Death By Misadventure

Death By Misadventure scratches my biggest itch – both as an avid murder-mystery reader and as a reviewer for Regional News. 

Set in the late 16^th century in the cosy village of Bramley, England, the story focuses on coroner John Derrick as he struggles to solve the case of a man found naked in a stream, who, ahem… is missing a certain body part. As Derrick searches for answers, he soon discovers that not everything is as it seems.

Alongside Derrick's story is Rebecca Laurence’s, a young maid who shares the limelight with the coroner. I appreciated the dual perspective, which not only fleshes out the story, but gives readers a glimpse into what life was like in Surrey in 1585. Author Jane Bitomsky does a great job of showing us that people growing up then were not that far removed from the way we are now. 

Both protagonists are well rounded, with believable lives of their own. I especially enjoyed my time with Rebecca and the insight Bitomsky offered into a character who would have gone largely unnoticed in 16^th-century England. While undoubtedly bleak for women back then, Bitomsky captures the period she is writing in incredibly well. Her use of the language of the time, and the incorporation of the often-condescending attitude towards women, helped secure me in the world. While some writers might have shied away from reflecting such misogyny, I think including it was the right move – it is certainly and sadly an accurate reflection of the attitude at the time.

While I won’t spoil the story for you here, I will say that Death by Misadventure is a fast-paced action thriller that had me on the edge of my seat, as did the shifting perspectives. If you are looking for a great story to close out 2026, and love murder mysteries, then look no further.