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Casebook of Barnaby Adair #4
The Curious Case of Lady Latimer's Shoes
#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens brings you a tale of mysterious death, feuding families, star-crossed lovers-and shoes to die for.
With her husband, amateur-sleuth the Honorable Barnaby Adair, decidedly eccentric fashionable matron Penelope Adair is attending the premier event opening the haut ton's Season when a body is discovered in the gardens. A lady has been struck down with a finial from the terrace balustrade. Her family is present, as are the cream of the haut ton-the shocked hosts turn to Barnaby and Penelope for help.
Barnaby calls in Inspector Basil Stokes and they begin their investigation. Penelope assists by learning all she can about the victim's family, and uncovers a feud between them and the Latimers over the fabulous shoes known as Lady Latimer's shoes, currently exclusive to the Latimers.
The deeper Penelope delves, the more convinced she becomes that the murder is somehow connected to the shoes. She conscripts Griselda, Stokes's wife, and Violet Montague, now Penelope's secretary, and the trio set out to learn all they can about the people involved, and most importantly the shoes, a direction vindicated when unexpected witnesses report seeing a lady fleeing the scene-wearing Lady Latimer's shoes.
But nothing is as it seems, and the more Penelope and her friends learn about the shoes, conundrums abound, compounded by a Romeo-and-Juliet romance and escalating social pressure...until at last the pieces fall into place, and finally understanding what has occurred, the six intrepid investigators race to prevent an even worse tragedy.
A pre-Victorian mystery with strong elements of romance. A novel of 76,000 words.
An entry in The Casebook of Barnaby Adair series, the events in this novel occur between the events described in the Casebook novels, THE MASTERFUL MR. MONTAGUE and the upcoming LOVING ROSE: THE REDEMPTION OF MALCOLM SINCLAIR.
With her husband, amateur-sleuth the Honorable Barnaby Adair, decidedly eccentric fashionable matron Penelope Adair is attending the premier event opening the haut ton's Season when a body is discovered in the gardens. A lady has been struck down with a finial from the terrace balustrade. Her family is present, as are the cream of the haut ton-the shocked hosts turn to Barnaby and Penelope for help.
Barnaby calls in Inspector Basil Stokes and they begin their investigation. Penelope assists by learning all she can about the victim's family, and uncovers a feud between them and the Latimers over the fabulous shoes known as Lady Latimer's shoes, currently exclusive to the Latimers.
The deeper Penelope delves, the more convinced she becomes that the murder is somehow connected to the shoes. She conscripts Griselda, Stokes's wife, and Violet Montague, now Penelope's secretary, and the trio set out to learn all they can about the people involved, and most importantly the shoes, a direction vindicated when unexpected witnesses report seeing a lady fleeing the scene-wearing Lady Latimer's shoes.
But nothing is as it seems, and the more Penelope and her friends learn about the shoes, conundrums abound, compounded by a Romeo-and-Juliet romance and escalating social pressure...until at last the pieces fall into place, and finally understanding what has occurred, the six intrepid investigators race to prevent an even worse tragedy.
A pre-Victorian mystery with strong elements of romance. A novel of 76,000 words.
An entry in The Casebook of Barnaby Adair series, the events in this novel occur between the events described in the Casebook novels, THE MASTERFUL MR. MONTAGUE and the upcoming LOVING ROSE: THE REDEMPTION OF MALCOLM SINCLAIR.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2014
153 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
208 books5,599 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 7, 2015
Reading buddies on the loose again ;)
3.5 Stars! I was rather hoping that this one would be like The Peculiar Case of Lord Finsbury's Diamonds in that it'd be heavy on mystery, with the romance on the side, though that may be odd. Seriously though, I enjoy the big mystery aspect of this series, I think it's fun, and this one did not disappoint me. In this case, the mystery was not easy to figure out. There are clues that lead to the suspect, but the motive is a big question mark, and it kept me in suspense waiting to get to the finish and the explanation. This time, the villain is not so much a villain, and the murder turns out to be not so nefarious after all. I thought the plot dealing with the shoes was interesting, and unusual. I liked how because of the nature of the clues, and the people involved, the three ladies, Penelope, Griselda, and Violet had to play a bit of a bigger role in the investigating. They took charge and made observations and found leads and such that the guys overlooked, or had not thought of. The way the pieces fell together kept me reading at a good clip, eager for the conclusion.
This one was a pretty darn good addition to the series, and I'm really liking the continued growth between the couples, their families, and how they all come together as a team. Really looking forward to our next buddy read... Malcolm's story!
3.5 Stars! I was rather hoping that this one would be like The Peculiar Case of Lord Finsbury's Diamonds in that it'd be heavy on mystery, with the romance on the side, though that may be odd. Seriously though, I enjoy the big mystery aspect of this series, I think it's fun, and this one did not disappoint me. In this case, the mystery was not easy to figure out. There are clues that lead to the suspect, but the motive is a big question mark, and it kept me in suspense waiting to get to the finish and the explanation. This time, the villain is not so much a villain, and the murder turns out to be not so nefarious after all. I thought the plot dealing with the shoes was interesting, and unusual. I liked how because of the nature of the clues, and the people involved, the three ladies, Penelope, Griselda, and Violet had to play a bit of a bigger role in the investigating. They took charge and made observations and found leads and such that the guys overlooked, or had not thought of. The way the pieces fell together kept me reading at a good clip, eager for the conclusion.
This one was a pretty darn good addition to the series, and I'm really liking the continued growth between the couples, their families, and how they all come together as a team. Really looking forward to our next buddy read... Malcolm's story!
January 30, 2015
This was the first book I've read from this author, so I went into this BR with low expectations and found myself thoroughly enjoying it. I immediately joined the author's mailing list, bookmarked her website, and added some of her books to my Amazon wish list, hence the 5 stars!
July 3, 2021
This one I didn't like as much as the last. The story was kind of corny but the plot was pretty good. I was surprised at the "killer" which doesn't always happen. I did have a little trouble getting into the story, not sure if it was just because of all the stuff I had going on with work and what not. It was a pretty good mystery plot line though and it was pretty short so I'd say it's worth a read!
November 18, 2021
Spoilers.
I think I’m done with this series. It’s boring me!
I liked the first book as it set up the characters and we saw them fall in love. I liked the second one because they had a baby which was really sweet, the last one was too long and too dull. I thought I might like this one better because it was shorter and that novella length would suit this type of story better. But I was still kinda bored.
It needs something more than just a mystery. I usually tolerate the mystery in a Stephanie Laurens so I can enjoy the romance but this is like 90% mystery. It needs something more, like more development in the main characters lives or something. I keep coming back to see how the main characters are faring but there is just not enough of that for me. I wish someone could just tell me all the personal updates that follow in the next 3 books so I don’t have to read them 🤣
I can’t even be bothered to summarise it. The whole premise is kind of stupid really when you think about it. An inspector just letting his wife and his mates wife solve crimes but its fiction so I don’t mind suspending my belief. The one thing I did struggle with was how a few months after Monica accidentally killed her mother she could be living her life and being wooed. I would never recover from that and here she is living her best life apparently and no matter what if would be impossible for your family members to 100% forgive you for killing your mother. It just would, as much as you loved that person it would always be there to some degree!
I think I’m done with this series. It’s boring me!
I liked the first book as it set up the characters and we saw them fall in love. I liked the second one because they had a baby which was really sweet, the last one was too long and too dull. I thought I might like this one better because it was shorter and that novella length would suit this type of story better. But I was still kinda bored.
It needs something more than just a mystery. I usually tolerate the mystery in a Stephanie Laurens so I can enjoy the romance but this is like 90% mystery. It needs something more, like more development in the main characters lives or something. I keep coming back to see how the main characters are faring but there is just not enough of that for me. I wish someone could just tell me all the personal updates that follow in the next 3 books so I don’t have to read them 🤣
I can’t even be bothered to summarise it. The whole premise is kind of stupid really when you think about it. An inspector just letting his wife and his mates wife solve crimes but its fiction so I don’t mind suspending my belief. The one thing I did struggle with was how a few months after Monica accidentally killed her mother she could be living her life and being wooed. I would never recover from that and here she is living her best life apparently and no matter what if would be impossible for your family members to 100% forgive you for killing your mother. It just would, as much as you loved that person it would always be there to some degree!
February 25, 2020
Review - I really enjoyed this story because it is the first time in the series that the six focal characters get a chance to work together without being directly involved in the crime, so it was interesting to see how that dynamic changed because of that. The mystery itself was intriguing and the end wasn't what I was expecting at all which was a good twist. There were plenty of suspects but not really any conceivable motive. Because of the nature of the crime the ladies had to play a bigger role which I liked to see, and how the different strings of the investigation followed by the men and the women all came together in the end.
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Penelope Adair / Barnaby Adair / Inspector Basil Stokes / Griselda Stokes / Violet Montague / Mr Montague / Cynthia Latimer / Hartley Galbraith / Monica Galbraith / Millicent Latimer / Lady Hester Latimer / Lord Latimer / Lady Galbraith
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - Casebook of Barnaby Adair #2.5
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 18/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Penelope Adair / Barnaby Adair / Inspector Basil Stokes / Griselda Stokes / Violet Montague / Mr Montague / Cynthia Latimer / Hartley Galbraith / Monica Galbraith / Millicent Latimer / Lady Hester Latimer / Lord Latimer / Lady Galbraith
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - Casebook of Barnaby Adair #2.5
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 18/20
January 11, 2018
I didn't realize my library had this on their shelves until I was browsing before the Christmas holidays. I've been wanting to read this for about 2 years, but the price for this short story is just ridiculous so I've never bought it. Now that I've read it though, I think I'm going to try and find a secondhand edition to add to my collection as I really enjoyed this Regency whodunit.
It's always a pleasure to read about Barnaby and Penelope and the cases they help Inspector Stokes of Scotland Yard investigate, and this one was intriguing, and the twist at the end was very out of the blue, and well done.
It's always a pleasure to read about Barnaby and Penelope and the cases they help Inspector Stokes of Scotland Yard investigate, and this one was intriguing, and the twist at the end was very out of the blue, and well done.
April 6, 2021
A murder occurs in the first ball of the season, and it appears a feud over exclusive rights to Lady Latimer's shoes may be behind it.
This is supposed to be a novella, but at 226 pages, Laurens runs true to form and goes a bit too long as usual. It was an interesting mystery with a rather absurd premise but she made it work. She managed to insert a few overly long romantic scenes, but they were just tedious since they involved only secondary characters the reader has no connection to. Still, this series has proven to be quite entertaining and I'm enjoying the six protagonists' exploits.
This is supposed to be a novella, but at 226 pages, Laurens runs true to form and goes a bit too long as usual. It was an interesting mystery with a rather absurd premise but she made it work. She managed to insert a few overly long romantic scenes, but they were just tedious since they involved only secondary characters the reader has no connection to. Still, this series has proven to be quite entertaining and I'm enjoying the six protagonists' exploits.
September 21, 2024
I am not a huge historical romance fan but I am a detective thriller fan and a romance fan and this series brings it all together in a way that is new and exciting. I love Penelope’s moxie, she’s a woman who stands out at a time not very many did. I love hoe she and her ladies team up together and constantly show that a ladies point of view is in fact important. I also love that Barnaby, and Stokes love their ladies enough to let them stand by their side.
February 23, 2023
Good read
This book of the series has all of our heroes and heroines working to solve this murder as well as a secret romance between two from feuding families. There is also humor, mystery, romance, not much danger, no sex, love, and life lessons of family dynamics. Highly recommend.
This book of the series has all of our heroes and heroines working to solve this murder as well as a secret romance between two from feuding families. There is also humor, mystery, romance, not much danger, no sex, love, and life lessons of family dynamics. Highly recommend.
July 4, 2018
Another excellent book by my favorite author
Really enjoyed reading this book. Loved the chacters,the settings,the mystery,the resolution. A satisfying read that I have to expect from her. I can never put one of her books down once I 've started reading one.
Really enjoyed reading this book. Loved the chacters,the settings,the mystery,the resolution. A satisfying read that I have to expect from her. I can never put one of her books down once I 've started reading one.
July 7, 2018
The story is set in 1838 London.
While attending a ball hosted by Lady Latimer, Lady Galbraith is found dead.
As one of the guests, Penelope Adair and her husband, Barnaby are asked to quietly investigate.
The mystery involves a family feud and a pair of women's dancing shoes.
While attending a ball hosted by Lady Latimer, Lady Galbraith is found dead.
As one of the guests, Penelope Adair and her husband, Barnaby are asked to quietly investigate.
The mystery involves a family feud and a pair of women's dancing shoes.
December 30, 2018
Character Study
The mystery was way too easy. But the depth of characters, descriptions of the social modes and motivations of the era were outstanding. Love without gratuitous sex was nice.
The mystery was way too easy. But the depth of characters, descriptions of the social modes and motivations of the era were outstanding. Love without gratuitous sex was nice.
March 7, 2021
Another case for Barnaby and Penelope and their friends.
They have to find out how a lady died and what happened.
They develop clues and what is going on.
They eventually get to the end of the case.
Another good read from Stephanie.
I love her books.
They have to find out how a lady died and what happened.
They develop clues and what is going on.
They eventually get to the end of the case.
Another good read from Stephanie.
I love her books.
June 18, 2018
Enjoyed this one! Love seeing all these great people work together!
January 16, 2019
It's oficial, my new favorite autor is Stephanie Laurens
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 17, 2019
Good plot. Loved to see the crew together to solve this one
Read
November 19, 2019Read in 2017. Was disappointing. Maybe should have read the ones before it first.
July 15, 2020
3.5 stars
March 10, 2017
I love the "investigative team". The back pages promise 3 more Barnaby Adair stories. I certainly hope to see them soon. (For this one, have tissues ready at the end - happy ending but sad story to get there)
September 4, 2014
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
Um. Well. Frankly, I wish Stephanie Laurens would stick to writing romance with a touch of mystery, instead of mystery with a very little touch of romance. This book fell really flat for me. The mystery isn't all that compelling. The exclusivity of Lady Latimer's shoes (a type of shoe, not a single pair), their utility in snagging young ladies a husband, and the jealousy they evoke -- enough to lead to murder -- all seem far-fetched. The murder victim goes from being a sympathetic character at the beginning to almost unregretted by everyone at the end, and a long-time friendship makes little sense in light of what we eventually learn about her. And the mystery's solution is unsatisfactory in several ways.
None of that would matter quite so much if the mystery were incidental to the romance, but it's the other way around. The romance is tiny and gets very little page time - which may be just as well, given that it's not all that interesting, either. The romantic couple aren't even the main characters! Contrasted with a book like Laurens' All About Love, where a compelling romance takes center stage and the murder investigation lends tension, danger, and suspense, The Curious Case of Lady Latimer's Shoes is curiously lackluster.
The only upside for me was spending some time with Barnaby and Penelope Adair, and to a lesser extent Stokes and Griselda, and Montague and Violet. They're familiar to me from earlier books, and I've always liked the first four; the last two I'm still getting to know. But a short story could have served the same purpose and kept more of the focus on those couples.
I really hate to give a Stephanie Laurens book a bad review -- I've been a fan of hers for almost 15 years. But if you want to read any of her work, read the first few Cynster books instead. This is one I wish I'd skipped.
Um. Well. Frankly, I wish Stephanie Laurens would stick to writing romance with a touch of mystery, instead of mystery with a very little touch of romance. This book fell really flat for me. The mystery isn't all that compelling. The exclusivity of Lady Latimer's shoes (a type of shoe, not a single pair), their utility in snagging young ladies a husband, and the jealousy they evoke -- enough to lead to murder -- all seem far-fetched. The murder victim goes from being a sympathetic character at the beginning to almost unregretted by everyone at the end, and a long-time friendship makes little sense in light of what we eventually learn about her. And the mystery's solution is unsatisfactory in several ways.
None of that would matter quite so much if the mystery were incidental to the romance, but it's the other way around. The romance is tiny and gets very little page time - which may be just as well, given that it's not all that interesting, either. The romantic couple aren't even the main characters! Contrasted with a book like Laurens' All About Love, where a compelling romance takes center stage and the murder investigation lends tension, danger, and suspense, The Curious Case of Lady Latimer's Shoes is curiously lackluster.
The only upside for me was spending some time with Barnaby and Penelope Adair, and to a lesser extent Stokes and Griselda, and Montague and Violet. They're familiar to me from earlier books, and I've always liked the first four; the last two I'm still getting to know. But a short story could have served the same purpose and kept more of the focus on those couples.
I really hate to give a Stephanie Laurens book a bad review -- I've been a fan of hers for almost 15 years. But if you want to read any of her work, read the first few Cynster books instead. This is one I wish I'd skipped.
December 23, 2021
This one was a decent mix of romance and mystery. We see more of the couple and their interactions in this one than we did in Finsbury Diamonds.
A woman is found dead in the gardens at a ton ball Penelope & Barnaby are attending. This immediately involves them, followed by Stokes, which means Griselda, Montague & Violet as well.
The mystery of who killed her hinges on who was wearing a pair of Lady Latimer's shoes, a very exclusive style of shoe restricted to a single family. The women of this family have alibis so the hunt is on for the mystery woman who was able to copy the style
The women take a strong lead in solving this one, tracking down shoemakers and material suppliers, looking for the person who made the shoes to get their client list. The men stick to interviewing people involved with the dead woman.
Overall it was a good story, well told with humor but there was one thing that rang wrong with me. The victim starts out as a sympathetic character whom everyone loved but then you learn about a feud she started & other things she has done and she ends up being not really even missed. The more they learn about this woman more you wonder why everyone loved her.
A woman is found dead in the gardens at a ton ball Penelope & Barnaby are attending. This immediately involves them, followed by Stokes, which means Griselda, Montague & Violet as well.
The mystery of who killed her hinges on who was wearing a pair of Lady Latimer's shoes, a very exclusive style of shoe restricted to a single family. The women of this family have alibis so the hunt is on for the mystery woman who was able to copy the style
The women take a strong lead in solving this one, tracking down shoemakers and material suppliers, looking for the person who made the shoes to get their client list. The men stick to interviewing people involved with the dead woman.
Overall it was a good story, well told with humor but there was one thing that rang wrong with me. The victim starts out as a sympathetic character whom everyone loved but then you learn about a feud she started & other things she has done and she ends up being not really even missed. The more they learn about this woman more you wonder why everyone loved her.
June 17, 2014
Great Addition to the Series
THE CURIOUS CASE OF LADY LATIMER'S SHOES is a novella in the Barnaby Adair series. This novella it's the most complete in the series. With the three couples in place the series finally seems to be taking shape. This story concerns the death of Lady Larimer. Penelope, Barnaby, Griselda, Stokes, Violet and Heathcote are working well as a unit. The story was engaging and the mystery was interesting and had a reasonable solution. This book is all mystery even though there are certainly relationships involved. I really enjoy the way in which the characters work together to investigate the mystery.
These are light mysteries and I really enjoy the way that they are developing as a friendly group of investigators whoop each have different specialties. All the characters have their high points in this story.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
I'd rate this book as a 4.5.
THE CURIOUS CASE OF LADY LATIMER'S SHOES is a novella in the Barnaby Adair series. This novella it's the most complete in the series. With the three couples in place the series finally seems to be taking shape. This story concerns the death of Lady Larimer. Penelope, Barnaby, Griselda, Stokes, Violet and Heathcote are working well as a unit. The story was engaging and the mystery was interesting and had a reasonable solution. This book is all mystery even though there are certainly relationships involved. I really enjoy the way in which the characters work together to investigate the mystery.
These are light mysteries and I really enjoy the way that they are developing as a friendly group of investigators whoop each have different specialties. All the characters have their high points in this story.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
I'd rate this book as a 4.5.
August 19, 2014
เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มแรกที่เรารู้สึกว่า ส่วนสืบสวนในเรื่องเริ่มจะเวิร์ค (นั่นคือ น่าสนใจขึ้นมาหน่อย) แต่ส่วนโรแมนซ์ก็อ่อนด้อยอยู่เหมือน คู่รักที่ลงเอยในเรื่องเป็นเหมือนพร็อปประกอบฉาก เรื่องเน้นไปที่อแดร์ และเพเนโลเป้อีก ซึ่งจริง ๆ ไม่ใช่เรื่องเสียหาย แต่สองคนนี้โคตรจะสมบูรณ์แบบ ไม่มีอะไรในค้นหา ให้น่าสนใจในเรื่องความรักของพวกเขาอีกต่อไปแล้ว (คือมันจบไปแล้วตั้งแต่ใน Where the heart Leads ซึ่งเล่าเรื่องราวความรักของพวกเขาแบบเต็ม)
เรามีความรู้สึกว่า ถ้าคนแต่งโฟกัสเรื่องลงไปที่คนในสองตระกูลที่ขัดแย้งกัน เรื่องอาจจะน่าสนใจ (และดรามา) มากกว่านี้ แต่ดูเหมือนสเตฟานี ลอว์เรนส์ยังหลงติดอยู่กับการเล่าเรื่องราว (ที่ไม่น่าสนใจ) เอาเสียเลยของอแดร์ และพรรคพวก ก็เลยทำให้เรื่องดูราบเรียบ
อย่างที่บอกไป ส่วนสืบสวนน่าสนใจมากขึ้นมาหน่อย ถือว่า ทำให้เราอยากติดตามอ่านต่อไปได้ แต่ก็ไม่ได้ถึงกับเข้าขั้นนักเขียนแนวสืบสวนเก่ง ๆ หรอกนะคะ
เรามีความรู้สึกว่า ถ้าคนแต่งโฟกัสเรื่องลงไปที่คนในสองตระกูลที่ขัดแย้งกัน เรื่องอาจจะน่าสนใจ (และดรามา) มากกว่านี้ แต่ดูเหมือนสเตฟานี ลอว์เรนส์ยังหลงติดอยู่กับการเล่าเรื่องราว (ที่ไม่น่าสนใจ) เอาเสียเลยของอแดร์ และพรรคพวก ก็เลยทำให้เรื่องดูราบเรียบ
อย่างที่บอกไป ส่วนสืบสวนน่าสนใจมากขึ้นมาหน่อย ถือว่า ทำให้เราอยากติดตามอ่านต่อไปได้ แต่ก็ไม่ได้ถึงกับเข้าขั้นนักเขียนแนวสืบสวนเก่ง ๆ หรอกนะคะ
August 23, 2014
I found this on the New Mysteries shelf in the library. Didn't know that the author was mainly known for romance or I might not have picked it up, but most of the romance scenes were sidebars and the mystery was center stage so that wasn't a big issue although there were a few scenes that I would gladly have skipped over.
This took a while to get into, but about halfway through it picked up and I didn't want to put it down. At first I was reacting as much to the physical book layout as to the story. (The margins are minimal - about 1/4 inch, and there is a typo in the blurb on the back cover: tradegy instead of tragedy).
The setting is 1830's London (post-Regency but same feel). The main characters are part of the haut ton, although one of the investigating team is a milliner whose knowledge is helpful when discussing the actual shoes from the title.
This took a while to get into, but about halfway through it picked up and I didn't want to put it down. At first I was reacting as much to the physical book layout as to the story. (The margins are minimal - about 1/4 inch, and there is a typo in the blurb on the back cover: tradegy instead of tragedy).
The setting is 1830's London (post-Regency but same feel). The main characters are part of the haut ton, although one of the investigating team is a milliner whose knowledge is helpful when discussing the actual shoes from the title.
July 1, 2014
If you are expecting your typical Stephanie Laurens romance - you will be disappointed. This is another installment of the Barnaby Adair casebook. And I think it is the best one so far!!
I love reading about characters I have come to know and love. I like reading their "ever after". In this book we get to read about Barnaby, Penelope, Stokes, Griselda, Montague and Violet.
The mystery is very well done and kept me wondering until almost the end. The book also features a romance between secondary characters - but the primary focus of the book is the mystery.
I am really looking forward to the next casebook!
I love reading about characters I have come to know and love. I like reading their "ever after". In this book we get to read about Barnaby, Penelope, Stokes, Griselda, Montague and Violet.
The mystery is very well done and kept me wondering until almost the end. The book also features a romance between secondary characters - but the primary focus of the book is the mystery.
I am really looking forward to the next casebook!
September 9, 2020
Curious Case of Lady Latimer’s Shoes- Laurens
3 stars
Another mid-series novella. Haute couture in the haut ton; the superstitious belief in the match-making powers of an exclusive style of lady’s shoes leads to death in the garden at a society event. Amateur detecting combined with childcare and star-crossed romance. Easy reading, mildly entertaining.
3 stars
Another mid-series novella. Haute couture in the haut ton; the superstitious belief in the match-making powers of an exclusive style of lady’s shoes leads to death in the garden at a society event. Amateur detecting combined with childcare and star-crossed romance. Easy reading, mildly entertaining.
July 6, 2014
The problems I had with The Masterful Mr. Montague are mostly solved in this. There is a decided lack of repeated conversations, and the focus remains on the case. It makes it a much more satisfying read. She even manages a side romance which never feels forced, as it's already established as a relationship before the book begins, and it folds into the mystery so it never feels like a distraction.
July 28, 2014
I was very disappointed with this book, mostly because the book rehashed information over, and over, and over again. In short, the investigation of the crime in this book was investigated by the group of women investigators and then their husbands. So you discovered everything that each "team" found out. Then they got together and rehashed everything. At least 4 different times. This was just infuriating to me.
June 17, 2014
Another great story in this series.
I love these books, read them as soon as I get them. The three couples complement each with different styles of expertise. The two children's parts in the storyline are a great addition. This story had a good story of the two families concerned. With the with the addition of a love story between the two main families. KEEP them coming.
I love these books, read them as soon as I get them. The three couples complement each with different styles of expertise. The two children's parts in the storyline are a great addition. This story had a good story of the two families concerned. With the with the addition of a love story between the two main families. KEEP them coming.
June 29, 2014
I enjoyed the book very much tho I had to make myself accept that women of this era could spend so much time, emotion and wreck lives over shoes. I really like the relationship of the three couples and how they cross social boundaries tho I'm sure it would not have been so in truth. Look forward to more in the series
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