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kimmerp's review against another edition
3.0
I like the premise of this book and the posture of defending mental illness. As a full cozy, it is intelligent and I enjoyed seeing the two women work out the solution. I found all the characters hard to follow so having a character list was helpful. I took a while to settle in to the story and easily following it so am dropping my ratings bit.
katherineep's review against another edition
4.0
Review Can Also Be Found Here: http://iwishilivedinalibrary.blogspot.com/2018/03/death-of-unsung-hero-historical-mystery.html
I do love a historical mystery and this series has landed in my To Read list. I loved the mix of upstairs and down, the strong and intelligent main characters, and the at times heartbreaking World War 1 element.
Mrs. Jackson and Lady Montfort May just be one of my favorite investing teams. While they’re both intelligent and observant their perspectives and knowledge is very different so they are really able to work together. As well their friendship and respect for each other feels incredibly genuine.
The mystery was very entertaining though it did have touches of tragedy as I spent more time around the officers that inhabit the hospital. There were a number of very clever clues and red herrings. This one kept me guessing but even better made me feel emotionally involved.
While this is the 4th book in the series I really had no trouble jumping in even from the beginning. This was really a delightful read and has me looking forward to reading more from the series.
I do love a historical mystery and this series has landed in my To Read list. I loved the mix of upstairs and down, the strong and intelligent main characters, and the at times heartbreaking World War 1 element.
Mrs. Jackson and Lady Montfort May just be one of my favorite investing teams. While they’re both intelligent and observant their perspectives and knowledge is very different so they are really able to work together. As well their friendship and respect for each other feels incredibly genuine.
The mystery was very entertaining though it did have touches of tragedy as I spent more time around the officers that inhabit the hospital. There were a number of very clever clues and red herrings. This one kept me guessing but even better made me feel emotionally involved.
While this is the 4th book in the series I really had no trouble jumping in even from the beginning. This was really a delightful read and has me looking forward to reading more from the series.
helenh's review
4.0
This engaging tale, of murder done at a WWI convalescent hospital, is thoroughly entertaining. Our lades from the series are back, Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson. Mrs. Jackson doesn't seem quite as reticent as previously, and so our intrepid duo sit, compare their notes and impressions, and solve the crimes -- despite having an incompetent copper put his foot in it early on. Luckily, the Chief Constable isn't quite as pig-headed, although he is determined to pretty much ignore what the ladies are capable of. It is ever thus, for female sleuths of the first part of the 20th century.
What Tessa Arlen manages to convey with her characters, dialog and plot is a complete understanding of time and place, the most important ingredient in a historical mystery, even as the reader is saddened by the treatment afforded to the hospital patients from the locals. She uses the history of the time as a backdrop, which only adds to the poignant setting (an author's note at the book's final pages gives further information).
I could have done with a lot less interior dialog. What Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson were thinking about everything (and each other) could have been conveyed in a lighter and far less frequent fashion. But it's a minor quibble.
Eventually, our mystery is wrapped up, by "gathering everyone in the drawing room" which affords a neat finish. Hopefully readers will be on to the next adventure very soon.
I received my copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What Tessa Arlen manages to convey with her characters, dialog and plot is a complete understanding of time and place, the most important ingredient in a historical mystery, even as the reader is saddened by the treatment afforded to the hospital patients from the locals. She uses the history of the time as a backdrop, which only adds to the poignant setting (an author's note at the book's final pages gives further information).
I could have done with a lot less interior dialog. What Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson were thinking about everything (and each other) could have been conveyed in a lighter and far less frequent fashion. But it's a minor quibble.
Eventually, our mystery is wrapped up, by "gathering everyone in the drawing room" which affords a neat finish. Hopefully readers will be on to the next adventure very soon.
I received my copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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