A mysterious summons. A fatal hot chocolate. And a duchess who never
expected mourning to be this dreadfully dull.
Hampshire, 1891. Six months into widowhood, Alice, Duchess of Stortford, is
restless. Black gowns and seclusion in the country have their limits, so when
Clarissa, Dowager Countess of Romley, sends a personal summons asking for her
discreet assistance with a troubling matter at Lawrence House, Alice seizes the
excuse for a change of scene.
But
what begins as a family gathering to welcome home the Dowager’s once-disgraced
son ends in shock. Clarissa is discovered dead, her passing swiftly dismissed
as a heart attack. Alice knows better. The Dowager had been afraid — and had
trusted her to uncover the truth. Someone silenced her, but why? Was it to do
with the announcement she made over dinner, or something even more dangerous?
Now
everyone in the house is a suspect: the resentful heir, the returning prodigal,
the mysterious guest with a too-familiar face. With her sharp-witted maid Maud,
steadfast footman George, and her reluctant ally Lord Rushton at her side,
Alice must act quickly. If the Dowager was murdered to keep her secrets buried,
the killer will not hesitate to strike again.
The Dowager is dead. The clock is ticking. And the duchess is about to
discover that country house parties can be murder.
Full
of clever twists and a heroine who won’t give up until she finds out the truth,
A Dowager is Done-in is the perfect escape for fans of historical
mysteries wrapped in wit and warmth.
Review
Another delightful story by Helen Golden! With the good humor of Miss Marple and the twists of Hercule Poirot, cozy mysteries fans will find so much to love in this series. I reviewed a book previously and I'm thrilled to say that I found this one even better than the first!
Helen Golden has collected a cast of characters that make you wish your butler were found foot-up in the pantry. I was having so much fun that I didn't really try to figure out the mystery. The ride was as delicious as scones with cottle cream and jam at afternoon tea.
I do have one last thing to say in this review. Lady Alice may say that it's the small things that matter in solving a mystery, but I have gained more appreciation for the large things in life -- such as a large print edition that doesn't leave me with a stress headache. Deep appreciation to Helen Golden for being aware of us readers who have entered our bifocal era. So, no matter your age, find a cozy blanket, some shortbread cookies, a pot of your favorite tea and spend the afternoon with Lady Alice and her mystery squad.
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dowager-Done-Duchess-Stortford-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FNR838B8/
https://www.amazon.com/Dowager-Done-Duchess-Stortford-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FNR838B8/
About Helen
Golden
Helen Golden
spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served
with a twist of humour.
With quirky
characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s
the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series,
following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they
uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical
mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian
England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own
family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and
overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates.
Helen lives in a
quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter,
and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too
many fish.
If you love
clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are
waiting for you.
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