In Licensed for Murder, celebrated Golden Age mystery writer John Rhode delivers another intelligent and intricately plotted detective novel featuring his enduring sleuth, Dr. Lancelot Priestley. Set in post-war England, the story opens with the unexpected discovery of a human skeleton hidden behind a fireplace during the renovation of a rural inn. With few clues and no immediate suspects, local authorities call in Scotland Yard—and soon, Superintendent Jimmy Waghorn turns once again to Dr. Priestley for his deductive insight. As the investigation deepens, the mystery widens to include a suspicious insurance policy, a series of false identities, and hints of long-concealed motives. Rhode masterfully blends traditional detective elements—methodical analysis, careful interviews, and logical deduction—with a clever twist that keeps readers guessing until the final pages. The crime appears almost “perfect,” but Dr. Priestley’s calm intellect and scientific reasoning gradually uncover a network of deceit beneath the surface. What sets Licensed for Murder apart is Rhode’s distinctive approach to crime fiction: a focus on the mechanics of murder, attention to small but telling details, and a detective who operates from the armchair rather than the front lines. As always, Rhode invites the reader to puzzle through the case alongside the investigators, maintaining fair play while steadily raising the stakes. A classic Dr. Priestley mystery, Licensed for Murder is an engaging and well-constructed example of British detective fiction at its most cerebral. Fans of slow-burning, clue-based mysteries will find much to admire in this thoughtfully crafted novel.