Face Down Under the Wych ELM

Susanna, Lady Appleton #5

by Kathy Lynn Emerson

Her roguish husband now dead, Lady Appleton travels with a new suitor to Maidstone. While there, she learns that two gentlewomen, Constance Crane and her elderly cousin Lucy, are being jailed for bewitching two men to death -- and face execution if convicted. Although Constance happens to be a former mistress of her late husband, Robert, Susanna puts the past to rest and vows to help. Using her vast knowledge of herbs -- and the talents of her gossiping housekeeper -- Lady Appleton soon deduces that the deaths are the work of a mysterious poisoner. But can she root out the killer before Constance and Lucy face the gallows -- and before Susanna's own life is threatened? [Emerson] makes the early stages of the reign of Elizabeth I come gloriously to life.
THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW Jacket illustration by Steven Stines
Jacket design by Scott Levine

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Historical, British Literature, Medieval

ebook

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

aka Kaitlyn Dunnett, Kate Emerson, Kaitlyn Gorton

Kathy Lynn Emerson began writing as a child: a newspaper for her dolls and then a rambling adventure series featuring characters from all her favorite television shows. In addition to contemporary, historical and time-travel romance (some written under the pen-name of Kaitlyn Gorton) and historical novels written as Kate Emerson, Kathy has written children's books, non-fiction, short stories, and historical mysteries. She won the Agatha award for mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries. She also writes as Kaitlyn Dunnett.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another reviewer mentioned the plot of this one is very similar to the previous book in this series and I can’t help but agree. While historically accurate (I think), the ease with which anyone can get someone killed by accusing them of witchcraft was really depressing to read about, again. I still enjoy the main character but this installment just wasn’t as enjoyable as previous books.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot of this book was almost the same as the plot of the previous book in this series. Face Down Under the Eleanor Statue. Witches, poison, last minute reprieve. In addition, the clue which changed the outcome of the trial was easily revealed. Losing interest in this series.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Face Down Under the Wych Elm by Kathy Lynn Emerson is the 5th book of the Susanna, Lady Appleton historical mystery series set in Elizabethan England. Lady Susanna Appleton, widow of Robert, is happily independent, and quite well off. She's an expert herbalist; having published a cautionary herbal on the safe use of herbs for healing. She lives at Leigh Abbey estate, with loyal servants including Jennet, who she values as a good friend (unique in that time period).

Neighbor Nick Baldwin wants Susanna to marry him. She is very fond of Nick, but won't give up the freedom of widowhood (legally, a wife is the property of her husband). She proposes joining him at his home in Maidstone on his upcoming trip to judge the Summer Assizes. Jennet disapproves of a lovers' tryst, but loyally agrees to accompany Susanna.

In Maidstone, Susanna and Jennet discover two women (Constance and Lucy) imprisoned on witchcraft charges, awaiting the Assizes. They have only days left until their "trial" and execution. Constance was one of Robert's mistresses, but that does not stop Susanna from trying to help her. Susanna well remembers her own imprisonment under false charges, and vows to help other victims of injustice.

Nick tries to dissuade Susanna, since helping women charged with witchcraft puts her in danger of similar charges. Susanna is determined to find the killer, not only of the recent murder victim, but the previous one. She is convinced both were poisoned. What is not clear is motive; who would benefit?

When Nick's mother Winifred arrives in Maidstone, her meddling plays into the killer's hands. With Susanna in peril, Nick delves into Lucy's past to discover the root cause of the murders. Abducted by the killer, Susanna must conquer a deep-seated phobia to save herself and Jennet.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like historical mysteries as they can be history lessons as much as a mystery story. I'm not sure how this came to be on Mt Git'r'Read, but I was shopping the shelves and this one seemed a good choice for a roadtrip I was getting ready for. I was right. It moved rather quickly, intriguing setting and characters. I like when the main character is someone who is strong-minded and does as they see fit to be true to themselves. Susanna definitely is. She's a widow and wealthy in her own right and sees no need to remarry as then the husband has control of everything. She likes having her say, having a lover in her life who understands her even if he'd like to be more.
There are plenty of things against her but events seem to happen in time for her to figure things out. She's smart and sees things others might not. She tries to not make decisions based on her own prejudices, she tries to see things clearly.
I like her and I look forward to finding more books in the series.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I've read a Lady Appleton mystery.. I do enjoy them but I find myself wondering why she attempts to do anything without her male servants that pretty much act as bodyguards. And this story ended so abruptly you really have no idea what happened.

[Feagizoku · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as interesting to me as the first 3

[Ilze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is excellent! When I first started reading it, I thought it'd be a difficult one to get through: but naye, naye! In spite of Emerson's attempts to keep the English "old" (with me constantly reaching for the dictionary), she manages to keep the suspense high enough for you to desperately want to find out what happens next. She also manages to explain several historical practices that are unfamiliar to readers from the twentieth century. This being akin to a Carolyn Keene detective story (or "Murder she wrote"), we get to read about the ingredients of witches' potions and lovely descriptions of Chaucer's England which conjure up images of Nostradamus and the alchemists Jung studied. So even though the story seems to have taken place centuries ago, the reader is brought so close to Susanna (who reminded me of Elizabeth Fry) and her 'tiring maid', Jennet, that you experience the adventure with her - along with the spice of romance and intrigue!

[Karen the Comic Seller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've got to stop beginning series in the middle - this is the 5th book in the series, and now I've got to find the other 4!!
Well crafted mystery, done in Elizabethan England, and as far as I can tell, historically correct.
But more importantly, Susanna, Lady Appleton, is a very engaging character - witty, smart, independent - perhaps ahead of her time - but still within her time. The mystery is plausible for the period - two women accused of witchcraft - and Lady Appleton can only prove them innocent by finding the real killer.
Again, enough twists and turns to keep me guessing - and reading.

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another baffling mystery solved by the clever Lady Appleton. I love mysteries (like this) where you get a lot of different ideas about who the murderer could be. It's no fun to guess too far ahead of time, but it's also not fun to be completely stumped. I like getting to guess along with the detective, and then to realize the truth at the same time as them (or just a paragraph or two before). What I didn't like about this book was how easy it was to get someone convicted of witchery; unfortunately, that part is drawn from sad and frightening facts about the time period. I'm very glad things aren't like that anymore.

[Sara G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the previous book in the series, this story follows one of Lord Appleton's old mistresses who is accused of witchcraft/murder along with her spinster cousin. Lady Appleton gets involved when she finds out, because it reminds her too much of her own false imprisonment in the last book. The mystery wasn't that difficult or surprising to figure out, but it's well plotted and well done, and seems fairly realistic to the time period. This is well worth the read, so don't get discouraged if you don't like book 4. It gets better.

[Booklogged · Rating 4 out of 5]

A former mistress of Lady Appleton's late husband is charged with witchcraft and Susanna decides to help her with great peril to herself. I give this book a rating of 4. I am really enjoying this series, it's definitely a step above most cozy mysteries. Emerson writes intelligently and depicts the time period well.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Sussanna's husband's previous lovers, Constance Crane, is accused of witchcraft along with her cousin Lucy. This conveniently removes them from entangled lines of inheritance.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series. It is best if read in the order of the series but each book can stand alone.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really didn't like the ending ...

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. The descriptions of Elizabethan England is wonderful and the protagonist is a gentle born strong woman who wants to see justice done. Get hooked on this series!

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of the "Lady Appleton" series so far. I could have used another chapter at the end just to wrap up the story, though.

[Nancy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent medieval mystery which keeps the read turning pages.