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An Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mystery #2
Move Your Blooming Corpse
In the second book from talented writing team D.E. Ireland, famous literary characters Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins once again come to life as a hilarious investigative team. Move Your Blooming Corpse explores the Edwardian racing world and the fascinating characters who people it, from jockeys to duchesses, in this delightful traditional mystery that will appeal to fans of British mysteries.
Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins are at the posh Royal Ascot, the biggest horse racing event of the season. Eliza's father is the new co-owner of a champion racehorse, and Eliza and Henry are excited to cheer the Donegal Dancer on to victory. However, their idyllic outing takes a serious turn when a victim is trampled during the Gold Cup race and someone is found murdered in the stables.
With time running out before the upcoming Eclipse Stakes, she and Higgins investigate jealous spouses, suffragettes and the colorful co-owners of the Donegal Dancer. But can they outrace the murderer, or will there be another blooming corpse at the finish line?
306 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2015
13 people are currently reading
1137 people want to read
About the author
D.E. Ireland
4 books213 followersD.E. Ireland is the pseudonym of authors Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta.
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September 23, 2015
3.5 stars
I read several reviews of the first book in this series and was intrigued but also hesitant. Taking characters from a play and movie and putting them into a new genre? I was curious. When this book became available, I snapped it up. It's been years since I saw the movie so I am vague on some details which was probably a good thing as it meant I was less fussy about accuracy.
Eliza struck me as flightier and shallower than I recall but my memory could be faulty. She has a caring heart though and despite her occasional flightiness she is practical and has a good head on her shoulders. Henry is still his cantankerous, snobby self and felt true to my memory of him.
The fact the horse racing was at the center of the book appealed to me as I enjoy the combination of mysteries and horse racing. That said, there was one small detail that bothered me and took me out of the story every time. The central race horse, Donegal Dancer, is consistently referred to as 'the Donegal Dancer', even in the book's blurb. If it were written as The Donegal Dancer I'd have assumed that was his name. However, none of the other horses were referred to with 'the' before their names so perhaps it was a copy editing issue? I just know it was distracting and annoying. But, it's a small detail that probably won't bother most readers.
The mystery itself kept me guessing. I had the killer on my suspect list, then took them off, then added them back, right before the authors revealed who the killer was. Henry and Eliza were effective as sleuths though I have a hard time seeing them in that role. I really need to not compare to the movie. Henry initially gets involved because he feels that he inadvertently contributed to the first murder. Eliza is slower to get involved but as attacks and murders continue and she becomes worried about her father, she jumps in. Slowly, working together and separately, they put the pieces together. There's also a related subplot concerning the suffragette movement which was interesting and the authors smoothly worked it in to the main story.
The side characters were quirky, the humor was light and enjoyable, and the period details felt real. "Move Your Blooming Corpse" wasn't great but it was good; the mystery was well-done and the story engaged me.
I read several reviews of the first book in this series and was intrigued but also hesitant. Taking characters from a play and movie and putting them into a new genre? I was curious. When this book became available, I snapped it up. It's been years since I saw the movie so I am vague on some details which was probably a good thing as it meant I was less fussy about accuracy.
Eliza struck me as flightier and shallower than I recall but my memory could be faulty. She has a caring heart though and despite her occasional flightiness she is practical and has a good head on her shoulders. Henry is still his cantankerous, snobby self and felt true to my memory of him.
The fact the horse racing was at the center of the book appealed to me as I enjoy the combination of mysteries and horse racing. That said, there was one small detail that bothered me and took me out of the story every time. The central race horse, Donegal Dancer, is consistently referred to as 'the Donegal Dancer', even in the book's blurb. If it were written as The Donegal Dancer I'd have assumed that was his name. However, none of the other horses were referred to with 'the' before their names so perhaps it was a copy editing issue? I just know it was distracting and annoying. But, it's a small detail that probably won't bother most readers.
The mystery itself kept me guessing. I had the killer on my suspect list, then took them off, then added them back, right before the authors revealed who the killer was. Henry and Eliza were effective as sleuths though I have a hard time seeing them in that role. I really need to not compare to the movie. Henry initially gets involved because he feels that he inadvertently contributed to the first murder. Eliza is slower to get involved but as attacks and murders continue and she becomes worried about her father, she jumps in. Slowly, working together and separately, they put the pieces together. There's also a related subplot concerning the suffragette movement which was interesting and the authors smoothly worked it in to the main story.
The side characters were quirky, the humor was light and enjoyable, and the period details felt real. "Move Your Blooming Corpse" wasn't great but it was good; the mystery was well-done and the story engaged me.
January 21, 2016
Fantastic follow-up to book one, Wouldn't It Be Deadly! Eliza and Henry get back into the thick of it when Eliza's father becomes involved in a racehorse syndicate involving a group of aristocrats. The horse might be a winner, but with brewing resentments and illicit affairs, the odds are against this group ever being able to get along. One by one the members falls prey to an unknown foe - is it someone from the racing world, a member of the Suffragette party, or one of the group? The fun is in following along with Eliza and Henry as they unravel the mystery while at the same time dealing with each other and stubbornly trying to deny their growing feelings.
May 14, 2022
It's off to the races for Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins. While Henry is eager to observe as many dialects as he can, Eliza is excited to bet on her father's new horse, Donegal Dancer. Alfred P. Doolittle, after inheriting 3000 GBP per year from an American millionaire in exchange for giving moral speeches, has invested in a racing syndicate with several of London's elite. While Colonel Pickering finds some of them scoundrels, he's friends with others and happy to tag along as a spectator. When Henry tries to befriend another chap with a notebook, he's dismayed to discover the man is not a linguist or a scholar. Hewitt supports women's suffrage and may have an unnerving plan up his sleeve, or in his bag for Henry is shocked to see a gun in Hewitt's bag. In spite of the track crawling with police to prevent another incident like what happened at the Derby when suffragette Emily Davison threw herself in front of the King's horse, Henry can't find a blasted one to help and no one believes him. By the time the race is done, Eliza has made a fortune and gotten a better idea of how Society people view relationships. Actress Diana Price arrives in the box and makes a scene. She, too, is a member of the syndicate and having an affair with two of the married men in the syndicate. She sends her husband off to make a bet on the Gold Cup race up next and then disappears. The Gold Cup proves eventful when Harold Hewitt is trampled nearly to death. Only then does Eliza's cousin, Detective Inspector Jack Shaw, take Henry's concerns seriously. Then Diana's husband returns to the box with news his wife is missing. Henry finally finds Diana in the stables, dead. Are the two incidents connected? What could have happened? Who would want Diana dead? Is there a link to the suffragettes? Then someone else ends up dead and Eliza fears the syndicate is the real target and is worried about her father. There's only one way to protect him and that's to solve the mystery!
This story is not true to the ending Bernard Shaw penned for his Pygmalion in spite of being based more on the play than the musical. (Love the dedication to Rex, Julie and Audrey!) If you take this series as a standalone inspired by Henry Higgins it works better than if you think of it as a sequel. The racing world doesn't interest me and I've read several other horse racing mysteries set around the same time or just after the war. They're all the same so right away I had my suspicions about who was doing what and why. I ended up being mostly wrong about why but not entirely about who. Then my chief suspect ended up dead and second suspect had an alibi. I had to revise my theory. The murderer ended up giving themselves away and Eliza didn't even catch it. I hate it when that happens and then the character ends up alone with a murderer and nearly dies.
There's too much going on in this novel between the races, the suffragettes and the crazy guy and the romantic entanglements. The historical details were well done I suppose. I didn't learn anything new though. I've read all this already and studied the history of women's suffrage. It just seemed king of a cut and paste Edwardian era story and nothing really different. The only thing I didn't know about was the racing syndicates and I'm uninterested in horse racing.
Eliza is an appealing character but I'm not really getting Eliza Doolittle. She's spunky, independent and knows her own mind. This Eliza loves her father and is fiercely devoted to him, whereas, in the play/musical, she is not at all interested in her father who barely lifted a finger to support her, beat her and sold her for 5 pounds. Eliza is interested in the fight for women's suffrage which makes her more interesting and appealing than many of the other women in this book. She's determined to make her own way in the world and help other young women, like Freddie's sister Clara, find a way to have the best life possible. Clara is young, not too bright, and determined to find a rich husband. Eliza cares more about the content of his character and whether he'll be kind to Clara. Even though Eliza is barely a year older than Clara, she has more world experience, more street smarts and knows what it's like to be dependent on men who abandon their women. I did like seeing the contrast between the two and the way women were starting to think about relationships in 1913.
Henry Higgins is not so appealing but more likable than he is in the musical and especially the play. He's selfish and has 'is 'ead in the scholarly clouds. He can't see beyond his own comfort and interests. Henry is rude to everyone and acts inappropriately in public, even critiquing the minister's accent! His mother tries and tries, Eliza tries but he just can't change. He is who he is. This Henry, however, does see humans. He has compassion for the victims and feels guilty because he was unable to keep Hewitt from running on the race track and distracting the police who could have possibly saved Diana. I'll give him that much credit at least. His guilt eats away at him and he allows Eliza to bully him into helping protect her father. He is aware that if something bad happens to Alfie, Eliza will kill Henry! Colonel Pickering isn't in the story much. He's a typical old-fashioned Victorian gentleman "Oh I say!" and "I've known her for years. She can't be a murderer!" If he's going to be that obtuse than better he stay home and out of the plot.
Freddie Eynsford-Hill is portrayed as a brainless, infatuated fool. He worships Eliza, or so he claims but he's just another man who does not respect her. Freddie believes they're engaged and should set a date but Eliza claims she never promised to marry him and is reluctant to make it official. Freddie ignores her and goes on believing what he will. Not having any real claim on her, he still tries to forbid her from investigating and getting involved in dangerous situations. Freddie gets possessive and that's the fastest way to lose Eliza. Eliza's father allows her to live an independent life. He sold her so she's not his concern anymore. All he cares about is himself. His race horse, his money, escaping his wife and her greedy family and going to the pub for a pint or several. This is the Alfred P. Doolittle we know from the show. Rose, his wife, is nasty. She's low born and doesn't care. Rose is right from the gutter and wants Alfie's money to support her large, lazy, greedy family.
Eliza has joined Society and they're a bunch of selfish, rude, arrogant, annoying people who only care about themselves and money. Jonathan Turnbull is the worst of the lot. A member of the racing syndicate, he is at Ascot with his wife, Rachel. Turnbull is an abusive husband and a sexist @$$. He deliberately hires thugs to cause trouble at women's suffrage events, getting the women arrested, jailed and force fed. Turnbull is in a love triangle (affair triangle? quadrangle?) with Diana Price, a
married actress also involved with another member of the syndicate. He's rotten to the core. If someone murders him, I don't really care. He deserves it. Sir Walter Fairweather, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club and syndicate chairman, seems nice enough. He is more interested in his garden than horses. Yet Eliza wonders where his money comes from. He seems well set up for a younger son. Maitland Louis Wyngarde, 12th Viscount Saxton is an example of conspicuous consumption. He brings footmen and maids to the races to serve him in his private box. He's a drunken womanizer and even hits on Eliza in front of his wife. He's also involved with Diana Price and gets into a public brawl with Turnbull in front of women. They're both nasty men and their wives deserve better.
Diana Price, a popular actress and singer, is a coquette. She plays men off each other and enjoys the drama. She seems to be in an open marriage because her husband is with her at the races and aware of her affairs. Diana is not a nice woman and seems selfish. Still, she didn't deserve to die a gruesome death. Her husband, Gordon Longhurst, a stockbroker, seems like a mild mannered man until he's pushed too far. He does everything his wife tells him to and still loves her no matter how awful she is. I feel bad for him. He seems nice enough. I don't believe he murdered his wife. That would be silly. If he wanted her dead, wouldn't it be easier to poison her slowly at home or have her shut up in a madhouse or something? Diana is a thorn in the side of the suffragettes, not supporting their cause. Could one of them have "done her in"?
Another member of the syndicate is the Duchess of Carbrey. She must be eccentric because it was frowned upon for women to own racehorses. She comes across as the least snobbish and most interesting of the lot but I think she's more clever and cunning than most people realize. I think she COULD figure out how to murder someone and get away with it.
Lady Saxton is brittle and cold. She can be cruel and cutting in her speech. I think she's a mean girl type trying to Carrie Clara. Poor Clara! All the men Lady Saxton chooses to fix Clara up with are awful! It may be that Lady Saxton is not a good judge of character but I think she's doing it on purpose trying to prove she's better than the social climbing Clara. Rachel Turnbull seems a little softer. She's meek and quiet, abused by her husband and well aware she's married to a scoundrel. Yet, some of the clues do point to her. Her sister is an outspoken suffragette. She hates her brother-in-law. How far would she go to protect her cause and help her sister?
Harold Hewitt is a mysterious and odd man who has an interest in suffragettes. From what he says, I think he's one of those men who are too odd to get a date and become obsessed with a beautiful woman. In this case, many. What secrets does he hold and what does he know about the events following the Gold Cup?
Jimmy "Bomber" Brody is the aging jockey who rode Donegal Dancer to victory. He wants money to retire in style and marry his girlfriend, Patsy. There's something I can't figure out about Brody. I have my suspicions he knows what happened to Diana and why.
Detective Jeremy Shaw is Eliza's cousin. Is he Detective or Detective Inspector? How did get get that much education so quickly? Why is he not able to help Eliza? Jack is a nice man and a great policeman. He knows how to do his job and tries to be everywhere at once to protect the citizens but it's impossible. He has good taste in women and supports women's suffrage. His fiancé, Sybil, is lovely. She supports women's suffrage but not the more militant tactics. She prefers to be behind-the-scenes editing a newspaper so she doesn't get hurt. That would probably be me. Sybil supports the cause and sympathizes with the aims of the WSPU enough to want to learn self-defense just in case she gets caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Which one of these annoying selfish people is the murderer? Does anyone care besides Eliza and Jack? Who will be the next victim.
This story is not true to the ending Bernard Shaw penned for his Pygmalion in spite of being based more on the play than the musical. (Love the dedication to Rex, Julie and Audrey!) If you take this series as a standalone inspired by Henry Higgins it works better than if you think of it as a sequel. The racing world doesn't interest me and I've read several other horse racing mysteries set around the same time or just after the war. They're all the same so right away I had my suspicions about who was doing what and why. I ended up being mostly wrong about why but not entirely about who. Then my chief suspect ended up dead and second suspect had an alibi. I had to revise my theory. The murderer ended up giving themselves away and Eliza didn't even catch it. I hate it when that happens and then the character ends up alone with a murderer and nearly dies.
There's too much going on in this novel between the races, the suffragettes and the crazy guy and the romantic entanglements. The historical details were well done I suppose. I didn't learn anything new though. I've read all this already and studied the history of women's suffrage. It just seemed king of a cut and paste Edwardian era story and nothing really different. The only thing I didn't know about was the racing syndicates and I'm uninterested in horse racing.
Eliza is an appealing character but I'm not really getting Eliza Doolittle. She's spunky, independent and knows her own mind. This Eliza loves her father and is fiercely devoted to him, whereas, in the play/musical, she is not at all interested in her father who barely lifted a finger to support her, beat her and sold her for 5 pounds. Eliza is interested in the fight for women's suffrage which makes her more interesting and appealing than many of the other women in this book. She's determined to make her own way in the world and help other young women, like Freddie's sister Clara, find a way to have the best life possible. Clara is young, not too bright, and determined to find a rich husband. Eliza cares more about the content of his character and whether he'll be kind to Clara. Even though Eliza is barely a year older than Clara, she has more world experience, more street smarts and knows what it's like to be dependent on men who abandon their women. I did like seeing the contrast between the two and the way women were starting to think about relationships in 1913.
Henry Higgins is not so appealing but more likable than he is in the musical and especially the play. He's selfish and has 'is 'ead in the scholarly clouds. He can't see beyond his own comfort and interests. Henry is rude to everyone and acts inappropriately in public, even critiquing the minister's accent! His mother tries and tries, Eliza tries but he just can't change. He is who he is. This Henry, however, does see humans. He has compassion for the victims and feels guilty because he was unable to keep Hewitt from running on the race track and distracting the police who could have possibly saved Diana. I'll give him that much credit at least. His guilt eats away at him and he allows Eliza to bully him into helping protect her father. He is aware that if something bad happens to Alfie, Eliza will kill Henry! Colonel Pickering isn't in the story much. He's a typical old-fashioned Victorian gentleman "Oh I say!" and "I've known her for years. She can't be a murderer!" If he's going to be that obtuse than better he stay home and out of the plot.
Freddie Eynsford-Hill is portrayed as a brainless, infatuated fool. He worships Eliza, or so he claims but he's just another man who does not respect her. Freddie believes they're engaged and should set a date but Eliza claims she never promised to marry him and is reluctant to make it official. Freddie ignores her and goes on believing what he will. Not having any real claim on her, he still tries to forbid her from investigating and getting involved in dangerous situations. Freddie gets possessive and that's the fastest way to lose Eliza. Eliza's father allows her to live an independent life. He sold her so she's not his concern anymore. All he cares about is himself. His race horse, his money, escaping his wife and her greedy family and going to the pub for a pint or several. This is the Alfred P. Doolittle we know from the show. Rose, his wife, is nasty. She's low born and doesn't care. Rose is right from the gutter and wants Alfie's money to support her large, lazy, greedy family.
Eliza has joined Society and they're a bunch of selfish, rude, arrogant, annoying people who only care about themselves and money. Jonathan Turnbull is the worst of the lot. A member of the racing syndicate, he is at Ascot with his wife, Rachel. Turnbull is an abusive husband and a sexist @$$. He deliberately hires thugs to cause trouble at women's suffrage events, getting the women arrested, jailed and force fed. Turnbull is in a love triangle (affair triangle? quadrangle?) with Diana Price, a
married actress also involved with another member of the syndicate. He's rotten to the core. If someone murders him, I don't really care. He deserves it. Sir Walter Fairweather, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club and syndicate chairman, seems nice enough. He is more interested in his garden than horses. Yet Eliza wonders where his money comes from. He seems well set up for a younger son. Maitland Louis Wyngarde, 12th Viscount Saxton is an example of conspicuous consumption. He brings footmen and maids to the races to serve him in his private box. He's a drunken womanizer and even hits on Eliza in front of his wife. He's also involved with Diana Price and gets into a public brawl with Turnbull in front of women. They're both nasty men and their wives deserve better.
Diana Price, a popular actress and singer, is a coquette. She plays men off each other and enjoys the drama. She seems to be in an open marriage because her husband is with her at the races and aware of her affairs. Diana is not a nice woman and seems selfish. Still, she didn't deserve to die a gruesome death. Her husband, Gordon Longhurst, a stockbroker, seems like a mild mannered man until he's pushed too far. He does everything his wife tells him to and still loves her no matter how awful she is. I feel bad for him. He seems nice enough. I don't believe he murdered his wife. That would be silly. If he wanted her dead, wouldn't it be easier to poison her slowly at home or have her shut up in a madhouse or something? Diana is a thorn in the side of the suffragettes, not supporting their cause. Could one of them have "done her in"?
Another member of the syndicate is the Duchess of Carbrey. She must be eccentric because it was frowned upon for women to own racehorses. She comes across as the least snobbish and most interesting of the lot but I think she's more clever and cunning than most people realize. I think she COULD figure out how to murder someone and get away with it.
Lady Saxton is brittle and cold. She can be cruel and cutting in her speech. I think she's a mean girl type trying to Carrie Clara. Poor Clara! All the men Lady Saxton chooses to fix Clara up with are awful! It may be that Lady Saxton is not a good judge of character but I think she's doing it on purpose trying to prove she's better than the social climbing Clara. Rachel Turnbull seems a little softer. She's meek and quiet, abused by her husband and well aware she's married to a scoundrel. Yet, some of the clues do point to her. Her sister is an outspoken suffragette. She hates her brother-in-law. How far would she go to protect her cause and help her sister?
Harold Hewitt is a mysterious and odd man who has an interest in suffragettes. From what he says, I think he's one of those men who are too odd to get a date and become obsessed with a beautiful woman. In this case, many. What secrets does he hold and what does he know about the events following the Gold Cup?
Jimmy "Bomber" Brody is the aging jockey who rode Donegal Dancer to victory. He wants money to retire in style and marry his girlfriend, Patsy. There's something I can't figure out about Brody. I have my suspicions he knows what happened to Diana and why.
Detective Jeremy Shaw is Eliza's cousin. Is he Detective or Detective Inspector? How did get get that much education so quickly? Why is he not able to help Eliza? Jack is a nice man and a great policeman. He knows how to do his job and tries to be everywhere at once to protect the citizens but it's impossible. He has good taste in women and supports women's suffrage. His fiancé, Sybil, is lovely. She supports women's suffrage but not the more militant tactics. She prefers to be behind-the-scenes editing a newspaper so she doesn't get hurt. That would probably be me. Sybil supports the cause and sympathizes with the aims of the WSPU enough to want to learn self-defense just in case she gets caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Which one of these annoying selfish people is the murderer? Does anyone care besides Eliza and Jack? Who will be the next victim.
September 18, 2015
Move Your Blooming Corpse By D.E. Ireland
The Second Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery
Move your Blooming Corpse by D.E. Ireland is the second book in the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery series and is an absolute delight! Horse racing and the wonderful characters created by George Bernard Shaw combine to make another compelling mystery. Events have not settled since the literary duo solved a murder in Wouldn't it be Deadly. Eliza and Henry have been attending horse races since Eliza's father became part of a syndicate which owns a winning thoroughbred. They've been witnessing not only wins, but demonstrations from Suffragettes. When one of the members of the syndicate is found murdered it's thought the work of a jealous husband or a Suffragette supporter. Then another member is killed. Still the ramifications of an affair gone bad? Or is someone trying to kill all the members of the group for another purpose entirely? Although Eliza is determined not to become involved in another murder investigation, Higgins can't help but feel guilty and desire to help. When Eliza's dad becomes a target, however, Eliza gets right in the thick of things!
They're back! As excited as I was to see Eliza Doolittle and the gang resurrected in Wouldn't it be Deadly, I was even more thrilled to see their return in Move your Blooming Corpse. I love horse racing and that is the setting for this second novel in the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery series. Vivid descriptions transport me back in time. Rich in detail and historic fact (I never knew the Suffragettes has their own colors) the book has excitement, drama, and a finely tuned mystery. Characters I think I know well continue to evolve and I enjoy learning more about them and their relationships, past, present, with possibilities for the future! I especially enjoy it when they surprise me, which they sometimes do!
Move your Blooming Corpse is a fast paced historical mystery filled with fun and excitement. Expect to laugh, expect to learn, and expect to be challenged. The mystery is complex with numerous twists and turns. Eliza and the Professor are right at home in their new world of the cozy mystery and I look forward to reading more of their new adventures!
The Second Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery
Move your Blooming Corpse by D.E. Ireland is the second book in the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery series and is an absolute delight! Horse racing and the wonderful characters created by George Bernard Shaw combine to make another compelling mystery. Events have not settled since the literary duo solved a murder in Wouldn't it be Deadly. Eliza and Henry have been attending horse races since Eliza's father became part of a syndicate which owns a winning thoroughbred. They've been witnessing not only wins, but demonstrations from Suffragettes. When one of the members of the syndicate is found murdered it's thought the work of a jealous husband or a Suffragette supporter. Then another member is killed. Still the ramifications of an affair gone bad? Or is someone trying to kill all the members of the group for another purpose entirely? Although Eliza is determined not to become involved in another murder investigation, Higgins can't help but feel guilty and desire to help. When Eliza's dad becomes a target, however, Eliza gets right in the thick of things!
They're back! As excited as I was to see Eliza Doolittle and the gang resurrected in Wouldn't it be Deadly, I was even more thrilled to see their return in Move your Blooming Corpse. I love horse racing and that is the setting for this second novel in the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery series. Vivid descriptions transport me back in time. Rich in detail and historic fact (I never knew the Suffragettes has their own colors) the book has excitement, drama, and a finely tuned mystery. Characters I think I know well continue to evolve and I enjoy learning more about them and their relationships, past, present, with possibilities for the future! I especially enjoy it when they surprise me, which they sometimes do!
Move your Blooming Corpse is a fast paced historical mystery filled with fun and excitement. Expect to laugh, expect to learn, and expect to be challenged. The mystery is complex with numerous twists and turns. Eliza and the Professor are right at home in their new world of the cozy mystery and I look forward to reading more of their new adventures!
August 28, 2015
The first book in this series was terrific--even got nominated for an Agatha Award. So, to follow up, the authors have written a book that is, in my opinion, even better. The plotting is intricate, the characters fresh and interesting, and the pace fast-moving. But my favorite thing about the book is the light touches. I got the feeling the authors were enjoying the story and the characters themselves even more than in the first book. Everything just gells together for a beautifully presented mystery. Terrific whodunit, well researched period piece, and just good fun with Eliza and the Professor. Everything you might look for if you like an entertaining mystery. And that one part where Eliza wears a special outfit for an asylum visit...but I digress.
November 17, 2015
The second in the series. You didn't HAVE to read the first book (although I did) - because the authors did a great job of making references back to what had happened several months earlier without making any of those details necessary to the new story. I loved the incorporation of the suffrage into the storyline, as well as the horse racing world. I love that Eliza is so feisty - and Professor Higgins is ... well, Higgins. Totally enjoy these books! I just hope there will be another book in the series in the not-too-distant future.
November 6, 2015
This one was even better than the first in the series, which I liked a lot.
Someone is bumping off the owners of a race horse, and Henry and Eliza investigate.
Very clever misdirection and interesting characters.
There is a straight narrative, so people like my mother can easily follow the action.
This writing duo is headed for great things.
I received a free copy of this book in a contest.
Someone is bumping off the owners of a race horse, and Henry and Eliza investigate.
Very clever misdirection and interesting characters.
There is a straight narrative, so people like my mother can easily follow the action.
This writing duo is headed for great things.
I received a free copy of this book in a contest.
April 26, 2025
I just love seeing the characters of Eliza and Higgins in action again! Between their personalities and their witty banter... I am excited for MORE.
Horse racing... suffragettes everywhere... and bodies dropping like flies!
*Contains mild language and hints of mature content.
Horse racing... suffragettes everywhere... and bodies dropping like flies!
*Contains mild language and hints of mature content.
September 22, 2015
Perhaps not quite up to the quality of the first in the series, this is still a fun extension of My Fair Lady. Lighthearted at times but smart and complex with lots of period and historical detail.
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I was chomping at the bit waiting for this book to come out. (A little horse humor
I was chomping at the bit waiting for this book to come out. (A little horse humor
October 1, 2015
With a dedication that simply states "To Rex, Julie, and Audrey" it's easy to see that I'm not the only one who thinks of these actors when coming in contact with George Bernard Shaw's immortal characters. As a newcomer to this series, I didn't know what to expect. What I found was a wonderful blend of the Edwardian world and "My Fair Lady." The authors spoonfed just enough of the plot of the first book (Wouldn't It Be Deadly) to whet my appetite for it and to keep me from being confused.
The writing team known as D.E. Ireland have created a lovely evocation of time and place. In Move Your Blooming Corpse, it's June 1913-- those last halcyon days before Europe shatters into World War I. The authors treat us not only to Royal Ascot Week, we also are able to attend the Henley Regatta. We move among the wealthy, the titled, the privileged-- and some of those wanting a few more privileges. With Eliza as an enthusiastic partner, we are treated to all the marvelous fashions, and we go deep into the heart of the organizations of women who are fighting for the right to vote. We also attend the races, walk the paddock area, take a look back at the stables, and learn about racing syndicates, bloodlines, and kidnapping. If that last part bothers you, don't worry. Although horse racing does play an important role in the book, it doesn't overwhelm the story. No need to bring out the feedbag or curry comb!
Once all the characters were properly introduced, I didn't have a difficult time in identifying the killer, but as in all good examples of the art, whodunit isn't the sole aim of crime fiction. I luxuriated in the setting and was delighted by the interplay between the characters-- especially Eliza and Henry, and Eliza and her father. I can't say that I was much enamored of Madame Lafarge, but she certainly did add to the wit and humor in the book.
This writing team is doing a marvelous job of taking well-known characters, making them their own, and placing them in a jewel box of a setting. Eliza, Henry, and the others are showing us facets of themselves that they've never had the opportunity to before. I suppose solving murders does have a tendency to do that....
The writing team known as D.E. Ireland have created a lovely evocation of time and place. In Move Your Blooming Corpse, it's June 1913-- those last halcyon days before Europe shatters into World War I. The authors treat us not only to Royal Ascot Week, we also are able to attend the Henley Regatta. We move among the wealthy, the titled, the privileged-- and some of those wanting a few more privileges. With Eliza as an enthusiastic partner, we are treated to all the marvelous fashions, and we go deep into the heart of the organizations of women who are fighting for the right to vote. We also attend the races, walk the paddock area, take a look back at the stables, and learn about racing syndicates, bloodlines, and kidnapping. If that last part bothers you, don't worry. Although horse racing does play an important role in the book, it doesn't overwhelm the story. No need to bring out the feedbag or curry comb!
Once all the characters were properly introduced, I didn't have a difficult time in identifying the killer, but as in all good examples of the art, whodunit isn't the sole aim of crime fiction. I luxuriated in the setting and was delighted by the interplay between the characters-- especially Eliza and Henry, and Eliza and her father. I can't say that I was much enamored of Madame Lafarge, but she certainly did add to the wit and humor in the book.
This writing team is doing a marvelous job of taking well-known characters, making them their own, and placing them in a jewel box of a setting. Eliza, Henry, and the others are showing us facets of themselves that they've never had the opportunity to before. I suppose solving murders does have a tendency to do that....
September 22, 2015
Eliza and Higgins have gone to Ascot to cheer on the race horse that Eliza’s father recently bought a share of. However, a woman is murdered in the stable and a man runs onto the track in the middle of a race. Higgins things he could have stopped the tragic events of the day, so he starts investigating. But another murder makes Eliza wonder if things are really that simple. What is going on?
Those who enjoyed seeing these beloved characters again will be delighted with their return. The writing duo behind these books has done a wonderful job of making them their own and continuing to grow the characters. The mystery is fantastic as well with everything falling perfectly into place during the suspenseful climax.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Those who enjoyed seeing these beloved characters again will be delighted with their return. The writing duo behind these books has done a wonderful job of making them their own and continuing to grow the characters. The mystery is fantastic as well with everything falling perfectly into place during the suspenseful climax.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 15, 2015
Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins are at it again a few months after the first book. Her father has bought a racehorse in a syndicate. Two married members are having affairs with a third member, a famous dance hall girl. After a nasty scene between the love triangle and their spouses, the dancer ends up dead along with a strange man who had rushed the track in support of suffrage. More mayhem occurs amongst the group members eventually placing Eliza's father in danger. The overall motive I picked up on its first mention, but I did not figure out the actual killer or mechanics of the crimes until the reveal. Super fun reuse of characters, but no previous Pygmalion/My Fair Lady is needed to enjoy them as they live in this environment.
September 24, 2015
This is the second book in a fabulous series by D.E. Ireland that takes Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins on a suspenseful and exciting mystery. The twists and turns kept me guessing throughout and made me laugh quite a bit, all the while vividly submerging me in Edwardian England. The characters—both those taken from George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion and those fresh to the plot—are engaging and well rounded, each adding a distinctive twist to the narrative. I learned quite a bit about women’s suffrage and the characters that get Eliza involved, such as her cousin Jack’s fiancée Sybil who was marvelous, give the historical movement a personal feel. The book does a great job of melding research with intrigue and provides a fun mystery—I highly recommend Move Your Blooming Corpse!
August 31, 2015
The follow up to Wouldn't It Be Deadly is so much fun you won't want to miss it! Eliza's father, now enjoying a generous allowance thanks to a surprise inheritance, becomes part of a syndicate that owns a racehorse. One member of the syndicate, an actress who was having affairs with two other married syndicate members is killed and everyone believes it was a crime of passion. But when it seems that someone is determined to kill off all the owners of the racehorse, Donegal Dancer, Eliza is determined to find the killer to save her father. Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle pair up to play detective again with hilarious results. D. E. Ireland is right "on track" with this new mystery.
July 10, 2015
This is a very traditional British mystery. Book two of the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery series, I did not read book one and had no trouble following this funny well written book. Set in the Edwardian racing season we find murder, blackmail, kidnapping and a little history of the Suffrage movement. Eliza and her family are great characters and Henry is quite the stiff British gentleman.
December 17, 2015
It’s a charming twist on British mystery writing. Murder, kidnapping, horse racing, and the struggle for women’s right to vote, all on one book. "Move Your Blooming Corpse" is the second book in the series, and features wonderful character development and verbal interplay. Details about location and clothing build a strong image of the time. The whodunnit was not difficult to decipher, it’s but still a wonderful read.
Snippet from my feature article in British Weekly
Snippet from my feature article in British Weekly
November 1, 2015
Another wonderful mystery! I really enjoyed the inclusion of the suffragette movement and the reactions to it from the various characters. Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins make a great team and I hope that there are more stories to come! For a more complete review check out my blog, Rachael Reads!
https://rachaelsbookshelf.wordpress.c...
https://rachaelsbookshelf.wordpress.c...
October 23, 2015
Very much enjoyed this book overall. Knocked off a star because I didn't like the beginning. I suspected the killer pretty early on and had some pieces of the motive. The whole deal players and motives though I did not see. Nice twists and turns. Agree with Prof. Higgins that Freddy is quite annoying and needs to go away.
October 21, 2015
The second book in the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins mystery series. I enjoyed this one as much as the first one. The characters of Eliza and Henry feel right and the mystery was a light, fun read.
January 2, 2016
On a cold January day it is nice to stay in and read a very pleasant cozy mystery. The characters, taken from Pygmalion and My Fair Lady are well drawn and the plot was a good one. It isn't literature, but a good read.
October 19, 2015
Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle are off investigating murder again, this time at the English race tracks. A fun read.
November 23, 2019
In the second book of the Doolittle/Higgins mysteries, Eliza and Henry find themselves back at Ascot, this time cheering on the Donegal Dancer, a racehorse Eliza’s father owns a stake in. However, the race is spoiled by a man running onto the track, not Eliza and her “small talk”. This leads to further incidents that involve other members of Alfred Doolittles racing syndicate. This time Eliza and Henry work together to solve the mystery, unlike the first book where all they do is argue and lie to each other. Their was some overly dramatic dialogues between characters and Freddy Eynsford Hill is a moronic character, but the setting and mystery were fabulous. I loved the interactions between Henry and Eliza as well. I was ready to be done with this series but this book makes me want to see what happens next.
January 28, 2016
http://openbooksociety.com/article/mo...
Move Your Blooming Corpse
An Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery, book #2
By D. E. Ireland
ISBN#9781250049360
Author’s website: www.deireland.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins are at the posh Royal Ascot, the biggest horse racing event of the season. Eliza’s father is the new co-owner of a champion racehorse, and Eliza and Henry are excited to cheer the Donegal Dancer on to victory. However, their idyllic outing takes a serious turn when a victim is trampled during the Gold Cup race and someone is found murdered in the stables.
With time running out before the upcoming Eclipse Stakes, she and Higgins investigate jealous spouses, suffragettes and the colorful co-owners of the Donegal Dancer. But can they outrace the murderer, or will there be another blooming corpse at the finish line?
Review:
Set in the glamorous world of horseracing during the Edwardian Era, Move Your Blooming Corpse takes place shortly after Wouldn’t It Be Deadly, the first book in the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery series. Eliza’s father, who is celebrating his greatly improved financial situation and social status, has become partial owner of the racehorse Donegal Dancer. While everyone is assembled at the race track, a strange man rushes out in the path of the horses and is trampled. Shortly after the race, Diana Price, an actress/singer who also owns a share of the horse, is found in one of the stable stalls stabbed with a pitch fork. It is initially thought that the trampled gentleman is the murderous perpetrator and Higgins feels partially responsible, thinking he should have done something to prevent the tragedies, and sets out to investigate. Does it all have to do with a love affair gone badly? A jealous husband or wife? The suffrage movement gone too far? When another partial owner of Donegal Dancer also meets his end, it becomes clear that there is more going on than meets the eye. Eliza and Higgins follow the clues to solve the murders, hopefully before the other horse owners meet their end, too.
The writing duo that makes up D. E. Ireland do a fantastic job of continuing with characters created by George Bernard Shaw’s in his play Pygmalion and made so popular in the Broadway musical My Fair Lady. They have made Eliza and Professor Higgins their own and infuse them with continued character growth and Edwardian splendor brought to life. Though light-hearted at times, Move Your Blooming Corpse has a complex plot that evolves with each revelation and twist and turn. It moves at a quick pace with action from the first page to the last. I chuckled aloud more than once. It has a cozy mystery feel, but it is also a well researched historical reminiscent of classic British mysteries. I was transported to the early twentieth century via the story’s vivid descriptions of period detail and social niceties. Oh, to go shopping with Eliza for a day!
Move Your Blooming Corpse is delightful, a smart tale with effervescent characters. It deftly combines the alluring and sometimes dark world of horseracing, greed, blackmail, adultery, murder, kidnapping, and smuggling against the backdrop of the suffrage movement resulting in a unique contribution to the cozy and historical mystery genres. I highly recommend this richly entertaining sophomore entry in the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery series to fans of Wouldn’t It Be Deadly, the Edwardian time period, and those looking for an intelligent yet lighthearted mystery.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Move Your Blooming Corpse
An Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery, book #2
By D. E. Ireland
ISBN#9781250049360
Author’s website: www.deireland.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins are at the posh Royal Ascot, the biggest horse racing event of the season. Eliza’s father is the new co-owner of a champion racehorse, and Eliza and Henry are excited to cheer the Donegal Dancer on to victory. However, their idyllic outing takes a serious turn when a victim is trampled during the Gold Cup race and someone is found murdered in the stables.
With time running out before the upcoming Eclipse Stakes, she and Higgins investigate jealous spouses, suffragettes and the colorful co-owners of the Donegal Dancer. But can they outrace the murderer, or will there be another blooming corpse at the finish line?
Review:
Set in the glamorous world of horseracing during the Edwardian Era, Move Your Blooming Corpse takes place shortly after Wouldn’t It Be Deadly, the first book in the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery series. Eliza’s father, who is celebrating his greatly improved financial situation and social status, has become partial owner of the racehorse Donegal Dancer. While everyone is assembled at the race track, a strange man rushes out in the path of the horses and is trampled. Shortly after the race, Diana Price, an actress/singer who also owns a share of the horse, is found in one of the stable stalls stabbed with a pitch fork. It is initially thought that the trampled gentleman is the murderous perpetrator and Higgins feels partially responsible, thinking he should have done something to prevent the tragedies, and sets out to investigate. Does it all have to do with a love affair gone badly? A jealous husband or wife? The suffrage movement gone too far? When another partial owner of Donegal Dancer also meets his end, it becomes clear that there is more going on than meets the eye. Eliza and Higgins follow the clues to solve the murders, hopefully before the other horse owners meet their end, too.
The writing duo that makes up D. E. Ireland do a fantastic job of continuing with characters created by George Bernard Shaw’s in his play Pygmalion and made so popular in the Broadway musical My Fair Lady. They have made Eliza and Professor Higgins their own and infuse them with continued character growth and Edwardian splendor brought to life. Though light-hearted at times, Move Your Blooming Corpse has a complex plot that evolves with each revelation and twist and turn. It moves at a quick pace with action from the first page to the last. I chuckled aloud more than once. It has a cozy mystery feel, but it is also a well researched historical reminiscent of classic British mysteries. I was transported to the early twentieth century via the story’s vivid descriptions of period detail and social niceties. Oh, to go shopping with Eliza for a day!
Move Your Blooming Corpse is delightful, a smart tale with effervescent characters. It deftly combines the alluring and sometimes dark world of horseracing, greed, blackmail, adultery, murder, kidnapping, and smuggling against the backdrop of the suffrage movement resulting in a unique contribution to the cozy and historical mystery genres. I highly recommend this richly entertaining sophomore entry in the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery series to fans of Wouldn’t It Be Deadly, the Edwardian time period, and those looking for an intelligent yet lighthearted mystery.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
January 30, 2016
Off to the Races!
In this installment, Eliza's father has become part owner of a race horse, the Donegal Dancer. After a win at Ascot, the Dancer should be worth a deal of money. Unfortunately, a murder at the Ascot race casts a pall over the ownership syndicate. As becomes readily apparent, someone is murdering them. After Eliza's father is attacked in an attempted murder, Eliza joins the syndicate herself to try and solve the mystery. By doing so, she makes herself a target as well. As more members are murdered, Eliza struggles with clues. As always, Henry Higgins is nearby to help her out or needle her as needed. The mystery crescendoes to a brilliant ending as Eliza uncovers the evildoer. In a heart stopping finish, Eliza risks all for the sake of truth and justice. I enjoyed this cozy series, and recommend it.
In this installment, Eliza's father has become part owner of a race horse, the Donegal Dancer. After a win at Ascot, the Dancer should be worth a deal of money. Unfortunately, a murder at the Ascot race casts a pall over the ownership syndicate. As becomes readily apparent, someone is murdering them. After Eliza's father is attacked in an attempted murder, Eliza joins the syndicate herself to try and solve the mystery. By doing so, she makes herself a target as well. As more members are murdered, Eliza struggles with clues. As always, Henry Higgins is nearby to help her out or needle her as needed. The mystery crescendoes to a brilliant ending as Eliza uncovers the evildoer. In a heart stopping finish, Eliza risks all for the sake of truth and justice. I enjoyed this cozy series, and recommend it.
January 20, 2016
I was given this cozy mystery through Goodreads in return for an honest review. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I've given it a 4.5* rating. It really pulled me near the beginning and I really liked the historical technicals of it. Since the Kentucky Derby is near where I live, some of the excitement was familiar also. I really just love Eliza Doolittle's character and how she's goes about her business and drags others along with her. It kept me guessing till the end.
December 14, 2015
This is the second book in the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery series. This time case involves horse racing, suffragettes and murder. Eliza's father has bought into a group that owns a racehorse. It appears as if someone is trying to murder all the various owners of the horse. The book is set in 1913 in the summer. The book was a fast easy read.
December 18, 2015
Part of what I call the fantasy detective genre. They take characters out of fiction and make them detectives. It only works for me if they follow good principles of detective story writing. This one worked for me. Eliza, Higgins and Pickering act the way they would in the play. The detective story is crisply written and enjoyable. It's the second in the series. I think I'll look for the first.
December 3, 2015
Loved it. Great characters and solid plot. Another fantastic combo of good characters from an amazing show and mystery.
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