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Kate Shackleton #5
Murder on a Summer's Day
When amateur sleuth detective Kate Shackleton receives a dawn telephone call from her cousin James, his news soon snaps Kate into wakefulness. The India Office seek her on-the-spot help in finding a Maharajah, last seen on the Bolton Abbey estate. He has with him a hugely valuable diamond.Investigative successes and good family connections put Kate in the highly trusted category.
Perceived as 'establishment', Kate feels an outsider in her sympathies. One thing she is sure of: her own skills and insights. Qualities that she is sure will help her unravel the latest disappearance on that fateful summer's day . . .
Perceived as 'establishment', Kate feels an outsider in her sympathies. One thing she is sure of: her own skills and insights. Qualities that she is sure will help her unravel the latest disappearance on that fateful summer's day . . .
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2013
120 people are currently reading
1377 people want to read
About the author
Frances Brody
48 books670 followersFrances Brody's highly-praised 1920s mysteries feature clever and elegant Kate Shackleton, First World War widow turned sleuth. Missing person? Foul play suspected? Kate's your woman. For good measure, she may bring along ex-policeman, Jim Sykes.
Before turning to crime, Frances wrote for radio, television and theatre, and was nominated for a Time Out Award. She published four sagas, winning the HarperCollins Elizabeth Elgin Award in 2006.
www.frances-brody.com
Before turning to crime, Frances wrote for radio, television and theatre, and was nominated for a Time Out Award. She published four sagas, winning the HarperCollins Elizabeth Elgin Award in 2006.
www.frances-brody.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
April 14, 2018
Kind of slow, with a so-so mystery. The part I actually found interesting (after I stopped feeling annoyed with most of the characters for their racist views) was how the author based one of the characters, a flamboyant, former dancer and clever woman who was involved with the murder victim, on a real woman, Stella Mudge. Stella came from England, danced at the Folies Bergere, got involved with a Maharaja, and eventually married him and lived in India till her death in 1984. And here I thought the character was too fantastic to be real!
May 4, 2018
Kate Shackleton is annoyed to be woken up before dawn by a telephone call from her cousin James. It seems an Indian Maharajah visiting the Duke of Devonshire’s Yorkshire estate has disappeared. As he was traveling with an unsuitable female companion and because of possible political unrest the British government wants to keep the disappearance hush hush for now. Kate is sent to investigate. Kate gets the impression she is to attempt to persuade the prince’s mistress, Lydia Metcalfe to remove herself and her bad influence from the Maharajah without removing any jewels. When one of the last men to see Maharajah Narayan Halkwaer turns up drowned in a river he’s jumped across his whole life, Kate’s suspicions are aroused. Then she discovers the body of the Maharajah lying in the bushes, apparently shot through the heart. Something about the scene doesn’t make sense to Kate but the local police constabulary do their best to ignore her and the evidence.
This story didn’t quite hold my interest as much as some of the others in the series. The whole British Raj thing just makes my blood boil for all the reasons they claim they need to rule India. The sheer arrogance of the ruling class just makes the whole story extra complicated and annoying. I also disliked the attitude everyone had towards Lydia. I figured out some of the mystery long before Kate. Kate is usually so astute that I was surprised she didn’t pick up on that. Though, as it turns out, I was partly wrong. The plot was complicated and slow. I skipped ahead to see what happened and went to sleep. I read the rest later. I was also disappointed at the lack of humor in this story. Usually Kate’s partners in crime add a little levity to the story.
Kate is back to her usual unemotional state. Her feathers were ruffled slightly and she was very much shaken up by a certain incident but mostly she narrates her story in a very detached manner. I like her best when she’s more emotional and narrates with feeling. Mr. Sykes and Mrs. Sugden don’t appear until very late in the story and they don’t have much to do. Mr. Sykes tried a bit to be amusing but it was too little too late in the story.
Everyone else in the story is a newcomer to the narrative. Kate’s cousin James, who used to speak civilized English until he went to prep school, is a bore. I didn’t understand his references any more than Kate did, maybe a bit more because of Wodehouse. He puts a lot of responsibility on Kate’s shoulders for no good reason just because the government wants to keep their hands clean, just in case. Kate’s Aunt Berta is an overbearing but delightful woman and I hope we see more of her in the future.
Naryan and his family are lacking in appealing characteristics for the most part. He seemed like a spoiled childlike man who enjoyed being a pain in the butt and disobliging everyone. His wife, Indira, is lovely and intelligent. I liked her a lot though I felt sorry for her because she was so smitten with her husband. Half-brother Jaya is even worse. He’s snobbish to the point of being exceptionally rude and cruel. His parents don’t have much personality but I gather his mother, at least, is a formidable woman. Little Rajendra is charming for a small boy. The servant, Ijahar, annoyed me the most. I could tell how much he loathed Lydia and that’s not good for a servant to show that, especially to strangers like Kate. I didn’t care for this possibly culturally accurate dramatic man.
I really liked Lydia. Her attitude is terrible and she’s a pill, but I admire her for making her own way in the world and being free enough to thumb her nose at the constraints of society. (Much like Kate and I think Kate admired Lydia as well). Though her actions are less than admirable, she seems to really care for the prince as a person. Her story was kind of sad. Her mother seems kind and caring but her father is a harsh man and I did not like him. Narayan’s friend, Presthorpe is an example of what is wrong with the English Society Kate only has one foot in. He is a loathsome man and it takes two women only one brief meeting to figure him out!
The best characters are the villagers of Bolton Abbey. I loved Joel. He is very sweet and I like how the villagers accept him and don’t judge him for being “simple.” His bond with his father is touching. Osbert sounds like he was a real character. It’s sad he never got a chance to figure out how to be an adult. My heart broke for his wife and mother.
I still like this series but it’s not my favorite. I keep hoping for more relationship issues or more feeling from Kate.
This story didn’t quite hold my interest as much as some of the others in the series. The whole British Raj thing just makes my blood boil for all the reasons they claim they need to rule India. The sheer arrogance of the ruling class just makes the whole story extra complicated and annoying. I also disliked the attitude everyone had towards Lydia. I figured out some of the mystery long before Kate. Kate is usually so astute that I was surprised she didn’t pick up on that. Though, as it turns out, I was partly wrong. The plot was complicated and slow. I skipped ahead to see what happened and went to sleep. I read the rest later. I was also disappointed at the lack of humor in this story. Usually Kate’s partners in crime add a little levity to the story.
Kate is back to her usual unemotional state. Her feathers were ruffled slightly and she was very much shaken up by a certain incident but mostly she narrates her story in a very detached manner. I like her best when she’s more emotional and narrates with feeling. Mr. Sykes and Mrs. Sugden don’t appear until very late in the story and they don’t have much to do. Mr. Sykes tried a bit to be amusing but it was too little too late in the story.
Everyone else in the story is a newcomer to the narrative. Kate’s cousin James, who used to speak civilized English until he went to prep school, is a bore. I didn’t understand his references any more than Kate did, maybe a bit more because of Wodehouse. He puts a lot of responsibility on Kate’s shoulders for no good reason just because the government wants to keep their hands clean, just in case. Kate’s Aunt Berta is an overbearing but delightful woman and I hope we see more of her in the future.
Naryan and his family are lacking in appealing characteristics for the most part. He seemed like a spoiled childlike man who enjoyed being a pain in the butt and disobliging everyone. His wife, Indira, is lovely and intelligent. I liked her a lot though I felt sorry for her because she was so smitten with her husband. Half-brother Jaya is even worse. He’s snobbish to the point of being exceptionally rude and cruel. His parents don’t have much personality but I gather his mother, at least, is a formidable woman. Little Rajendra is charming for a small boy. The servant, Ijahar, annoyed me the most. I could tell how much he loathed Lydia and that’s not good for a servant to show that, especially to strangers like Kate. I didn’t care for this possibly culturally accurate dramatic man.
I really liked Lydia. Her attitude is terrible and she’s a pill, but I admire her for making her own way in the world and being free enough to thumb her nose at the constraints of society. (Much like Kate and I think Kate admired Lydia as well). Though her actions are less than admirable, she seems to really care for the prince as a person. Her story was kind of sad. Her mother seems kind and caring but her father is a harsh man and I did not like him. Narayan’s friend, Presthorpe is an example of what is wrong with the English Society Kate only has one foot in. He is a loathsome man and it takes two women only one brief meeting to figure him out!
The best characters are the villagers of Bolton Abbey. I loved Joel. He is very sweet and I like how the villagers accept him and don’t judge him for being “simple.” His bond with his father is touching. Osbert sounds like he was a real character. It’s sad he never got a chance to figure out how to be an adult. My heart broke for his wife and mother.
I still like this series but it’s not my favorite. I keep hoping for more relationship issues or more feeling from Kate.
October 25, 2014
This is the fifth book in the Kate Shackleton mystery series set in nineteen twenties Yorkshire. Kate, a young widow, is a private detective specialising in missing people. She receives a phone call from her cousin, James, who works for the India Office and who wants her to find a missing Maharajah without making too much fuss about it. Not the easiest of tasks and Kate finds the secrecy aspects of the case somewhat irksome.
I enjoyed this well written and interesting mystery. It brings a forgotten era vividly to life and also shows ordinary people going about their lives. I thought the descriptions of the Maharajah’s relatives’ entourages were very good and I could imagine the tents and the gorgeous silks, carpets, and clothes. I liked the way the characters interacted and I like Kate herself and the way she works.
This series can be read in any order or as standalone novels but if you read them in order then you can follow Kate’s development and the way her job has grown. The first book in the series was ‘Dying in the Wool.’
I enjoyed this well written and interesting mystery. It brings a forgotten era vividly to life and also shows ordinary people going about their lives. I thought the descriptions of the Maharajah’s relatives’ entourages were very good and I could imagine the tents and the gorgeous silks, carpets, and clothes. I liked the way the characters interacted and I like Kate herself and the way she works.
This series can be read in any order or as standalone novels but if you read them in order then you can follow Kate’s development and the way her job has grown. The first book in the series was ‘Dying in the Wool.’
March 19, 2018
World's okayest mystery story.
November 17, 2018
On Monday I locked myself out of my Goodreads account. Thanks to Justine W-I'm back in business today and so happy! And that might be the reason that I was less than pleased with this book or just the unrealistic route it took. I loved that one of the characters was based on a real person that had sort of a similar experience in real life, but the story just fell flat. Ready to move on to #6 and hoping its better.
"When amateur sleuth detective Kate Shackleton receives a dawn telephone call from her cousin James, his news soon snaps Kate into wakefulness. The India Office seek her on-the-spot help in finding a Maharajah, last seen on the Bolton Abbey estate. He has with him a hugely valuable diamond.Investigative successes and good family connections put Kate in the highly trusted category. Perceived as 'establishment', Kate feels an outsider in her sympathies. One thing she is sure of: her own skills and insights. Qualities that she is sure will help her unravel the latest disappearance on that fateful summer's day ."
"When amateur sleuth detective Kate Shackleton receives a dawn telephone call from her cousin James, his news soon snaps Kate into wakefulness. The India Office seek her on-the-spot help in finding a Maharajah, last seen on the Bolton Abbey estate. He has with him a hugely valuable diamond.Investigative successes and good family connections put Kate in the highly trusted category. Perceived as 'establishment', Kate feels an outsider in her sympathies. One thing she is sure of: her own skills and insights. Qualities that she is sure will help her unravel the latest disappearance on that fateful summer's day ."
February 2, 2016
Daft but hugely enjoyable and absorbing tale. 5th in the Kate Shackleton series of a war widow-turned-private detective, this one set in 1923.
The book is well written. the plot is as daft as brushes - intrigue about a missing Maharajah and a huge diamond, gone missing at Bolton Abbey, the Duke of Devonshire's grouse shooting estate near Skipton. In many ways, Frances Brody's research was impressive. I learnt stuff about the Indian Princely states that I hadn't previously known (expanded by reference to Wikipedia) - that there were 565 of them, some of them small, but some much larger - in 1941 Hyderabad had a population of 16 million. They were nominally autonomous, at least in domestic affairs, and the princes were worth a fortune.
I was also amused at the attention to detail given to the De Havilland 50 aeroplane, so I was disappointed that certain scenes took place at the Dorchester some 8 years before it opened. Ah well, all writers slip up.
Although I suppose it stands alone, I think it's better to read the series in chronological order, so that you grasp the importance of matters referred to in passing, or understand the timelines and, to some extent, the character developments.
It's not great literature but it's enjoyable and interesting, and the historical aspects stimulate further reading
The book is well written. the plot is as daft as brushes - intrigue about a missing Maharajah and a huge diamond, gone missing at Bolton Abbey, the Duke of Devonshire's grouse shooting estate near Skipton. In many ways, Frances Brody's research was impressive. I learnt stuff about the Indian Princely states that I hadn't previously known (expanded by reference to Wikipedia) - that there were 565 of them, some of them small, but some much larger - in 1941 Hyderabad had a population of 16 million. They were nominally autonomous, at least in domestic affairs, and the princes were worth a fortune.
I was also amused at the attention to detail given to the De Havilland 50 aeroplane, so I was disappointed that certain scenes took place at the Dorchester some 8 years before it opened. Ah well, all writers slip up.
Although I suppose it stands alone, I think it's better to read the series in chronological order, so that you grasp the importance of matters referred to in passing, or understand the timelines and, to some extent, the character developments.
It's not great literature but it's enjoyable and interesting, and the historical aspects stimulate further reading
February 6, 2017
I do like this authors books, in this Colonial India meets North Yorkshire. Kate works to solve who killed an indian Prince, with political shenanigans pulling her everywhere. Our trusty Kate comes through in the end. However have marked this down a little at times I was fed up with much of the Colonial Indian detail, I did not feel was needed. That is just my opinion. Looking forward to the next in the series..
August 14, 2024
Having only read one entry in this series, I was pleased to find two more volumes to try. I much enjoyed this outing of detective Kate Shackleton, and a chance to gain familiarity with her erstwhile helpmates, Mrs. Sudgen and former policeman Jim Sykes. We also meet more of Kate's family, in particular, her cousin James, who is a minor deputy in the British government's India Office.
James coerces Kate into investigating the disappearance of an Indian Maharajah, a guest on the estate of the Duke of Devonshire. The gentleman went riding after a morning of hunting, and only his horse returned. Kate suspects some nefarious political doings, with her as the handy scapegoat if all goes awry. Nevertheless, she arrives on the scene the morning after the disappearance--just in time to join the estate manager in finding the missing prince's body. That it was neatly laid out and covered up with branches in a place already searched immediately gives Kate the certainty he was killed elsewhere and moved. Everyone else, however, insists it was a tragic accident, that the prince's rifle went off when his Arabian mount acted up, and he shot himself.
To complicate matters further, the prince was apparently planning to take a second wife--a highly "unsuitable" dancer from the Follies Bergere, who is ensconced in the local hotel. And who may have taken a priceless diamond belonging to the prince's family, as that is now missing.
As the prince's family, as well as multiple Maharajahs from rival states, descend on the Devonshire community for the funeral, Kate is hard-pressed to resolve the murder no one wants to have happened, while avoiding having the local simple lad being blamed. And there's the little matter of one of the prince's escorts being found dead on the same morning.
Events crescendo into a flurry of attacks, as Kate discovers complicated family relations, and a desire for an India free of British rule, have combined to create a murderous political ambition.
This book fits neatly into the Golden Age of British detective fiction, between the World Wars, with a determined detective puzzling out the dark motivations amid clashing cultures. Recommended.
James coerces Kate into investigating the disappearance of an Indian Maharajah, a guest on the estate of the Duke of Devonshire. The gentleman went riding after a morning of hunting, and only his horse returned. Kate suspects some nefarious political doings, with her as the handy scapegoat if all goes awry. Nevertheless, she arrives on the scene the morning after the disappearance--just in time to join the estate manager in finding the missing prince's body. That it was neatly laid out and covered up with branches in a place already searched immediately gives Kate the certainty he was killed elsewhere and moved. Everyone else, however, insists it was a tragic accident, that the prince's rifle went off when his Arabian mount acted up, and he shot himself.
To complicate matters further, the prince was apparently planning to take a second wife--a highly "unsuitable" dancer from the Follies Bergere, who is ensconced in the local hotel. And who may have taken a priceless diamond belonging to the prince's family, as that is now missing.
As the prince's family, as well as multiple Maharajahs from rival states, descend on the Devonshire community for the funeral, Kate is hard-pressed to resolve the murder no one wants to have happened, while avoiding having the local simple lad being blamed. And there's the little matter of one of the prince's escorts being found dead on the same morning.
Events crescendo into a flurry of attacks, as Kate discovers complicated family relations, and a desire for an India free of British rule, have combined to create a murderous political ambition.
This book fits neatly into the Golden Age of British detective fiction, between the World Wars, with a determined detective puzzling out the dark motivations amid clashing cultures. Recommended.
May 30, 2019
2019 bk 180. This is one of the best crafted series that I have in my collection. There are five in the series, each book stays with me and in my memory. There are many memorable moments. In this one, the author has created one of the best quick overviews of England's relationship with India up through the 1920's. Widowed Kate Shackleton forms her own detective agency to help folks locate missing persons (mostly soldiers traumatized by WWI) but in this instance is called in when an Indiana Maharajah disappears on the estate of the Duke of Devonshire. Feeling her way through local, national, and Indian politics leads Kate down paths she never expected or desired to go. Another excellent read - and soon to be re-read title in the series.
April 10, 2021
3.5*
Not the most entertaining in the series, but I enjoy Kate, and I enjoy the North Yorkshire locations and references. This book finds Kate at Bolton Abbey crossing the stepping stones I'm so familiar with.
Not the most entertaining in the series, but I enjoy Kate, and I enjoy the North Yorkshire locations and references. This book finds Kate at Bolton Abbey crossing the stepping stones I'm so familiar with.
August 12, 2018
Review coming soon *
November 20, 2025
A brilliant book. So detailed you don’t want to skip any part of it. The plot line twists and turns you must keep up.
June 13, 2016
This is one of those books, one can’t wait to find out the ending, but at the same time, one doesn’t want it to end because it is so enjoyable. The writing style of the book is so simplistic in an elegant and descriptive way, the story flows smoothly, and the style of the book is so laid back as oppose to the books where the crime scene and the backgrounds of the characters are covered over and over again. The book is narrated by Kate Shackleton, a widow in her early thirties, and the events are described according to her perceptions. Being a bright and well-read young woman, she also educates the reader about the Indian culture, traditions, and history in addition to the way British manages and governs India at the time. Not only the author’s insight into human nature is amazing, do is the murder mystery and the writing style of the book. Some of the most outstanding things about this book are the writing style of a natural and slow pace allowing the reader to grasp the events as they take place, managing to transport the reader to 1924’s England, introducing almost thirty some characters slowly and a descriptive way every time the author mentions them unlike a lot of books that throw dozens of names in a matter of ten or twenty pages and confuse the daylights out of the reader, and covering the background information about the characters in a succinct but descriptive way without being repetitive. I enjoyed reading this book so much, I couldn’t put it down. I plan on reading the rest of the books in this series in the future.
October 25, 2015
I enjoyed Frances Brody’s Murder in the Afternoon enough to try another of her Kate Shackleton series. Here our level-headed Yorkshire lass comes up against officialdom when she tries to investigate the murder of rich playboy maharajah who goes shooting on the moors. I love how Brody manages to ignite the reader’s indignation on behalf of her detective every time some man or other—in this case, her cousin, her cousin’s boss, and the local police officer—comes out with a patronizing sexist slight. It’s 1924, so, believe me, “unwitting” slights against women pop up with depressing regularity. I enjoyed this very much!
Read as part of my 2015 Goodreads reading challenge.
Read as part of my 2015 Goodreads reading challenge.
July 8, 2017
The fifth book and we are face to face with the Empire where the sun never set. Kate was asked to investigate the missing of Indian prince and it turned out he was murdered. I love the grandeur and opulence of the Indian Maharajas. I imagine those gems and stones glittered around Yorkshire with colorful tents and servants running everywhere to their masters bidding. What a scenery!
Kate once again shine in this book and found another new love possibility with a doctor in Bolton Abbey. We'll see how it goes with Dr Simonson and Kate..
Kate once again shine in this book and found another new love possibility with a doctor in Bolton Abbey. We'll see how it goes with Dr Simonson and Kate..
November 11, 2017
Woah Mrs sugden! I swear I say every book is my favourite but its because every mystery is so different and this one was no different. It was so unique as it mixed two cultures, used real history and even based a character upon a real person. This was a page turner and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was also fun seeing her interact with her family and nor Sykes as always. Again with this one a few missing links but didn't ruin the story but I did miss the day format which also in the earlier books had quotes. Can't wait for the next one :)
October 7, 2017
As typical in many books set in England after WW I the lead woman character is married but lost her surgeon husband in the war. Her male cousin working for the home office in India asks for her help in finding a missing Indian prince who is visiting nearby.
I learned a little about British rule in India--which I was hoping to do since I was going to see Victoria and Abdul today. I do recommend this book. Her writing is descriptive and kept me guessing until the last page!
I learned a little about British rule in India--which I was hoping to do since I was going to see Victoria and Abdul today. I do recommend this book. Her writing is descriptive and kept me guessing until the last page!
July 9, 2019
I loved this book. It is the best of the Kate Shackleton Mystery series that I have read. I tore through it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. You do not have to have read others in the series before reading this book. It definitely can be read as a stand-alone. The mystery is compelling with twists and turns you do not see coming. It also does a good job connecting to the history of the British empire and its reign over India in the early 20th century.
December 14, 2020
Enjoyed the double mystery and the cultural history of Britain in India. Frances is superb at weaving together life in 1920's for Kate and staff with different classes in society and how they react to the mysteries. Bringing us elephants and east Indian customs, fantastic jewels, herbal lore and living in the forest with the intricacies of diplomatic relations, you are transported to a large estate in northern England in a very unique setting for a fantastic story!
December 22, 2021
This is another fine mystery with Kate Shackleton called in to help find a missing Indian Maharajah, by her cousin James, who is high up in the India Office. Prince Narayan goes missing while hunting at a Duke's estate in Yorkshire. Missing turns to murdered and then a precious diamond also goes missing. I enjoy how Brody works in the politics of the day, without boring you or beating you over the head with her political views. Lots of interesting characters and a very intricate plot.
January 21, 2016
This was a layered and immersive historical mystery. I felt like I was in 1920s England and seeing firsthand the complex relationships of the characters. Brody examines culture, race, gender, and social stratification in a deft way that is incisive and thoughtful. I will definitely read more in this series.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
August 29, 2016
I don't usually start a series in the middle (this is number 4), but I had it confused with another series I read, and I grabbed it off a display in the library. So maybe that is why I liked it enough to finish it, but I didn't love it. The mystery was kind of convoluted and none of the characters really stood out.
May 12, 2021
Enjoying reading this series sequentially and back-to-back to maintain consistency (and my memory). Her writing is a step above the usual woman detective predictable fare. Starting books 6 & 7 of 12. With occasional breaks in-between. The Indian theme of this one was educational, learned a few things.
June 22, 2021
Kate Shackleton is such a fun character to be led through a mystery by. I love her courage, intelligence and wit.
Possibly this one was less enjoyable than the others because Sykes and Mrs Sugden were rather side-lined and I wasn't so familiar with the Bolton Abbey setting.
I was interested to learn that the story was partly inspired by a Yorkshire woman who did go off with a maharajah.
Possibly this one was less enjoyable than the others because Sykes and Mrs Sugden were rather side-lined and I wasn't so familiar with the Bolton Abbey setting.
I was interested to learn that the story was partly inspired by a Yorkshire woman who did go off with a maharajah.
June 7, 2020
Unusual story...learned a lot about colonial India
June 18, 2020
This is one of Frances Brody's most refined books, which succeeds to beautifully nod the mondane with the exotic.
September 29, 2020
Fascinating details of relations between the British Empire and Indian principalities after WWII, a large cast of complex characters, and a very interesting plot that moves with satisfying pace.
April 21, 2019
Rating: 3.5 stars
The story started out interesting, had a bit of a slump in the middle, and picked up in the last 100 pages.
Summary: Kate Shackleton, formerly a VAD nurse during the great war, is a private detective living in Leeds. One Saturday morning in August 1924, she is woken by a phone call from her cousin, James Rodpen at the India Office. An Indian maharajah from the princely state of Gattiawan is missing after going for a ride alone while visiting the Duke of Yorkshire's estate, Bolton Hall. Keen to avoid a scandal and find the missing man quickly, the India Office is reaching out to Kate. Initially reluctant, Kate eventually accepts an sets off immediately.
She soon finds herself in a village where no one is telling the whole truth, one of the grooms who accompanied the prince washes up by the river, presumably drowned by accident, another gets a stroke, and the prince himself is found dead in the woods, with a gunshot to the chest. Ever observant, she suspects that the prince was murdered but no one else seems to agree with her, intent on closing the case as quickly as possible.
When the grieving family arrives, things get from bad to worse and the questions keep piling up. Why did the coal merchant say he saw an Indian on Bark Lane and later withdrew his statement? Why is the India Office so determined to call it an accidental death? Where is the precious Gattiawan diamond the prince had in his possession? Is there a connection between the prince's death and that of the drowned groom? Kate needs to find out because if not, the body count is going to increase and one of it might just be hers!
Kate is an interesting character but as a fan of the Miss Fisher detective series, also set in the 1920s, I couldn't help but compare the two. This may be because I'm reading book #5 first and have no prior knowledge of the character. Lydia Metcalfe is an enigma, playing all of them while ensuring her self interest.
As someone with Indian heritage, some aspects of the story bothered me, especially with respect to the colonisation of India. At one point, a character says we rule in India because we know how to do it right. I mean, what did you think Indians were doing for the 5,000 years before the arrival of the colonisers? Oh, I know. Speaking Sanskrit, the root of all Indo-Euro languages, inventing a numerical system, including the number 0, building empires, sailing the oceans, and conducting trade with the East and West through land and water routes. Nothing big, I'm sure. It's difficult to read statements that are clearly born of arrogance but I also realise that this was probably the norm for the era.
I'm not sure if I'll pick up another book in this series. But if you like cozy murder mysteries set during the years between the two world wars, by all means, give it a go.
The story started out interesting, had a bit of a slump in the middle, and picked up in the last 100 pages.
Summary: Kate Shackleton, formerly a VAD nurse during the great war, is a private detective living in Leeds. One Saturday morning in August 1924, she is woken by a phone call from her cousin, James Rodpen at the India Office. An Indian maharajah from the princely state of Gattiawan is missing after going for a ride alone while visiting the Duke of Yorkshire's estate, Bolton Hall. Keen to avoid a scandal and find the missing man quickly, the India Office is reaching out to Kate. Initially reluctant, Kate eventually accepts an sets off immediately.
She soon finds herself in a village where no one is telling the whole truth, one of the grooms who accompanied the prince washes up by the river, presumably drowned by accident, another gets a stroke, and the prince himself is found dead in the woods, with a gunshot to the chest. Ever observant, she suspects that the prince was murdered but no one else seems to agree with her, intent on closing the case as quickly as possible.
When the grieving family arrives, things get from bad to worse and the questions keep piling up. Why did the coal merchant say he saw an Indian on Bark Lane and later withdrew his statement? Why is the India Office so determined to call it an accidental death? Where is the precious Gattiawan diamond the prince had in his possession? Is there a connection between the prince's death and that of the drowned groom? Kate needs to find out because if not, the body count is going to increase and one of it might just be hers!
Kate is an interesting character but as a fan of the Miss Fisher detective series, also set in the 1920s, I couldn't help but compare the two. This may be because I'm reading book #5 first and have no prior knowledge of the character. Lydia Metcalfe is an enigma, playing all of them while ensuring her self interest.
As someone with Indian heritage, some aspects of the story bothered me, especially with respect to the colonisation of India. At one point, a character says we rule in India because we know how to do it right. I mean, what did you think Indians were doing for the 5,000 years before the arrival of the colonisers? Oh, I know. Speaking Sanskrit, the root of all Indo-Euro languages, inventing a numerical system, including the number 0, building empires, sailing the oceans, and conducting trade with the East and West through land and water routes. Nothing big, I'm sure. It's difficult to read statements that are clearly born of arrogance but I also realise that this was probably the norm for the era.
I'm not sure if I'll pick up another book in this series. But if you like cozy murder mysteries set during the years between the two world wars, by all means, give it a go.
May 25, 2025
The fifth book in this fascinating crime series. On the moors, a Maharajah goes missing, a priceless jewel gone, an inexplicable murder and thus detective Kate Shackleton has her work cut out. There are difficult times ahead but Kate is an expert not only in solving crime but well versed in the ways of the wealthy and politely putting presumptuous persons in their place when they see a female detective. Anyway, security not being what it is now, Indian Prince Narayan of Gattiawan goes for a horse ride in the countryside and never comes back. Oh dear, not a good look for Britain so the Home Office, India Office and His Grace the Duke asks to have Narayan’s disappearance investigated. Kinda cute really compared to 21st century security where this type of invitation would not be forthcoming but Kate swings into action, packing clothes (including an evening gown) and off she goes in her Jowett Short-Two motor car. Also steam trains and stations pop up and I am happy to say that on the bookcover of my issue, Kate is wearing a burgundy-coloured cloche hat exactly like mine, purely coincidental of course.
Her assistant, ex-copper Sykes, comes in handy with his surveillance and down-to-earth approach. Favourite light-hearted quote “I bit into the sandwich. Cheese and pickle. Can’t beat it” although this is perhaps the most serious of the books so far. There are moving scenes with a distressed Joel, and a meaningful exchange. Death, why do we kill? Kate is put under pressure in the court room. The dialogue has a tendency towards being too film-scripty for me this time but there are many twists and turns to the story. This includes murder, a missing diamond, a baby, a snake charmer and an historical look at racism where politics oppose justice, the fighting and past slaughter of British and Indian soldiers and citizens. The acknowledgements add a true twist regarding British woman Stella Mudge (1904-1984) who married an Indian prince and her fortune remains unclaimed. This series is a solid read, there are twists and turns and I am finding one book a month nicely fills the reading challenge requirements. Read for “Twelve Crime Novels, one a month with Goodreads Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Annual Series Challenge 2025”. Seven books to go!
Her assistant, ex-copper Sykes, comes in handy with his surveillance and down-to-earth approach. Favourite light-hearted quote “I bit into the sandwich. Cheese and pickle. Can’t beat it” although this is perhaps the most serious of the books so far. There are moving scenes with a distressed Joel, and a meaningful exchange. Death, why do we kill? Kate is put under pressure in the court room. The dialogue has a tendency towards being too film-scripty for me this time but there are many twists and turns to the story. This includes murder, a missing diamond, a baby, a snake charmer and an historical look at racism where politics oppose justice, the fighting and past slaughter of British and Indian soldiers and citizens. The acknowledgements add a true twist regarding British woman Stella Mudge (1904-1984) who married an Indian prince and her fortune remains unclaimed. This series is a solid read, there are twists and turns and I am finding one book a month nicely fills the reading challenge requirements. Read for “Twelve Crime Novels, one a month with Goodreads Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Annual Series Challenge 2025”. Seven books to go!
November 28, 2016
I'm not sure what went wrong, but I just did not enjoy this book as much as the previous entries in the series. The tone of the book was off somehow. Kate seemed really crabby in this one and lacking in her usual likeability.
I will say I am not a big fan of English/India history, so that might have played a part in making the novel seem very slowly paced. Another factor might have been the lack of familiar secondary characters. About somewhere between 1/2 and 3/4 of the way through the book, Jim Sykes and Mrs. Sugden finally appear. To me, the pace picked up at his point even though their parts were not very large. But at this point Kate seemed to rally and become more like her usual self. If not, the book would have rated only a 2.
As usual, the mysteries were complex and nuanced and deducing the culprit was not an easy task. And I did like the way Kate outfoxed James when going to speak with Lydia while in London. A little bit of payback for everything he put her through.
One comment I've been meaning to add in previous reviews. Many reviewers, professional and amateur, liken this series to the Maisie Dobbs series. In my opinion, aside from the time frame, the two have nothing in common. Consider the characters as real people. Who would you rather hang out with? I think I could chat with Kate for hours and share a few laughs while hanging out with Maisie might prove to be a real downer except for the times she'd be boring me to tears with her psychic mumbo jumbo. To me, these two series are very different. I also like that Kate can laugh at herself (something I think Maisie would find hard to do). I got a kick out of picturing Kate in the ridiculous outfit the maid threw together, also in the latter part of the book. I'm glad Ms. Brody seemed to fall back into her usual rhythm for this series and I hope it continues through to the next book. Maybe the beginning of "Murder on a Summer's Day" was just a hiccup in a normally smooth and entertaining ride.
I will say I am not a big fan of English/India history, so that might have played a part in making the novel seem very slowly paced. Another factor might have been the lack of familiar secondary characters. About somewhere between 1/2 and 3/4 of the way through the book, Jim Sykes and Mrs. Sugden finally appear. To me, the pace picked up at his point even though their parts were not very large. But at this point Kate seemed to rally and become more like her usual self. If not, the book would have rated only a 2.
As usual, the mysteries were complex and nuanced and deducing the culprit was not an easy task. And I did like the way Kate outfoxed James when going to speak with Lydia while in London. A little bit of payback for everything he put her through.
One comment I've been meaning to add in previous reviews. Many reviewers, professional and amateur, liken this series to the Maisie Dobbs series. In my opinion, aside from the time frame, the two have nothing in common. Consider the characters as real people. Who would you rather hang out with? I think I could chat with Kate for hours and share a few laughs while hanging out with Maisie might prove to be a real downer except for the times she'd be boring me to tears with her psychic mumbo jumbo. To me, these two series are very different. I also like that Kate can laugh at herself (something I think Maisie would find hard to do). I got a kick out of picturing Kate in the ridiculous outfit the maid threw together, also in the latter part of the book. I'm glad Ms. Brody seemed to fall back into her usual rhythm for this series and I hope it continues through to the next book. Maybe the beginning of "Murder on a Summer's Day" was just a hiccup in a normally smooth and entertaining ride.
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