I didn't like this one quite as well as the first two books in the series. There is a change that is hinted at during the end of book two but the story skips over that event and delves right in, at the start of book three. Anyway, I found it jarring along with the change in setting, so the story felt off kilter. Still a decent Victorian murder mystery novel and I'll be onto the fourth book soon.

Book #3 in the Inspector Ben Ross Mystery series
First Published: 2010 ( )

Another interesting story. Lizzie and Ben are now married. A society woman is murdered in Green Park and it’s believed to be by “The River Wraith,” a murderer dressed as a ghoulish figure who has been killing young street prostitutes. Several days later her lady’s maid is also murdered on a train to London. They both were followers of a temperance preacher which brings Lizzie Martin Ross to one of his meetings after learning that their “maid-of-all-work” Bessie also attends his meetings. When the congregation learn that Lizzie’s husband is investigating the beloved preacher, this puts her in danger. Exciting ending ( )

A intriguing murder mystery set in Victorian London. The wife of a wealthy art dealer is founded murdered in Green Park. Is the murder connected with the mysterious activities of the River Wraith who has been terrorising the prostitutes plying their trade in and around the banks of the Thames? Its up to Inspector Ben Ross, ably assisted by his wife Lizzie and their servant Bessie, to investigate. There are some lovely background touches here such as the description of Ben's and Lizzie's home in a terrace close to Waterloo Station, the denseness of the London fog, Waterloo Bridge as a toll bridge, which really bring a sense of the Victorian background to the book. My only real criticism is that, as for the previous books in the series, the narrative is divided between Ben and Lizzie, Lizzie's is the minority voice here which undermines this as part of the Lizzie Martin series. Otherwise this is an interesting read. ( )

Victorian murder mystery featuring Inspector Ben Ross assisted by his feisty wife Elizabeth. In the foggy streets of London roams a frightening killer known as the River Wraith. Prostitutes whom he encounters are strangled and dumped,usually in the Thames. Soon however the body of a respectable married woman is found in Green Park and Inspector Ross is sent for to investigate.
Fog-bound Victorian London together with it's inhabitants (both law-abiding and criminal) are vividly brought to life in 'A Better Quality of Murder'. ( )