Murder in Trafalgar Square is book one in Michelle Salter’s new Fairbanks and Flynn Mysteries series, and in my opinion it’s a great introduction to the series.
Set in England in the early twentieth century, the book opens in the middle of a riot involving a protest for women’s rights. Coral Fairbanks is a participant in the suffragette movement, and she and her friend barely escape serious harm in the confrontation with the police and male bystanders.
Guy Flynn is a Detective Inspector at Scotland Yard tasked with investigating the suffragettes. By some strange coincidence his art is displayed at the gallery where Coral works, and they meet when his daughter brings him by the shop to show him his paintings on display.
When one of the suffragettes is killed while on a low risk mission to place an embarrassing painting in the National Gallery, Coral finds herself determined to find the young woman’s killer.
The story is told from two points of view, those of Coral and Guy so that the reader gets insight into all aspects of the investigation.
It’s clear rather early on that there is an attraction between Coral and Guy. It’s not a main focus of the book, but by the end of the book there is a hint that we will see their relationship continue to develop in the next book in the series.
The mystery itself was intriguing. With so many possible threads running through it, it was hard to determine who the murderer was.
I found this book one of the more interesting mysteries I’ve read lately. I found the time period a great setting for a mystery, and loved how it combined some real world events into the story. Murder in Trafalgar Square was more of a traditional mystery and I think any mystery lover would enjoy it. I’m looking forward to more books in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Murder in Trafalgar Square will be available on September 25 2025.
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