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omegabeth's review against another edition
5.0
Couldn't stop reading it!
Loved the characters, the setting, the writing style, the shifting point of view, the atmosphere-- I finished it this afternoon at work, and can't wait to dive into the next one-
Loved the characters, the setting, the writing style, the shifting point of view, the atmosphere-- I finished it this afternoon at work, and can't wait to dive into the next one-
showell's review against another edition
2.0
Good story, but I found the writing/dialogue to be ponderous. Am going to check out another one, because Ross came highly recommended, and it's possible that this is a first novel sort of problem that will shake out.
ktaylor1164's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this--well written and interesting--but it didn't catch me as much as some of the other period mysteries have. I think it was because of the odd narrative distance; the sudden shifts away from Kestral's POV pulled me out of the story at times. That said, it's a solid 3.5 stars, and I'm interested enough to pick up the next one in the series when I'm in the mood for more historical mystery.
neerajams's review against another edition
4.0
Completely entertaining, full of endearing characters, with a fun take on the family-at-a-countryhouse mystery plot. It leads you along at a really nice pace, so that you arrive at the conclusion at the same time as the amateur detective. Perfect for a socially-distant rainy day.
kadomi's review against another edition
3.0
Apparently this is murder mystery August for me. This one's set in 19th century regency period England. It was a little bit like Downton Abbey set a hundred years earlier. The Fontclair heir Hugh is forced to marry the daughter of a commoner due to some dark family secret and blackmail. During a trip to London he meets the socialite Julian Kestrel and on a seemingly random lark (it really made no sense) invites him to his family's mansion to be his groomsman for the wedding. Julian Kestrel, a true peacock, but ever so gentlemanly, travels to the estate and one evening finds a dead woman in his bed. His manservant is the prime suspect, and so Kestrel decides to be a sleuth and investigate. He finds out the deep dark secrets of the Fontclair family, as everyone is hiding something.
Was entertaining enough, made no sense, and despite how charming Julian Kestrel was, isn't inspiring me to read more of those mysteries.
Was entertaining enough, made no sense, and despite how charming Julian Kestrel was, isn't inspiring me to read more of those mysteries.
dr_laurie_1968's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this series. It's very sad that Kate Ross died so young.
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
3.0
This took me a while to get interested in, because the set up takes a hot minute. But once it turns into an investigation, it's superb. Also: Julian Kestrel = hottie.
agmaynard's review
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Assured, accomplished debut. If you’re lamenting there are no more Georgette Heyer murder mysteries, try these. Regency flavor and cant, a background romance, and an appealing, competent amateur detective in Julian Kestral, who also has help from his valet Dipper and a crusty local doctor. Sadly, Ms Ross wrote only 4 before her untimely death. Going to track down the other three!
elusivity's review against another edition
3.0
Julian Kestrel is a Regency dandy with a mysterious past, fine intellect, and empathetic heart. Hugh Fontclair is being forced into marriage with Maud Craddock, but invites Julian as best man after meeting the young man once and in gratitude for saving him from a gaming hell.
At Bellegarde, everyone is harboring one large secret, and smaller secrets of their own.
An extremely-intricate plot which unravels with reason and clarity, lightly but comfortably Regency. Hugh is a sympathetic main character. However, I found the whole thing rather bloodless -- the horrifying lacking horror, the sweet lacking sweetness. A good read for a leisurely afternoon.
Recommended.
At Bellegarde, everyone is harboring one large secret, and smaller secrets of their own.
Spoiler
When an unknown young woman is found murdered in Julian's bed, Julian swears he would suss all these secrets out in order to save his man Dipper from the gallows. The big secret is, Hugh's uncle, the Colonel, revealed military secrets to his French mistress during the war, who then sold it for money. Mr. Craddock found these letters at a pawn shop, and blackmails the Fontclairs into asking for his daughter's hand in marriage. The young woman turns out to be mistress of the Colonel's son, Guy; yet also, the daughter of the French mistress, who had idolized the Colonel and traveled to England to seek out when her mother died. She is killed by Isabelle, the poor-relation, because she is desperately in love with Guy and hated all his women.An extremely-intricate plot which unravels with reason and clarity, lightly but comfortably Regency. Hugh is a sympathetic main character. However, I found the whole thing rather bloodless -- the horrifying lacking horror, the sweet lacking sweetness. A good read for a leisurely afternoon.
Recommended.