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Dr. Alexandra Gladstone #4
Medium Dead
Sure to delight readers of Jacqueline Winspear, Emma Jameson, and Laura Childs, this short novel features Queen Victoria herself—and she’s rumored to have slain a local psychic in Newton-upon-Sea. Now the task of clearing her name and catching the real killer falls to Dr. Alexandra Gladstone.
Under Victoria’s reign, women are barred from calling themselves physicians, but that hasn’t stopped Alexandra Gladstone. As the first female doctor in Newton-upon-Sea, she spends her days tending sick villagers in the practice she inherited from her father, with her loyal and sometimes overprotective dog, Zack, by her side.
After the corpse of village spiritualist Alvina Elwold is discovered aboveground at a church boneyard, wild rumors circulate through the charming seaside village, including one implicating a certain regal guest lodging nearby. Tales of the dead Alvina hobnobbing with spirits and hexing her enemies are even more outlandish—but as a woman of science and reason, Alexandra has no doubt that a murderer made of flesh and blood is on the loose.
Finding out the truth means sorting through a deluge of ghostly visitors, royal sightings, and shifty suspects. At least her attentive and handsome friend Nicholas Forsyth, Lord Dunsford, has come to her aid. Alexandra will need all the help she can get, because she’s stumbled upon dangerous secrets—while provoking a deadly adversary who wants to keep them buried.
Praise for Medium Dead
“An entertaining cozy mystery written with vivid historical detail . . . If you like reading historical mysteries with just a hint of romance, then Medium Dead should be right up your street.”—Fictionophile
“There are more than a few scenes where Alexandra’s dog, Zack, steals the show.”—Reading Reality
“I would recommend this to fans of the Maisie Dobbs series. There’s a strong female character in a historical setting. She’s determined, logical, intelligent and faces an unusual situation.”—The Reader’s Hollow
Praise for Paula Paul’s Alexandra Gladstone mysteries
“The Dr. Alexandra Gladstone series by Paula Paul presents an intriguing mixture of mystery, romance, and history. I especially love the way real personalities from the past keep popping up to intermingle with Paul’s fictional characters.”—Lois Duncan, award-winning and bestselling author of Killing Mr. Griffin and I Know What You Did Last Summer
“A lively mixture of ruling class murder, Victorian morals, and love.”—Bestselling author Tony Hillerman
Under Victoria’s reign, women are barred from calling themselves physicians, but that hasn’t stopped Alexandra Gladstone. As the first female doctor in Newton-upon-Sea, she spends her days tending sick villagers in the practice she inherited from her father, with her loyal and sometimes overprotective dog, Zack, by her side.
After the corpse of village spiritualist Alvina Elwold is discovered aboveground at a church boneyard, wild rumors circulate through the charming seaside village, including one implicating a certain regal guest lodging nearby. Tales of the dead Alvina hobnobbing with spirits and hexing her enemies are even more outlandish—but as a woman of science and reason, Alexandra has no doubt that a murderer made of flesh and blood is on the loose.
Finding out the truth means sorting through a deluge of ghostly visitors, royal sightings, and shifty suspects. At least her attentive and handsome friend Nicholas Forsyth, Lord Dunsford, has come to her aid. Alexandra will need all the help she can get, because she’s stumbled upon dangerous secrets—while provoking a deadly adversary who wants to keep them buried.
Praise for Medium Dead
“An entertaining cozy mystery written with vivid historical detail . . . If you like reading historical mysteries with just a hint of romance, then Medium Dead should be right up your street.”—Fictionophile
“There are more than a few scenes where Alexandra’s dog, Zack, steals the show.”—Reading Reality
“I would recommend this to fans of the Maisie Dobbs series. There’s a strong female character in a historical setting. She’s determined, logical, intelligent and faces an unusual situation.”—The Reader’s Hollow
Praise for Paula Paul’s Alexandra Gladstone mysteries
“The Dr. Alexandra Gladstone series by Paula Paul presents an intriguing mixture of mystery, romance, and history. I especially love the way real personalities from the past keep popping up to intermingle with Paul’s fictional characters.”—Lois Duncan, award-winning and bestselling author of Killing Mr. Griffin and I Know What You Did Last Summer
“A lively mixture of ruling class murder, Victorian morals, and love.”—Bestselling author Tony Hillerman
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2015
17 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Paula Paul
28 books43 followersPaula Paul writes novels that touch the heart and challenge the mind. She has published 25 novels, some with major New York publishers and some with small presses. They include historical fiction, mysteries, YA and literary novels.
She is a native of Texas. She wasn't really born in Lubbock, as her profile info states. She was actually born outside of Lubbock on her grandparents' farm. She grew up on a ranch about 80 miles from where she was born and attended a country school where she graduated as valedictorian.
She has a degree in journalism and worked for several years as a print journalist, winning a number of state and national awards. She has also won national awards for her novels.
She is a native of Texas. She wasn't really born in Lubbock, as her profile info states. She was actually born outside of Lubbock on her grandparents' farm. She grew up on a ranch about 80 miles from where she was born and attended a country school where she graduated as valedictorian.
She has a degree in journalism and worked for several years as a print journalist, winning a number of state and national awards. She has also won national awards for her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
February 14, 2016
Paula Paul has written a very easy to read book. At least, that's my experience with this book. There is something so pleasant with a book that is so well-written that time just flies. But (here it comes) the story wasn't equally good and that's a bit of a drawback with the book. The mystery wasn't that terribly interesting. Queen Victoria as a suspect for murders that should really be something special to read about, but it wasn't. The thing that really felt as a hinder when I read the book that it felt so obvious that nor the queen or the other suspects were the murderer that, it had to be someone else. At least, that is what I got from the story. Also, I'm sorry to say, Alexandra Gladstone, not very interesting characters, a female doctor in that time should be more interesting to read about than it was.
But I would read more from Paula Paul, just for the sake of seeing if her other books are better than this was and because I did enjoy her way of writing. I just wanted (needed) a must deeper and intense story than I got.
2.5 stars
I received a copy from the publisher and TLC Book Tours in return for an honest review!
But I would read more from Paula Paul, just for the sake of seeing if her other books are better than this was and because I did enjoy her way of writing. I just wanted (needed) a must deeper and intense story than I got.
2.5 stars
I received a copy from the publisher and TLC Book Tours in return for an honest review!
June 29, 2015
If you like reading cozy, historical mysteries with just a hint of romance, then “Medium Dead” should be right up your street. Although this is the fourth novel in the Alexandra Gladstone series, it reads very well as a stand-alone. I had not read the earlier titles and I found my enjoyment of the novel was unimpeded.
Complete review posted to my blog, Fictionophile on April 15, 2015 as part of a TLC Book Tour.
Complete review posted to my blog, Fictionophile on April 15, 2015 as part of a TLC Book Tour.
October 20, 2015
3.5 stars
Paula Paul has a well-deserved reputation for writing in a variety of genres and doing it well . On the whole, I think the quality of her work continues with Medium Dead except with the element of mystery. This book makes good historical fiction but not so much a mystery. That's mostly because the protagonist, Dr. Alexandra Gladstone, doesn't really do much to solve anything; rather, she just sort of collects information that comes her way.
Lately, I seem to be attracted to stories about women doctors in historical times and, in that sense, this filled the bill quite nicely. I like Alexandra and I appreciate that she's a smart woman in a man's world without being aggressive about her desire to be in such a position. I also like the fact that her village accepts her, for the most part, and the usual Victorian sensibilities don't get in the way too much.
Having a royal be a possible suspect in a murder investigation isn't a new idea but Ms. Paul puts Queen Victoria in the crosshairs in a believable way. We all know that this particular queen was a big believer in the spiritual world and seances and the like and also that she was totally dedicated to her husband during their marriage and perhaps even more so after his death. That she would contact the victim, spiritualist Alvina Elwold, for help in contacting the Prince Consort is in keeping with her personality as we know it today; why she would be aware of Alvina and come to Newton-upon-Sea to meet with her is a bit less apparent.
When all comes to a head, the denouement is not especially surprising---figuring out who did the deed became fairly obvious early on---but this is still a quite enjoyable if slow-paced read and I think I'll go back to the first book and get acquainted with Dr. Gladstone from the beginning. I think she's going to grow on me ;-)
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, April 2015.
Paula Paul has a well-deserved reputation for writing in a variety of genres and doing it well . On the whole, I think the quality of her work continues with Medium Dead except with the element of mystery. This book makes good historical fiction but not so much a mystery. That's mostly because the protagonist, Dr. Alexandra Gladstone, doesn't really do much to solve anything; rather, she just sort of collects information that comes her way.
Lately, I seem to be attracted to stories about women doctors in historical times and, in that sense, this filled the bill quite nicely. I like Alexandra and I appreciate that she's a smart woman in a man's world without being aggressive about her desire to be in such a position. I also like the fact that her village accepts her, for the most part, and the usual Victorian sensibilities don't get in the way too much.
Having a royal be a possible suspect in a murder investigation isn't a new idea but Ms. Paul puts Queen Victoria in the crosshairs in a believable way. We all know that this particular queen was a big believer in the spiritual world and seances and the like and also that she was totally dedicated to her husband during their marriage and perhaps even more so after his death. That she would contact the victim, spiritualist Alvina Elwold, for help in contacting the Prince Consort is in keeping with her personality as we know it today; why she would be aware of Alvina and come to Newton-upon-Sea to meet with her is a bit less apparent.
When all comes to a head, the denouement is not especially surprising---figuring out who did the deed became fairly obvious early on---but this is still a quite enjoyable if slow-paced read and I think I'll go back to the first book and get acquainted with Dr. Gladstone from the beginning. I think she's going to grow on me ;-)
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, April 2015.
April 7, 2015
When I read the book blurb, I was immediately hooked! A Victorian mystery seeped in the paranormal? Hook, line and sinker. I loved the premise of a medium found dead in the graveyard and a female doctor, Alexandra Gladstone, must solve the mystery before it's too late.
The author took me back in time and I was able to experience Victorian England first-hand. She portrayed Queen Victoria as I would imagine her to be and the mystery itself was filled with twists and turns I didn't see coming. A fabulous British mystery with a strong female lead in an era where women were seen as timid and meek.
Favorite Character: Alexandra Gladstone
I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Alibi for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The author took me back in time and I was able to experience Victorian England first-hand. She portrayed Queen Victoria as I would imagine her to be and the mystery itself was filled with twists and turns I didn't see coming. A fabulous British mystery with a strong female lead in an era where women were seen as timid and meek.
Favorite Character: Alexandra Gladstone
I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Alibi for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2015
My ARC courtesy of Alibi/Random House and Net Galley - much thanks!
Somewhere between a 2.5 and a three, I think. Up side: cosy without a love triangle or "busybody gets involved because police are incompetent." Down side: somewhat flat characters, somewhat inadequate mystery element. I was either "eh" or having a slight eyeroll.
For a further review: http://susannag.booklikes.com/post/11... .
Somewhere between a 2.5 and a three, I think. Up side: cosy without a love triangle or "busybody gets involved because police are incompetent." Down side: somewhat flat characters, somewhat inadequate mystery element. I was either "eh" or having a slight eyeroll.
For a further review: http://susannag.booklikes.com/post/11... .
March 4, 2015
Title: Medium Dead by Paula Paul
Publisher: Alibi, Random House (April 14, 2015)
(>200 pp)
Genre: historical mystery, cozy, romance, Victorian mystery, english countryside, series
3 Stars ***
Author:
Paula Paul, (aka Paula Carter) a native of West Texas, is an award winning journalist and novelist (Women Writing for the West Award, National Press Women's Award, New Mexico Book Award, Texas Institute of Writers Award). She writes historical fiction and contemporary women's fiction (25 novels), including the Mystery by Design series and Dr Alexandra Gladstone series.
Story line:
This is the fourth book in the Alexandra Gladstone mystery series (Symptoms of Death, An Improper Death, Half a Mind to Murder). I suggest reading them in order as there has been some character development: but minor story progression. Constable Snow still doesn't believe her and Alexandra is always left to figure out the murderer.
Alexandra is doctor to the people of Newton-upon-sea, in a practice she inherited from her respected father. He trained her and nourished her mind in a strict rigid Victorian era where women's place in society is not professional. There is also quite some antagonism between classes. Prince Albert has been dead some 20 years, but the Queen is courting mesmerists to contact him in the afterlife. Hence her visit to the remote village. But this is met with the unexpected death of her spiritualist. Nick Forsythe is a barrister, now Earl, who provides the subtle love interest. I especially like Nancy, her intelligent, caring assistant and housekeeper, and her irish wolfhound Zack, who often growls and bites Nick.
I still have a hard time with the socially rigid Lady Forsythe being called MaMa by his barrister, now Earl son. Or the fact that he is so swayed by his mother. This is a rather chaste, cosy gothic mystery using wild rumors and shifty suspects. A light entertaining read for the winter.
They have been reissued on kindle, free to Amazon prime members. RPL has the first novel Symptoms of Death.
Read on:
Imogen Robertson series of Westerman and Crowther
Tessa Harris series of Dr Silkstone
Quotes:
She disliked the term necromancer anyway. She preferred spiritualist instead.
Alvina thought she (Her Majesty) looked very much like the German she was. Except her eyes, they were darker than she'd expected and too brooding to be radiant, but they shone with intelligence.
Being in the presence of the Queen was less exciting to her than the prospect of a sizable payment from the royal house.
Nevermind that many of the same people who condemned her also used her services.
She was glad to see that he had given up on being petulant.
You can be a barrister as well as an Earl.
Read as an ARC from Netgalley
Publisher: Alibi, Random House (April 14, 2015)
(>200 pp)
Genre: historical mystery, cozy, romance, Victorian mystery, english countryside, series
3 Stars ***
Author:
Paula Paul, (aka Paula Carter) a native of West Texas, is an award winning journalist and novelist (Women Writing for the West Award, National Press Women's Award, New Mexico Book Award, Texas Institute of Writers Award). She writes historical fiction and contemporary women's fiction (25 novels), including the Mystery by Design series and Dr Alexandra Gladstone series.
Story line:
This is the fourth book in the Alexandra Gladstone mystery series (Symptoms of Death, An Improper Death, Half a Mind to Murder). I suggest reading them in order as there has been some character development: but minor story progression. Constable Snow still doesn't believe her and Alexandra is always left to figure out the murderer.
Alexandra is doctor to the people of Newton-upon-sea, in a practice she inherited from her respected father. He trained her and nourished her mind in a strict rigid Victorian era where women's place in society is not professional. There is also quite some antagonism between classes. Prince Albert has been dead some 20 years, but the Queen is courting mesmerists to contact him in the afterlife. Hence her visit to the remote village. But this is met with the unexpected death of her spiritualist. Nick Forsythe is a barrister, now Earl, who provides the subtle love interest. I especially like Nancy, her intelligent, caring assistant and housekeeper, and her irish wolfhound Zack, who often growls and bites Nick.
I still have a hard time with the socially rigid Lady Forsythe being called MaMa by his barrister, now Earl son. Or the fact that he is so swayed by his mother. This is a rather chaste, cosy gothic mystery using wild rumors and shifty suspects. A light entertaining read for the winter.
They have been reissued on kindle, free to Amazon prime members. RPL has the first novel Symptoms of Death.
Read on:
Imogen Robertson series of Westerman and Crowther
Tessa Harris series of Dr Silkstone
Quotes:
She disliked the term necromancer anyway. She preferred spiritualist instead.
Alvina thought she (Her Majesty) looked very much like the German she was. Except her eyes, they were darker than she'd expected and too brooding to be radiant, but they shone with intelligence.
Being in the presence of the Queen was less exciting to her than the prospect of a sizable payment from the royal house.
Nevermind that many of the same people who condemned her also used her services.
She was glad to see that he had given up on being petulant.
You can be a barrister as well as an Earl.
Read as an ARC from Netgalley
January 5, 2015
I received this courtesy of NetGalley and Random House Alibi. My thanks to them for the opportunity.
3 out of 5 stars
2.5 stars would be a little too harsh.
I’m finding it quite difficult to rate and review this one. I just couldn’t seem to get into it. I would trudge on thinking it would pick up, but it never really did. I’m going to leave the summary up to you though.
The premise was interesting and the plot seemed like a unique twist on Victorian Era crime – which I love. Honestly I was kind of excited for this one, but it didn’t really hold up to my expectations.
Where to start…
I really expected more regarding the characters. They were just so paper thin, literally nothing more than fictitious, and I would have just liked to see some development. I get attached so easily, and that just wasn't the case with Medium Dead.
Dr. Gladstone is quite the strong heroine though, and at least the love interest added depth. Well, slightly.
It was more just Dr. Quinn meets the quaint little English village of Newton-Upon-Sea – oh and don’t forget to throw Her Majesty into the heart of it. And some village gossip, skepticism, sexism and murder..
It’s difficult to even explain. I was never absorbed in the story like I should have been. Even the climax was fairly slow paced and predictable. I really think the premise has some potential, I really do, but this just didn’t suffice.
I’m not going to say I hated it, because I certainly didn’t. But, unfortunately it’s not my cup of tea.
Would I recommend? Umm, well, just because I didn’t necessarily like it doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t either. By all means give it a go if that’s your thing.
3 out of 5 stars
2.5 stars would be a little too harsh.
I’m finding it quite difficult to rate and review this one. I just couldn’t seem to get into it. I would trudge on thinking it would pick up, but it never really did. I’m going to leave the summary up to you though.
The premise was interesting and the plot seemed like a unique twist on Victorian Era crime – which I love. Honestly I was kind of excited for this one, but it didn’t really hold up to my expectations.
Where to start…
I really expected more regarding the characters. They were just so paper thin, literally nothing more than fictitious, and I would have just liked to see some development. I get attached so easily, and that just wasn't the case with Medium Dead.
Dr. Gladstone is quite the strong heroine though, and at least the love interest added depth. Well, slightly.
It was more just Dr. Quinn meets the quaint little English village of Newton-Upon-Sea – oh and don’t forget to throw Her Majesty into the heart of it. And some village gossip, skepticism, sexism and murder..
It’s difficult to even explain. I was never absorbed in the story like I should have been. Even the climax was fairly slow paced and predictable. I really think the premise has some potential, I really do, but this just didn’t suffice.
I’m not going to say I hated it, because I certainly didn’t. But, unfortunately it’s not my cup of tea.
Would I recommend? Umm, well, just because I didn’t necessarily like it doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t either. By all means give it a go if that’s your thing.
January 11, 2015
I fell in love with this book. I would have given it 5 stars; but there was too much talk about that horse, Lucy. Oh Lord! Ms. Paul's book reminds me of a cleaned up version of Amanda Quick's books. Only I am leaning far more toward Ms. Paul's book. It is not drawn out with massive descriptions of dark streets, gambling hells, and all of that nonsense, that make Ms. Quick's books a bit tedious. Ms. Paul does describe scenes very well, but it is part of the story. She focuses more on the characters and what they are doing. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. It was a "who-dunnit" in a very interesting way! It had twists and turns: just when you think you know, guess again. She keeps the story fresh and alive. The two stable boys were cute and amusing. I loved the Dr.'s strength, even though the high and mighty looked down at her for being "middle class". Lady Forseyth was a royal .itch through most of the book, as well as her "servants". This book involves action, mystery, guessing, intrigue, funny parts, and most everything (except sex). It was so refreshing to focus on the storyline and not side bits to keep you reading the book. This did not need bells and whistles, because the wonderful writing keeps you turning the page to see what is going to happen next. I definitely want to and will read her books, and keep an eye out for her new releases. I wish to thank Net Galley for giving me an advance copy of the book to read and give my honest opinion.
January 20, 2015
This non-stop, intense murder mystery grabbed me from the get go. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another piece of the puzzle slipped into place and caused the facts to shift toward someone else. “Medium Dead” is an awesome realistic book, as well as impressive, even some of the characters had their own little personalities; like their easy-going dialogue, along with their conduct, that kept showing up in this tale of intrigue. With each page the suspense got deeper, and kept my thought processes clicking, as the hidden clues came into view just enough to keep me guessing who the murderer or murderers might be.
Our tale begins on a cold November day with a medium by the name of, Alvina Elwold, who was called upon to visit the Queen at Montmarsh, a grand looking structure sitting on top of a hill. Alvina had been told that she was the best around, especially when it came to conjuring up, or talking to ghosts. This also was to be kept a secret between the Queen and Alvina. Even though the Queen wanted to see Alvina, why at Montmarsh? Why not at Alvina’s house?
Soon the plot thickens and Alvina was found dead at a cemetery. Who could the culprit be that left her mangled body leaning against a tombstone? Could it be to make sure she kept her mouth shut forever?
Later, Alexandra, the new doctor, had been called upon to look over the body of Alvina. Afterward she was called upon to visit Lady Forsythe, who was complaining with severe pain. A must read!
Our tale begins on a cold November day with a medium by the name of, Alvina Elwold, who was called upon to visit the Queen at Montmarsh, a grand looking structure sitting on top of a hill. Alvina had been told that she was the best around, especially when it came to conjuring up, or talking to ghosts. This also was to be kept a secret between the Queen and Alvina. Even though the Queen wanted to see Alvina, why at Montmarsh? Why not at Alvina’s house?
Soon the plot thickens and Alvina was found dead at a cemetery. Who could the culprit be that left her mangled body leaning against a tombstone? Could it be to make sure she kept her mouth shut forever?
Later, Alexandra, the new doctor, had been called upon to look over the body of Alvina. Afterward she was called upon to visit Lady Forsythe, who was complaining with severe pain. A must read!
January 25, 2015
A historical British mystery may not stand out at first glance but when you implicate Victoria Regina and have a female doctor in a small coastal town taking the investigative lead? Paula Paul's story stands out from the pack. Instead of the glamour and squalor of London, Alexandra Gladstone presides over what was her father's medical practice in a small seaside town. As the doctor, she's immediately concerned about the unexplained and violent end experienced by a local woman, a medium. And when that violent end appears to involve the local noble family, that's where it becomes even more complicated.
The mystery is unusual, evoking the lively nineteenth century interest in spiritualism along with a host of other historically-appropriate tidbits. There's a lovely female friendship between Alexandra and her maid-of-all-work as well as two orphan boys they've brought into their motley household. And clearly, Nicholas, the local noble scion, has some sort of feelings for the good doctor, however impossible they might seem. Overall, an enjoyable, even gripping read that delivers on its promises.
The mystery is unusual, evoking the lively nineteenth century interest in spiritualism along with a host of other historically-appropriate tidbits. There's a lovely female friendship between Alexandra and her maid-of-all-work as well as two orphan boys they've brought into their motley household. And clearly, Nicholas, the local noble scion, has some sort of feelings for the good doctor, however impossible they might seem. Overall, an enjoyable, even gripping read that delivers on its promises.
March 3, 2015
This book was provided to me, in exchange for an honest review by the publisher.
This book was great! I love, love, LOVE history and mystery, so a historical murder mystery is right up my alley. I have never heard of Paula Paul as an author, and the only reason I was interested was the cover, but the book was great! The plot was good, the accents were down with the writing so it understandable, and the non-stop mystery of both the murder of someone and the love tension made it almost seem Downton-ish. The book almost made you see the story as if you were watching television and though some spots seemed like people just appeared, with no real explanation of how they arrived is easily looked over.
This book is good! The book is great! It is so hard to find a good, intersting history mystery novel and this is exactly what I love in the historical mystery genre, or any historical genre, come to think of it.
This book was great! I love, love, LOVE history and mystery, so a historical murder mystery is right up my alley. I have never heard of Paula Paul as an author, and the only reason I was interested was the cover, but the book was great! The plot was good, the accents were down with the writing so it understandable, and the non-stop mystery of both the murder of someone and the love tension made it almost seem Downton-ish. The book almost made you see the story as if you were watching television and though some spots seemed like people just appeared, with no real explanation of how they arrived is easily looked over.
This book is good! The book is great! It is so hard to find a good, intersting history mystery novel and this is exactly what I love in the historical mystery genre, or any historical genre, come to think of it.
March 5, 2015
I received this via Netgalley for my review.
Never fails, I discover after the fact that this is part of a series, book 4 I do believe. However, it stands well enough on it's own. I was never once left questioning something that had been explained in an earlier book of the series. Perfect. The cast of characters are fun, believable and interesting. At times it was a drama, on occasion a three ringed circus and then a romance followed by murder, mystery and a ghost story. It felt like a movie unfolding, I could picture each scene, the details, the looks upon the faces, the land and homes. Again, perfect. An enjoyable escape into old England. Sometimes the story was a bit predictable, but it didn't deter from the entertaining ride.
Mystery, murder, mayhem, old world England, woman doctor, Royalty, mesmerism, spiritualists, spooks, frauds, and whacky back country beliefs.
Never fails, I discover after the fact that this is part of a series, book 4 I do believe. However, it stands well enough on it's own. I was never once left questioning something that had been explained in an earlier book of the series. Perfect. The cast of characters are fun, believable and interesting. At times it was a drama, on occasion a three ringed circus and then a romance followed by murder, mystery and a ghost story. It felt like a movie unfolding, I could picture each scene, the details, the looks upon the faces, the land and homes. Again, perfect. An enjoyable escape into old England. Sometimes the story was a bit predictable, but it didn't deter from the entertaining ride.
Mystery, murder, mayhem, old world England, woman doctor, Royalty, mesmerism, spiritualists, spooks, frauds, and whacky back country beliefs.
February 24, 2015
I have always been partial to Victorian Murder Mysteries, so when the opportunity came along to get this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review I immediately jumped on it. I loved the characters and the plot line and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you like a lot of bloody action in your murder mysteries this might not be to your liking, however if you like to be transported back in time and see what life was like for a young woman doctor, and enjoy guessing on who done it, than this might just be your cup of tea. Paula Paul has a new fan in me and she did a wonderful job with this book, I can't wait to find out what other mysteries our good doctor will get mixed up in.
December 21, 2014
3.5 stars
Strong heroine, non-cloying love interest and unusual setting. I will try another.
Strong heroine, non-cloying love interest and unusual setting. I will try another.
December 18, 2014
For those mystery book lovers who like
a quick read and a different Victorian
era plot, try this book. It involves the
possibility of Queen Victoria being
a murder! ?
a quick read and a different Victorian
era plot, try this book. It involves the
possibility of Queen Victoria being
a murder! ?
November 1, 2021
I made the mistake of reading the fifth (and apparently last) book in the Dr. Alexandra Gladstone mystery series before getting to know the good doctor and her cohorts as the characters developed in the first four books. With each subsequent book I read, I found myself enjoying the stories.
In each book it is evident that Victorian sensibilities are featured front and center. I find the things thought of as proprieties bordering on offensive but do realize that women have come a long way since the 1880s. How we got from there to here is bound to ruffle a few feminist feathers.
No personage is exempt from inclusion in the stories of the waterfront village of Newton-upon-Sea, not even Her Royal Highness Victoria Regina. Why she is there, and that she is there, is supposed to be secret, but if you have any familiarity with English villages, you know such a secret is impossible to keep.
All in all, MEDIUM DEAD is a fine addition to the series. If you are a fan of murder and mayhem, you will find it a bit less grisly, yet no less gruesome than any other such tale.
In each book it is evident that Victorian sensibilities are featured front and center. I find the things thought of as proprieties bordering on offensive but do realize that women have come a long way since the 1880s. How we got from there to here is bound to ruffle a few feminist feathers.
No personage is exempt from inclusion in the stories of the waterfront village of Newton-upon-Sea, not even Her Royal Highness Victoria Regina. Why she is there, and that she is there, is supposed to be secret, but if you have any familiarity with English villages, you know such a secret is impossible to keep.
All in all, MEDIUM DEAD is a fine addition to the series. If you are a fan of murder and mayhem, you will find it a bit less grisly, yet no less gruesome than any other such tale.
October 1, 2017
#4 in the Dr. Alexandra Gladstone mystery series
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fairly interesting mystery, with the advantage of having an unusual main character. Even though I haven't read any other books from this series, I had no trouble understanding the plot or feeling as though anything was unclear. The setting is suitably gothic, with a creepy old house, night-time screams, and an out-of-control séance. Alexandra maintains that the mystery can be solved using science, but most of the townsfolk subscribe to spookier beliefs. The tension of the story was building, but then it all seemed to come to a close abruptly, with some manipulation used to get a confession. The red herring supplied never caught my attention, so it wasn't really a surprise to discover the real murderer. All in all, it was an OK book by a new-to-me author, but I'm not sure I'll bother with any more in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fairly interesting mystery, with the advantage of having an unusual main character. Even though I haven't read any other books from this series, I had no trouble understanding the plot or feeling as though anything was unclear. The setting is suitably gothic, with a creepy old house, night-time screams, and an out-of-control séance. Alexandra maintains that the mystery can be solved using science, but most of the townsfolk subscribe to spookier beliefs. The tension of the story was building, but then it all seemed to come to a close abruptly, with some manipulation used to get a confession. The red herring supplied never caught my attention, so it wasn't really a surprise to discover the real murderer. All in all, it was an OK book by a new-to-me author, but I'm not sure I'll bother with any more in the series.
March 8, 2019
I liked the story. Anything to do with "Dr Alexandra Gladstone" by Paula Paul is a good story. It could have been made into a short story since the book only had 214 pages, but I don’t think you could have cut out any of the story, so maybe not. I like that the author lets Alexandra have a good sense of humor and that the author lets the reader see all of the character’s personalties. I’m ready for another Gladstone Mystery.
Fran Hall
November 15, 2017
I love the Victorian era and I loved most everything about this book other than the fact that I figured out way too early who the murderer was. This was actually much better at the historical fiction aspect rather than the murder mystery itself. I also loved seeing how this era treated a woman doctor. Not a great read but it wasn't so long that I had no problem finishing it.
April 28, 2015
Originally published at Reading Reality
Medium Dead is the 4th book in Paula Paul’s Dr. Alexandra Gladstone series. I can say with absolutely assuredness that it is not necessary to read the other books in this series to enjoy Medium Dead, because I somehow totally missed that there were earlier books, but I very much enjoyed this one.
I could tell that all the characters had history together, but the author did a good job of giving readers enough background to ensure that this story was an interesting and enjoyable one.
Of course, as soon as I discovered the truth, I went and bought the first three books. I liked this one so much that I wanted to read more of Alexandra’s adventures.
Alexandra Gladstone is an unconventional heroine, but she is in a profession that seems to lend itself to investigating murders. Alexa is a doctor. Admittedly, in the Victorian era women were not supposed to be or allowed to be doctors, but Alexa, and the village of Newton-on-Sea that she serves, have decided not to care.
Alexa inherited her practice from her father. The late Dr. Gladstone also trained his daughter in medicine. She’s all the doctor that her remote village has – or needs. By this point in her history, everyone has come to accept her. She’s good at her job, and she’s the only doctor for a long ways around.
As is usual in small-town series, Alexa has gathered a little group of irregulars around her, people who help (and sometimes hinder) her unofficial investigations. Her nurse Nancy, the two boys who do chores around her house, Rob and Artie, and most especially Nicholas Forsyth, a London barrister who unexpectedly inherited the local title and is now the Earl of Dunsford, to both his delight and dismay.
This case involves Nicholas’ household more directly than is usual. His snobbish mother has come to the estate with a very special and very secretive guest. The intent is that Queen Victoria’s visit to the remote village should be a secret, but when the medium that the Queen consults turns up dead, it turns out that everyone in the village either already knows that Her Royal Highness is at Dunsford, or they find out pretty quickly.
There are secrets within secrets. Someone says they saw the Queen scrabbling around the cemetery where the late medium was found dead. The local Constable saw Nicholas mother searching that same ground for some equally unknown reason.
A village man confesses to the murder, but it is obvious that he didn’t commit it. Alexandra, who also unofficially serves as coroner, finds herself in the middle of a case that has two suspects who can’t be named, and one victim that all too many people believe consorted with evil spirits, or at least could raise the dead.
None of the possible clues make much sense. And nothing is as it seems.
Escape Rating A-: I had no idea whodunnit at the end, and I didn’t even care. I got completely wrapped up in Alexandra’s world and the people who inhabit it, so much so that I bought the other three books in the series so that I can go back and visit them again soon.
Alexa carries the story, and it was easy to like her and empathize with her. She is a career woman at a time when women were not supposed to have careers, and she values her independence and the respect she receives as a doctor. At the same time, she has become very good at maneuvering her way around people who simply cannot accept that she is a trained physician, and she gets her job done anyway, even treating the extremely reluctant.
She also has a great way of using her position to get her into places that she otherwise would not be able to go. Busybodies get shown the door, but doctors get in to treat their patients, even when the patients don’t want to be treated.
Because so much of this case involves secrets within Dunsford House very ineffectively kept by a titled Lady, Alexa needs to use her professional ability to treat the ill older woman as a way of getting into the house to discover where the secrets are being kept.
That Alexa is much better at managing Nicholas’ spoiled mother than Nicholas is does not bode well for the romance he wishes would blossom between them, but I suspect that is an entirely other story.
The kickoff to the mystery, Queen Victoria’s visit to the village to consult a medium, is based in history. Victoria never stopped mourning Prince Albert, and the rise of spiritualism in Britain and America can be traced to her desire to communicate to her late husband.
And, of course, a lot of the mediums were exposed as charlatans. While the truth of this dead medium’s talents are never ascertained, a part of this mystery does revolve around fraudulent seances.
Including the one conducted by Alexa’s nurse along with a couple of the more credulous women in the community. The scene of Alexa, along with Nicholas and the two boys, sneaking around her own house to spy on a seance that none of them believe in was hilarious. It also showed the depths of the relationships that Alexa has with all of her friends and coworkers.
And there are more than a few scenes where Alexa’s dog Zack steals the show.
Medium Dead is the 4th book in Paula Paul’s Dr. Alexandra Gladstone series. I can say with absolutely assuredness that it is not necessary to read the other books in this series to enjoy Medium Dead, because I somehow totally missed that there were earlier books, but I very much enjoyed this one.
I could tell that all the characters had history together, but the author did a good job of giving readers enough background to ensure that this story was an interesting and enjoyable one.
Of course, as soon as I discovered the truth, I went and bought the first three books. I liked this one so much that I wanted to read more of Alexandra’s adventures.
Alexandra Gladstone is an unconventional heroine, but she is in a profession that seems to lend itself to investigating murders. Alexa is a doctor. Admittedly, in the Victorian era women were not supposed to be or allowed to be doctors, but Alexa, and the village of Newton-on-Sea that she serves, have decided not to care.
Alexa inherited her practice from her father. The late Dr. Gladstone also trained his daughter in medicine. She’s all the doctor that her remote village has – or needs. By this point in her history, everyone has come to accept her. She’s good at her job, and she’s the only doctor for a long ways around.
As is usual in small-town series, Alexa has gathered a little group of irregulars around her, people who help (and sometimes hinder) her unofficial investigations. Her nurse Nancy, the two boys who do chores around her house, Rob and Artie, and most especially Nicholas Forsyth, a London barrister who unexpectedly inherited the local title and is now the Earl of Dunsford, to both his delight and dismay.
This case involves Nicholas’ household more directly than is usual. His snobbish mother has come to the estate with a very special and very secretive guest. The intent is that Queen Victoria’s visit to the remote village should be a secret, but when the medium that the Queen consults turns up dead, it turns out that everyone in the village either already knows that Her Royal Highness is at Dunsford, or they find out pretty quickly.
There are secrets within secrets. Someone says they saw the Queen scrabbling around the cemetery where the late medium was found dead. The local Constable saw Nicholas mother searching that same ground for some equally unknown reason.
A village man confesses to the murder, but it is obvious that he didn’t commit it. Alexandra, who also unofficially serves as coroner, finds herself in the middle of a case that has two suspects who can’t be named, and one victim that all too many people believe consorted with evil spirits, or at least could raise the dead.
None of the possible clues make much sense. And nothing is as it seems.
Escape Rating A-: I had no idea whodunnit at the end, and I didn’t even care. I got completely wrapped up in Alexandra’s world and the people who inhabit it, so much so that I bought the other three books in the series so that I can go back and visit them again soon.
Alexa carries the story, and it was easy to like her and empathize with her. She is a career woman at a time when women were not supposed to have careers, and she values her independence and the respect she receives as a doctor. At the same time, she has become very good at maneuvering her way around people who simply cannot accept that she is a trained physician, and she gets her job done anyway, even treating the extremely reluctant.
She also has a great way of using her position to get her into places that she otherwise would not be able to go. Busybodies get shown the door, but doctors get in to treat their patients, even when the patients don’t want to be treated.
Because so much of this case involves secrets within Dunsford House very ineffectively kept by a titled Lady, Alexa needs to use her professional ability to treat the ill older woman as a way of getting into the house to discover where the secrets are being kept.
That Alexa is much better at managing Nicholas’ spoiled mother than Nicholas is does not bode well for the romance he wishes would blossom between them, but I suspect that is an entirely other story.
The kickoff to the mystery, Queen Victoria’s visit to the village to consult a medium, is based in history. Victoria never stopped mourning Prince Albert, and the rise of spiritualism in Britain and America can be traced to her desire to communicate to her late husband.
And, of course, a lot of the mediums were exposed as charlatans. While the truth of this dead medium’s talents are never ascertained, a part of this mystery does revolve around fraudulent seances.
Including the one conducted by Alexa’s nurse along with a couple of the more credulous women in the community. The scene of Alexa, along with Nicholas and the two boys, sneaking around her own house to spy on a seance that none of them believe in was hilarious. It also showed the depths of the relationships that Alexa has with all of her friends and coworkers.
And there are more than a few scenes where Alexa’s dog Zack steals the show.
September 20, 2017
Entertaining little ditty for a rainy morning.
January 16, 2018
A fun read, but not a very good resolution with the characters? What happened to the guest?
April 11, 2015
Title: Medium Dead
Author: Paula Paul
Series: Dr. Alexandra Gladstone, #4
Pages: 188
Publisher: Alibi
Date: April 14, 2015
Summary:
Sure to delight readers of Jacqueline Winspear and Ellis Peters, Medium Dead features Queen Victoria herself—and she’s rumored to have slain a local psychic in Newton-upon-Sea. Now the task of clearing her name and catching the real killer falls to Dr. Alexandra Gladstone.
Under Victoria’s reign, women are barred from calling themselves physicians, but that hasn’t stopped Alexandra Gladstone. As the first female doctor in Newton-upon-Sea, she spends her days tending sick villagers in the practice she inherited from her father, with her loyal and sometimes overprotective dog, Zack, by her side.
After the corpse of village spiritualist Alvina Elwold is discovered aboveground at a church boneyard, wild rumors circulate through the charming seaside village, including one implicating a certain regal guest lodging nearby. Tales of the dead Alvina hobnobbing with spirits and hexing her enemies are even more outlandish—but as a woman of science and reason, Alexandra has no doubt that a murderer made of flesh and blood is on the loose.
Finding out the truth means sorting through a deluge of ghostly visitors, royal sightings, and shifty suspects. At least her attentive and handsome friend Nicholas Forsyth, Lord Dunsford, has come to her aid. Alexandra will need all the help she can get, because she’s stumbled upon dangerous secrets—while provoking a deadly adversary who wants to keep them buried.
Review:
This is the fourth of the Dr. Alexandra Gladstone series, but it is the first one I have read. I rarely (okay, NEVER) read books out of order, but I made the commitment to review this book before I realized it was part of a series. I’m glad I did. There is enough backstory that I did not feel I was missing something that kept me from understanding and enjoying to book. And yes, I most definitely enjoyed the book.
There were a couple of things I would like to find out from the previous books though. One, what, if any, relationship was there between Alexandra and Nicholas before he became the Earl? And two, where did Alexandra get Zack the dog and why does Zack hate Nicholas? There has to be something going on there.
Anyway, as anyone with a passing interest in Queen Victoria knows, she was deeply in love with her late husband Prince Albert. So much so, that she delved into mysticism and mediums to try to contact him from the grave.
Well it just so happens that there is a medium living in the town where Alexandra is a doctor. The Queen arranges to spend time with Nicholas’ mother in order to consult the medium . . . and the medium ends up murdered the very next day.
Now let me say, the medium wasn’t very likable and won’t be missed, but murder is murder and the culprit must be found.
But could it really be the Queen? And if it is, does anyone expect her to be held accountable for her actions?
Speaking of unlikable characters, I don’t like the Queen. I don’t like the butler. And I really don’t like the Earl’s mother.
But I love Alexandra and Nicholas and I really like Alexandra’s maidservant Nancy. Nancy is bossy and can even take Alexandra by surprise with her managing ways.
The relationship between Nicholas and Alexandra is understated, but still the affection between them is obvious. Nancy and Alexandra grew up together and even though they are servant and mistress, they are also family. It is these relationships that are the backbone of the story, but the mystery itself is well handled.
I have to say I didn’t see it coming.
I should have. The hints were there, but it was handled so well I was completely surprised.
I guess you can’t compliment a mystery better than that.
This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Author: Paula Paul
Series: Dr. Alexandra Gladstone, #4
Pages: 188
Publisher: Alibi
Date: April 14, 2015
Summary:
Sure to delight readers of Jacqueline Winspear and Ellis Peters, Medium Dead features Queen Victoria herself—and she’s rumored to have slain a local psychic in Newton-upon-Sea. Now the task of clearing her name and catching the real killer falls to Dr. Alexandra Gladstone.
Under Victoria’s reign, women are barred from calling themselves physicians, but that hasn’t stopped Alexandra Gladstone. As the first female doctor in Newton-upon-Sea, she spends her days tending sick villagers in the practice she inherited from her father, with her loyal and sometimes overprotective dog, Zack, by her side.
After the corpse of village spiritualist Alvina Elwold is discovered aboveground at a church boneyard, wild rumors circulate through the charming seaside village, including one implicating a certain regal guest lodging nearby. Tales of the dead Alvina hobnobbing with spirits and hexing her enemies are even more outlandish—but as a woman of science and reason, Alexandra has no doubt that a murderer made of flesh and blood is on the loose.
Finding out the truth means sorting through a deluge of ghostly visitors, royal sightings, and shifty suspects. At least her attentive and handsome friend Nicholas Forsyth, Lord Dunsford, has come to her aid. Alexandra will need all the help she can get, because she’s stumbled upon dangerous secrets—while provoking a deadly adversary who wants to keep them buried.
Review:
This is the fourth of the Dr. Alexandra Gladstone series, but it is the first one I have read. I rarely (okay, NEVER) read books out of order, but I made the commitment to review this book before I realized it was part of a series. I’m glad I did. There is enough backstory that I did not feel I was missing something that kept me from understanding and enjoying to book. And yes, I most definitely enjoyed the book.
There were a couple of things I would like to find out from the previous books though. One, what, if any, relationship was there between Alexandra and Nicholas before he became the Earl? And two, where did Alexandra get Zack the dog and why does Zack hate Nicholas? There has to be something going on there.
Anyway, as anyone with a passing interest in Queen Victoria knows, she was deeply in love with her late husband Prince Albert. So much so, that she delved into mysticism and mediums to try to contact him from the grave.
Well it just so happens that there is a medium living in the town where Alexandra is a doctor. The Queen arranges to spend time with Nicholas’ mother in order to consult the medium . . . and the medium ends up murdered the very next day.
Now let me say, the medium wasn’t very likable and won’t be missed, but murder is murder and the culprit must be found.
But could it really be the Queen? And if it is, does anyone expect her to be held accountable for her actions?
Speaking of unlikable characters, I don’t like the Queen. I don’t like the butler. And I really don’t like the Earl’s mother.
But I love Alexandra and Nicholas and I really like Alexandra’s maidservant Nancy. Nancy is bossy and can even take Alexandra by surprise with her managing ways.
The relationship between Nicholas and Alexandra is understated, but still the affection between them is obvious. Nancy and Alexandra grew up together and even though they are servant and mistress, they are also family. It is these relationships that are the backbone of the story, but the mystery itself is well handled.
I have to say I didn’t see it coming.
I should have. The hints were there, but it was handled so well I was completely surprised.
I guess you can’t compliment a mystery better than that.
This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
February 4, 2015
The body of the local town medium/spiritualist is found in a church graveyard. She had been killed by persons or spirits unknown. Alexandra Gladstone is one of the few women of her time to have gone to medical school. She had returned to Newton-on-Sea to be the village physician just like her father before her. Alex is sure that the woman (Alvina) had been murdered, but didn’t know why. The villagers had no problem with their doctor being a woman and Dr. Gladstone was familiar to them making her rounds on her horse Lucy with her dog Zack at her side.
Alvina was well-known by the locals to have run séances where she spoke with the dead and was said to cavort with the devil and to put the evil eye on people. The night before she was killed she had been called to the house of the local Dowager to conduct a séance. There was a ‘special’ guest at the séance, a friend of the Dowager from London. The locals gossiped that the visitor was the Queen herself wanting to speak to her husband Albert.
For Alexandra it was important to find out what had happened to Alvina. The village was her responsibility, as were all the people who lived there. She has taken over her father’s practice for that reason and was trying to bring the locals into the era of modern medicine and sanitation. She knew that when she knew why Alvina was killed, she would know who killed her.
Helping her to find the truth was the son of the Dowager, was Lord Dunsford, Nicholas Forsyth. He and Alexandra had known each other from when they were children. He was now her suitor. But the Dowager didn’t approve of women doctors, and Alexandra wasn’t interested in an intimate relationship.
Starting with the bad pun that is the title, the book goes downhill (or down to the sea) from there. There is nothing new or creative in this story or in the very pedestrian writing. The characters are two dimensional and poorly expanded on. There’s nothing going on that keeps you interested in what is happening to anyone. Poor job.
Zeb Kantrowitz zworstblog.blogspot.com
Alvina was well-known by the locals to have run séances where she spoke with the dead and was said to cavort with the devil and to put the evil eye on people. The night before she was killed she had been called to the house of the local Dowager to conduct a séance. There was a ‘special’ guest at the séance, a friend of the Dowager from London. The locals gossiped that the visitor was the Queen herself wanting to speak to her husband Albert.
For Alexandra it was important to find out what had happened to Alvina. The village was her responsibility, as were all the people who lived there. She has taken over her father’s practice for that reason and was trying to bring the locals into the era of modern medicine and sanitation. She knew that when she knew why Alvina was killed, she would know who killed her.
Helping her to find the truth was the son of the Dowager, was Lord Dunsford, Nicholas Forsyth. He and Alexandra had known each other from when they were children. He was now her suitor. But the Dowager didn’t approve of women doctors, and Alexandra wasn’t interested in an intimate relationship.
Starting with the bad pun that is the title, the book goes downhill (or down to the sea) from there. There is nothing new or creative in this story or in the very pedestrian writing. The characters are two dimensional and poorly expanded on. There’s nothing going on that keeps you interested in what is happening to anyone. Poor job.
Zeb Kantrowitz zworstblog.blogspot.com
April 14, 2015
Alexandra (Alex) Gladstone was a doctor as her father had been. But, while her father had been known as a physician, that title was forbidden for women during the 1880’s. She works as a doctor, nevertheless, in the seaside village of Newton-upon-Sea, within the county of Northumberland in Northern England. The prologue introduced us to Alvina Elwood, a medium, who had been contacted by none other than Queen Victoria herself. Trying to keep the visit on the down-low, the Queen had Elvina brought to Lady Forsyth’s home (Montmarsh), where only a handful of people knew the Queen’s location. In an era when different classes still didn’t intertwine, she had requested Elvina contact her husband, Prince Albert, who had been dead for twenty years. But, before their séance date could be actualized, Alvina was found dead in the church graveyard … her throat had been slit.
Alex was called upon to estimate Elvina’s time of death. With the help of Nancy, her assistant and housekeeper, and Nick Forsythe, now the sixth Earl of Dunsforth, she manages to find out a whole lot more. An opportunity opens at Montmarsh when she is asked to examine Nick’s mother, Lady Forsyth, who is in terrible pain. She happens to witness a rather shifty character who she was later led to believe was the Queen’s driver.
This is the forth in the series, but it read quite well as a standalone. The character’s personalities were drawn well, both by description as well as by their communication and actions. The author encompassed scenic descriptions without pulling the reader away from the story. The plot threw me at the beginning. I was falling in love with the character of Alvina … then, she was dead. Once she had understood what the Queen was asking, she simply said, “Yer Majesty will not be disappointed. I knows the spirit world like I knows me own mind.” After the prologue and first chapter, the story lagged a bit, but picked back up to provide a very satisfying and complete ‘whodunit’. Rating: 4 out of 5.
Alex was called upon to estimate Elvina’s time of death. With the help of Nancy, her assistant and housekeeper, and Nick Forsythe, now the sixth Earl of Dunsforth, she manages to find out a whole lot more. An opportunity opens at Montmarsh when she is asked to examine Nick’s mother, Lady Forsyth, who is in terrible pain. She happens to witness a rather shifty character who she was later led to believe was the Queen’s driver.
This is the forth in the series, but it read quite well as a standalone. The character’s personalities were drawn well, both by description as well as by their communication and actions. The author encompassed scenic descriptions without pulling the reader away from the story. The plot threw me at the beginning. I was falling in love with the character of Alvina … then, she was dead. Once she had understood what the Queen was asking, she simply said, “Yer Majesty will not be disappointed. I knows the spirit world like I knows me own mind.” After the prologue and first chapter, the story lagged a bit, but picked back up to provide a very satisfying and complete ‘whodunit’. Rating: 4 out of 5.
April 17, 2015
Medium Dead by Paula Paul is An Alexandra Gladstone Mystery novel. It is the fourth novel in the series. However, Medium Dead can be read without having read the other books in this series. Dr. Alexandra Gladstone is the local doctor for Newton-upon-Sea. She sees patients in her surgery (office) as well as making rounds to people too sick (or too wealthy) to come to her office. Nancy (who has been her companion since childhood) is her assistant, surgery nurse, and maid-of-all-work.
Alvina Elwold is the local spiritualist (she contacts the dead). Queen Victoria Regina has come to have Alvina hold a séance. The Queen wishes to contact her deceased husband, Prince Albert (who has been dead for twenty years). Within hours of meeting the Queen, Alvina is found dead in the graveyard. Her throat slit by someone who is a novice with a knife. Alexandra is drawn into the investigation. She has the help of Nancy and Nicholas, the Sixth Earl of Dunsford and a barrister. There is an attraction between Nicholas and Alexandra, but Alexandra will not let them be more than friends. She knows that they cannot be more because of status (she is middle class while he is peerage).
We also have Nicholas’ mother, Lady Forsythe, who is stressed out over the Queen’s visit (she has made herself ill), Constable Robert Snow, Young Beaty (there is his father who is Old Beaty), Wilma Beaty, and the young boys, Rob and Artie, who work for Dr. Gladstone.
I give Medium Dead 4 out of 5 stars. It is an amusing book, kept my interest throughout, good characters, and some laughs, but the murder was very easy to solve. It sometimes felt that the characters were so focused on propriety (which was very important during Victorian times) that they forgot they were trying to solve a murder and keep an innocent man from going to jail. I will be curious to see what happens between Dr. Gladstone and Nicholas.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Alvina Elwold is the local spiritualist (she contacts the dead). Queen Victoria Regina has come to have Alvina hold a séance. The Queen wishes to contact her deceased husband, Prince Albert (who has been dead for twenty years). Within hours of meeting the Queen, Alvina is found dead in the graveyard. Her throat slit by someone who is a novice with a knife. Alexandra is drawn into the investigation. She has the help of Nancy and Nicholas, the Sixth Earl of Dunsford and a barrister. There is an attraction between Nicholas and Alexandra, but Alexandra will not let them be more than friends. She knows that they cannot be more because of status (she is middle class while he is peerage).
We also have Nicholas’ mother, Lady Forsythe, who is stressed out over the Queen’s visit (she has made herself ill), Constable Robert Snow, Young Beaty (there is his father who is Old Beaty), Wilma Beaty, and the young boys, Rob and Artie, who work for Dr. Gladstone.
I give Medium Dead 4 out of 5 stars. It is an amusing book, kept my interest throughout, good characters, and some laughs, but the murder was very easy to solve. It sometimes felt that the characters were so focused on propriety (which was very important during Victorian times) that they forgot they were trying to solve a murder and keep an innocent man from going to jail. I will be curious to see what happens between Dr. Gladstone and Nicholas.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
June 29, 2015 A quick read due to the length of the book and the fact that it's suspenseful which keeps you turning pages until you've reached the end! I really liked Alexandra as she reminds me of myself - always trying to take care of everything, even if it's not my role. She's a doctor first, but seems more like a investigator or sleuth. It's quite the combo considering she can look at a crime scene and know the cause of death and pick up on clues. She's also strong willed and independent, which proves futile for Nathan trying to catch her good graces and attention since he's pretty much in love with her.
When the murder is first discovered I was excited that the story involved a medium - I'm into that kind of thing lately (think Long Island Medium). I hoped that Alvina's spirit would keep popping up to guide them in the discovery of her murderer. They even held a seance to try to conjure her spirit which was a fun scene to read. The story is mostly about putting together the clues to find the exact person who murdered the medium and the coverup.
Nancy, Alexandra's assistant nurse and maid, is quite fun. She's a gossip and a believer in the paranormal. She's actually one of the people they get most of their information from as she collects gossip like bees collect honey.
And now for Nicolas and his Mama. He has the hots for the doctor and makes it well known. He protects her and helps her in the investigation. He seems awfully sweet, but the also still loves his Mama, so I can see that as an issue for them down the road.
There is a sense of secrecy in Newton-upon-Sea as the Queen is in residence and no one is supposed to know, but everyone knows. The Queen only makes a few small appearances and I really wish she had been fleshed out in the book a little more.
I enjoyed this book quite well with it's spirits, seances, royalty and mediums. I'd like to see more about whatever blossoms between Alexandra and Nicholas, so I'll be on the lookout for more from Ms. Paul.
When the murder is first discovered I was excited that the story involved a medium - I'm into that kind of thing lately (think Long Island Medium). I hoped that Alvina's spirit would keep popping up to guide them in the discovery of her murderer. They even held a seance to try to conjure her spirit which was a fun scene to read. The story is mostly about putting together the clues to find the exact person who murdered the medium and the coverup.
Nancy, Alexandra's assistant nurse and maid, is quite fun. She's a gossip and a believer in the paranormal. She's actually one of the people they get most of their information from as she collects gossip like bees collect honey.
And now for Nicolas and his Mama. He has the hots for the doctor and makes it well known. He protects her and helps her in the investigation. He seems awfully sweet, but the also still loves his Mama, so I can see that as an issue for them down the road.
There is a sense of secrecy in Newton-upon-Sea as the Queen is in residence and no one is supposed to know, but everyone knows. The Queen only makes a few small appearances and I really wish she had been fleshed out in the book a little more.
I enjoyed this book quite well with it's spirits, seances, royalty and mediums. I'd like to see more about whatever blossoms between Alexandra and Nicholas, so I'll be on the lookout for more from Ms. Paul.
June 2, 2015
Medium Dead by Paula Paul
When a local medium is found dead in a graveyard, the quest to track down the killer begins. Set in the Victorian era, the reader accompanies the local doctor on her medical rounds, as she permeates between the aristocracy and the lower classes. She soon becomes caught up in the drama of the mysterious murder, stumbling upon pieces of incriminating evidence, and wrestling with her conscience as to whether she should reveal what she learns.
Unfortunately, from the outset, the novel has a highly implausible storyline, which has the potential to alienate the reader early on. This may have been prevented perhaps with some contextual information about Victorian England, so the reader could accurately ‘place’ the novel in an historical setting; one in which a fascination with the supernatural and the popularity of spiritualism throughout every strata of Victorian society, could be understood.
The writing style of the novel is quite simplistic and bland, with little tension to keep the reader hooked. Occasionally certain vocabulary, which does not seem fitting for the era, pulls the reader up and detracts from the flow. There is often too much simple speculation, and the revelatory clues unfortunately reveal very little, as an astute reader will have already anticipated them or worked out their significance long before the connection becomes apparent. This potentially spoils the final unravelling of the plot. In addition, the reader has to wait until the concluding chapter for the tension to finally rise. For this reason, the novel lacks the mystery, intrigue and tension needed to successfully place it in the crime thriller genre.
Louise
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy of this book to review.
When a local medium is found dead in a graveyard, the quest to track down the killer begins. Set in the Victorian era, the reader accompanies the local doctor on her medical rounds, as she permeates between the aristocracy and the lower classes. She soon becomes caught up in the drama of the mysterious murder, stumbling upon pieces of incriminating evidence, and wrestling with her conscience as to whether she should reveal what she learns.
Unfortunately, from the outset, the novel has a highly implausible storyline, which has the potential to alienate the reader early on. This may have been prevented perhaps with some contextual information about Victorian England, so the reader could accurately ‘place’ the novel in an historical setting; one in which a fascination with the supernatural and the popularity of spiritualism throughout every strata of Victorian society, could be understood.
The writing style of the novel is quite simplistic and bland, with little tension to keep the reader hooked. Occasionally certain vocabulary, which does not seem fitting for the era, pulls the reader up and detracts from the flow. There is often too much simple speculation, and the revelatory clues unfortunately reveal very little, as an astute reader will have already anticipated them or worked out their significance long before the connection becomes apparent. This potentially spoils the final unravelling of the plot. In addition, the reader has to wait until the concluding chapter for the tension to finally rise. For this reason, the novel lacks the mystery, intrigue and tension needed to successfully place it in the crime thriller genre.
Louise
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy of this book to review.
April 12, 2015
I love historical mysteries, but the Alexandra Gladstone series by Paula Paul somehow escaped my notice. When I saw the most recent book in the series offered on NetGalley, it sounded interesting—a woman doctor in Victorian Britain solving mysteries. So I thought I would give it a try, even though I hadn’t read the preceding books.
In this entry in the series, Dr. Gladstone is becomes involved in the mystery surrounding the death of a medium who is found with her throat cut in the village cemetery. The medium had been called in to meet with Queen Victoria, who is visiting a home in the area, shortly before her murder. Surely her Majesty has nothing to do with the crime, but does it have anything to do with the Queen's attempt to contact her dead husband? Or is there some other reason for the medium to have been murdered?
This is very much a cozy historical mystery. Neither the story nor the characters have a lot of depth, but they are pleasant enough. There’s also a hint of romance to liven up the story a bit. However, there’s not a lot of detecting going on—Dr. Gladstone doesn’t actively set out to investigate to find clues and make deductions about who murdered the medium. She just goes about her business and eventually enough clues accumulate that she can figure out who the murderer is.
If you like mysteries with complicated plots and characters and lots of sleuthing, this one probably isn’t for you. If, however, you are looking for a short light historical mystery to while away a few hours with, this book might fill the bill.
An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In this entry in the series, Dr. Gladstone is becomes involved in the mystery surrounding the death of a medium who is found with her throat cut in the village cemetery. The medium had been called in to meet with Queen Victoria, who is visiting a home in the area, shortly before her murder. Surely her Majesty has nothing to do with the crime, but does it have anything to do with the Queen's attempt to contact her dead husband? Or is there some other reason for the medium to have been murdered?
This is very much a cozy historical mystery. Neither the story nor the characters have a lot of depth, but they are pleasant enough. There’s also a hint of romance to liven up the story a bit. However, there’s not a lot of detecting going on—Dr. Gladstone doesn’t actively set out to investigate to find clues and make deductions about who murdered the medium. She just goes about her business and eventually enough clues accumulate that she can figure out who the murderer is.
If you like mysteries with complicated plots and characters and lots of sleuthing, this one probably isn’t for you. If, however, you are looking for a short light historical mystery to while away a few hours with, this book might fill the bill.
An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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