Murder By Candlelight by Faith Martin (Audiobook)

 

In the sleepy village of Maybury-in-the-Marsh Amy Phelps, the resident of The Old Forge, is convinced she has a ghost. Luckily, celebrated ghost-hunter Arbie Swift, author of The Gentlemen's Guide To Ghost-Hunting, is at hand to help out with a ghost-watch. When Amy Phelps is discovered dead the following morning Arbie investigates, believing it wasn't a ghost who is responsible.

Set in a quaint English village in 1924 Murder By Candlelight by Faith Martin has all the hallmarks of a classic British locked-room mystery. The setting means that everyone knows everybody else's business. A class system still holds power and there are numerous suspects.

Arbie Swift is the central character. He's one of those gentlemen who doesn't really do anything, who accidentally fell into ghost-hunting and, as a result, is now considered an expert. Arbie comes across as a bit of a bumbling character, I thought of the classic Bertie Wooster character early on. Thankfully, Arbie is aided by the vicar's daughter Val in his investigations. Val is much more down-to-earth, logical and intelligent.

A whole host of suspects, each hiding a secret they might kill to protect, means that it is impossible to guess who the murderer is. While the murder mystery is expertly crafted the whole tone of the story is kept light thanks to the musings of Arbie. The whole story worked well as an audiobook, expertly narrated by John Hopkins, who really brought Arbie to life. I felt completely immersed in the murder mystery from beginning to shocking end.

Murder By Candlelight by Faith Martin is available in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a review copy.