The Frost Fair Murders Book Review
Book Five in the Samuel Pepys Mystery Series
The Frost Fair Murders
The Frost Fair Murders offers up an entertaining mystery and a fascinating trip through history.
Series: Samuel Pepys Mystery Series
Written by: Ellis Blackwood
Publication date: April 30, 2025
Mystery type: Historical cozy mystery
Plot Overview
It’s 1666. The people of London are still recovering and cleaning up after the Great London Fire. But merriment is in the air. It’s Christmas, the Thames has frozen over, and it is time for the Frost Fair.
Samuel Pepys and his two inquisitors, Abby Harcourt and Jacob Standish, eat Christmas dinner together and then venture out to see the festivities. The Frost Fair promises revelry in the form of taverns, puppet shows, ice skating, gambling booths, and gingerbread treats.
But a chilling discovery puts an end to the fun. A body is found encased in the ice. Samuel Pepys challenges his two inquisitors to determine who put the body there and why. Abby and Jacob look for suspects and question everyone from local watermen to puppeteers.
Spoiler-Free Review
I really enjoyed this installment of the Samuel Pepys Mystery Series. It’s always fun to have a cozy Christmas and a special event like the Frost Fair.
Author Ellis Blackwood delivers a very entertaining mystery in The Frost Fair Murders. There are enough suspects and red herrings to keep you guessing. We also get a little more insight into Abby’s background, and we get to see Jacob flex his skills.
One of my favorite aspects of this series is the friendship and sleuthing partnership between Abby and Jacob. It has been nice to watch their characters grow. Abby is smart. Jacob is courageous. And the no-nonsense Samuel Pepys keeps them on their game.
The writing is extraordinary throughout. The vivid details really put you into each scene.
If you like good historical fiction and well-plotted cozy mysteries, you’ll find both in the Samuel Pepys Mysteries. Ellis Blackwood has done an amazing job of researching the historical details and splicing them into the story in an entertaining fashion.
Disclosures: Cozy Crime Reads received an advanced reader copy of The Frost Fair Murders from Vintage Mystery Press. This page may contain affiliate links. Cozy Crime Reads may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
