Death By the Thames is the first book that I have read by Gretta Mulrooney. This novel is number 9 in a series of 9. I did find this mystery compelling. The characters were nicely defined, although not always likable. However the protagonist was always interesting. Death By the Thames held my attention, and while I was sure I knew why and how pretty quickly, the story remained interesting, as the details unfolded. I liked Mulrooney's writing well enough that I will go back and read the earlier books in this series. One thing that I definitely appreciated was that Death By the Thames is a book that stands on its own. It wasn't necessary to have read the earlier books to be able to follow the events in this most recent mystery.
I want too thank the author and publisher for making this ARC available. I read a great many mysteries and I am always willing to write an honest review. I liked Death By the Thames, and I am not shy about saying so.
And thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to so many new authors and for making these books available.

Tyrone Swift is called upon to investigate when a young groom has been found dead in the Thames on what is to be his wedding day, his devastated fiance is told that a message was found on his phone alluding to be a suicide note but she knows this not to be the case and that he would not have taken his own life

Another Gretta Mulrooney masterpiece

I received an ARC of, Death by the Thames, by Gretta Mulrooney. This was a good but sad too. You think you know people, and people are not always what they seem to be.

. Death by the Thames is a Tyrone Swift mystery, and Mulrooney also has a newer series featuring D.I. Siv Drummond.

Toni and Sam have a small wedding planned, done their way, without elaborate plans, and on that morning, Toni is looking forward to seeing Sam and after the ceremony heading to the Scilly Isles for their honeymoon. But the person at the door is not her ride; it is the police to inform her of Sam's death, and Toni's world begins to unravel in the worst of ways. The police tell her that Sam and a teenage girl have been drowned in an apparent suicide.

Unable to come to grips with Sam's death and unable to believe that he was having an affair with an underage girl, Toni eventually contacts Tyrone Swift.

She wants him to find out the truth. The police have found no evidence of anything other than suicide, and Toni still doesn't believe it. Swift warns her that he may not be able to prove Toni right, that the truth may be unpalatable, but Toni insists on hiring him.

Toni's friends have given her strong support over the months since Sam's death, but they are not at all sure that Toni has done right thing in hiring Swift. They seem to want her to eat better and begin getting on with her life. With little to go on and some reluctance from people trying to protect Toni, Sam begins interviewing people, looking for a way into Sam's life and behavior before the wedding.

NetGalley/Joffe Books
British Detective. Dec. 22, 2022. Print length: 318 pages.

Your wedding day is supposed to be the happiest of your life but for Tyrone Swift's new client it became her worst nightmare. Now, after the police have decided that the cause of death in his new case was suicide, Ty has to face a wall of disapproval and silence as he tries to prove the almost bridegroom hadn't had a relationship with a very unsuitable young woman and could have been murdered.

With almost nothing to go on Ty is battling for clues as he deals with an unexpected and over enthusiastic house guest. Gradually though he begins to makes headway on both fronts which helps as he has his ex-girlfriend's wedding to avoid as well. As he gets closer to a solution to all his problems it becomes clear he is dealing with dangerous and desperate people who will have no hesitation to do whatever it takes to save themselves.

In this ninth Tyrone Swift novel he is once again investigating on behalf of those left unsatisfied by the results achieved so far. As in previous books the characterisation is what makes this shine. Ty is a great protagonist who leaps from the page, the dialogue is never forced or unrealistic and he is someone you want to succeed. In some ways this is a whodunit only at the end because each discovery and new fact Ty unearths are shown in such a way that you, as the reader, are investigating right along with him.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommended it unreservedly.

Death by the Thames by Gretta Mulrooney—Mulrooney demonstrates a flawless touch with characterization and clever plotting.

In this ninth installment of the Tyrone Swift Detective series, a grieving bride-to-be hires Swift to investigate the death of her fiancé that the London police ruled a suicide. I came late to this delightful series, starting with the eighth novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed. As I alluded to in my review of Murder in Pembrokeshire, Gretta Mulrooney demonstrates a perfect touch with characterization and clever plotting. While I fully intend to read all of the books in the series as time permits, one thing I appreciate about Mulrooney’s writing is you can enter this series at any point without feeling lost. Mulrooney does a neat job of offering readers easily digested snippets of backstory that help us understand Swift’s background and give us what’s important to know about other recurring characters.

When the book opens, we meet Toni Sheringham, a woman in her thirties, on her wedding day. Just as she finishes dressing and puts the finishing touches on her makeup, the police arrive with horrific news. Her fiancé Sam Goddard has drowned in the Thames, and from a text message on his phone, the police are leaning towards suicide as the explanation. As though that wasn’t bad enough, the police also tell Toni that a fifteen-year-old girl drowned with Sam, and they believe she and Sam had shared an illicit affair. Although numb with grief, Toni refuses to accept that Sam had been involved with a teenager or had committed suicide. So, she hires London private investigator Tyrone Swift to investigate and determine the truth.

I really liked the characters Mulrooney offers us here, and it is clear characterization is one of the author’s true strengths. They are so lifelike they almost leap from the pages. But, one thing I struggled with in the first Mulrooney novel I read was again in evidence here, the vast array of characters introduced. The cast is large and, I tend to get bogged down trying to remember who is who (Conor, Lucy, Naomi, Mila, Eli, Jerome, Araminta, Hester, Lexie, Yuna, et cetera). But while keeping track of the cast was a small distraction, every character played enough of a vital role in the overall plot that I can’t say the author should have ditched any of them.

I really like the lead in this series, Tyrone “Ty” Swift. He shares a few characteristics of the archetypical private detective (single, strong and silent type, women find him attractive, but he avoids commitment) but has plenty of other traits that set him apart. As an example, he has a young daughter with a hearing disability from his most significant failed relationship that he dotes on. I love the role his daughter plays in his life. And despite how he seems to somewhat callously discard women he gets involved with romantically when it comes to his friends and clients, he has a heart of gold. While flawed, Swift has none of the stereotypical, contrived flaws we often see in detective mystery fiction. That makes him all the more interesting.

Plotting is another area where Mulrooney shines, and here the plot was more complex than expected with many threads. I’d actually guessed who the murderer was before the end but enjoyed the twists and turns nonetheless, and the motive wasn’t entirely clear until it was. It was more the traits and characteristics that Mulrooney used to paint the character that gave it away for me than any failure to keep the murderer’s identity hidden sufficiently. Despite all the potential suspects, she offered to confuse the issue, this one person seemed the most capable of being a cold, calculated murderer of the lot.

What’s important is whether I liked this book. And yes, I loved it. Those who enjoy Agatha Christie-like detective mysteries will love it too.

Joffe Books publishes Death by the Thames by Gretta Mulrooney from December 22, 2021. I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book from the publisher via Net Galley used for this review, representing my honest opinions.

When the opportunity arose to read Death By The Thames by Gretta Mulrooney book, it was grabbed by both hands. I didn’t even bother to read the blurb. I was, however, equally delighted to find that it was not simply the latest from this excellent author, but the latest instalment of the Tyrone Swift series..
If you have not already read any of the Tyrone Swift books then you are missing out. A superb character along with equally superb story lines and an additional cast.
Highly recommended.

I like the balance between work and personal life in the Tyrone Swift books. His daughter Branna and her cochlear implants are interesting and his ex girlfriend's future, but not as interesting as the case he is working on. I thought I'd worked it out a couple of times, but I was wrong.

Loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

I am a big fan of Tyrone Swift and have read the entire series. This one lives up to expectation and is probably one of the best. I like the subtle way Tyrone goes about his investigations regarding an apparent double suicide. People talk to him rather than going to the police. As the suspect list grows, the mystery intensifies. Its an intricate plot with plenty of surprises and an outcome I hadn't predicted.
A very enjoyable and entertaining read.

A Suicide Pact…?
Book nine in the Tyrone Swift series of mysteries finds the Detective with a dead bridegroom on his hands and, to make matters worse, he didn’t die alone. It was case closed for the police who marked it down as a suicide pact. Swift, of course, knows differently. Will he find the answers that he’s determined to look for? Well crafted and credible characters and an intriguing storyline with a good sense of place make this another enjoyable read and a worthy addition to this enjoyable series.

Tyrone Swift book nine, how I love this series, a twisty crime mystery from this fantastic author.
Toni Sheringham and Sam Goddard are to be married and move into his North London home in Belsize Park, a simple quiet register office affair this is the second time around for both with failed Marriages the first time, but Toni is told right at the last moment his body along side teenager Naomi Ludlow are found in the river Thames and it is named as a suicide, she refuses to believe it and calls in private investigator Tyrone Swift to dig deep and gosh he sure does that alright.. This book is full of turn arounds that will take you unaware as Swift goes in deeper and I didn't see that end coming at all. A mind blowing story to find out the truth, Swift is clever right till the end, his work is done for now till the next time and the next book bring it on author. I loved it and want more.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
This, the 9th in the Tyrone Swift series, is another good one. I like this series and Tyrone a lot.
Already in her wedding dress, Toni finds out her fiance has drowned, ostensibly having committed suicide, along with a 15-year old girl. Toni is in bits and hires Tyrone to find the truth. In her mind, Sam would never have been involved with an underage girl, nor was he suicidal and she wants to clear his name.
This is a tough case for Tyrone; there are many individuals around Toni, determined to protect her and warning Ty to stay away from her, to leave her to grieve and heal in peace.
The ending was excellent and a surprise, I didn't see that coming!
Highly recommended.

Another engaging instalment in this well established series that sees the return of several characters including the star that is Branna!
Swift has a particularly bizarre, complex case that begins a apparent suicide and ends with heartache for most of the characters.

Death by the Thames by Gretta Mulrooney

One dead bridegroom.

Financier Sam Goddard never made it down the aisle. Instead, his body is pulled from the Thames. Everyone says he rode his bike into the water. And he didn’t die alone . . .
A teen tearaway with a taste for older men.
Riding in his sidecar, there’s an underage girl. On his phone, a text.
So sorry to do this to you . . .
The police know a suicide pact when they see one, and as far as they’re concerned, it’s case closed.
But Toni — Sam’s grieving fiancée — can’t believe it’s true. Desperate to uncover the truth about Sam’s death, she turns to Tyrone Swift for answers.
Good characters, and a good storyline , I enjoyed following the plot but for some reason had a job remembering who everyone was as there seemed quite a few of them as main characters.