4.25 ⭐️

This book was a really good representation of 1920’s crime and mystery. What’s not to like - it was a little slow starting but once you get in a few chapters, it’s really an interesting book.

The whole-dun-it aspect of the book was really good and I’m a sucker for constantly trying to figure out what’s going to happen next. A good war book is also in my wheelhouse.

I think the author did a phenomenal job of incorporating aspects of the war and ptsd in with the mystery of the book. High society life post war for veterans was the base of the Britannia Club and you can feel the vibe of the club and the characters. You can put yourself in the situations of what’s happening in the book.

This is the second book in the series of the author and I would definitely recommend the read if you like this genre. I want to thank the author and Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to ARC read for an open and honest review.

The year is 1925. A labyrinth of roads and rails spirals out from the bones of a nearly forgotten settlement. Londinium. Once the far-flung edge of the vast Roman Empire, it is now the seat of a greater one.

Few have given more for the Empire than Colonel Hadrian Russell. Robbed of his four sons by the Great War, he now holds court as the acting president of the Britannia, a prestigious soldiers-only club in London. But when the Colonel is shot and thrown out the club’s front window, it seems the shadows of the Great War may extend further than previously thought.

Lieutenant Eric Peterkin, newly installed secretary at the Britannia, finds himself thrust into the role of detective after Scotland Yard points fingers at friends he knows are innocent. But is the true murderer an unknown spy? Or a recently resurfaced friend of the Colonel’s dead sons? Or is it one of the Colonel’s four widowed daughters-in-law, who by all appearances paid him complete devotion?

Accusations from personal betrayal to wartime espionage mount among the suspects as Eric's investigation draws him back to scenes and sites of a war he’s sought to leave behind. From the greening fields of Flanders and the springtime streets of Paris to the sterile wards of a Swiss sanatorium, and back to the Britannia itself, Eric finds that even myths leave behind bones.

3.5 stars

Christopher Huang masterfully crafted a historical mystery that immerses readers in the post-World War I era. The story is a blend of mystery and social commentary-beyond the suspenseful plot, the novel tackles broader themes of societal and personal identity in a post-war world, exploring issue like are, class, and the psychological toll of the war. These layers elevated the book to a thought-provoking read. Huang's writing is both elegant and evocative, capturing the atmosphere of 1920's London with precision.

With that said, the pace of the story unfolding was a bit too slow for me, I found myself drifting from time to time. If you enjoy stories that combine mystery, historical depth, complex characters, this book is worth picking up.

3.25 Stars

When I started this, I feared I was not going to enjoy it. I hadn't read the first novel in the series, and even though this book was clearly written to be accessible to people like myself, I was struggling to immerse myself into this world. I wasn't too interested in the characters and it took a while for things to start moving.

Luckily, I stuck with this, because it ended up being quite interesting.

It's London in 1925, and Eric Peterkin is the secretary of the Britannia, a club for soldiers. The acting president of this club is the revered and esteemed Colonel Russel, whose four sons all died in the war. They are all survived by their wives, who commonly frequent the club with Russel. When Colonel Russel is found dead, Eric dons his amateur detective hat, once again, to find the perpetrator.

Much like the other novel by Huang that I have read, this is not the fast-paced murder mystery that one would expect from the genre. Instead, we take our time uncovering the secrets borne from World War that our characters still harbour. We learn more about the Colonel Russel and the four wives - and it turns out that there is a lot more to all of them them what the world sees.

Although I do tend to enjoy faster-paced books, this book maintained my interest because I genuinely liked the four wives of the Colonel's sons, and I appreciated that this book didn't shy away from exploring not just the toll war continues to take on society, but on the extra burden that women had to bear during this time. The mystery aspect, while not entirely unpredictable at times, was well thought out and still engaging for the most part. I also though Eric was a decent protagonist - though I must note that while this job does do a pretty good job at clueing us into what happened in the last book and his backstory, I do think someone returning to this series would probably like him more - and I did enjoy his amicable nature demonstrated with both his acquaintances, coworkers, friends and family.

Overall, this book was a pleasant surprise, and I feel like I have no choice but to check out the first book in this series now.

The characters are unique and very well rounded. I also loved the historical atmosphere and the intrigue. In the end it was a fun story pulled down by a bit of a runaround and long unnecessarily drawn out ending.

This book is a really interesting that kept me guessing the whole time. I liked how the main character tries to solve the case using logic and observation. The plot has lots of twists, and it felt like reading a classic murder mystery with a modern touch. I think the book was a bit slow at the start though.

Before I begin, I would like to thank NetGalley, Christopher Huang, and Inkshares for allowing me to read an early copy of this book. The following review will contain my personal opinions on this book, without any bias.

A Pretender's Murder, where Historical Fiction meets Murder Mystery.

This book takes places in the 1920s, just after WW1. Eric Peterkin is the newly appoint secretary of the Britannia, a private club for soldiers. Peterkin was being advised in this new position by Colonel Hadrian Russel, until Colonel Russel was murdered inside of the Britannia. Inspector Benedict Crane has recently moved back to London from Hong Kong and is looking for the case that will establish the beginning of a successful career for him in London, he believes Colonel Russel's case is just that. However, Peterkin is not fully satisfied with the work of Detective Crane and decides to do some investigating of his own. Peterkin is assisted in his investigation by his sister, Penny, and his best friend, Avery, while they look for clues around London and travel to Switzerland to uncover more of the story. Throughout his investigation, Peterkin discovers a multitude of secrets being kept by those closest to Colonel Russel, and even some secrets being kept by Colonel Russel himself. This book explores themes of PTSD, culture, race, sexism, and more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The plot is quite complex and includes lots of character, so pay attention to details! Every time I thought that I had guessed who the murderer was, Huang threw another twist my way. I will admit that at times the story did slow down and began to feel like it was being dragged on just a little too long, but it all culminated with an amazing ending that made it worth sticking it out. If you like history, games like Clue, and complex characters then this is the book for you!

A Pretender’s Murder could have been written during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction where the whodunits are free of blood, and the upper class gets their comeuppance. Thanks to an intelligent and insightful (amateur detective), the mystery comes to a tidy ending, just like the game of Clue. However, Christopher Huang has brought it into the 21st century by including themes of nationalism, PTSD, elitism, sexism, and racism in 1925 London.

Lieutenant Eric Peterkin—our slightly naive sleuth—is dealing with life post WWI. He carries guilt for the decisions he had to make, and the brutal deaths of his comrades. He suffers from flashbacks that take him back to a bloody battle that took place in the trenches. When he is elected to the position of secretary at the Brittania—a club for soldiers to meet, relax, and eat in luxury—he is relieved that the affable and respected Colonel Hadrian Russell has taken him under his wing. As a child of an English father and a Chinese mother, the attention and acceptance of a man of the colonel’s caliber is atypical. So when Russell is murdered in the Brittania, Peterkin takes it upon himself to find the killer.

This is a wonderfully written book. The characters are fully realized and the ending made sense. There were times when I thought I caught a flaw in the plot (and characters); but when I read on, I found that I was trying to make the story fit my idea of where it was going. This is book two in the Eric Peterkin series (book one is A Gentleman’s Murder). I didn’t read book one, so I will be taking a trip to my library to borrow the it.

I wound like to thank Inkshares and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this mystery novel.

My feelings toward A Pretender's Murder is mixed. There are quite a bit of very interesting elements but were overshadowed by some of its flaws. I have recently learned that this was actually a series, and I have not read the previous book, so I will provide limited feedback on the story itself and focus on the writing in case there are plot issues that were actually answered in the first volume.

The setting, mood, and atmosphere were very interesting. I enjoyed the descriptions and it was fairly easy to imagine and understand. The layers of the mystery was also setup in a way that is very enjoyable. It didn't feel predictable at all. The characters were very believable and well done.

The story's greatest flaw is its ability to keep me invested. At times, it felt like a trudge, not a walk. At first, I thought the issue was the pacing. Upon further reflection, the pacing is actually not the issue for its genre, rather I find that at the end of most scenes or chapters I lacked questions. There was a lack of drive or motivation for me as a reader to want to discover. Due to this, plot reveals and twists felt a lack of emotional content.

Overall, it was a good story but needed some work on its execution.

I really enjoyed some of the characters in this book, especially the 4 widowed sisters in-law with their different personalities, but overall the pace was too slow for me. It was well written, but also seemed a bit formulaic as far as the plot and setting of murder mysteries go. There were some good twists and surprises--but it took so long to get to them, I struggled to stay engaged. If you like a classic, old-school murder mystery that gives you plenty of time to consider a multitude of details and facts, then this is probably your kind of mystery novel. It just wasn't a favorite for me.

3.5 stars

A Pretender's Murder is the second volume in Christopher Huang's Eric Peterkin historical mystery series. I love reading historical mysteries because they can give readers a sense of day-to-day life for ordinary people in whatever era and location are depicted. In this case, the era is immediately after the end of WWI, and the situation is London—primarily a private gentleman's club for for former military officers. Eric Peterkin is a former military officer, now working as a reviewer of detective/military novels.

He is also mixed race. His father was a white British officer who spent significant time in India. His mother was Chinese national his father met and married in India, who returned to England with him and did all she could to adapt to English norms. This fact makes Peterkin an unusual character in a very homogeneous social group. It also allows Huang a chance to depict life in post-WWI London from a perspective that isn't typical of historical mysteries (how I wish it were!).

The first Peterkin mystery, A Gentleman's Murder, explored issues of racial and national identity—and the bigotries/perspectives framing them. In A Pretender's Murder, Huang takes the opportunity to continue exploring these themes while also examining life for women at the war's end. Many had taken on—and enjoyed—new roles during the conflict, now they're expected to return to the narrower role that was expected of them pre-war.

The victim in this mystery is Colonel Russell, acting president of the club. All four of his sons have been killed in the war. His sons' wives meet weekly with the Colonel for lunch at the club. Having these four female characters allows Huang to individualize each woman so she becomes significantly more than the I-suppose-we-should-put-a-woman-in-here woman, who is too often vaguely developed as a character. Peterkin also has a sister, Penny, who begins building a relationship with the "Russell women" over the course of the novel. So we have five strong female characters to spend time with.

The plotting in A Pretender's Murder is complex, with frequents twists and surprises, all of which seem reasonable given the characters. The reader is forced to keep guessing as new complications arise. While the reader might be able to suss out bits of the overall mystery(ies), figuring everything out before the novel's end is a challenge. I certainly needed Huang's story telling to make it to a resolution at the novel's end.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, particularly those that are set post-WWI and that involve a diverse set of characters, you're in for a treat with A Pretender's Murder.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGally; the opinions are my own.

Colonel Hadrian Russell now the president of Britannia Club, who lost four sons in the war, on one night the colonel is shot and thrown out of the club window. Leaving ex lieutenant eric Peterkin the current club secretary to figure this out and save the club's reputation and his friends who are accused by the Scotland yard for the murder.

This book reminded me why I enjoyed reading, 1920s, crime, mystery, what's not to like!? (it's kind off nostalgic for those who liked old crime stories)
To be captive in words, even though it's a little bet slow but I enjoyed it nevertheless, Who could it be, could it be a suicide, is there an accomplice, is this consequence of the war? Is it related to the death of one of his sons?

I like when secrets make things more complicated, and the secret they found in Switzerland (gasps!! Didn't see that coming). Each time they reach a conclusion a new secret unravels and makes me more confused or shocked!

The secrets of war and what it left behind from wounded soldiers not knowing who they are anymore to widowed wives, and orphaned children, the hurt, anger, and grief, the loss, treason, greed and betrayal this book captured it all

Firstly, a big thank you to Netgalley for granting a copy of A Pretender's Murder to read and review.

The synopsis for this book absolutely drew me in as an avid lover of Agatha Christie novels. The writing style and prose was in keeping with the 1920's setting. The mannerisms, etiquette, and vibe were on the mark. The Christopher Huang's descriptive writing meant that I was able to clearly envision the scene I was reading.

All of this meant I was certain of a great read, and I looked forward to settling in for an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately this was not the case as fairly soon, it became clear that I needed to have read book one, before embarking on this, the second book, and I had not.

This isn't the authors fault, and I would say that someone who had read the first release, would enjoy this a great deal and I would probably have rated it a 4 star read, but the information when requesting an ARC copy, stated nothing about having to have read the first book of the series.

I really wanted to like this book, I really did, and I’m thankful to NetGalley for the chance to read it ahead of time! Unfortunately I did not read Huang’s first mystery and this novel is completely reliant on the reader’s knowledge of the first murder and its characters. I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan and I thought this storytelling style was so fun and engaging, and the way the author describes characters is vibrant and at times hilarious! However I just couldn’t keep up with the flashbacks and my lack of knowledge about the first murder combined with the details of this current murder…it became too much for this reader.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Anyone who knows me will know that all it takes to get me to sob with joy is say the words early 1900s murder mystery. I’m a huge fan of mysteries and crime: those were the sort of books I grew up reading. So add in historical fiction, and I was sold, because, again, those books raised me.

I was hooked onto this book from the poem at the beginning, only following further in at the sight of our cast of characters—Huang wrote this part tremendously, successfully casting a shadow of mystery and intrigue which makes you eagerly continue, only to be met with a first chapter indeed in the style of early 1900s Golden Age detective fiction. I will admit–and I am Gen Z/Alpha myself, so don’t think I’m biased–I was skeptical at first. Could Christopher Huang mirror the style and magic of mysteries written at that time? Could anybody?
The answer: Yes. Eric Peterkin may not be a Sherlock Holmes or a Hercule Poirot, but that's fine. Every detective has their own charm.

Not only is the writing style of this book matching with the time period, but the mystery is as well, with the proper nods to society back then where due. The focus on the postwar struggles–and, of course, our detective’s struggles in being a man of mixed race–are all nice, subtle undertones to the mystery unraveling around.
➳ I really liked how this novel drew attention to Eric Peterkin’s internal struggles, sometimes internalized racism against his own country, and gave him value as a person, rather than the surface-level characters we are used to seeing in these types of murder mysteries. His inner conflict–which, I feel, will be relatable to many–gave him value as a character.
➳ Another thing that has been given attention is the use of jokes to cover up pain, and how pain can affect different people, psychologically. This in itself may be a small detail but it has a large impact.
➳ I loved the interactions between Eric and Flora; the scene at the end where Flora says “You’re saying a myth defines who you strive to be [...] I think I like your version better,” was so heartwarming and made for an amazing story.
➳ The resolution of the mystery also satisfied me in every aspect. The dismantling of the ‘femme fatale’ cliche was pleasing to see. The admission felt rather rushed–I would have preferred it to be longer–but otherwise was nicely done. The conclusion was written wonderfully, with great explanation.

Overall, a great mystery book. Seamlessly blending into the style of the likes of Agatha Christie, this book created an unforgettable ride of mystery and thrill with important topics as undertones.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7666456446

An artfully crafted historical gentleman sleuth, a genre I think can always use more entries. Peterkin has none of the slickness of Lord Peter Wimsy, but none of the pretension of Hercule Poirot. Instead, we are left with a deeply human man born into prestige with just enough "other" to not be comfortable with the responsibilities others demand of him. While there is a cast of characters a mile long in this book, each person is uniquely crafted and memorable. The final whodunnit builds well and there's a satisfying end– plus a wink I think will be expanded on in future books with our night porter, Harvey. What's not to love?

This was definitely a slower-paced mystery, but I think that’s kind of what Christopher Huang is going for with the Eric Peterkin series. It’s not about high-stakes action or fast reveals—it’s more about the atmosphere, the slow unraveling, and the way post-war London still lingers in every corner of these characters’ lives.

Once again, the setting was done beautifully. Huang has a real talent for building a world that feels lived-in. You can really see 1920s London through the pages, and I appreciated how the story weaved in the emotional aftermath of the war. It wasn’t front and center, but it was there, and it added a lot of depth.

There were a few plot twists I enjoyed, and I liked seeing some familiar faces from the first book make an appearance. That little sense of continuity was a nice touch. I even managed to predict a couple of things, but it didn’t take away from the experience—it felt more like being in on the mystery rather than spoiling it for myself.

That said, I did find myself drifting a bit at times. The murder didn’t feel like the main focus, and I was hoping for a bit more tension or urgency. The pacing slowed in the middle, and I lost some of that initial intrigue. I also had a harder time connecting with the characters this time around. They filled their roles, but I kept wishing for just a little more spark or complexity.

Still, if you’re into atmospheric historical mysteries that take their time and focus more on setting and subtle character moments, this could really work for you. It’s thoughtful, quiet, and has a lot to say beneath the surface.

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

This is the second Eric Peterkin story, and there are references to the murder at the Britannia Club which he solved in the first book. I have mostly forgotten that storyline and this instalment works fine on its own. Here Eric has taken on the role of club secretary (which seems to be basically management) and there is another murder. Colonel Russell, the club's interim president and the father of four sons all killed in WWI is shot and falls through a window at the club. His sons have left him with four widowed daughters-in-law, two of whom I struggled to keep apart in my mind.

I like the character of Eric very much, but I found this slow and long and complicated -thank goodness for the chapter at the end where Eric explains exactly what happened. I know that a large part of this series is exploring the effects of WWI on the soldiers who survived and on wider society, but here this element came very much at the cost of narrative momentum. Eric and his co-investigators spent a lot of time freely speculating about what might have happened and coming up with so many revised theories that by the end I gave up trying to follow their thought-processes and just waited for the final explanation.

A Pretender’s Murder is a smart, twisty mystery with major vintage vibes. Set in a post-WWI era, it blends classic whodunnit energy with layered characters and social commentary. The plot is intricate but not overwhelming, and it keeps you guessing without trying too hard to be flashy.

What makes it stand out is the tension between appearances and truth—everyone’s pretending in some way, which adds to the suspense. It’s not just about solving a murder, but also unpacking identity, class, and the masks people wear.

The characters feel authentic and complex, and the writing has that slow-burn elegance that fans of classic detective fiction will appreciate. If you’re into mysteries that are more brains than blood, this one delivers.

3.5 stars

This story takes place right after WW1, the war to end all wars. The characters belong to the Britannia Club, an exclusive club that accepts soldiers post-war. The main protagonist of the story, Eric Peterkin, was elected the secretary after the happenings of the first book in the series. The popular and well-liked president of the club is Colonel Russel is murdered, and the complicated chase begins. An inspector Crane pokes his nose around the club, and Eric is forced to investigate the Colonel's history and family while trying to keep the name and prestige of the club intact.

Colonel Russel and his family are central to the story. He had 4 sons, all of whom died in the war, and all of whom were married. Thus, then, his daughter-in-laws are his remaining family, and they are regular visitors to the club. Eric unravels a messy array of threads and secrets to find out what really happened to the Colonel. The mystery around the death and the relationships between all the characters was actually excellent. There were some twists that I didn't expect, and found the ride intriguing.

What I didn't like is the pacing/meandering of the story. Some parts of the story were tense and engaging. But some parts (especially the international bits?) felt unnecessary to the plotline. The pacing felt inconsistent. At first, the Colonel's death felt very important and it was imperative that it be solved quickly, but then sometimes it faded to the background? That said, what I think Christopher Huang did exceptionally well was the PTSD and the shadowy threat of violence and grief from war. Growing up as the daughter of a soldier in the Vietnam War, I know intimately what the darkness that can seep into the bones of a family due to war. I commend and applaud Huang for his masterful writing about the deep effects of war.

I did a bit of a history deep dive after this book because of how interesting it all was. I found that the actual Britannia Club was a facility for British servicemen which later became a key institution for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). There were other organizations similar in London, such as the Army and Navy Club, which was established in the late 1800s. Altogether, if you like history and are patient enough with slow mysteries, I'd recommend this book! I thought it was an excellent portrayal, and the mystery itself was very good. I think perhaps I am just an impatient person and couldn't wait to figure out whodunnit.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions written here are my own.