This was such a fun read! I haven’t read this series before, but I loved the characters and the descriptions were so vibrant I felt like I was there. Creepy, funny, and clever, I enjoyed it all. It gave off Sherlock/poirot/And Then There Were None vibes. Thank you for letting me read it!

Release Date: 14 August 2025

A locked-room whodunnit with a classic, atmospheric feel! The House at Devil’s Neck is the fourth book in the Spector Locked Room series, but as a first-time reader of Tom Mead’s work, I can confirm it absolutely stands alone.

Set in a spooky old mansion that once served as a First World War field hospital, the novel brings together an intriguing mix of characters: Imogen, a determined reporter; Francis, a paranormal enthusiast; Virginia, a grieving mother; Madame Adaline La Motte, a spiritualist; and my personal favourite, Joseph Spector—a professional trickster turned sleuth.

When the house is cut off by floods and a ghostly soldier is rumoured to be causing mischief, the eerie atmosphere intensifies. But when guests start turning up dead, Spector and Inspector Flint must untangle the mystery before another victim—perhaps even Spector himself—falls prey to Devil’s Neck.

With plenty of twists and turns, this is a cleverly plotted, engaging mystery that keeps you guessing. The perfect blend of cosy crime and gothic suspense, it’s a must-read for fans of locked-room puzzles and classic detective fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

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I loved the different characters in this book! The storytelling is concise and riveting, and I thought this was perfect to read on a plane or train as it’s entertaining and easy to get through. I liked the twists at the end and all the world building.

This is a sort of late night review after having turn the last page. it's the best in this series, a series which improves with each new novel.
Fast paced, a page turner that kept reading till very late in the night.
There's gothic atmosphere, plenty of twists and turns, locked rooms, tricksters, plenty of surprises. It's fast paced and I couldn't stop reading if if I had to get up by 6.30 and it was nearly 2 am. Sleep deprived and happy
It also helped to solve my reading slump and I thoroughly enjoyed.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thanks to Aria & Aries and Net Galley. This is the fourth book in the series and i would say it is the best, it is absolutely fantastic, I couldn't put it down. I loved the back and fourth between Flint's story and Spector's and the time difference slowly catching up until the two merge. The twists just keep coming too. I really hope there will be a fifth, will be interesting with the seting now in WW2

The fourth title in the Joseph Spector series.

This book was excellent. The mystery begins with Spector joining a coach trip to the Haunted ‘Hotel’ called Devil’s Neck. Meanwhile, Inspector Flint and Sergeant Hook are investigating an apparent murder made to look like suicide in London. The two stories run alongside each other with details emerging that show they must be connected, though it’s only at the explosive climax that the true picture is revealed!

I love Mead’s writing. In the characters of Spector and Flint he has created a detective duo that are obviously intelligent but have to work out the solution to the mystery with the same information provided to the reader. The heavy weight left by World War 1 on the characters as the world stands on the cusp of a fresh conflict is also particularly poignant.

As always the mystery is clever and I loved the opportunity to try to solve the case before the main characters (spoiler - I only half managed it!). The setting was also heavily reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None (definitely to the benefit of the story) though it remained a unique and original tale.

I thoroughly recommend this book. Although it is the fourth in the series it can easily be read as a standalone as the brief references to previous titles don’t require you to have detailed knowledge and don’t spoil those stories. For those who haven’t had the pleasure though the first title is Death and the Conjurer and I thoroughly recommend it as well!

*** Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher ***