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

Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley

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

Death Below Stairs (Kat Holloway Mysteries, #1)Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Kat Holloway #1
Publication Date: 1/2/18

Wow! Just WOW! I love Jennifer Ashley’s writing but was a little concerned about whether I’d like this book and series or not – simply because it takes place at a time later than I usually enjoy reading – 1881. Color me pleased and full of enjoyment! I greatly admire Kat Holloway who is NOT your standard heroine in a novel. I was also concerned about how a cook in a very busy and demanding household was going to manage to have time to flit about England investigating crimes. In this book, that was well explained and the absences were accounted for – but – I do wonder how that will work in the future.

Kat Holloway is a straight-laced, no-nonsense, intelligent, logical and strong Victorian woman who is twenty-nine years of age, plump, brown-haired, attractive and kind. She has a past and secrets to protect. She also has a need to protect the underdog and those who cannot protect themselves – not to mention harboring a soft-spot for a certain, very mysterious man and boy who keeps popping into and out of her life. We learn more about Kat’s secrets and her past as we move through the story and come to understand a lot of how she came to be who she is. I definitely came to admire her for her fortitude in dealing with issues that would have broken a weaker woman. I’ll really be looking forward to learning more about her in future additions to the series.

Daniel McAdam is a complete and total mystery – and you won’t know a whole lot more about him at the end of the book than you did at the beginning. What an enigma he is! Is he noble? Is he common? Is he wealthy? Is he poor? Is he a spy? Is he part of the police? He is a total chameleon. What we do know is that he has a real admiration and a soft spot for Kat Holloway. He also has a son (James) who is on the cusp of manhood and theirs is a complicated relationship. I really like Daniel and can’t wait to see how the relationship between him and Kat will unfold. I love mysteries, but am not a fan of them if they don’t have a large, serious romance as well – so I’ll be looking forward to seeing this one grow.

Our episode begins with Kat heading to the home of Lord and Lady Rankin to be interviewed for the post as their new cook. Kat had left her last post because the family was permanently moving out of London and for personal reasons Kat wanted/needed to remain in the city. Kat’s first day on the job was uneventful and she met and liked the staff with whom she worked. She was especially drawn to her young assistant who wanted to be called Sinead, but everyone insisted on calling Ellen because it was more English sounding. Actually, neither was her name. Kat was overcome when she walked into the larder a couple of days later to discover Sinead’s body – cold and hidden in a dark corner. She felt guilty and blamed herself because just the night before, she had left the young girl folding the table linens rather than helping her – and she had just promised the girl that she’d look out for her.

Kat wants to make sure that the coroner and constables don’t just sluff off the death as an accident or some such. Because she feels guilty, she wants to assure that the death is properly investigated and that the perpetrator is identified and brought to justice. She really wants to find Daniel so he can see the scene before the coroner and constables get there, but that doesn’t happen. He does come into the investigation to help – and to further an investigation of his own. The two might be related.

The investigation takes off and the safety of the queen and England itself could be at stake. They must solve the crime and assure that nothing happens to the queen. Multiple investigations, multiple perpetrators, and many bad guys. Quite a wild ride! LOVED IT ALL!

What did I not like so much? Well …
• I never did really understand if Lord Rankin was actually knowledgeably involved in the plot or if his money-hungry ways sucked him in.
• Not learning about the final outcome for all of the plotters involved – especially ‘Minty’. I wanted him to fall in a bog someplace.
• I really, really wanted to see Lady Cynthia get her HEA. Maybe that will come in the next book or something
• I wanted to see Daniel and Kat receive recognition from the queen (if only in secret). I know we don’t know anything about Daniel, but I’d like to think the Queen knows and recognizes him. He and Kat did a lot! Maybe some of that will come later as well.

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

When You Love a Scotsman by Hannah Howell

On By TracyIn American Historical, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

When You Love a Scotsman (Seven Brides for Seven Scotsmen #2)When You Love a Scotsman by Hannah Howell

Series: Seven Brides for Seven Scotsmen, #2

Release Date: December 26, 2017

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

I liked this book, but I didn’t love it and I probably wouldn’t read it again.

The story opens with Matthew MacEnroy and his men staking shelter from Rebel forces at a farmhouse. The house is the home of Abigail Jenson and her parents. When the Rebels arrive, Abbie races inside to warn her mother and father.

Weeks earlier her family was attacked, her brother was “pressed” into service, her father beaten and her mother violated, Abbie was spared because she had hidden. Her father is near death and her mother is mentally unstable. When she enters the house, Matt and his men are there, but she soon realizes that they are going to help her. Abbie tries to warn her mother, but the woman will not listen. Abbie is a crack shot and impresses Matt with her ability. When one of his men is wounded, she cares for him, but is not able to save her parents. The Rebels set the house afire and there is nothing Abbie can do to save them or her home.

Matt offers to take her to the town where his company is stationed and will no other options, Abbie agrees. When they arrive at the town, Abbie is taken to the “Benton House” which houses various war widows and orphans. Abbie settles in and even begins to assist the doctor. She and Matt do not have a lot of interaction at this point in the book – but they are both attracted to the other. This part of the book focuses more on Abbie’s relationship with the women and children in the house, especially her roommate Julia. Julia is in love with Robert, one of the soldiers stationed at the camp and they plan to marry. When it becomes obvious that Julia is expecting a child, Abbie tells her she must marry now. Robert and Julia marry and then tragedy strikes.

Matt and Abbie have been spending time together, Matt knows he is interested in her, but is not sure if he is ready to marry or if what he feels for her is more than lust. When they are alone, the passion between them is undeniable, and they become intimate but they are constantly interrupted. When they slip away together a few days after the wedding, they spot a band of men sneaking up the river. They rush back to town to warn the others and then a battle ensues, in which Robert is mortally wounded. Julia is brought to his side and is inconsolable when he dies. Her grief is consuming and causes her to go into labor. When her son is born, Abbie hopes it will be enough to drag her out of her grief – but it isn’t and when the town is attacked again, Abbie finds Julia near death on her husband’s grave. She takes Julia home and goes for the doctor. At the medical tent, she asks the doctor to check on Julia and then learns that Matt has been wounded. She tends Matt while the doctor takes care of Julia. Sadly, Julia is dying and she begs Abbie to take care of her son. Abbie agrees and when Julia passes, she has her buried next to her beloved Robert.

Soon after, the company of soldiers is commanded to move south, Matt is told to go home, his commission is almost up and Abbie is recruited to take him home. There is a heart wrenching moment when Abbie must say goodbye to Noah, one of the orphaned children. She promises she will come back for him, but with no home or husband and a newborn baby, she is not able to take him at this moment. Noah is upset and refuses to see her off.

They journey back to Matt’s family and he again wonders what his intentions towards Abbie are and she wonders as well. They are attacked by marauders but manage to reach his home unscathed.

Matt’s family welcomes Abbie with open arms and they too question Matt’s intentions. Matt and Abbie are perfect for one another, but Matt can’t seem to decide what he feels for her.

The book was good, but it was a little boring and repetitious. There is no real conflict and nothing keeping Abbie and Matt apart, except Matt’s inability to decide what he wants to do with her. I honestly was not very happy with him, he took her virginity and took no precautions to keep her from getting pregnant, but didn’t plan to marry her – it seemed dishonorable to me. The story drags a bit due to the lack of conflict and Matt’s indecision becomes a little tiresome. But the secondary characters were good and the love scenes were steamy, there are a couple of heart breaking moments and a few surprises as well as a lovely reunion scene for Abbie. All in all not a bad book, but I had hoped for more.

This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title.

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