This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through the links in this post, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
The Body in Seven Dials is the first book in H L Marsay’s The Lady in Blue Mysteries.
Since the incident in Sarajevo, Britain is on the brink of war with Germany. Dorothy Peto has joined the women suffragettes group while her brother Raymond is busy at the foreign office. When war is declared and men are sent to the front line, Dorothy and fellow suffragettes suggest the formation of a Women’s Police Volunteers to assist the police to keep order.
Apart from helping refugees who have fled the war and guide terrorised Londoners to seek shelter during Zeppelin raids, the WPV’s aim is also to give women and children a voice during court proceedings and arrests.
During a nightly bombing raid, Dorothy follows a young girl into the narrow lanes of Seven Dials and finds a dead body – it’s that of the little girl’s mother, a Belgian refugee. Convinced that the woman was murdered before the bombs fell, Dorothy’s determined to investigate. As the list of suspects grow and clues fall into place, Dorothy must outwit the killer before it’s too late.
Hands down, Helen Marsay is the BEST author of our times. First came Chief Inspector Shadow series, a police procedural set in the beautiful town of York. Then came a women’s fiction trilogy – The Secrets of Hartwell. Now, a historical mystery set during WW1, inspired by real-life heroines. WOW!!!
Dorothy Peto has moved to London and lives with her brother in an apartment. (Women weren’t allowed to live alone, unchaperoned.) She joins the Women’s Suffragettes group where she meets Nina. She also wears a disguise and attends a court proceedings but when her get-up gives away soon after Dorothy loses her temper (and patience) over an unjust action and speaks up in the court of law – where women aren’t allowed.
Then, their meeting at a common hall is blocked by the police. The war starts soon and the suffragettes device a plan to keep the law in place. They want to start a Women’s Police Volunteers group, aimed at guiding citizens during a bombing raid, directly refugees of war to a safe place, and lending a voice to women and children in case of an arrest.
Their idea is rejected by the Home Secretary. So they go to the Commissioner for help. He agrees – there’s a war going on and any help back home is appreciated. With the help of Mary Allen and Margaret Damer Dawson, Constance Nina Boyle and Dorothy Peto set up the WPV. Their uniform was similar to that of regular police and consisted of a long blue skirt, shirt and tie, and a short jacket.
A week into volunteering and differences starting sprouting up. Some women thought they would be required to do more than guiding refugees and citizens left the group. Some were shocked at the way they were spoken to, especially by prostitutes. Some didn’t know what they job was – and required guidance from one of the founders.
People had mixed reactions when they first saw women patrolling the streets.
To the public, not used to seeing women in uniform, they caused quite a stir as they strode purposefully across the concourse. Some people pointed and laughed, a couple a soldiers gave shrill whistles and others simply stared.
The Body in Seven Dials by H L Marsay
But as time proceeds, WPV gains traction and women from other counties write to Margaret requesting to set up a post in their town.
This story is set during the start of WWI. Before the war begins, people are worried and the situation is quite tense. When war is declared, men begin to enlist. Then comes the zeppelin bombing in London and mustard gas attacks in the trenches. Loss of lives and, weeping widows and mothers. London also sees a steady stream of refugees, especially from Belgium.
A peculiar goings-on at the train station catches Dorothy’s attention. It’s got something to do with the Belgian refugees arriving at London. Then, at a nightly bombing raid, she finds the body of a beautiful Belgian refugee and her curiosity is piqued.
There’s one another incident that happens before Dorothy stumbles across the Belgian refugee’s body. This incident brings her in contact with a Scotland Yard man named Inspector Derwent. In the second half of the book, they meet often – after all, Dorothy found a body and the victim seemed to have some weird connection with… uh, huh… you think I am going to reveal the suspect’s identity and make this review a spoiler. No, sir!
Marsay’s Inspector Shadow series is picked up for a TV adaptation/Movie. I am pretty sure The Lady in Blue Mysteries will be next. From start to finish, this read was like a movie playing in my head.
Excellent storytelling and character portrayal. The mystery behind the murder kept me guessing till the end. At some point in time, I had this niggling doubt about a certain somebody – turns out, they were the killer. Now, how do I go back in time and enlist myself in the WPV? Coz I seem to be quite good at sleuthing. Also, scar-faced or not, Inspector Derwent seems to be a Handsome chap. (Yep, handsome with a capital H.)
The Body in Seven Dials by H L Marsay is a smashing series debut. Mark my words, they are going to make a TV series out of this soon.
The Book Decoder 
Never heard of the author, but this seems promising.
And the “Seven Dials” in the title automatically reminds me of Christie’s! 😀
Helen has written 3 series so far. It’s been just 2 years since her debut novel released. 😊