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A Marshall House Mystery #2
Dead Silent
Peter Ainsley's mother, Lady Charlotte Marshall hasn't been seen or heard from in three days. While Inspector Simms of Scotland Yard is 'unofficially' investigating her disappearance, Ainsley and his sister, Margaret, are loathed to reveal knowledge of their mother's affair despite it being their best lead to her whereabouts.
When Insp. Simms brings a body to St. Thomas Hospital's morgue, Ainsley is forced to admit his double life as morgue surgeon and second heir to the Montcliff earldom. With a new found ally in the police force, Ainsley gains access to information about his mother's disappearance and a new mystery regarding a murdered woman with childhood ties to his future sister-in-law, Evelyn Weatherall.
Scandal threatening two sides of Ainsley's family, the young surgeon uncovers an intricately woven tapestry of deceit, lust and a crime that forces him to decide whether family loyalty supersedes the letter of the law.
When Insp. Simms brings a body to St. Thomas Hospital's morgue, Ainsley is forced to admit his double life as morgue surgeon and second heir to the Montcliff earldom. With a new found ally in the police force, Ainsley gains access to information about his mother's disappearance and a new mystery regarding a murdered woman with childhood ties to his future sister-in-law, Evelyn Weatherall.
Scandal threatening two sides of Ainsley's family, the young surgeon uncovers an intricately woven tapestry of deceit, lust and a crime that forces him to decide whether family loyalty supersedes the letter of the law.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2013
9 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Tracy L. Ward
13 books83 followersA former journalist and graduate from Humber College's School for Writers, Tracy Ward has been hard at work developing her favourite protagonist, Peter Ainsley, and chronicling his adventures as a young surgeon in Victorian England. Her first book featuring Peter Ainsley, titled CHORUS OF THE DEAD, was released in 2012. Since then the series has grown to include six books with a seventh, a Christmas mystery, set for release in Fall 2018.
Her website can be found at www.gothicmysterywriter.blogspot.com. Tracy Ward is currently working on a new Victorian series set in Toronto. She lives near Barrie, Ontario with her husband and two teenagers.
Her website can be found at www.gothicmysterywriter.blogspot.com. Tracy Ward is currently working on a new Victorian series set in Toronto. She lives near Barrie, Ontario with her husband and two teenagers.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 28, 2014
I read both this book and its predecessor in 3 days and am intrigued with what Ms. Ward is building here. The characters are flawed but complex and redeemable. The relationships feel real. The mystery kept me guessing and the "reveal" was a total surprise both in the murderer and the conclusion. I appreciate that each book ties up the current plot/mystery but still leaves a build for the next installment. I also enjoyed the POV shifts from main character, Peter Ainsley, to his sister, Margaret.
November 30, 2016
I was hoping for more mystery, and more of Ainsley's sister Margaret. I sort of got that but not quite. For most of the book it was a bit boring study of 'what happens when the children have to go home'. What I learned of Ainsley and his sister practically took a 180 degree turn. It was as if the strictures and mores of that time snatched those two up and refused to let go.
I have to admit I fell asleep a few times. I also nearly did not finish but I wanted to see a few broken threads of plot mended.
I hope the 3rd book is better.
I have to admit I fell asleep a few times. I also nearly did not finish but I wanted to see a few broken threads of plot mended.
I hope the 3rd book is better.
March 19, 2019
-In this second installment of this series which takes place in late 19th century England, we revisit Peter Marshall, a.k.a. Peter Ainsley, as he is confronted with a mystery that takes on a very personal nature. He is called back to London by news sent from his father that his mother has been missing for several days. This was only a short time after Peter’s sister, Margaret, found his mother with a lover in their country estate.
-Scotland Yard is called in by Peter’s father, Lord Marshall, to help locate his wife, but in a quiet way, as it’s of vital importance to avoid the scandal in case it’s discovered that Lady Marshall ran off with her lover. Inspector Simms of the Yard interviews the family in order to determine what to do next, but Peter, Margaret and Daniel, Peter’s oldest brother, are very tight lipped in revealing anything about their family.
-While Peter is in the hospital where he works as a surgeon under the pseudonym of Peter Ainsley (in order to hide the fact that the son of a Lord is working in the lowly position of a surgeon), he is called upon to examine the recently deceased body of a woman who they believe is Lady Charlotte Marshall. Inspector Simms has been assigned this case as well and recognizes Dr. Peter Ainsley as being Peter Marshall. Peter still wants to examine the body, but instantly sees that the woman is not his mother, though there’s a resemblance. The dead woman, though, is only about 20 years old.
-While trying to determine details of cause of death of this young woman, Peter realizes that it would help him greatly if he were able to see the place where the body was found, and the Inspector complied with his wishes.
-At the same time as both the search for Lady Marshall is taking place, as well as this murder investigation, we find that Peter’s brother, Daniel, is to wed Evelyn Weatherall, daughter of Lord Weatherall, with the wedding being only several weeks away. The haste of the marriage date surprises both Peter and Margaret, but it appears to be a match arranged by Lord Marshall, and Daniel accepts it, but he also realizes that it will be a marriage totally void of any affection for Evelyn, on his part.
-These events now all become merged, as the wedding preparations proceed, and revelations of family secrets from both families are revealed. The secrets that both his parents had withheld from their children which now come out, are extremely painful to Peter, as they end up shaking his world and cause him to question so much in his life, along with his chosen profession as surgeon.
-Interesting in how the characters’ personal lives are so shaken by the events that occur and in how they react. The title character, Peter, is also shown to be arrogant and snobbish, because of being raised as a member of the upper class, who also has a violent temper at times, which he finds is difficult for him to control. Very good plot with writing that holds your attention.
-Scotland Yard is called in by Peter’s father, Lord Marshall, to help locate his wife, but in a quiet way, as it’s of vital importance to avoid the scandal in case it’s discovered that Lady Marshall ran off with her lover. Inspector Simms of the Yard interviews the family in order to determine what to do next, but Peter, Margaret and Daniel, Peter’s oldest brother, are very tight lipped in revealing anything about their family.
-While Peter is in the hospital where he works as a surgeon under the pseudonym of Peter Ainsley (in order to hide the fact that the son of a Lord is working in the lowly position of a surgeon), he is called upon to examine the recently deceased body of a woman who they believe is Lady Charlotte Marshall. Inspector Simms has been assigned this case as well and recognizes Dr. Peter Ainsley as being Peter Marshall. Peter still wants to examine the body, but instantly sees that the woman is not his mother, though there’s a resemblance. The dead woman, though, is only about 20 years old.
-While trying to determine details of cause of death of this young woman, Peter realizes that it would help him greatly if he were able to see the place where the body was found, and the Inspector complied with his wishes.
-At the same time as both the search for Lady Marshall is taking place, as well as this murder investigation, we find that Peter’s brother, Daniel, is to wed Evelyn Weatherall, daughter of Lord Weatherall, with the wedding being only several weeks away. The haste of the marriage date surprises both Peter and Margaret, but it appears to be a match arranged by Lord Marshall, and Daniel accepts it, but he also realizes that it will be a marriage totally void of any affection for Evelyn, on his part.
-These events now all become merged, as the wedding preparations proceed, and revelations of family secrets from both families are revealed. The secrets that both his parents had withheld from their children which now come out, are extremely painful to Peter, as they end up shaking his world and cause him to question so much in his life, along with his chosen profession as surgeon.
-Interesting in how the characters’ personal lives are so shaken by the events that occur and in how they react. The title character, Peter, is also shown to be arrogant and snobbish, because of being raised as a member of the upper class, who also has a violent temper at times, which he finds is difficult for him to control. Very good plot with writing that holds your attention.
June 27, 2018
I Enjoyed This 2nd Book A Lot😄
I read book 4 first because of some of the bad reviews. I enjoyed book 4 so much I wish I would've been a little smarter and bought this. Book one you can no longer buy for some reason?
With that being said...... My opinion is this. Tracy has done a marvelous job building her characters. I could be their next door neighbor.
Peter a morgue surgeon who has to hide his identity do to begin an Earls son. Sometimes he does feel sorry for himself. He's the main character.
His mother has been missing for awhile. They have no idea where she has gone. With a lover?
A woman body comes into the mortgage. Is it she?
Follow Peter in this fast paced adventure. So many twist and turns. Definitely a page turner.
Sometimes it's wise not to judge by others reviews. As I said it had quite a few bad reviews and I judge it by that. Honestly I am truly grateful that I'm reading the series!! 😄
I read book 4 first because of some of the bad reviews. I enjoyed book 4 so much I wish I would've been a little smarter and bought this. Book one you can no longer buy for some reason?
With that being said...... My opinion is this. Tracy has done a marvelous job building her characters. I could be their next door neighbor.
Peter a morgue surgeon who has to hide his identity do to begin an Earls son. Sometimes he does feel sorry for himself. He's the main character.
His mother has been missing for awhile. They have no idea where she has gone. With a lover?
A woman body comes into the mortgage. Is it she?
Follow Peter in this fast paced adventure. So many twist and turns. Definitely a page turner.
Sometimes it's wise not to judge by others reviews. As I said it had quite a few bad reviews and I judge it by that. Honestly I am truly grateful that I'm reading the series!! 😄
November 3, 2019
Great characters, Margaret and Peter.
December 30, 2013
Dead Silent is plagued by the same issues as it's predecessor. It is historically unbelievable and the mystery is scarily easy to solve early on. Some of the characters are interesting but Peter Ainsley, the protagonist, needs to stop whining. It would also be nice in his future mysteries, if there are any, if he could actually solve a crime, rather than just being present for the reveal. Still oddly entertaining.
June 19, 2014
I quit!
I tried to read this book but it was pure torture and I gave up. I kept thinking the characters would grow up. But it did not happen. For me the characters have to drive the story. They have to be the story because the same premises for a story get used over and over. Glad I didn't spend too much on this book.
I tried to read this book but it was pure torture and I gave up. I kept thinking the characters would grow up. But it did not happen. For me the characters have to drive the story. They have to be the story because the same premises for a story get used over and over. Glad I didn't spend too much on this book.
June 29, 2014
I love this series! I can't wait to read more!
August 12, 2014
A very enjoyable read. Really liked the characters. Would like to read more.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews