As Inspector Hart struggles with his wife’s betrayal and all his friends worry about his low spirits, Kate “Lady Jack” Penrowan convinces him to join the gang for a special performance of The Magic Flute to benefit the new Bright Hall Academy for Girls.
The night of the opera, Kate’s widowed sister-in-law stuns all wearing a fabulous diamond necklace. Word spreads that the jewels had belonged to a viscount recently killed at his home in Mayfair during a break-in, and everything goes sideways when Lady Constance is implicated in murder.
With Gabriel not on his best foot, Kate sets out to find the real killer, but what she discovers about Connie’s past reveals a motive to commit the crime.
The book, like the whole series, is very enjoyable, and I can't wait for the next installment! The characters are well described and add to the richness of the plot with their own arcs and development. Although a bit more of Sylvi and Kate would not go amiss in this book—Kate, because of her usual humor, and Sylvi because he is set up as a fascinating character whose development does not advance very quickly, unfortunately.
But.....speaking of the Magic Flute: it is not Tamino whom the Queen of the Night wants to be murdered by her daughter—it's Sarastro. The guy who cheated her out of her inheritance and kidnapped her daughter (thus providing the opportunity and the motive). A sordid story that has been neglected in most discussions of the opera, but what great music!
Very similar to the other books in the series, Lady Jack and Gabriel Hart are once again in the thick of solving several murders. I was happy to see the author include the concept of “the suspension of disbelief,“ attributed to Coleridge, the poet. As to the structure and character development, they are average. The writing is rather formulaic.
This book was not as exciting as the third book in the series. And again, I do struggle to keep up with so many characters. There were also too many typos, something that occurs often in this series. The book could definitely use some stronger editing.
It’s a relatively quick read without vulgarities, gore, or sex. A nice way to pass a couple of evenings.
This is a fabulous series. Lady Jack and Gabriel Hart are a fun team, although in this edition they didn’t have the chance to detect together. I enjoyed that other characters, especially Connie, had the chance to step forward and take more of the center stage. The characters are well written and the mysteries are fun. And regardless of propriety, I hope in the next book, Gabriel and Kate get to find some much needed romance. They’ve earned it!
I just finished the first 4 books in the Lady Jack Mysteries and I found them wonderful. I fell in love with Lady Jack, Graham and their families and extended families. Very enjoyable to read, and I can't wait to see what book 5 reveals. I recommend you read all the books back to back. KathyB
I love Lady Jack and understand her American ways! I wish Gabriel was available for her because they would be a perfect match. This entire series has been amazing and I’m looking forward to the next book.