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Lady Marmalade #2
Loose Lips
It's just after the end of the Second World War and Lady Marmalade is looking forward to a nice relaxing holiday in Hightown. The war has been terribly stressful on everyone and Lady Marmalade's good friends, Harry and Genevieve Appleback have invited her over for some much needed R n' R and Irish Sea air.
But what should have been a relaxing holiday turns out to be a workout for Lady Marmalade's little gray cells.
Nana (Maude) Bloomfield, an heir to the Bloomfield Confectioner's dwindling fortune is found murdered in her study. There are a vast assortment of culprits, like there are an assortment of Bloomfield Confectioner's sweets.
Her husband Ambrose is having an affair with Nana's oldest friend, Agnes Bennett. Both of them now benefit with Nana out of the way. But what about Owen Bloomfield, Ambrose's brother. He clearly didn't care for Nana's involvement in the business.
And Rufina Pritchard, Nana's stepdaughter is here from Australia looking for work, which Nana can't offer. Neither can Nana increase her son's stipend. Jasper Bloomfield, the son, is none to happy about that.
And to further complicate matters, someone's being pilfering not the Bloomfield Confectioner's sweets, but its profits.
But what should have been a relaxing holiday turns out to be a workout for Lady Marmalade's little gray cells.
Nana (Maude) Bloomfield, an heir to the Bloomfield Confectioner's dwindling fortune is found murdered in her study. There are a vast assortment of culprits, like there are an assortment of Bloomfield Confectioner's sweets.
Her husband Ambrose is having an affair with Nana's oldest friend, Agnes Bennett. Both of them now benefit with Nana out of the way. But what about Owen Bloomfield, Ambrose's brother. He clearly didn't care for Nana's involvement in the business.
And Rufina Pritchard, Nana's stepdaughter is here from Australia looking for work, which Nana can't offer. Neither can Nana increase her son's stipend. Jasper Bloomfield, the son, is none to happy about that.
And to further complicate matters, someone's being pilfering not the Bloomfield Confectioner's sweets, but its profits.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
51 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2012
4 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 23, 2018
This is a 2.5 star read.
The author's Lady Marmalade series is a pastiche of 1940's murder mysteries .... but a very bad pastiche at that. If you are going to write a mystery conducted in that era then you must do your research, even if it is a short story offering! I have read every one of Agatha Christie's books with her various sleuthing characters and a good deal of exceptional historical mysteries of that era and I can't help but compare them to this work. As I was reading, instead of being invested in the characters and plot I found myself constantly picking at the discrepancies in the story. For a start, there is NO WAY an Inspector from Scotland Yard would deign to include a titled "friend" in an investigation, let alone let her take lead. And we don't have ranches in Australia, we have farms and vast properties!
If you're looking for a light, fluffy read to while a way a few minutes then you may enjoy this but I for one was left wanting.
I received an ebook copy of this short story directly from the author. I have voluntarily chosen to review the book and the gifting in no way influences my review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion.
The author's Lady Marmalade series is a pastiche of 1940's murder mysteries .... but a very bad pastiche at that. If you are going to write a mystery conducted in that era then you must do your research, even if it is a short story offering! I have read every one of Agatha Christie's books with her various sleuthing characters and a good deal of exceptional historical mysteries of that era and I can't help but compare them to this work. As I was reading, instead of being invested in the characters and plot I found myself constantly picking at the discrepancies in the story. For a start, there is NO WAY an Inspector from Scotland Yard would deign to include a titled "friend" in an investigation, let alone let her take lead. And we don't have ranches in Australia, we have farms and vast properties!
If you're looking for a light, fluffy read to while a way a few minutes then you may enjoy this but I for one was left wanting.
I received an ebook copy of this short story directly from the author. I have voluntarily chosen to review the book and the gifting in no way influences my review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion.
May 19, 2017
This is a sadly disappointing story.
There's a perfectly decent little story in here, but unfortunately, it's buried in clunky, obvious prose and dialog that is so obvious that the only comparison is to the "As you know, Bob" clunkers much mocked in science fiction. The characters in a science fiction story don't need to explain to each other how the everyday tools of their world work. Lady Marmalade doesn't need her friends to explain to her things she's known for years.
Harry and Genevieve Appleback are old friends of Lady Marmalade. They've lived in the current abode in Hightown since 1941. It's now 1947, and Frances Marmalade last saw them six months ago. So why does she need to hear the story of how and why they bought the place as if it's new information? So that the reader will know! And the author can't think of any more subtle or plausible way to convey the same information.
The mystery concerns the murder of Maude Bloomfield, wife of one of the two owners of Bloomfield Confectionery. Suspects include her husband Ambrose (of course), his lover, the Bloomfields' son and his wife, who want an increased allowance to support their Australian ranch, Ambrose's brother Owen, and Maude's stepdaughter from a previous marriage, who has her own resentments.
Oh, and there are all the women at the confectionery that Maude is insisting be fired.
It's too bad the murderer is also depressingly obvious.
I received a free electronic copy of this book, and I am reviewing it voluntarily.
There's a perfectly decent little story in here, but unfortunately, it's buried in clunky, obvious prose and dialog that is so obvious that the only comparison is to the "As you know, Bob" clunkers much mocked in science fiction. The characters in a science fiction story don't need to explain to each other how the everyday tools of their world work. Lady Marmalade doesn't need her friends to explain to her things she's known for years.
Harry and Genevieve Appleback are old friends of Lady Marmalade. They've lived in the current abode in Hightown since 1941. It's now 1947, and Frances Marmalade last saw them six months ago. So why does she need to hear the story of how and why they bought the place as if it's new information? So that the reader will know! And the author can't think of any more subtle or plausible way to convey the same information.
The mystery concerns the murder of Maude Bloomfield, wife of one of the two owners of Bloomfield Confectionery. Suspects include her husband Ambrose (of course), his lover, the Bloomfields' son and his wife, who want an increased allowance to support their Australian ranch, Ambrose's brother Owen, and Maude's stepdaughter from a previous marriage, who has her own resentments.
Oh, and there are all the women at the confectionery that Maude is insisting be fired.
It's too bad the murderer is also depressingly obvious.
I received a free electronic copy of this book, and I am reviewing it voluntarily.
July 1, 2017
Loose Lips by Jason Blacker
I didn't like this book it was too short too choppy and stilted. There was not enough character development.
Add to that interesting comments like, "She was from Australia although her skin was quite pale." Really? We are quite pale in Australia unless we are sunburnt outdoors types or aboriginals.
There was very little in the descriptions to invoke within us an image of what was happening. Where people were and who they were. Everything seemed to happen much quicker even than a 30 minute television show. I'm Still not really sure what the loose lips of the title referred to. Perhaps that's just me.
I didn't like this book it was too short too choppy and stilted. There was not enough character development.
Add to that interesting comments like, "She was from Australia although her skin was quite pale." Really? We are quite pale in Australia unless we are sunburnt outdoors types or aboriginals.
There was very little in the descriptions to invoke within us an image of what was happening. Where people were and who they were. Everything seemed to happen much quicker even than a 30 minute television show. I'm Still not really sure what the loose lips of the title referred to. Perhaps that's just me.
April 3, 2017
A nice little mystery with interesting characters and a twisty plot. Set in post WW2 England, the amateur sleuth is fondly known to local law enforcement and viewed as non threatening by the cast of suspects. Very well done and just the right size to read as a break from hard reality.
Didn't hurt that it was free either.
Didn't hurt that it was free either.
January 9, 2019
Anne Kinslow.
I enjoyed this short story but, there was something lacking. There were some great characters that it would have been good to hear more about them all before the murder occurred. If a day or two had been given for Francis to meet some of the “Locals “ and settle in to the town life instead of being taken into a murder seen more or less as soon she arrived in town. It would maybe have added a bit more twists and turns with a bit more information on each of the suspects beforehand.
I still enjoyed the story.
I enjoyed this short story but, there was something lacking. There were some great characters that it would have been good to hear more about them all before the murder occurred. If a day or two had been given for Francis to meet some of the “Locals “ and settle in to the town life instead of being taken into a murder seen more or less as soon she arrived in town. It would maybe have added a bit more twists and turns with a bit more information on each of the suspects beforehand.
I still enjoyed the story.
August 4, 2018
I loved this book. Lady Marmalade is a very quirky detective but ever so smart.
I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it.
I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it.
September 3, 2020
Loose lips??? I would call it loose hips. Ambrose didn’t seem to be able to make up his mind and it cost his company plenty!!! I enjoyed the story and recommend the book
June 13, 2014
Loose Lips – a richly told mystery tale
I’ve read three of the four Lady Marmalade stories so far, and it’s really fun to see how different each of them is with regards to the setting and situation. Each murder mystery in this series is totally unique and intriguing and will keep you guessing as to ‘whodunit’.
Loose Lips presents a tricky challenge for our sleuth, Lady Marmalade. There are motivations all over, strange alliances, and hidden agendas. Each suspect has a personal connection and compelling reason to have committed the terrible deed.
This was a fun and engaging read. I especially enjoy the different story layers presented and the authentic sense of a place and time from long ago.
I look forward to reading the first novel in this series, Beggar's Pardon, too.
I’ve read three of the four Lady Marmalade stories so far, and it’s really fun to see how different each of them is with regards to the setting and situation. Each murder mystery in this series is totally unique and intriguing and will keep you guessing as to ‘whodunit’.
Loose Lips presents a tricky challenge for our sleuth, Lady Marmalade. There are motivations all over, strange alliances, and hidden agendas. Each suspect has a personal connection and compelling reason to have committed the terrible deed.
This was a fun and engaging read. I especially enjoy the different story layers presented and the authentic sense of a place and time from long ago.
I look forward to reading the first novel in this series, Beggar's Pardon, too.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews