Category: Edwardian Age (1901-1910)

The Edwardian era or Edwardian period of British history covers the brief reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910, and is sometimes extended in both directions to capture long-term trends from the 1890s to the First World War. The death of Queen Victoria in January 1901 marked the end of the Victorian era.
Preceded by: Victorian era
Followed by: First World War
Monarch: Edward VII, George V

One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Edwardian Age (1901-1910), Historical MysteryLeave a comment

One Fatal Flaw: A Daniel Pitt NovelBarbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Daniel Pitt #3
Publication Date: 4/7/20
Number of Pages: 304

Tightly wrapped within the cocoon of this superb, well-plotted mystery series, you will find the nuggets of early forensic science. This story deals with the effect of arson and intense heat upon bones – particularly the skull – and the way an arrogant, self-centered, selfish, vengeful ‘expert’ can warp the judicial system for his own reward.

The story is tightly plotted, well written, and filled with historical accuracy. I loved Daniel Pitt immediately because I loved his parents first. Daniel is a wonderfully honest, dedicated, and very honorable twenty-five-year-old man who has been out of law school for just a couple of years. He’s on the bottom rung of the ladder at his law firm, fford Croft and Gibson, and rarely gets assigned a case himself. He sits as second chair to his friend and mentor, Toby Kitteridge.

When a young woman, Jessie Beale, arrives at the prestigious law firm and asks to see Daniel, it is because of an earlier case in which he had represented a party who was found innocent. It had seemed a near-impossible case, yet Daniel won it – and she wanted that same thing for her friend, Rob Adwell. After hearing what she had to say, Daniel couldn’t help but believe the man was guilty of the crime, but once he discussed it with Kitteridge and the firm head Marcus fford Croft, it was decided they would take the case. He was amazed when they won the case, but it was because of the expert forensic testimony of Sir Barnabus Saltram.

Weeks later, Daniel is called to defend Jessie herself. She is accused of murdering Rob in exactly the same manner as the first murder occurred. As Daniel investigates, he begins to wonder if his client might not be guilty of not one, but two murders. Yet, because of the expert testimony from Adwell’s trial, he can only assume she will be found innocent. That tears at him because he will be a party to letting a murderer go free. What a conundrum our erstwhile young lawyer has found for himself. How can he meet his obligations to his client and his conscience at the same time?

As more things emerge and information shifts, attacks happen, the tale gets filled with more twists and turns. Will Daniel’s minor case end up turning Britain’s justice system and the fledgling forensic sciences field on its head?

Miriam fford Croft is the forty-year-old daughter of Marcus fford Croft, Daniel’s boss. Miriam is a woman who has suffered for the times. She’s brilliant, dedicated, educated, and without a college degree or credentials even though she has completed all of the coursework and received exceptional marks. The field of forensic science is not one that is available for women. I have to say, I was a bit concerned about Miriam in about the first 35-40% of the book. She seemed to have given up on her pursuits and was feeling pretty ho-hum. Then, she perked up and things got moving for her. I was happy for her to finally come to some sort of resolution within herself.

I loved Miriam and Daniel working together and solving issues. I loved Miriam’s courage in the face of social ruin and I loved that Daniel let her make the decision about how to continue.

I keep wondering if there is going to be a May-December romance between Daniel and Miriam. They certainly care for each other, but is it romantic? I don’t know, but it will be interesting to see.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Seduce Me With Sapphires by Jane Feather

On By TracyIn Edwardian Age (1901-1910), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Seduce Me with Sapphires (The London Jewels Trilogy, #2)Seduce Me with Sapphires by Jane Feather

Tracy’s rating: 2.5/3 of 5 stars

Series: The London Jewels Trilogy, #2

Release Date: January 28, 2020

***WARNING – This review might be considered spoilerish ***

The Honorable Miss Fenella Grantley, only child of Baron Grantley, has a secret, one she has shared with no one, not even her dearest friends Petra & Diana. Fenella secretly longs to tread the boards and has been taking acting lessons, but she knows it is not a realistic aspiration for a woman of her social standing, but nonetheless, she is taking lessons and enjoying herself. She is actually at a class and is given a new part to read. She begins and is berated by Edward Tremayne – the illegitimate son of the Earl of Pendleton and apparently the author of the play she is reading for. Fenella knows Edward by sight, but was never formally introduced. She gets upset with his critique and gives him a piece of her mind before leaving.

Edward can’t believe Fenella didn’t immediately understand the character – in his mind she is the lead character – Rose. Edward has always lived on the fringes and has always admired Fenella, when he began writing his play, titled Sapphire, he always pictured Rose looking like Fenella. He rushes after her and to patch the riff between them. He is lucky that Fenella is a reasonable person and gives him a chance to explain himself. She listens to him and agrees to meet the next day – she is not sure how she feels about him, but doesn’t deny the attraction she feels. When she arrives home, her friends Petra & Diana are waiting for her and she tells them of her acting classes and meeting Edward. She also mentions the problem of a suitor Lord George, the son of a duke, who has lately began to act as if they are engaged, she blames herself for not making her feelings clear and is at a loss as how to set him straight without hurting him or ruining herself.

The next day Rose goes to see Edward at his lodgings, he tries to explain his vison for the play and Rose in particular, things do not go well and they once again quarrel, but this time Edward kisses her, a kiss she eagerly returns. He asks her to come back the next day and even though she is confused about how she feels, she agrees. That evening she attends her mother’s dinner party and meets Edward’s half-siblings, they are vile people, but Fenella indulges her curiosity and learns quite a bit about Edward. When she visits him the next day, they again quarrel, make up and he suggests they spend the day together, she agrees and after a good meal and interesting conversation, they return to his rooms and one thing leads to another and she spends the night and leaves even more confused than before – where is this relationship going and more important – where does she want it to go??

This was a very strange book – the first 80% is basically, Fenella and Edward eating, arguing and having sex. Repeatedly, some other things happen, but for the most part – that is the book – I kept waiting for something to happen, but it didn’t. It wasn’t a bad book, but it was somewhat boring, despite being steamy. I felt confused by Fenella, she doesn’t want to ruin herself by breaking with George, but she is going to Edward’s alone and having sex (I assume from her inner dialogue that she was a virgin) but apparently she isn’t concern about being labeled loose/fast??? I also found them both a bit spoiled and used to having things their own way – she was definitely more flexible and reasonable, Edward seemed to have a lot of “What did I say?” moments, which I actually found amusing because they were the typical male “I really don’t understand why you are upset” reaction to her anger. The end of the book did tie up most of the loose ends and cemented their relationship, but I honestly didn’t feel the love. So bottom-line, I didn’t love the book, I didn’t hate it either, and while I would not read it again, I did like it better than the first book in the series. This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*