The Doctor in the Corner Clinic

The Doctor in the Corner Clinic: The Room Was Never the Mystery is the second book in the author's Corner Room mystery series. I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review. I can honestly say though that this is a wonderful locked room mystery. The book was published on April 22, 2026.

The publisher's summary:

Dr. Ashok Kulkarni is found dead inside his locked clinic. Gun in hand. Door bolted from the inside. An open-and-shut suicide, the police say. Inspector Praveen Kumar is not convinced.

Ashok was a celebrated cardiologist, a Padma Shri recipient, and one of Bangalore’s most trusted doctors. But as Praveen retraces the final months of his life, he uncovers a burned letter, a growing fear, and a secret powerful enough to destroy more than one life.

What begins as a locked-room death soon turns into something far more dangerous: a search through buried relationships, quiet betrayals, and truths hidden behind respectability. As the case deepens, Praveen finds himself drawn into a mystery where every answer raises a darker question, and where the cost of the truth may reach far beyond the dead. Because the room was never the only thing that was locked.

The story opened with Dr. Ashok Kulkarni receiving a visitor while he worked late at night in his office. The visitor climbed the outside wall leading to Kulkarni's office on the third floor. He then made a demand on behalf of Jaya to which Kulkarni complied but stated this was the last time. The next chapter begins with the discovery of Kulkarni's body the next morning. He had been shot.

Inspector Praveen Kumar is assigned to investigate the death. It was quickly determined to be a suicide but Praveen had a hunch that there was much more to the incident. He continued looking into the death by interviewing friends, family and a few patients of Ashok. Some of the characters did not seem to be telling the truth but Praveen did not know where to turn in the investigation. 

In addition to being an engaging locked room mystery, I would also describe the book as a psychological thriller because the deceased's life seemed to hold the keys to the suicide. Unfortunately, no one who knew him had any idea of what had upset Ashok enough for him to want to die. Ashok had a perfect life. He had a wonderful career as a cardiologist, an intelligent wife and two happy kids. Why would he want to die?

The story had a swift pace with several twists. As Praveen discovered secrets about relationships in Ashok's life he thought that each of these relationships held the key. However, they all were dead ends and Praveen had to start over from scratch several times. The plot kept me guessing through all of the layers of family and professional secrets in the Kulkarni family. 

I enjoyed reading this novel and am rating it 4 out of 5 stars.

Loch Down Abbey

Loch Down Abbey is a Downton Abbey wannabe. Fortunately for the author, it will be made in to a TV series. As a book, there wasn't much of a plot. 2 characters died but the resolution of their deaths was not prominent. The story was basically about how the aristocratic characters spend their days. The story takes place in the Scottish Highlands during the 1930s.

The publisher's summary:

"It's the 1930s and a mysterious illness is spreading over Scotland. But the noble and ancient family of Inverkillen, residents of Loch Down Abbey, are much more concerned with dwindling toilet roll supplies and who will look after the children now that Nanny has regretfully (and most inconveniently) departed this life.

Then Lord Inverkillen, Earl and head of the family, is found dead in mysterious circumstances. The inspector declares it an accident but Mrs MacBain, the head housekeeper, isn't so convinced. As no one is allowed in or out because of the illness, the residents of the house - both upstairs and downstairs - are the only suspects. With the Earl's own family too busy doing what can only be described as nothing, she decides to do some digging - in between chores, of course - and in doing so uncovers a whole host of long-hidden secrets, lies and betrayals that will alter the dynamics of the household for ever." 

Loch Down Abbey is advertised as a locked room mystery. Who or what was in the locked room? I don't know. The book primarily revolves around an artistocratic family, the Ogilvy-Sinclairs, who have lived in Loch Down Abbey for over 600 years. They are dysfunctional, with every family member at war with each other over mostly small things. They love to make life hard for their servants and treat them abysmally. After Lord Inverkillen and the nanny are found dead, a sickness takes over Scotland and Britain. The government has asked people to wear masks and stay inside while the sickness rages. In the Abbey, half of the servants are ill and cannot wait on the  family hand and foot. The family is outraged that servants have taken over part of the family and guest quarters and that they will have to dress themselves, forego their breakfast trays and downsize the number of cakes served at tea. Flour, sugar and toilet paper have been hoarded from the stores. Sound familiar? I think the author wrote her story based on the COVID-19 pandemic that we all are dealing with at the present time. 

The depiction of the lives of the rich are what make this a good read. I am sure that we all have watched Downton Abbey over the years. Loch Down Abbey is a castle that is slightly smaller in size than Downton but the characters all behave the same. Loch Down has more servants though, thirty, so there are alot of characters to keep track of. There isn't much mystery here but it did not affect my enjoyment of the book. It is a relaxing read.

4 out of 5 stars.