As their fearless leader, Hermione Herbert cheerfully responds to the various concerns of her dowsing team in the early dawn of a June morning in 1933 as they assemble in a low tide, neglected part of the River Thames in London. Doris is very nervous and Col. Swinton is anxious to get started. While they are looking for precious metals, they are shocked by what they find. True to its intent, the dowsing rod had found gold, but it is a seemingly ancient coin stuffed in the mouth of a young woman they discovered buried in the mud!

Given the strange nature of the case, it is quickly handed over to Scotland Yard, and then to Assistant Commissioner Joe Sandilands. With the World Economic Jamboree set to start, London, England is awash with top political movers and shakers from around the globe and Scotland Yard's resources are stretched to their limit. Not only does Sandilands need to investigate this murder, but he also is assigned to ensure that nothing untoward happens to Senator Cornelius Kingstone, commonly regarded as President Roosevelt's right hand man. As if that isn't tricky enough in juggling his time, Joe is astonished to discover that Kingstone's bodyguard, William Armiger, and he used to be in the British Army together (and not always under the best of circumstances). Will they be friend or foe in their dealings to keep the American Senator safe?

As Joe attempts to get some background info from Armiger, he wonders why no one seems concerned about Kingstone's beautiful girlfriend, the temperamental Natalia Ivanova, who has not been seen recently. Where is she? Is there a linkage to the missing toe?

A SPIDER IN THE CUP, the eleventh book in British writer Barbara Cleverly's Joe Sandilands Investigation series, is a captivating blend of murder and pre-World War II politics and intrigue. As a skilled storyteller, Cleverly instantly pulls you into the sights and sounds of London in 1933 which is still mired in the Great Depression, yet where those with wealth know where to spend it as they gamble on where to place their bets in a world that seems destined for another war.

As A SPIDER IN THE CUP is the first book in the series I have read, I can attest to it working well as an intriguing stand-alone mystery. Given that and after so enjoying this novel, I am anxious to delve into the rest of the series and to find out more about the background of some of the characters, especially that of Joe and his lively sister, Lydia. Finding a new mystery series I really like is always a great treat for me and particularly one where the characters come to life so authentically, yet all with their own quirks and individuality. I also found Joe Sandilands to be a terrific protagonist. He is a skilled and thoughtful investigator; yet, prone to taking risks while hallmarking them with his penchant for defusing tense situations with a drool sense of humour and the odd pun. Fans who like political thrillers or police procedural novels with intricate and intriguing plots may find A SPIDER IN THE CUP to their liking! Do check it out! I found this to be a real page turner - I hope you do, too! Enjoy!