Another fire that changes lives in when Manderley burns to the ground in Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938). Sorry for the spoiler but you should have read it already!
Daphne du Maurier turns up as a character in Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner (2022), a historical novel set in a 1950 London bookstore, following three women navigating post-war societal expectations, career ambitions, and personal challenges. My review.
My fourth link is Bloomsbury, where a murder takes place in Russell Square on page 4 in A Killing of Innocents by Deborah Crombie (2023). I love this series so was pleased to hear the author is hard at work on the 20th book about Kincaid/James. My review.
A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith (2025) is another mystery set in London, this one taking place around the turn of the 20th century at London’s Inner Temple. My review.
Bloody Instructions by Sara Woods (1961) also has a legal setting in London. In this series launch, an attractive young barrister, Antony Maitland, is accused of murder. Dean Street Press has reissued this appealing series. My review.
So my book journey took me from Antarctica to Baltimore, then to Cornwall, then stayed in London for the duration. There’s enough blood in both books to connect Wild Dark Shore to Bloody Instructions. Next month (June 6, 2026), we’ll start with a book by Stefan Zweig, The Post-Office Girl.
16 comments:
There are a few in your chain that I like the sound of - Bloody Instructions and Bloomsbury Girls in particular.
I love Rebecca - one of my favourite books! I also enjoyed A Case of Mice and Murder but haven't read anything else from your chain. The Sara Woods sounds tempting!
I enjoyed this for a few reasons. I have read Rebecca, and I love your link to the Bloomsbury girls. And then the next link to the murder in Russell Square caught my attention because the first two times I visited London, we stayed in Russell Square. I love the Bloomsbury vibe.
Good news on the Deborah Crombie and those Sara woods books - must make a note
My mother and I stayed in Russell Square a few years ago, wanting that Bloomsbury atmosphere, in a small hotel that had once belonged to John Millais. The vibe was delightful and there was a bookstore across the street, although the room was so small someone had to be on the bed if the other person was standing!
Your library seems outstanding at getting new books quickly! Mine will usually order my requests if it doesn't own them but sometimes takes months to do it.
Bloomsbury Girls is part of a series a lot of people really enjoyed; I've only read that one book of hers, but of course books about bookstores are an easy sell!
I'm looking forward to the second Mice and Murder book!
This made me snort chuckle "Sorry for the spoiler but you should have read it already!"
I'd forgotten that you were the one who introduced me to Gabriel Ward. Many thanks, book 2 was superb too and now waiting for book 3, out in January. That Nora Roberts book looks interesting, don't know that one.
Nice chain. I saw Daphne du Maurier on another list, interesting how we often follow similar paths.
Here is my list:
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2026/05/six-degrees-of-separation-wild-dark.html
I meant to add that I ended with The Rider on the White Horse.
Very nice links. I especially like the last two, taking place in London and with a legal setting. I need to return to the Sara Woods series which I read a few of years ago. I will have to check out the Dean Street Press editions.
I just finished The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart today and I loved it. I got really hooked at about 200 pages (half way in). The ending was great, the suspense was great. And beautiful writing, especially about the setting.
Very lovely chain!
I am so glad you liked it! Can’t wait for your review.
Great chain! Rebecca is so good!
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