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What Members Thought
Well, this was a discovery! I am so pleased this was picked as a monthly read for my GA reading group, Reading the Detectives. Published in 1938, this was Josephine Bell's first stand along mystery (she had published three series mysteries previously, sadly not now in print) and one of her early books as she had only published her first book in 1937 and seems to have written both crime and historical fiction as well as short stories, plays and having a successful career, working as a doctor unde
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Excellent, gripping, gritty crime thriller, as much about life in the rough neighborhoods along the Thames as about a clever drug ring.
This is my first read of GA author Josephine Bell, and won’t be my last. She and her husband were both doctors in London, and her experience shows in her immersive portrayal of the pre-war healthcare system, and the grim lives of the London poor. A real departure from many GA mysteries set among the wealthier classes or in country house settings.
It’s a very comp ...more
This is my first read of GA author Josephine Bell, and won’t be my last. She and her husband were both doctors in London, and her experience shows in her immersive portrayal of the pre-war healthcare system, and the grim lives of the London poor. A real departure from many GA mysteries set among the wealthier classes or in country house settings.
It’s a very comp ...more
The Port of London Murders by Josephine Bell. Paperback.
This was a delight! I welcome a trip down memory lane reading an excellent story from a past era and written in a past era. My only book read by Josephine Bell. It was originally published in 1938 and rereleased in 2020-21 with an intro by Martin Edwards.
A realistic tale of life along the Thames with captains of importing ships and their cargo. The usual cargo however is mixed due to deceitful traders. The first murder happens to one such a ...more
This was a delight! I welcome a trip down memory lane reading an excellent story from a past era and written in a past era. My only book read by Josephine Bell. It was originally published in 1938 and rereleased in 2020-21 with an intro by Martin Edwards.
A realistic tale of life along the Thames with captains of importing ships and their cargo. The usual cargo however is mixed due to deceitful traders. The first murder happens to one such a ...more
This is a well written mystery, I just couldn't get myself to care about anyone or anything in it. Set in the dirty dockside of the Thames, a young girl helps pull a body out of the river, so that's a great beginning. Everyone else in the group read seemed to love this, but it didn't work for me - probably because at the same time I'd started reading Our Mutual Friend! If you've read Dickens' book you'll see my problem. It's not fair to any author up against one of Dickens' best works, so I'm ta
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I really enjoyed this mystery/thriller, set in the dockside area of London in the '20s/30s. The setting in the crowded environs of the working class and their interactions with their local GP and council are well-done, likely aided by the fact that Bell herself was a physician. The mystery involves aspects of smuggling, addiction, romance, a boy anxious to help the investigation, and a few interesting police investigators at different levels of service and involvement. It is all pulled together
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Jul 23, 2024
Jill
rated it
it was amazing
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review of another edition
Shelves:
jill-s-tenth-years-challenge
I had never heard of Josephine Bell until reading this, and hope to be able to find more books by her. I really enjoyed this book, and think it deserves to be a crime classic. This was written just after WW2, and so portrays London at the time. I was able to to visualise a lot of the descriptions of the area around the docks . The health care at that time, seemed so basic and true to the stories heard from grandparents.
The book surprised me as it includes so many crimes taking place. The smuggl ...more
The book surprised me as it includes so many crimes taking place. The smuggl ...more
Josephine Bell's mysteries are always a treat as there's a solid puzzle but also vivid and intriguing descriptions of places and style of living.
This is excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine ...more
This is excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine ...more
I started this one all the way back in November, for the Appointment with Agatha side read, but didn't get very far into it and then was sidetracked. I had really liked the beginning, and I don't know why I got distracted, because this was a good one!
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The previous reviews say it all- atmospheric, gritty and chunky little mystery novel. Very well written!
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Nov 18, 2020
Anissa
marked it as to-read
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review of another edition
Shelves:
british-library-crime-classics
Dec 30, 2020
Rachel Burke
marked it as want-to-buy
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review of another edition
Shelves:
classic-mystery-recommended
Aug 14, 2023
Lynnie
marked it as to-read
Sep 09, 2023
Lady Wesley
is currently reading it
Feb 08, 2024
Stephanie
marked it as to-read
