*A big thank-you to Faith Martin, HarperCollins UK Audio, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
A deliciously served mystery, set at the beginning of 1920s, cleverly plotted with two main characters who despite all odds are destinied to find the murderer. I loved the language, witty dialogues and natural interaction with regard to characters. If you are looking for a light read, this book will entertain you, matched with superb narration by John Hopkins. I have a feeling there is another mystery for Arbie Swift just behind the corner.

I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but had this not been a netgalley arc I wouldn’t have touched it. The cover looks like a very low budget self published book. How wrong was I? This story introduces our hero ‘Arbie’ and his partner in crime (solving), Val. Think Tommy and Tuppence but better (sorry Agatha).
The lightness of tone of a Wodehouse novel with a dash of Agatha Christie in the form of a locked room murder and a dash of her poison of choice. The characters are beautifully written with Arbie just the right side of bumbling idiot and the police officer not the stereotypical fool. The plot has twists, turns and sufficient red herrings, none of which are gratuitous and then there’s the perfect ending with all the clues along the way so neatly brought together it made my heart sing. Wow! I wish I could write like this!
Finally, I listed to the audio book read by John Hopkins. I could listen to this narrator for every future audio book I have. Fabulous!

I absolutely loved this book, the mystery kept me hooked until the end and the characters made it such a joy.

Murder by Candlelight by Faith Martin
Narrated by John Hopkins

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

The Cotswolds, 1924. At the Old Forge in the quiet village of Maybury-in-the-Marsh a cry of anguish rings lady of the house Amy Phelps has been discovered dead. But with all the windows and doors to her room locked from inside, how – and by whom – was she killed? Arbuthnot ‘Arbie’ Swift finds himself in the unlikely position of detective. The celebrated author of The Gentleman’s Guide to Ghost-Hunting is staying at the Old Forge to investigate a suspected spectre, but now the more pressing matter of Amy’s murder falls to him too. With old friend Val, he soon uncovers a sorry tale of altered wills, secret love affairs and tragic losses – and plenty of motives for murder. When events take another sinister turn, Arbie must find the killer, fast. And to do so will mean cracking a most perfectly plotted crime…

My Opinion

I listened to this audiobook in one sitting. This is a cosy murder mystery that gets off to a very slow start. For me, the plot was dragged out a bit and I found myself losing interest. The ending does make up for slow plot so overall this is worth a read, you just have to stick with it during the slow parts.

Rating 3/5

3.75

This was a fun, light-hearted country house murder. Arbie is something a local celebrity, having authored a popular book about haunted hotels. Without having much belief in the supernatural himself, he finds himself roped into investigating a potential ghost at a neighbour's house. Of course someone is killed in seemingly impossible circumstances.

Although it wasn't the twistiest mystery, it has the most entertaining and likable characters! Arbie and Val are a hilarious investigative duo and the whole village is full of characters. I don't know if this is the kick-off to a longer series featuring them all, but I hope so. I'd read them all.

The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job.

I received a copy for free on netgalley.