A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith

This debut mystery, set at the turn of the 20th century at London’s Inner Temple, brings to life the arcane, fascinating world of Britain’s legal elite. Sir Gabriel Ward is a quiet but brilliant barrister, sometimes overlooked by his colleagues because he spends all his time in his Temple rooms or his professional chambers, just yards apart. His routine is upended one morning when he finds a dead body on the threshold of his chambers - the Lord Chief Justice, whom he has known since childhood.

Gabriel is unwilling to let this crisis distract him from preparing for a major legal battle. Several years ago, Herbert Moore, usually a publisher of legal books, received an anonymous manuscript about a mouse living at the historic Temple Church. Moore’s daughter fell in love with Millie the Church Mouse and he decided to publish the manuscript as an instructive tale for children. It was a huge hit and led to branded merchandise, not to mention increased attendance at the Temple Church on Sundays by families eager to see where their heroine lived. Unfortunately for Moore, a woman claiming to be the author has brought suit against him. Either she will demand his profits or shutter his empire, both options disastrous, unless Gabriel can save the day.

Unhappy with the scandal attaching to the Inner Temple, Sir William Waring, Master Treasurer of the Inner Temple, asks Gabriel to investigate the murder. Because Gabriel’s daily routine is so well known, he is the only person with an alibi, at least at first. Gabriel demurs, unwilling to be involved and preoccupied with his approaching court case, but gives in when Waring threatens to take away the rooms where he has resided for more than 30 years.

But he quickly realized that it would be dangerous to reveal even the smallest talent for detection. Instead he said: ‘Investigation? You mean like Sherlock Holmes?’

‘Who is Sherlock Holmes?’ said Sir William, who never read anything but the Law Reports.

‘He is the hero in the novels and short stories by Mr. Conan Doyle. Very good they are too. I recommend them.’

Sir William snorted again, this time dismissively. ‘No one is asking you to emulate a fictional hero. We are merely asking you to do a little gentle questioning within the Inner Temple community, and to report your findings to me and to the police.’

Gabriel had not been a big fan of the deceased man but he is surprised that no one expresses much regret – not his wife or colleagues. Assigned to help with the investigation is a blushing young constable, Maurice Wright. At first, Gabriel is dismissive of the young man and Wright is intimidated by Gabriel’s erudition, but soon they begin to see each other’s strengths and their growing partnership becomes one of the most appealing aspects of the book. The characters are well drawn, and reticent Gabriel comes out of his shell to pursue his inquiries. For example, when the body is found, he doesn’t even know the name of the hysterical laundress. Before the book is over, he is acquainted with the whole family and feels sufficiently invested to find jobs for their in-laws! In addition, the period detail is absorbing and the mystery is satisfying.

It is still the tradition that the Inner Temple trains young men - and now also young women (including the author), thank goodness - to become barristers.  There are scholarships available so that it is not just affluent white men receiving this training.  I used to belong to a legal group in Boston called the Inn of Court, which mimicked this tradition.  The historic setting here was especially appealing to me because I have been there so could envision it. I went to the 12th century Temple Church with my mother in 2018 (we were jet lagged but awestruck) and several years later I visited the Middle Temple Library when studying abroad for my library degree. Both were amazing and the church, at least, is open to the public if you happen to be in London. Look for Millie!

This is my twenty-fifth book for the 2025 Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge. If you like historical mysteries, I recommend it, and look forward to more in this series. I thought of my friend Tracy because there is no romance to distract our detectives!  It's also my fifteenth book for the Intrepid Reader's 2025 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.  The only thing I didn't like was Gabriel's chuckle, described as a snuffle, which seemed too swinelike to me.

Title: A Case of Mice and Murder
Author: Sally Smith
Publication: Raven Books/Bloomsbury, hardcover, 2025
Genre: Mystery
Source: Library