Category: Victorian Era (1837-1901)

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of continental Europe.
Preceded by: Regency era
Followed by: Edwardian era
Monarch: Victoria

Mrs. Jeffries and the Midwinter Murders by Emily Brightwell

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Mrs. Jeffries and the Midwinter Murders (Mrs. Jeffries, #40)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Mrs. Jeffries #40
Publication Date: 11/16/21
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 304

Who can believe that this fun, entertaining, and well-written series now has forty books? It is amazing to realize how far our very naïve, backward, and unworldly Inspector has come since that first book. It is also amazing to see how his unknown crew of helpers has grown and matured in their means and methods of helping THEIR Inspector solve crimes – especially without letting him know he is being helped.

Christmas is rapidly approaching and everyone at Inspector Witherspoon’s is hoping their Inspector won’t catch any cases before the holiday because they are all looking forward to the celebrations. Sadly, that isn’t to be the case. Inspector Witherspoon is filling in for someone else when he is called to the scene of the murder of very wealthy Harriet Andover.

Harriet certainly had no intention of dying and spoiling anyone’s Christmas, but it seems that is just what happened when she is found in a locked room with the plaid belt to her husband’s robe wrapped tightly around her neck. Her husband seems grief-stricken – but is he really? Her step-children don’t even pretend they liked her, but the servants were all fond of her and appreciate her. She was a pleasant woman who treated the servants with respect and definitely improved their lives when she saw that they had proper food to eat and proper wages. It seems nobody really loved her though. At the same time, nobody seemed to hate her either.

There is, as always, much more to the inner workings of the family than is visible at first. While Inspector Witherspoon is quickly sure the servants aren’t involved in the death, there are five other residents in the household who could possibly have a motive. Mr. Jacob Andover, the husband, says he loved his wife – but did he? Her step-son, Percy Andover, was angry with her because she refused to keep supporting him and made him get a job. Mrs. Ellen Swineburn, Harriet’s step-daughter, felt Harriet was common and beneath the Andover’s social status – even though it was Harriet’s money that saved them all. Harriet’s best friend, Marcella Blakstone, is staying with the Andovers while her own home is having renovations done. There is also Harriet’s nephew from the United States, Reverend Daniel Wheeler, who has only just met his aunt for the first time. Is the murderer one of the house residents or guests? Or, is it someone from one of Harriet’s many and varied business dealings?

Inspector Gerald Witherspoon, Constable Griffiths, Constable Reed, and Constable Barnes will have their work cut out for them if they want to solve the case before Christmas. Of course, none of them other than Constable Barnes knows that they are also getting a massive dose of behind-the-scene help from the people who consider Inspector Witherspoon THEIR inspector and always want him to succeed. Mrs. Jeffries is the housekeeper and ring-leader of the group whose other members are: Luty Belle Crookshank – a wealthy American who loves bright colors; Hatchett, Luty Belle’s butler with benefits; Lady Ruby Cannonberry, widow of a peer; Smythe, the secretly very wealthy groom; Betsy, Smythe’s wife; Mrs. Goodge, the cook; Phyllis, the parlor maid; and Wiggins, the footman. With their wide set of skills, knowledge, social strata, and acquaintances – both home and abroad – they’ll fan out and gather clues they can surreptitiously pass along to the Inspector – especially through Constable Barnes.

This was a fun locked-room mystery and it took all of the skills and resources of our intrepid crew to solve the case and put the culprit where they belonged. We also get some good news and some upsetting news for our characters and we’ll just have to read the next books to see where it all goes.

I can definitely recommend this if you want an interesting mystery and some fun interactions with some lovely people. Now, I have to wait for the next one.

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

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The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe

On By TracyIn America's Gilded Age (1870-1900), American Historical, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Lady Gets Lucky (The Fifth Avenue Rebels, #2)The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Fifth Avenue Rebels, #2

Release Date: October 26, 2021

While attending a house party hosted by the Websters at their Newport “chapeau”, Boston heiress Alice Lusk makes a decision that will change her life. After years of verbal and emotional abuse at the hands of her mother, Alice is determined to marry – but she wants a man who will love her for herself, not her father’s money. So, she figures her best bet is to seduce a man, but how does a painfully shy, insecure, proper young lady do such a thing? By hiring the man her hostess’ daughter swears can turn even the shyest woman into a vixen – Christopher “Kit” Ward.

Kit is a self-described scoundrel, a playboy with charm, good looks, and money to spare and in no rush to change. So, when the pretty little wallflower asks for help, he is ready to send her on her way, but then he learns she is close friends with the famous Fifth Ave Hotel chef, Angelo Franconi – the very man Kit and his business partner and friend Preston have been trying to hire for their supper club! Alice makes it clear, chef Franconi will never leave the hotel, but she is sure she could persuade him to sell the men some of his famous recipes, as well as the rights to use his name and in exchange, she wants Kit to teach her how to attract a man.

Kit agrees and the two begin, but Kit is unprepared for his reaction to Alice and he aggressively fights his growing attraction. Things heat up between them, but they both know that nothing will ever come from it, and if Alice ever wants to follow her dream of running her own kitchen, she needs to marry, something that Kit has made quite clear he will never do. They return to New York, assuming they will never see each other again. Kit can’t deny he is jealous when he learns that Alice is being courted, but he stubbornly refuses to consider a future with her. But when Kit needs help, Alice offers to step in and cook for his club’s opening night and their passion burns bright and won’t be denied – but even one glorious night is not enough to change Kit’s mind about marriage and once more they part ways. It seems like Kit’s insecurities will cost him the love of a lifetime, but an unexpected tragedy and some no-nonsense advice, make him realize that Alice is exactly what he needs – but is it too late?

This book was fantastic! I loved it so much and am so glad I didn’t pass on it after my disappointment with the previous installment of this series. This book is nearly perfect, it is well-written, perfectly paced, filled with witty banter, extremely likable leads, steamy love scenes, a bit of heartache, insecurities, an overbearing, nasty mother, wonderful secondary characters, and a HEA that is sure to put a smile on your face. This is the second book in the series and part of the book runs concurrently with the first book, but this book can easily be read as a standalone title – however if you don’t want spoilers, read the books in order! I highly recommend this title and cannot wait for the next installment!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*