A distraught Lady
Jane Grey seeks help from her friend Charles Lennox. Prue Smith, a
former of housemaid of Lady Jane's, has been found dead in her new
place of employment. Prue's employer believes she committed suicide,
but Jane isn't convinced. Charles, an amateur detective in the
habit of solving mysteries whether the police appreciate it or not,
agrees to take the case.
When Charles visits
the dead girl's room, he discovers telltale signs that point
to murder rather than suicide. Her employer is adamant that she
killed herself and insists that Charles leave the detecting to the
police, but Charles is not so easily put off.
There are both
positives and negatives in this book. On the positive side, the
characters are delightful. Charles and Lady Jane are likable as is Graham, Lennox's loyal manservant. The setting is
true to life and showcases both the period and the lives of the
characters. I couldn't stop reading it was such fun to be immersed in
the period with likable characters.
On the
negative side, it you like a mystery that is difficult to solve and
has lots of unexpected twists, this isn't for you. The plot is
absurdly easy to guess. The facts are laid out in the
first quarter of the book. The problem from then on how the author
tries to divert your attention. I liked the book, but as a mystery it
was disappointing. Luckily, the characters and setting carry the
book.
I reviewed this book
for Net Galley.
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