Dance on Blood, by Gillian Linscott (Virago, £5.99 in UK)

Set in the second decade of this century, this one features suffragette detective Nell Bray. Although she'd do just about anything to secure the vote for women, Nell's aspirations in that regard would stop short at planting a bomb in a house belonging to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, David Lloyd George. However, other people doubt this and she becomes chief suspect; but just when she expects to be arrested she is given an urgent invitation to breakfast at 11 Downing Street by the man himself. This leads to her becoming involved in a bizarre murder case, but one that soon dovetails with the planting of the bomb and other subsequent events. Bray is a lively creation, and the period detail is never less than interesting. Recommended.