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bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
4.0
Julian Kestrel--dandy, man about town. Devoted to the gaming tables and the latest Regency-era fashion. Underneath his dandified pose, he's also a man of honor with more concern for others than he cares to let on. And now--he's about to turn amateur detective. When Kestrel rescues young, inexperienced Hugh Fontclair from entangling himself too deeply at the gaming tables, he never dreamed he'd wind up invited to the man's wedding...and not as a guest, but as best man! Since he doesn't really know Fontclair from Adam, Kestrel is tempted to say no, but his curiosity gets the better of him. If he doesn't go to the Fontclair's country estate he'll never know why he's been asked.
From the moment he arrives it becomes obvious that there is more to this wedding than meets the eye. Mark Craddock, the bride's father, has some sort of secret hold over the Fontclairs and he's using it to force a marriage between his daughter and Hugh. The secret is so terrible that Hugh is willing to sacrifice his happiness to save the family honor. But--whatever that secret is, could it possibly be worse than murder? For on the evening of the second day, Kestrel returns from an afternoon of exploring the grounds (with Hugh) to find a dead girl tucked up in his bed.
Initially, his manservant is arrested. Dipper, a former pickpocket with an instinct for lying under pressure, is caught out in a few mild untruths and suspected of lying about something much worse. Even Kestrel, as an outsider, is preferable as a suspect. With his own honor at stake and his servant already arrested, Julian dives into the investigation. He soon discovers the dreadful secret behind the arranged marriage--but that isn't the only secret being kept hidden in the confines of the Fontclair estate. In order to save Dipper from the hangman, Kestrel will have to decide which secret was worth killing for.
Kestrel makes for a very clever and humane investigator. While he has no qualms about questioning his host's family in the effort to exonerate his innocent servant, he regrets the pain he has to cause others in the search for the truth. It was also interesting to watch him go through several rounds of thinking he had finally gotten to the bottom of who-dunnit only to discover that the secret the current suspect was hiding wasn't the ultimate secret of murder. I thoroughly enjoyed his interactions with the doctor and the way he won over the crusty, country medico. It would be nice if Dr. MacGregor would become his Watson, but I don't believe that's in the cards.
A highly entertaining historical mystery. Kate Ross does an excellent job with this series. Julian Kestrel is a marvelous addition to the ranks of gentlemen detectives. Ms. Ross was taken from us way too soon. More books would have been very welcome.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
From the moment he arrives it becomes obvious that there is more to this wedding than meets the eye. Mark Craddock, the bride's father, has some sort of secret hold over the Fontclairs and he's using it to force a marriage between his daughter and Hugh. The secret is so terrible that Hugh is willing to sacrifice his happiness to save the family honor. But--whatever that secret is, could it possibly be worse than murder? For on the evening of the second day, Kestrel returns from an afternoon of exploring the grounds (with Hugh) to find a dead girl tucked up in his bed.
Initially, his manservant is arrested. Dipper, a former pickpocket with an instinct for lying under pressure, is caught out in a few mild untruths and suspected of lying about something much worse. Even Kestrel, as an outsider, is preferable as a suspect. With his own honor at stake and his servant already arrested, Julian dives into the investigation. He soon discovers the dreadful secret behind the arranged marriage--but that isn't the only secret being kept hidden in the confines of the Fontclair estate. In order to save Dipper from the hangman, Kestrel will have to decide which secret was worth killing for.
Kestrel makes for a very clever and humane investigator. While he has no qualms about questioning his host's family in the effort to exonerate his innocent servant, he regrets the pain he has to cause others in the search for the truth. It was also interesting to watch him go through several rounds of thinking he had finally gotten to the bottom of who-dunnit only to discover that the secret the current suspect was hiding wasn't the ultimate secret of murder. I thoroughly enjoyed his interactions with the doctor and the way he won over the crusty, country medico. It would be nice if Dr. MacGregor would become his Watson, but I don't believe that's in the cards.
A highly entertaining historical mystery. Kate Ross does an excellent job with this series. Julian Kestrel is a marvelous addition to the ranks of gentlemen detectives. Ms. Ross was taken from us way too soon. More books would have been very welcome.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
teaandbooklover's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in the series, but I started with #3, then read #2 and now this one.
I enjoy Julian Kestrel very much, and even after reading three books, he still seems a bit of a mystery to me. As with the other books, I'd try to guess who the murderer was, but I was never right. She does a great job of giving everyone reasons to look guilty! It's always a great time trying to figure out the reasons and the murderer itself using analytical skills and reasoning.
In addition I love his valet and jack of all trades-Dipper, and their relationship.
And now on to the last one that she ever wrote-boo! Oh, and this is not too gory or graphic. No rape, no torture and no sex scenes, if that helps.
I enjoy Julian Kestrel very much, and even after reading three books, he still seems a bit of a mystery to me. As with the other books, I'd try to guess who the murderer was, but I was never right. She does a great job of giving everyone reasons to look guilty! It's always a great time trying to figure out the reasons and the murderer itself using analytical skills and reasoning.
In addition I love his valet and jack of all trades-Dipper, and their relationship.
And now on to the last one that she ever wrote-boo! Oh, and this is not too gory or graphic. No rape, no torture and no sex scenes, if that helps.
crispinsday's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one a lot. Maybe it's my lack of crime reading, but I had no idea whodunnit until it was revealed, and I found all the characters, and especially Kestrel, well written and interesting (although most definitely regency types). It was fun to read a regency which wasn't primarily a romance, too.
tlsouthard's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed. Regency murder mystery. Julian Kestrel is an appealing protagonist. Mystery was well thought out and I found it satisfying. I'm ready to read #2 out of 4!
samirakatherine's review against another edition
3.0
This is a solid mystery set in 19th century England. For a mystery to get more than 3 stars from me, it has to transcend the bounds of genre fiction, and I do not think this book does so--ˆsuspect that one could read the entire series without getting deeper knowledge of Kestrel. That said, it was well executed genre fiction.
I am a bit annoyed at the extent to which the hero is a Lord Peter Wimsey knock off, set in an earlier era, but otherwise, perfectly good.
I am a bit annoyed at the extent to which the hero is a Lord Peter Wimsey knock off, set in an earlier era, but otherwise, perfectly good.
christinel's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
holtfan's review against another edition
4.0
"THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN IN JULIAN KESTREL'S BED. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE'S DEAD."
Whoever marketed this book is a genius. I just cannot get over that line. I laugh every time.
I guess now knowing Julian it makes it funnier too.
The poor man has no luck with women. He's suave, he's dapper, they all like him...but they're just not interested.
Meet Julian Kestrel. He's a Beau Brummell-type who sets the fashions for the ton.
When a chance acquaintance he met once asks him to be best man in an upcoming wedding, he feel intrigued enough to go.
But alas, nothing is as it seems at this country house. And that is before the unknown dead woman ends up in his bed!
I rather enjoyed the story. Though numerous, the characters were fairly distinct and easy to sort out. Lots of proper clues and dead ends for the reader to consider. It didn't feel like 'well, we haven't heard anything from X in a while, so X it must be.' It generally took a little puzzling to reach the conclusion.
I liked Julian Kestrel a lot. This is a great introduction to him and I can only imagine his character grows. (Though it is sad to see only four books emerged from this series because of the author's untimely demise.) He somehow walks the line of being the calm and collected hero of every fanboy in London and a cinnamon roll who doesn't know what to do with a weeping lady.
Overall, an unexpected delight. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
Whoever marketed this book is a genius. I just cannot get over that line. I laugh every time.
I guess now knowing Julian it makes it funnier too.
The poor man has no luck with women. He's suave, he's dapper, they all like him...but they're just not interested.
Meet Julian Kestrel. He's a Beau Brummell-type who sets the fashions for the ton.
When a chance acquaintance he met once asks him to be best man in an upcoming wedding, he feel intrigued enough to go.
But alas, nothing is as it seems at this country house. And that is before the unknown dead woman ends up in his bed!
I rather enjoyed the story. Though numerous, the characters were fairly distinct and easy to sort out. Lots of proper clues and dead ends for the reader to consider. It didn't feel like 'well, we haven't heard anything from X in a while, so X it must be.' It generally took a little puzzling to reach the conclusion.
I liked Julian Kestrel a lot. This is a great introduction to him and I can only imagine his character grows. (Though it is sad to see only four books emerged from this series because of the author's untimely demise.) He somehow walks the line of being the calm and collected hero of every fanboy in London and a cinnamon roll who doesn't know what to do with a weeping lady.
Overall, an unexpected delight. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
tarikotka's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0