I was given a free e-copy of this novel by Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is the second novel in Callie Hutton's A Victorian Book Club Mystery, but it is my first novel to be read by the author. After reading this one, I have to say that I plan on purchasing both the first and second as soon as possible.
In England 1891, Lord William Wethington has been asked to identify his man of business, James Harding, after he was found drowned in the River Avon. It quickly becomes apparent to Lord Wethington that Mr. Harding's death was not a drunken accident, as the police suspect, and that Mr. Harding appears to have been conducted some shady business with both Lord Wethington's and a few other clients' finances. When the police insistently focus on Lord Wethington as the culprit, he enlists the assistance of Lord Amy Lovell, friend and fellow book club member. Lady Amy has some experience in detecting as she is secretly a famous mystery novel writer. With so many suspects and little time, Lady Amy and Lord Wethington are in a race to find the real killer before Lord Wethington winds up behind bars or, worse yet, another body is found.
I love reading historical novels because I love the manners and nobility that is often portrayed. The author was generous in her regards to both William and Amy as well as a slew of other characters. It is a privilege to find oneself engulfed in the atmosphere of the times. How I wish many still followed some (not all) of these rules of society.
It was the relationship between Amy and William, however, that truly made the novel enjoyable. Even though there was a murder, their lives did not stop. Instead, it seemed to flow into the way they communicated with each other. William was very progressive in his thoughts about Amy's working and her intelligence as they conducted many outings together, and kept each other up-to-date about the investigation when they were separated. But William never lost his protectiveness over Amy, and Amy first thought was of William when she needed help.
The murder itself was interesting, but I did feel that the facts were relatively vague. The conclusion came a little too quickly for my liking, and with very little evidence. I think it would have been nice if there had been more clues, instead of a vague one off.
Overall I rate this novel 4 out 5 stars, and will follow this author.
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