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.