Murder Wears a Hidden Face

Gilded Age Mystery #8

by Rosemary Simpson

A diplomat’s murder draws heiress-turned-sleuth Prudence MacKenzie and former Pinkerton Geoffrey Hunter away from New York’s high society and into the dark heart of Chinatown . . .

MURDER WEARS A HIDDEN FACE
February 1891: New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition of Chinese art objects, timed to coincide with the arrival of a new Chinese cultural attaché, Lord Peng. Prudence and Geoffrey are invited to attend the opening ceremonies. But among the throng of dignitaries making their way through the galleries is one decidedly unwelcome and unexpected visitor—an assassin who stabs the attaché to death, then flees through Central Park.

As witnesses, Prudence and Geoffrey quickly become immersed in the case and join former New York detective Warren Lowry in investigating the murder. But there are complications. The Peng family will no longer enjoy diplomatic standing and is threatened by deportation and possible disgrace or execution in their homeland. Desperate to remain in the West, they flee into the labyrinth of Chinatown, enlisting the protection of a long-lost uncle, now the leader of one of the city’s most feared Tongs. But that alliance comes with a price; Peng’s son must become his uncle’s apprentice in crime, while his eldest daughter will be forced to marry a Tong leader she has never met.

With a killer still at large, bent on revenge for a long-ago injustice and determined to eliminate every member of the Peng family, Prudence and Geoffrey are plunged into the heart of a culture about which they know very little. Each foray into the narrow streets and alleyways of Chinatown could be their last.
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Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Audiobook

304 pages, Hardcover

First published November 28, 2023

About the author

Rosemary Simpson's What the Dead Leave Behind is set in Gilded Age New York where the Great Blizzard of 1888 brings both disaster and independence to her wealthy and unconventional heroine. Lies that Comfort and Betray is the second in the Gilded Age Mystery series, to be followed by Let the Dead Keep Their Secrets
Rosemary is also the author of two stand-alone historical novels, The Seven Hills of Paradise and Dreams and Shadows.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. Educated in France and the United States, she now lives near Tucson, Arizona.

Reviews

[Heather Moll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geoffrey and Prudence interact less with each book. I wouldn’t be as mad about the drawn out “will they/won’t they” if they shared more page time to talk and solve crimes together like they used to. We need to actually see their relationship to continue to care about them.
I found this slow to develop and at times it was more like a history lesson than entertaining read. It didn’t pick up until halfway in. Everything comes together, but the pacing didn’t work for me. While I’m invested from reading in order, I can’t see anyone unfamiliar with the series getting drawn in by Prudence and Geoffrey in this one.

I received an arc from NetGalley

[Laur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hired after the murder of a Chinese Diplomat, Prudence and Geoffrey must solve the crime and protect the family from being kidnapped back to China where the oldest son would be beheaded for the sins of his father.

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

The more I want to read about Prudence and Geoffrey, the less the author writes about them. For now this series is going on hiatus until I read that they got married.

Piú voglio leggere su Prudence e Geoffrey e meno l'autrice ne scrive. Per ora questa serie va in pausa, fino a quando non leggo che si sono sposati.

[Avril Hemingway · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery in this book is ok, but no big surprises at all. Geoffrey and Prudence don't have much contact in this book so there is no real development in their relationship which is a shame. It was a bit slow overall although the highlight for me was the view into the Chinese culture of the time as I wasn't aware of much of this. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still enjoy this series but it seriously needs some sort of injection of something bc it's starting to get a bit stale. The cases are interesting but I think with this one, the author got a bit too hung up on the history rather than focusing on the mystery. I will admit I zoned out more than once. The whole Prudence/Geoffrey dynamic is just starting to feel a bit weird now, like I said, something needs to happen (whatever that epilogue means ...)

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

The earlier books were much better. Hardly any interaction between Prudence and Geoffrey in this one. After eight books one would hope the characters would be more in tune with each other. Should have borrowed book from library and not spent the money.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating. I really love Gilded Age mysteries and this series doesn't disappoint. In each book, the author explores environments outside of the fabulous mansions and high society. Here, a Chinese diplomat is murdered at a reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in front of Prudence and Geoffrey and they are asked to investigate by the family. Most of the story takes place in New York's Chinatown in 1891, a year before the Exclusion Act was passed. Many Chinese are moving east to escape the racism rampant in California. Women aren't admitted to the US and many of the men are smuggled in via Canada. Our favorite characters all make an appearance. Prudence and Geoffrey, of course, as well as Josiah, Danny Dennis and his cab horse Mr Washington and the Lowrey's. And at the center of this novel are the Pengs, wife, two daughters and a son. Couldn't put the book down.

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The latest case undertaken by the investigators Prudence MacKenzie and Geoffrey Hunter involves the murder of a Chinese diplomat during the opening of a special 1891 exhibit highlighting Chinese art and culture at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of the Art.

During the opening night, Lord Peng is murdered by a knife-wielding attacker-- a man whom other attendees assume is one of the diplomat’s servants. The dead diplomat’s family – his wife, Lady Peng; his two daughters, An Bao and Mai Sha (May); and his son Fa Cho (Johnny) – all witness the murder, along with Prudence, Geoffrey and dozens of others from New York’s high society families.

While Hunter and MacKenzie work to determine the killer’s identity and motive, the Peng family learns that disaster awaits them if they return to their homeland as the Chinese authorities are insisting. To avoid this fate, the Pengs, assisted by Prudence and Geoffrey, plan to secretly disappear from their hotel in the middle of the night before the authorities can force them to board a ship to China. The family finds shelter in the home of Lord Peng’s younger brother, Wei Fu Jian, (previously thought dead), a powerful businessman in New York’s Chinatown.

Attacks against the remaining Pengs continue after their father’s murder, leading to the conclusion that murderer’s motive is a personal one. Prudence, Geoffrey and their team must dig deep to determine the reason behind the killer’s attacks and identify who is behind the ongoing attempts to eliminate the remaining Pengs.

#MurderWearsaHiddenFace has a puzzling mystery set in an interesting time and place. Prudence and Geoffrey and their associates are appealing characters. Unfortunately, as the series has progressed, despite the fact that Hunter and MacKenzie are supposed be equal partners, there is less and less interaction between the two characters. This story has very few conversations between the pair, even though there continue to be hints of deeper relationship developing between the two. Although the mystery is well developed, the lack of character growth is frustrating for those who have read the earlier books in the series.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensington for the advance copy.

[Randee Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prudence MacKenzie and her investigative partner Geoffrey Hunter are attending the grand opening of a Chinese art exhibit at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art when the guest of honor, Chinese cultural attaché Lord Peng, is stabbed to death in front of his family and the other grandiose guests. Prudence and Geoffrey immediately offer up their investigative services to help the Peng family find Lord Peng’s murderer. While their cases have taken them all over the city, this is the first time Prudence and Geoffrey have ventured into Chinatown. They are faced with cultural differences and are forced to work with the leader of the newly established Tong that is about to take control of Chinatown as they search for the assassin who is looking to murder the rest of the Peng family in revenge for something that happened years ago back in China.

MURDER WEARS A HIDDEN FACE is a solid addition to the Gilded Age Mystery series. I’ve followed the series since WHAT THE DEAD LEAVE BEHIND, and have followed Prudence’s personal and professional growth. She is now a competent—though still a bit rash—private investigator. Geoffrey’s experience as a Pinkerton helps balance her out. It was interesting to see both of them so out of their element in Chinatown. The cultural differences between the investigators and their clients causes some extra drama in the case. And their secretary, Josiah, really has to adjust to their new circumstances as they go undercover as missionaries in Chinatown. Overall, I thoroughly adored MURDER WEARS A HIDDEN FACE. The various points of view gives the reader a well-rounded look at the story through the minds of many characters. My one complaint is that Prudence and Geoffrey are still dancing around their feelings for each other. The novel is left on a cliffhanger that makes it appear their personal relationship might be moving forward. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5⭐️

Hard to believe this is already 8th in the Gilded Age mystery series set in 1891 NY and featuring Prudence, a wealthy independent, ambitious hopeful future law student and Geoffrey her partner in Hunter & MacKenzie Investigative Law, and a former Pinkerton agent and attorney from the South.

A China diplomat’s murder draws the duo into NY’s Chinatown where they uncover secrets from his family and become involved with a powerful crime boss as they struggle to track down an assassin bent on securing more victims.

This was another good addition to the series with the bonus of a surprise cliffhanger to set up the next chapter of adventures.

I recommend this entire series for historical mystery (with a bit of romance) fans.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing the free early ARC of Murder Wears a Hidden Face for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

[Becka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Murder Wears a Hidden Face is a book that took me several tries before I was able to read to completion. In all fairness, I didn’t realize it was the 8th book in a series when I first picked it up, so perhaps I would have felt more connected to the characters had I read some of the earlier books. I didn’t feel that there was a whole lot of interaction between characters in the book as a whole, so reading previous books may not have helped. It seems as if the author felt it so necessary to include large chunks of historical background information that the fictional plot gets squeezed out of the allotted pages. Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me and I’m not likely to try another in the series. Perhaps readers already invested in the series can more easily overlook the overuse of background in sacrifice of story.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Charlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

At the opening of an exhibit of valuable Chinese artifacts, a Chinese diplomat is murdered. Prudence MacKenzie and her partner, ex-Pinkerton Geoffrey Hunter, were present and are soon drawn into the case, while at the same time protecting the murdered diplomat's family. Sinister forces from the Chinatown underworld are planning to murder the rest of the family, which they see as honor killings over a past grievance from a culture a world away. I like the author's use of a different historical theme in each of her novels, but this one was not my favorite. At times it read like a history book, and I found some of it confusing and uninteresting. Still, I like being with Prudence, Geoffrey, Josiah and their associates again, doing what they they do so well against the backdrop of Gilded Age New York.

[Mary Magin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best if the series, so far. Set in New York city's Chinatown, we learn about the Chinese Exclusion Act and the fact that the US didn't allow Chinese women to enter the country. This left cities, primarily San Francisco and, shifting to NYC, of Chinese men and no women. They'd come for the Gold rush and were stranded.

Author included information about Chinese culture, habits and filial responsibilities and hints about binding of women's feet. Yech!

Prudence and Geoffrey never fail to entertain.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good story about New York City Chinatown in 1891.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction with flair and creativity. Impressed with research that had to have taken place since story was so detailed. Thanks to #NetGalley and #MurderWearsAHiddenFace for advanced digital copy.

[Abby Pechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best entry in this series since the first one!

[bibliolatry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding book by Rosemary Simpson! This is the eighth book in her series, A Gilded Age Mystery, and I have read and loved every single one of them. No matter what I am reading, if one of her books is released, I stop to read before anything else.

Geoffrey and Prudence are attending the opening of a Chinese art exhibition at the MET when Lord Peng, an upper class diplomat is publicly killed. They are soon hired to find the murderer before the rest of his family are killed as well. In the course of their investigation, they go undercover in Chinatown where they meet the leaders of the Chinese tongs that were just beginning at that time. I had no knowledge, and shamefully, no interest in the subject matter before I read this, but she made it compelling and exciting.

In the authors notes, RS explains, “When I set out to write the series, I had a list of social issues and historical events into which I wanted to plunge my protagonists. The setting for each book would become another character.” And this is precisely what she does. In this book, Chinese history (during this time period), their traditions, and culture are as important as the characters in the book. In each book in the series RS has made the historical events absolutely fascinating.

Rosemary Sampson’s writing is spectacular. Her word choice, the flow of events, the cliff hangers at the end of some chapters, the descriptions! Every word is perfect. I not only love the characters, settings, and plots in her novels, I also love the parts where Prudence or Geoffrey comment on some aspect of society that is brilliantly expressed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own, but I would highly recommend this to everyone.

#MurderWearsAHiddenFace #NetGalley

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Wears a Hidden Face is the latest entry in Rosemary Simpson’s Gilded Age mystery series. Although the series has been on my radar for quite a while, this is the first one I have read—and I thoroughly enjoyed it, although I wish I had started at the beginning of the series.

The novel takes place in Gilded Age Chinatown in New York City, right after the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act which severely restricted Chinese immigration. It was extremely informative about the social issues of the day, which I admit made it a little dry. I believe I would have gotten more out of the minor romantic subplot between the detectives if I had read previous books in the series, as it might have made the plot a bit lighter.

However, all in all I really enjoyed this one and will go back and start the series from the beginning.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and really enjoyed this latest installment. The point of view switches frequently among various characters, but it keeps the story moving quickly. The plot was intriguing and the Chinatown setting/politics fascinating. I was, however, very disappointed in the Prudence's character development. I enjoyed the previous installment because Prudence seemed more human and vulnerable, but in this book she was very difficult to like. She came across as spoiled and ill-tempered, and by the end I wondered why I would be rooting for her and Geoffrey when she seems so unlikable. The ending was also quite abrupt on that front.

There were also rather strong anti-Christian overtones during discussions of missionaries, and this may put off some readers. The comments did nothing to advance the plot but likely belied the author's own perspective on the subject.

I would rate it three stars based on the poor showing of the main character, but the story was great and kept my interest, so I am rating it four stars and will look forward to the next book in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to review this ARC!

[Mary G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly love this series but this one was not one of my favorites. I am still looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating addition to the series. The murder was one that really only could have occurred amid the people of Chinatown, and its was an eye opening history lesson. I love solving mysteries along side Prudence and Geoffrey, and can’t wait to read more.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Susan Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prudence and Geoffrey, private inquiry agents, have been invited to the opening of a Chinese exhibit when a Chinese diplomate is killed. To find the killer they must gain an understanding of Chinese culture and a family disinclined to tell it's secrets. Excellent!

[Tammy Buchli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid entry in this always reliable series, made particularly interesting by the Chinatown angle.

[Hayleyfigueroa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! This time, we're take along on an adventure through NYC's Chinatown just as it was developing. This was one of the better books in the series. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pearls don't lie on the seashore. If you want one, you must dive for it." (Chinese Proverb)

Rosemary Simpson dives deeply in this one and presents an intriguing novel so different from anything else in this series. Simpson pulls from timely situations in New York City in 1891. She brings forth untraveled roads into this city of immigrants representing all corners of the Earth. We'll follow through these streets and experience the dark edges of secrets clutched tightly in the hands of those not wishing to be found.

Geoffrey Hunter, former Pinkerton Agent and an attorney, stands with Prudence MacKenzie, his partner in a legal investigative firm. Prudence, a rare gem of a woman, has passed her bar exam and can now practice law in New York. They are attending the opening ceremony at the Metropolitan Museum of Art showcasing Chinese artifacts. Lord Peng, a Chinese diplomat, has arrived from London with his wife, his son, and his two daughters.

The occasion is on a grand scale. Everyone's heads turn about viewing the majesty of this exhibition. No one notices a man in dark clothing and a hat approach the diplomat. He is swift in his actions and Lord Peng lays dead on the marble floor from a fatal knife wound. In the rush of people wishing to attend to Lord Peng, the man escapes into the crowd. Potential witnesses are nothing but confused.

Lady Peng hires Geoffrey and Prudence to find the killer. Their search takes them into Chinatown where they hope to have assistance from Wei Fu Jian, an emissary of a benevolent association. They must also contend with Tongs who are serious groups of Chinese gangs who rule the streets. With luck they have found Matthew Lam, a Chinese investigator and a graduate of Yale. Lam speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin. It's my hope that Simpson will bring back Lam in future novels. He's quite the asset to this series.

But at the core of all this is why was Lord Peng killed and why is his son also in danger? Do these threats travel all the way from Peking or are they local in nature?

Murder Wears A Hidden Face can be read as a standalone even though it's #8 in the series. Simpson has done some fine research into these years in New York City as well as into the Chinese culture. She emphasizes the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and its impact on an entire culture. Don't miss this one as it's filled with history, societal views, and sheer adventure. Another stellar one from this talented author.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Kensington Publishers and to Rosemary Simpson for the opportunity.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a Chinese attaché is assassinated in front of all in attendance at an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, his widow and son hire Prudence and Geoffrey to investigate the killing. Witnesses to the murder themselves, they agree to take the case. But it is complicated by the intricacies of Chinese governmental policies, even to foreign diplomats, and the grim future of disgrace and even death awaiting the Peng family if they comply and return to their homeland.

When an unexpected figure from their past materializes, the family is spirited away to an enclave in Chinatown, the owner of which is the leader of a dangerous Tong. In an attempt to conceal their real reason for being in the warrens of Chinatown, Geoffrey, Prudence and Josiah go undercover as Christian missionaries ministering to the Chinese community.

Set in the aftermath of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, this book does a great job of portraying the impact on the Chinese in America at the time, as well as the often desperate lives they led in the cramped tenements of Chinatown. It also casts light on what life was like for Chinese women of upper class birth, subjected to the brutality of foot binding and used as bargaining chips in marriage arrangements. Rosemary Simpson often has me doing research on historical topics while reading her books, and this was no exception.

So, the mystery: it was ok overall, but no big surprises in the end. And while I enjoyed a glimpse into a culture I’m not very familiar with, I have to say it didn’t hold my interest in parts.

And if you’re expecting any advancement in Geoffrey and Prudence’s “will they, won’t they?” storyline, you’ll be disappointed as I was. They didn’t interact as much in this one and I’m having a hard time really buying into any chemistry. It feels lackluster.

All in all, an enjoyable eighth addition to this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Wears A Hidden Face is the eighth book in the A Gilded Age Mystery series by Rosemary Simpson.

Prudence MacKenzie has passed the New York bar exam and can now practice law in New York, adding a new facet to the private investigative firm with Geoffrey Hunter.

Prudence and Geoffrey have an invitation to the grand opening of Chinese artifacts and the introduction of Lord Peng, A Chinese diplomat, and his wife, son, and two daughters. Lord Peng had just arrived from a posting in England and would be traveling to Washington, DC. A man quickly approaches Lord Peng, and before anyone takes notice, the man pulls out a knife and stabs Lord Peng to death. The man leaves as soon as he arrives and escapes capture. Soon, Lady Peng hires Prudence and Geoffrey to find her husband's killer. They soon get the Peng family settled in the home of a dangerous Tong leader. Prudence and Geoffrey will be undercover in Chinatown's most hazardous warrens.

The book is well-written, plotted, and historically accurate. The characters are well-developed and believable. There were enough red herrings that I kept guessing who the killer was until the end of the book. The Author’s Notes at the end of the book provide an excellent look at how Ms. Simpson determines the storyline.

I love this series. I always learn something about the history of America.

I’m looking forward to the next exciting book in this series.

[Christina Lissfelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the turn that the author took in this book at looking at Chinatown and American/Chinese dynamics from that time period. There were a lot of historical details, some of it repetitive and making it hard to follow the overall fictional plot of the story. What really disappointed me was the continuing distance in the relationship between Prudence and joffrey. It's hard to say if these two are actually going to be working together in the future or not. Because the relationship between the two has become so slight that it is almost non-existent. Besides the hint of a kiss and the choice that pruden seems to make, in turn choosing Jeffrey over her standing in society and continuing with the inquiry business, it seems that there is less given to overall to their relationship and that was really a weakness of this book. Rosemary Simpson's continuing strength in this series is her description of Gilda age and ER from different perspectives and her depth of knowledge of the background of these places and the characters and of the times themselves. However, when it comes to these relationship Dynamics, especially between our main characters, it really struggles to keep my interest and makes it hard for me to want to continue to invest in these characters. But this is the eighth's book and I am ready for the next one of the series so I have invested no matter what. I'm really hoping there was a wedding in the next book though.

[Susan Barno · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to preface my comments with the fact I am not a fan of late 1800's historical stories. This book was given to me in a book exchange and I would not normally have selected this on my own. If you are a fan of that time period you probably would enjoy this book.

This story had a slow start for me and was almost a DNF book. However, it takes a really bad book for me to give up, so I plowed through over the course of 3 weeks. (In between I read four other much more enjoyable books.) The writing was decent, but I struggled with the plot. The story line ultimately picked up the pace about 75% of the way thru the book, as did my interest in who committed the murderer and why. Most of the characters were annoying because their actions were oftentimes irresponsible. They are operating in an unknown environment where they do not speak the language and do not look like anyone in Chinatown. Talk about drawing attention to oneself while trying to do undercover work. I did find the Chinatown setting during the Gilded Age fascinating.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prudence and Geoffrey find themselves struggling a bit when they step out of their comfort zone to investigate the murder of a Chinese diplomat at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's 1891 and the diplomat's family flees to Chinatown where bad things await them. Prudence and Geoffrey, who have tackled all sorts of things in the years they've worked together, find some of the cultural issues challenging but they (and the reader) learn a great deal. This latest in the series sees them wavering about their relationship as well. Maybe not wavering but....I've been a fan of the series, which is a little grittier than a cozy and this was a nice addition. It will also be fine as a standalone. Prudence with her stoic determination and quick mind remains a favorite character. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. There's a hint at the end of this for things to come- and I'm eager for the next installment.