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Second Sons #2
A Rose Before Dying
Only Sir Edward had the motive, the means, and a garden full of the same roses sent to each victim before their death. The first victim is Sir Edward’s ex-mistress, a woman who threw him over for a younger man. After receiving a mysterious rose, she dies while alone with Sir Edward. Then a second rose is delivered and a deadly game commences, where roses are the only clues to save the next victim. However, Charles Vance, Earl of Castlemoor, refuses to believe his uncle, Sir Edward, could commit the murders, even when the renowned head of the Second Sons Inquiry Agency warns him there may be some truth behind the rumors. The roses are Sir Edward’s attempt to cast suspicion elsewhere. Misdirection. Or so the whispers say. Convinced he can prove his uncle’s innocence, Vance enlists the aide of notable rosarian, Ariadne Wellfleet, little realizing his actions will involve the Wellfleet household in the killer’s game. Before the week is out, another rose is delivered. And someone else is missing.
298 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2011
56 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Amy Corwin
59 books133 followersAmy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She has been writing for the last ten years and managing a career as an enterprise systems administrator in the computer industry. She writes Regencies/historicals, mysteries, and contemporary paranormals. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.
Amy’s books include the two Regency romances, SMUGGLED ROSE, and LOVE, THE CRITIC; three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; and her first paranormal, VAMPIRE PROTECTOR.
WHACKED!, a contemporary mystery from Five Star, will be out in 2012, and her most current historical mysteries include THE VITAL PRINCIPLE--a Second Sons Mystery.
Amy’s books include the two Regency romances, SMUGGLED ROSE, and LOVE, THE CRITIC; three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; and her first paranormal, VAMPIRE PROTECTOR.
WHACKED!, a contemporary mystery from Five Star, will be out in 2012, and her most current historical mysteries include THE VITAL PRINCIPLE--a Second Sons Mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 12, 2016
With very little involvement of the Second Sons Inquiry Agency it is left to Lord Castlemoor to find the evidence that his uncle - Sir Edward - did not kill his lady friend - Lady Banks. It would seem a game is being played out with the arrival of roses just before a murder occurs. How many more roses will be sent until the guilty culprit is discovered.
Enjoyed the story and like the characters, wondering now with the third in the series whether there will be more of the Inquiry Agency or a lone detective.
Enjoyed the story and like the characters, wondering now with the third in the series whether there will be more of the Inquiry Agency or a lone detective.
July 12, 2012
20th book read in 2012.
Number 138 out of 252 on my all time book list.
Follow the link below to see my video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nGV8V...
Number 138 out of 252 on my all time book list.
Follow the link below to see my video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nGV8V...
January 10, 2017
Charles Vance, Earl of Castlemoor thought he was coming to London to seek out lodgings suitable to his new title. Little did he know he would quickly become entangled in a multi-murder mystery with his uncle as the chief suspect. The only clue to the next victim: a rose and a cryptic note. This leads him to Ariadne Wellfleet, one of London’s top rosarians. She gets pulled into Charles’ investigation even though she is contending with a violent almost-fiancé and a greenhouse business about to fail after the death of her father. Even though Charles and Ariadne need each other’s expertise to stop any further murders they soon realize that they might need each other for something more as well.
Amy Corwin’s A Rose Before Dying blends mystery, romance, and an encyclopedic knowledge of roses into a fast-paced story. The main characters are clearly drawn and engaging. Mr. Philips, the abusive almost-fiancé, and nearly all the secondary characters parrot the most strident misogynistic tracts of the nineteenth-century. This is not to say that their opinions were not extant in the period of the book, but it is doubtful they were to such a degree and extent. Their virulence distracts from the overall story and makes one wonder if Ariadne’s attraction to Charles is merely because he is the only character who apparently doesn’t hate women.
Amy Corwin’s A Rose Before Dying blends mystery, romance, and an encyclopedic knowledge of roses into a fast-paced story. The main characters are clearly drawn and engaging. Mr. Philips, the abusive almost-fiancé, and nearly all the secondary characters parrot the most strident misogynistic tracts of the nineteenth-century. This is not to say that their opinions were not extant in the period of the book, but it is doubtful they were to such a degree and extent. Their virulence distracts from the overall story and makes one wonder if Ariadne’s attraction to Charles is merely because he is the only character who apparently doesn’t hate women.
October 21, 2018
I love Amy Corwin's mysteries and romances. She knows Regency England as if she'd actually lived there.
"I Bid One American" (now retitled) remains my favorite, seconded by "The Bricklayer's Daughter," despite a few trivial plot holes or contrived situations.
Corwin has opened my eyes to the freedoms we in America have taken for granted since 1776 (or we, in general). In England in the early 1800s, a nobleman who wanted to *work* - even in the exulted occupations of doctor or lawyer - were shunned and shut of their social circles.
We romanticize that world, not thinking about what it was like for the majority of the people, those not born into the upper classes. Cities were filthy and crowded, never mind the Jane Austen view of carriage rides through streets never described as muddy and full of manure.
I love the way Amy Corwin keeps the magic of an age gone by, the romanticism and adventure, but also shows us a glimpse of the downsides of that world.
Go Amy!!
"I Bid One American" (now retitled) remains my favorite, seconded by "The Bricklayer's Daughter," despite a few trivial plot holes or contrived situations.
Corwin has opened my eyes to the freedoms we in America have taken for granted since 1776 (or we, in general). In England in the early 1800s, a nobleman who wanted to *work* - even in the exulted occupations of doctor or lawyer - were shunned and shut of their social circles.
We romanticize that world, not thinking about what it was like for the majority of the people, those not born into the upper classes. Cities were filthy and crowded, never mind the Jane Austen view of carriage rides through streets never described as muddy and full of manure.
I love the way Amy Corwin keeps the magic of an age gone by, the romanticism and adventure, but also shows us a glimpse of the downsides of that world.
Go Amy!!
July 8, 2017
I fail to comprehend the motive for the murders. It makes no sense, even at the end. Especially with the timeline. If revenge for firing, why was first rose sent before that happens?? And who takes revenge on a remote friend of the target?? Also missed characters from the first mystery... I liked them and kept wanting her to pop up somehow. So overall left disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2018
So thought I read this book a while ago but I guess not lol. So the story was enjoyable a lot of twist and turns with the deaths and mysterious roses with notes. I did feel that the romance aspect was a little blah but otherwise a very nice read.
November 4, 2016
Free ebook.
Received a free copy from the author.
I liked the story, a bit of mystery, a bit of romance and a HEA.
Received a free copy from the author.
I liked the story, a bit of mystery, a bit of romance and a HEA.
March 3, 2012
Though this is considered a novel in the Second Sons Agency series, the investigating agency doesn’t appear very prominently in this story. A very exciting novel and an indictment of the Victorian treatment of women at the same time.
Lots of rose lore available, written in through explanation by the experts Charles visits and his investigations as he sorts through suspects and his frustration as he always comes back to only one—his uncle—is relayed quite convincingly. His loyalty to the man who’s a relative as well as his determination that justice will be carried out, even if it means turning his uncle over to the police, keep the story moving quite speedily. Though the romance is a secondary plot to that of finding the killer, it’s no less frustrating to both the characters and to the reader. Ariadne’s father signed a marriage contract between her and the man who offered the money to save his business. Though Ariadne is a rose expert in her own right, she’s ignored because she’s a woman, considered too weak-minded to run a business, indeed to draw a breath without a man to tell her to inhale. Charles is very proper in that he doesn’t wish to poach on another man’s territory but the more time he spends in her company, the more he knows that he loves.
There’s plenty of changes of scenery, plenty of action, and a couple of surprises and twists along the way. It’s an exciting mystery, a sweet love story, and a compendium of rose information all in one.
Lots of rose lore available, written in through explanation by the experts Charles visits and his investigations as he sorts through suspects and his frustration as he always comes back to only one—his uncle—is relayed quite convincingly. His loyalty to the man who’s a relative as well as his determination that justice will be carried out, even if it means turning his uncle over to the police, keep the story moving quite speedily. Though the romance is a secondary plot to that of finding the killer, it’s no less frustrating to both the characters and to the reader. Ariadne’s father signed a marriage contract between her and the man who offered the money to save his business. Though Ariadne is a rose expert in her own right, she’s ignored because she’s a woman, considered too weak-minded to run a business, indeed to draw a breath without a man to tell her to inhale. Charles is very proper in that he doesn’t wish to poach on another man’s territory but the more time he spends in her company, the more he knows that he loves.
There’s plenty of changes of scenery, plenty of action, and a couple of surprises and twists along the way. It’s an exciting mystery, a sweet love story, and a compendium of rose information all in one.
August 10, 2011
Charming Regency mystery/romance that does quite a good job on the mystery part (despite the strangeness of the reason for the first 2 deaths) and does well for the romance, by romance novel standards. As with all genre romance, I rolled my eyes at how quickly the hero and heroine decided they're in love, but given that their relationship, by necessity, had to be compressed within the much stricter pacing of a mystery novel, it wasn't too obnoxious. The text itself could have used a bit more stringent editing, but Ms Corwin certainly knows how to turn a clever phrase. The character of Rose was a nice touch, though Miss Baxter was entirely too malleable to whatever circumstance the author placed her in.
I received this book gratis as part of GoodReads' First Reads program.
I received this book gratis as part of GoodReads' First Reads program.
March 13, 2012
Mystery, Roses and Murder, this is a great British mystery. Lord Castlemoor ends up investigation a series of murders that lead directly to his uncle. His uncle claims that he is innocent. The murderer leaves a rose and a note with each murder he commits. His investigation keeps leading him back to Rosewell and Ariadne Wellfleet who is an expert in the names and types of roses he finds. Lord Castlemoor finds himself attracted to Ariadne even though her status is not fit for an Earl. Lord Castlemoor continues to find clues to prove his uncles innocence, unfortunately the clue’s keep pointing towards his uncle, and more people turn up missing…
I enjoyed A Rose Before Dying, this book has great twists in it along with a touch of romance.
I enjoyed A Rose Before Dying, this book has great twists in it along with a touch of romance.
February 19, 2012
There is a serial killer at work on the streets of London. He targets his victims by sending them roses along with a card.
Authorities suspect Sir Edward Marlowe, the uncle of nCharles Vance, Earl of Castlemoor. The same roses sent by the killer were also found growing in Sir Edward's gardens.
Charles enlists the aid of an agent of Second Sons, Discreet Inquiries to help prove his uncles innocence.
This takes place in the early 1800s and the author captures the essence of 19th century life. A recommended read.
Authorities suspect Sir Edward Marlowe, the uncle of nCharles Vance, Earl of Castlemoor. The same roses sent by the killer were also found growing in Sir Edward's gardens.
Charles enlists the aid of an agent of Second Sons, Discreet Inquiries to help prove his uncles innocence.
This takes place in the early 1800s and the author captures the essence of 19th century life. A recommended read.
January 26, 2016
After a quick enjoyable read of the first book in the series, I jumped right into this one. I enjoyed it even more. Again I loved the characters and the mystery. The heroine bugged me a little bit when she readily accepted men telling her that women needed to be managed. But I forgave that because in all other ways she acted consistent with her character and didn't let those thoughts get the better of her.
December 21, 2016
A joy to read.
I love to read books written by Ms. Corwin. It is a well written with humor, intrigue, and love. As usual her characters are so well described that they could be someone that you know. My favorite character in this story is Sir Edward. His personality and demeanor kept me reading just to find out what he would say next. I would recommend Ms. Corwin's books to anyone.
I love to read books written by Ms. Corwin. It is a well written with humor, intrigue, and love. As usual her characters are so well described that they could be someone that you know. My favorite character in this story is Sir Edward. His personality and demeanor kept me reading just to find out what he would say next. I would recommend Ms. Corwin's books to anyone.
March 16, 2012
A serial killer is trying to frame Sir Edward. Can his nephew, Lord Castlemoor, save him from the gallows by catching the real killer and, oh, yeah, can he save the fair damsel from the evil Mr. Phillips? Entertaining.
June 13, 2016
It was an okay book. I do not feel like the characters are developed enough to feel like you are part of their world. Their romance or love is just thrown in there without any real interaction. I do like the mystery and the thought behind the twists and turns of that aspect however.
August 15, 2011
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads. I really enjoyed this book, there was romance and suspense,comedy. I would highly recommend this book.
September 17, 2011
Amy Corwin writes a great "love story/mystery" here. I was thoroughly entertained!
September 7, 2012
I am looking forward to reading the next 'Second Sons Mystery'. The story held my interest throughout even when I suspected who the criminal was.
August 30, 2015
A Rose Before Dying
A very good mystery. I really enjoyed the story. I will not tell you what happened because it will ruin the story for you.
A very good mystery. I really enjoyed the story. I will not tell you what happened because it will ruin the story for you.
January 6, 2016
I loved the characters. They were so fun and intelligent. Working together to solve the murder they complimented each other so well. A great book!
October 3, 2016
Another fun mystery but with quite a few editing misses--wrong tenses, wrong words, doubled lines. Surprising because the other books I've read didn't have much to jump out at me in that way.
December 5, 2016
Great story! It has mystery, romance, adventure, suspense, humor and a little education in roses. I love it when there are some surprises that are not totally unexpected in retrospect.
March 26, 2017
Not sure why these don't grab me. They are not bad, just not ... intriguing.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews