SJT Riley
Reviews for
Under Admiralty Arch (published 2025)
The action moves quickly and it kept my attention. Each of the main characters was well developed, even the "baddies", so I could tell what their motivations were. This is the second Riley book I have read and I will continue to enjoy this author's work.
Goodreads review, December 2025
I wasn't sure what this one would be like, but decided to give it a go. And? It was a really enjoyable read with a decent storyline and characters, so wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to others.
NetGalley review, Jan/Feb 2026
What a hoot! A really fun read but I couldn't get rid of the character actors' voices from the BBC radio series Paul Temple. Seemed to fit like a glove. It's a four from me for fun and simplicity.
NetGalley review, Jan/Feb 2026
Under Admiralty Arch has a fast-moving, exciting mystery/espionage plot with some well-developed characters. It is a good read. I would never have known that it is the third in a series featuring Robert Lynnford, and shall certainly be catching up on his first two investigations. However, I do remember 1950s London, and the city described in this novel in no way resembles the fairly grimy, sooty and occasionally smoggy place still littered with the odd bomb site that I recall.
NetGalley review, Jan/Feb 2026
The plot is very complicated, with a big cast of characters that can get a bit confusing because there's not a lot of detail to differentiate them from each other. But the underlying mystery is interesting and I wanted to see who did it. This is definitely going more towards the adventure-mystery end of the genre, with plenty of car chases and more than a few fights.
NetGalley review, Jan/Feb 2026
I didn't realise that this was the third in a series but it was fine as a standalone. In places, I was reminded of Dick Tracy stories, lots of running around in Morgan cars, getting across London in twenty minutes (those were the days). A pleasant enough story, cosy and easy to read. I could picture most of the action as I lived in central London for many years.
NetGalley review, Jan/Feb 2026
Reviews for
The Elephant's Sapphire (published 2023)
Cleverly plotted with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters, this dark and sophisticated tale of criminal shenanigans and greed really deserves to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!
NetGalley review, April 2023
Reading this was a bit like watching an old black-and-white film and admiring the quality of the writing rather than looking for any special effects.
NetGalley review, April 2023
Despite a slow start, this really picked up and I enjoyed following Lynnford and Victoria investigate the theft. Fast moving and gripping to the end.
Goodreads review, November 2025
Opens well and has decent pacing until around the middle when it drags for a bit. But, in the last few chapters, it really picks up momentum and ends with a satisfactory ending. Overall, not a bad read.
NetGalley review, April 2023
There's a lot of potential in this story and I think that it could be a 5 star with some editing. The blurb is intriguing and the story starts strong, drags in the middle, and the last part is gripping and highly entertaining.
Goodreads review, May 2023
Reviews for
The Sea Breeze (published 2022)
I loved this historical mystery as it's solid, well plotted, and entertaining. It's a relaxing read featuring a cast of well developed and interesting characters. I want to read other books by this author and I think there's a lot of potential. Highly recommended.
NetGalley review, Nov/Dec 2022
Set in a fictionalized Devon port this splendid novel reminds me of what crime thrillers used to be like years ago. There are echoes of John Buchan and Erskine Childers in a story with plenty of the tropes required to make it work. The period setting is painted with skill and the characterization reflects the cultural and moral standards of the time. There's plenty of tension and intrigue and a real nail-biting denouement. It's a shame there are not more writers today capable of honouring the golden age of crime writing.
NetGalley review, Nov/Dec 2022
A satisfying mystery in traditional vein with a deftly drawn cast of characters, a well described backdrop and a very nicely done narrative. Afficionados of a solid, traditional mystery should enjoy.
NetGalley review, Nov/Dec 2022
From the start, the author gave the impression of a calm and peaceful setting for the reader to escape into, and this is what I always expect when reading a cosy mystery - I want it to feel like an escape. As I carried on reading, I was reminded quite strongly of Agatha Christie - in particular, her book Evil Under The Sun. This made an impression on me because she is one of my very favourite authors, and I feel her style is difficult to emulate. It was an entertaining cosy mystery, relaxing to read, and not too long. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys cosy mysteries or typically enjoys authors like Agatha Christie.
NetGalley review, Nov/Dec 2022
Slow burn mystery?! Do these exist?! In any case, this read is unique, memorable, and a must read…Have fun readers!
NetGalley review, Nov/Dec 2022
Excellent first mystery that allows the author's journalistic and legal backgrounds to support the storyline. The request to figure out why a yacht is floating empty but with a body in the water brings Robert Lynnford to the Devonshire coast in 1951. Things continue from there, with friends going missing and mysteries to unravel. Well-crafted and enjoyable.
NetGalley review, Nov/Dec 2022
I was attracted to the book by the cover and the story quickly pulled me in. The author really knows his legal procedure and the newspaper business. He does a good job in character development as well as keeping the action moving along. I enjoyed the book and will look for more of Riley's writing.
NetGalley review, Nov/Dec 2022
This is missing a bit of explanation of the who's and why's, and the pacing is a little spotty at times but in the main The Sea Breeze is a pretty well executed murder mystery set in the mid-twentieth century on the coast of Britain. If you like the British Library Crime classics that are set at sea (or near the sea) this wouldn't feel out of place although the plot is a little more over complicated than genuine Golden Age mysteries tend to be. Not a bad read all in all.
NetGalley review, Nov/Dec 2022
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