The Missing Page

The Missing Page (2022) Cat Sebastian (Page & Sommers)

Set in England in 1948.

It has only been a few months since James and Leo met during a murder case, but Leo is now claiming James “spare room” as his landing place when he is home from whatever missions he is sent out on. But this time when he arrives at Wychcomb St. Mary, James isn’t waiting for him.

James has headed to Cornwall for the reading of his Uncle Rupert’s will. But James hasn’t been back to Blackthorn since his cousin Rose disappeared, so he has no idea why he’s being asked to return now.

The more Leo thought about it, the less he liked it. Leo had read this detective story and he had seen the film and knew that when you made the heirs gather together, they immediately started putting exotic poisons into one another’s tea. They simply couldn’t help themselves.

I really liked this mystery. I had an idea where parts of it were going, but not all of them, and I really liked how the different threads twisted and turned throughout.

That’s not to say the story is easy in all parts. His cousin’s husband if plain awful.

“I’m a doctor. It would be a wonder if I didn’t practice medicine,” he said when he could trust his voice to remain even.

“But— well, it can be a trying profession. When you came to see me in ’45, I believe I counseled rest.”

Mostly, James was furious that Sir Anthony was doing this in front of Martha and Lilah.

The one thing I particularly liked was how both Leo and James worried about the state of their relationship, but neither knew how to deal with it how they felt.

But the truth was that James was always a bit surprised when Leo returned. Not because he didn’t trust Leo or because he thought Leo didn’t care enough for him to come back, but because it seemed completely fantastical that a person like Leo came to James not only once, not only twice, but again and again.

This works well because for one, their relationship was illegal and they had to dance around so many things that couldn’t be said and done, but more importantly, because both had childhoods that led them to assume they would be abandoned.

There was some sex, but not much, and not in great detail, so this almost classified as a cozy.

I’m not sure if there will be a third entry, but I’m content with how this book ended, so I’ll be happy whatever happens.

Rating: 8.5/10

• Browse the archives:
  
• The Beat Goes On: The Complete Rebus Stories » »
• « « Murder Under Her Skin