Sepulchre Street (Rachel Savernake)

by Martin Edwards

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Sepulchre Street is the fourth book in the Rachel Savernake series by Martin Edwards. Released 11th May 2023 by Head of Zeus on their Aria imprint, it's 448 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

I've seen the series touted as an homage to the golden age of British detective fiction, and while it's certainly set in the interwar period in England, it didn't necessarily feel like it was of the period to me. It's very well crafted, with the hallmarks of the era (drama, skullduggery, genteel (and not so genteel) murder, wide variety of suspects), but the setting could have been any time from about 1920 to the present day.

The plotting is rather slow, built up over time rather than explosive. The narrative arc is deliberate - stately even, and the denouement is less of a crescendo than an inescapable inevitability when it finally comes. There were a number of fairly outlandish plot twists which interfered with my suspension of disbelief, but in the end the plot threads resolve, the clues are deciphered, and the mysteries are solved. This entry was a bit different, in that titular lead character Rachel was more peripheral to the action, although she was there to tie up the loose ends in the denouement.

There is very little background information provided by the author, so the book (in my opinion) doesn't work very well as a standalone. I do recommend the series and the author, so reading the first volume will reward diligent readers. With 4 volumes extant, it would make a good choice for a series binge/buddy read.

Four stars. Not classic golden age, but quite readable (and edgy with a sort of noir vibe).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.