Case of Life and Limb: The Trials of Gabriel Ward

Sally Smith

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Book cover for Case of Life and Limb: The Trials of Gabriel Ward
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Book cover for Case of Life and Limb: The Trials of Gabriel Ward
Image for variant 9798260200384

Case of Life and Limb: The Trials of Gabriel Ward

Case of Life and Limb: The Trials of Gabriel Ward

Sally Smith

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Description

"A thoroughly appealing yuletide mystery" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) and the second installment in The Trials of Gabriel Ward series--now in paperback.

Christmas Eve, 1901. Gabriel Ward KC is hard at work on a thorny libel case involving London's most famous music hall star, Topsy Tillotson, and its most notorious tabloid newspaper, the Nation's Voice, but the Inner Temple remains as quiet and calm as ever. Quiet, that is, until a severed hand arrives in the post.

While the hand's recipient, Temple Treasurer Sir William Waring, is rightfully shaken, Gabriel is filled with curiosity. Who would want to send such a thing? And why? But as more parcels arrive--one with fatal consequences--Gabriel realizes that it is not Sir William who is the target, but the Temple itself.

Someone is holding a grudge that has already led to at least one death. Now it's up to Gabriel, and Constable Wright of the City of London Police, to find out who, before an old death leads to a new murder.

About the Author

Sally Smith is the author of A Case of Mice and Murder, the first in a series starring the reluctant sleuth Sir Gabriel Ward KC. Having spent all her working life as a barrister and later King's Counsel, Smith was inspired by the historic surroundings and rich history of the Inner Temple in which she still lives and works. A Case of Life and Limb is the latest installment in The Trials of Gabriel Ward series.

Critical Reviews

"Former barrister Smith injects her entertaining sequel to A Case of Mice and Murder with a jolt of wit and sweetness . . . Smith keeps things delightfully unpredictable . . . Elegant prose, expert pacing, and a well-drawn protagonist whose kindness and acuity never feel heavy-handed result in a thoroughly appealing yuletide mystery. This series deserves a long life." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"With all the makings of a first class historical cozy mystery, A Case of Life and Limb by gifted novelist and former British barrister Sally Smith is an extraordinary and fun read for mystery fans from start to finish. Great characters, unexpected plot twists, and a satisfying (if surprising) finale." --Midwest Book Review

"The pleasure of reading Smith, who is as deft, nuanced, and prepossessing a writer as Gabriel is a lawyer, is that she pulls readers fully into his world and his own sense of the unfolding of his cases. That focus deepens the atmosphere and extends the worldbuilding. It is a lovely writerly turn in books that are quickly becoming appointment reading." --Library Journal, starred review

"I love Sally's writing, and now she's established herself as a masterful voice in the mystery world. As you'd expect from an ex-King's Counsel, her language is as rich as it is precise. In this book, I loved getting to know Gabriel better, and wondering how much has really changed in the upper echelons of the law. Topsy Tillotson is a heroine I thoroughly enjoyed rooting for, and the court scenes are a heart-in-mouth highlight. I'm a big fan of the series and I'm already looking forward to Gabriel's next adventure." --S.J. Bennett, author of THE WINDSOR KNOT

Publishing Information

Publisher: Raven Books
Pub date: 2026-11-17
Length: 320 pages

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