7 Deadly Sins by J S Savage: Seven Inspector Graves Mysteries to Solve

J S Savage’s 7 Deadly Sins gives readers seven chances to get ahead of Inspector Graves. Its mysteries range from a locked study and an apparent unbreakable alibi to a killer targeting stairways in Montmartre. The pleasure is in weighing the clues alongside Graves, and seeing whether your explanation holds up when he lays out his own.

Seven puzzles, varied settings

The collection moves between Soho, a village, an English seaside town and a country house, giving each case its own atmosphere and problem to untangle. Some stories focus on the mechanics of a puzzling death; others hinge on motive, misleading appearances or the limits of what the investigators can prove. Across the set, Savage keeps the reader engaged with the central question: what detail has everyone missed?

That invitation to solve the mysteries is part of the book’s appeal. The reviewer found that only one, perhaps two, of the killers were identifiable in advance—and even then, not necessarily the method. The stories make room for educated guesses without making every answer obvious. A few solutions ask for a leap or a generous pinch of salt, but the collection’s brisk, playful approach makes those moments part of the fun.

From a teacup clue to Montmartre’s steps

In “A Three Tea Problem,” DC Carver brings Graves the findings from a woman’s murder in Tilford. Three visits from the Scotland Yard tea-lady provide the setting for Graves to solve the case without leaving his chair. It’s a compact demonstration of the detective’s method, with the reader invited to notice what a routine report may contain.

“The Case Of The Cockney Killer” shifts to Soho, where a serial killer’s victims appear to have been chosen at random. The reviewer found this a tougher puzzle than the opening story. Its solution relies on some logical leaps, though the clues are present, and the result makes for a good mystery.

“The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Daytime” turns on two brothers murdered in quick succession. The second is discovered inside his locked study, with only his dog beside him. That closed-room setup offers a familiar kind of challenge, but the reviewer found the answer far from obvious.

In “Deal In Death,” the mystery reaches back to 1926, when Graves apparently failed to solve the murder of a pub landlord in Deal, Kent. The reviewer names this among their favourites. Its conclusion adds a little to the reader’s understanding of Graves, giving the story a character dimension alongside its central puzzle.

Inventive set-ups and a few caveats

“A Stitch In Time” begins with an arresting image: a man is killed in his study by someone dressed as Father Christmas, who runs out through the French windows. A single trail of footprints leads away, yet the windows are locked from the inside. The reviewer thought the story had perhaps too much going on and found the killer guessable because of one particular moment. Even so, they describe it as creative and enjoyable.

“The 38 Steps” takes the action to Montmartre, where a killer has pledged to murder one person on each of the area’s 38 sets of steps. The police know the suspected killer’s identity, but can’t produce a shred of proof. The reviewer especially liked the premise and a trick that calls to mind the work of John Dickson Carr, a classic mystery writer known for intricate puzzles.

The last story, “Who Slew Hugh Drew?”, puts a murder inside a maze. Hugh Drew, an irritating Australian cousin, is found dead after becoming engaged to the daughter of the lord of the manor, and Carver’s friend becomes the prime suspect. One part of the killer’s scheme may require readers to suspend disbelief, but the reviewer still calls it fun—and admits to missing the killer.

A strong choice for puzzle-minded readers

The reviewer’s enthusiasm comes with a personal note: 7 Deadly Sins is dedicated to them. They also write warmly about Savage’s earlier Inspector Graves novels, The Mystery Of Treefall Manor and The Riddle Of The Ravens, as well as his Penny Haylestone mystery, Sun, Sea and Murder. Their view is clearly personal, but it also points to the appeal of Savage’s work: clever, readable mysteries that give the reader room to participate.

7 Deadly Sins is out now in paperback, with an ebook to follow soon. The reviewer also links to a Five Books interview with J S Savage. For readers who enjoy testing a detective’s reasoning against their own, this set offers seven distinct puzzles—and a satisfying reason to keep turning the pages.