Scan barcode
wmmcmanlypants's review against another edition
3.0
This was almost a 2.5* for me. I liked it, but it spent so much time describing food and using flowery language that it became tough. The fact that it's early 1900s England kept me going. I actually think I would've loved this as a play and not a novel, idk. (But, props to the prep that the author probably had to take to write this and props for throwing me off the ending since I'm good at guessing.)
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
As soon as I read the opening line of Tessa Arlen’s Death Sits Down to Dinner, I wrapped myself up in this delightfully British & dignified-cozy mystery. Bringing to mind Agatha Christie or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Arlen has crafted a story that seamlessly blends the historic and the fictional. Sir Winston Churchill treads across the page – the murder occurs at his private birthday party, after all – and a marvelous note tacked on to the end of the book satisfies the historic-curious with insight into other real-life characters who make cameo appearances.
Some of the character names quite simply deserve to be said aloud for posterity’s sake. Marigold Meriwether. Trevor Tricklebank. Miss Biggleswade. And Gilbert Vernon Wildman-Lushington. Who, by the way, was an actual person – appointed as Churchill’s personal flying instructor in 1913.
Bottom Line: The upstairs/downstairs of Downton Abbey meets the Edwardian amateur sleuth in Tessa Arlen’s Death Sits Down to Dinner. Sophisticated and dignified Lady Montcort once again recruits her pragmatic housekeeper Mrs. Jackson to help her solve the gruesome murder of a friend’s dinner guest. Historical tidbits, along with insights into the expected etiquette belowstairs, added to the elements that make this a wonderfully entertaining read.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Some of the character names quite simply deserve to be said aloud for posterity’s sake. Marigold Meriwether. Trevor Tricklebank. Miss Biggleswade. And Gilbert Vernon Wildman-Lushington. Who, by the way, was an actual person – appointed as Churchill’s personal flying instructor in 1913.
Bottom Line: The upstairs/downstairs of Downton Abbey meets the Edwardian amateur sleuth in Tessa Arlen’s Death Sits Down to Dinner. Sophisticated and dignified Lady Montcort once again recruits her pragmatic housekeeper Mrs. Jackson to help her solve the gruesome murder of a friend’s dinner guest. Historical tidbits, along with insights into the expected etiquette belowstairs, added to the elements that make this a wonderfully entertaining read.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
maryrobinson's review against another edition
3.0
Clever cozy mystery set in Edwardian times with two amateur detectives on the case, one from upstairs and the other from downstairs.
claudetteb's review against another edition
3.0
Fun, but not nearly as good as the first book. The reader was never allowed even a glimpse at the final solution.
literaryfeline's review
4.0
Review originally posted on my blog: http://www.literaryfeline.com/2016/05/bookish-thoughts-death-sits-down-for.html
Death Sits Down for Dinner by Tessa Arlen
Minotaur Books, 2016
Crime Fiction (Historical); 320 pgs
Source: NetGalley
Tessa Arlen's series is fast becoming my favorite cozy mystery series. From the Edwardian English setting to the proper Mrs. Jackson and the ever persistent Lady Montfort, I adored the author's earlier book, and this second one was quite a delight to read too. The previous book was set in the countryside while this one was placed in London. It opens with Lady Montfort preparing to attend a birthday party for the well known Winston Churchill hosted by a close friend and patroness of one of England's largest charities. The evening does not go quite as planned when Lady Montfort stumbles on a body, a knife the obvious murder weapon.
Churchill assures everyone the best of the authorities is on the case, but Lady Montfort, despite being told to stay out of it, cannot help but insert herself into the investigation. She knows there are things her friends, London society and the servents will not share with the police even in the face of murder.
Mrs. Jackson is anything but thrilled to be pulled into another murder investigation. She would much rather keep to her housekeeping duties, and when asked to help plan a big charity event in London, she is insistent that is all she will do. Soon, however, she is lured into the investigation too. What they find are secrets upon secrets. Time is short and the body count is on the rise. The two women must work quickly to find answers and stop a killer from taking another life.
Author Tessa Arlen vividly captures the world of London's high society as well as the politics of the time. The differences between the society class and the working class were stark during that time, which is why Mrs. Jackson's role in helping with the investigation always proves to be so invaluable. And yet cultural change is definitely in the air, even if in the slightest of ways. It is an exciting time in England's history.
I could have taken issue with two amateur detectives actively investigating a murder that they really had no reason to get involved in, but I so enjoy seeing Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson in action. There is one scene in the novel in which Lady Montfort's son calls his mother out on her involvement, which I thought was well placed. Even though her son's and her perspectives may be different about why she's decided to conduct her own investigation, I appreciated the author acknowledging how it might look to any observer (reader included) in such a natural way.
As always, I enjoyed spending time with the ever sturdy and reliant Mrs. Jackson as well as the too-curious-for-her-own-good Lady Monfort. Both are rather traditional in their thinking, and while reluctant to step outside their comfort zones, they both recognize that their ways might not be the only or even the best way. I like seeing growth in characters, and both of these women demonstrate insight and intelligence throughout the novel.
Death Sits Down For Dinner is a wonderful follow-up to Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman, one I enjoyed quite a bit. The mystery itself was intriguing at every turn. I look forward to reading more in this series and seeing what else Tessa Arlen comes up with.
Death Sits Down for Dinner by Tessa Arlen
Minotaur Books, 2016
Crime Fiction (Historical); 320 pgs
Source: NetGalley
Tessa Arlen's series is fast becoming my favorite cozy mystery series. From the Edwardian English setting to the proper Mrs. Jackson and the ever persistent Lady Montfort, I adored the author's earlier book, and this second one was quite a delight to read too. The previous book was set in the countryside while this one was placed in London. It opens with Lady Montfort preparing to attend a birthday party for the well known Winston Churchill hosted by a close friend and patroness of one of England's largest charities. The evening does not go quite as planned when Lady Montfort stumbles on a body, a knife the obvious murder weapon.
Churchill assures everyone the best of the authorities is on the case, but Lady Montfort, despite being told to stay out of it, cannot help but insert herself into the investigation. She knows there are things her friends, London society and the servents will not share with the police even in the face of murder.
Mrs. Jackson is anything but thrilled to be pulled into another murder investigation. She would much rather keep to her housekeeping duties, and when asked to help plan a big charity event in London, she is insistent that is all she will do. Soon, however, she is lured into the investigation too. What they find are secrets upon secrets. Time is short and the body count is on the rise. The two women must work quickly to find answers and stop a killer from taking another life.
Author Tessa Arlen vividly captures the world of London's high society as well as the politics of the time. The differences between the society class and the working class were stark during that time, which is why Mrs. Jackson's role in helping with the investigation always proves to be so invaluable. And yet cultural change is definitely in the air, even if in the slightest of ways. It is an exciting time in England's history.
I could have taken issue with two amateur detectives actively investigating a murder that they really had no reason to get involved in, but I so enjoy seeing Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson in action. There is one scene in the novel in which Lady Montfort's son calls his mother out on her involvement, which I thought was well placed. Even though her son's and her perspectives may be different about why she's decided to conduct her own investigation, I appreciated the author acknowledging how it might look to any observer (reader included) in such a natural way.
As always, I enjoyed spending time with the ever sturdy and reliant Mrs. Jackson as well as the too-curious-for-her-own-good Lady Monfort. Both are rather traditional in their thinking, and while reluctant to step outside their comfort zones, they both recognize that their ways might not be the only or even the best way. I like seeing growth in characters, and both of these women demonstrate insight and intelligence throughout the novel.
Death Sits Down For Dinner is a wonderful follow-up to Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman, one I enjoyed quite a bit. The mystery itself was intriguing at every turn. I look forward to reading more in this series and seeing what else Tessa Arlen comes up with.
biblioventurer's review against another edition
3.0
The second entry in a series of historical mystery novels. I'm always a little hesitant to jump into these complicated, early 20th century mysteries, but become enthralled by them as soon as I'm able to keep the characters straight. I did not discover the culprit before Clementine, and found in her a spunky female protagonist who was also believable for the time period in which the novel was set.
kimmerp's review against another edition
4.0
Again, another great book by Ms. Arlen, but I was disappointed by the method of the murderer's reveal. I love the characters and liked their relationship. I look forward to book 3 in the series
vesper1931's review
3.0
It's 1913, and Lady Montfort is staying in their London house, when she is happy to attend a dinner party hosted by the close friend of her mother, Hermione Kingsley. Unfortunately the party does not go as expected when one of the guests is found day. With the help of her housekeeper Mrs Jackson they try and find the murderer.
An interesting mystery with some good descriptions of how the rich live, though the book should be described as a Post-Edwardian mystery.
An interesting mystery with some good descriptions of how the rich live, though the book should be described as a Post-Edwardian mystery.
julieputty's review
3.0
They mystery is a bit vague in a way. I struggled to keep the physical spaces, character placement, etc. in my head, so I felt unmoored. The characters blended together a bit for me as well.
More...