Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of THE MALVERN MURDERS a captivating Victorian historical murder mystery (Inspector Ravenscroft Detective Mysteries)

jjares avatar reviewed on + 3413 more book reviews


Police Inspector Samuel Ravenscroft was sent by his boss on an enforced two-week vacation. The London Constabulary is disappointed in Ravenscroft for losing a suspect. He winds up taking the waters in the spa town of Malvern. Before long, there are two murders in Malvern, and the local constabulary is unprepared to handle it. So they asked Ravenscroft to join the investigation.

Breaking free from the spa's rigid confines, Ravenscroft seizes the chance to track down the killer with unwavering determination. A multi-faceted character, he carries the burden of his superiors' disapproval, yet in this unfamiliar setting, he radiates professionalism and tact, a striking departure from his usual demeanor.

When he succeeds in this case, Ravenscroft seems to realize that he is better than his superiors give him credit for. Instead of remaining a passive policeman, he takes the train back to Malvern. This is a complex story, and the reader doesn't want to put it down before completing it. This series shows such great promise.

Ravenscroft â Total of 11
** 1. The Malvern Murders (2006)
2. The Worcester Whisperers (2008)
3. The Ledbury Lamplighters (2009)