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Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp #2
The In Crowd
From the celebrated author of The Other Half comes a fabulous whodunit about two cold cases in which things go a fourteen-year-old girl and a multi-million-dollar pension fund.
Early one morning, a men’s rowing team discovers a body floating face down in the Thames. Many years before, the chief executive of a clothing manufacturer walked off with a multi-million dollar corporate retirement fund and disappeared without a trace. Now, the discovery of this body has reopened that cold case.
Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp has his own evening at the theater upended by the discovery of a dead body just a few seats away. Two decades ago, Eliza Chapel, a fourteen-year-old student at a girls boarding school in Cornwall, disappeared in the middle of the night under dubious circumstances. A second body and a second cold case reopened.
As DI Caius Beauchamp—along with his associates Matt Chung and Amy Noakes—investigates these parallel missing persons cases, he finds himself ensnared in the unexpected political machinations of a duke-in-waiting. This is yet another masterful mystery from Charlotte Vassell that is every bit as pointed as it is poignant.
Early one morning, a men’s rowing team discovers a body floating face down in the Thames. Many years before, the chief executive of a clothing manufacturer walked off with a multi-million dollar corporate retirement fund and disappeared without a trace. Now, the discovery of this body has reopened that cold case.
Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp has his own evening at the theater upended by the discovery of a dead body just a few seats away. Two decades ago, Eliza Chapel, a fourteen-year-old student at a girls boarding school in Cornwall, disappeared in the middle of the night under dubious circumstances. A second body and a second cold case reopened.
As DI Caius Beauchamp—along with his associates Matt Chung and Amy Noakes—investigates these parallel missing persons cases, he finds himself ensnared in the unexpected political machinations of a duke-in-waiting. This is yet another masterful mystery from Charlotte Vassell that is every bit as pointed as it is poignant.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2024
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7,667 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
January 22, 2024
4-5 stars
If you like mystery/thrillers which are just a bit different, are quirky and with plenty of good humour then check out Charlotte Vassel’s Caius Beauchamp series.
It’s the last Saturday in August and eight somewhat muscular chaps are doing their weekly row on the Thames at Richmond. This particular Saturday their workout doesn’t go swimmingly when the oars hit a body bobbing in the river. Same day, similar time, a large Georgian villa also in Richmond, is the location for an elegant garden party where seventy socialites and politicians chink glasses and quaff Pimms. The host is supremely rich but (supremely boring) Inigo who is celebrating his engagement to Harriet. The mint, cucumber and strawberries of said Pimms is being sliced by Harriet’s best friend Callie (Calliope) who sure is kept busy as these guests are thirsty and oblivious to the body being fished out of the Thames. Meanwhile, a few days later, Caius is working another case but is asked by his boss to go to understaffed Richmond to investigate. Initially, he believes the death of the female is accidental but then things get way more complicated and the plot thickens. Caius and Callie narrate the tale.
I have so looked forward to reading this as I loved ‘The Other Half� and I think this one is even better. The tone, especially at the start, is brilliant, it’s so funny as it sends various souls up and the dialogue is whip smart. The characters are fantastic. Caius is one of the most likeable central figures in this genre - he’s fascinating, clever (but not arrogant) intuitive, a bit complicated, very moral but also very amusing and great company. The banter and camaraderie between him and his team (DS Matty Cheung and DC Amy Noakes) is so good, their relationship is easy and relaxed with Amy and Matty definitely having Caius� number. Callie is wonderful, I really like her and fingers crossed she becomes a fixture but some of the other characters are entertainingly GHASTLY especially Harriet. I’ll bet the author had great fun creating her. Some characters are as dodgy as whilst others are wincingly inappropriate. There’s a delicious satirical send up of the more wealthy characters which makes for a most entertaining read and snorts of laughter. The author is skilful at characterisation as all are portrayed vividly and in full technicolour.
As for the mystery or mysteries, they are very intriguing and Caius etc are presented with enigmatic puzzles which start to slowly connect, slotting together to reveal the bigger picture. It seems there’s a master puppeteer pulling the strings but fret not, Caius has his number. Along the route to a really good ending and seamlessly blending with the humour, there are some pertinent issues such as ethical (or not) clothing, corruption, financial irregularities as well as homophobia, racism, misogyny and worse. It’s a good mix of the entertaining with the serious.
Overall, this is a well written novel which keeps making me smile which has to be a good thing. The pace is spot on, the storyline is gripping, it’s twisty with the author leaving you wanting more.
Ps. I’d prefer less odious Rupert Beauchamp next time or better still, he gets a much deserved comeuppance!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
If you like mystery/thrillers which are just a bit different, are quirky and with plenty of good humour then check out Charlotte Vassel’s Caius Beauchamp series.
It’s the last Saturday in August and eight somewhat muscular chaps are doing their weekly row on the Thames at Richmond. This particular Saturday their workout doesn’t go swimmingly when the oars hit a body bobbing in the river. Same day, similar time, a large Georgian villa also in Richmond, is the location for an elegant garden party where seventy socialites and politicians chink glasses and quaff Pimms. The host is supremely rich but (supremely boring) Inigo who is celebrating his engagement to Harriet. The mint, cucumber and strawberries of said Pimms is being sliced by Harriet’s best friend Callie (Calliope) who sure is kept busy as these guests are thirsty and oblivious to the body being fished out of the Thames. Meanwhile, a few days later, Caius is working another case but is asked by his boss to go to understaffed Richmond to investigate. Initially, he believes the death of the female is accidental but then things get way more complicated and the plot thickens. Caius and Callie narrate the tale.
I have so looked forward to reading this as I loved ‘The Other Half� and I think this one is even better. The tone, especially at the start, is brilliant, it’s so funny as it sends various souls up and the dialogue is whip smart. The characters are fantastic. Caius is one of the most likeable central figures in this genre - he’s fascinating, clever (but not arrogant) intuitive, a bit complicated, very moral but also very amusing and great company. The banter and camaraderie between him and his team (DS Matty Cheung and DC Amy Noakes) is so good, their relationship is easy and relaxed with Amy and Matty definitely having Caius� number. Callie is wonderful, I really like her and fingers crossed she becomes a fixture but some of the other characters are entertainingly GHASTLY especially Harriet. I’ll bet the author had great fun creating her. Some characters are as dodgy as whilst others are wincingly inappropriate. There’s a delicious satirical send up of the more wealthy characters which makes for a most entertaining read and snorts of laughter. The author is skilful at characterisation as all are portrayed vividly and in full technicolour.
As for the mystery or mysteries, they are very intriguing and Caius etc are presented with enigmatic puzzles which start to slowly connect, slotting together to reveal the bigger picture. It seems there’s a master puppeteer pulling the strings but fret not, Caius has his number. Along the route to a really good ending and seamlessly blending with the humour, there are some pertinent issues such as ethical (or not) clothing, corruption, financial irregularities as well as homophobia, racism, misogyny and worse. It’s a good mix of the entertaining with the serious.
Overall, this is a well written novel which keeps making me smile which has to be a good thing. The pace is spot on, the storyline is gripping, it’s twisty with the author leaving you wanting more.
Ps. I’d prefer less odious Rupert Beauchamp next time or better still, he gets a much deserved comeuppance!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
April 21, 2024
Outsider.
I was so anticipating publication of this book that I purchased it from Blackwells in the UK instead of waiting for it to publish here in the US.
Unfortunately, this wasn't up to my expectations after reading so many words of praise. I think it's meant to be humorous but the writing didn't suit me and I wasn't amused. I found most of the characters vapid and tedious. In addition, the first half read like a snail's pace as I was forced to wade through their shallow thoughts and behavior.
As stated, many friends loved this one so take my thoughts into perspective with the majority of positive reviews.
I was so anticipating publication of this book that I purchased it from Blackwells in the UK instead of waiting for it to publish here in the US.
Unfortunately, this wasn't up to my expectations after reading so many words of praise. I think it's meant to be humorous but the writing didn't suit me and I wasn't amused. I found most of the characters vapid and tedious. In addition, the first half read like a snail's pace as I was forced to wade through their shallow thoughts and behavior.
As stated, many friends loved this one so take my thoughts into perspective with the majority of positive reviews.
February 25, 2024
The second outing for Charlotte Vassell's immensely likeable detective Caius Beauchamp and his small but effective crew - Matt and Amy.
The In Crowd takes us back into the world of the upper classes and those who aspire to greatness. But it's a distinctly murky world. This time we throw politicians into the mix and everyone knows how dodgy they are.
Two cases end up on Caius' desk - a missing man who may have run off with the company pension scheme which is linked to the discovery of a body in the Thames plus the historical case of a missing schoolgirl - Eliza Chapel.
Caius Beauchamp is thoroughly likeable and now he's over his cheating girlfriend it's time for him to get back on the dating horse too. Of course the course of true love never runs smooth. His first meeting with Calliope Foster is memorable to say the least but as feelings develop there's a further fly in the ointment as Callie appears to be linked every which way to both the cases he's investigating.
This second book develops the characters of the Major Investigation Team and gives us two cracking mysteries to solve into the bargain. And no, before you ask I didn't guess the solution. I never do. I simply enjoyed the slightly twisty ride.
I loved this as much as the first book - The Other Half. It's well written, intelligently plotted, funny, smart and a cut above a lot of other whodunnits. I am very much looking forward to a third book.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.
The In Crowd takes us back into the world of the upper classes and those who aspire to greatness. But it's a distinctly murky world. This time we throw politicians into the mix and everyone knows how dodgy they are.
Two cases end up on Caius' desk - a missing man who may have run off with the company pension scheme which is linked to the discovery of a body in the Thames plus the historical case of a missing schoolgirl - Eliza Chapel.
Caius Beauchamp is thoroughly likeable and now he's over his cheating girlfriend it's time for him to get back on the dating horse too. Of course the course of true love never runs smooth. His first meeting with Calliope Foster is memorable to say the least but as feelings develop there's a further fly in the ointment as Callie appears to be linked every which way to both the cases he's investigating.
This second book develops the characters of the Major Investigation Team and gives us two cracking mysteries to solve into the bargain. And no, before you ask I didn't guess the solution. I never do. I simply enjoyed the slightly twisty ride.
I loved this as much as the first book - The Other Half. It's well written, intelligently plotted, funny, smart and a cut above a lot of other whodunnits. I am very much looking forward to a third book.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.
October 19, 2024
Full review to come!
November 11, 2024
I loved returning to this world with Caius and his team. This one might have been even better than the first. Vassell does an amazing job of weaving an intricate mystery. There were so many moving parts. It was interesting following the connections between the characters and learning their histories.
Just like in The Other Half, we are treated to the world of the British elite. The oh so handsome Rupert makes an appearance again as well as his slightly shady uncle Arthur Hampton. With his addition, Caius delves into some political intrigue.
The In Crowd is a top-tier murder mystery, and this series is a must-read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Just like in The Other Half, we are treated to the world of the British elite. The oh so handsome Rupert makes an appearance again as well as his slightly shady uncle Arthur Hampton. With his addition, Caius delves into some political intrigue.
The In Crowd is a top-tier murder mystery, and this series is a must-read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
December 29, 2023
This is the very best book I have read this year.
Firstly the author writes people you know. Not necessarily the rich but everyone knows Caius or Matt or even Amy. The way their friendship is written means that this book is beautiful, Vassell could have written those characters and then written her grocery list and I would have been thrilled. Character study at it's very best.
The mystery element of this book is as exquisite as the first book, salacious, clever, punchy and believable.
You do not need to have read the Other Half to read this book, but if you haven't, why on earth not?
I would love to read more and I hope that is in the works already.
Give this as a gift that the recipient won't forget.
I was sent this ARC by netgalley in return for an honest review, which this is.
Firstly the author writes people you know. Not necessarily the rich but everyone knows Caius or Matt or even Amy. The way their friendship is written means that this book is beautiful, Vassell could have written those characters and then written her grocery list and I would have been thrilled. Character study at it's very best.
The mystery element of this book is as exquisite as the first book, salacious, clever, punchy and believable.
You do not need to have read the Other Half to read this book, but if you haven't, why on earth not?
I would love to read more and I hope that is in the works already.
Give this as a gift that the recipient won't forget.
I was sent this ARC by netgalley in return for an honest review, which this is.
December 2, 2024
The In Crowd checked all the right boxes for an exciting, funny mystery. Filled with dead bodies, shocking twists and surprises, and even romance, this second book in the series is as good if not better than the first called The Other Half. But don't worry if you did not read the first, this book could be stand-alone.
When Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp goes to the theatre, not only does someone die, but he meets a mysteriously adorable milliner (hat maker). But unfortunately, it's what occurs AFTER finding the dead body that the amazing cat and mouse game begins among the wealthy, egotistical upper elite suspects. Was this a murder or a heart attack? Also, the person who dead seems to be connected with another mystery from years ago.
As the clues start to come in, Beauchamp and his band of adept funny detectives notice the possibility that some of the cast of characters could have been involved with a 16-year-old girl who went missing from the boarding school she attended years ago and was never again seen, and foul play was certainly suspected. To add to the intrigue, they are also investigating a possible drowning by suicide which unbelievably coincides with the mysterious disappearance of man who allegedly stole all the pension money from a corporation never to be seen again!
Are you exhausted yet? Well don't be because as the team searches for answers from some of the wealthiest and important people in English politics, it seems that not only is no one talking, but they have enough power to perhaps shut down the whole investigation.
But, as the team begins to dissect all the information and put the pieces of this puzzle together and as Beauchamp begins to totally fall for the milliner, which in itself is another story...even the wealthiest men and women who try to stop the investigation will be shocked and in awe as to the outcomes of the investigations. It shows, even if you have money and power, sometime the in crowd can humiliatingly fall just as quickly as a regular bloke. And honestly, it's as good as it gets to read!
The In Crowd will not disappoint! The plot is innovative, the characters are droll and amusing as is our heroic group of police who amazingly walk the reader through the first-class ending! When your brain finishes digesting this read, don't be afraid to pick up the first. It too will not disappoint.
Thank you #NetGalley #Doubleday #TheInCrowd #CharlotteVassell for the advanced copy.
When Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp goes to the theatre, not only does someone die, but he meets a mysteriously adorable milliner (hat maker). But unfortunately, it's what occurs AFTER finding the dead body that the amazing cat and mouse game begins among the wealthy, egotistical upper elite suspects. Was this a murder or a heart attack? Also, the person who dead seems to be connected with another mystery from years ago.
As the clues start to come in, Beauchamp and his band of adept funny detectives notice the possibility that some of the cast of characters could have been involved with a 16-year-old girl who went missing from the boarding school she attended years ago and was never again seen, and foul play was certainly suspected. To add to the intrigue, they are also investigating a possible drowning by suicide which unbelievably coincides with the mysterious disappearance of man who allegedly stole all the pension money from a corporation never to be seen again!
Are you exhausted yet? Well don't be because as the team searches for answers from some of the wealthiest and important people in English politics, it seems that not only is no one talking, but they have enough power to perhaps shut down the whole investigation.
But, as the team begins to dissect all the information and put the pieces of this puzzle together and as Beauchamp begins to totally fall for the milliner, which in itself is another story...even the wealthiest men and women who try to stop the investigation will be shocked and in awe as to the outcomes of the investigations. It shows, even if you have money and power, sometime the in crowd can humiliatingly fall just as quickly as a regular bloke. And honestly, it's as good as it gets to read!
The In Crowd will not disappoint! The plot is innovative, the characters are droll and amusing as is our heroic group of police who amazingly walk the reader through the first-class ending! When your brain finishes digesting this read, don't be afraid to pick up the first. It too will not disappoint.
Thank you #NetGalley #Doubleday #TheInCrowd #CharlotteVassell for the advanced copy.
August 4, 2024
Many thanks to PRH Audio for an advanced listening copy of the second book in the Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp series. Below is my honest review.
Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp returns, working two unusual cold cases. First, a dead body found in the Themes is that of a person who disappeared years ago, suspected of embezzling from their employer. Then, a man who had been obsessed with the case of a missing girl twenty years ago is found dead in Beauchamp’s row at the theater. As Caius and his colleagues investigate these two complex cases, they again have to navigate the elite high society of British politicians and aristocracy, forcing them to cross paths with some unscrupulous characters from the first book as they unravel the truth in both cases.
In the first book, I enjoyed Beauchamp, but all the characters were insufferable; I wished more had died. In this one, we get some fantastic new characters in the mix, and the mysteries at the core are complex and well-designed. I was surprised about how things turned out. As with book one, although Beauchamp is the primary character, the story is told through multiple POVs, where you get to know those involved outside of their interactions with the police, which is a fun take. When I went back to read my review of book one, I had hoped for more background on Beauchamp, and we got that here. I enjoyed how his character evolved.
These books are intensely British, and I’m confident I missed some references because that’s not where I live. However, I love that this is not a cozy mystery series but more of a darkly sardonic millennial cozy mystery series.
The audiobook was loads of fun. When narrators have strong British accents, I listen at a 1.5 speed rather than a 2.0 (my normal).
Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp returns, working two unusual cold cases. First, a dead body found in the Themes is that of a person who disappeared years ago, suspected of embezzling from their employer. Then, a man who had been obsessed with the case of a missing girl twenty years ago is found dead in Beauchamp’s row at the theater. As Caius and his colleagues investigate these two complex cases, they again have to navigate the elite high society of British politicians and aristocracy, forcing them to cross paths with some unscrupulous characters from the first book as they unravel the truth in both cases.
In the first book, I enjoyed Beauchamp, but all the characters were insufferable; I wished more had died. In this one, we get some fantastic new characters in the mix, and the mysteries at the core are complex and well-designed. I was surprised about how things turned out. As with book one, although Beauchamp is the primary character, the story is told through multiple POVs, where you get to know those involved outside of their interactions with the police, which is a fun take. When I went back to read my review of book one, I had hoped for more background on Beauchamp, and we got that here. I enjoyed how his character evolved.
These books are intensely British, and I’m confident I missed some references because that’s not where I live. However, I love that this is not a cozy mystery series but more of a darkly sardonic millennial cozy mystery series.
The audiobook was loads of fun. When narrators have strong British accents, I listen at a 1.5 speed rather than a 2.0 (my normal).
September 13, 2024
This book made me so happy! I was already a fan with The Other Half and this sequel was everything I had loved in the first book with a bit more.
This time focusing on two crimes instead of one, we are once again following DI Deauchamp and his team as they try to unravel them both. Society differences once again play a big role as the cases revolve around high society. I do love rich people behaving badly - and boy do they in this book. The mysteries themselves are clever and the twists were smart and well written. The writing itself is clever and all the characters have a distinct voice that makes you immediately know who they are - you either love them or hate them so venomously that you are secretly hoping they end up being the dead body. If you know you know....
The characters (the detectives especially) are extremely lovable and I can't wait to see whats in store for them in the next book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this earc in exchange for my honest review.
This time focusing on two crimes instead of one, we are once again following DI Deauchamp and his team as they try to unravel them both. Society differences once again play a big role as the cases revolve around high society. I do love rich people behaving badly - and boy do they in this book. The mysteries themselves are clever and the twists were smart and well written. The writing itself is clever and all the characters have a distinct voice that makes you immediately know who they are - you either love them or hate them so venomously that you are secretly hoping they end up being the dead body. If you know you know....
The characters (the detectives especially) are extremely lovable and I can't wait to see whats in store for them in the next book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this earc in exchange for my honest review.
September 23, 2024
Thank you to DoubleDay Books and PRH Audio for the copies to review.
This is the second book in a series, the first being The Other Half. In The In Crowd, Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp is back with his sidekicks Matt and Amy, and like the first book this one also took a minute for me to get into. There are some unlikeable characters in here, but these three detectives make up for that as they set out to solve a murder when the men’s rowing team find a body floating in the Thames, and it appears it is linked to an unsolved crime that is 20 years old. This is on the slower burn side, and I listened to this via audio which helped with this. In the end I enjoyed the story and really liked this one overall.
This is the second book in a series, the first being The Other Half. In The In Crowd, Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp is back with his sidekicks Matt and Amy, and like the first book this one also took a minute for me to get into. There are some unlikeable characters in here, but these three detectives make up for that as they set out to solve a murder when the men’s rowing team find a body floating in the Thames, and it appears it is linked to an unsolved crime that is 20 years old. This is on the slower burn side, and I listened to this via audio which helped with this. In the end I enjoyed the story and really liked this one overall.
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June 3, 2024Really like this series.
May 26, 2024
I can confirm that I still love Caius Beauchamp and this second book in the series is just as good as the first. Caius and his partners Amy and Matt, make a great team. I am glad they are getting a series. There are some repeat characters from the first book, I guess to help with continuity? I would prefer not to have Rupert show up again. He adds nothing to the story for me. I'm also not really into the political machinations of the super rich. I don’t like where the genealogy is taking us. I'm just here for the detective story and the banter. I will definitely read the next in the series.
December 28, 2024
Better than the first one; I guess I like a cold case.
April 4, 2024
All my reviews can be found at
Not far from the River Thames in well-to-do Richmond, a celebratory garden party is taking place. Those present are influential, rich and powerful. They’re monied to the gills and have the most important people in the land at their beck and call. They’re also blissfully unaware that a corpse is being dragged from the Thames a short distance away. Told to discover who the Jane Doe is, DI Caius Beauchamp, secretly assisted by someone who seems to know far too much, makes a startling discovery as to the woman’s identity. But that’s not the only investigation Caius has on his plate. With two cold cases to solve, with the team divided due to their increased workload and with pressure from above to get results fast, the pressure is really on�
I very much enjoyed the time I spent with The In Crowd, the second book in the DI Caius Beauchamp series. Confession time, I haven’t read the first book but I will certainly make sure that changes as soon as possible. This also means I can vouch for it when it comes to its standalone-ability. There were moments here and there and a couple of references I didn’t quite get, but overall I felt it stood on its own two feet. DI Caius Beauchamp is a dream! So very likeable, thoroughly engaging and generally an all round wonderful character. It doesn’t stop with just Caius though. His team � DS Matt Cheung and DC Amy Noakes � are as beautifully drawn as their senior officer. The wit, the humour and the banter between these three really gave the book a lovely warmth that you don’t tend to find in many police procedurals.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I loved The In Crowd. It’s such a well-written, well-plotted, clever tale which drew me into the story and kept me hooked. There’s a lot going on for the reader to get their teeth into. Alongside the two cold case investigations, there is a hint of romance in the air. A failed Tinder date results in what initially appears to be a lonely night ahead at the theatre for Caius. That is until he spies the woman in the striking hat, milliner Calliope Foster! A strange bond is formed between the two of them when a bad theatre production becomes one of the worst nights either of them have ever had at the theatre. But despite the odd circumstances, the spark is undeniable. I loved how well the author keeps these separate storylines running alongside each other. Everything comes together so beautifully in the end, it’s all so skilfully done. All in all, I found The In Crowd to be a very compelling, twisty, assured read, delivered with style and conviction. The characters are superb and wholly believable, whilst the plot moves at an intriguing pace. I’m excited to read more by this author in the future. Vassell is certainly an author to watch. An excellent, astutely told mystery. Highly recommended.
Not far from the River Thames in well-to-do Richmond, a celebratory garden party is taking place. Those present are influential, rich and powerful. They’re monied to the gills and have the most important people in the land at their beck and call. They’re also blissfully unaware that a corpse is being dragged from the Thames a short distance away. Told to discover who the Jane Doe is, DI Caius Beauchamp, secretly assisted by someone who seems to know far too much, makes a startling discovery as to the woman’s identity. But that’s not the only investigation Caius has on his plate. With two cold cases to solve, with the team divided due to their increased workload and with pressure from above to get results fast, the pressure is really on�
I very much enjoyed the time I spent with The In Crowd, the second book in the DI Caius Beauchamp series. Confession time, I haven’t read the first book but I will certainly make sure that changes as soon as possible. This also means I can vouch for it when it comes to its standalone-ability. There were moments here and there and a couple of references I didn’t quite get, but overall I felt it stood on its own two feet. DI Caius Beauchamp is a dream! So very likeable, thoroughly engaging and generally an all round wonderful character. It doesn’t stop with just Caius though. His team � DS Matt Cheung and DC Amy Noakes � are as beautifully drawn as their senior officer. The wit, the humour and the banter between these three really gave the book a lovely warmth that you don’t tend to find in many police procedurals.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I loved The In Crowd. It’s such a well-written, well-plotted, clever tale which drew me into the story and kept me hooked. There’s a lot going on for the reader to get their teeth into. Alongside the two cold case investigations, there is a hint of romance in the air. A failed Tinder date results in what initially appears to be a lonely night ahead at the theatre for Caius. That is until he spies the woman in the striking hat, milliner Calliope Foster! A strange bond is formed between the two of them when a bad theatre production becomes one of the worst nights either of them have ever had at the theatre. But despite the odd circumstances, the spark is undeniable. I loved how well the author keeps these separate storylines running alongside each other. Everything comes together so beautifully in the end, it’s all so skilfully done. All in all, I found The In Crowd to be a very compelling, twisty, assured read, delivered with style and conviction. The characters are superb and wholly believable, whilst the plot moves at an intriguing pace. I’m excited to read more by this author in the future. Vassell is certainly an author to watch. An excellent, astutely told mystery. Highly recommended.
August 28, 2024
I read about this book in a book review - probably the New York Times although I honestly don't remember. It takes a while for a book to get to me when I reserve it at the library. This was a fun and interesting book to read. It's actually the second in a series so of course I had to get the first one. The main character is Caius Beauchamp whose family came from Jamaica. They are a family with money and apparently an interesting background which is revealed at the end of the book. Caius is a Detective Inspector in London and is known to be fastidious and into health food much to the dismay of his team. Still they love and respect him and they do a great job. This book involves Caius and his team investigating two cold cases that intertwine in interesting ways. He also meets a beautiful young hat maker along the way and she becomes part of his case. The book ties into his first case so it would be good to start with the frst one, The Other Half. This is one of the better books in the genre I've read. It's not bloody or violent and is sort of a cozy but not quite. I'm looking forward to reading the next one but not for a while as I have a lot of books to read right now.
March 19, 2024
3.5/5
Thank you so much Faber for a copy of this Arc!
This is book 2 of the series where Detective Beauchamp is back. Dective Beauchamp meets Callie at a play where a member of the audience dies suddenly. The new love interest, the death at the play and the fact a body has been found in the river is keeping him very busy.
If you like the sound of this, I really suggest you read book 1 first. Something I particularly love about this series is that it is full of incredibly rich people behaving very badly.
I enjoyed this book but unfortunately I found the first half of the story really let it down. The first half is a bit overwhelming and slow. This being said, the second half of the book was fantastic and I flew through it!
I have very high hopes for the next book!
Thank you so much Faber for a copy of this Arc!
This is book 2 of the series where Detective Beauchamp is back. Dective Beauchamp meets Callie at a play where a member of the audience dies suddenly. The new love interest, the death at the play and the fact a body has been found in the river is keeping him very busy.
If you like the sound of this, I really suggest you read book 1 first. Something I particularly love about this series is that it is full of incredibly rich people behaving very badly.
I enjoyed this book but unfortunately I found the first half of the story really let it down. The first half is a bit overwhelming and slow. This being said, the second half of the book was fantastic and I flew through it!
I have very high hopes for the next book!
September 8, 2024
The In Crowd by Charlotte Vassell is the second excellent entry in her Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp series.
In this novel, Caius is tasked with investigating the case of a woman found floating in the Thames. In a complex, intricately plotted story, the dead woman and the discovery of a dead politician open up a new look at a cold case involving a missing pension fund.
The recurring thread in both Book 1 and this volume is the premise (and probable reality) that the “posh� people—wealthy businessmen, aristocrats, and powerful politicians—get away with indiscretions and crimes fare more than the ordinary citizen. As Caius observes after dinner with a wealthy manipulator: as he rode home, “the roads were quiet, his head felt light and his morals weighed heavily upon him.�
Caius is a fascinating character, and his Met police sidekicks Matt and Amy are welcome returnees from Book 1. Their witty repartee is clever, and there is an easy camaraderie among the officers.
The story expertly weaves the characters� personal lives with the compelling investigation of murder and fraud among the powerful. It culminates with a stunning revelation at the end!
The prose is wry, witty and sophisticated with clever turns of phrase.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a well-written, well-plotted police procedural with an appealing central character: DI Caius, a charming and flawed hero, who is relentless in his investigation and who exhibits an admirable moral compass. I look forward to more novels in this series.
Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.
In this novel, Caius is tasked with investigating the case of a woman found floating in the Thames. In a complex, intricately plotted story, the dead woman and the discovery of a dead politician open up a new look at a cold case involving a missing pension fund.
The recurring thread in both Book 1 and this volume is the premise (and probable reality) that the “posh� people—wealthy businessmen, aristocrats, and powerful politicians—get away with indiscretions and crimes fare more than the ordinary citizen. As Caius observes after dinner with a wealthy manipulator: as he rode home, “the roads were quiet, his head felt light and his morals weighed heavily upon him.�
Caius is a fascinating character, and his Met police sidekicks Matt and Amy are welcome returnees from Book 1. Their witty repartee is clever, and there is an easy camaraderie among the officers.
The story expertly weaves the characters� personal lives with the compelling investigation of murder and fraud among the powerful. It culminates with a stunning revelation at the end!
The prose is wry, witty and sophisticated with clever turns of phrase.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a well-written, well-plotted police procedural with an appealing central character: DI Caius, a charming and flawed hero, who is relentless in his investigation and who exhibits an admirable moral compass. I look forward to more novels in this series.
Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.
September 3, 2024
Loved this one as much as her first one, The Other Half. These are fresh, lively, funny and very contemporary mysteries. DI Caius Beauchamp is such a good detective - he is kind, smart, and so earnest. I love his relationship with his DS Matt Cheung and his DC Amy Noakes. Lots of sarcastic banter between them but they work well together and get the job done! In this outing, Caius and his team are tasked with trying to solve the disappearance of a teenaged girl from a creepy boarding school decades ago and also solving the apparent murder of a woman found in the Thames, who supposedly absconded with her boss and a missing pension fund 30 years ago. The way these cases intertwine is just so clever! The upper crust of London society, the MPs, the wealthy elite, and the nouveau riche are all here and poor Caius has to wade through their lies as he tries to solve the cases. I have really enjoyed both of these books and hope that there’s a third one coming out!
August 30, 2024
Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp, DS Matt Cheung and DC Amy Noakes are back on the case(s). What a topsy-turvy mystery. Two cold cases start out slowly and build in momentum. From book one, The Other Half, we again meet up with the privileged and overly handsome Rupert and his well-connected shady “uncle� Arthur Hampton. British politics and wealthy aristocrats. Plus more backstory about Caius and his investigation team. Another excellent story. 5-star. Can’t wait for book three.
December 7, 2024
Such a fun read. I love the quirkiness of DI Beauchamp and his team. This time around, there are two mysteries to solve, one being a cold case that Caius has been selected to delve into. The twists and surprises make this a quick read with fun characters and good storylines.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Other Half, but The In Crowd was more enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate the author and NetGalley for the review copy.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Other Half, but The In Crowd was more enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate the author and NetGalley for the review copy.
August 15, 2024
Listened: I did not realize this was a 2nd book in the series until I went to write this review. I also read the first book so don't know how I missed that. They're both good books and really interesting when you read them but clearly not that memorable. I've read worse but I've also read a few better.
August 25, 2024
Loved her first book, and this is a connected story, sharing many of the same characters. There are two related crimes, one has a great twist and the other is a bit of a dud, but the book is so much more about the main characters and their relationships. I love the writing so much.
September 7, 2024
This series has lots going for it. It can be quirky and funny and there are literary and mythological references that elevate it. The mystery is not obvious or cliche.
September 20, 2024
Probably a 3.5 for me. This book was fine. At times I found the relationships of the characters to each other to be a little confusing but that could just be me. The big reveal was a little anticlimactic but I did like the characters a lot.
January 24, 2025
Wry and thought provoking
August 28, 2024
It took me longer to really sink into this one than it did The Other Half, and I have concerns about the direction the end seems to indicate for further books in the series (without spoilers: if it’s taken seriously, it risks undoing some of Vassell’s very smart class commentary. If it’s played for satire, it could be a riot, but it might come close to ruining Caius in the process). And while I really like Callie, she often comes across as an only slightly smarter redux of Nell.
BUT. When the cases started coming together, it was the absolute engrossing best. Just be warned that with two cold cases, two active cases, about 75% of the characters from the first book popping back up, AND a couple of new ones who’re positioned to be recurring in supporting roles� you might need a spreadsheet.
BUT. When the cases started coming together, it was the absolute engrossing best. Just be warned that with two cold cases, two active cases, about 75% of the characters from the first book popping back up, AND a couple of new ones who’re positioned to be recurring in supporting roles� you might need a spreadsheet.
October 15, 2024
3.8 so many characters to keep track of
September 21, 2024
I didn't adore this novel quite as much as I had adored the first in the series. The main character, Caius, is still wonderful as are the other officers on his team, and once again the main female character was a well-rounded, likeable young Londoner, but the mysteries weren't quite as engaging and the banter was maybe only at 90% of what it was before. I do think it was really clever the way a few characters tied slightly into this story, and the ending led to a very intriguing set up for future novels in the series, which I will definitely be looking forward to eagerly.
August 8, 2024
Truly enjoyed this one! Vassell has such a unique writing style that it did admittedly take me a minute to get used to it, as I jumped right into this book, not having read the previous one in the series.
This book tackles both a mysterious drowning in the Thames as well as the reopening of a cold case from twenty years ago. There's a rich cast of characters that represent both a close-knit group of police investigators and families inhabiting both the highest echelons of society and politics. Full of plot and a bit of romance, this was an engaging and fun read.
While I probably won't go back to read the first in the series, I am looking forward to what comes next for Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp. Many thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book tackles both a mysterious drowning in the Thames as well as the reopening of a cold case from twenty years ago. There's a rich cast of characters that represent both a close-knit group of police investigators and families inhabiting both the highest echelons of society and politics. Full of plot and a bit of romance, this was an engaging and fun read.
While I probably won't go back to read the first in the series, I am looking forward to what comes next for Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp. Many thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 7, 2024
Detective Caius Beauchamp is back and investigating a suspicious death as a woman is pulled from the Thames. Is this a straightforward suicide or something more sinister?
After hearing so much about Charlotte Vassell's first novel I jumped at the chance to read the second book in the series; even though I hadn't read the first novel I felt like could enjoy The In Crowd. The characters and relationships really drew me into the story and I wanted to finish the book as quickly as possible to unravel the story. I loved the twists and turns of the novel and the ending left me with questions which I wanted answers to which is always a good sign!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review
After hearing so much about Charlotte Vassell's first novel I jumped at the chance to read the second book in the series; even though I hadn't read the first novel I felt like could enjoy The In Crowd. The characters and relationships really drew me into the story and I wanted to finish the book as quickly as possible to unravel the story. I loved the twists and turns of the novel and the ending left me with questions which I wanted answers to which is always a good sign!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review
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