Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: A Death in Bloomsbury
SERIES: Simon Sampson Mysteries #1
AUTHOR: David C. Dawson
PUBLISHER: Park Creek Publishing
LENGTH: 271 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 10, 2021
BLURB:
Everyone has secrets… but some are fatal.
1932, London. Late one December night Simon Sampson stumbles across the body of a woman in an alleyway. Her death is linked to a plot by right-wing extremists to assassinate the King on Christmas Day. Simon resolves to do his patriotic duty and unmask the traitors.
But Simon Sampson lives a double life. Not only is he a highly respected BBC radio announcer, but he’s also a man who loves men, and as such must live a secret life. His investigation risks revealing his other life and with that imprisonment under Britain’s draconian homophobic laws of the time. He faces a stark choice: his loyalty to the King or his freedom.
This is the first in a new series from award-winning author David C. Dawson. A richly atmospheric novel set in the shadowy world of 1930s London, where secrets are commonplace, and no one is quite who they seem.
REVIEW:
I’m going to tell you right now, if you love mysteries, historical books, things of that nature, this is the book for you. Mr. David hit ALL the right notes with me with this book again and I’m very happy I got to read it.
I’m often funny about historical books because sometimes they are very off on facts and such and depending on which part of history we are discussing, also debates on whether or not I’m going to be more interested. Don’t get me wrong. I love history, but David got me because he hit right at the starts of the World Wars and the start of Hitler and I am utterly fascinated by that part of history. Maybe that makes me weird, but I really am. And not only that, but even though this was a fictional book, he was dead on with a lot of the facts and that makes me a very happy person.
I loved Simon in this book. He seems so classy even though he puts up with a lot and has dealt with a lot. But what he’s about to undergo in his life is going to change him in ways he NEVER expected and I’ve got to tell you. I would have punched ‘Bill’ several times in this book. No matter what kind of friends they were or if they worked together, whatever. ‘Bill’….well, you find out about ‘Bill’ later on and when you find out the truth, I really would have punched them if I was Simon. He so did not deserve the heck he went through. And mostly for secretive reasons he had no clue about. All he knows, is he’s run up on a murder that EVERYONE seems to want to cover up or pretend they don’t know about and he’s determined to get to the bottom, no matter what. But it’s that no matter what that’s about to cost him everything. It’s already cost him several things dear to him, and he shouldn’t have to endure more. I love Simon as well, because even at the possible cost of his life or a beating or imprisonment or whatever, he was not going to lie for anyone either. He was going to tell the truth to the right people. He was going to do what should have been done all along. Uncover and tell the truth of what was really going on. And I love the fact he stood up for his principles.
This book has so many twists and turns and so many unexpected things that happen that will throw you for a loop. But it captures you from the beginning and grabs you throughout the whole book. I’m very happy with the start of this series and I’m curious as to see what Simon is going to do. I have a feeling I already know, but we will see. I heartily recommend this book.
RATING: 
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