London, 1921: Mabel Canning is proud to be a modern woman working for the Useful Women's Agency, carrying out tasks for gentlewomen from flower arranging to washing muddy dogs. But when she answers the door for wealthy widow Rosalind Despard, she almost chokes on her cucumber sandwich when she finds a soldier's body on the doorstep.
As she offers tea to the policemen of Scotland Yard, Mabel can't resist getting drawn into the investigation. Who was the mysterious dead man? And why was he holding a letter for Rosalind, written by her husband on the day he disappeared?
As Mabel hunts for clues, she joins forces with Rosalind's handsome brother, former detective Park Winstone, and his adorable terrier, Gladys. But when Mabel suspects she is being followed, the detective duo know that time is running out before the killer strikes again.
As she investigates, Mabel discovers dusty old photographs that help her reveal the soldier's true identity. But as she gets closer to uncovering the young man's murderer, she knows she's also one step closer to danger... Can she outsmart the killer and save Park and Rosalind before they also turn up dead as doornails?
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Mabel made her way down Piccadilly, around the Wellington Arch and into Belgravia.- ONE, LONDON, September 1921
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(@bookouture, 11 January 2024, e-galley, 310 pages, ARC from the publisher via @NetGalley, #BlogTour 12 January)
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I don't often ready cosy mysteries as there not dark enough for my tastes, but A Body on the Doorstep sounded like something I could enjoy. I enjoyed this book a lot. I really liked Mabel as a character. She's got a sharp mind and is good at observing what most people would miss. I liked the fact Mabel works for the Useful Women's Agency which has women doing all sorts of jobs to help out London society such as helping prepare the food for parties, answering letters and escorting children to the train station. This society gave the book a unique perspective. This was an entertaining read.
