Murder at the Fitzwilliam by Jim Eldridge – Review

Published: August 23, 2018

Publisher: Allison & Busby

Series: Museum Mysteries #1

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Pages: 320 (Hardcover)

Synopsis:
After rising to prominence for his role investigating the case of Jack the Ripper, former Detective Inspector Daniel Wilson is now retired. Known for his intelligence, investigative skills, and most of all his discretion, he’s often consulted when a case must be solved quickly and quietly. So when a body is found in the Egyptian Collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, Wilson is called in.

As he tries to uncover the identity of the dead man and the circumstances surrounding his demise, Wilson must contend with an unhelpful police Inspector, and more alarmingly, Abigail McKenzie, the archaeologist who discovered the body and is determined to protect the Egyptian collection. Can they find a way to work together to solve the mystery?

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Since finishing up the Cormoran Strike series, I’ve been trying to track down the next addictive detective series. This was not it. I suppose that’s fortunate for me, because it’s currently a twelve book series and though the average ratings increase it’s not enough for me to continue on. 

Murder at the Fitzwilliam follows a private investigator named Daniel Wilson who previously worked the Ripper case as a detective inspector. He’s called up to Cambridge to investigate a murder at the Fitzwilliam museum. A man was found in one of the sarcophagi and someone is planting clues that make it seem like there’s something supernatural going on. Almost as soon as he arrives, Daniel meets Abigail, an archeologist who has been cataloging the Egyptian collection. Rather than assume potential involvement, Daniel brings her along to help him investigate without a second thought. 

As one might assume from this first interaction, the two spend lots of time dancing around their feelings for one another and miscommunicating. It was, quite frankly, annoying. There was nothing charming about it and I just don’t think they made much sense as a couple. Abigail has a younger sister who she constantly belittles and speaks unkindly of. She’s also rather prickly of personality, and while that in and of itself is not a crime, not much is done to make her likable. Daniel is also not a particularly compelling character. His interesting past is constantly hinted at, but little is revealed. Daniel is also presented as a very upstanding, honorable man with great detective skills, but honestly none of those traits are really demonstrated in a meaningful way. He and Abigail are both about as deep as a sidewalk puddle.

As far as mysteries go, it wasn’t terrible but the characters involved help keep things fresh and these two were anything but interesting. I won’t be returning to this series, though I love the concept and the time period it was set in. Unfortunately, the execution was mediocre though this seems par for the course with most any book labeled ‘cozy’