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Lord Danvers Investigates #4
A Tincture of Murder
Why do the fallen women in The Magdalen House refuge continue to die mysteriously?
A devastating fire at Danvers’s ancestral home induces Charles to accept his brother Frederick’s plea for help with his work among fallen women and impoverished orphans in York. Charles soon finds himself struggling to identify a ruthless murderer while Antonia helps feed the women and children living in the asylum Frederick runs. The trial of notorious poisoner William Dove leads to surprising discoveries and sets legal precedent still followed today.
A devastating fire at Danvers’s ancestral home induces Charles to accept his brother Frederick’s plea for help with his work among fallen women and impoverished orphans in York. Charles soon finds himself struggling to identify a ruthless murderer while Antonia helps feed the women and children living in the asylum Frederick runs. The trial of notorious poisoner William Dove leads to surprising discoveries and sets legal precedent still followed today.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
12 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Donna Fletcher Crow
67 books126 followersDonna Fletcher Crow loves to give books away. If you would like a copy of one of her best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates series, go to her website: http://www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.
Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.
Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 16, 2018
I got this as a e book for subscribing to this authors website. It is my first book by this author. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. I hope to read more books by this author.
March 28, 2018
“A compelling story peopled with interesting characters and vivid details drawn from impeccable research. Victorian Britain comes to life, thanks to period dialogue that rings all the right notes and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very last page. Delightful!"~ Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times best-selling author of Mine Is the Night
“The historical setting is authentic and allows the reader a glimpse, without overwhelming. An enjoyable book which entertains and delights. ~ Wendy Jones, The DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries
“The historical setting is authentic and allows the reader a glimpse, without overwhelming. An enjoyable book which entertains and delights. ~ Wendy Jones, The DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries
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January 16, 2013
It’s interesting to read this novel at the same time as watching Downton Abbey on TV. Both recreate the divided society of England's recent past convincingly, with pleasing characters and mysterious plots. And both are high on my list of favorites.
Donna Fletcher Crow’s A Tincture of Murder starts with a terrifying scene that shocked and startled me, not having read any reviews before starting the book. But life goes on, successfully, and a deeper, more shocking darkness awaits, not in the halls and luxury of a rich man’s home, but on the dirty streets of York, within sight of the famous York Minster.
Dickens would approve the author’s depiction of orphan homes and miserable poverty. Modern England would approve the generous spirit that declares even society’s rejects should be given food and hope. And common sense agrees that wide crinoline skirts might suffer as their wearers walk through the muck and murk of a downtrodden street.
The blend of well-researched history and intriguing mystery goes well with this mix of rich world poor world sensibilities. Take a balloon ride over the English countryside. Enjoy the waters at Harrogate. Then ponder the ingredients of precious home-brewed medicines. But most of all, enjoy this fast-flowing novel with pleasing characters, convincing locations, and thought-provoking social order. In the end all will be resolved, lives saved, and hope restored.
Disclosure: I was lucky enough to be given a free ecopy of this novel and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Now I need to find more Lord Danvers tales.
Donna Fletcher Crow’s A Tincture of Murder starts with a terrifying scene that shocked and startled me, not having read any reviews before starting the book. But life goes on, successfully, and a deeper, more shocking darkness awaits, not in the halls and luxury of a rich man’s home, but on the dirty streets of York, within sight of the famous York Minster.
Dickens would approve the author’s depiction of orphan homes and miserable poverty. Modern England would approve the generous spirit that declares even society’s rejects should be given food and hope. And common sense agrees that wide crinoline skirts might suffer as their wearers walk through the muck and murk of a downtrodden street.
The blend of well-researched history and intriguing mystery goes well with this mix of rich world poor world sensibilities. Take a balloon ride over the English countryside. Enjoy the waters at Harrogate. Then ponder the ingredients of precious home-brewed medicines. But most of all, enjoy this fast-flowing novel with pleasing characters, convincing locations, and thought-provoking social order. In the end all will be resolved, lives saved, and hope restored.
Disclosure: I was lucky enough to be given a free ecopy of this novel and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Now I need to find more Lord Danvers tales.
May 13, 2013
Loved it! The author vividly evokes the noisome streets and alleys of Victorian York, and gives a strong sense of the deprivations of the poor and marginalised of that time. She contrasts this with the lifestyle of the wealthy aristocrats. Add to this a good crime mystery round a serial poisoner, and also an insight into a true Victorian murder trial. Highly recommended for lovers of this genre.
September 11, 2018
Believe it or not, this was my first Lord Danvers mystery. I’ll have to seek out the others. I found the setting and period fascinating and the characters delightful. If Jane Austin had written mysteries, this would be it. I kept picturing Dame Maggie Smith in the role of Aunt Aelfrida who declared “it was clearly understood in my day that Methodistical enthusiasm provoked insanity”. I love the way Crow makes the time period come alive and weaves real history (like the York Industrial Ragged School) and real people (Lord Shaftsbury and William Dove) into an intriguing mystery.
This story has some pretty stomach-turning parts as conditions in 19th c York were pretty awful for the poor. Lady Antonia has her eyes opened and shows real guts when she gets involved personally with her brother-in-law Fredrick’s charity work.
I happened to be listening at the same time to the first Anne Perry Inspector Pitt story, set in a similar time and location. In Perry’s book Charlotte is also having her eyes opened. Christianity comes off pretty badly there, but in Crow’s book we see people of faith acting mercifully, despite Aunt Aelfida’s opinion that they must be mad.
This story has some pretty stomach-turning parts as conditions in 19th c York were pretty awful for the poor. Lady Antonia has her eyes opened and shows real guts when she gets involved personally with her brother-in-law Fredrick’s charity work.
I happened to be listening at the same time to the first Anne Perry Inspector Pitt story, set in a similar time and location. In Perry’s book Charlotte is also having her eyes opened. Christianity comes off pretty badly there, but in Crow’s book we see people of faith acting mercifully, despite Aunt Aelfida’s opinion that they must be mad.
March 14, 2023
Was the fire at the Danvers' home accidentally started by an unextinguished candle? Who is killing the clients of the mission Lord Danver's brother is running? And is the man accused of poisoning his wife a murderer or an insane lunatic?
A Tincture of Murder is the fourth volume of Donna Fletcher's "Lord Danvers Investigates" series (there are currently five installments). As in the rest of the series, Donna tells a story of a true Victorian era crime, as well as a mystery Lord and Lady Danvers solve.
As stated, this is part of a series. While I would recommend reading the stories in order, that is not a necessity to feel like you know what is going on in the story line. Likewise, reading later stories first won't spoil the surprises of the earlier tales.
I highly recommend the full series, but my personal favorites in it are the first book (A Most Inconvenient Death) and this book.
A Tincture of Murder is the fourth volume of Donna Fletcher's "Lord Danvers Investigates" series (there are currently five installments). As in the rest of the series, Donna tells a story of a true Victorian era crime, as well as a mystery Lord and Lady Danvers solve.
As stated, this is part of a series. While I would recommend reading the stories in order, that is not a necessity to feel like you know what is going on in the story line. Likewise, reading later stories first won't spoil the surprises of the earlier tales.
I highly recommend the full series, but my personal favorites in it are the first book (A Most Inconvenient Death) and this book.
August 17, 2018
How a fine lady got down and dirty to solve crime in Victorian England
If you're a fan of Jane Austen or any other Victorian writer, you'll be pleased at the historical details, and the writing style in this book. The author has brought the era to life, including the dark elements that made life so precarious for the poor.
This is a great murder mystery, and also a chaste and pleasing story of romance. I highly recommend it!
If you're a fan of Jane Austen or any other Victorian writer, you'll be pleased at the historical details, and the writing style in this book. The author has brought the era to life, including the dark elements that made life so precarious for the poor.
This is a great murder mystery, and also a chaste and pleasing story of romance. I highly recommend it!
August 21, 2020
Excellent!
Another exciting adventure for our titled sleuths! Thankfully, their hot air balloon moves them quickly to all the necessary places this murder search covers! Home for sick prostitutes, work home for poor children, and a fire at their ancestral home are all dealt with as well as an exciting murder trial. Topic is a bit depressing but very real during the mid 1850’s in England. Very exciting finale!
Another exciting adventure for our titled sleuths! Thankfully, their hot air balloon moves them quickly to all the necessary places this murder search covers! Home for sick prostitutes, work home for poor children, and a fire at their ancestral home are all dealt with as well as an exciting murder trial. Topic is a bit depressing but very real during the mid 1850’s in England. Very exciting finale!
July 8, 2020
An enjoyable read and mystery, however, the focus is more on the asylum and the York slums, hence creating a fairly dark read. Characterization is good, and the ending has a good twist. However, readers beware, due to the fairly strong themes of domestic violence and sexual abuse, it's not for the faint hearted.
November 1, 2020
This book was sent to me by the author from her website and I found the book an interesting read that portrays Donna Fletcher Crow's excellent skills in the way she develops her characters. Readers will enjoy how the author reflects the language of the different social class of people, the times and a grand touch of the classics very apt for this genre. An interesting read by a great writer!
March 27, 2025
Due to a fire at their home the Danvers move to York, where his brother Frédérick, a vicar. He is concerned about the deaths in the refuge for fallen woman. Also of interest is the trial of William Dove accused of killing his wife Harriet. The Danvers are taken out of their soft rich lives and are faced with the reality of the poor. Not much of an investigation.
May 28, 2018
This was an enjoyable mystery despite the heartbreaking descriptions of the living conditions the poor experienced. Lord Danvers and Lay Antonia are always a delight as they attempt to solve murders wherever they go.
July 29, 2018
A great book with lots of Victorian History! I loved the scene, characters, and plot. The author described everything in fine detail. I felt like I was back in time going through some difficult situations in society. I loved the mystery!
September 24, 2018
I most truly enjoyed this book. Ms crow definitely captures Victorian days and can really weave a compelling storyline. I couldn't put it down. If you like this genre of even mysteries in general, read this book! It's terrific.
August 14, 2018
Extremely strange happenings at the Magdalen Refuge house. The women keep dying mysteriously and Charles is out to solve the mystery. Fast paced gripping story.
May 31, 2018
I think this is my favorite of this series so far. The intertwining of a historic crime with fictional characters is very well done, and the mysteries of who did what in the fictional part are very well done.
January 12, 2013
A Tincture of Murder is a very cute mystery set in England during the mid 1800's. Though this is the first Lord Danvers mystery I have read, I did not feel that I was missing too much by hopping in on the fourth book. I could still appreciate the characters and the mystery.
Fredrick, Lord Davers brother, is a reverend in the very poor section of London and has set up a house to help women of ill repute who have become pregnant. The women start dying and Freddie believes foul play is involved. Since Lord Danvers has the reputation of an amateur dective, Freddie begs him to come help him find the perpetrator of these crimes.
Due to circumstances beyond control, Lord and Lady Danvers travel to London to help Freddie in spite of the fact that Lord Danvers would rather not go, thinking Freddie has gotten himself in trouble with a woman. Little do they know, that they will not only help solve the murders, but also help improve the conditions of the women they are helping.
I loved the charitable work that was described in this book. You can tell that Ms. Crow must have a heart for helping those in need, due to all the focus she put on that in this book.
The historical aspect of this book was very interesting. I enjoyed seeing the case of William Dove played out. His was one of the first in which insanity was used as an actual cause for his murdering his wife. And the case of the children's home was certainly more disturbing when I found out that it actually happened.
I appreciate all of the research that went into this book and will be looking forward to reading more of this series! I would recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries set in this time period.
Fredrick, Lord Davers brother, is a reverend in the very poor section of London and has set up a house to help women of ill repute who have become pregnant. The women start dying and Freddie believes foul play is involved. Since Lord Danvers has the reputation of an amateur dective, Freddie begs him to come help him find the perpetrator of these crimes.
Due to circumstances beyond control, Lord and Lady Danvers travel to London to help Freddie in spite of the fact that Lord Danvers would rather not go, thinking Freddie has gotten himself in trouble with a woman. Little do they know, that they will not only help solve the murders, but also help improve the conditions of the women they are helping.
I loved the charitable work that was described in this book. You can tell that Ms. Crow must have a heart for helping those in need, due to all the focus she put on that in this book.
The historical aspect of this book was very interesting. I enjoyed seeing the case of William Dove played out. His was one of the first in which insanity was used as an actual cause for his murdering his wife. And the case of the children's home was certainly more disturbing when I found out that it actually happened.
I appreciate all of the research that went into this book and will be looking forward to reading more of this series! I would recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries set in this time period.
January 27, 2013
This was Donna Fletcher Crows fourth Lord Danvers Victorian True-Crime Mystery. I found it interesting and well written. Ms. Crow did a lot of research and there was much detail as to how things were at the time this case took place.
I found the book invigorating which made me want to know who the murderer was and why they were doing it. I personally was surprised by who and why they committed the crime. Believe me it was the last person you would suspect. You will ask yourself, what do a fire , deaths of a maid and poor women at Magdalen House, and a soup kitchen have in common. You will find out what at the very end of this must read book. I know it had me wanting to read more.
Rating: 5
Heat Rating: Sweet
Reveiwed By: Susan Faatz,My Book Addiction Reviews
I found the book invigorating which made me want to know who the murderer was and why they were doing it. I personally was surprised by who and why they committed the crime. Believe me it was the last person you would suspect. You will ask yourself, what do a fire , deaths of a maid and poor women at Magdalen House, and a soup kitchen have in common. You will find out what at the very end of this must read book. I know it had me wanting to read more.
Rating: 5
Heat Rating: Sweet
Reveiwed By: Susan Faatz,My Book Addiction Reviews
April 27, 2019
Well-researched historical fiction is superb, and this author has taken that up another notch! The story flowed beautifully, the characters were entirely believable, and the ending was sublime. Lord and Lady Danvers have a terrible house fire that requires them to visit his brother. He, in turn, gets them involved in charity work and solving a series of mishaps and a possible murder.
I am now a stalwart fan of Victorian fiction, and especially of Donna Fletcher Crow! Thank you for a most enjoyable read.
I am now a stalwart fan of Victorian fiction, and especially of Donna Fletcher Crow! Thank you for a most enjoyable read.
December 30, 2012
I thought the book started off slow and there were a few typos but nothing really distracting. It picked up quickly for me and I enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery. I also liked the characters and the way the book weaved in real events of the time and social justice issues. Overall I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the other books in the series.
January 20, 2013
This book was okay, but not great. It was good enough to keep me reading. I think I would have liked it better if the story was more fleshed out. A number of times I wanted to read more about an event in the story but it would skip ahead in the story. I would have like to have read more of what was left unsaid. It did have some engaging and likable characters.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews