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Scandals, Secrets, and Murder
Powerful and corrupt U.S. Senator Horace Chester is stabbed to death in a Murder Bay brothel, wrapped in the arms of his evening’s entertainment. His assailant escapes into the crush of unwashed bodies filling the streets of 1890 Washington’s notorious red light district---just a few blocks from the President’s House.
Amanda Duncan, young Washington widow, tries to ignore the clairvoyant visions that flash before her eyes. She couldn't save her own family, so maybe her visions can help others. Now, Amanda deliberately treads where no respectable lady would dare. This latest vision was most troubling. She saw a man stabbed to death by a shadowy assailant and a young girl screaming.
Devlin Burke, English investor and sometime sleuth, is in Washington on family business and to rescue his nephew Freddie who’s gone bankrupt in one of Sen. Chester’s investment schemes. In a fit of rage, Freddie attacked Chester in a crowded Capitol Hill hallway only days before the senator’s murder. Freddie has no alibi and is now the police inspector’s prime suspect.
Devlin and Amanda join forces in a search to find the real killer, which takes them from the Capital’s poshest salons into the crime-infested streets of Murder Bay. Devlin’s sleuthing instincts and Amanda’s psychic detection lead them ever closer to the truth. But the closer they approach, the more desperate the killer becomes---and the more dangerous.
Amanda Duncan, young Washington widow, tries to ignore the clairvoyant visions that flash before her eyes. She couldn't save her own family, so maybe her visions can help others. Now, Amanda deliberately treads where no respectable lady would dare. This latest vision was most troubling. She saw a man stabbed to death by a shadowy assailant and a young girl screaming.
Devlin Burke, English investor and sometime sleuth, is in Washington on family business and to rescue his nephew Freddie who’s gone bankrupt in one of Sen. Chester’s investment schemes. In a fit of rage, Freddie attacked Chester in a crowded Capitol Hill hallway only days before the senator’s murder. Freddie has no alibi and is now the police inspector’s prime suspect.
Devlin and Amanda join forces in a search to find the real killer, which takes them from the Capital’s poshest salons into the crime-infested streets of Murder Bay. Devlin’s sleuthing instincts and Amanda’s psychic detection lead them ever closer to the truth. But the closer they approach, the more desperate the killer becomes---and the more dangerous.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2014
10 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Sefton
35 books779 followersAka Margaret Conlan
From author website:
"First, a little biographical information as introduction: Born in Richmond, VA, I grew up in Northern Virginia in Arlington, close to Washington, D.C. I attended university and received a Bachelor's degree in English Literature & Journalism, married, and started my family there. All four of my daughters are grown and established in careers of their own and are literally scattered around the globe. I now reside in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with two very demanding dogs."
From author website:
"First, a little biographical information as introduction: Born in Richmond, VA, I grew up in Northern Virginia in Arlington, close to Washington, D.C. I attended university and received a Bachelor's degree in English Literature & Journalism, married, and started my family there. All four of my daughters are grown and established in careers of their own and are literally scattered around the globe. I now reside in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with two very demanding dogs."
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 14, 2014
Scandals, Secrets and Murder is the first book in The Widow and Rogue Mysteries series.
I've been reading and enjoying Ms. Sefton's books since the first of her Knitting Mystery series, Knit One, Kill Two.
This series takes place in 1890's Washington D.C. and centers around Amanda Duncan, a widow, and Devlin Burke. a financier and sleuth.
I particularly like reading historical mysteries and don't try and tell me that the 1940's are historical, I lived those years. It's refreshing to read stories where the characters don't have to worry if their cell phones are charged and aren't waiting for DNA results to come. Ms. Sefton did a wonderful job of setting the time and place of this story.
Amanda Duncan goes to police to tell them about a "vision" she had just had of a brutal murder. The police don't put much credence in her psychic abilities, but soon a call does come in about a murder. Senator Chester has been fatally stabbed and the young "lady of the evening" has been brutally attacked. Amanda works closely with one of the local Catholic churches and has arranged for the severely injured to taken to the convent to recuperate and to protect her safety in case the killer finds out she is alive.
Meanwhile, Devlin in in town to get his nephew, Freddie, out of another financial jam. But before he can accomplish this, Freddie gets into a shouting match in the Capitol Building. After Chester's death and with no alibi, Freddie becomes a the prime suspect.
On an early visit to the police station, he learns about Amanda's vision from the detective on the case, as she is leaving the station. He quickly leaves and introduces himself and suggests that combine their efforts to determine who might have committed this heinous crime.
The book has a wonderful cast of believable characters. Amanda and Devlin's are well developed and people you like to help in their investigation. Amanda's housekeeper, Bridget, is also very entertaining. She rules the house and her mistress, with a strong hand and one can't help to smile and chuckle at her. Hopefully Theodore Roosevelt and his boisterous laugh will be back in future books.
Definitely looking forward to future books in this interesting series.
I've been reading and enjoying Ms. Sefton's books since the first of her Knitting Mystery series, Knit One, Kill Two.
This series takes place in 1890's Washington D.C. and centers around Amanda Duncan, a widow, and Devlin Burke. a financier and sleuth.
I particularly like reading historical mysteries and don't try and tell me that the 1940's are historical, I lived those years. It's refreshing to read stories where the characters don't have to worry if their cell phones are charged and aren't waiting for DNA results to come. Ms. Sefton did a wonderful job of setting the time and place of this story.
Amanda Duncan goes to police to tell them about a "vision" she had just had of a brutal murder. The police don't put much credence in her psychic abilities, but soon a call does come in about a murder. Senator Chester has been fatally stabbed and the young "lady of the evening" has been brutally attacked. Amanda works closely with one of the local Catholic churches and has arranged for the severely injured to taken to the convent to recuperate and to protect her safety in case the killer finds out she is alive.
Meanwhile, Devlin in in town to get his nephew, Freddie, out of another financial jam. But before he can accomplish this, Freddie gets into a shouting match in the Capitol Building. After Chester's death and with no alibi, Freddie becomes a the prime suspect.
On an early visit to the police station, he learns about Amanda's vision from the detective on the case, as she is leaving the station. He quickly leaves and introduces himself and suggests that combine their efforts to determine who might have committed this heinous crime.
The book has a wonderful cast of believable characters. Amanda and Devlin's are well developed and people you like to help in their investigation. Amanda's housekeeper, Bridget, is also very entertaining. She rules the house and her mistress, with a strong hand and one can't help to smile and chuckle at her. Hopefully Theodore Roosevelt and his boisterous laugh will be back in future books.
Definitely looking forward to future books in this interesting series.
August 1, 2017
I am not sure I would call Devlin Burke "a rogue". He seems like he would make an interesting friend and he is a good amateur sleuth. The widow is Amanda Duncan who has clairvoyant visions. The two are brought together when a U.S. Senator is stabbed in a D.C. brothel. The main suspect is Devlin's nephew Freddie so it is personal. The year is 1890 and there is one historic character in the book.
I was reading this book Monday morning and was so close to the end that I made a point to finish it Monday night. I loved the way the murderer is caught. I had seen a review and decided this book was perfect for a cozy set in the past.
I was reading this book Monday morning and was so close to the end that I made a point to finish it Monday night. I loved the way the murderer is caught. I had seen a review and decided this book was perfect for a cozy set in the past.
July 30, 2020
A short novel set in Washington, D.C. in 1890. An Englishman tries to help his nephew when he becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a senator. Lots of corruption in this time at all levels. The book was a quick easy read.
October 20, 2018
Not Sefton's best
Not as good as her knitting mysteries. Grammar & spelling errors; needed better proofing.
Characters underdeveloped and shallow. Plot predictable.
Not as good as her knitting mysteries. Grammar & spelling errors; needed better proofing.
Characters underdeveloped and shallow. Plot predictable.
December 29, 2014
I don't often by a book because of it's cover, but in this case I couldn't resist.
Amanda Duncan, a wealthy young Washington widow, couldn’t save her own family, but perhaps her visions can help others. Turning her back on Washington society, she deliberately treads where no respectable lady would dare. Her latest vision is most troubling – accompanied by a woman's screams, a man is stabbed to death by a shadowy assailant. Devlin Burke, English investor and sometime sleuth, is in Washington on family business and to rescue his nephew from being charged with Senator Chester's murder. With no alibi, Freddie is the police inspector’s prime suspect. Devlin and Amanda join forces to find the killer. Their search takes them from the Capital’s poshest salons into the crime-infested streets of Murder Bay.
Sefton has a writing style that can't be rushed, but certainly draws the reader into the story. I have a soft spot for cozy mysteries and historicals. Sefton did a wonderful job of keeping me engaged. I love Amanda and Devlin. I hope to see more of this sleuthing couple.
Amanda Duncan, a wealthy young Washington widow, couldn’t save her own family, but perhaps her visions can help others. Turning her back on Washington society, she deliberately treads where no respectable lady would dare. Her latest vision is most troubling – accompanied by a woman's screams, a man is stabbed to death by a shadowy assailant. Devlin Burke, English investor and sometime sleuth, is in Washington on family business and to rescue his nephew from being charged with Senator Chester's murder. With no alibi, Freddie is the police inspector’s prime suspect. Devlin and Amanda join forces to find the killer. Their search takes them from the Capital’s poshest salons into the crime-infested streets of Murder Bay.
Sefton has a writing style that can't be rushed, but certainly draws the reader into the story. I have a soft spot for cozy mysteries and historicals. Sefton did a wonderful job of keeping me engaged. I love Amanda and Devlin. I hope to see more of this sleuthing couple.
December 18, 2016
I loved the concept of this book. It's amazing to think how little the business of politics has changed in the last hundred years. I certainly hope there will be more books in this series in the future.
April 22, 2014
This is the first book of this author I have tried. I found the setting and the characters to be quite realistic for the time period. I very much enjoyed the details and the dialogue, but the pacing of the novel was quite slow and painstakingly repetitive. I was saddened when I realized the Rogue and the Widow didn't really mesh together and the constant lamenting of the victim and his horrible antics became quite tedious. It was a struggle to complete this novel when it sounded so inviting. I may have better luck with her other series.
July 27, 2015
A very good detective story
This book was different because it took place in the United States during the victorian era. The characters were very well done; you really got to know them. And of course justice was served at the end.
This book was different because it took place in the United States during the victorian era. The characters were very well done; you really got to know them. And of course justice was served at the end.
January 4, 2016
Good story
Enjoyed the book. Doesn't seem collection's have changed in Washington D.C. interesting characters good story with interesting twists. Enjoyable read
Enjoyed the book. Doesn't seem collection's have changed in Washington D.C. interesting characters good story with interesting twists. Enjoyable read
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews