I liked the previous novels I read in this series and liked this one.
It's gripping and enjoyable, tightly knitted plot and a solid mystery full of twists and turns.
I was happy to catch up with the characters.
An entertaining read that I recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

In the wake of the stock market crash of 1929, a rash of suicides turn out to be anything but as Detective Chief Inspector Henry Johnstone is warned a criminal he helped put away is out again and might be gunning for him.

The author sets the scene well, with the strata of late 1920s English society delicately delineated with the various characters (although it did drive me insane when one character was referred to incorrectly - Sir Ralph Helford would be abbreviated to Sir Ralph, never Sir Helford). The snobbery from the ‘old money’ families is grating to Johnstone, as is the fact that they have a great deal of influence. The more things change, the more they stay the same, it seems - a century later and there are different rules for the rich and powerful still.

This is the sixth in this series, and I haven’t read any of the previous books, so I suspect I’ve missed a lot of character building of Henry in particular, his sidekick Detective Sergeant Mickey Hitchens and his sister Cynthia. The case investigated here is a standalone, though, so I was able to follow along pretty well. The story is well written and believable, and the historical details felt accurate.

The problem was, I found it kind of boring. It’s hard to empathise with the victims for the most part - rich people overextending in a bid to get richer doesn’t evoke much sympathy from your average person struggling to get by, something which seems particularly timely at the moment - I don’t think you’ll find much sympathy for the hedge funds who got burned shorting GameStop, for example. Yes, the villain resorts to some crummy tactics, threatening innocent women and children, and the action builds steadily to the climax, but for the first half of the book I just couldn’t get invested in the story because nobody I actually felt any empathy for was experiencing difficulties.

This really wasn’t my cup of tea, but I am going to give it four stars for the quality of the writing.

It's 1929 and therefore it's not so hard to attribute the deaths of two police officers to suicide as a result of the financial crisis. There's one thing- one of the men left a note with the words Old Sins. DCI Henry Johnstone soon realizes that these deaths (as well as others) are actually murder but are the connected to the Richardson case? Along with DS Mickey Hitchens, he takes a look at his own role in sending a man to prison. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books in the series- this will be fine as a standalone. Johnstone and Hitchens have a good relationship- they complement one another. The mystery is complex enough to keep you guessing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Severn House for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “Old Sins.” All opinions are my own.

A retired policeman is killed right off the bat. A retired detective chief inspector has also been found shot. And all of this is part of a threat to our Inspector Henry Johnstone, from a case far in his past. This is the main issue in “Old Sins” by Jane A. Adams, the sixth in the historical mystery series set in the England of the late 20s; for this one, it’s the fall of 1929.

Part of the problem is the miscarriage of justice the case has generated for the government. Oh, the guy did the crime, but the evidence may have been helped along a bit. And now he’s out of jail – and seeking revenge? Henry knows that things he did as a young policeman weren’t necessarily crystal pure – old sins, indeed. So, Henry sets himself up as bait. Not a happy prospect.

“Old sins… cast long shadows,” as the book tells us. Someone is reminding the police, and a lot of others, that you can’t let the ends justify the means. There are quite a lot of deaths in this book, and they all seem to be connected.

Then there’s our other plot line – the stock market plunge has hit Britain. A lot of the financial story was confusing unless you like to follow talk about the stock market and finances. Not my cup o’ tea, not really, so got through it as quickly as I could. There’s death here, too.

An elaborate cat and mouse game sets up our ending – and the end comes rather abruptly for all that has gone before, I thought. I didn’t think that “Old Sins” was as strong an entry as previous books in the series, but it will keep you occupied for an afternoon or two.

The autumn of 1929 saw the collapse of share values, first in London and then on Wall Street, and ushered in the Great Depression. A great many livelihoods and lives were lost because of it.
In a clever, fast-moving narrative, Jane A. Adams uses the above as the backdrop to her plot. Detective Chief Inspector Henry Johnstone, his sergeant Mickey Kitchens, and their loved ones are characters full of empathy.
This is an intriguing mystery and totally compelling.

1929 Two ex-policemen have been found dead but they are not suicides as first thought. Is the connection the ten year old Richardson case that they investigated with Henry Johnstone. Especially as Richardson was released six months previously. But other 'suicides' concern DCI Johnstone and D.S. Mickey Hitchens, are they a reflection of the financial crisis or another connection.
Another enjoyable mystery, a well-written story with its very likeable characters. A good addition to the series with its agreeable style of writing and good plotting. Which can easily be read as a standalone novel.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This DCI Henry Johnstone mystery is set in 1929 England after the Wall Street crash, when ex-policemen and apparently respected members of society appear to have committed suicide. When all seem to have been in financial difficulties, questions start to arise - especially when Johnstone is not only warned by a cryptic note that not all is at it seems, and becomes aware of the release of a particularly unpleasant and murderous criminal. Johnstone himself is in danger and the suspense builds. Good atmosphere, interesting revelations of society manners and mannerisms of the time, and well-drawn characters as usual from this author. An undemanding, enjoyable and page-turning read.

Much Cause For Consternation.....
The sixth book in the Henry Johnstone mystery series. A case that takes Henry way back to the early days of his career gives him much cause for consternation. With a credible and engaging protagonist in Henry and a solid, colourful cast of supporting characters this is a compelling, entertaining mystery. Well plotted, with an engaging narrative. A worthy addition to the series.

224 pages

4 stars

It is 1929 and a rash of “suicides” have hit the area. More than seem to have been caused by the financial crash. DCI Henry Johnstone and his partner DS Mickey Hitchens are investigating the cases.

A man named Richardson has been released from prison. Many felt that he should have been hung for his crimes, including Henry and other officers.

This is a very convoluted little mystery. We have a host of suspects, people who aren't who they say they are, murder, lying, kidnapping and all sorts of nefarious doings.

I very much enjoyed Henry's musings in his journal, especially about WWI and how awful it was for those who returned in the ten years hence. When Henry gets into trouble later in the book, he returns to his memories. His determination in getting the evil do-er shows his dedication as a police officer. This is a very well written and plotted book. The transitions are well done and smooth. I look forward to the next book in this series.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.