Four Thousand Days

M.J. Trow

Jan 2022 · A Margaret Murray mystery Book 1 · Severn House Publishers Ltd

About this ebook

Introducing turn-of-the-century archaeologist-sleuth Margaret Murray in the first of a brilliant new historical mystery series. October, 1900. University College, London. When the spreadeagled body of one of her students is discovered in her rented room shortly after attending one of her lectures, Dr Margaret Murray is disinclined to accept the official verdict of suicide and determines to find out how and why the girl really died. As an archaeologist, Dr Murray is used to examining ancient remains, but she's never before had to investigate the circumstances surrounding a newly-dead corpse. However, of one thing Margaret is certain: if you want to know how and why a person died, you need to understand how they lived. And it soon becomes clear that the dead girl had been keeping a number of secrets. As Margaret uncovers evidence that Helen Richardson had knowledge of a truly extraordinary archaeological find, the body of a second young woman is discovered on a windswept Kent beach - and the case takes a disturbing new twist .

Ratings and reviews

October 1900 Constable Adam Crawford enjoys attending the public lectures at University College, and on discovering the body of Alice Groves in her rooms he knows that she really is student Helen Richardson. But is she, and why was she killed. Dr Murray is approached to help, and evidence leads her to Herne Bay where she meets ex-Detective Reid. Soon he also discovers a body of an archaeological student. But the murders don’t stop there. Crawford, Reid and Murray investigate while Inspector Blunt looks for the quickest solution. An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and varied characters. A good start to a new series

1900, London, archaeologist, university, professor, ex-cop, murder, murder-investigation, historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-research, history-and-culture, historical-setting, amateur-sleuth, sly-humor, class-consciousness, private-investigators***** Professor Margaret Murray and Egyptologist Flinders-Petrie were real as is University College, London. The problems of class distinction and severe bias against women mitigated a little since then. The story is good whodunit fiction. The publisher's blurb is a good hook, and I don't do spoilers, but I loved this fun read that has so many things that interest me (law enforcement, amateur sleuths, archaeology, sleuthing with due diligence) and even has a little romance going on between a university student and a constable. Awaiting the next in series! I requested and received a free e-book copy from Severn House via NetGalley. Thank you!

About the author

M.J. Trow is a military historian by training and the author of the long-running Inspector Lestrade and 'Mad Max' Maxwell detective series, as well as the Kit Marlowe Tudor mysteries, the Grand & Batchelor Victorian mysteries, and the brand-new Geoffrey Chaucer medieval mystery series. He lives on the Isle of Wight.