Author: Jennifer Ashley
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Publisher: Penguin Group LLC (USA)
Release Date: January 2, 2018
About the Book:
Victorian class lines are crossed when cook Kat Holloway is drawn into a murder that reaches all the way to the throne.
Highly sought-after young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in a Mayfair mansion and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household of Lord Rankin. Kat is unbothered by the family’s eccentricities as long as they stay away from her kitchen, but trouble finds its way below stairs when her young Irish assistant is murdered.
Intent on discovering who killed the helpless kitchen maid, Kat turns to the ever-capable Daniel McAdam, who is certainly much more than the charming delivery man he pretends to be. Along with the assistance of Lord Rankin’s unconventional sister-in-law and a mathematical genius, Kat and Daniel discover that the household murder was the barest tip of a plot rife with danger and treason—one that’s a threat to Queen Victoria herself.
Buy Links: Amazon
My Review:
Take a trip to the past… London in the 1880’s to be specific. Death Below Stairs is a historic, action packed mystery that combines the sleuthing abilities of The Avengers and an atmosphere resembling Downton Abbey. If you think the story is dragging a bit about a quarter of the way into the book, just keep reading! You will find characters in typical Jennifer Ashley style that will work their way into your heart and an adventure that will have that same heart racing. No cookie-cutter characters here!
Shortly after Mrs. Holloway accepts the position as Cook for the wealthy baron, Lord Rankin, her cook’s assistant is found murdered in the larder. Unlike a typical Victorian servant who might faint away at discovering the body, Kat Holloway delves right in to find the murderer. Questions soon sprout up from every angle. What was the mysterious Daniel McAdam doing, dressed in finery, and meeting with Lord Rankin? And where did the gentleman Lady Cynthia had hit with her cart earlier disappear to? And what was Sinead’s connection to the Fenian’s? All of this soon takes a backseat to an even bigger investigation that involves the Queen herself.
Although this can certainly be read as a stand-alone novel, reading the novella “A Soupcon of Poison” to get a bit of background of the main characters might be beneficial. Not totally necessary, but it could add to the understanding of these fabulous characters.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series! And it looks like that is already in the works.
Disclosure: A complimentary ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
About the Author:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, paranormal, and contemporary romance as Jennifer Ashley; paranormal romance and urban fantasy as Allyson James; and mysteries as Ashley Gardner. Jennifer's novels have won RWA's RITA and RT Reviewer's Choice awards among others.
For information on her novels as Jennifer Ashley and Allyson James visit www.jenniferashley.com. Also see http://www.gardnermysteries.com (Ashley Gardner) for her other works.
For information on her novels as Jennifer Ashley and Allyson James visit www.jenniferashley.com. Also see http://www.gardnermysteries.com (Ashley Gardner) for her other works.
0 comments:
Post a Comment