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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
This is the first in the Lady Emily Ashton series, which is quite similar to Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn. Both main characters are Victorian women in society marriages whose husbands die and who begin to investigate their deaths. I actually prefer Lady Emily and her series–they’re thoughtful and thought-provoking, but the secrets she uncovers aren’t nearly as dark. [Oct. 2009]
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Probably my favorite mystery discovery for the year. Lady Emily Ashton’s development made much more sense to me than most of the “Victorian woman struggling against her times” books (if you want a list, I’d be happy to oblige). Moreover, the minor characters are interesting in their own right. [2009 in books]
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Probably my favorite mystery discovery for the year. Lady Emily Ashton’s development made much more sense to me than most of the “Victorian woman struggling against her times” books (if you want a list, I’d be happy to oblige). Moreover, the minor characters are interesting in their own right. [2009 in books]
Extremely disappointed in this read, was hoping for something much better.
I really enjoyed the first half and the Victorian setting. It was interesting to read about a woman falling in love with her husband after he was dead. But I figured out the mystery pretty easily, and I was annoyed that the characters didn't. I didn't feel like I understood why the one character who knew what was going on didn't just explain things to the main character.
Eh.
I found the main character to be silly, and a bit of a hypocrite. She spent the whole book jumping to conclusions that were obviously wrong. The mystery was interesting enough, but the protagonist was a bit annoying. I might read the next book in the series, but I doubt it. I will miss Colin; who was likable, if ineffectual.
One more thing: I've never tried port, but based on this novel I have to assume it is the best tasting drink to exist anywhere ever. If I ever try it, I'm likely to be extremely disappointed... Who knew historical fiction could have such egregious product placement?
I found the main character to be silly, and a bit of a hypocrite. She spent the whole book jumping to conclusions that were obviously wrong. The mystery was interesting enough, but the protagonist was a bit annoying. I might read the next book in the series, but I doubt it. I will miss Colin; who was likable, if ineffectual.
One more thing: I've never tried port, but based on this novel I have to assume it is the best tasting drink to exist anywhere ever. If I ever try it, I'm likely to be extremely disappointed... Who knew historical fiction could have such egregious product placement?
I expected more mystery and crime-solving, but for a first book, it wasn't that bad. Adding a star for Lady Emily understanding her husband for the first time, almost two years after his death - I thought that was done well. Maybe I'll warm up to the love story with the next books, if we find out more about the guy.
Took me forever to finish this, but I want to read the next one so
I have some mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, self reliant, forward thinking Victorian heroines solving mysteries is like. My favorite genre. So in theory, this should have ticked all my boxes, but it missed the mark somehow. I think that the heroine, Emily, just felt...hollow. She presents as this very smart, sensible, progressive woman, but then throughout the book her behavior is consistently naive and rash and a bit...stupid. I think that the author was aiming for strong and determined but what she got was headstrong and obstinate, as Lady Emily brashly does the opposite whenever anyone has the gall to give her advice, tarnishing her sensible facade. The side characters as well, felt like merely tropes. The eccentric one, the bad boy, the heart-throb, etc., without very much actual substance. One thing I do appreciate is that the author states in the notes following the story that she didn't want to put a 21st century woman in Victorian clothing, that she wanted her to be a believable product of her time, and I think she did reasonably well there. Overall, the plot of the novel was fairly predictable. A mystery, a love triangle, an "is he REALLY dead" subplot, etc. I enjoyed it as a light read during a long car ride, but as for deeper interest and connection with the story and characters, it just wasn't quite there.
so good! really looking forward to reading more about lady emily