A Case Of Life And Limb: 'a Brilliant Mystery' Daily Mail

A Case of Life and Limb by Sally Smith is a richly detailed historical mystery that pairs courtroom intrigue with a classic Christmas-time puzzle inside London’s Inner Temple. Set on Christmas Eve, 1901, it follows barrister Gabriel Ward KC as he juggles a high-stakes libel case involving a music hall celebrity and a notorious newspaper—until a mummified hand arrives in the post.

What begins as a grisly curiosity quickly turns into a wider threat when more parcels appear and the danger escalates. With the Temple itself seemingly in someone’s sights, Gabriel teams up with Constable Wright of the City of London Police to uncover who’s nursing a long-held grievance, and why it’s turning deadly.

Perfect for readers who love cosy crime, Edwardian London settings, legal drama and smart historical fiction with memorable characters.

Step into the Inns of Court and see if you can spot the clues before Gabriel does.