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Charlie Garratt
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A Shadowed Livery: A chilling mystery inspired by true events (Inspector James Given Investigations Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Charlie Garratt (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 448 ratings
The first book in a page-turning historical mystery series! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, Philip Kerr and Andrew Taylor.

War is on the horizon…

Warwickshire, England, 1938

While Hitler and Chamberlain are preparing to sign the Munich agreement, the murderer of a Jewish shopkeeper is being hanged in Birmingham.

After witnessing the execution, Inspector James Given, who brought the killer to justice, is surprised to find he has been taken off the investigation to pursue something completely different.

Grovestock House, owned by the wealthy Barleigh family has witnessed a triple death.

With the terrible events neatly written off as a murder and a double suicide, Given is supposed to tidy up a few loose ends with the help of local constable, John Sawyer.

But Given is sure there is more to the case than meets the eye.

What dark secrets were the Barleigh family hiding? Could there be another killer involved?

And how will Given react when he is forced to confront the ghosts of his past…?

A SHADOWED LIVERY is an intriguing historical mystery – a traditional British investigation set in England immediately before the Second World War.

‘This complex mystery centred on identity, deceit, and past crimes, is genuinely thought-provoking and an excellent read. I look forward to a return for the troubled, but engaging Given – this time as his own man’ - Crime Review

‘the plot is tightly woven, and it plays out well. This is as decent a pastiche of a Golden Age mystery as you are likely to read’ - Crime Fiction Lover

THE INSPECTOR JAMES GIVEN INVESTIGATIONS SERIES:
BOOK ONE: A Shadowed Livery
BOOK TWO: A Pretty Folly
BOOK THREE: A Patient Man
BOOK FOUR: Where Every Man
BOOK FIVE: A Malignant Death
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    Inspector James Given Investigations
  2. Print length
    276 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    August 19, 2019
  6. File size
    2.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 5 books in this series.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charlie Garratt was born in Manchester and moved to Warwickshire (where the Inspector James Given series is set), at the age of eighteen where he trained as a telecommunications engineer. Increasing involvement in his local community led to a change of career and over thirty years in the field of community development across the United Kingdom. In addition to his fiction, he is author and co-author of a number of books and guides on community participation. Charlie moved to Shropshire, after eleven years in Ireland, in 2018.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07SW81HKR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 19, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 276 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1913028626
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Inspector James Given Investigations
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 448 ratings

About the author

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Charlie Garratt

Charlie Garratt

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Charlie Garratt is a crime and historical novelist. He has published seven books.

They include the Inspector James Given series, the Meg Valentine Mysteries series and a family saga, A Handkerchief for Maria, a novel based on research in to his own family.

Three of his short stories are included in a collection, Wild Atlantic Words, fifteen tales drawing from life along the west coast of Ireland. One of his short stories won the Read LK competition in 2013.

His most recent book is The Thief-Taker’s Apprentice, a mystery set in 18th century Shropshire.

Charlie is also author and co-author of a number of books and guides on community participation.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
448 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this mystery book engaging, with one review describing it as a complex murder mystery that keeps readers interested. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, with one customer noting it's very well written. Customers appreciate the character development, with one review highlighting the twists and turns in the characters' lives.

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Suspenseful storyReadabilityCharacter development
9 customers mention "Suspenseful story"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's storyline fascinating and well done, with one customer noting it has enough suspense to maintain interest.

"...He lives in Shropshire in England. The story is an effective and realistic interplay between the murder case at hand, deteriorating conditions..." Read more

"...What I liked best was the historical setting before WW2...." Read more

"...It was easy to get lost in the mystery, which will keep you guessing until the end." Read more

"...The plot is well defined, and while I suspected the outcome, it was in no way totally predictable or obvious...." Read more

5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with one customer noting it's well written and another mentioning it's a great new series to enjoy.

"...Good read." Read more

"A very well written book. Good, though somewhat brutal at times...." Read more

"A great new series to enjoy!..." Read more

"...The mystery was very twisty and well thought out." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning the few twists and turns in the characters' lives.

"...He follows his instincts until the case is solved. Well-drawn characters and descriptions of pre-WWII English village life...." Read more

"...Aside from that, good character development and enough suspense to keep one's interest. Likeable detective and good period setting...." Read more

"A great new series to enjoy! There are a few twists and turns in the characters lives that keeps you interested and while you might figure out who..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Glynn Young
    5.0 out of 5 stars A puzzling, frustrating case - and the shadow of war
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It appears and open-and-shut case. The son of Sir Arthur Barleigh, crippled after an automobile accident, is shot and killed while in wheelchair. His mother then apparently turned the gun on herself. A short time later, the young man’s fiancée shoots herself in the son’s bedroom. It appears to be murder-suicide-suicide. An inquest is hurried and a verdict rendered just as quickly.

    The problem, Inspector James Givens of the Warwickshire Constabulary realizes almost immediately, is motive. He’s reviewing the case because the newspapers are pressuring his boss to take a more thorough investigation. Lady Barleigh wasn’t happy about the impending marriage, but was that sufficient to kill her son? Aided by the local constable, Givens sifts through the case, but he doesn’t have much time. His boss wants a quick review.

    It’s 1938: Neville Chamberlain has just returned from his meeting with Adolph Hitler in Munich and is proclaiming “peace in our time.” Pro-Nazi Sir Walter Mosley has his thugs beating up Jewish merchants in England; James just attended a hanging where one such thug was hanged by the neck for murder. And it’s all becoming more personal, because “James Givens” is his English name; he’s actually the son of a Russian Jewish immigrant who’s a tailor in Birmingham.

    “A Shadowed LiveryA” by Charlie Garratt is the first in the Inspector James Givens series. Garratt has created a police detective hero who is conflicted by his Jewish heritage, in love with a woman who is involved in the case, chased by two Italian goons seeking revenge, dogged by a crooked colleague – and who is relentless at getting at the truth.

    Garratt is the author of three additional Inspector Given mysteries, including A Pretty Folly, A Patient Man, and Where Every Man. He also published several community participation guides, until he retired and began writing short stories. One of those stories led to his first novel, “A Shadowed Livery.” He lives in Shropshire in England.
    The story is an effective and realistic interplay between the murder case at hand, deteriorating conditions in Europe, and the situation at home marred by Nazi sympathizers. “A Shadowed Livery” is an engrossing and entertaining read.
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  • Ingdur
    4.0 out of 5 stars figured out quite soon who did it
    Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Somewhat long spun, with a lot of side tracking. I was not too fond of the inspector, to be honest, and his dubious feelings for Elizabeth. What I liked best was the historical setting before WW2. It is amazing how soon we got used to cars, phones, cell phones, computers... and still, life went on without it all, too !
    This is NOT a cliff hanger, I am glad to say. Even though some threads are still loose, they are in every book, and the case at hand is completely solved, as is a sideline.
    If I had not found out so soon who did it, I would have given 5 stars. Grammatically correct, no foul language, no graphic descriptions of the dead people. Good read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Danielle P.
    3.0 out of 5 stars an old-fashioned crime novel with a modern sleuth
    Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2019
    Format: Kindle
    This dialogue-driven crime novel includes traditional elements of old-fashioned crime fiction — a stately home complete with servants, a large cast of suspects, a long list of possible motives, family secrets — but features a detective who will be familiar to modern-day readers: an alcoholic with a hair-trigger temper, a problematic love life, and a difficult relationship with his father. The historical context, which drives James Given to hide his Jewish heritage, adds a welcome layer of complexity to the story. The author deftly shows how the horrors of WWI still impact society, and foreshadows the even more terrible events still to come. Although crime and mystery buffs may guess at least part of the riddle behind the deaths at Grovestock House, they'll certainly be entertained.
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  • Joy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Traditional British mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Love a traditional British, detective mystery? This series is for you.

    Inspector Givens is not without his flaws, but giving up is not one of them. He follows his instincts until the case is solved.

    Well-drawn characters and descriptions of pre-WWII English village life. It was easy to get lost in the mystery, which will keep you guessing until the end.
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  • Di
    4.0 out of 5 stars Totally Enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed this murder mystery. Told in the first person, by the protagonist James Givens, it has an understated and muted style, which suits the era, and the man telling the story. Inspector Given is a complicated person, who seems to like keeping things simple, and I was intrigued as his back story unfolded along with the investigation. The plot is well defined, and while I suspected the outcome, it was in no way totally predictable or obvious. The historical aspect of the book adds an additional dimension as the author highlights the plight of Jews in Europe on the eve of the Second World War.
    I look forward to the second in the series.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Gayle Loveless
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A very well written book. Good, though somewhat brutal at times. I did catch on to the real killer partway through the story but still enjoyed it right to the end.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good but ....
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The English manor house and the four murders made an enjoyable story . However, the subplot of assaults against Jews in England and the murder of Givens friend and girlfriend did not fit into the basic premise/plot. This subplot along with Givens views on religion and his visit home should have been omitted and been the bases for an entire book of its own. These subplots were not relevant to the manor house murder plot.
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  • RHR in Oregon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed this complex murder mystery. It has everything going for it:lots of suspects, subplots, twists and turns. I was able to figure out the "who" about midway, but didn't know the "why" until the end. Looking forward to the next installment. Bravo, Mr Garratt!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • micha
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A great tale of murder and mystery on the cusp of the Second World War. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and felt that the ‘hidden’ Jewish identity of the main character was sensitively handled and explained well in the historical context of the time. Half way through I’d already warmed to the characters and found myself hoping that there would be further books with more adventures to come- and I’m glad to see that there is indeed another book. I can’t wait to start it!
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  • Maureen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read
    Reviewed in Australia on May 12, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A new author for me. Enjoyed this, the first in the series. Set just before WW2 and a police procedural. It was quite a measured storyline and also a bit going on in the background. Looking forward to reading book 2, A Pretty Folly.
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  • Kilbaddy
    4.0 out of 5 stars All is not what it at first seems
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    When Inspector James Given is given an easy assignment in the wake to attending the hanging of one of his convicted villains, the case he has to check seems cut and dried; an aristocratic mother has shot her disabled son, only to turn the gun on herself, followed by the son’s fiancee committing suicide. The local doctor confirms the causes of death but the young village policeman, Sawyer, who has done the first examination is not entirely convinced that the conclusions are correct. Naïve but enthusiastic and observant, he proves a valuable assistant when Given uncovers more inconsistencies.
    This book is set in 1938 and beneath the twists and turns of the crime investigation, which is nothing like as pat as at first suggested, runs pre-war unease and a growing anti-Semitism, both of which impinge on Given himself. This adds depth to the character interactions and the underlying social commentary in Garratt’s books. This one is neatly and provocatively plotted and although the characters may occasionally be from stock they are still well fleshed out, warts and all. Given’s emotions are part of his investigative armoury, which ensures that he is easy for readers to relate to and results in a satisfying and layered story. The first of a series, it is an inviting introduction to an appealing and promising lead character.
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  • S Riaz
    3.0 out of 5 stars A Shadowed Livery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is one of many crime series that I have wanted to start for a while and I was excited to finally get around to it. The first featuring Inspector James Given, this mystery is set in 1938 and there are rumours of a possible war in Germany at a time when many of the characters involved were either directly involved in WWI or affected by it. Given himself is of a Jewish background, afraid for relatives in Germany and aware of police colleagues anti-Semitism.

    Given finds himself pulled off a case to investigate three deaths at Grovestock House. A mother, Lady Isabelle Barleigh, who objected to her wheelchair bound stepson marrying, supposedly shot him and herself, while his intended wife also killed herself. With his own traumatic backstory and romantic entaglements to contend with, GIven tries to unravel the various characters involved and ascertain whether it was a tragedy or murder.

    I did like the background and historical context, but couldn't find myself involved with either James Given or the other characters. As a reader I felt quite distant from events. However, I will probably try the second in the series and give it another try, as I do like mysteries set in that historical period.
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  • John Bayliss
    5.0 out of 5 stars In the spirit of the 'Golden Age' murder mysteries
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is an excellent 'whodunit' with a setting that would be familiar to all lovers of 'Golden Age' crime fiction: a country house murder mystery on the eve of World War II. Author Charlie Garrett expertly integrates all the usual elements from the genre – family secrets, class snobbery, intrigue both below and above stairs – into an original and satisfying read.

    What I particularly like about this novel is that it doesn't shy away from the real life issues that were prevalent at the time, such as the anti-Semitism of Moseley's Blackshirts. Detective Inspector James Given and his sidekick Sawyer have something of a 'Morse and Lewis' feel to them. An unresolved sub-plot gives me the feeling that this novel may be the first of a series: I certainly hope so, and look forward to reading more of Inspector Given's investigations.
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