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Lord Danvers Investigates #3
To Dust You Shall Return
LADY ANTONIA HAS A AGONIZING SECRET
It is January 1855. Three years have passed since her marriage to Lord Charles M. Danvers, and still there is no heir to the earldom. Antonia fears Charles will soon be asking a lot of questions—questions she's afraid to answer. For she has kept a secret from Charles that might have changed his decision to marry Tonia.
With this secret weighing heavily on her mind, she and Charles stumble upon a mystery. Frail, elderly Catherine Bacon has been murdered. Though the slaying is blamed on a traveling “dustman,” Charles begins to track clues to the mysterious death through the streets of Victorian Scotland.
Meanwhile, Antonia, trying to shake the irrepressible helplessness within her, absorbs herself with a favorite hobby—antique shopping. What she discovers in one of the shops stops her in her tracks! There, in a window, is a figurine that belonged to the late Catherine Bacon. This mystery suddenly has a new twist. Antonia continues to track clues to the crime, clues that lead to a shocking discovery. All the while hoping that nobody — especially Charles — discovers the truth she’s been hiding.
It is January 1855. Three years have passed since her marriage to Lord Charles M. Danvers, and still there is no heir to the earldom. Antonia fears Charles will soon be asking a lot of questions—questions she's afraid to answer. For she has kept a secret from Charles that might have changed his decision to marry Tonia.
With this secret weighing heavily on her mind, she and Charles stumble upon a mystery. Frail, elderly Catherine Bacon has been murdered. Though the slaying is blamed on a traveling “dustman,” Charles begins to track clues to the mysterious death through the streets of Victorian Scotland.
Meanwhile, Antonia, trying to shake the irrepressible helplessness within her, absorbs herself with a favorite hobby—antique shopping. What she discovers in one of the shops stops her in her tracks! There, in a window, is a figurine that belonged to the late Catherine Bacon. This mystery suddenly has a new twist. Antonia continues to track clues to the crime, clues that lead to a shocking discovery. All the while hoping that nobody — especially Charles — discovers the truth she’s been hiding.
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
31 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Donna Fletcher Crow
67 books125 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 28, 2022
Who murdered an elderly woman and cut the throat of her maid? Is the artist interested in Lord Danvers' younger sister a good match or is the distrust of other family members deserved? And what secret is his wife Antonia keeping from him?
"To Dust You Shall Return" is the third installment of Lord Danvers Investigates by Donna Fletcher Crow, which not only is set in Victorian England, but has the main characters help solve a true crime story from that era. In this case, it is the above mentioned death of elderly Catherine Bacon.
The mystery is well written. There is some edge of the seat excitement in this tale. The characters are interesting as well: I enjoy the appearances of Lord Danvers' butler Hardy and the Dowager Duchess. My only squabble, and it is a small one, is if the main character of the Lord Danvers Investigates series is Lord Danvers or Lady Antonia? And I mean it when I say it's a minor squabble. I have enjoyed this series (as well as Crow's other mystery series Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense and the Monastery Murders), and am looking forward to the next one.
"To Dust You Shall Return" is the third installment of Lord Danvers Investigates by Donna Fletcher Crow, which not only is set in Victorian England, but has the main characters help solve a true crime story from that era. In this case, it is the above mentioned death of elderly Catherine Bacon.
The mystery is well written. There is some edge of the seat excitement in this tale. The characters are interesting as well: I enjoy the appearances of Lord Danvers' butler Hardy and the Dowager Duchess. My only squabble, and it is a small one, is if the main character of the Lord Danvers Investigates series is Lord Danvers or Lady Antonia? And I mean it when I say it's a minor squabble. I have enjoyed this series (as well as Crow's other mystery series Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense and the Monastery Murders), and am looking forward to the next one.
January 12, 2022
Set in Victorian times this story shows all the stiff formality of the upper classes as they avoid talking about what is really going on, but they do it in style. Lord Danvers and Antonio have a good relationship but something is amiss that causes Tonio to seek help without sharing her concerns with her husband. A gruesome murder adds to their troubles as they pursue various avenues with law enforcement to solve this mystery. A fantastic array of characters and scenarios portray a different era in great detail. I laughed heartily at the stick man reading the will, very clever! Donna Fletcher Crow has obviously researched this era thoroughly and writes exceptionally well. I enjoyed the unfolding of the drama and the clever way the plot developed. Thanks Donna for an enjoyable read.
January 25, 2019
Crowe deftly weaves her delightful characters into a real life Victorian murder. Her knowledge of the period makes the setting as vivid as a PBS period drama. The personal conflict might have been more believable if we didn't already know from previous books that Antonia was above reproach.
August 21, 2020
Excellent!
Another exciting murder mystery for our Victorian sleuths, Lord and Lady Danvers! Family are definitely involved, arguing and opinionated! Quite unusual and historically accurate, it is an exciting murder mystery, with several investigations.
Another exciting murder mystery for our Victorian sleuths, Lord and Lady Danvers! Family are definitely involved, arguing and opinionated! Quite unusual and historically accurate, it is an exciting murder mystery, with several investigations.
March 15, 2022
1855. On visiting the painter Randolph Lansing Lord Danvers and wife Antonia come across a murder and robbery scene in the next house. The injured maid accuses dustmen of the crime. The secret that haunts Lady Antonia isn't really much of a secret. For me there was not enough mystery, and Hardy and his phrenology was boring.
February 23, 2024
nice read
Enjoyable read and found the combining of factual matters in an actual murder case mystery combined with the fictional romance to be an interesting read. I enjoyed her ending notes on this book also.
Enjoyable read and found the combining of factual matters in an actual murder case mystery combined with the fictional romance to be an interesting read. I enjoyed her ending notes on this book also.
October 29, 2017
third in the lord Danvers series of historical mysteries. the story advances the characters more but tend more and more toward a soap opera like quality that I am not enjoying so much.
September 15, 2020
Surprisingly humorous and very well done mystery. Highly enjoyed.
March 6, 2024
Excellent mystery
This is a great story that has amazing historical facts that bring the mysteries to a life of it's own. Fabulous and interesting characters.
This is a great story that has amazing historical facts that bring the mysteries to a life of it's own. Fabulous and interesting characters.
May 31, 2018
Well-written with a well-crafted mystery! I had my suspicions about who did what, but Crow does a great job of making the reader keep guessing.
July 7, 2012
This is the third book in the Lord Danvers series, but the first one I’ve read. Reading the first wasn’t necessary to enjoy this title.
Lord Danvers and his wife, Antonia, are visiting his Aunt Elfrida. There is a request for him to be on the architectural committee to restore Canterbury and also a request from one sister to stop the younger sister from dating an artist, who is also on the architectural committee and at odds with Danvers on how the restoration should be done.
To form his own opinion of the artist, he and Antonia head to his studio to sit for a portrait of them. Turns out, maybe he’s not a bad guy. While there, the elderly neighbor lady is murdered and the her maid is also attacked. The mystery begins. And, it rambles around a bit, but not so that it detracted from anything. In fact, I’d guess for the time period, that’s about it went.
The mystery wasn’t front and center. It was mixed in with Danvers role on the committee and then his being nominated to lead a boys choir for a church event. Thrown in is odd behavior by Antonia that not even, we the reader, know what the cause for Antoina’s extreme concern and her worries that Danvers will want to leave. You learn who the murderer is before you learn what Antonia’s problem is.
Parts of the end seemed rushed and the fight scene a bit drawn out as is the revelation of Antonia’s concern. Overall, though, the mystery was well done, even if the ending was unsatisfactory. Turns out, the murder is based on history and the actual outcome. And, really, not every murder or crime is neatly wrapped up or has an outcome that we like.
I did somewhat figure out what Antonia’s probem was, but didn't quite get it all. The revelation was a little of a let down and left me with a few questions. But, let’s say, all’s well that ends well. And, this ended well. Which I like.
While parts of the story were drawn out, I enjoyed it and am giving serious consideration to reading the first book in this series. Recommended if you like historical mysteries.
Lord Danvers and his wife, Antonia, are visiting his Aunt Elfrida. There is a request for him to be on the architectural committee to restore Canterbury and also a request from one sister to stop the younger sister from dating an artist, who is also on the architectural committee and at odds with Danvers on how the restoration should be done.
To form his own opinion of the artist, he and Antonia head to his studio to sit for a portrait of them. Turns out, maybe he’s not a bad guy. While there, the elderly neighbor lady is murdered and the her maid is also attacked. The mystery begins. And, it rambles around a bit, but not so that it detracted from anything. In fact, I’d guess for the time period, that’s about it went.
The mystery wasn’t front and center. It was mixed in with Danvers role on the committee and then his being nominated to lead a boys choir for a church event. Thrown in is odd behavior by Antonia that not even, we the reader, know what the cause for Antoina’s extreme concern and her worries that Danvers will want to leave. You learn who the murderer is before you learn what Antonia’s problem is.
Parts of the end seemed rushed and the fight scene a bit drawn out as is the revelation of Antonia’s concern. Overall, though, the mystery was well done, even if the ending was unsatisfactory. Turns out, the murder is based on history and the actual outcome. And, really, not every murder or crime is neatly wrapped up or has an outcome that we like.
I did somewhat figure out what Antonia’s probem was, but didn't quite get it all. The revelation was a little of a let down and left me with a few questions. But, let’s say, all’s well that ends well. And, this ended well. Which I like.
While parts of the story were drawn out, I enjoyed it and am giving serious consideration to reading the first book in this series. Recommended if you like historical mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews