Four Thousand Days

The Margaret Murray Mysteries, Book 1

Introducing turn-of-the-century archaeologist-sleuth Margaret Murray in the first of a brilliant new historical mystery series.

October, 1900. University College, London. When the spread-eagled body of one of her students is discovered in her rented room shortly after attending one of her lectures, Dr. Margaret Murray is disinclined to accept the official verdict of suicide and is determined to find out how and why the girl really died.

As an archaeologist, Dr. Murray is used to examining ancient remains, but she’s never before had to investigate the circumstances surrounding a newly dead corpse. However, of one thing Margaret is certain: If you want to know how and why a person died, you need to understand how they lived. And it soon becomes clear that the dead girl had been keeping a number of secrets. As Margaret uncovers evidence that Helen Richardson had knowledge of a truly extraordinary archaeological find, the body of a second young woman is discovered on a windswept Kent beach - and the case takes a disturbing new twist....

©2021 M.J. Trow and Maryanne Coleman (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Interesting characters, clever plot, edgy dialogue

This fast past intro to a new series was well written and engaging. The protagonist, an intelligent, endearing archaeology professor and her motley group if students combine to solve several disturbing murders. But the final reveal is a stunner and an ironic twist on history. Well worth a read.

I wanted to like it

There was potential in the concept but the story drags, the characters are not compelling, the villain seems chosen at random and the big secret a bust.