London, 1910
Coral Fairbanks is a suffragette, actress, and artist’s muse, whose suffragette friends help her cope with her husband's death – though some disapprove of the nude portrait of her displayed in the National Portrait Gallery.
Guy Flynn is an artist, widower, and detective at Scotland Yard, who struggles to navigate the conflicting views of his sixteen-year-old daughter and his commanding officer in the Metropolitan Police.
Fairbanks and Flynn find themselves on opposite sides of the law when Home Secretary Winston Churchill orders police to terrorise suffragettes during a protest outside the Houses of Parliament.
But when a suffragette is found murdered in the National Portrait Gallery, they’re forced to combine their knowledge to track down her killer.
Michelle Salter’s Murder in Trafalgar Square is a smart, richly textured historical cozy mystery that balances intrigue with an impressive eye for detail. Salter’s Edwardian London feels lived-in and precise, from bustling streets to quieter domestic spaces, grounding the story firmly in its period. Character development is equally strong; the cast is layered and engaging, with motivations that unfold naturally alongside the plot rather than feeling mechanically revealed.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its seamless blending of real-world history and fiction. The backdrop of the suffragette movement adds urgency and social tension, enriching the mystery without overwhelming it. Salter deftly weaves these historical events into a fictional framework that feels both respectful and compelling.
The mystery itself cleverly combines two irresistible elements: murder and art theft. This dual focus keeps the narrative brisk and surprising, offering multiple threads of suspense that converge satisfyingly. Overall, Murder in Trafalgar Square is an atmospheric, well-researched, and thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of historical cozies who appreciate substance alongside suspense.
Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.
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