"A Case of Life and Limb" is the second installment in the Gabriel Ward mystery series, and it's just as good as the first!

Gabriel has started to feel a bit more confident in his detective abilities, but when his law case and the mystery he's investigating start overlapping, he must tread carefully or risk being the next victim!

I love how clues are sprinkled throughout the story. By the time Gabriel and Constable Wright wrap everything all up, it's like you had every piece of the puzzle, but it's not so obvious what the solution is until Gabriel summarizes everything.

I can't wait for the next installment in this series!

Thank you to Sally Smith, Bloomsbury USA, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

4.5 stars

This is a stellar series for fans of British mysteries, even though this is only the second book. Set in London's legal Temple Bar district around 1900, the main character is Gabriel Ward. Gabriel comes across as being something of a fusty old man although only in his mid 50's. He has been perfectly content to immerse himself in his bachelor existence and the law.

But in the last book, he became embroiled in a mystery and it turns out he has a great mind for solving problems. In this outing he is called on again when various members of the legal community begin receiving bizarre and creepy gifts in the mail.

Gabriel, we discover, despite his mild demeanor, is a man of moral strength and integrity who doesn't hesitate to speak truth to the powerful. He has shunned human interactions but recognizes that he has formed bonds with the staff and characters of his community and a young police constable. He has a strong sense of justice and of right and wrong. He is taxed in this story by society's failings and judgmental way of looking things and he is deeply offended.

This was a terrific read and I look forward to more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.