I really enjoyed this one. It was exactly what I needed on the day.
Fairly light weight, with two charming characters.
Plenty going on, and some twists along the way.
Mostly just some solid detective work without having to rely on modern devices.
I definitely need to go back and read the first book, as well as read the third, fourth and fifth when they come.

This novel does justice at living up to it's name in the title. The Poison Puzzle is a extraordinary murder mystery novel which takes place in Victorian England. It is part of a series and I will say i will definitely be looking into the other books because these two female amateur detectives are the best. Not only that there is literally a plethora of other murderers in this novel that it makes you wonder about the sanity of some people. I was very impressed with this story.
Emma Langaly is trying to figure out some details concerning her late husbands death after finding a strange symbol in his diary. She enlists the help of her friend Penny to look into it as she believes her husband may have been involved with a secret society. However at the location they arrive late and a kind stranger gives Emma his coat.
The next day they go to return the coat only to discover Lord Harpole is dead. The death is rules a suicide but Penny and Emma are convinced it was murder because they heard him murmur the word help. There is a wide list of suspects such as the fiance and Lord Harpole's brother but those turn out to be dead ends. But soon other murders occur and someone assaults Penny's husband. Will they be able to find the true killer and the motive before it is too late.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

I enjoyed this latest mystery featuring Emma and Penny. It was a cleverly put together plot, with a seemingly simple suicide being shown to be something much deeper, with an unlikely murderer. I love the way these two use their ingenuity and logic to work things out, and I also enjoy the historical setting.. I now eagerly await their next outing, especially to see how Penny's mixing of motherhood and writing evolves, and what is next for Emma. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my copy to read and freely review.