procedural, due-diligence, local-law-enforcement, murder-investigation, university, england, sly-humor, author, secrets, lies, murders, art-theft, twisty, mystery*****

DCI St. Just, accompanied by DS Fear have acquired the murder investigation of College Master known as Flyty Rapscallion (I know I made it even funnier). The investigation is complicated by an inherited painting once stolen by the Germans and an unrecognized daughter. Along with a terrific story I was delighted to learn some interesting facts about Rembrandt's life.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Severn House via NetGalley. Thank you!
#StJustMysteriesBk6 Avail Nov 05, 2024

Cambridge dons, art experts and history, such a great mix creating an interesting twisty mystery. A very entertaining and gripping read, highly recommended.

I am a fan of G M Malliet's two different mystery series and was looking forward to her return of Cambridge detective Arthur St. Just. This traditional mystery was well worth the wait. DCI St. Just and his fiancée, Portia are looking forward to some quiet time in Cambridge and possible planning their wedding (if their schedules allow!). As in most mysteries a murder occurs, half the suspects have means and motives and there are red herrings aplenty. I particularly liked the way the author's understated style of writing deals with the sometimes small pettiness of college life in a renowned University. DI St. Just is a graduate of Cambridge and often treated with slight contempt as he interviews members of Hardwick College and he enjoys letting them know that he is their an academic equal. There is a satisfying conclusion, though for me the plot was not the most enjoyable aspect of the book. Although this novel can be read as a stand alone I highly recommend the previous books in the series.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

I'm a huge fan of G.M. Malliet and St. Just mysteries. This one is a twisty and complex story that bring us into the world of Cambridge colleges, dons, and of art experts
It's a story that mixes past and presente, ambitions, some nasty characters, and some people you would be happy to meet again as you want to know what will happen to them.
The mystery is solid, twisty, and the solution is revealed after a number of surprising twists.
A very entertaining and gripping mystery, highly recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Enjoyable cozy set in Cambridge Uni. This is my first read in this series and the names bemused me. Particularly Ambrose Nussknacker, which my brain snickered at every time and read as Nutcracker. I received this as an advance copy from the author via NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I am quite fond of G.M. Malliet's two series and this one doesn't disappoint. Arthur St. Just is back to investigate the murder of a Master at a college. His fiancee Portia is not much in evidence in this one but it is quite readable just the same.

There is a lot of great description and dry British humor and the slight snark of the Inspector is nicely done. This one brings in art fraud and even harks back to the WWII days of the Monument Men which adds interest.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Perfect..
The sixth outing in the St Just Mystery series finds Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St Just entangled in a veritable web of deception, secrets and lies involving old masters that, it seems, people would literally kill for. A delicious return to form for the Inspector in this newest instalment to the series with a well written narrative heavily laced with a dry wit, a well crafted cast of eclectic and eccentric characters and a solid mystery at its very heart. Perfect.

I love novels set in an academic environment…. AND art-centric novels. So, this fast paced mystery was a delight.

The characters kell my interest and the somewhat unexpected denouement was satisfying. All in all, a very satisfying classical mystery.

Netgalley provided me a complimentary e-galley in return for a candid review.

Sir Flyte Rascallion (yes, the resemblance to rapscallion wasn’t lost on me, either) inherits seven paintings, including one whose style bears rather a resemblance to Rembrandt’s. Rascallion, a renowned expert on the Old Masters, as well as the master of the fictional Hardwick College (although Cambridge University does boast a Hardwick House), dies relatively soon afterward. And, unsurprisingly, it’s murder and the possible Rembrandt is gone.

Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just, accompanied by Detective Sergeant Fear, investigate the old master’s death in this wonderful quick read stocked with humor, clever plotting and entertaining characters. Could not put it down, if you’ll pardon the cliché. And not since Dickens has there been an author so adept at instructive character names as G.M. Malliet.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great addition to a wonderful series. Atmospheric with a touch of history and humor, as well as well developed characters, make this a stellar mystery.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
This, the sixth in the DCI St. Just series, is another great read. I love the atmosphere and quirky characters in these books, plus the setting.
It features shenanigans in the world of art and the fate of a missing Rembrandt. There are two murders, probably committed by the same culprit and it takes St. Just quite a bit of detective work, with the help of Sgt. Fear, to finally unearth the culprit.
With interesting facts about Rembrandt's life, which made me immediately Google him (I didn't know he was quite the rascal) and all the quirky characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.