1959 Flora and Jack attended the traditional Bonfire Night celebrations in Lewes where different local societies compete to build effigies of current or historical characters engage in a parade with carts. At one point a man falls from his cart and Jack is the one who discovers that the man was fatally stabbed. The prime suspect for the killing is a colleague of Jack’s and he feels compelled to investigate even though Flora is less motivated and also that the friendly DI is on leave with a dolt left to manage the case as quickly as he can without regard for justice. A bit more dark and twisty than usual, but an excellent read. *****review I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Bookouture via NetGalley. #MurderByFirelight by @merrynallingham #FloraSteeleMysteriesBk12 @bookouture #NetGalley Avail Sep 04, 2025 #cozymystery @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble @waterstones *****Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk @kobo #historicalmystery #murder #familydrama #pageturner #professor #bookseller #banter #witty #Sussex #unputdownable

An atmospheric Bonfire Night celebration ends with a death, and Jack and Flora, who witness the victim's demise, soon find they are embroiled in the investigation even though they would rather just return home to their cosy village home. The police believe it to be a straightforward case, but many have motives, and not all of them are immediately apparent. Both Flora and Jack toy with danger to seek the truth. I appreciate the historical 1950s setting of this story, which adds additional interest. I like the cast of characters, new and familiar and the dynamic between the amateur sleuthing duo. I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Three and a half stars. Flora and Jack are living in Lewes several days a week while he is lecturing at the college, but Flora is keen to get back to Abbeymead and her book shop, 'All's Well' which is being looked after in her absence by her assistant Rose. It's Bonfire Night, a very special night in Lewes where different societies compete to build effigies of current or historical characters which they place on top of floats and parade around the town before setting them alight. However, this Bonfire Night in 1959 one of the people standing and waving on top of the floats suddenly falls off right in front of Flora and Jack, as they struggle to help him Jack discovers that the man, Trevor French, is bleeding heavily and may have been stabbed. When Mr French dies in hospital Flora tries to distance them from the investigation. but Jack feels a certain responsibility, especially when he discovers that his friend Detective Inspector Alan Ridley is on leave and his replacement seems determined to arrest Jack's neighbour Leo Nelson, who is renting Jack's old cottage. I have read the first two books in this series and found them pleasant, cosy, historical mysteries, I may have complained about the pair's detection being more following up notions and jumping to conclusions previously and there is some of that here, although they do both acknowledge that they got everything wrong this time. Also, last time I complained about Flora racing in to find evidence at a suspect's house and putting herself in danger - this time it's Jack who does something stupid! Anyway, an enjoyable mystery set in a part of the world I know quite well. Available on Kindle Unlimited. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

I thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance reader copy of “Murder by Firelight.” All opinions and comments are my own. This, the twelfth book in the series finds Flora and Jack looking forward to heading back home to Abbeymead after Jack’s teaching sojourn at a nearby college. But before that happens, a Guy Fawkes Day celebration ends with a bang as a participant practically falls dead at their feet. Flora for once would like this to all go away, but private investigations are in the blood of the inquisitive bookshop owner and her like-minded mystery-book-writer husband. So, Jack decides to take the lead (as it were) on this one, and a surprising tale it turns out to be. We’ve got obvious suspects that turn out to be not so obvious, and mysteries from the past which are pretty much guaranteed to cause trouble in the present. Inspector Ridley’s on the case, thank goodness, after some kerfuffle with the local constabulary which just clouds the issue at hand. And while Flora may wish she was out of it (there’s a lot in the book about her feeling somewhat “out of sorts;” in fact, the mystery almost takes a back seat to what’s going on with Flora), she does do some sleuthing on her own, and finds that a pretty bad idea, actually. Luckily, all’s well that ends well, and a very devious murderer is revealed. As usual, there is little of historical time and place in a Flora and Jack story (which remains my main criticism). “Murder by Firelight” does its job as a vehicle for the two to move along to more “life at Abbeymead,” and it will be good to get back to village goings-on (hopefully).