Mellifluous writing in a charming 19th century style, an idiosyncratic barrister and a mystery set in the rarified world of Inner Temple of London make this book a joy to read, although a bit gruesome! When leading barristers start receiving packages of body parts, Gabriel Ward finds himself involved in trying to find the culprit. He also takes the case of Miss Topsy Tillotson, a beautiful music-hall star, finding himself emotionally involved in the puzzling case.

I haven’t read the first book but this would make a great TV series!

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A Case of Life and Limb by Sally Smith is the second Gabriel Ward books. I didn’t read the first book, and it didn’t hamper my enjoyment of this book.
I loved the historic setting of this book in Edwardian England in 1901 and found the sociological aspects including the role of women, class, values, etc quite fascinating. I also found the setting and the workings of the Inner Temple hugely interesting. The cloistered setting gives it a world within another world feeling.

In this instalment, a mummified hand arrives in the post for the attention of Temple Treasurer Sir William Waring. More parcels arrive and Gabriel Ward KC takes it upon himself to investigate along with Constable Wright of the City of London Police.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bloomsbury Publishing, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Another great read. I can’t believe how quickly I read it! This is the second story in the series about Gabriel Ward KC. The book can be read as a stand-alone but there are quite a lot of references to the first book. I cannot fault the writing, it has real depth and moves at just the right speed to allow the reader time to visualise the characters and scenes. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this book.

We really enjoyed this sequel it certainly was as good as the first one. As a character Gabriel Ward is certainly a triumph and following him is a joy.

I was so pleased to be able to read an arc of this sequel to Smith’s A Case of Mice of Murder, where I was first introduced to Gabriel Ward KC. I loved that story and this one lives up to it.

The culture and history of the Inner Temple is fascinating. It’s cloistered and independent, kept separate from the rest of the city of London. It governs itself and even has its own porters who serve as the Temple’s private police.
Gabriel Ward is a wonderful character. He has OCD and loves his solitude, but shows innate kindness towards everyone around him - including a stubborn cat who decides to adopt him.

I can’t picture anyone but Toby Jones in my head when I think of Gabriel, and I’m sure we will enjoy the actor’s portrayal in years to come when this is made into a cosy BBC drama.

Smith’s writing pulls you into the story and doesn’t leave you floundering in the Edwardian language or legal speak. It’s atmospheric (set in Winter) and engaging.

The Law, history, intrigue and a great detective thriller describes A Case of Life and Limb by Sally Smith. Sally, in her writing style actually evokes the period in which the novel was set thus making it totally immersive. The lead character Gabriel Ward KC is on the spectrum and reminded me of DS George Cross in the novels by Tim Sullivan. Gabriel, a brilliant mind finds sanctuary from the bustling world in his chambers and home in The Inner Temple. Books are his best friend and the intricacies of the law are his stock-in-trade. However, in accepting the case of Miss Topsy Tillotson he has to reach in to his soul to find his emotional quotient so he can best represent her and defend her reputation. It is a very difficult case because as the trial continues it would appear she has indeed had relations with a man, one whom she thought worthy of her love but it transpired she was sullied for a wager by a cad. In winning the case, that butterfly in Borneo flaps its little wings and we are left wondering where the hurricane will make landfall.
I really enjoyed every aspect of the novel, especially the historical context and location, the characters were excellent and the conclusion well considered. I would like to hear from Gabriel Ward KC again if Sally Smith grants wishes.

This was a good easy to read novel. I realise that this is the second book in a trilogy from Sally Smith. I haven’t read the first one but it didn’t make any difference to the enjoyment of this book.

I was very pleased to be granted the second book in the series following Sir Gabriel Ward KC, and enter his rarified world once again. As in the first book, there are two stories running in tandem in this novel, both equally fascinating and original.
I love these novels, they make such a refreshing change from the usual ‘cosy’ crime novels, and I love being able to peek into this most unusual and cloistered existence of all the various characters in Sir Gabriel’s life in the Inner Temple.
I do hope the author will revisit this world and allow us in again.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book. It has been hugely enjoyable and I happily recommend it.

The second book in this cerebral and very delightful series, and once again we are in the rarified and cosseted world of Sir Gabriel Ward, KC, the inner Temple of London, home to the many lawyers and High Court Judges that make up his friends and acquaintances. This provides the contrast to the working class surroundings that is inhabited by Police Constable Maurice Wright, who works for the City of London Police, and who has struck up a growing friendship and working relationship in the previous novel.
Sir Gabriel is developing a growing awareness of those who work in serving roles for the Temple, whereas Wright is becoming more aware of the secrecy and paranoia of those who work in the hallowed grounds of law makers, and he is introducing Sir Gabriel to the strange, unfamiliar and slightly scary London streets and the life of the poor of society. The two men compliment each other in their opinions and beliefs.
Sir Gabriel has been given a brief to represent a young actress, Topsy Tillotson in her fight against a scandal mongering newspaper, her reputation has been sullied , she has chosen him to prove both her innocence and her belief that justice must be served. Sir Gabriel has also been charged with investigating who has been sending boxes of mummified body parts to his colleagues , this is a delicate matter, no hint of scandal must be attached to the law profession.
The story is set in the year 1910, and we are introduced to the climate of discriminatory behaviour towards the gay community, the snobbery and rigid values of the upper classes, and the environment of sexual harassment and perceived values placed upon the role and behaviour of women.
It is interesting to see how the law has altered over time. It is no wonder that there have been so many amendments to the statutes of law, usually done to improve and clarify how best to serve the concept of justice for all. The legal world is complex and puzzling to lay people, and very frustrating that law makers seem to be at such odds with those who have suffered from criminal acts that seem to have been given unduly lenient punishments.
I do hope there will be more cases for this unusual investigative team to put their minds to, it is a very enjoyable read and such very likeable central characters. I have rated this as a five star read and already recommended it to my local library and reading groups.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Bloomsbury for my advanced copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

A welcome return to the Inner Temple and Sir Gabriel Ward and PC Wright. As with the last book, Sir Gabriel is managing a trial and a criminal investigation at the same time. Set at Christmas 1901, there is a sharp contrast between the rarefied atmosphere of the Inner Temple and the working class Edwardian London of PC Wright. It was interesting to have his background expanded. Well written and plotted and thoroughly enjoyable. I look forward to the next episode.

I absolutely loved this brilliant book by the author of A case of mice and murder which was published last year.
In A Case of Life and Limb, Gabriel Ward is asked to investigate the mystery of severed limbs which have been delivered to members of the temple. He has also been asked to represent a popular actress, Tilly Tillotson as she defends her reputation against a newspaper that thrives on scandal.
It’s Christmas 1901 and Sally Smith sets the scene brilliantly as she describes the snow covered courtyards of the Inner Temple. Sometimes, historical novels don’t quite work as authors use anachronistic language or don’t give the reader a clear enough sense of the setting but there is no danger of that here. The atmosphere is perfect and all of the characters and settings feel that they are perfectly part of their time with no jarring notes to pull the reader out of the story.
Gabriel is such a brilliant character. He’s very much a product of his time and stuck in his ways however, he is also openminded about people and doesn’t judge them because they are poor or not part of his social class. I really enjoyed the way his character was developed in this book and we saw more of his OCD and the rituals that he uses to control his life such as the way he locks and unlocks the door every night.
The relationship between Gabriel and Constable Wright is a strong feature of the book. The two men should have nothing in common but are becoming friends as well as a very effective detective duo. The young constable who has ambitions to become a detective is a stronger character in this book and does a bit of investigating on his own initiative. It looked like there might be a romance developing in the last book but in this new adventure his affections have transferred completely and it will be interesting to see how this aspect of his character develops in any later novels.
The mystery of the severed limbs is brilliantly plotted and I really enjoyed the way that the investigation uncovered other secrets. The legal case was fascinating too and had modern overtones with the way that Tilly was viewed simply because of her profession. The closing scene of the trial was one of my favourite parts of the book. The author does a fantastic job at showing us other aspects of society during the investigations and Gabriel finds himself involved with characters who take him a long way out of his narrow comfort zone.
The two cases are intertwined really well and there are lots of plot twists to keep the reader on their toes. It’s not a book that’s laugh out loud funny but there were several moments that really made me smile. There are some darker sides to the story too which add depth to the story.
I loved this book every bit as much as the first book and really hope that we have more instalments in ‘The Trials of Gabriel Ward’.

This second outing for Gabriel and Wright was a delight from the first paragraph and I really didn't want the story to end! I read the first book and loved it, but this one was all the better for feeling familiar.
Everything that I hoped for and mentioned in my first review has been achieved. Gabriel continues to grow, both as a character and as a person within the story. His relationship with PC Wright is stronger than ever and we are starting to see some of the young PCs background too.
The story itself was just as clever and intricate as the first, Our sleuths uncovered old and new mysteries and went on to solve them as well as right some social wrongs in the process. The reader once again discovers secrets about the setting, this time mainly around the Temple Church.
I can't wait to see what our unlikely friends will uncover next!

I love historical crime and this has all my favourites:
A quirky lawyer detective
Set in 1901
Cosy crime vibes
Well plotted mystery
Social commentary on hypocrisies of late Victorian England
Musical hall

This is the 2nd instalment of Sally Smith’s new detective series that follows Gabriel Ward KC who, whilst solving one legal case of a libelled musical hall star has to assist the police to solve the mystery as to why body parts keep being delivered to members of the temple.

It was a well plotted double mystery with lots of humour. The resolution was excellent too with lots of twists that although I didn’t guess, were believable.
The historical setting was excellent & I really enjoyed learning about the history of the Inner temple. The author is clearly an expert and has done extensive research and this really shines through the story. She also really brought 1901 London to life, doing it justice with many excellent supporting characters (the cat!) and historical details.

I liked Gabriel Ward and thought him a good detective. His growing friendship with the police detective was heart warming and his wit and kindness won me over.

My only issue (and this is a very ‘it’s a me problem’) is that the voice of the book and of Gabriel is very….posh. You spend a lot of the book with barristers and judges of the upper class living a very privileged lifestyle and this meant it took me a while to get into and enjoy the story and connect with Gabriel. Although there are other side characters with a working class voice, the narrators posh tone meant it took a while for me to warm to.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC to review.

It is Christmas 1901. Members of the Inner Temple have been receiving boxes containing body parts .body parts and there has been a death amongst their number. Gabriel Ward KC investigates. At the same time he is representing a young actress who has been defamed by a powerful newspaper.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) and NetGalley for the Arc. my review is given voluntarily.
This is the second book in the series. it can be read as a stand alone but as the characters develop so well across the two books I recommend reading the first book.
Gabriel is a wonderfully complex character. This upper class pedant has a burgeoning friendship with a young policeman called Ward, who provides a perfect foil for him. The cast of supporting characters are wonderfully recognisable caricatures .
The Inner Temple is a rarefied setting inhabited by the upper echelons of society. Just outside the Temple's gates is the hurly burly and often brutal world of Edwardian working class London. This book is elevated above the average Cozy crime by the exploration of the stark contrast between these two worlds. Interestingly, it is the rigid thinking Gabriel who sees and exposes the injustices that prevailed at the time. This element of the book was very much in the tradition of Dickens.
The book also explores the inferior position women found themselves in at the time. However the heroines of both classes are the ones who make brave decisions and take the moral high ground.
All the while a mystery is solved. Many authors are compared rather generously to Agatha Christie. In this case the author has put the work in to deserve the comparison. Fans of Poirot will enjoy this book.

"Somehow his role as a detective had thrown him off the metaphorical bank on which he had stood for so long; not into the mainstream, but so that he was a least paddling in the shallows of life; something he had previously only observed. He wondered, very cautiously, if he might grow to like the sensation. He was not at all sure."

The second in this series see another legal trial (defending an actress's reputation) and another criminal investigation (the arrival of severed limbs at the doors of various colleagues), which sees Sir Gabriel Ward KC investigating yet again. With the same grounded Metropolitan Police companion, PC Wright and the same overbearing Master, who's only concern is reputation, Ward's task is a difficult one.

As with the first novel there is a lot to contend with (including womens' reputations, homosexuality, social class, jealousy and greed),all skillfully woven into the characters' lives and experiences in Edwardian era London. An accomplished novel that's an absolute joy to read. Highly recommended.

A Case Of Life and Limb is the second book in The Trials of Gabriel Ward series.
Sir Gabriel Ward KC is fast becoming one of my favourite characters.
Like its predecessor, this book is set in the Inner Temple London.
The treasurer, Sir William Waring, receives a box containing a mummified hand. It would seem someone has a grudge, but Sir Waring isn't the only one who receives such a box, as more parcels arrive.
Sir Gabriel (with help from Constable Wright) is tasked with finding out who is sending the macabre gifts and why.
This is a fabulous series, so far, and I highly recommend them.
Superb.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC. 5*

Sir Gabriel Ward KC and Constable Wright are my new favourite detective duo, and I was thrilled to see a second murder mystery featuring them.

This cosy(ish) murder mystery is set over Christmas and New Year in London, predominantly in the grounds of The Temple, home to many of England's lawyers, and - almost - a law unto itself. There are two very different and interesting mysteries to be solved whilst the detectives also have to get on with their "day jobs", which include a sensational court case for Sir Gabriel, and his everyday policing work for Constable Wright.

I like the way in which the author develops the detectives' relationship, and also expands the story of some of the minor characters, making this novel a very satisfying read all round, covering various social issues in early twentieth century England and giving an interesting insight into the workings of the legal system.

This series would make excellent television.

This is the second book in the series and just as brilliant. Sir Gabriel Ward KC is asked to investigate boxes of dead body parts being sent to members of the Inner Temple. He is also hired by Tilly Tillotson, a show girl, to bring her libel case against a newspaper. Again, PC Wright is there to assist. Although gentle, despite dead bodies, it is not slow. Smith touches on the difference of perspectives of the poor working class and the privileged. As Gabriel reflects - he has all the pieces of the jigsaw, he just need to put them in the correct places.
A very enjoyable read. Hopefully we will meet Gabriel and Wright again soon.

Sally Smith published her excellent first book about Sir Gabriel Ward last year. I almost wept with joy when I saw that she has a sequel ready: A Case of Life and Limb. This book is also set in Inner and Middle Temple, with several characters, like Sir Gabriel, re-appearing. The Temple is a small area in London that is dedicated to the legal profession. When the book was set, in 1901, lawyers such as Sir Gabriel still lived there, as well as working there. Smith’s opening paragraph invokes Dickens with an atmospheric description of pure snow, lying “pristine on every ledge and roof of the ancient buildings” and windows through which “the soft glow of oil lamps illuminated desks, their occupants deep in studious concentration.”

That’s what I love about Smith’s Gabriel Ward books: the descriptions; the characters’ behaviour, dress and speech; their journeys - everything evokes London around 1900. That accumulation of effect is important: one anachronistic phrase can shatter the illusion of being there and thus distance the reader from the narrative, making them less invested in the characters and the outcome. That can also result in a vague dissatisfaction with the book, rather than the full-blooded enjoyment author and reader both want.

There are three strands to the plot: firstly, Sir William Waring and other senior members of Inner Temple have received gruesome dismembered body parts (a hand, a foot, etc) in parcels left on their doorsteps. Sir William insists that Gabriel must discreetly investigate and find the perpetrator. Sir William has a horror of the outside world discovering a member of the Temple could do such a thing and vetoes any suggestion that the police should be involved.

Secondly, a famous actress, Topsy Tillotson has been libelled by a newspaper and wants to sue the paper. The newspaper claims that a member of the aristocracy has successfully seduced her. Topsy denies it vehemently, stating she has never even met the man. Because Gabriel was described to her as the cleverest barrister in England, she wants him to represent her – possibly the only man who just sees her as a client, rather than a beautiful desirable woman. Since both sides insist they are telling the truth, but their statements cannot both be true, I was greatly impressed by the way Smith resolves that sub-plot. Topsy’s plea, “I thought the law was about justice” is vindicated.

Thirdly, a new barrister, John Gibson, moves into Chambers as Gabriel’s neighbour at the same time as the Reverend Master of the Temple Church takes on a new Reader as his deputy. Gibson is (reluctantly) engaged to Sir William’s daughter – another reminder of how close the legal profession is, despite members taking opposing sides in court cases.

The resolutions to the sub-plots; the atmospheric description and – perhaps, above all – the affection we feel for Sir Gabriel make this a most satisfying book. Gabriel’s OCD means that he must place the ferrule of his cane in the middle of every paving slab; he must never tread on the cracks between the slabs; his pencils and his book must be placed just so. We twenty-first century readers understand this behaviour and feel both sympathetic and protective of him. I cannot praise the book highly enough – and I do hope Sally Smith has the appetite to write more books about Sir Gabriel.

#ACaseofLifeandLimb #NetGalley

I was delighted to pick up the second book in this series and eagerly devoured it. It was worth it, very enjoyable.

Ward and his sidekick are as delightful as ever.

This was a sadder story than the previous one. I had grown fond of one of the characters who died, which is both a shame and a testament to the skill the writer has in creating characters. A story of love and loss, of love and betrayal, of love twisted and turned against itself. There are two main mysteries running alongside each other, a maybe murder case involving dead body parts and a court case where someone is suing for defamation of character.

This book digs into the unpleasant reality of 1901 when it comes to how women and gay people were treated - not that the word gay, homosexual or anything is ever actually uttered, but the subtext is very clear. And it is very ugly, but thankfully our hero, Ward, believes in the people around him rather than current morality.

A very entertaining read as ever, and I cannot wait for book three. (I also love that the series is called the 'trials of Gabriel Ward' that feels like a name that has a double meaning, poor poor Ward.)