Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and author Anita Davison for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

Murder in Covent Garden is the fourth book in the series centered on Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Viola. I haven’t read all of the previous novels in the series, but I did read the one prior to this, so I did have some familiarity with the characters. Still, I think the book stands well on its own, and any history needed is given.

Set in London during the First World War, a local jeweler is found dead in his shop, and the police and Inspector Aiden Farrell suspect he was the victim of burglars who have hit a series of local places. Hannah isn’t so sure. The day before he died, Hannah spotted Jacob Cornelius having an argument with a man who turns out to be another police officer. Intrigued, Hannah goes to call on the widow and stepdaughter of the deceased man. She learns the business was about to be sold in a deal that involved an arranged marriage for the stepdaughter.

Hannah’s fiancé, who is working for MI5 during the war, cautions her against getting involved, and causes Hannah to wonder if marrying him is the right thing to do. Of course, she doesn’t listen to him. D.I. Farrell has also been romantically involved with the free-spirited Aunt Violet for a while. However, there’s a man from Violet’s past now back in the picture who could come between them as well.

There are a lot of twists and turns in Murder in Covent Garden. I was guessing for a good part of it. I was pretty sure I had it figured out, but I was wrong! There are plenty of red herrings that take the reader on different tangents, which seem to have nothing to do with the central mystery. However, there are clues as to what’s going on in a number of different places. Events which seem to point to certain culprits turn out to mean something entirely different. The ending did wrap things up nicely and gave some interesting background to Aunt Viola as well.

The characters are well-written and interesting. Central to the bookshop besides Hannah and her Aunt, we get to know more about Archie and Penny, who both work there as well. It makes for a great cozy mystery with a good number of ongoing characters. Set during the War, it’s never far from everyone’s mind. Hannah frets over Darius’ secret work that he won’t talk about. Archie and Detective Danny Vane face conscription as well. Life goes on during the war, but it also looms over everyone. Hannah worries about bombing raids and must deal with blackout restrictions and wartime shortages.

I really enjoyed Murder in Covent Garden. It made me want to visit London again (I love London!) The mystery fooled me quite a bit, and Hannah’s escapades trying to solve it were a lot of fun, particularly when she ends up in a “gentlemen’s club.” It’s a light, easy read with some endearing characters I enjoyed.

Previous book in the series: