A Body on the Doorstep

Fiercely independent Mabel Canning can’t wait to begin working for the Useful Women’s Agency. But when she discovers a body on her client’s doorstep, it’s time to add solving murders to her job description…

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?

A totally unputdownable and utterly charming Golden Age cozy mystery from USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey.

My Review:

A brilliant start to an exciting new historical cozy mystery series!

I love Marty Wingate’s storytelling. She has an incredible ability to create characters that are real and relatable and so easy to root for. Mabel is exactly that kind of heroine. And the fact that she considers herself at the young range of ‘middle age’ (she’s 32!) and therefore a perfect candidate for employment at the Useful Women’s Agency is so preposterously delightful!

But here we have Mabel new to London, fresh on the job and her first assignment leads to the discovery of a body on the doorstep! Gasp! Definitely not the kind of ‘gentlewoman task’ she set out to perform, but Mabel takes it all in stride and is soon enmeshed in her first investigation as an amateur sleuth.

The Golden Age vibes in this 1920s cozy hit just the right note. From social standards to the changing ‘modern’ times, this is London in transition at a pivotal time in history. I was just as excited as Mabel to experience all the wonders, drama and…yes, danger…this story provides. And just as intrigued by a cast of secondary characters who bring that much more depth and enjoyment to the story. Plus there’s the possibility of a romance brewing, which makes me all kinds of happy and eager to see what’s next for Mabel and her dashing former detective!

I thoroughly enjoyed listening the audio edition of this book. Naomi Frederick did a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life which increased my enjoyment factor that much more! Excellent storyteller paired with a talented narrator makes for an addictive listen!

My thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an audio book copy of A Body on the Doorstep.

Please Note: While not a Christian Fiction selection, this is a clean read — and charming to boot!

22 thoughts on “A Body on the Doorstep”

  1. Thank you for your review on “A Body on the Doorstep” and for introducing me to a new to me author.

    Sounds like a fabulous story and one I’ve added to my TBR list. Kind of the trifecta for me – new to me author, cozy mystery type book and starting off with book one of a new series.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Definitely a great place to start in on Marty Wingate’s books. I absolutely love her Potting Shed Mystery series, also set in England but in present day. It’s on my list to re-read (well listen) this year. So excited that she’s started a new series.

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  4. I know you love a good cozy mystery and I keep thinking I’ll try one.
    I started one once but maybe it wasn’t the right author for me because I lost interest.
    a Body on the Doorstep sounds interesting. Thanks for the review! 🙂

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  5. The quirky “washing muddy dogs” caught my attention in the summary. This sounds cute, and I am thinking it is the first of the audio selections you can request from NetGalley. Had not heard of this author but I see looking at the main city library here (not our little burb one) that they have several audiobooks available.

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    1. Yes, Mabel’s assignments are varied and rarely as straight forward as one would expect. Proof in point: the body on the doorstep! Bwahahahaha! If you can get her Potting Shed Mystery series from your library, give them a try. The audio book s are amazing. But read them in order. It’s about a Texan gardener who is living her dream gardening in England…and stumbling over bodies, of course. And she’s older than your average heroine — late 40s, early 50s — which adds to the charm. As does a certain chief inspector. 🙂

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  7. Hi Kav! Thanks for the review and introduction to me of another Cozy Mystery writer. Although most of the fiction I read is Christian fiction, I have made exceptions for a couple of writers. I will check out Marty Wingate, because I love cozy mysteries.
    Blessings, Kay

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