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vibeke_hiatt's review against another edition
4.0
I'm annoyed that it took so long for me to learn about this book. I kept checking and checking for a sequel to The Secrets of Wishtide and, when I finally found it, it had already been out for over a year!
I still love the character Laetitia Rodd as much as I did when I read the first book. The plot of this book wasn't as strong or cohesive as the last, but the storytelling was superb. I stayed up until 2 in the morning many nights because I wanted to know what would happen next.
It was a little more suggestive than I expect a cozy mystery to be, but not so much that I cringed or wanted to set the book aside. On the other hand, the cozy nature of the story (and the Victorian sensibilities of the narrator) sometimes made it difficult to understand exactly what was being suggested.
Some aspects of the story I was able to predict, others came as a surprise, while some things I didn't see because I didn't want to see them. Overall, this book was highly enjoyable and I hope to see a book 3.
I still love the character Laetitia Rodd as much as I did when I read the first book. The plot of this book wasn't as strong or cohesive as the last, but the storytelling was superb. I stayed up until 2 in the morning many nights because I wanted to know what would happen next.
It was a little more suggestive than I expect a cozy mystery to be, but not so much that I cringed or wanted to set the book aside. On the other hand, the cozy nature of the story (and the Victorian sensibilities of the narrator) sometimes made it difficult to understand exactly what was being suggested.
Some aspects of the story I was able to predict, others came as a surprise, while some things I didn't see because I didn't want to see them. Overall, this book was highly enjoyable and I hope to see a book 3.
kleonard's review against another edition
2.0
It really never occurred to me that there might be a genre of Christian mysteries, as there are Christian romances, but this apparently is one of a series in just that niche. A woman, the widow of a vicar, takes on PI work for friends and family. In this installment she seeks to reconcile estranged brothers, but instead finds herself amidst murders in a community in strife over Catholicism vs Protestantism. While the narrator is supposed to come across as pious but with a sense of humor, she just seems immensely privileged and intolerant of others and highly tolerant of her own foibles and those of the people she finds acceptable. By the end, I was rooting for certain characters to become atheists, shake off their religious brainwashing and baggage, and run away to live happier lives elsewhere.
persistent_reader's review against another edition
4.0
There's nothing like a good mystery. I listened to the first in the series, and the second did not disappoint. The characters are believable and nuanced, and I especially like the intelligent, middle-aged heroine. Laetitia is intelligent with moral courage, good instincts, and compassion. The plot had twists and turns that I didn't expect and kept me glued to the end. The reader of the audio version probably had a lot to do with my enjoyment because she does an excellent job of drawing the listener into the story. I hope there will be another addition to this series.
jo_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
It is nigh on 3 years since I was last with Laetitia Rodd when I discovered the first novel and then hoped for more so I was more than delighted when I got the chance to read and the review the second one. I hope there will be more.
So what do you need to know about Laetitia Rodd? A fifty something widow of an archdeacon who is kind of down on her luck financially. She lives with her landlady Mrs Benton, one time landlady of the well known poet John Keats and also Laetitia's friend and confidante.
To earn some sort of existence, Laetitia takes on private investigations normally with the advice and help of her brother, Frederick a criminal barrister who spends a lot of time avoiding his hom, wife and eleven children!
Laetitia is called to see Jacob Welland who make a last dying request to find his brother, Joshua so they can be reconciled after 15 years of not speaking.
But who has seen Joshua Welland and are all the sightings true?
To help her find out, Laetitia seeks out a couple from her and her husbands past and goes to stay with them. However she arrives into another problem and it seems that when bodies start turning up and deathbed confessions are bandied about it brings in Scotland Yard and Inspector Beard, who doesn't not necessarily hold with Laetitia's gut feelings and emotions.
Only the truth will do and surely a place of worship and contemplation will be the place to find it? Or is it all just a facade?
I was entranced by the plot and worked out part of the problem but was most distracted by the red herrings to do with the Welland brothers such was the strength of the writing.
A refreshing historical crime novel with a independent female detective and not afraid to delve perhaps into what was seen as the most deviant parts of Victorian society,
I hope I don't have to wait another three years for another book.
So what do you need to know about Laetitia Rodd? A fifty something widow of an archdeacon who is kind of down on her luck financially. She lives with her landlady Mrs Benton, one time landlady of the well known poet John Keats and also Laetitia's friend and confidante.
To earn some sort of existence, Laetitia takes on private investigations normally with the advice and help of her brother, Frederick a criminal barrister who spends a lot of time avoiding his hom, wife and eleven children!
Laetitia is called to see Jacob Welland who make a last dying request to find his brother, Joshua so they can be reconciled after 15 years of not speaking.
But who has seen Joshua Welland and are all the sightings true?
To help her find out, Laetitia seeks out a couple from her and her husbands past and goes to stay with them. However she arrives into another problem and it seems that when bodies start turning up and deathbed confessions are bandied about it brings in Scotland Yard and Inspector Beard, who doesn't not necessarily hold with Laetitia's gut feelings and emotions.
Only the truth will do and surely a place of worship and contemplation will be the place to find it? Or is it all just a facade?
I was entranced by the plot and worked out part of the problem but was most distracted by the red herrings to do with the Welland brothers such was the strength of the writing.
A refreshing historical crime novel with a independent female detective and not afraid to delve perhaps into what was seen as the most deviant parts of Victorian society,
I hope I don't have to wait another three years for another book.
dreadlockdiva2's review against another edition
4.0
I have been waiting for this sequel for some time. Loved the voice of Letitia Rodd, a kind and sensible middle-aged woman making her way in the world. My favorite type of MC. And while I liked her voice and her conviction in this book, I have to admit I was disappointed by how long it took her to figure out the culprit. Even when it was staring her in the face she still had problems convincing herself of who committed the murders. This was annoying given that it wasn’t a particularly complicated mystery but an entertaining one that was easily figured out. But overall I enjoyed Mrs. Rodd’s adventures despite the number of middle aged men the author insists on paring with very young women- pairings that left me feeling grossed out.
temi_m's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Somehow this was convoluted and very simple. I found it obvious who was guilty and a lot of the ‘secrets’ were obvious.
I just found the main character so annoying, she was so ridiculously naive and narrow minded.
I just found the main character so annoying, she was so ridiculously naive and narrow minded.
veronica87's review against another edition
4.0
Perhaps this should be called The Case of the Wandering Plot as it takes awhile for things to come to a boil but the superb narration makes up for any plot foibles.
a_ab's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I somehow missed the fact that this was a second book in the series and read it as a standalone novel. There were some references to previous adventures, but I took them as a natural way to give the characters history, so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
The book is very long, but very well written and the story expertly told: despite the length, there are very few frills and the whole book felt like a rich tapestry being woven right before my eyes with the pattern emerging steadily with every turn of the page, but being revealed completely only in the last chapter.
I am not sure I would want to reread this book — still not a fan of the length, but otherwise the book is very rereadable.
But now I am conflicted. I'd be very disappointed if the first book is not as good, but I am still curious about it.
The book is very long, but very well written and the story expertly told: despite the length, there are very few frills and the whole book felt like a rich tapestry being woven right before my eyes with the pattern emerging steadily with every turn of the page, but being revealed completely only in the last chapter.
I am not sure I would want to reread this book — still not a fan of the length, but otherwise the book is very rereadable.
But now I am conflicted. I'd be very disappointed if the first book is not as good, but I am still curious about it.
tradepaperback's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse