I feel very privileged to count Anne Coates as a personal friend of some years and she has appeared on Linda’s Book Bag many times in the past. However, I have never quite got round to reading and reviewing one of Anne’s books. Consequently, I am delighted to put that right today by sharing my review of Anne’s latest Hannah Weybridge book, Murder in the Lady Chapel.

I also send Anne my very best wishes for a speedy recovery for her recently fractured shoulder!

Published on 21st November 2023, Murder in the Lady Chapel is available for purchase here.

Murder in the Lady Chapel

“All that is now hidden will some day come to light. If you have ears, listen! And be sure to put into practice what you hear.” Mark 4, verse 22

A chorister is found dying in the Lady Chapel when the Reverend Peter Savage is about to begin morning prayers. It’s a suspicious death and no one seems to know much about the victim. The vicar implores Hannah Weybridge to find out what she can.

Little did the journalist know that this investigation would have her joining the choir in preparation for the Christmas services or that her daughter, Elizabeth, would be so enchanted by the church.

Hannah soon discovers that the deceased, Daniel Lyons, seems to be a man without a history and that’s suspicious in itself. Apparently, an insurance fraud investigator, he leaves no records: even his landlady knows little about him.

But, as Hannah discovers, someone does know him – and he was definitely not who he seemed to be…

And while she investigates, someone is trying to intimidate Hannah in a series of seemingly unconnected ways. The past as well as the present haunts her. Will she be able to solve the mystery before Christmas is ruined?

My Review of Murder in the Lady Chapel

A man has died in church.

I really enjoyed this book, because, filled with intrigue from the off, Murder in the Lady Chapel draws in the reader to the fast moving narrative and keeps them guessing throughout. Short, brisk chapters add to the pace but also skilfully drop in details from Hannah Weybridge’s past so that although I haven’t read the other books in the series I didn’t feel at a disadvantage at all. Rather, this had the effect of making me want to go back and read the series from the beginning. I also very much appreciated that, whilst there is drama and violence to create excitement in the story, Anne Coates includes it without recourse to gratuitous blood and gore, which has the effect of allowing the reader to use their imagination, drawing them into the narrative still further. 

Hannah Weybridge is a complex and well rounded character who is a nuanced mix of strength and vulnerability that makes her highly relatable. I’m not sure I’d have reacted with quite such equanimity as she does at times! One of the elements that surprised me about reading Murder in the Lady Chapel was how much I enjoyed the balance Anne Coates presents of the prosaic nature of Hannah’s home life as a single mother, bringing up Elizabeth, in contrast to her investigations into the death of Daniel Lyons. I’m not keen on children in real life and rarely find them realistic in literature, but I found Elizabeth an important and engaging individual.  Her inclusion made me think about those in the real world juggling difficult jobs and family life. Indeed, one of the themes in Murder in the Lady Chapel is a sensitive exploration of how little we often truly know about those in our lives, how they are living and what constitutes our real identity.

Consequently, aside from a highly entertaining story, there are some interesting themes in Murder in the Lady Chapel with the place religion plays in society, a sense of community and friendship as well as threat and deception so that the story gives the reader plenty to think about. I thought the scenes set in the church were particularly vivid and authentic.

I thoroughly appreciated the backdrop of the festive season that pervades the story. At times Christmas acts as a catalyst for action, at times it illustrates the normal elements in Hannah’s life, and on other occasions it gives effective contrast to the dramatic events of the narrative. As a result, Murder in the Lady Chapel would make a fabulous story to curl up with on a winter’s afternoon, especially as Anne Coates keeps the reader guessing throughout. There are several mini-reveals that had me exclaiming aloud and I loved the way that I was never entirely sure who I could trust in this story. 

I finished Murder in the Lady Chapel feeling I had been thoroughly entertained, completely absorbed, sometimes rather duped and manipulated, and, ultimately, determined to get to the other books in the Hannah Weybridge series just as soon as I can. What a satisfying read!

About Anne Coates

Anne says, ‘As I publish the sixth book in my Hannah Weybridge series, Murder in the Lady Chapel, I realise how fortunate I am to be doing something I love. Authors often go through periods when they feel like giving up but the thought of not writing spurs them on. Writing and creating Hannah Weybridge’s world in 1990s London has been a fabulous experience for me especially when characters, who have become my imaginary friends, take me on so many unexpected journeys. And then there are those precious moments when a reader tells you how much they enjoyed your last book or a friend says how much they are looking forward to your next book and any doubts evaporate – for the time being!’

Writing short stories was Anne’s way into fiction and she had those published in major women’s magazines as she continued as a freelance journalist, working on national newspapers, magazines and in-house publications, and as an editor for Reader’s Digest abridging fiction and narrative non-fiction. Anne’s journalism and editing have both inspired ideas for for her crime thrillers as well as her seven non-fiction books with various publishers.

The first four Hannah Weybridge Books were initially published by Urbane Publications until they ceased trading in April 2021 and new editions were published by Red Dog Press along with the fifth in the series, “Stage Call”, published in January 2022. In June 2023 Anne took her rights back and her series is now published by her imprint Urban Fox Books.

Anne lives in SE London with a large ginger cat and enjoys going to the theatre and cinema and socialising with family and friends.

For further information, you can follow Anne on Twitter/X @Anne_Coates1 and visit her website. You’ll also find Anne on Facebook and on Instagram.