WEBS OF INK, by Rebecca Connolly, Shadow Mountain, Nov. 3, 2026, Hardcover, $28.99 (young adult/ new adult/ adult fiction)
In 1920s London, “Lady Detective” Maud West enlists newly published Agatha Christie to covertly investigate a dangerous mystery in Webs of Ink, by Rebecca Connolly.
In early 1920s London, Maud West has gained a public reputation as “London’s Lady Detective,” though the title is largely of her own making. Her self-written newspaper accounts bring her notoriety, but not the professional respect she craves. Instead of high-profile investigations, she is routinely assigned divorce work, missing persons, and blackmail—cases that rarely challenge her talents or elevate her status. When a frightened woman comes to her office claiming she is being stalked by a strange man, Maud senses a rare opportunity to prove her skill. As she digs deeper, she discovers that her client’s troubles are tied to a clandestine gang operating within the city. The threats quickly escalate, and soon Maud herself becomes a target.
Elsewhere in London, Agatha Christie is both a new mother and a rising author, thrilled to see her first detective novel in print. Yet she hungers to observe a real investigation firsthand. Maud West’s exploits in the newspapers captivate her imagination and fuel her desire to study genuine detective work.
To Agatha’s astonishment, she receives a message from Maud requesting a private meeting. Maud outlines the increasingly perilous case and proposes a partnership: As a public figure tied to the investigation, she needs someone inconspicuous and sharp-minded to assist her. Agatha, a crime novelist rather than a known detective, is the perfect covert ally. Together, the celebrated detective and the rising mystery writer become entangled in a dangerous, twisting web that will test their ingenuity, courage, and trust as they work to bring justice to light. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain
The premise of Webs of Ink features two very real, very influential women working together to solve a mystery. Maud West was a detective who wrote about her adventures in a number of newspapers. Mystery writer Agatha Christie is known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short-story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot, Tommy and Tuppence, and Miss Marple. Though there’s no evidence they worked together in real life, author Rebecca Connolly asks readers, “What if?”
The book bounces between the two women, giving readers a glimpse into their private lives as well as their thought processes when approaching a mystery. There’s lots of historical tidbits and true crime elements that really help bring scenes to life, but the book doesn’t read like a mystery/thriller. So, if that’s what you’re looking for, Webs of Ink isn’t for you.
Connolly’s writing is strong and assured, but it also feels long-winded at times. There’s a lot of writing to get to the meat of the story, which is slow moving. On the flip side, however, there are some real scene-stealing moments that make you hang on for more. And ultimately, that’s what makes me recommend Webs of Ink rather than passing on it. It’s not a one-sitting read, but if you stick with it, you’ll ultimately be rewarded.
Though Webs of Ink is intended for adult audiences, there’s nothing in it that would keep me from sharing it with a younger reader, and it could appeal to teens who enjoy Agatha Christie’s novels.
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