ggillam's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
drpig's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
melli80's review
5.0
I’m so glad that I went back to the beginning to read the series, I love how the storyline is going.. even thought you can read them alone, at least from my understanding they all do interconnect just like any good cozy mystery
helenephoebe's review against another edition
4.0
Review - I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first one in the series [b:Death at Bishop's Keep|538396|Death at Bishop's Keep (Kathryn Ardleigh, #1)|Robin Paige|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385844074s/538396.jpg|525805], possibly because I really liked the rivalry in the first one, which is absent in this one. However, it is still thoroughly engaging, and I would never have guessed who the villain was in this mystery, which is always a bonus to me, to get a shock when the endgame is revealed. A lovely light read to wile away the cold winter hours.
Genre? - Historical / Crime / Mystery
Characters? - Kathryn Ardleigh / Charles Sheridan / Edward Laken / Beatrix Potter / Betsy Oliver / Agnes Oliver / Amelia / Lawrence / Tommy Brock / Mr Tod
Setting? - Gallow's Green (England)
Series? - Kathryn Ardleigh #2
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 18/20
Genre? - Historical / Crime / Mystery
Characters? - Kathryn Ardleigh / Charles Sheridan / Edward Laken / Beatrix Potter / Betsy Oliver / Agnes Oliver / Amelia / Lawrence / Tommy Brock / Mr Tod
Setting? - Gallow's Green (England)
Series? - Kathryn Ardleigh #2
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 18/20
weaselweader's review
4.0
A most enjoyable lightweight "cozy"!
Kathryn Ardleigh is a pretty interesting compilation - secret author of mystery "penny dreadfuls" written under the pseudonym "Beryl Bardwell"; heiress and now mistress of Bishop's Keep, the Ardleigh estate, after the death of her Aunts; a rather independent, outspoken, (dare I say?) feminist American who has oftentimes attracted the disdainful, scandalized sniffs of the local elderly dowagers with her free-wheeling dress and behaviour; and an attractive, intelligent, very feminine young lady who has turned the eye of her acquaintance, Sir Charles Sheridan, a devotee of the burgeoning science of forensic criminology and a skilled amateur photographer.
When Sergeant Arthur Oliver is murdered and the body is discovered in the field of a local gameskeeper, all the evidence points towards Oliver's involvement in a nefarious poaching ring. But the local constable, Edward Laken, (who holds an unrequited fondness for Oliver's widow in his heart) and Sheridan (Oliver's long time friend) feel the evidence points elsewhere. Ardleigh, of course, manages to involve herself in the investigation up to her proverbial bloomers and the hunt for the killer is on.
Paige succeeds with this novel on any number of different fronts!
Let's label Death at Gallows Green as a cozy mystery in which "cozy" means "cozy" - that is to say, the nature of the mystery is entirely local in nature, completely credible, realistic to the time, somewhat narrow and low key in scope and interest and all of the characters stay well within themselves and their abilities. Ardleigh, for instance, despite her obvious sleuthing skills and deductive ability retains a firmly rooted understanding of the fact that she is, after all is said and done, a Victorian lady. The warm fuzzies seem natural and ... well, warm and fuzzy ... Sheridan's hesitant romantic overtures towards Ardleigh and her cautious, measured response in light of her desire to retain a degree of feminine independence; Laken's head-over-heels love for Oliver's widow and the realization that Oliver's death has given him a second opportunity at the love that he lost out on as a younger man; and the compelling, stomach churning urgency of the manhunt for Oliver's daughter, Betsy, who has been kidnapped and potentially drowned. Beatrix Potter's amazingly realistic introduction into the novel as Kathryn Ardleigh's close friend has a charm all its own and serves as an interesting historical biographical sidebar of Potter's intensely sheltered real life.
The flavour of this novel definitely leans toward Agatha Christie but there is also a strong hint of the realism of Anne Perry's or Bruce Alexander's somewhat grittier mysteries. Paige has provided us with a most interesting look at the local politics of the constabulary and a glimpse into that day's use of the as yet unproven tools of forensics and photography.
No doubt about it ... I'd happily recommend Death at Gallows Green to other readers as I step out the door to seek out my copy of Death at Daisy's Folly.
Paul Weiss
Kathryn Ardleigh is a pretty interesting compilation - secret author of mystery "penny dreadfuls" written under the pseudonym "Beryl Bardwell"; heiress and now mistress of Bishop's Keep, the Ardleigh estate, after the death of her Aunts; a rather independent, outspoken, (dare I say?) feminist American who has oftentimes attracted the disdainful, scandalized sniffs of the local elderly dowagers with her free-wheeling dress and behaviour; and an attractive, intelligent, very feminine young lady who has turned the eye of her acquaintance, Sir Charles Sheridan, a devotee of the burgeoning science of forensic criminology and a skilled amateur photographer.
When Sergeant Arthur Oliver is murdered and the body is discovered in the field of a local gameskeeper, all the evidence points towards Oliver's involvement in a nefarious poaching ring. But the local constable, Edward Laken, (who holds an unrequited fondness for Oliver's widow in his heart) and Sheridan (Oliver's long time friend) feel the evidence points elsewhere. Ardleigh, of course, manages to involve herself in the investigation up to her proverbial bloomers and the hunt for the killer is on.
Paige succeeds with this novel on any number of different fronts!
Let's label Death at Gallows Green as a cozy mystery in which "cozy" means "cozy" - that is to say, the nature of the mystery is entirely local in nature, completely credible, realistic to the time, somewhat narrow and low key in scope and interest and all of the characters stay well within themselves and their abilities. Ardleigh, for instance, despite her obvious sleuthing skills and deductive ability retains a firmly rooted understanding of the fact that she is, after all is said and done, a Victorian lady. The warm fuzzies seem natural and ... well, warm and fuzzy ... Sheridan's hesitant romantic overtures towards Ardleigh and her cautious, measured response in light of her desire to retain a degree of feminine independence; Laken's head-over-heels love for Oliver's widow and the realization that Oliver's death has given him a second opportunity at the love that he lost out on as a younger man; and the compelling, stomach churning urgency of the manhunt for Oliver's daughter, Betsy, who has been kidnapped and potentially drowned. Beatrix Potter's amazingly realistic introduction into the novel as Kathryn Ardleigh's close friend has a charm all its own and serves as an interesting historical biographical sidebar of Potter's intensely sheltered real life.
The flavour of this novel definitely leans toward Agatha Christie but there is also a strong hint of the realism of Anne Perry's or Bruce Alexander's somewhat grittier mysteries. Paige has provided us with a most interesting look at the local politics of the constabulary and a glimpse into that day's use of the as yet unproven tools of forensics and photography.
No doubt about it ... I'd happily recommend Death at Gallows Green to other readers as I step out the door to seek out my copy of Death at Daisy's Folly.
Paul Weiss
appalonia's review
3.0
A nice follow up in the series, although there was little personal development. The mystery was more the focus of this book, and it was a really good mystery as well. I'm ambivalent about the series as a whole though, and will probably not continue to read further. It's just not capturing me.
sankitch87's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
salixj's review
4.0
Everything I expect and love in a cozy. Small town, enjoyable characters, love interest, a bit over the top characterization.
With a cozy I'm looking for escapism, and definitely found that here.
With a cozy I'm looking for escapism, and definitely found that here.
jessamine864's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed the quick pace of this book and the personable characters, including a cute version of Beatrix Potter and her pet animals, and it finished with you not quite finished with the characters and wanting to read the next one! :)
schumack's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25