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Drew Farthering Mystery #1
Rules of Murder
Downton Abbey Meets Agatha Christie in This Sparkling Mystery
Introducing Drew Farthing. From the tip of his black Homburg hat to the crease in his cheviot trousers, he's the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered. Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he's learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be -- not the blackmailer, not the adulterer, not the embezzler and not even Drew himself. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer -- and trying harder to impress Madeline -- Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.
Introducing Drew Farthing. From the tip of his black Homburg hat to the crease in his cheviot trousers, he's the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered. Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he's learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be -- not the blackmailer, not the adulterer, not the embezzler and not even Drew himself. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer -- and trying harder to impress Madeline -- Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
431 people are currently reading
2708 people want to read
About the author
Julianna Deering
6 books308 followersJULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuts with Rules of Murder (Bethany House, Summer 2013) and will be followed by Death by the Book (Bethany House, Spring 2014) and Murder at the Mikado (Bethany House, Summer 2014). She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books & Such Literary Agency (www.booksandsuch.biz).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 474 reviews
May 5, 2018
I was so predisposed to love Rules of Murder, set, like Downtown Abbey, among the British aristocracy between the wars, and endowed with a cozy mystery. What’s not to like? Too much, unfortunately.
Let’s begin with our protagonist, Drew Farthering, a devil-may-care man about town in 1932. He’s handsome, clever, fun — but not so fun as to be blighter — perfectly mannered, heir to Fathering Place and the Fathering fortune. He’s too perfect even for fiction! And his sidekick, Nick Dennison, son of Fathering Place’s butler, is even worse: He’s so idealized that he’d need another dimension to be two-dimensional. And this is 1932: the universal acceptance Nick gets in class-conscious England doesn’t strain a reader’s credulity, it breaks it.
I’m sure Drew, Nick and Drew’s pretty and madcap American pal Madeline Parker have a fun time with the mystery, but I didn’t stick around to find out.
Let’s begin with our protagonist, Drew Farthering, a devil-may-care man about town in 1932. He’s handsome, clever, fun — but not so fun as to be blighter — perfectly mannered, heir to Fathering Place and the Fathering fortune. He’s too perfect even for fiction! And his sidekick, Nick Dennison, son of Fathering Place’s butler, is even worse: He’s so idealized that he’d need another dimension to be two-dimensional. And this is 1932: the universal acceptance Nick gets in class-conscious England doesn’t strain a reader’s credulity, it breaks it.
I’m sure Drew, Nick and Drew’s pretty and madcap American pal Madeline Parker have a fun time with the mystery, but I didn’t stick around to find out.
March 12, 2016
4.5 Drew Farthering, society playboy and heir to the Farlinford Processing fortune, returns to the family estate in Hampshire seeking a respite from the meaningless whirl of social obligations -- only to find his home playing host to one of his mother’s parties. The guests include one very unwelcome David Lincoln, who inherited his position on the Farlinford Processing board at his father's death, his increased intimacy with the Fartherings' business soon giving way to rumors of an affair with Drew’s mother, Constance. But Drew is soon distracted from David's odious presence by the arrival of his stepfather Mason's American niece, the beautiful Madeline Parker. Drawn to Madeline's warmth and wit, Drew begins to hope that he's finally met a woman of depth with whom he could plan a future, one to give meaning and purpose to his directionless -- albeit privileged -- existence.
But when Drew and Madeline discover the mangled body of Lincoln during a party, the two are drawn into a web of deceit and danger that casts a shadowy pall over their blossoming romance. A longtime mystery aficionado, Drew determines to launch his own investigation with the help of Madeline and his best friend and valet Nick. But real-life detective work is nothing like the fiction he loves, his amateur efforts breaking every rule of crime-solving in the book. His investigation casts a shadow of suspicion over family and friends, soon calling into question everything he thought he knew about himself. The more Drew persists, the greater the danger, and after second and third tragedies strike, all that stands between him and those he loves may just be his unconventional thinking...if only he can uncover the truth in time to unmask a killer before he strikes again!
At the risk of waxing hyperbolic, please indulge me when I say that I have been waiting for this book for the better part of my adult life. As a teenager I cut my mystery-loving teeth on tales of murder and mayhem by the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, in due course expanding my reading scope to fall in love with the works of her contemporaries such as Rex Stout and Dorothy L. Sayers. Whether in print or on-screen, memorably portrayed by actors the like of David Suchet as the inimitable Poirot or Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple (my personal favorite portrayal of the character), I've long devoured classic mysteries and the film versions remain some of my consistently favorite television. This type of storytelling, told with intrigue, intelligence, and panache, never gets old -- but I began to lose hope of ever discovering an author capable of telling a tale in the vein of the masters in the inspirational fiction market.
When it comes to period mysteries, I want pitch-perfect historical detail, smart, fast-paced plots, and sparkling dialogue -- and Rules of Murder delivers on all fronts. Deering is clearly passionate about the genre and has done her research, not only translating the feel of a classic Christie mystery into Drew's world, but her narrative shines with period detail, mannerisms, sparkling dialogue and a wry, self-deprecating sense of humor. The latter quality is reminiscent of the classic Hollywood equivalent of a Christie mystery -- the Thin Man films that showcased the memorable sparring between William Powell and Myrna Loy as high-class amateur sleuths Nick and Nora Charles. Drew is every inch Nick Charles (sans the ever-present drink), from his razor-sharp intelligence to his perfectly tailored suit, with the added bonus of a British accent.
Deering not only takes a stab at deconstructing the tropes of classic mysteries but manages to succeed at incorporating a very subtle faith thread through Drew's character arc -- an aspect that could have easily tanked the narrative flow of the storyline, stripping its characters of their charm and the mystery of its effectiveness. Drew, Nick, and Madeline either consciously address or accidentally break most of Ronald Knox's "Ten Commandments" for detective fiction. I loved having these fictional "contemporaries" of my favorite authors referencing and deconstructing the works that would make them famous. And the manner in which Deering touches on issues of faith, belief, and identity is masterfully done, staying true to Drew's personal and social position, using Drew's aristocratic status to explore the idea of how one who to all appearances *should* have it all approaches the concept of faith and belief.
This marks my second time reading Drew's first adventure, and I loved it every bit as much as my first introduction. Deering is a master at incorporating period detail and best of all, the whip-fast dialogue patterns of the time, forever memorialized in the films of the 1930s. I was struck afresh by her facility at incorporating faith into the storyline in a wholly believable, generic fashion, that succeeds in not feeling forced and refreshingly authentic to Drew's character and social position. Authors, take note: Deering's subtly drawn incorporation of faith is all the more impactful and effective for its understated, emotionally authentic arc as Drew grapples with the concept of evil, betrayal, and his own shaken sense of self.
With Rules of Murder Deering has established herself as a voice to watch in period mystery fiction. The characters are established, the beginnings of a love story suggested, and the tantalizing promise of secrets hidden within Drew's past, sure to be explored in further installments of the series. Drew is an utterly charming hero, and the cast of supporting players peopling his world are well-developed. I loved Madeline's humor and depth -- I do hope that in future volumes she develops a bit more of the His Girl Friday-style spark and energy heroines in classic mysteries are known for -- a mix of Nora Charles and Christie's Tuppence. Deering's mystery debut is a charmer from start to finish, replete with delicious period detail, effervescent, bubbly dialogue and well-drawn characters. This book is, at the risk of sounding dramatic, a bit of a dream come true for this mystery-lover. Bravo, Ms. Deering -- I cannot wait to discover what you have in store for Drew & Co. next!
Note: This is a slightly edited version of my original review, first posted in August 2013.
But when Drew and Madeline discover the mangled body of Lincoln during a party, the two are drawn into a web of deceit and danger that casts a shadowy pall over their blossoming romance. A longtime mystery aficionado, Drew determines to launch his own investigation with the help of Madeline and his best friend and valet Nick. But real-life detective work is nothing like the fiction he loves, his amateur efforts breaking every rule of crime-solving in the book. His investigation casts a shadow of suspicion over family and friends, soon calling into question everything he thought he knew about himself. The more Drew persists, the greater the danger, and after second and third tragedies strike, all that stands between him and those he loves may just be his unconventional thinking...if only he can uncover the truth in time to unmask a killer before he strikes again!
At the risk of waxing hyperbolic, please indulge me when I say that I have been waiting for this book for the better part of my adult life. As a teenager I cut my mystery-loving teeth on tales of murder and mayhem by the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, in due course expanding my reading scope to fall in love with the works of her contemporaries such as Rex Stout and Dorothy L. Sayers. Whether in print or on-screen, memorably portrayed by actors the like of David Suchet as the inimitable Poirot or Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple (my personal favorite portrayal of the character), I've long devoured classic mysteries and the film versions remain some of my consistently favorite television. This type of storytelling, told with intrigue, intelligence, and panache, never gets old -- but I began to lose hope of ever discovering an author capable of telling a tale in the vein of the masters in the inspirational fiction market.
When it comes to period mysteries, I want pitch-perfect historical detail, smart, fast-paced plots, and sparkling dialogue -- and Rules of Murder delivers on all fronts. Deering is clearly passionate about the genre and has done her research, not only translating the feel of a classic Christie mystery into Drew's world, but her narrative shines with period detail, mannerisms, sparkling dialogue and a wry, self-deprecating sense of humor. The latter quality is reminiscent of the classic Hollywood equivalent of a Christie mystery -- the Thin Man films that showcased the memorable sparring between William Powell and Myrna Loy as high-class amateur sleuths Nick and Nora Charles. Drew is every inch Nick Charles (sans the ever-present drink), from his razor-sharp intelligence to his perfectly tailored suit, with the added bonus of a British accent.
Deering not only takes a stab at deconstructing the tropes of classic mysteries but manages to succeed at incorporating a very subtle faith thread through Drew's character arc -- an aspect that could have easily tanked the narrative flow of the storyline, stripping its characters of their charm and the mystery of its effectiveness. Drew, Nick, and Madeline either consciously address or accidentally break most of Ronald Knox's "Ten Commandments" for detective fiction. I loved having these fictional "contemporaries" of my favorite authors referencing and deconstructing the works that would make them famous. And the manner in which Deering touches on issues of faith, belief, and identity is masterfully done, staying true to Drew's personal and social position, using Drew's aristocratic status to explore the idea of how one who to all appearances *should* have it all approaches the concept of faith and belief.
This marks my second time reading Drew's first adventure, and I loved it every bit as much as my first introduction. Deering is a master at incorporating period detail and best of all, the whip-fast dialogue patterns of the time, forever memorialized in the films of the 1930s. I was struck afresh by her facility at incorporating faith into the storyline in a wholly believable, generic fashion, that succeeds in not feeling forced and refreshingly authentic to Drew's character and social position. Authors, take note: Deering's subtly drawn incorporation of faith is all the more impactful and effective for its understated, emotionally authentic arc as Drew grapples with the concept of evil, betrayal, and his own shaken sense of self.
With Rules of Murder Deering has established herself as a voice to watch in period mystery fiction. The characters are established, the beginnings of a love story suggested, and the tantalizing promise of secrets hidden within Drew's past, sure to be explored in further installments of the series. Drew is an utterly charming hero, and the cast of supporting players peopling his world are well-developed. I loved Madeline's humor and depth -- I do hope that in future volumes she develops a bit more of the His Girl Friday-style spark and energy heroines in classic mysteries are known for -- a mix of Nora Charles and Christie's Tuppence. Deering's mystery debut is a charmer from start to finish, replete with delicious period detail, effervescent, bubbly dialogue and well-drawn characters. This book is, at the risk of sounding dramatic, a bit of a dream come true for this mystery-lover. Bravo, Ms. Deering -- I cannot wait to discover what you have in store for Drew & Co. next!
Note: This is a slightly edited version of my original review, first posted in August 2013.
July 7, 2013
To be fair, I think Ms. Deering captured the breezy attitudes of the time very well. It is not her fault that they grate on me. If I had found Drew's manner charming as intended instead of cocky and shallow and slimy, the book probably would have gotten a higher rating. But unfortunately, if you can't stand the main character, it's probably not going to end well.
Despite trying to give him depth, the constant careless, insincere banter really turned me off.
I thought the romance was kind of ridiculous and unbelievable. Perhaps as a fling, nothing more. Their instant mutual attraction and declarations of love built on nothing was reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. This is not a compliment; while heralded as the greatest romance of all time, those who of us who recognize it for what it really was (a tragedy), place blame where it is due: on the immature, selfish and unstable lovers. But I digress.
The plot was built well enough, I suppose. Except the end when the villain completely broke character for the sake of explaining any and all loose ends (and there were quite a few). The reader is constantly told, in addition to or instead of being shown, and is never really left to make their own conclusions.
Despite trying to give him depth, the constant careless, insincere banter really turned me off.
I thought the romance was kind of ridiculous and unbelievable. Perhaps as a fling, nothing more. Their instant mutual attraction and declarations of love built on nothing was reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. This is not a compliment; while heralded as the greatest romance of all time, those who of us who recognize it for what it really was (a tragedy), place blame where it is due: on the immature, selfish and unstable lovers. But I digress.
The plot was built well enough, I suppose. Except the end when the villain completely broke character for the sake of explaining any and all loose ends (and there were quite a few). The reader is constantly told, in addition to or instead of being shown, and is never really left to make their own conclusions.
October 1, 2021
With a fun historical setting and plenty of British charm, this was a delightful cozy mystery indeed. Whodunit fans should definitely check this out; it's definitely worth reading.
A side note: As a kid, I watched the Wallace and Gromit short films more than once...so, I was glad to see a reference to Wensleydale cheese in this book. It's funny: For a while, I thought Wensleydale cheese was fictitious...but, a page in a W&G daily calendar proved me wrong.
A side note: As a kid, I watched the Wallace and Gromit short films more than once...so, I was glad to see a reference to Wensleydale cheese in this book. It's funny: For a while, I thought Wensleydale cheese was fictitious...but, a page in a W&G daily calendar proved me wrong.
May 13, 2021
To be honest, I’m pretty close to speechless after reading this. (Except you know I’m not. I’m rarely ever speechless.) What I am, however, is thoroughly pleased with myself, my powers of discernment, and this book.
(Please note that my “powers of discernment” do not apply to the mystery at hand. What they do apply to is my unwavering belief that I needed to read Rules of Murder.)
You know, I noticed my lovely friend Sophia had recently written a review for...the third book, was it? in this series. Well, Soph has absolutely excellent taste in literature, so I immediately checked out the series. Lo and behold, the first book was available on Kindle Unlimited, so naturally I secured my copy.
And, naturally, I devoured it.
I adore mysteries. The excitement, the uncertainty, the delicious scandals involved (now I sound like a gossip rag). The just not knowing.
I just don’t read a lot of mysteries because (1) I’d rather not read secular fiction (even if it’s Christie); (2) I prefer historical mysteries, and you can’t find very many good ones in the Christian fiction section; and (3) I gotta have romance. Wonder why I prefer Remington Steele to Murder, She Wrote? Romance. (Not to mention young Pierce Brosnan is way hotter than Angela Lansbury. No offense.)
So when I saw all of the Christian, romantic, historical, just plain amazing goodness jam-packed into Rules of Murder, guess what I did?
Read it.
Y’all, this. is. perfect. It’s everything you could ever want in a mystery, all tied up nice and neatly in that vintage brown paper packaging. Not to mention tied up with string. Those are a few of my favorite things.
Ahem. Enough singing. Back to the reviewing.
Let’s see, there was Jesus. Like, in the most natural, everyday, beautiful, gentlest kind of ways. Even a preachy, Pentecostal fire kind of girl can appreciate such a tender and subtle yet so very there representation of faith. Drew at the bathtub? Y’all, that was such a lovely moment. Such a lovely moment. (And not because Drew probably looked really good with his hair all wet and mused and his chest bared and everything.) Like, why don’t Christian writers have their Christian characters experience such moments with God? You know, with that total faith and surrender? With those soul-deep prayers?
Speaking of Drew...gosh, it was like Remington Steele met George Bailey met...I don’t know. Poirot? Something like that. He was all jaunty and British and smart and just plain adorable. He is definitely the kind of protagonist I can love and want more of—definitely the kind of guy that’ll keep me reading for however many books he’s got.
Did I mention he was adorable?
And Madeline? Y’all, it seriously doesn’t get any better than a sweet American girl like Madeline. She was intelligent, strong, and feisty (typical American, amiright?) and yet she was also so gentle and caring and beautiful. And she wasn’t even the main character! UGH! I NEED heroines like Madeline in my regular historical romances. This girl was GOLD!
Not to mention she and Drew were the CUTEST!
(Yes, I’m shifting into all-caps here. Pardon the public display of emotion—PDE.)
So, yeah, on that subject, I think a lot of people said that it was kind of insta-love, and maybe for the 1890s or the 2020s it was. But if you know the 30s like I know the 30s (I’m presuming all of my old-TV-show-watching has granting me credible knowledge of the 30s), then you know that IT WAS TOTALLY REALISTIC. Like, the vintage vibes were OFF THE CHARTS.
And honestly? The infamous and dreaded insta-love (get this, I hate it too, guys) is mainly physical. Physical attraction. Physical touch. Physical electric sparks (I HATE electric sparks; they’re by far the dumbest thing you could ever write into your romance...but that’s a rant for another day).
HOWEVER (there’s always a “however” in mysteries), Madi and Drew’s seemingly quick romance was NOT physical. I mean, sure, they held hands and kissed. But it wasn’t their appearances or hormones or electrical-charged kisses that drew them together. It was Drew’s steadfastness and Madi’s caring. Her strength and vitality. His genuine love. Their reactions under pressures and the true colors they showed in such dire situations.
That is what romance is all about. Seeing something deep and abiding in a person and admiring it. Not just admiring it, but wanting to sustain it and keep it alive. Wanting to give your all for another person’s happiness no matter the cost—and not because they’re sexy or they feel good. Because they’re worth the sacrifice, worth your love, worth you waking up every morning and choosing to be there for them because you want to, not because your emotions tell you to. Because that’s how Jesus loves us. Even when His emotions were begging God to let the cup pass, He chose to sacrifice Himself for us. Because He wanted to. Because the life we will have with Him in Heaven is worth paying for.
Anyway. Um, yeah, that was off-topic. Where was I?
Oh, yes. The mystery. That’s, like, the main part, isn’t it?
Y’all, this was a mystery that would make Agatha Christie and Georgette Heyer and the many Carolyn Keenes proud. (Yes, I’m a Nancy Drew fan. Anyone notice that our lovely mystery-solving protagonist’s name is Drew? Coincidence? I think not.)
I mean, I really like to be able to figure things out and have it all settled in my mind...but as calm and organized as that is, sometimes the Queen of Assumptions needs a break from all that assuming. Sometimes it is way more fun to be so thoroughly wrong. Actually, I never could make a firm assessment, so I wasn’t so much wrong as I was not right. (It makes sense to me.)
Everything was so consistent and well-planned and developed and...ugh. I knew there was something off with that guy, but I NEVER would’ve thought him so completely vile. Hence why this is such a great mystery. Like, it makes sense, but you never pieced it together. Enigmatic perfection. All of the red herrings and strange happenings and presumptions and skewed judgments served to make this mystery one of the best I’ve ever read.
Not to mention Drew, Nick, and Madi are just the best detectives ever.
Oh, I haven’t gotten to Nick yet! Well, let me just say that, boy, was he a character! I loved him too, and, yes, I know people are saying that it’s totally unrealistic that Drew would be friends with the son of his butler...but look. The author knew that would be weird, so she fashioned the perfect situation that makes their unlikely friendship make total sense. Every good author does that—mixes things up, but gives you a myriad of good and convincing reasons. Then who can complain?
(The haters, obviously, but I ain’t got time to get all Taylor Swift on all of them.)
Now, I guess it’s time I cut this “mini” review off before it gets really long. So, to sum up all my gushing, Rules of Murder was fabulous. The concept? Splendid. The mystery? Gosh, so good! The characters? Perfection. The romance? Even better! The spiritual content? Let’s just say Jesus would be proud. The writing...which I totally forgot to mention, but you know what? Who cares! Yeah, that was awesome too. Perfectly balanced and well-paced.
Long story short, I will definitely be breaking the bank to finish this series...and get started on a mystery series of my own!
(Please note that my “powers of discernment” do not apply to the mystery at hand. What they do apply to is my unwavering belief that I needed to read Rules of Murder.)
You know, I noticed my lovely friend Sophia had recently written a review for...the third book, was it? in this series. Well, Soph has absolutely excellent taste in literature, so I immediately checked out the series. Lo and behold, the first book was available on Kindle Unlimited, so naturally I secured my copy.
And, naturally, I devoured it.
I adore mysteries. The excitement, the uncertainty, the delicious scandals involved (now I sound like a gossip rag). The just not knowing.
I just don’t read a lot of mysteries because (1) I’d rather not read secular fiction (even if it’s Christie); (2) I prefer historical mysteries, and you can’t find very many good ones in the Christian fiction section; and (3) I gotta have romance. Wonder why I prefer Remington Steele to Murder, She Wrote? Romance. (Not to mention young Pierce Brosnan is way hotter than Angela Lansbury. No offense.)
So when I saw all of the Christian, romantic, historical, just plain amazing goodness jam-packed into Rules of Murder, guess what I did?
Read it.
Y’all, this. is. perfect. It’s everything you could ever want in a mystery, all tied up nice and neatly in that vintage brown paper packaging. Not to mention tied up with string. Those are a few of my favorite things.
Ahem. Enough singing. Back to the reviewing.
Let’s see, there was Jesus. Like, in the most natural, everyday, beautiful, gentlest kind of ways. Even a preachy, Pentecostal fire kind of girl can appreciate such a tender and subtle yet so very there representation of faith. Drew at the bathtub? Y’all, that was such a lovely moment. Such a lovely moment. (And not because Drew probably looked really good with his hair all wet and mused and his chest bared and everything.) Like, why don’t Christian writers have their Christian characters experience such moments with God? You know, with that total faith and surrender? With those soul-deep prayers?
Speaking of Drew...gosh, it was like Remington Steele met George Bailey met...I don’t know. Poirot? Something like that. He was all jaunty and British and smart and just plain adorable. He is definitely the kind of protagonist I can love and want more of—definitely the kind of guy that’ll keep me reading for however many books he’s got.
Did I mention he was adorable?
And Madeline? Y’all, it seriously doesn’t get any better than a sweet American girl like Madeline. She was intelligent, strong, and feisty (typical American, amiright?) and yet she was also so gentle and caring and beautiful. And she wasn’t even the main character! UGH! I NEED heroines like Madeline in my regular historical romances. This girl was GOLD!
Not to mention she and Drew were the CUTEST!
(Yes, I’m shifting into all-caps here. Pardon the public display of emotion—PDE.)
So, yeah, on that subject, I think a lot of people said that it was kind of insta-love, and maybe for the 1890s or the 2020s it was. But if you know the 30s like I know the 30s (I’m presuming all of my old-TV-show-watching has granting me credible knowledge of the 30s), then you know that IT WAS TOTALLY REALISTIC. Like, the vintage vibes were OFF THE CHARTS.
And honestly? The infamous and dreaded insta-love (get this, I hate it too, guys) is mainly physical. Physical attraction. Physical touch. Physical electric sparks (I HATE electric sparks; they’re by far the dumbest thing you could ever write into your romance...but that’s a rant for another day).
HOWEVER (there’s always a “however” in mysteries), Madi and Drew’s seemingly quick romance was NOT physical. I mean, sure, they held hands and kissed. But it wasn’t their appearances or hormones or electrical-charged kisses that drew them together. It was Drew’s steadfastness and Madi’s caring. Her strength and vitality. His genuine love. Their reactions under pressures and the true colors they showed in such dire situations.
That is what romance is all about. Seeing something deep and abiding in a person and admiring it. Not just admiring it, but wanting to sustain it and keep it alive. Wanting to give your all for another person’s happiness no matter the cost—and not because they’re sexy or they feel good. Because they’re worth the sacrifice, worth your love, worth you waking up every morning and choosing to be there for them because you want to, not because your emotions tell you to. Because that’s how Jesus loves us. Even when His emotions were begging God to let the cup pass, He chose to sacrifice Himself for us. Because He wanted to. Because the life we will have with Him in Heaven is worth paying for.
Anyway. Um, yeah, that was off-topic. Where was I?
Oh, yes. The mystery. That’s, like, the main part, isn’t it?
Y’all, this was a mystery that would make Agatha Christie and Georgette Heyer and the many Carolyn Keenes proud. (Yes, I’m a Nancy Drew fan. Anyone notice that our lovely mystery-solving protagonist’s name is Drew? Coincidence? I think not.)
I mean, I really like to be able to figure things out and have it all settled in my mind...but as calm and organized as that is, sometimes the Queen of Assumptions needs a break from all that assuming. Sometimes it is way more fun to be so thoroughly wrong. Actually, I never could make a firm assessment, so I wasn’t so much wrong as I was not right. (It makes sense to me.)
Everything was so consistent and well-planned and developed and...ugh. I knew there was something off with that guy, but I NEVER would’ve thought him so completely vile. Hence why this is such a great mystery. Like, it makes sense, but you never pieced it together. Enigmatic perfection. All of the red herrings and strange happenings and presumptions and skewed judgments served to make this mystery one of the best I’ve ever read.
Not to mention Drew, Nick, and Madi are just the best detectives ever.
Oh, I haven’t gotten to Nick yet! Well, let me just say that, boy, was he a character! I loved him too, and, yes, I know people are saying that it’s totally unrealistic that Drew would be friends with the son of his butler...but look. The author knew that would be weird, so she fashioned the perfect situation that makes their unlikely friendship make total sense. Every good author does that—mixes things up, but gives you a myriad of good and convincing reasons. Then who can complain?
(The haters, obviously, but I ain’t got time to get all Taylor Swift on all of them.)
Now, I guess it’s time I cut this “mini” review off before it gets really long. So, to sum up all my gushing, Rules of Murder was fabulous. The concept? Splendid. The mystery? Gosh, so good! The characters? Perfection. The romance? Even better! The spiritual content? Let’s just say Jesus would be proud. The writing...which I totally forgot to mention, but you know what? Who cares! Yeah, that was awesome too. Perfectly balanced and well-paced.
Long story short, I will definitely be breaking the bank to finish this series...and get started on a mystery series of my own!
September 14, 2013
- I received a free, advance copy of Rules of Murder from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Drew Farthering, wealthy heir to the Farlinford Processing company, adores murder mysteries. He even has the latest Agatha Christie novel on standing order from the local bookstore. But he never imagined that murder would show up on his own doorstep on the night of a glamorous party, and not just one murder, but two. And now, since murder has assaulted his homestead (huge though it may be), Drew takes it upon himself to put his nose for mystery to good use. With his closest friend Nick Dennison (son to the Farthering's family retainer) in tow, Drew determines to outwit the criminal mind wreaking havoc on his family. Add to the mix the lovely Madeline Parker (niece to Drew's stepfather) and the author has created the perfect concoction for a 1930s English mystery.
For anyone who enjoys the era of Wodehouse's Jeeves & Wooster or Agatha Christie's Poirot this book offers the highest appeal. The author knows the vernacular used in 1930s England by the young and horrendously wealthy, and particularly understands how to take a young man like Drew Farthering (would-be-detective) and make him interesting and fun. Because Drew is fun. He and Nick are such delightful pals, scampering around and trying to solve the murders that crop up on Drew's estate. The characters are likeable, from start to finish. Of course, loving Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster as I do, it only made sense I would adore such ridiculously playful characters as Drew and Nick. To some, I'm sure, they will seem silly and immature, but to me, they are delicious.
Ms. Deering's writing style is simplistic and minimalist, just as I like it. No absurdly big words that require a dictionary, or long sentences where the reader forgets where the author was headed. She utilizes active descriptors instead of passive, helping the reader place themselves right in the thick of the action. And her characters are flawlessly designed. Drew and Nick, despite being cut rather from the same playful cloth, or unique from one another in character design. Madeline is a likeable heroine instead of annoying. I cheered for her and Drew. She brings out the best in him and that is what every heroine is called to do with her hero. Even his constant use of "My Darling" was rather adorable instead of irritating!
It isn't easy following in the footsteps of the great mystery writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, but Julianna Deering makes an exquisite go at it. I admit, she had me going. Not so much that she had me fooled, but she fooled me into thinking she hadn't fooled me. I was disappointed for awhile, thinking I had the mystery all figured out long before I was even halfway through the book. There were too many cliches running around that made me originally think the novel mediocre at best. But the ending was a slam-bang finish and had me slapping my palm to my forehead in impressed disbelief. It's not easy to surprise a mystery connoisseur and I applaud her for managing just that!
I now salivate at the thought of a second book and wish Ms. Deering the best possible success!
Drew Farthering, wealthy heir to the Farlinford Processing company, adores murder mysteries. He even has the latest Agatha Christie novel on standing order from the local bookstore. But he never imagined that murder would show up on his own doorstep on the night of a glamorous party, and not just one murder, but two. And now, since murder has assaulted his homestead (huge though it may be), Drew takes it upon himself to put his nose for mystery to good use. With his closest friend Nick Dennison (son to the Farthering's family retainer) in tow, Drew determines to outwit the criminal mind wreaking havoc on his family. Add to the mix the lovely Madeline Parker (niece to Drew's stepfather) and the author has created the perfect concoction for a 1930s English mystery.
For anyone who enjoys the era of Wodehouse's Jeeves & Wooster or Agatha Christie's Poirot this book offers the highest appeal. The author knows the vernacular used in 1930s England by the young and horrendously wealthy, and particularly understands how to take a young man like Drew Farthering (would-be-detective) and make him interesting and fun. Because Drew is fun. He and Nick are such delightful pals, scampering around and trying to solve the murders that crop up on Drew's estate. The characters are likeable, from start to finish. Of course, loving Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster as I do, it only made sense I would adore such ridiculously playful characters as Drew and Nick. To some, I'm sure, they will seem silly and immature, but to me, they are delicious.
Ms. Deering's writing style is simplistic and minimalist, just as I like it. No absurdly big words that require a dictionary, or long sentences where the reader forgets where the author was headed. She utilizes active descriptors instead of passive, helping the reader place themselves right in the thick of the action. And her characters are flawlessly designed. Drew and Nick, despite being cut rather from the same playful cloth, or unique from one another in character design. Madeline is a likeable heroine instead of annoying. I cheered for her and Drew. She brings out the best in him and that is what every heroine is called to do with her hero. Even his constant use of "My Darling" was rather adorable instead of irritating!
It isn't easy following in the footsteps of the great mystery writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, but Julianna Deering makes an exquisite go at it. I admit, she had me going. Not so much that she had me fooled, but she fooled me into thinking she hadn't fooled me. I was disappointed for awhile, thinking I had the mystery all figured out long before I was even halfway through the book. There were too many cliches running around that made me originally think the novel mediocre at best. But the ending was a slam-bang finish and had me slapping my palm to my forehead in impressed disbelief. It's not easy to surprise a mystery connoisseur and I applaud her for managing just that!
I now salivate at the thought of a second book and wish Ms. Deering the best possible success!
May 19, 2013
The author is obviously a fan of Dorothy Sayers as the protagonist is modeled after Lord Peter Wimsey. But a number of problems arise early on in this whodunit. First we are introduced to so many people in the first chapter it’s hard to keep track of the players without a scorecard. You can tell who the first victim will be from a mile away. As the story progresses, it seems as though no one could be the murderer. The characters are all one-dimensional and the story lacks suspense.
The basic writing is not bad, and there’s an occasional bit of humor but the plot gets unnecessarily convoluted. It’s a X pretends to be Y but in reality he was Z type of mish mosh at the end, and the reader is left wondering why some characters were even involved in the first place.
Not much here except women dissolving into tears, geezers having heart palpitations, and Drew of the manor strolling arm in arm with someone. There are better books of this genre on the market.
The basic writing is not bad, and there’s an occasional bit of humor but the plot gets unnecessarily convoluted. It’s a X pretends to be Y but in reality he was Z type of mish mosh at the end, and the reader is left wondering why some characters were even involved in the first place.
Not much here except women dissolving into tears, geezers having heart palpitations, and Drew of the manor strolling arm in arm with someone. There are better books of this genre on the market.
July 9, 2018
Oh, I wanted to like this one so much! It started out so promising and occasionally dropped the names of so many of my favorite authors (like Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie!)
But it just didn't do it from me. The romance, while cute and flirty at first, quickly became intense and descended into horrendous insta-love. The plot kept throwing in more characters and side tangents and tangling everything up. I didn't particularly care about anything or anyone...which is too bad, as the body count in this book pleasantly surprised me. It kept things going. But some of the plot contrivances, such as the Asian valet's accent, caused me to physically wince.
By the climax I had only a dim idea of what was going on and I cared even less to figure it out. I kept with it to the end, however, in honor of the charming beginning that sucked me in.
The Christianity laced throughout the story, while light, felt awkward.
I feel disappointed but resigned.
But it just didn't do it from me. The romance, while cute and flirty at first, quickly became intense and descended into horrendous insta-love. The plot kept throwing in more characters and side tangents and tangling everything up. I didn't particularly care about anything or anyone...which is too bad, as the body count in this book pleasantly surprised me. It kept things going. But some of the plot contrivances, such as the Asian valet's accent, caused me to physically wince.
By the climax I had only a dim idea of what was going on and I cared even less to figure it out. I kept with it to the end, however, in honor of the charming beginning that sucked me in.
The Christianity laced throughout the story, while light, felt awkward.
I feel disappointed but resigned.
April 23, 2017
I was able to ignore the gushing faith references and get into sorting out the clues most of the time - until the mystery was solved by prayer. If it wasn't an ebook I would have thrown it.
August 19, 2013
Audience: Adult (Clean)
Genre: Romance, Mystery, Inspirational
Length: 336 pgs.
Rating: ***** (Loved It)
Review: YES. I have read quite a few books that Bethany House publishes and loved them. I can count on them to be good, clean fun. This one surprised me by how good it was! The best way I can think of to describe it was a cross between Georgette Heyer and Anne Perry Lite. So, so fun. Lots of great lines, lots of hilariousness, cute romance, and intriguing mystery. Awesome historical details and so well researched. I'm an absolute sucker for this time period. I raved to my mom (who loves both Gerogette Heyer and Anne Perry), telling her she needed to pick this one up as soon as it was available. You should too! And I'm thrilled that there will be many more Drew Farthering mysteries! (I will probably read every one produced.)
Read more reviews at http://raneesclark.blogspot.com
Genre: Romance, Mystery, Inspirational
Length: 336 pgs.
Rating: ***** (Loved It)
Review: YES. I have read quite a few books that Bethany House publishes and loved them. I can count on them to be good, clean fun. This one surprised me by how good it was! The best way I can think of to describe it was a cross between Georgette Heyer and Anne Perry Lite. So, so fun. Lots of great lines, lots of hilariousness, cute romance, and intriguing mystery. Awesome historical details and so well researched. I'm an absolute sucker for this time period. I raved to my mom (who loves both Gerogette Heyer and Anne Perry), telling her she needed to pick this one up as soon as it was available. You should too! And I'm thrilled that there will be many more Drew Farthering mysteries! (I will probably read every one produced.)
Read more reviews at http://raneesclark.blogspot.com
April 22, 2020
Agh, finally! A true mystery novel that is also Christian fiction. Not only was the mystery real throughout the entire book, but Drew, Madeline, and Nick were highly entertaining and I found myself laughing many times throughout the book. I loved that throughout the book there were always moments when I thought I knew what had happened only to find out that my conclusion was a dead end. I truly had no idea who the murderer was until I had 30 minutes left in the book. The characters were super witty and easy to get along with, the town and people were charming and the way that Deering incorporated other mystery writers and their books into hers was very unique and totally worth it. Absolute must-read.
June 12, 2017
Rules of Murder was a different read. Not bad, but not as good as I was hoping. The mystery was a bit confusing for me to follow at times and I'm not even sure why. I did really like the characters and I feel like as the series continues it will just get better and better.
All in all, a fine read and I liked it. Some parts were stellar, other moments just okay. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
*I receive a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
All in all, a fine read and I liked it. Some parts were stellar, other moments just okay. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
*I receive a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
June 15, 2015
An eminently unassuming and satisfactory whodunit, a nice homage to golden age detective stories, featuring mostly pitch-perfect writing, a saucy disregard for the rules, and moments of humour. Not brilliant, and featuring some of the usual Christian fiction tropes, but expertly handled.
February 19, 2024
This story took me a while to get into, and I never did fully figure out the year it is set. Drew Farthering is in his 20s and grew up wealthy and inherited his father's share of a company. His mother and stepfather (who is a partner in the company) live on the estate. Story opens with Drew and Nick returning home after being away to discover his mother is hosting a weekend party and his stepfather's neice, Madeline, is visiting from America with a couple of friends. A murder happens during the party, and the police are called, but Drew, Nick, and Madeline begin investigating on their own. Over the course of the initial investigation, a few more deaths happen, and some strange events are occurring. I loved that Drew and Nick were close friends even though they were considered to be in different class statuses. Drew comes from a wealthy family, and Nick was the son of the butler. I also enjoyed the interaction of Drew and Madeline, but I struggled with the romance between them. As the story progressed, I was suspicious of a few characters, and while my thoughts may have been right about one, I never fully figured out who was responsible and what really happened. I am interested in continuing the series to see what happens with Drew and Nick.
June 4, 2019
This is a mini ‘Books For Christian Girls’ review. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads.
11/24/2015-
“Hmm. There were a lot of characters in this book and since I was reading it on Kindle, I definitely used the search feature to remember who was who. There was obviously a lot of research the author put into this book based on the words the characters used. As the book continued, more Spiritual content came up, but so did details of many murders. I stopped counting at six murders. Lots of sarcasm made this book lighter, but the quick romance was disappointing to see as that's so not my favorite thing to see.”
*Main Content-
Negative Content:
All about murders, deaths, thieves, & how the murders were done (up to detailed); All about blood, guns, head wounds, stabbing, blades, killing, & bodies (up to detailed); Many mentions of a young girl who was beaten & strangled to death (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of hangings & prisons (up to detailed); Many mentions of alcohol, drinking, & drunks (Drew and Madeline aren't drinkers); Many mentions of cigarettes, smoke, & pipes; Mentions of suicides; Mentions of kidnappings; Mentions of poachers & lurkers; Mentions of gossip & scandals; A mention of a cocaine addition; Sarcasm; Minor cussing (blast it, buck up, "damning bit of evidence", dash it all, dumb, idiot, stupid, who the devil, wretched).
Sexual Content:
Touching lips; A fingers-to-lip touch, five hand kisses, a jaw kiss, six cheek kisses, two forehead kisses, two hair kisses, a not-detailed kiss, and three semi-detailed kisses; Touches, Embraces, & Nearness (semi-detailed); Lots of Flirting & Coyness; Noticing (semi-detailed); Drew was born out of an affair (it's said that he was born on the wrong side of the blanket); Mentions of stolen kisses & kisses; Mentions of affairs, unfaithful spouses, & infidelity; Mentions of mistresses & lovers; Mentions of rumored affairs; Mentions of dancing hall girls & if a girl was in trouble; A few mentions of temptations & advantages; A couple mentions of a honeymoon & intimacy; A mention of a young woman marrying a much older man; A mention of a husband of an adulterous wife; A mention of a woman in [a type of lingerie]; A mention of a gown that shows a bare back; A mention of coming into the world wet and naked; A 'bastard' is said; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
11/24/2015-
“Hmm. There were a lot of characters in this book and since I was reading it on Kindle, I definitely used the search feature to remember who was who. There was obviously a lot of research the author put into this book based on the words the characters used. As the book continued, more Spiritual content came up, but so did details of many murders. I stopped counting at six murders. Lots of sarcasm made this book lighter, but the quick romance was disappointing to see as that's so not my favorite thing to see.”
*Main Content-
Negative Content:
All about murders, deaths, thieves, & how the murders were done (up to detailed); All about blood, guns, head wounds, stabbing, blades, killing, & bodies (up to detailed); Many mentions of a young girl who was beaten & strangled to death (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of hangings & prisons (up to detailed); Many mentions of alcohol, drinking, & drunks (Drew and Madeline aren't drinkers); Many mentions of cigarettes, smoke, & pipes; Mentions of suicides; Mentions of kidnappings; Mentions of poachers & lurkers; Mentions of gossip & scandals; A mention of a cocaine addition; Sarcasm; Minor cussing (blast it, buck up, "damning bit of evidence", dash it all, dumb, idiot, stupid, who the devil, wretched).
Sexual Content:
Touching lips; A fingers-to-lip touch, five hand kisses, a jaw kiss, six cheek kisses, two forehead kisses, two hair kisses, a not-detailed kiss, and three semi-detailed kisses; Touches, Embraces, & Nearness (semi-detailed); Lots of Flirting & Coyness; Noticing (semi-detailed); Drew was born out of an affair (it's said that he was born on the wrong side of the blanket); Mentions of stolen kisses & kisses; Mentions of affairs, unfaithful spouses, & infidelity; Mentions of mistresses & lovers; Mentions of rumored affairs; Mentions of dancing hall girls & if a girl was in trouble; A few mentions of temptations & advantages; A couple mentions of a honeymoon & intimacy; A mention of a young woman marrying a much older man; A mention of a husband of an adulterous wife; A mention of a woman in [a type of lingerie]; A mention of a gown that shows a bare back; A mention of coming into the world wet and naked; A 'bastard' is said; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
November 1, 2013
I'm not a very big fan of mystery, but the book club I am a part of at church decided on this one to read. Once completing it I was very surprised in how much I enjoyed it! I didn't feel it was very different from any other typical mystery novel available on the market, but it had a good story line that kept me on my toes in figuring out who the murderer was! I was tickled pink when I found out at the end that I was halfway right which is seriously uncommon for me! However with that said, it doesn't mean that the case was easy to figure it out!
Throughout Rules of Murder there was not any really gruesome parts/images except maybe two that were not very descriptive, but left the mind little to imagine. The characters were very enjoyable, especially Drew, Nick, and Madeleine! I absolutely loved their interactions and the growing romance between two of them!
I do want to mention that this book might fall under inspirational, but really there was not a lot of "religious talk" as some people might call it. Actually, one of the main characters has some issues with God more or less. There are only a few small mentions in different parts of the book concerning his struggles and believing if God is really there. I felt this enhanced the story rather then take away because it was easier to relate to him.
Overall, great mystery that is clean with good romance as well as a fair dose of humor (that was also one of my favorite things about the book next to the romance)! Plenty of suspense too! Just when you think you know who the murderer is, you find out that your wrong! Can't wait to read book 2 and 3 coming out next year!
Throughout Rules of Murder there was not any really gruesome parts/images except maybe two that were not very descriptive, but left the mind little to imagine. The characters were very enjoyable, especially Drew, Nick, and Madeleine! I absolutely loved their interactions and the growing romance between two of them!
I do want to mention that this book might fall under inspirational, but really there was not a lot of "religious talk" as some people might call it. Actually, one of the main characters has some issues with God more or less. There are only a few small mentions in different parts of the book concerning his struggles and believing if God is really there. I felt this enhanced the story rather then take away because it was easier to relate to him.
Overall, great mystery that is clean with good romance as well as a fair dose of humor (that was also one of my favorite things about the book next to the romance)! Plenty of suspense too! Just when you think you know who the murderer is, you find out that your wrong! Can't wait to read book 2 and 3 coming out next year!
April 7, 2016
RULES OF MURDER
(Drew Farthering Mysteries: #1)
Written by Julianna Deering
(aka: DeAnna Julie Dodson)
2013, 336 Pages
Genre: mystery, historical, fiction, romance
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)
★★★★
Drew Farthering and his childhood friend, Nick return home to Farthering Place to find Drew's mother and stepfather hosting a weekend party. Before the weekend finishes there is a murder at the country estate and the police are unsure where to turn. Drew and Nick love a good mystery and decide to try their hand at following the clues. In between leads Drew is also trying to woo Madeline Parker, niece of his stepfather, and fellow mystery addict. The clues seem to lead them closer to home and the killer may be someone they know well.
I have a new favourite for cozy historical mystery - The Drew Farthering series. This is the first book in the series and it is set in a British village in 1932. Much of the writing, characters and plot reminds me of Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie and Patricia Wentworth. (Deering is the pen name for DeAnna Julie Dodson who writes Christian fiction. The Drew Farthing series is also considered Christian Literature but is quite mild). I like the light banter between the characters, the romance between Madeline and Drew and real-life mystery author references. Both Drew and Madeline love mystery novels so we see them fight over the newest edition. It is a predictable story but I enjoyed the characters and go on the ride with the characters.
k (My Novelesque Life)
(Drew Farthering Mysteries: #1)
Written by Julianna Deering
(aka: DeAnna Julie Dodson)
2013, 336 Pages
Genre: mystery, historical, fiction, romance
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)
★★★★
Drew Farthering and his childhood friend, Nick return home to Farthering Place to find Drew's mother and stepfather hosting a weekend party. Before the weekend finishes there is a murder at the country estate and the police are unsure where to turn. Drew and Nick love a good mystery and decide to try their hand at following the clues. In between leads Drew is also trying to woo Madeline Parker, niece of his stepfather, and fellow mystery addict. The clues seem to lead them closer to home and the killer may be someone they know well.
I have a new favourite for cozy historical mystery - The Drew Farthering series. This is the first book in the series and it is set in a British village in 1932. Much of the writing, characters and plot reminds me of Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie and Patricia Wentworth. (Deering is the pen name for DeAnna Julie Dodson who writes Christian fiction. The Drew Farthing series is also considered Christian Literature but is quite mild). I like the light banter between the characters, the romance between Madeline and Drew and real-life mystery author references. Both Drew and Madeline love mystery novels so we see them fight over the newest edition. It is a predictable story but I enjoyed the characters and go on the ride with the characters.
k (My Novelesque Life)
July 15, 2013
One of those rare books that's anticlimactic when you finish reading, because you wished it wouldn't end.
There's so much I loved about this book, I don't know where to start.
Characters and dialogue. I was seeing this book play in black and white, and with a British accent (except for Madeline). The witty repartee reminded me of the old Thin Man movies, with the same breezy chemistry that I always enjoyed between William Powell and Myrna Loy. Pure enjoyment.
Setting and tone. The manor house setting was great. The time period and the references to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers were fantastic,especially if you enjoy them. Which I do. The writing not only transported me in time, but I felt it bore the crispness of that time period. The book has a feeling of age and of permanence, like it can stick around for a while.
Concept and humor. Yes, there was a bit of humor in the concept: Take 10 "rules" for writing mystery, and then write a mystery that breaks or bends those rules. Having come across those rules in the past, I felt that part was priceless, and enjoyed looking forward to seeing how she was going to do it. And do it well. But even if you don't know that, it still reads like a great novel.
It was a bit twisty at the end--which I personally happen to love. I'm a fan. I can't wait for the next one!
There's so much I loved about this book, I don't know where to start.
Characters and dialogue. I was seeing this book play in black and white, and with a British accent (except for Madeline). The witty repartee reminded me of the old Thin Man movies, with the same breezy chemistry that I always enjoyed between William Powell and Myrna Loy. Pure enjoyment.
Setting and tone. The manor house setting was great. The time period and the references to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers were fantastic,especially if you enjoy them. Which I do. The writing not only transported me in time, but I felt it bore the crispness of that time period. The book has a feeling of age and of permanence, like it can stick around for a while.
Concept and humor. Yes, there was a bit of humor in the concept: Take 10 "rules" for writing mystery, and then write a mystery that breaks or bends those rules. Having come across those rules in the past, I felt that part was priceless, and enjoyed looking forward to seeing how she was going to do it. And do it well. But even if you don't know that, it still reads like a great novel.
It was a bit twisty at the end--which I personally happen to love. I'm a fan. I can't wait for the next one!
July 23, 2013
A well written Agatha Christie style romp. Set in the 1930's at a manor house. I loved the fact that many vintage authors and titles of their books were named and two of the main characters were vintage mystery fans. Drew and his fellow mystery reader, Nick, decide to investigate the murder on their own and break every 'rule of murder' on writer Ronald Knox's 10 Commandments of Detective Fiction. Fun, romance and danger ensue!
This is classified as Christian fiction, published by a Christian publishing company. Although as Christian fiction goes Ms. Deering doesn't incorporate issues of faith and religion as the main stay of the story. It's all about the mystery with casual mention about the characters faith. It should appeal to everyone. Well developed characters, period detail, humor and a well plotted mystery to solve. I am looking forward to the next installment, Death by the Book, due out March 1st, 2014.
peggyannspost.blogspot.com
This is classified as Christian fiction, published by a Christian publishing company. Although as Christian fiction goes Ms. Deering doesn't incorporate issues of faith and religion as the main stay of the story. It's all about the mystery with casual mention about the characters faith. It should appeal to everyone. Well developed characters, period detail, humor and a well plotted mystery to solve. I am looking forward to the next installment, Death by the Book, due out March 1st, 2014.
peggyannspost.blogspot.com
August 20, 2013
How can a smart lil gal from Texas write such a great murder mystery? Well partner wrap your reines around a hitching post and get ready to be entertained by a Agatha Christie caliber who-done-it! I've read almost all of Christie's novels and this is as good as almost any.
A dashing gentleman of a rich estate and grand house wants to solve not one but two murders, well actually three, no four. The bodies just keep dropping and Drew and his side kick Nick along with the stunning Chicago lady Madeline Parker give first class performances. Plan to leave the light on this will be hard to put down.
A dashing gentleman of a rich estate and grand house wants to solve not one but two murders, well actually three, no four. The bodies just keep dropping and Drew and his side kick Nick along with the stunning Chicago lady Madeline Parker give first class performances. Plan to leave the light on this will be hard to put down.
November 22, 2020
So amazing! There were many twists and turns, and the ending just caught me by surprise. A wonderful, cozy read. Next up... book 2!
August 27, 2015
I had a difficult time rating this book, but eventually settled on 2.5 stars.
Overview:
Rules of Murder is a fun, breezy murder mystery set in the British 1930's. It follows "Detective" Drew Farthering, American Madeline Parker, and laughable Nick Dennison as they race to solve the confounding murder at Farthering Place.
The Good:
The dialogue is superb! The author was able to perfectly capture the aloofness of the era and the quirks of the British dialect. I appreciated how real it was. (Seriously, the dialogue was amazing.) As well, the several red herrings were unexpected and kept me reading. I found the end satisfying in that the culprit wasn't who I expected or who the author lead the reader to believe it would be.
The Bad:
While the characters were a part of the flouncy, we-dont-care-about-seriousness age, they all lacked depth. I didn't connect with any of them and only continued reading to see who had committed the crime. Drew was ... odd. He read as a Hemingway hero, which, in my book, is not a compliment. Nick was the quintessential humorous foil. Madeline has to be one of the flattest female characters I have ever read - excuse my bluntness. I went into the novel expecting her to be a part of the investigation, and I was looking forward to that. Instead, she was constantly shoved aside and rarely did anything but "muddle" Drew's concentration.
I did like how the writing mirrored that of the old mystery novels, but it left much to be desired. I wanted to see into Drew's mind, see how he was affected by certain things, but instead it was the plot-plot-plot and not a lot of character.
I'm glad I received the book for free. I would suggest it if you like simple mysterious but not if you're looking for anything incredible.
Overview:
Rules of Murder is a fun, breezy murder mystery set in the British 1930's. It follows "Detective" Drew Farthering, American Madeline Parker, and laughable Nick Dennison as they race to solve the confounding murder at Farthering Place.
The Good:
The dialogue is superb! The author was able to perfectly capture the aloofness of the era and the quirks of the British dialect. I appreciated how real it was. (Seriously, the dialogue was amazing.) As well, the several red herrings were unexpected and kept me reading. I found the end satisfying in that the culprit wasn't who I expected or who the author lead the reader to believe it would be.
The Bad:
While the characters were a part of the flouncy, we-dont-care-about-seriousness age, they all lacked depth. I didn't connect with any of them and only continued reading to see who had committed the crime. Drew was ... odd. He read as a Hemingway hero, which, in my book, is not a compliment. Nick was the quintessential humorous foil. Madeline has to be one of the flattest female characters I have ever read - excuse my bluntness. I went into the novel expecting her to be a part of the investigation, and I was looking forward to that. Instead, she was constantly shoved aside and rarely did anything but "muddle" Drew's concentration.
I did like how the writing mirrored that of the old mystery novels, but it left much to be desired. I wanted to see into Drew's mind, see how he was affected by certain things, but instead it was the plot-plot-plot and not a lot of character.
I'm glad I received the book for free. I would suggest it if you like simple mysterious but not if you're looking for anything incredible.
July 13, 2015
A pleasant period piece of an English murder mystery set in the 1930s. Deering, a pen name for Deanna Julie Dodson, turns many classic mystery conventions on their head as her idle, rich protagonist is drawn into investigating the mysterious deaths of several people near and dear and a few almost strangers. In the process he finds romance and a spiritual anchor in the American niece of his step-father.
Mysteries are not my cup of tea, so I can’t be expected to understand all Deering did to craft this mystery, but I can appreciate her intricate plot and attempts at setting the scene eighty years ago.
That said, the tone was slightly off; it sounds like England as experienced by PBS mini-series. For example, the colloquialisms sound forced. English, especially English men, seldom refer to their car as a 1923 Rolls Royce. Model, presumably Sliver Ghost, rather than year of manufacture is the typical referent. Too many modified adverbs: perfectly, unselfconsciously, and unsuitably.
Nice cover art.
A worthy effort.
Mysteries are not my cup of tea, so I can’t be expected to understand all Deering did to craft this mystery, but I can appreciate her intricate plot and attempts at setting the scene eighty years ago.
That said, the tone was slightly off; it sounds like England as experienced by PBS mini-series. For example, the colloquialisms sound forced. English, especially English men, seldom refer to their car as a 1923 Rolls Royce. Model, presumably Sliver Ghost, rather than year of manufacture is the typical referent. Too many modified adverbs: perfectly, unselfconsciously, and unsuitably.
Nice cover art.
A worthy effort.
October 2, 2014
The first Drew Farthering book has me longing for the next...immediately. I am a huge fan of classic black & white murder mysteries like the Thin Man series of movies. This book made me think of those, only with the British accent of a Maisie Dobbs mystery. I ADORED it. And I don't state that lightly.
Drew Farthering is a British playboy in search of a purpose. The purpose flops in his lap as two people are murdered at his country estate on one night. As he investigates he gets help from his sidekick Nick and an American gal who has come to visit her uncle, his stepfather. There's corporate espionage, murder, mayhem, and an attempt to break all ten of the rules for not solving a murder. I loved the romance -- the interplay between Drew and Madeline was wonderful if occasionally over the top as the last murder unfolds.
This book gets five solid stars from me. Bring on the next Drew Farthering mystery. The sooner the better!
Drew Farthering is a British playboy in search of a purpose. The purpose flops in his lap as two people are murdered at his country estate on one night. As he investigates he gets help from his sidekick Nick and an American gal who has come to visit her uncle, his stepfather. There's corporate espionage, murder, mayhem, and an attempt to break all ten of the rules for not solving a murder. I loved the romance -- the interplay between Drew and Madeline was wonderful if occasionally over the top as the last murder unfolds.
This book gets five solid stars from me. Bring on the next Drew Farthering mystery. The sooner the better!
February 6, 2017
I LOVE the style of this book! It was historical, old-fashioned and I loved Drew! If you love mysteries such as Agatha Christie, or Sherlock Holmes, you will probably love this book!
*for me the content was a bit rough. Huge spoiler so read at your own risk.
*for me the content was a bit rough. Huge spoiler so read at your own risk.
November 7, 2023
“Murder’s no game.”
“‘ Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.’”
“. . . thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
There were many things to enjoy about the first Drew Farthering mystery novel. And there were several things that could have been done better. For the things I enjoyed, the first was the characters. Drew, Nick, and Madeline were all very well created and developed. Second, the setting. I loved the 1930’s timeframe and the English setting at Farthering Place. And I’m a sucker for a whodunnit.
Unfortunately, the whodunnit mystery aspect was all over the place. And yet somehow I knew the villain all along. It felt like the author tried to make everything as convoluted as possible and then avoided enough red herrings to make it difficult to figure out.
I also felt like there were multiple instances where I could not visualize certain scenes. Something with the writing felt off in helping me picture things. Great writers do this well and this is something for the author to work on. I also felt like a better editor could have condensed some of the scenes where there was a lot of filler in some of the dialogue.
But complaints aside, this did have a lot of good things going on and potential for a great series. I just don’t think it will be one I will continue, which is a shame.
“‘ Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.’”
“. . . thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
There were many things to enjoy about the first Drew Farthering mystery novel. And there were several things that could have been done better. For the things I enjoyed, the first was the characters. Drew, Nick, and Madeline were all very well created and developed. Second, the setting. I loved the 1930’s timeframe and the English setting at Farthering Place. And I’m a sucker for a whodunnit.
Unfortunately, the whodunnit mystery aspect was all over the place. And yet somehow I knew the villain all along. It felt like the author tried to make everything as convoluted as possible and then avoided enough red herrings to make it difficult to figure out.
I also felt like there were multiple instances where I could not visualize certain scenes. Something with the writing felt off in helping me picture things. Great writers do this well and this is something for the author to work on. I also felt like a better editor could have condensed some of the scenes where there was a lot of filler in some of the dialogue.
But complaints aside, this did have a lot of good things going on and potential for a great series. I just don’t think it will be one I will continue, which is a shame.
January 19, 2025
A great 'sleuthing' murder mystery to read, staged in an early 20th century English time-period that maintained wit and humor true to the era. The mystery took a few turns that were completely unexpected leading me 'by my nose' throughout the story as clues began to unravel to reveal a shocking end.
March 18, 2021
I enjoyed this book very much. It was a very good mystery story that reminded me of Agatha Christie, Catherine Aird, and Dorothy Sayer all rolled up in one story. The characters were fun and the plot was good.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Everyone needs to read it.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Everyone needs to read it.
December 28, 2025
4.5 stars
Oh dear readers… it is my esteemed pleasure to introduce you to the charming and debonair – but still humble and witty – Drew Farthering in this review for Rules of Murder. I read this book several years ago, ahead of reviewing Murder on the Moor, but it’s been long enough that I had forgotten whodunit so my mind stayed a’whirl sorting clues from red herrings… as much as it could do anything coherently when in such close proximity to Drew. (I had also forgotten that one of Madeline’s friends is named Carrie, though she develops more of a tendre for Drew’s buddy Nick. Which is just as well, because if she had spent any time fawning over Drew, well, there would be no living with ME.) If I sound like I have a schoolgirl’s crush on swoony Drew, it’s because I do, and unashamedly so. I dare you not to fall in love with him too, once you spend half a page in his presence. It certainly doesn’t take long for Madeline to fall for him either, or he for her. And oh how I adore these two together. Their strengths complement each other, their personalities match marvelously, and their easy dialogue keeps me smiling. And Madeline fits seamlessly into Drew and Nick’s friendship, making all three of them loads of fun to spend time with on the pages.
The three friends do have notable differences among them, something which gives us lovely layers to explore in their interactions. Madeline, being the lone American. Drew, an upper class English gentleman. And Nick, the son of Drew’s longstanding butler. Their spiritual walks are in different places (and ohhhhh my heart… Drew’s faith journey in this one is so honest and moving while always staying organic to his character). But one thing they all have in common – they love mysteries. I stayed amused at Nick’s frequent references to author Ronald Knox’s famous 10 Commandments of Detective Fiction, especially regarding how the real-life case they’re investigating is not following the rules. And I enjoyed the begrudging tolerance – but tolerance, nonetheless – of the Chief Inspector to Drew’s own investigation. As already mentioned, this murder mystery kept me on my toes and while I had my suspicions I changed my mind more often than not as to the details.
Bottom Line: Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering is the perfect blend of classic 1930s whodunit charm and sparkling character chemistry – think Agatha Christie with a wink and a dash of swoon. Drew Farthering and his partners in sleuthing stole my heart (and several giggles) as they chased clues, traded quips, and wrestled with questions of faith and integrity along the way. Not to mention the kisses he and Madeline manage to steal too! The mystery is clever, the dialogue crisp, and the romance delightfully proper yet full of feeling. Deering captures that vintage, golden-age detective vibe so perfectly that you can almost hear the click of typewriter keys and the rustle of clues being sorted by the fire. If you love mysteries with brains, heart, wit, and a hero who’s equal parts dashing and down-to-earth, don’t just walk – run – to meet Drew Farthering. (And don’t say I didn’t warn you when you fall a little bit in love, too!)
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Oh dear readers… it is my esteemed pleasure to introduce you to the charming and debonair – but still humble and witty – Drew Farthering in this review for Rules of Murder. I read this book several years ago, ahead of reviewing Murder on the Moor, but it’s been long enough that I had forgotten whodunit so my mind stayed a’whirl sorting clues from red herrings… as much as it could do anything coherently when in such close proximity to Drew. (I had also forgotten that one of Madeline’s friends is named Carrie, though she develops more of a tendre for Drew’s buddy Nick. Which is just as well, because if she had spent any time fawning over Drew, well, there would be no living with ME.) If I sound like I have a schoolgirl’s crush on swoony Drew, it’s because I do, and unashamedly so. I dare you not to fall in love with him too, once you spend half a page in his presence. It certainly doesn’t take long for Madeline to fall for him either, or he for her. And oh how I adore these two together. Their strengths complement each other, their personalities match marvelously, and their easy dialogue keeps me smiling. And Madeline fits seamlessly into Drew and Nick’s friendship, making all three of them loads of fun to spend time with on the pages.
The three friends do have notable differences among them, something which gives us lovely layers to explore in their interactions. Madeline, being the lone American. Drew, an upper class English gentleman. And Nick, the son of Drew’s longstanding butler. Their spiritual walks are in different places (and ohhhhh my heart… Drew’s faith journey in this one is so honest and moving while always staying organic to his character). But one thing they all have in common – they love mysteries. I stayed amused at Nick’s frequent references to author Ronald Knox’s famous 10 Commandments of Detective Fiction, especially regarding how the real-life case they’re investigating is not following the rules. And I enjoyed the begrudging tolerance – but tolerance, nonetheless – of the Chief Inspector to Drew’s own investigation. As already mentioned, this murder mystery kept me on my toes and while I had my suspicions I changed my mind more often than not as to the details.
Bottom Line: Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering is the perfect blend of classic 1930s whodunit charm and sparkling character chemistry – think Agatha Christie with a wink and a dash of swoon. Drew Farthering and his partners in sleuthing stole my heart (and several giggles) as they chased clues, traded quips, and wrestled with questions of faith and integrity along the way. Not to mention the kisses he and Madeline manage to steal too! The mystery is clever, the dialogue crisp, and the romance delightfully proper yet full of feeling. Deering captures that vintage, golden-age detective vibe so perfectly that you can almost hear the click of typewriter keys and the rustle of clues being sorted by the fire. If you love mysteries with brains, heart, wit, and a hero who’s equal parts dashing and down-to-earth, don’t just walk – run – to meet Drew Farthering. (And don’t say I didn’t warn you when you fall a little bit in love, too!)
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
August 10, 2013
Julianna Deering in her new book, “Rules Of Murder” Book One in the A Drew Farthering Mystery series published by Bethany House Publishers introduces us to Drew Farthering.
From the Back Cover: Introducing Drew Farthering
From the tip of his black Homburg to the crease in his Cheviot trousers, he’s the epitome of a stylish 1930′s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered.
Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate.
With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he’s learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be-not the butler nor the blackmailer, the chauffeur nor the embezzler. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer–and trying harder to impress Madeline–Drew must decide how far to take this game.
I grew up watching the repeats of the old 30′s and 40′s black and white mystery movies with the gentleman detective and I loved every minute of them. Couldn’t get enough of them actually. Then, sadly, there were no more. Those detectives had seen their day and were replaced by the Private Investigator and then even he disappeared from view. Imagine my delight when I found that Ms. Deering had recreated the gentlemen detective in her Drew Farthering series. ”Rules Of Murder’ progresses at a nice, steady pace introducing all the characters and then the murder for which Drew is the suspect. Now he sets off to find out who the murderer really is with the help of his friends before the body count continues to rise. ”Rules Of Murder” is a page-turner, action, suspense thriller. Drew and his friends lives are in deadly danger as they try to sort out the lies and deceptions and identify the killer before he kills them. Don’t start this book late at night because it will be very difficult to put it down. I recommend this book highly and am greatly looking forward to the next book in this excellent series.
You can find “Rules Of Murder” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/de...
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the Back Cover: Introducing Drew Farthering
From the tip of his black Homburg to the crease in his Cheviot trousers, he’s the epitome of a stylish 1930′s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered.
Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate.
With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he’s learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be-not the butler nor the blackmailer, the chauffeur nor the embezzler. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer–and trying harder to impress Madeline–Drew must decide how far to take this game.
I grew up watching the repeats of the old 30′s and 40′s black and white mystery movies with the gentleman detective and I loved every minute of them. Couldn’t get enough of them actually. Then, sadly, there were no more. Those detectives had seen their day and were replaced by the Private Investigator and then even he disappeared from view. Imagine my delight when I found that Ms. Deering had recreated the gentlemen detective in her Drew Farthering series. ”Rules Of Murder’ progresses at a nice, steady pace introducing all the characters and then the murder for which Drew is the suspect. Now he sets off to find out who the murderer really is with the help of his friends before the body count continues to rise. ”Rules Of Murder” is a page-turner, action, suspense thriller. Drew and his friends lives are in deadly danger as they try to sort out the lies and deceptions and identify the killer before he kills them. Don’t start this book late at night because it will be very difficult to put it down. I recommend this book highly and am greatly looking forward to the next book in this excellent series.
You can find “Rules Of Murder” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/de...
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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