Publication Date: 14th Jan 2024
Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
3.7 Stars
One Liner: A darkish cozy mystery
1916, Merwood Farm, Hampshire
Sister Helen Hopgood is a nurse at the temporary military hospital at the Merwood Farm. It has only a handful of patients left after the rush of the war.
The owner, Joseph Wintringham, wants to sell the farm but can’t find buyers due to the rumors that the place has been cursed. Some time ago, a beautiful young nurse, Isabel Taplin, was murdered. No one knows who the killer is. Rumors say that her ghost is haunting the place. With more deaths occurring, it’s up to Helen to find the killer(s).
The story comes in the third-person POV of Helen, Dr Samuel, and Richard.
My Thoughts:
I wanted to try this since I enjoy the author’s Iris Woodmore Series. Right now, this book is a standalone. I’d prefer it that way since the ending suits the book (though the publishers might turn it into a series).
Set after WWI, the book deals with the aftermath of war and what it did to the soldiers. The make-shift hospital has only a few patients who have almost recovered physically but have psychological scars.
The setting (based on a real place, as mentioned in the author’s note) is bleak, grim, and part sinister. Though we get some lovely descriptions of the moon, lake, and birds, it’s hard to shrug off the dark tone. However, this suits the plot.
The characters are flawed and hard to like in some cases. It took me a while to warm up to Helen despite being impressed by her efficiency. In the end, I was more than happy to support her decision, so she won me over.
The mystery is solid. It has many twists- some predictable, some not. But they make sense in the bigger picture. I didn’t fully figure out the killer(s), so that’s good too. And for a change, the superintendent in charge of the cases is quite sharp and competent. I wouldn’t say Helen is the main sleuth. Others also contribute and make it a team effort.
The book also deals with themes like obsession (different types), PTSD, trauma, anger, secrets, dysfunctional family, financial troubles, rumors, superstition, etc. My favorite is the various types of obsession the characters display and the extent to which they go to achieve what they want.
The pacing is a bit uneven, though. The first quarter is slow, and there isn’t much to like about those we encounter. Also, given the multiple POVs, we don’t really know any of the characters. While it helps maintain the suspense, it’s hard to root for any of them or pick sides.
There’s a minor love track and a touch of what could have been a triangle without all the angst and drama. The focus stays on the mystery most of the time.
To summarize, Murder at Merewood Hospital is a worthy read if you are looking for a post-WWI cozy mystery with some intriguing themes. It is a bit heavy and may not be appropriate if you want a light and humorous read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC.
#NetGalley #MurderAtMerewoodHospital
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