A Study in Murder: A Victorian Book Club Mystery

cosy-mystery, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, family-dynamics, friendship What happens when the lady mystery writer in the days of Conan Doyle becomes, basically, the only suspect in the eyes of the Bath constabulary? Finding the body of her recently ex fiance in her home was bad enough, but that the police know about his business in the opium trade yet appear to have no interest in following that as a lead to a more plausible suspect is beyond tolerance. What else is she to do but investigate for herself with the help of a fellow book club member? Well done cosy mystery with excellent characters and a plot that draws the reader to finish promptly. I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

This is a solid, exciting first in the new Victorian Book Club Mystery series with characters I quickly grew to like, a quaint setting of 1890 Bath, England, and a stunning mystery. To me, it had a little bit of a slow start as characters are introduced and the setting established, but it quickly escalated, and I didn’t want to put it down! The characters are well-defined. I really enjoyed learning about Bath, including the history of the area. Lady Amy Lovell is a suffragette. She writes mysteries under a nom de plume, at her father’s request; and nobody outside the family knows she pens the popular novels. Amy is member of the local Mystery Book Club. William, Viscount Wethington, has been a friend of Lady Amy’s for a few years; he is also a member of the Mystery Book Club. Amy is betrothed to a man, not for a love match but a contract between her fiancé, Mr. Ronald St. Vincent, and her father. At 25, her father is concerned she will be a spinster. There is something about St. Vincent Amy didn’t trust, and she certainly did not sit around mooning over him. Amy was quite surprised when she received an anonymous note that St. Vincent ships and sells opium for those unfortunate souls in Bath who are addicted to the stuff. She was able to confirm his drug selling through her contacts. Amy summoned him to her home, at which time she broke up with him rather than waiting until her father returned from his businesses in London. St. Vincent was very angry, made excuses, and threatened to sue for a broken contract. A few evenings later, Amy was expecting William to bring by a book she wanted to borrow when St. Vincent came without invitation or notice. When she went to see him in her father’s library, the French doors were open to the garden and she didn’t see her ex-fiancé. Until she tripped over his body, fell on him, and saw the knife in his chest and the blood on her hands. Her scream brought William running to the room just before she passed out. The detectives believed that Amy did it. She broke up with him, he was in her house, and her shoes were wet from when she stepped outdoors to call for him. William believed she was innocent, and the cook said they never had a knife like the one at the scene. As a woman who solves murders on paper all the time, Amy decided to take matters into her own hands. She will find whodunit herself, before she is hung for murder. William, afraid for her safety, chose to help her. Until her father found out, at least. This mystery was very well-planned and executed, with intriguing twists and turns. They find suspects, but not proof, and I admit to being stumped. I did not figure out who did it and was as surprised as Amy and William were! I would have liked to see a small glossary of Victorian terms included; some words were obvious based on use, but others weren’t. The resolution was very satisfactory, but the very end left me unsettled. I am not a fan of cliffhangers, even if it will be a good lead-in to the next in series. Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys well-written cozy mysteries set in Victorian England and women who went against the tide both professionally and personally. From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

When Lady Amy Lovell breaks her engagement, she doesn’t expect to find her former fiancé a few days later in her library, dead. Now, with the help of her friend Lord William Wethington, she will use her skills as a mystery writer to attempt to prove her innocence and solve the murder. This is a delightful story. The mystery plot is well crafted and has enough twists and turns to make you think you know the murderer several times and surprise you with the real culprit at the end. There are moments of humor and some hints at a budding romance. The characters are quite entertaining. Amy and William are loveable and fun. Both are intelligent and independent. The book club members were interesting. Lacey, the parlor maid, Aunt Margaret, and the rather snarky and serious detectives add humor to the story. I really enjoyed the story, and Rosie Akerman’s narration was fantastic. She brought the characters and their personalities to life. I usually read romance now, but I have made my way through Holmes, Miss Marple, and Murder, She Wrote. Now I can add the Victorian Book Club Mysteries to my list. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.