"The Poisoned Chalice Murder"

"The Poisoned Chalice Murder" is the second Black & Dod historical mystery in a series by Diane Janes and I enjoyed it just as much as the first book, "The Magic Chair Murder."  Since this second book was just published in 2018, I think I'll have to wait a while for her third book in the series but all hints at the end of this mystery point to their being a third Black & Dod mystery.

Tom Dod's Aunt Hetty has called on Tom and Fran to do some sleuthing in the sleepy village of Durley Dean where she lives.  There have been three recent deaths of members of the St. Agnes Church that Aunt Hetty attends.  Although they appear to be accidents, all three individuals took a stand against the new Reverend Pinder who has made some controversial changes that have not set well with all the members.  Some members have left the congregation but the three that died all were part of a group that wrote a letter to the hierarchy complaining about Rev. Pinder. 

In the midst of trips to stay with Aunt Hetty, Fran has also learned that her estranged husband's live-in girlfriend is pregnant and she has decided to give him a divorce so that the child can be legitimate.  However, it is going to have an impact on time she spends with Tom because of the archaic laws in place at this period in England.  She cannot seem to be in a new relationship or she might be tied to her ex-husband for life.

Tom and Fran do discover that there are some evil forces at play when one parishioner is charged with poisoning his wife and another is attacked in his yard but this time none of the attacks are aimed at them.  Will they be able to figure out who is behind these "accidents" and get the police to listen to their theories?  Another great mystery from Diane Janes with insights into England after the first world war.