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Black & Dod #2
The Poisoned Chalice Murder
Amateur sleuths Frances Black and Tom Dod return to investigate a trio of deaths in a sleepy English village in the second of an intriguing new historical mystery series.
Tom Dod's Aunt Hetty is worried - three sudden deaths have occurred in the sleepy village of Durley Dean. They might seem like tragic accidents, but Aunt Hetty isn't so sure. After all, all three took a stand against Reverend Pinder, the new vicar of St Agnes Church, whose controversial changes have divided the congregation. But is there really a killer among the parishioners? And while Fran leaps at the chance to spend a weekend at Aunt Hetty's sleuthing with Tom, could the trip prove to be a poisoned chalice in more ways than one?
Tom Dod's Aunt Hetty is worried - three sudden deaths have occurred in the sleepy village of Durley Dean. They might seem like tragic accidents, but Aunt Hetty isn't so sure. After all, all three took a stand against Reverend Pinder, the new vicar of St Agnes Church, whose controversial changes have divided the congregation. But is there really a killer among the parishioners? And while Fran leaps at the chance to spend a weekend at Aunt Hetty's sleuthing with Tom, could the trip prove to be a poisoned chalice in more ways than one?
208 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 13, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers Ltd for an advance copy of The Poisoned Chalice, the second novel set in 1929 to feature amateur sleuths Tom Dod and Frances Black.
Tom's Aunt Hetty suspects something is wrong in her village as three parishioners who opposed the new vicar's methods have died in suspicious circumstances and she wants Tom and Frances to investigate. Arriving in the Nottinghamshire village of Durley Dean it doesn't take them long to discover some seething resentments but no firm proof of murder until events take a sinister turn.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Poisoned Chalice which is a good, old fashioned tale of murder, mystery and local feuds where there are plenty of motives, lies and misdirection but little hard evidence. It is full of interviews and discussion about what our intrepid sleuths have discovered and it is up to the reader to read between the lines as it is all there to be divined, needless to say I failed abysmally and had to wait for the denouement. It is very cleverly done and I admire Ms Janes's skill and audacity in how she has structured her novel.
I like the characters, Tom and Frances, but am unsure about their situation. They are in love but can't do anything about it as they are married to other people, Frances to Michael who has abandoned her for another woman and Tom to his dead brother's fiancée who was pregnant at the time of his death. The scandal of divorce is therefore a hot topic in the novel and makes for interesting reading in our more liberated times but seems sordid and out of place in the 1920s middle class setting when such things were never discussed. It's a conundrum that is set to continue in future novels.
The Poisoned Chalice is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Tom's Aunt Hetty suspects something is wrong in her village as three parishioners who opposed the new vicar's methods have died in suspicious circumstances and she wants Tom and Frances to investigate. Arriving in the Nottinghamshire village of Durley Dean it doesn't take them long to discover some seething resentments but no firm proof of murder until events take a sinister turn.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Poisoned Chalice which is a good, old fashioned tale of murder, mystery and local feuds where there are plenty of motives, lies and misdirection but little hard evidence. It is full of interviews and discussion about what our intrepid sleuths have discovered and it is up to the reader to read between the lines as it is all there to be divined, needless to say I failed abysmally and had to wait for the denouement. It is very cleverly done and I admire Ms Janes's skill and audacity in how she has structured her novel.
I like the characters, Tom and Frances, but am unsure about their situation. They are in love but can't do anything about it as they are married to other people, Frances to Michael who has abandoned her for another woman and Tom to his dead brother's fiancée who was pregnant at the time of his death. The scandal of divorce is therefore a hot topic in the novel and makes for interesting reading in our more liberated times but seems sordid and out of place in the 1920s middle class setting when such things were never discussed. It's a conundrum that is set to continue in future novels.
The Poisoned Chalice is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 3, 2024
This is a 4.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.
November 7, 2018
While the mystery obviously takes centre stage and needs to be successful, for me the added pleasure with this series is the really likeable, intelligent main character, Fran Black. She is compromised, having been deserted by her husband at a time when divorce carried with it a huge social stigma and was difficult and costly to acquire. Her mother is querulous and demanding, having lost both sons in the Great War and while Fran is able to live on a fixed income without having to work, she is more than happy to become involved in the intricacies of an investigation as an escape from her unsatisfactory home life.
Janes is adept at slipping in all sorts of social and political details of the time without holding up the investigation, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I do like the fact that when someone is arrested and charged with murder, Fran and Tom become very aware that if they cannot find the real murderer, an innocent man will hang, which nicely ups the stakes. As with the previous murder mystery, this one owes its inspiration to the likes of Agatha Christie, with plenty of suspects.
I got there before the big reveal, but to be honest, that wasn’t a dealbreaker as it was only a couple of chapters ahead of the denouement and with all the other issues going on relating to Fran and Tom’s relationship – or lack of it – the plot didn’t stand or fall on the mystery alone. The pacing was nicely judged, the characters memorable and I kept thinking what a cracking TV show this would make. In the meantime, I look forward to the next one in the series as I’m keen to see where Janes will take these characters next. Highly recommended for fans of historical cosy murder mysteries. While I obtained an arc of The Poisoned Chalice Murder from Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
Janes is adept at slipping in all sorts of social and political details of the time without holding up the investigation, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I do like the fact that when someone is arrested and charged with murder, Fran and Tom become very aware that if they cannot find the real murderer, an innocent man will hang, which nicely ups the stakes. As with the previous murder mystery, this one owes its inspiration to the likes of Agatha Christie, with plenty of suspects.
I got there before the big reveal, but to be honest, that wasn’t a dealbreaker as it was only a couple of chapters ahead of the denouement and with all the other issues going on relating to Fran and Tom’s relationship – or lack of it – the plot didn’t stand or fall on the mystery alone. The pacing was nicely judged, the characters memorable and I kept thinking what a cracking TV show this would make. In the meantime, I look forward to the next one in the series as I’m keen to see where Janes will take these characters next. Highly recommended for fans of historical cosy murder mysteries. While I obtained an arc of The Poisoned Chalice Murder from Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
October 3, 2018
Thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy of the eBook for this novel. The views expressed below are my own:
This is a whodunit puzzle mystery story set in post WW1 England around 1929. Amateur sleuths Francis Black and Tom Dod are enticed into investigating three suspicious deaths in a rural English town with the quaint name of Durley Dean. Tom's great aunt lives there and asks them to look into these deaths. She believes they are connected to a squabble amongst the parishioners of her local Church of England. Two of the three are deemed to be accidents, and . the third one, a natural death. Things change dramatically, when the natural death is found to be a poisoning.
Almost as intriguing as the mystery is the relationship between Fran (as she calls herself) and Tom. There is an obvious attraction between them, but they cannot act on it. He is in a marriage of convenience, having married his brother's fiance in order to legitimize the brother's child that she is carrying. Fran is separated from her husband Michael who has left her for another woman, and the adulterers are now expecting a child. Fran initially refused Michael's request for a divorce. The intricacies of Britain's divorce laws are part of the story, as is the social stigma which is attached to divorced women.
The story is set in the interwar years and the post war changes are slowly taking root. Middle class people still have their domestic staff, but those days are numbered. Car travel is replacing train travel too; Fran and Tm scoot about in Tom's Hudson car.
Fran's mother is a character to see in terms of the social mores. She is scandalized by any hint of Fran considering divorce. She represents the Victorian pre-WW1 past.
Interestingly, the police play little role in the story, even though they are in the background. Unlike many stories with amateur detectives, they do not interfere with Fran and Tom investigating.
This is a clever mystery story with a satisfying resolution. There's a cast of interesting characters populating the small town and in the end most get their just desserts. The stage is set for more Fran and Tom sleuthing.
Recommended.
This is a whodunit puzzle mystery story set in post WW1 England around 1929. Amateur sleuths Francis Black and Tom Dod are enticed into investigating three suspicious deaths in a rural English town with the quaint name of Durley Dean. Tom's great aunt lives there and asks them to look into these deaths. She believes they are connected to a squabble amongst the parishioners of her local Church of England. Two of the three are deemed to be accidents, and . the third one, a natural death. Things change dramatically, when the natural death is found to be a poisoning.
Almost as intriguing as the mystery is the relationship between Fran (as she calls herself) and Tom. There is an obvious attraction between them, but they cannot act on it. He is in a marriage of convenience, having married his brother's fiance in order to legitimize the brother's child that she is carrying. Fran is separated from her husband Michael who has left her for another woman, and the adulterers are now expecting a child. Fran initially refused Michael's request for a divorce. The intricacies of Britain's divorce laws are part of the story, as is the social stigma which is attached to divorced women.
The story is set in the interwar years and the post war changes are slowly taking root. Middle class people still have their domestic staff, but those days are numbered. Car travel is replacing train travel too; Fran and Tm scoot about in Tom's Hudson car.
Fran's mother is a character to see in terms of the social mores. She is scandalized by any hint of Fran considering divorce. She represents the Victorian pre-WW1 past.
Interestingly, the police play little role in the story, even though they are in the background. Unlike many stories with amateur detectives, they do not interfere with Fran and Tom investigating.
This is a clever mystery story with a satisfying resolution. There's a cast of interesting characters populating the small town and in the end most get their just desserts. The stage is set for more Fran and Tom sleuthing.
Recommended.
July 19, 2018
Diane James’s second 1920s mystery, The Poisoned Chalice Murder, is even more enjoyable than her debut - a stunning accomplishment. Frances Black and Tom Dod are a charming pair of amateur detectives, working well together despite a frisson of attraction they dare not act upon. Frances is the more perceptive of the duo, and the novel focuses on her perspective. Diane James skillfully portrays the social dilemmas Frances is faced with. Being separated from her husband is scandalous, despite the fact that he ran off with another woman. Accepting a divorce, even more so. As a woman on her own, being respectable is of central importance. Tom is also constrained, as he married his dead brother’s fiancée so their children would be legitimate.
Tom’s aunt has asked them to look into a trio of deaths. Superficially they don’t appear suspicious, but each of the deceased challenged the changes made by the new vicar. The village is divided, with some rabidly in support of Rev. Pinder, while others are uncomfortable with the controversial changes and Pinder’s adversarial approach. This is the first time Frances and Tom have purposefully initiated an investigation, so it is natural that they stumble at times and don’t always ask the right questions- or realize the importance of the answers they have received. It’s likely, but perfectly understandable that the reader will solve the mystery before they do. This doesn’t detract from the entertainment value. Were the deaths tragic accidents, or murders skillfully hidden? In this case the “how” is as important as the motive.
The Poisoned Chalice Murder is a charming 1920s mystery that can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages. If you enjoy Agatha Christie or other historical mysteries, you will definitely enjoy this post WWI British mystery series.
5 / 5
I received a copy of The Poisoned Chalice Murder from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
— Crittermom
Tom’s aunt has asked them to look into a trio of deaths. Superficially they don’t appear suspicious, but each of the deceased challenged the changes made by the new vicar. The village is divided, with some rabidly in support of Rev. Pinder, while others are uncomfortable with the controversial changes and Pinder’s adversarial approach. This is the first time Frances and Tom have purposefully initiated an investigation, so it is natural that they stumble at times and don’t always ask the right questions- or realize the importance of the answers they have received. It’s likely, but perfectly understandable that the reader will solve the mystery before they do. This doesn’t detract from the entertainment value. Were the deaths tragic accidents, or murders skillfully hidden? In this case the “how” is as important as the motive.
The Poisoned Chalice Murder is a charming 1920s mystery that can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages. If you enjoy Agatha Christie or other historical mysteries, you will definitely enjoy this post WWI British mystery series.
5 / 5
I received a copy of The Poisoned Chalice Murder from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
— Crittermom
July 13, 2018
Set in England with a background of financial scandals, the Stock Market Crash, and the start of the Great Depression, this is the second in a series of mysteries featuring amateur detectives Frances Black and Tom Dod. The title comes from Macbeth’s lines:-
“...this even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips.”
Readers may or may not be relieved to find that the reference is metaphorical.
Tom’s aunt is concerned about recent deaths in her village which is wracked with division over the liturgical changes made by the recently-appointed vicar. Two deaths appear to be accidental and one the result of long-term illness, but Aunt Hetty is not convinced.
Frances and Tom interview many of the villagers and their suspicions are fuelled by further death.
Meanwhile there are subtle changes in their relationship. Tom’s marriage of duty is a constant, but Frances hears news of her husband and his lover which makes her reflect seriously on her situation.
The murders are solved and there is a hint of the next investigation.
The plot is fairly straightforward and I did not find the murderer or the motive difficult to spot, despite a few distractors. The characters are well-fleshed-out, but I think most readers would appreciate a little more historical flavour. There are topical references, but I was not entirely convinced that these were late 1920’s people.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the digital ARC.
“...this even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips.”
Readers may or may not be relieved to find that the reference is metaphorical.
Tom’s aunt is concerned about recent deaths in her village which is wracked with division over the liturgical changes made by the recently-appointed vicar. Two deaths appear to be accidental and one the result of long-term illness, but Aunt Hetty is not convinced.
Frances and Tom interview many of the villagers and their suspicions are fuelled by further death.
Meanwhile there are subtle changes in their relationship. Tom’s marriage of duty is a constant, but Frances hears news of her husband and his lover which makes her reflect seriously on her situation.
The murders are solved and there is a hint of the next investigation.
The plot is fairly straightforward and I did not find the murderer or the motive difficult to spot, despite a few distractors. The characters are well-fleshed-out, but I think most readers would appreciate a little more historical flavour. There are topical references, but I was not entirely convinced that these were late 1920’s people.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the digital ARC.
November 25, 2018
It’s 1929 and Fran Black and Tom Dod are asked by Tom’s Aunt Hetty to investigate three suspicious deaths in the sleepy village of Durley Dean in Nottinghamshire. The new vicar of Saint Agnes preaches a severe approach in church, and this has upset and alienated most of the parishioners. But the three people who died took open stands against him. Fran and Tom are amateur sleuths and as they investigate, they only come across more questions and theories but never find any facts to lead them to any conclusive proof of foul-play.
The Poisoned Chalice Murder is a fun, old-fashioned whodunit. I felt I was sitting in the same room with Tom and Fran while they went back and forth, discussing their findings, suspicions, and theories, and always being stumped. I guessed along, too, and was surprised to learn who did it. I was also surprised at the relationship between Fran and Tom and their situations. Fran’s husband ran off with another woman, who is now pregnant, and Tom married his deceased brother’s girlfriend in order to give her unborn child a name and a father. Fran and Tom are in love but are up against the demands of their time: being honourable and proper in the face of the dishonourable and the improper.
Reviewed for the Historical Novels Society
The Poisoned Chalice Murder is a fun, old-fashioned whodunit. I felt I was sitting in the same room with Tom and Fran while they went back and forth, discussing their findings, suspicions, and theories, and always being stumped. I guessed along, too, and was surprised to learn who did it. I was also surprised at the relationship between Fran and Tom and their situations. Fran’s husband ran off with another woman, who is now pregnant, and Tom married his deceased brother’s girlfriend in order to give her unborn child a name and a father. Fran and Tom are in love but are up against the demands of their time: being honourable and proper in the face of the dishonourable and the improper.
Reviewed for the Historical Novels Society
October 26, 2018
Three deaths in a village the size of Durley Dean should make anyone suspicious, especially since all were arguing with the new vicar. This is set in 1929 so don't expect forensics or sophisticated detecting. What you get, however, is a great pair in Frances and Tom, whose Aunt Hetty asked this pair of amateur detectives to come down and poke around. The relationship between Frances and Tom, who today would likely handle their romantic situation differently, is challenging but one of the best parts of the book. The mystery has some twists- in classic cozy fashion. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. You'll be fine if you haven't read the first one. For fans of light historical mysteries.
November 20, 2018
Old Miss Venn is really worried by the three deaths in her small church congregation. All three people died suddenly, and all had signed a letter to the bishop opposing the innovations of their new vicar. While she was sure a man of God would never kill, there's no denying that some of his backers in the church were rather extreme. Fortunately, her nephew is Tom Dod, who solved a murder mystery recently, with the help of his friend Fran Black. Fran and Tom are in love, but the almost unbelievably strict marriage laws of England and their own consciences keep their relationship platonic. Crime-solving is one of the few things that they can do together. I was glad to see the second of this series, but read the first one first!
April 21, 2023
Wonderful story until the mad rush at the end
I read for many reasons - two are primary.
I want to see how these fictitious characters have life breathed into them by the author, and how they manage subsequently as truly virtual people, as it were.
Second, if It is a mystery, I want to be able to understand that the unfolding of the plot, and the inevitable denouement is possible given prior events.
Diane Janes nicely satisfied both my expectations in her first book, but my second expectation - that the plot and the ending be realistic- were not to be with “The Poisoned Chalice.”
I found this work, upon final reflection, to be an utter waste of time.
Maybe it’s the famous second book problem
I read for many reasons - two are primary.
I want to see how these fictitious characters have life breathed into them by the author, and how they manage subsequently as truly virtual people, as it were.
Second, if It is a mystery, I want to be able to understand that the unfolding of the plot, and the inevitable denouement is possible given prior events.
Diane Janes nicely satisfied both my expectations in her first book, but my second expectation - that the plot and the ending be realistic- were not to be with “The Poisoned Chalice.”
I found this work, upon final reflection, to be an utter waste of time.
Maybe it’s the famous second book problem
October 23, 2018
Tom Dod's Aunt Hetty has approached him because she is concerned. Apparently there have been three accidently deaths in her home village of Durley Dean and she is worried that they may not have been accidents. So Tom with his sleuthing friend Mrs Frances Black visit her for the weekend.
With the local feuds, especially concerning the church and its new vicar, there does seem to be plenty of motives. Tom and Frances must sift through their interviews to find the guilty party.
A slow paced well-written cozy mystery set in the late 1920's.
A NetGalley Book
With the local feuds, especially concerning the church and its new vicar, there does seem to be plenty of motives. Tom and Frances must sift through their interviews to find the guilty party.
A slow paced well-written cozy mystery set in the late 1920's.
A NetGalley Book
February 21, 2019
Enjoyable cozy mystery set in England in 1929. Tom Dod and Frances Black are back, investigating suspicious deaths in Durley Dean at the behest of Tom’s Aunt Het.
This wasn’t quite as good as the first book, but still enjoyable. I like Tom, Fran and Fran’s friend, Mo. I will definitely read the next book to see what happens with all of the personal complications of Tom, Fran and Mo.
This wasn’t quite as good as the first book, but still enjoyable. I like Tom, Fran and Fran’s friend, Mo. I will definitely read the next book to see what happens with all of the personal complications of Tom, Fran and Mo.
November 19, 2018
This series is getting better. The relationship between Fran and Tom is becoming more authentic. Supporting characters are well drawn, the mystery was good, and the ongoing secondary story of Fran and Tom's respective marriages is developing well, too. Keep em' coming, Ms. Janes!
July 16, 2022
This wasn't too bad, though not as good as the first book. I thought the (Black and Dod) were very slow to see who had done what and was getting rather quite cross with their inability to see what had happened. I guessed well before the end of the book. Still it passed a few hours.
December 9, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this, the second book in the Black & Dod investigation series.
As the readers are now comfortable with the back story. We were able to focus on the investigation being undertaken.
A great story and I'm really looking forward to reading the next one.
As the readers are now comfortable with the back story. We were able to focus on the investigation being undertaken.
A great story and I'm really looking forward to reading the next one.
October 23, 2024
Light as a feather, cosy as they come, enjoyable undemanding read. The mystery was pretty so-so (I guessed the murder by about a third of the way though) but the characters and setting were fun. Just the kind of easy breezy book I was in the mood for :-)
September 20, 2018
Not my cup of tea but fans of cosy mysteries will enjoy it.
September 15, 2020
I enjoyed this book. A historical cozy crime, set in 1929 (the year my dad was born), it tackles some of the social issues that were relevant at the time. Engaging characters too.
July 6, 2022
I loved this book. The series is excellent and the relationship between Fern and Tom keeps me coming back for more!
August 18, 2018
Tom Dodd's Great Aunt has a dilemma. Since the new Vicar has arrived in her village 3 people have died under suspicious circumstances, and she thinks Tom may be able to help. Eager to spend more time with his fellow sleuth, Fran Black, he convinces her to accompany him on another 'case'. Fran, just as eager to spend time with him, uses her plucky courage and shrewd intelligence to aid him.
Another jolly good mystery romp. I am fast becoming obsessed with this series set in post World War I England. Can't wait for the next one. I hope the course of true love runs a little smoother for this compelling pair!
Another jolly good mystery romp. I am fast becoming obsessed with this series set in post World War I England. Can't wait for the next one. I hope the course of true love runs a little smoother for this compelling pair!
October 10, 2018
Set in 1920’s England. Three sudden deaths in the village of Dudley Dean are the related? Is the new vicar involved? Frances and Tom are called in by Tom’s aunt to investigate. This is a gentle Miss Marple type mystery with plenty of discussion on the deaths for you to follow the clues.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2018
A lovely and entertaining cozy mystery. I loved the well researched historical background and the lovely cast of characters.
The mystery was good, no plot hole, even if a bit slow at times. It was not hard to guess who culprit was but it was good to read about the twists and turns in the plot.
I really enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, Fran reflections on divorce and women position as well as the cultural clash between her and her mother.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes cozy and historical mystery.
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC
The mystery was good, no plot hole, even if a bit slow at times. It was not hard to guess who culprit was but it was good to read about the twists and turns in the plot.
I really enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, Fran reflections on divorce and women position as well as the cultural clash between her and her mother.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes cozy and historical mystery.
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC
December 7, 2018
I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable 'amateur crime duo' book. Set back in the early 1900s it isn't full of the kind of profanities and high action that books set in the present era may be full of and that is a good thing and a nice change. Naturally this is some way through a series of books Diane James has written and the characters are settled in, so I find it hard to say too much, apart from the sexual tension that isn't quite there between Frances Black and Tom Dodd.. I found d this a pleasant change to some books I generally read and recommend it if you enjoy books that aim more towards 'old time' sophistication rather than blood, guys and foul language.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews