A charming mystery introduces Laetitia Rodd, a widow who moonlights as a sleuth in 1850s London. She’s tapped to help uncover the mysterious past of a prospective bride, but the more Laetitia digs, the more certain individuals want to keep their secrets buried. And when those secrets turn deadly, Laetitia may be in danger herself. Saunders nails the raucous world of Victorian London, capturing the Dickens-like characters from the lowest of society to the lofty ranks of the wealthy.
- Details
- Full Record
- Additional Info
Searching for more content…
Searching for more content…
Publisher:
New York : Bloomsbury, 2016
Edition:
First U.S. edition
ISBN:
9781632864499
1632864495
1632864495
Branch Call Number:
MYS Saun
Characteristics:
334 pages ; 22 cm
Opinion
From Library Staff
From Library Staff
A charming mystery introduces Laetitia Rodd, a widow who moonlights as a sleuth in 1850s London.
From the critics
Community Activity
Comment
Add a CommentA solid start to a new series -- I'll probably read the next one. I think I might've enjoyed it more if I'd ever read David Copperfield, as I understand this book references that one heavily. Overall, diverting enough and seems mostly true to the period, despite a few small-ish anachronisms . I like our detective and supporting characters; would've liked to have seen more detail in the resolution of the case and perhaps less detail in the getting there -- I think it's too long by about 25-50 pages; could've been tighter. Recommended for cozy fans.
The novels visits all levels of mid-Victorian society. I am still a bit confused about some bits, but the characters are likable. She picks up interesting bits about the economy, such as the decline of the great inns as transportation shifted from coaches to railroads.
Thoroughly enjoyed how this mystery played out! Mrs. Rodd, an older widow, is the reader's eyes throughout the book and is entirely likeable and thankfully keeps a cool head. I could have done with a few less references to her past, but as this is the first in the series the author could be setting up her character. I wouldn't mind less of her husband and more of herself. While the mystery unravels at a good pace throughout the book, none of the action would give one whiplash. I wouldn't quite call it a cozy mystery, but definitely a historical one.
The plot moves too slowly with too many love affairs and murders. I lost interest about half way through it, but finished reading to the end. Everything got resolved at the end.
A nice, quiet, historical mystery. This one is for those who are interested in historical detail more than in a fast-paced, gritty mystery. The author does an excellent job illustrating gender roles in Victorian England. Fans of Anne Perry should check this one out!
A good, well-written mystery. Set in the 1850s, only a few modern terms or ideas crept in. The villain, well, is kept hidden for most of the book, which is a good thing, because the villain is the only character that isn't quite as fully orbed as the other characters.
What a fun new series in the cozy mystery genre! Letty Rodd, the widow of an English archdeacon, assists her solicitor brother as needed on cases which require a bit of discrete investigating. Set in the late 19th century, this protagonist is spunky, yet compassionate!