart ‘The Other Half’ and again stars DI Caius Beauchamp and features high society, twisted relationships and death. In this novel, Caius and his likeable colleagues Amy and Matt are assigned to investigate a mysterious body found in the Thames near Richmond, and what initially seems like a tragic accident pulls at a loose thread in the fabric of London’s upper class. Alongside his team’s focus on the Richmond death and a parallel cold case, Caius begins to date a new woman - Callie - after being cheated on for a second time by his ex. His sleuthing in the first book taught him that connections were everything, but DI Beauchamp is set to uncover more connectivity than he bargained for in this captivating follow-up!

I really like Caius as a main character, and enjoy his slight pretensions as well as how much his team make fun of him! His “meet-puke” (this made me laugh!) with Callie was eventful and cute and their relationship progression felt genuine. The scathing tone employed by Vassell as she describes certain members of the upper class is just as present as in the first book (I knew I was in for a treat and some laugh-out-loud moments when on the first page we met an investment banker who rowed to have an excuse to avoid his family). Despite not describing them kindly, the author feeds avid fascination with the crème-de-la-crème by name-dropping their favourite haunts and immersing the reader into the best London postcodes!

The mysteries in focus in this novel were twisting, compelling and dark. I guessed an intermediate twist, for which seeds were unsparingly planted, but that didn’t in any way spoil my enjoyment. The last chapters - set in an exclusive, secretive gentlemen’s club and our main character’s flat, are intriguing and have me wondering what will come for Caius in Book 3 before this one officially releases!

I received a free review copy of this ebook from the publisher Faber and Faber via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The In Crowd
On the last Saturday in August, politicos and socialites trade tidbits of gossip and sips of Pimm’s under the tasteful bunting of a Richmond garden party. They’d never guess that the police are just a stone’s throw away, pulling a body out of the river Thames. The drowning appears to be a tragic accident – until Detective Caius Beauchamp gets an unexpected tip. The victim, it seems, had enemies in high places. Did being on the wrong side of them get her killed?

What does it do well?
Similar to Vassell’s first book in the series (The Other Half), the friendships Caius has with his fellow officers are delightful: particularly the wholesome, non-toxic banter between him and Matt.

Also similar to the first book, The In Crowd deals well with issues of privilege and wealth. There’s something enormously enjoyable in reading about absolutely awful rich people (particularly when they get their comeuppance…), and Vassell continues to lean in to this element.

The plot twist at the end, where a few dropped hints about government policy changes (I swear, this is more interesting than I’ve made it sound!) all cohere into an “oh fuuuuuck” moment for Caius and his family.

It’s one of a handful of books that I think manages to walk the tricky line of being a book which centres the police (and the Met no less!) while acknowledging the fact that the police are an inherently racist, violent and problematic institution. As someone who loves reading police procedurals but is firmly in the ACAB/defund camp politically, this is always a pleasure to come across.

What doesn’t work so well?
It did make sense for the plot that the vile Rupert, rapist and villain of the first book, made a comeback for this but ugh, it was hard and triggering to read sometimes.

It also emphatically would not work as a standalone – there’s far too much reference to the first book and to the over-arching backstory which I can see developing. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something to consider if you haven’t read The Other Half.

Would I recommend it?
I really would! Some of the minor issues I had with The Other Half have been ironed out, the plotting felt pacy and gripping and the twist had me gasping. A solid 4 stars: I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next Caius Beauchamp book.

Detective Caius Beauchamp is back and investigating a suspicious death as a woman is pulled from the Thames. Is this a straightforward suicide or something more sinister?

After hearing so much about Charlotte Vassell's first novel I jumped at the chance to read the second book in the series; even though I hadn't read the first novel I felt like could enjoy The In Crowd. The characters and relationships really drew me into the story and I wanted to finish the book as quickly as possible to unravel the story. I loved the twists and turns of the novel and the ending left me with questions which I wanted answers to which is always a good sign!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review

Just Delicious..
The second novel featuring Detective Caius Beauchamp and another hugely entertaining murder mystery heavily laced with a searing and biting social satire. As a high society garden party takes place amdist much Pimms and bunting in Richmond, the police are pulling a dead body out of the Thames - worlds are soon to collide. Immersive and compelling with a propulsive plot populated with a deftly drawn and keenly observed cast of characters and a nifty narrative. Beautifully done, perfectly executed. Just delicious.

I was so excited to read this book as I loved The Other Half by Charlotte Vassel and this book definitely did not disappoint, I was hooked as always!

This is the very best book I have read this year.

Firstly the author writes people you know. Not necessarily the rich but everyone knows Caius or Matt or even Amy. The way their friendship is written means that this book is beautiful, Vassell could have written those characters and then written her grocery list and I would have been thrilled. Character study at it's very best.

The mystery element of this book is as exquisite as the first book, salacious, clever, punchy and believable.

You do not need to have read the Other Half to read this book, but if you haven't, why on earth not?

I would love to read more and I hope that is in the works already.

Give this as a gift that the recipient won't forget.

I was sent this ARC by netgalley in return for an honest review, which this is.

As the summer draws to a close, a gathering of the wealthy and powerful is taking place at a party in Richmond, where any number of people are wearing hats - some made by Callie, milliner to the rich and famous, who is in attendance - while planning their forthcoming lavish wedding (in the case of Callie's friend Harriet and her uninspiring fiance Inigo) or their next power move (in the case of Harriet's father)...

Meanwhile, as the body of a near-destitute woman is recovered from the river nearby, her death is initially considered either accidental, or a possible suicide. Until Detective Caius Beauchamp receives a bizarre summons to a gentleman's club where he is given information that indicates that this death was no accident.

Despite being allowed to pursue another somewhat peculiar cold case in exchange for digging deeper into this one, Caius finds himself decidedly outmanoeuvred by the person providing him with this information and is not entirely comfortable with what he has unwittingly become entangled in.

This is a really unusual murder mystery featuring an unexpected cast of characters, from a truly unique detective in Caius Beauchamp, to his two delightful colleagues Amy and Matt, and of course Callie, a hat-maker whose personality and outlook are as unique as her career choice.

It took me a little time to get into the plot but I was so utterly bemused by the characters, I didn't really care about the plot for quite some time anyway! Readers familiar with the oddities of Britain's class system will particularly enjoy this book, which is written with a deftly humorous touch. Quirky and memorable, Vassell is definitely a writer to keep an eye on.