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judyward's review against another edition
3.0
Set in the peaceful English village of Dovecote Hatch in 1932, this quiet and slow-moving mystery highlights the changing English class system in the post World War I period and paints a compelling portrait of life in the English countryside. Florence Norris, the housekeeper at Mullings, a stately country home, learns of the death from falling down the stairs of Kenneth Tenneson. The death is ruled an accident by the corner's inquest, but Florence isn't so sure that launches an investigation.
vesper1931's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
1932 following the accidental death of Kenneth Tenneson of Bogmire House, there are surprises to come when a new will is presented that changes several peoples' lives.
Slow paced cozy historical mystery
Slow paced cozy historical mystery
cmbohn's review against another edition
2.0
I usually love this author, but this series just isn't working for me. For one thing, I miss the humor that is in her other series. But the real problem is that this is a classic example of "show, don't tell." She slows the book down so much by telling us what every character is thinking all of the time that the reader loses the thread of the action. I don't really want to know every detail about every character's lives PLUS what they're thinking all of the time. Just not what I was hoping for.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
Death at Dovecote Hatch by Dorothy Cannell is a
Inspector Crane has once again popped into Dovecote Hatch, only this time he's looking for help from Florence and George regarding a suspicious death.
The first book in this series was a bit of a rocky ride, but this second installment was markedly improved.
Florence and George have finally confessed their feelings of love for one another and look forward to marrying one day, but after the murder at Mullings, Florence wants to be sure Ned is truly settled and that the housekeeping staff will manage without her.
In the meantime, she and George work a couple of mysterious cases, one of which directly involves Alf and his wife, Doris, who receives an unexpected inheritance.
The pacing is much faster in this second installment, the dialogue is crisper, and the mystery much more compelling and interesting than what was experienced in the first book.
It was interesting that the sudden deaths that George, Florence, and Crane are concerned about only looked suspicious if you viewed them with a trained eye or if you were quite observant. Otherwise, no one would have been the wiser and the deaths could have been passed off as accidents. This setup made the need for character examination and attention to detail very important. George and Florence make a pretty good team, bouncing ideas and theories off each other, which intensified their cerebral and practical chemistry.
Some of Cannell’s trademark humor, which was MIA in the first book, made a guest appearance a few times here, which was very nice to see.
I rather enjoyed this very British historical mystery. I’m not sure the author intends to continue on with the series, but if not, it ended on a very positive note. However, if Florence were to return again someday, I would love to catch up with the gang at Dovecote Hatch and Mullings Manor.
4 stars
Inspector Crane has once again popped into Dovecote Hatch, only this time he's looking for help from Florence and George regarding a suspicious death.
The first book in this series was a bit of a rocky ride, but this second installment was markedly improved.
Florence and George have finally confessed their feelings of love for one another and look forward to marrying one day, but after the murder at Mullings, Florence wants to be sure Ned is truly settled and that the housekeeping staff will manage without her.
In the meantime, she and George work a couple of mysterious cases, one of which directly involves Alf and his wife, Doris, who receives an unexpected inheritance.
The pacing is much faster in this second installment, the dialogue is crisper, and the mystery much more compelling and interesting than what was experienced in the first book.
It was interesting that the sudden deaths that George, Florence, and Crane are concerned about only looked suspicious if you viewed them with a trained eye or if you were quite observant. Otherwise, no one would have been the wiser and the deaths could have been passed off as accidents. This setup made the need for character examination and attention to detail very important. George and Florence make a pretty good team, bouncing ideas and theories off each other, which intensified their cerebral and practical chemistry.
Some of Cannell’s trademark humor, which was MIA in the first book, made a guest appearance a few times here, which was very nice to see.
I rather enjoyed this very British historical mystery. I’m not sure the author intends to continue on with the series, but if not, it ended on a very positive note. However, if Florence were to return again someday, I would love to catch up with the gang at Dovecote Hatch and Mullings Manor.
4 stars
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