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Lottie Sprigg 1920s Travel Mystery #1
Murder in Venice
Murderous secrets are lurking in the City of Canals!
1923. Lottie Sprigg is a lowly maid. But when she’s hired by a wealthy heiress, she embarks on a thrilling journey across Europe and beyond. Lottie’s expecting exciting exploits and spectacular sights. But she’s not expecting murder…
In Venice, Lottie befriends a famous opera singer after reuniting him with his lost dog. Early the next morning, the singer’s corpse is found floating in the Grand Canal.
Who wanted the opera singer dead? Lottie is keen to seek justice for his orphaned dog. She’s spotted some suspicious characters but fingers point to a shadowy figure who prowls the streets and bridges at night. Who is it?
After a second slaying at a masked ball, Lottie’s convinced she knows the culprit. But a twist prompts a new discovery and Lottie’s pulled into a chilling chase through Venice’s canals.
The Venetian police are stumped. So how can Lottie unmask the killer?
1923. Lottie Sprigg is a lowly maid. But when she’s hired by a wealthy heiress, she embarks on a thrilling journey across Europe and beyond. Lottie’s expecting exciting exploits and spectacular sights. But she’s not expecting murder…
In Venice, Lottie befriends a famous opera singer after reuniting him with his lost dog. Early the next morning, the singer’s corpse is found floating in the Grand Canal.
Who wanted the opera singer dead? Lottie is keen to seek justice for his orphaned dog. She’s spotted some suspicious characters but fingers point to a shadowy figure who prowls the streets and bridges at night. Who is it?
After a second slaying at a masked ball, Lottie’s convinced she knows the culprit. But a twist prompts a new discovery and Lottie’s pulled into a chilling chase through Venice’s canals.
The Venetian police are stumped. So how can Lottie unmask the killer?
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2023
593 people are currently reading
587 people want to read
About the author
Martha Bond
10 books60 followersWhile Lottie Sprigg is solving mysteries with her beloved corgi, Rosie, I like curling up by the fire with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate. I love reading mysteries as much as I enjoy writing them, nothing beats the puzzle of a whodunnit! I hope you decide to join Lottie on her adventures to Venice, Milan, Paris and many more!
You can keep up to date with my books and get a free read via my website marthabond.com
You can keep up to date with my books and get a free read via my website marthabond.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 14, 2024
Rating: 2.2 / 5
*raises hand* Um...am I the only one who noticed the terrible, first-draft writing?
*raises hand* Um...am I the only one who noticed the terrible, first-draft writing?
March 24, 2023
Lottie Sprigg is the maid/assistant/companion for an older woman as she travels. This book is set in Venice. I found Lottie rather imature, the situations she got herself into improbable, and don't see myself reading any more in the series.
January 11, 2025
Kindle freebie at the time of download. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not affected by the giveaway.
Lottie Spriggs is traveling with her employer, wealthy American heiress Mrs. Moore, across Europe on a hunt for a titled husband. First stop, Venice, where Mrs. Moore promptly falls in the canal and develops a headache. While out looking for headache powders for Mrs. Moore (she demands a specific brand), Lottie discovers a little lost dog, a Corgi, who leads Lottie back to the hotel and the Corgi's owner, Amadeo Moretti. Signore Moretti is an opera singer, performing that very night and invites Lottie and Mrs. Moore to attend as a thank you for rescuing his Rosetta from the perils of the dog snatcher on the loose. Lottie enjoys visiting the singer in his dressing room, handing him the flowers Mrs. Moore received from the gondolier who accidentally tipped her in the river. A lavish dinner that evening introduces Lottie to other hotel guests and high society people. Later that night, she hears sounds of arguing coming from his room very late that night and the next day, it is revealed Sgr. Moretti has been murdered! Commissario Romeo seems to think Lottie did it because she was supposedly the last person to see Sgr. Moretti alive. Lottie has to care for poor little Rosetta and decides the dog needs justice for her owner's murder. With the help of Stefano, a friendly bellboy, Lottie sets out to find out who knew Sgr. Moretti and who may have killed him.
This story is somewhat interesting. I liked the Venice setting. It's not your average travelogue and seems more like period Venice than another book I read. Yet the writing style is pretty simplistic and the constant switching points of view without warning is jarring and confusing. Also, the joke about Commissario Romeo hating his name because of Shakespeare doesn't make sense. His name would be pronounced "Ro-MAY-o" in Italian not Romeo like Shakespeare. The mystery kept me guessing but didn't interest me enough to want to read all night. I took a break and then forgot who the characters were but I did initially have my suspicions about that person.
I like Lottie well enough. She seems smart and caring. Lottie was raised in an orphanage and previously worked for Mrs. Moore's sister, Lady Buckley-Phipps and family. This is Lottie's first chance to travel and go somewhere beyond England. She's excited just to go somewhere different and meet new people. Because she's a maid, Lottie is compassionate towards others in the service industry and has intense empathy for the small dog who is now orphaned like herself. I just didn't really feel a strong connection to her because of the way the story switched from her point-of-view to someone else's. Mrs. Moore is awful and I think Lottie should quit and work for someone else. All Mrs. Moore cares about is herself. She's determined to hunt down Prince Manfred of Bavaria and make him her fourth husband! She seems jealous of her sister who married a titled gentleman from England. Mrs. Moore frequently abandons Lottie in order to pursue the prince. She even ditches dinner with the opera singer. That simply isn't proper to leave a young, unmarried Englishwoman alone with a strange man. Mrs. Moore is also snobby and rude to everyone. She makes Lottie wander around a strange city on her first day for a SPECIFIC (English or American) brand of headache powders when the hotel has another brand. She's angry with the gondolier who accidentally dumped her in the water, which I don't think ever happens and in this case it was likely Mrs. Moore's own fault. Yet, she is rather more generous with Lottie than expected given her demanding nature, especially when she discovers Lottie's secret. However, she's nice when it suits herself and cavalier when it doesn't. Rosetta is very cute and seems to know her way around Venice. She doesn't have a huge role in the story yet and doesn't seem too affected by the death of her human.
Amadeo Moretti made a big fuss over Rosetta and how much he loves her, yet she somehow got loose and ran off without him. He does seem to have cared for the little dog in his own way and he's generous and kind to Lottie. Amadeo had a larger than life personality and it sometimes got him into trouble. He was not above bribing and blackmailing to get what he wanted. He was a rogue and a ladies' man and it may have come back to kill him. This man did not deserve to die even if he did some bad things. Stefano, the bellboy, becomes Lottie's friend. He seems to admire her and shares her sense of adventure.
Commissario Romeo is one of those cops who tries to appear like a tough guy by suspecting everyone and trying to force suspects into confessions even though he has no idea who the killer actually is. He does seem to know the backgrounds of some of the suspects but not all of them. He grills Camille Lapointe pretty hard. She's a beautiful Frenchwoman and a writer. She loans Lottie nice clothes to wear when Lottie goes out to the opera and later to a fancy dress ball. Camille seems a little on edge and brittle but she is nice to Lottie for some reason. When her background is revealed, it makes sense. She has good reason to want Amadeo out of her life but is she the murderer? I hope not because she's nice to Lottie. She made bad decisions when she was young and naive or so she says. Did she or was she smarter than that and went in with her eyes open and eager to help?
Colonel Pickering is a hapless old man. He's genial but hiding something. I can guess what pretty easily, especially when Jane Harris suspects. Jane is a sharp older woman who seems to fancy herself Miss Marple or maybe she really is a private detective of some sort on the hunt for the jewel thief. She picks up on Col. Pickering's problem quickly. William Cecil-Raikes knows Mrs. Moore. He met her at her sister's house party last summer - or so he says. I think he might be a social climber more than Mrs. Moore and just used her conversation as an excuse. Maybe he's out to make her his wife to get his hands on her money? He's a simple, uncomplicated man by all appearances and befriends Lottie. He believes Lottie is smart enough to figure out the mystery but he is not as clever as Lottie. Billy enjoys dressing up in costume and invites Lottie and Mrs. Moore to a fancy dress ball they haven't been invited to and then everyone ends up at the party and no one comments. That's a little weird given the social rules of the time period.
I really didn't care too much who killed Amadeo and I didn't love the story enough to want to read more right now but maybe at some point I'll come across another and read it.
Lottie Spriggs is traveling with her employer, wealthy American heiress Mrs. Moore, across Europe on a hunt for a titled husband. First stop, Venice, where Mrs. Moore promptly falls in the canal and develops a headache. While out looking for headache powders for Mrs. Moore (she demands a specific brand), Lottie discovers a little lost dog, a Corgi, who leads Lottie back to the hotel and the Corgi's owner, Amadeo Moretti. Signore Moretti is an opera singer, performing that very night and invites Lottie and Mrs. Moore to attend as a thank you for rescuing his Rosetta from the perils of the dog snatcher on the loose. Lottie enjoys visiting the singer in his dressing room, handing him the flowers Mrs. Moore received from the gondolier who accidentally tipped her in the river. A lavish dinner that evening introduces Lottie to other hotel guests and high society people. Later that night, she hears sounds of arguing coming from his room very late that night and the next day, it is revealed Sgr. Moretti has been murdered! Commissario Romeo seems to think Lottie did it because she was supposedly the last person to see Sgr. Moretti alive. Lottie has to care for poor little Rosetta and decides the dog needs justice for her owner's murder. With the help of Stefano, a friendly bellboy, Lottie sets out to find out who knew Sgr. Moretti and who may have killed him.
This story is somewhat interesting. I liked the Venice setting. It's not your average travelogue and seems more like period Venice than another book I read. Yet the writing style is pretty simplistic and the constant switching points of view without warning is jarring and confusing. Also, the joke about Commissario Romeo hating his name because of Shakespeare doesn't make sense. His name would be pronounced "Ro-MAY-o" in Italian not Romeo like Shakespeare. The mystery kept me guessing but didn't interest me enough to want to read all night. I took a break and then forgot who the characters were but I did initially have my suspicions about that person.
I like Lottie well enough. She seems smart and caring. Lottie was raised in an orphanage and previously worked for Mrs. Moore's sister, Lady Buckley-Phipps and family. This is Lottie's first chance to travel and go somewhere beyond England. She's excited just to go somewhere different and meet new people. Because she's a maid, Lottie is compassionate towards others in the service industry and has intense empathy for the small dog who is now orphaned like herself. I just didn't really feel a strong connection to her because of the way the story switched from her point-of-view to someone else's. Mrs. Moore is awful and I think Lottie should quit and work for someone else. All Mrs. Moore cares about is herself. She's determined to hunt down Prince Manfred of Bavaria and make him her fourth husband! She seems jealous of her sister who married a titled gentleman from England. Mrs. Moore frequently abandons Lottie in order to pursue the prince. She even ditches dinner with the opera singer. That simply isn't proper to leave a young, unmarried Englishwoman alone with a strange man. Mrs. Moore is also snobby and rude to everyone. She makes Lottie wander around a strange city on her first day for a SPECIFIC (English or American) brand of headache powders when the hotel has another brand. She's angry with the gondolier who accidentally dumped her in the water, which I don't think ever happens and in this case it was likely Mrs. Moore's own fault. Yet, she is rather more generous with Lottie than expected given her demanding nature, especially when she discovers Lottie's secret. However, she's nice when it suits herself and cavalier when it doesn't. Rosetta is very cute and seems to know her way around Venice. She doesn't have a huge role in the story yet and doesn't seem too affected by the death of her human.
Amadeo Moretti made a big fuss over Rosetta and how much he loves her, yet she somehow got loose and ran off without him. He does seem to have cared for the little dog in his own way and he's generous and kind to Lottie. Amadeo had a larger than life personality and it sometimes got him into trouble. He was not above bribing and blackmailing to get what he wanted. He was a rogue and a ladies' man and it may have come back to kill him. This man did not deserve to die even if he did some bad things. Stefano, the bellboy, becomes Lottie's friend. He seems to admire her and shares her sense of adventure.
Commissario Romeo is one of those cops who tries to appear like a tough guy by suspecting everyone and trying to force suspects into confessions even though he has no idea who the killer actually is. He does seem to know the backgrounds of some of the suspects but not all of them. He grills Camille Lapointe pretty hard. She's a beautiful Frenchwoman and a writer. She loans Lottie nice clothes to wear when Lottie goes out to the opera and later to a fancy dress ball. Camille seems a little on edge and brittle but she is nice to Lottie for some reason. When her background is revealed, it makes sense. She has good reason to want Amadeo out of her life but is she the murderer? I hope not because she's nice to Lottie. She made bad decisions when she was young and naive or so she says. Did she or was she smarter than that and went in with her eyes open and eager to help?
Colonel Pickering is a hapless old man. He's genial but hiding something. I can guess what pretty easily, especially when Jane Harris suspects. Jane is a sharp older woman who seems to fancy herself Miss Marple or maybe she really is a private detective of some sort on the hunt for the jewel thief. She picks up on Col. Pickering's problem quickly. William Cecil-Raikes knows Mrs. Moore. He met her at her sister's house party last summer - or so he says. I think he might be a social climber more than Mrs. Moore and just used her conversation as an excuse. Maybe he's out to make her his wife to get his hands on her money? He's a simple, uncomplicated man by all appearances and befriends Lottie. He believes Lottie is smart enough to figure out the mystery but he is not as clever as Lottie. Billy enjoys dressing up in costume and invites Lottie and Mrs. Moore to a fancy dress ball they haven't been invited to and then everyone ends up at the party and no one comments. That's a little weird given the social rules of the time period.
I really didn't care too much who killed Amadeo and I didn't love the story enough to want to read more right now but maybe at some point I'll come across another and read it.
December 4, 2024
Lottie is a maid, newly hired by Mrs. Moore, an heiress. Lottie is looking for grand adventures as she accompanies her boss on trips around the world while she’s seeking her next husband; #4, I think. First stop - Venice, where they find a few eligible men but are side tracked by a murder or three…
MURDER IN VENICE, by Martha Bond, is a cozy mystery set in the early 20th century, Venice, Italy. I enjoyed the brief descriptions of bridges, waterways, gondolas churches and plazas. I wish there was more of it.
What there is more of, almost too much more, is action. Bond has her MC moving about at a frenetic pace that borders on slapstick. Lottie has a good heart and her cohort is a young bellman in this story but I couldn’t shake having thot’s of Laverne & Shirley.
In true cozy style, the violence is mostly implied, language is clean and romance is only a tiny hope in readers minds. There’s lots of fun to be had in this opening salvo in a series featuring Lottie Sprigg and her rescue Corgi, Rosie📚
MURDER IN VENICE, by Martha Bond, is a cozy mystery set in the early 20th century, Venice, Italy. I enjoyed the brief descriptions of bridges, waterways, gondolas churches and plazas. I wish there was more of it.
What there is more of, almost too much more, is action. Bond has her MC moving about at a frenetic pace that borders on slapstick. Lottie has a good heart and her cohort is a young bellman in this story but I couldn’t shake having thot’s of Laverne & Shirley.
In true cozy style, the violence is mostly implied, language is clean and romance is only a tiny hope in readers minds. There’s lots of fun to be had in this opening salvo in a series featuring Lottie Sprigg and her rescue Corgi, Rosie📚
July 7, 2023
Icl this was so boring I was confused the entire time about who was who and the dog snatcher?? Irrelevant to the story
Yeah no not for me👎
Yeah no not for me👎
February 13, 2025
Started it for the Corgi. Finished it for the plot. I loved the cute short mystery and I loved the plot included a corgi considering I have 2
March 31, 2025
Nice.
There are few unrealistic elements in this story, but is well written and pleasant enough to finish to read it. I'm still undecided if the series is worth my time.
There are few unrealistic elements in this story, but is well written and pleasant enough to finish to read it. I'm still undecided if the series is worth my time.
January 25, 2025
This was such a Scooby Doo mystery lol but I liked the setting!
April 29, 2024
Cute. Exactly what was promised. A cozy mystery. I will definitely read more from this author.
October 6, 2023
I really love the brand-new mystery series set in the 1920s featuring sharp observer Lottie Sprigg,
lady's companion to rich thrice-divorced Mrs Moore who is in pursuit of a prince for her next husband. Lottie's background as an orphan taken on as a lowly maid helps her to interact with both common people, like the hotel bell hop, as well as writers and singers.
The writing style and attention to locale details is reminiscent of my other favorite British cozy
author. If you enjoy series like the "Augusta Peel Mysteries" then I'm sure you will also enjoy this
new series!
I am looking forward to Lottie's future European travels with her dog Rosie.
lady's companion to rich thrice-divorced Mrs Moore who is in pursuit of a prince for her next husband. Lottie's background as an orphan taken on as a lowly maid helps her to interact with both common people, like the hotel bell hop, as well as writers and singers.
The writing style and attention to locale details is reminiscent of my other favorite British cozy
author. If you enjoy series like the "Augusta Peel Mysteries" then I'm sure you will also enjoy this
new series!
I am looking forward to Lottie's future European travels with her dog Rosie.
December 29, 2023
A very cozy murder mystery! I'm a sucker for little dogs in books, so naturally had to give my dog a little review of the story. She stared up at me and wagged her tail. Told her how Lottie found a little dog following her around Venice and eventually found the owner, he is a famous opera singer! He invites Lottie and her heiress out to dinner and an opera. Little did they know he would turn up dead the next day! A basic following of the main character of how they help solve the murder while also caring for a little pup!
October 27, 2023
Lottie and Mrs. Moore
Lottie rescues a lost dog in Vienna and returns him to his owner, a famous opera singer. She and Mrs. Moore are invited to the opera and then to dinner by the opera singer as a thank you. Later that night the opera singer is found murdered in a canal. Lottie takes over the care of the dog and begins to find clues to his murder. A hotel bellboy gives her a hand both with clues and the dog. Well written
Lottie rescues a lost dog in Vienna and returns him to his owner, a famous opera singer. She and Mrs. Moore are invited to the opera and then to dinner by the opera singer as a thank you. Later that night the opera singer is found murdered in a canal. Lottie takes over the care of the dog and begins to find clues to his murder. A hotel bellboy gives her a hand both with clues and the dog. Well written
March 21, 2023
A Wonderful Adventure In Venice
This was a great mystery with likable characters and a very intriguing storyline. Lottie is a brave and smart young woman with a knack for investigating. There were a lot of surprises in this story and the end was not what I expected. Well done Martha Bond. Looking forward to reading more about Lottie Sprigg.
This was a great mystery with likable characters and a very intriguing storyline. Lottie is a brave and smart young woman with a knack for investigating. There were a lot of surprises in this story and the end was not what I expected. Well done Martha Bond. Looking forward to reading more about Lottie Sprigg.
July 23, 2023
A light, fun read!
The word that comes to mind here is “cute” but that’s not really fair. It’s more than that. The mystery was intriguing and I did not guess the perpetrator. I liked Lottie and Mrs. Moore and the other characters too. I guess you could say it was a friendly book and a well-crafted mystery. I enjoyed it and will read the series.
The word that comes to mind here is “cute” but that’s not really fair. It’s more than that. The mystery was intriguing and I did not guess the perpetrator. I liked Lottie and Mrs. Moore and the other characters too. I guess you could say it was a friendly book and a well-crafted mystery. I enjoyed it and will read the series.
August 5, 2023
Set in Venice. 202 pp. Basic cozy mystery that reads very quickly. It’s like eating popcorn… not much to it, and it’s mindless consumption.
Murder in Venice (Lottie Sprigg #1)
Murder in Venice (Lottie Sprigg #1)
October 29, 2023
Great romp through old-time Venice!
My first book by this author, and since I enjoy books with foreign locations, happy to give it a go. Not at all disappointed; great little book, Lottie is a lovable character, and Mrs Morris surprising for the time period. All in all really enjoyed the book, and recommend to all.
My first book by this author, and since I enjoy books with foreign locations, happy to give it a go. Not at all disappointed; great little book, Lottie is a lovable character, and Mrs Morris surprising for the time period. All in all really enjoyed the book, and recommend to all.
January 13, 2024
An most enjoyable read! Lottie Sprigg, amateur detective in Venice on vacation with her employer. Murder, dog- snatchers, and jewelry thieves. Definitely looking forward to my next Martha Bond mystery.
March 2, 2024
Death and a Dog
Nice story. Everyone has secrets and no one wants them revealed. What a ride! Who did what and why are the questions. Plus there is a jewel thief on the loose. Great fun watching Lottie find her way to solving the questions.
Nice story. Everyone has secrets and no one wants them revealed. What a ride! Who did what and why are the questions. Plus there is a jewel thief on the loose. Great fun watching Lottie find her way to solving the questions.
March 26, 2023
Fun book
A fun and easy book to read. The author did a great job of keeping my attention. Enjoyed it very much.
A fun and easy book to read. The author did a great job of keeping my attention. Enjoyed it very much.
April 11, 2023
Delightful
A lovely cozy read. Just the lighthearted, feel good, yet intriguing read to lift your spirits! The characters were quirky and helped to hide, " whodunit! "
A lovely cozy read. Just the lighthearted, feel good, yet intriguing read to lift your spirits! The characters were quirky and helped to hide, " whodunit! "
May 26, 2023
Enjoyed this.
A lovely light cost mystery. Lottie and Rosie are lovely characters, easy to like them and be interested in their adventures. An easy read, I recommend it.
A lovely light cost mystery. Lottie and Rosie are lovely characters, easy to like them and be interested in their adventures. An easy read, I recommend it.
November 3, 2023
An easy uncomplicated read which I thoroughly enjoyed. If you like cozy mysteries, then this is one to add to your TBR list. I recommend reading this book AAA+++
November 14, 2023
Good light read
I enjoyed the twist and turns of the story plot, will be looking out for another book by this author
I enjoyed the twist and turns of the story plot, will be looking out for another book by this author
March 4, 2024
This was a fun read even though there was a murder. I thought the characters were all delightful and easy to like and cheer on.
December 19, 2023
Да запазиш невинността си докато разкриваш зловещите деяния на другите си е изключително трудна задача, освен ако не си милата Лоти Спригс – сираче, отгледано от малка да е прислужничка в богаташко имение, но междувременно открито от ексцентрична богаташка – серийна вдовица с американско мислене и британски амбиции, която малко или много си я осиновява, макар ѝ официално да я представя за своя компаньонка. Уважаемата госпожа Мур е тръгнала на лов за н-ти на брой съпруг, като този път освен, че същият трябва да е богат и на прилична възраст, синята кръв е задължителна. Защото всяка дама, дори на вече достопочтени години, трябва да бъде принцеса в някакъв момент от живота си, ама-ха.
Така се започва смехотворното преследване на баварският принц Манфред , който е като двойник на Поаро минус активната мозъчна дейност, което минава през цялата благовъзпитана Европа с малко отклонение към цивилизованата част на Египет. Принцът не говори бъкел английски, много е разглезен, мързелив, обича пийването, хазарта и жените, но е единственият свободен и на подходяща възраст благороден ерген с правилна титла, така че смятайте ловът за съпрузи открит. Само че какви са тия трупове, дето все се валят в краката на целеустремената мадам Мур? Какви невъзпитани хора, да мрат точно когато нашата главна героиня почти се е докопала до благородната награда. Но Лоти и нейното кученце – коркито Роузи са на линия и ще разкрият и най-объркващото престъпление навреме, за да хванат влака след вечно изплъзващия се Хъмпти-Дъмпти принц.
Това е донякъде черна комедия, донякъде дамска криминална поредица, но обагрена в целият наивитет и абсурдизъм на добродушния сарказъм. Въпреки, че Лоти е практически никоя, тя бива вземана винаги насериозно от поредния инспектор, независимо колко предубеден и некадърен е по принцип; винаги се намира някой красив местен юначага, който е омаян от нашето момиче до степен, да ѝ стане верен Уотсън по време на цялото приключение, без никакви очаквания или изисквания за бъдещето, а на злодеите, независимо, че повечето са наистина доста впечатляващи черни дупки на човечността, никога не им хрумва да тропнат девойчето с нещо тежко по главата, че да спре да разритва кошера на вината им. Толкова лека, повърхностна, смайващо глуповато подредена поредица рядко ще прочетете, смес от юношески роман и сериозна криминална мистерия. Уют от съвсем различен порядък, като гигантска чаша какао, зарита с милиард мини маршмелоучета. Само внимавайте да не се задавите.
Така се започва смехотворното преследване на баварският принц Манфред , който е като двойник на Поаро минус активната мозъчна дейност, което минава през цялата благовъзпитана Европа с малко отклонение към цивилизованата част на Египет. Принцът не говори бъкел английски, много е разглезен, мързелив, обича пийването, хазарта и жените, но е единственият свободен и на подходяща възраст благороден ерген с правилна титла, така че смятайте ловът за съпрузи открит. Само че какви са тия трупове, дето все се валят в краката на целеустремената мадам Мур? Какви невъзпитани хора, да мрат точно когато нашата главна героиня почти се е докопала до благородната награда. Но Лоти и нейното кученце – коркито Роузи са на линия и ще разкрият и най-объркващото престъпление навреме, за да хванат влака след вечно изплъзващия се Хъмпти-Дъмпти принц.
Това е донякъде черна комедия, донякъде дамска криминална поредица, но обагрена в целият наивитет и абсурдизъм на добродушния сарказъм. Въпреки, че Лоти е практически никоя, тя бива вземана винаги насериозно от поредния инспектор, независимо колко предубеден и некадърен е по принцип; винаги се намира някой красив местен юначага, който е омаян от нашето момиче до степен, да ѝ стане верен Уотсън по време на цялото приключение, без никакви очаквания или изисквания за бъдещето, а на злодеите, независимо, че повечето са наистина доста впечатляващи черни дупки на човечността, никога не им хрумва да тропнат девойчето с нещо тежко по главата, че да спре да разритва кошера на вината им. Толкова лека, повърхностна, смайващо глуповато подредена поредица рядко ще прочетете, смес от юношески роман и сериозна криминална мистерия. Уют от съвсем различен порядък, като гигантска чаша какао, зарита с милиард мини маршмелоучета. Само внимавайте да не се задавите.
February 21, 2023
An exceptional first entry! Not to be missed!
Hot off the press from author Martha Bond is a brand new historical mystery series set in the 1920s featuring Lottie Sprigg, the 19 year-old hired ladies companion to Mrs. Moore, an American heiress and divorcee. Mrs. Moore travels to Venice in pursuit of the eligible bachelor Prince Manfred of Bavaria. While there, Lottie and Mrs. Moore encounter a dizzying array of suspects and become suspects themselves all while enjoying the opera, a masked ball, espresso at the local cafe and so much more! Fans of other historical mystery authors like Verity Bright, Lee Strauss, Collette Clark, and Blythe Baker will enjoy the writing style of Ms. Bond which deftly paints a picture of the historical aspects of 1920s Venice and the social norms of the day with ease. The story flowed with pockets of well placed details that left me with a vivid picture of Venice and a longing to be immersed in Lottie's world. The plotting was brilliant as it wove in just enough red herrings and suspects to create a diverse pool of possibilities that kept me guessing until the end. That's not often achieved since i have been reading mysteries for over 40 years and feel as though I've read it all! But, Ms. Bond excels at character development. I became instantly fond of Lottie's desire to experience all life has to offer but is confined by a lowly position and limited means. And I was appropriately vexed by, yet still entertained by, Mrs. Moore who demands specific headache powders, has frequent naps for her headaches, and is often irrational in her expectations as so many ladies of wealth from that time period were. It is my hope that future installments of the series will devote even more time to unearthing Lottie’s background as an orphan, the relationship between Lottie and Mrs. Moore, and why it is that Prince Manfred is still a bachelor. Even if I had not been provided an advanced reader copy (ARC) of the book in exchange for my honest review I would still highly recommend this new series. I know you will be as pleased as I was to start this journey will Lottie Sprigg. And if like me you are craving even more, sign up for the author’s newsletter on her website to receive an exclusive novella Murder in Milan and be notified of any upcoming releases.
Hot off the press from author Martha Bond is a brand new historical mystery series set in the 1920s featuring Lottie Sprigg, the 19 year-old hired ladies companion to Mrs. Moore, an American heiress and divorcee. Mrs. Moore travels to Venice in pursuit of the eligible bachelor Prince Manfred of Bavaria. While there, Lottie and Mrs. Moore encounter a dizzying array of suspects and become suspects themselves all while enjoying the opera, a masked ball, espresso at the local cafe and so much more! Fans of other historical mystery authors like Verity Bright, Lee Strauss, Collette Clark, and Blythe Baker will enjoy the writing style of Ms. Bond which deftly paints a picture of the historical aspects of 1920s Venice and the social norms of the day with ease. The story flowed with pockets of well placed details that left me with a vivid picture of Venice and a longing to be immersed in Lottie's world. The plotting was brilliant as it wove in just enough red herrings and suspects to create a diverse pool of possibilities that kept me guessing until the end. That's not often achieved since i have been reading mysteries for over 40 years and feel as though I've read it all! But, Ms. Bond excels at character development. I became instantly fond of Lottie's desire to experience all life has to offer but is confined by a lowly position and limited means. And I was appropriately vexed by, yet still entertained by, Mrs. Moore who demands specific headache powders, has frequent naps for her headaches, and is often irrational in her expectations as so many ladies of wealth from that time period were. It is my hope that future installments of the series will devote even more time to unearthing Lottie’s background as an orphan, the relationship between Lottie and Mrs. Moore, and why it is that Prince Manfred is still a bachelor. Even if I had not been provided an advanced reader copy (ARC) of the book in exchange for my honest review I would still highly recommend this new series. I know you will be as pleased as I was to start this journey will Lottie Sprigg. And if like me you are craving even more, sign up for the author’s newsletter on her website to receive an exclusive novella Murder in Milan and be notified of any upcoming releases.
October 29, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up
This book has been on my to-read shelf for a couple of years, and I chose to read it now in my continuing effort to clear out some of the books that have been hanging around, especially the first books of a series.
Lottie is a maid, newly hired to accompany Mrs. Moore on her quest to find husband #4. This is the first time Lottie has left England, and I liked watching her enjoy Venice and all it has to offer. Mrs. Moore is a boor who is condescending to nearly everyone she meets. I would love to see Lottie leave Mrs. Moore's employ and find another job elsewhere, but that doesn't look likely - yet. At least Lottie will get to travel more if she sticks with this job :)
We got to know a little about the murder victim before the body was discovered, but at first, there didn't seem to be any serious suspects to think about. As Lottie continued her investigation (with the help of some new friends), a handful of possibilities arose, each with a similar motive. I figured out who the killer was shortly before it was revealed in the book, and the motive was what I guessed it would be.
Although I wasn't captivated by this book, I'll read at least one more in the series before deciding whether to continue on or drop the series from my massive TBR.
This book has been on my to-read shelf for a couple of years, and I chose to read it now in my continuing effort to clear out some of the books that have been hanging around, especially the first books of a series.
Lottie is a maid, newly hired to accompany Mrs. Moore on her quest to find husband #4. This is the first time Lottie has left England, and I liked watching her enjoy Venice and all it has to offer. Mrs. Moore is a boor who is condescending to nearly everyone she meets. I would love to see Lottie leave Mrs. Moore's employ and find another job elsewhere, but that doesn't look likely - yet. At least Lottie will get to travel more if she sticks with this job :)
We got to know a little about the murder victim before the body was discovered, but at first, there didn't seem to be any serious suspects to think about. As Lottie continued her investigation (with the help of some new friends), a handful of possibilities arose, each with a similar motive. I figured out who the killer was shortly before it was revealed in the book, and the motive was what I guessed it would be.
Although I wasn't captivated by this book, I'll read at least one more in the series before deciding whether to continue on or drop the series from my massive TBR.
October 26, 2024
I was originally going to give it a 3 but decided to change my rating to a 2.5/5. there were just some aspects of the book that made no sense to me. first, i thought lottie was incredibly immature. they also just seemed to dump the fact that she was an orphan randomly in there and then didnt mention it again until the very end of the book just for a character to insult her. i also didnt understand the concept of the dog snatcher in the book. it would have made more sense if there had been a link between the murders and the dog snatcher but instead, he didn’t even exist in the first place. that being said, it was not a terrible book. it was an easy read and i think it’s a good mystery book for someone who isn’t obsessed with the genre. however, it was lacking and seemed as if it just went from writing to print with no edits. there were a few gaps and the romance between lottie and the bell boy just didn’t make sense. overall, i didn’t hate it and i may continue reading the series but i won’t be rushing to the second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2023
This was such a lovely read! Lotty is smart and sensible, there is no doubt about it, but she has the kind of innocence of those whose knowledge of the world comes from books. And that makes her even more endearing.
She's compassionate and kind-hearted, you only need to think about her motivations to solve the crime: she wants justice for Rosetta *smiles*
The mystery is interesting and there are so many shady characters that it is hard to figure out who is really the culprit. And I love the characters, each of them is a bit on the eccentric side, each of them with a secret (big or small) that they want to keep shut in.
But there are also quite funny moments and even a bit of romance in the air *g* And the descriptions are enchanting as well as the details of the era.
A quick, entertaining, and very good historical cozy and a very promising beginning of a new series.
She's compassionate and kind-hearted, you only need to think about her motivations to solve the crime: she wants justice for Rosetta *smiles*
The mystery is interesting and there are so many shady characters that it is hard to figure out who is really the culprit. And I love the characters, each of them is a bit on the eccentric side, each of them with a secret (big or small) that they want to keep shut in.
But there are also quite funny moments and even a bit of romance in the air *g* And the descriptions are enchanting as well as the details of the era.
A quick, entertaining, and very good historical cozy and a very promising beginning of a new series.
November 25, 2023
"Murderous secrets are lurking in the City of Canals!1923. Lottie Sprigg is a lowly maid. But when she’s hired by a wealthy heiress, she embarks on a thrilling journey across Europe and beyond. Lottie’s expecting exciting exploits and spectacular sights. But she’s not expecting murder…In Venice, Lottie befriends a famous opera singer after reuniting him with his lost dog. Early the next morning, the singer’s corpse is found floating in the Grand Canal.Who wanted the opera singer dead? Lottie is keen to seek justice for his orphaned dog. She’s spotted some suspicious characters but fingers point to a shadowy figure who prowls the streets and bridges at night. Who is it?"This is an engrossing mystery full of surprises.
I own a copy of this book. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
I own a copy of this book. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
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