"Thanks to Wake Up Dead Man, I have reentered my murder mystery phase, which hasn't been this strong since I was in middle school and checking out volumes from the Bantam Books Agatha Christie Mystery Collection five at a time. But I'm not sure that I'm exactly looking for the same thing I was then: murder mystery as just murder mystery, something quick and snappy to sandwich in between A Song of Ice and Fire volumes,"
"As it turns out, all barristers in England and Wales must belong to their own special little Inn of Court, which is part professional association and part boarding school, and Sir Gabriel Ward KC is one such barrister. The concept is hilariously niche, and Smith-who was a practicing lawyer and member of the Inner Temple herself-commits fully to engaging with her setting."
The Trials of Gabriel Ward follows Sir Gabriel Ward KC, a barrister and reluctant detective based in the Inner Temple in early 1900s England. The setting emphasizes the niche reality of Inns of Court and the culture of barristers, drawing on the author's experience as a practicing lawyer and Inner Temple member. The narration is charmingly removed and lawyerly, balancing restrained humor and heartfelt moments. The series blends classical detective elements with moralistic social commentary and formal cleverness, appealing to readers who enjoy both traditional mysteries and modern, socially engaged detective fiction.
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