The Vanishing of Dr Winter

I'll admit that this series was entertaining enough for me to enjoy reading the first four volumes, in order, but one thing is consistent throughout the series: Hathaway needs a good copy editor/researcher to weed out gross anachronisms.The series takes place in the early 1920s, but the author uses many terms and descriptions that would have required a time machine. A few examples follow. In a couple of the books, characters say they are "gobsmacked," a term which according to the Oxford English Dictionary originated in the 1980s. In one, Posie refers to herself as "an airhead." OMG LOL gag me!! In another, someone is said to be arriving in an Avro jet trainer, which had it existed in 1920 would have certainly changed the course of the next world war. In this one, bomb sites from the Zeppelin raids are described as being hidden behind "chipboard," which hadn't been invented yet, although plywood had. In a previous one, Posie buys a "trouser suit" in a women's clothing store, which in 1920 would have been highly unlikely, as women wore trousers as sportswear or loungewear only, not streetwear. Even things like manners -- a person who invites her to a manor house weekend calls back to recommend that she bring something dressy. No one would have dared go to a manor house weekend without being prepared to dress for dinner, and Posey, with her aristocratic friends, would have known that. Other reviewers have pointed out other, similar issues. Now, the plots are entertaining, although at times they do seem heavily inspired by the original mysteries of the golden era -- sinister secret nightclubs and blizzard-stranded house parties come to mind -- but I find myself reading almost as much to spot the next blooper as to spot the next clue. If you are reading on Kindle, you'll want to keep your iPad or laptop handy so you can Google them (as Kindle functionality is limited in that regard).

Good book. Starts a bit slower but provides a good story.

Well written, well researched. Posie is a heartwarming character. Her adventures feel very real.

I do like these books. I ordered one, (The Tomb of the Honey Bee), for a hospital stay and read it in 2 days after not reading properly for ages. As I enjoyed it, I ordered this title. I couldn't understand the fuss about 'as sure as bread is bread', but the use of it 8 (!) times was very distracting. I'm now reading the first in the series..luckily only one encounter with that now-absurd phrase so far. I'm obviously not too put off.. :)

I just finished the 4th of the Posie Parker mysteries and it was a real delight. L.B. Hathaway has created a delightful lead detective in Posie and also does a wonderful job of creating London after the first world war. Hathaway's mysteries are entertaining and fun and always well-plotted. Posie Parker takes her rightful place in the canon of wonderful fictional British detectives. I highly recommend that you check out all 4 books in the series and that you read them in order since character development and some plot points develop over the course of each successive book. I am genuinely looking forward to reading more Posie Parker!!!