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The Green Baize Door
In the fashionable mansions on Chestnut Hill, a simple green baize door separates the masters’ world from the servants’. That door is thrown wide when an elderly housekeeper is found brutally murdered on the first day of the new century. Marie Chevalier, the housekeeper’s poor but ambitious granddaughter, and James Lett, the mansion owner’s kind but indolent son, suspect the killer is connected to one of their families—but which one?
From drawing rooms to alleyways, their separate investigations lead them through the sometimes lavish, sometimes brutal, landscape of turn-of-the-century New England. When long-buried secrets begin to unravel the fragile threads that hold both households together, Marie and James must find a way to bridge the gulf between them—if only to prove that the murderer belongs not to their own world, but to that strange and foreign land on the other side of the green baize door.
Inspired by real-life events, The Green Baize Door is a richly layered historical mystery that explores themes of class identity, family loyalty, and the sometimes blurry line between virtue and vice.
From drawing rooms to alleyways, their separate investigations lead them through the sometimes lavish, sometimes brutal, landscape of turn-of-the-century New England. When long-buried secrets begin to unravel the fragile threads that hold both households together, Marie and James must find a way to bridge the gulf between them—if only to prove that the murderer belongs not to their own world, but to that strange and foreign land on the other side of the green baize door.
Inspired by real-life events, The Green Baize Door is a richly layered historical mystery that explores themes of class identity, family loyalty, and the sometimes blurry line between virtue and vice.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2026
3 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Eleanor Birney
1 book23 followersEleanor Birney writes historical mysteries about class, moral ambiguity, and people who aren’t satisfied with life on their side of the green baize door. She received a BA in History from UC Berkeley, and works as a legal research attorney, a day job that feeds her love of precision, research, and puzzles. Growing up in foster care gave her a lifelong fascination with the way society steers people into assigned places—and how some of those people refuse to stay in them. She lives in Northern California with her family. The Green Baize Door is her debut novel and the first of the Marie Chevalier Mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 9, 2025
Thank you to the publishers Parlor and Dock Press for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book started off strong with the introduction of the mastachioed man, I really enjoyed this chapter as it was really strongly written and draws the reader in, I wanted to know more about the identity of the mastashioed man and why he was so desperate to speak to James. This made me feel we were off to a strong start, this book does start a little slowly as the author sets the scene and all the players enter the stage but with the murder of Marie’s grandmother the dice is cast and we have watch as the cards fall where there may. I did wonder how James’s investigation would tie in with Marie’s grandmothers murder but when the connection was revealed I felt this was very nicely and cleverly tied in. Marie’s father and brother were a pair of wasters completely rotten to the core, Marie’s sister Eliza I didn’t really form a strong impression of her character other than that she was very timid. The twist at the end I didn’t see coming and my heart broke for Marie when this was revealed. I also felt for William as he truly loved Marie and I felt for both of their unfulfilled dreams.
The first time I read this book I didn’t really give it a chance to impress me but I decided to revisit my review and reread this book. On my second reading I really enjoyed this book, the writing was strong, I thought it was a really cleverly written who done it.
This book started off strong with the introduction of the mastachioed man, I really enjoyed this chapter as it was really strongly written and draws the reader in, I wanted to know more about the identity of the mastashioed man and why he was so desperate to speak to James. This made me feel we were off to a strong start, this book does start a little slowly as the author sets the scene and all the players enter the stage but with the murder of Marie’s grandmother the dice is cast and we have watch as the cards fall where there may. I did wonder how James’s investigation would tie in with Marie’s grandmothers murder but when the connection was revealed I felt this was very nicely and cleverly tied in. Marie’s father and brother were a pair of wasters completely rotten to the core, Marie’s sister Eliza I didn’t really form a strong impression of her character other than that she was very timid. The twist at the end I didn’t see coming and my heart broke for Marie when this was revealed. I also felt for William as he truly loved Marie and I felt for both of their unfulfilled dreams.
The first time I read this book I didn’t really give it a chance to impress me but I decided to revisit my review and reread this book. On my second reading I really enjoyed this book, the writing was strong, I thought it was a really cleverly written who done it.
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January 18, 2026The Green Baize Door (by Eleanor Birney) is a historical mystery set in turn-of-the-century New England, where a brutal murder of an elderly housekeeper on a wealthy Chestnut Hill estate bridges the rigid gap between masters and servants. Housekeeper granddaughter Marie Chevalier and indolent heir James Lett investigate the crime, uncovering secrets.
Key Aspects of The Green Baize Door (Novel):
Plot: The story follows the investigation into a murder, exploring the connections between the staff and the family.
Themes: Explores class identity, family loyalty, and the blurry lines between virtue and vice.
Setting: Turn-of-the-century New England.
Contextual Meaning of "The Green Baize Door":
Symbolism: In grand houses, this fabric-covered door was the dividing line between the "upstairs" (family) and "downstairs" (staff) worlds.
Function: It was designed to stifle noise and smell, allowing staff to move between areas without disturbing the residents.
Metaphor: It represents the social and physical barrier between servants and their employers.
Key Aspects of The Green Baize Door (Novel):
Plot: The story follows the investigation into a murder, exploring the connections between the staff and the family.
Themes: Explores class identity, family loyalty, and the blurry lines between virtue and vice.
Setting: Turn-of-the-century New England.
Contextual Meaning of "The Green Baize Door":
Symbolism: In grand houses, this fabric-covered door was the dividing line between the "upstairs" (family) and "downstairs" (staff) worlds.
Function: It was designed to stifle noise and smell, allowing staff to move between areas without disturbing the residents.
Metaphor: It represents the social and physical barrier between servants and their employers.
November 11, 2025
What a memorable debut! It reads like a book written by a seasoned author, rather than a first attempt.
The prose is sharp and descriptive without being indulgent. The opening chapter set the scene and the tone immediately. I was impressed with how efficient the language was. The author establishes the setting, feel, and characters with economy. There is no wasted space, and nothing felt rushed. The prose fits the historical period well. It flows smoothly, but reads as an accurate facsimile of the time. Anachronistic language is a massive turn off for me in books set in a historical time period.
The examination of class was interesting and vivid. The lower class experience is grounded in a sense of grime and lack that is almost tangible, and the upper class in a malaise of entitlement and ennui.
The characters intrigued me. We get several point of view shifts, and the author does a great job of showing how an individual’s experiences with a different character colors their perception. There are characters who are intent on being a victim of others and of their circumstances. Things are never their fault. And it was fascinating to see their thoughts on a character who had boundaries and refused to let their behavior go, and vice versa. It made for layered and intricate characters. All of the characters are frustrating, but in a good way. They have distinct flaws, and make poor choices, and fail in recognizable ways.
Marie’s level of naivety was a stretch, given her background and upbringing. She is not as active a participant in events as she could have been, and is less compelling than I would have liked. She is easily misled and believes nearly everything said to her. It didn’t ring true to her environment.
The mystery was interesting, although not as much of a hook as the class and character conflicts. It’s not complicated, but it’s handled efficiently. I was engaged enough to stick with it to the end. The end, when it comes, was so utterly shocking that I actually found my mouth hanging open as I read. I don’t think it was set up or even hinted at in the process of the story, so it took me completely by surprise. It was so out of left field that it lowered my opinion of the book. I think it had the potential to work as a reveal if more care had gone in to establishing it. As is, I found it almost unbelievable.
The book also finishes very abruptly. I actually doublechecked to make sure there was nothing wrong with my Kindle because I assumed there had to be at least an epilogue. But no, it ends where it ends. The author is setting up a series, but it did the book a disservice. Overall, I was invested and I had fun reading this, but it wasn’t quite as great as it could have been.
The prose is sharp and descriptive without being indulgent. The opening chapter set the scene and the tone immediately. I was impressed with how efficient the language was. The author establishes the setting, feel, and characters with economy. There is no wasted space, and nothing felt rushed. The prose fits the historical period well. It flows smoothly, but reads as an accurate facsimile of the time. Anachronistic language is a massive turn off for me in books set in a historical time period.
The examination of class was interesting and vivid. The lower class experience is grounded in a sense of grime and lack that is almost tangible, and the upper class in a malaise of entitlement and ennui.
The characters intrigued me. We get several point of view shifts, and the author does a great job of showing how an individual’s experiences with a different character colors their perception. There are characters who are intent on being a victim of others and of their circumstances. Things are never their fault. And it was fascinating to see their thoughts on a character who had boundaries and refused to let their behavior go, and vice versa. It made for layered and intricate characters. All of the characters are frustrating, but in a good way. They have distinct flaws, and make poor choices, and fail in recognizable ways.
Marie’s level of naivety was a stretch, given her background and upbringing. She is not as active a participant in events as she could have been, and is less compelling than I would have liked. She is easily misled and believes nearly everything said to her. It didn’t ring true to her environment.
The mystery was interesting, although not as much of a hook as the class and character conflicts. It’s not complicated, but it’s handled efficiently. I was engaged enough to stick with it to the end. The end, when it comes, was so utterly shocking that I actually found my mouth hanging open as I read. I don’t think it was set up or even hinted at in the process of the story, so it took me completely by surprise. It was so out of left field that it lowered my opinion of the book. I think it had the potential to work as a reveal if more care had gone in to establishing it. As is, I found it almost unbelievable.
The book also finishes very abruptly. I actually doublechecked to make sure there was nothing wrong with my Kindle because I assumed there had to be at least an epilogue. But no, it ends where it ends. The author is setting up a series, but it did the book a disservice. Overall, I was invested and I had fun reading this, but it wasn’t quite as great as it could have been.
Review of advance copy
A long time employee of the Lett family is found murdered on New Years Day 1900. Her granddaughter, Marie, investigates the murder in an attempt to exonerate her ex-lover, father, and brother from suspicion. Separately, Jamie Lett investigates with his sister to determine if someone in his family is tied to the murder. Marie and Jamie eventually cross paths and must work together to solve the murder, even if it means someone in one (or both) of their families is to blame.
I enjoyed the historical setting of this mystery. The mystery itself was written in a classic whodunit manner - with several potential suspects and civilians using basic investigative skills to aid in the capture of the culprit.
The story deals with vices such as airs, graces, and entitlement. Other topics explored are the treatment of minorities by law enforcement in the late 1800s/early 1900s, the expectations of women in society and within family units, and the relationship between household staff and employers during this time period.
As with traditional whodunits, the focus is on the plot. The characters are developed just enough to draw suspicion but not with great detail. The turn of the century setting was something I like in any novel, so I found that enjoyable. The ending set the stage for more books in the future featuring Marie (and hopefully Jamie).
If you are looking for a historical mystery that involves a female sleuth, this will fit the bill. It did keep me guessing, which is what I look for in a good mystery.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the historical setting of this mystery. The mystery itself was written in a classic whodunit manner - with several potential suspects and civilians using basic investigative skills to aid in the capture of the culprit.
The story deals with vices such as airs, graces, and entitlement. Other topics explored are the treatment of minorities by law enforcement in the late 1800s/early 1900s, the expectations of women in society and within family units, and the relationship between household staff and employers during this time period.
As with traditional whodunits, the focus is on the plot. The characters are developed just enough to draw suspicion but not with great detail. The turn of the century setting was something I like in any novel, so I found that enjoyable. The ending set the stage for more books in the future featuring Marie (and hopefully Jamie).
If you are looking for a historical mystery that involves a female sleuth, this will fit the bill. It did keep me guessing, which is what I look for in a good mystery.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 6, 2025
Now this had a good mystery vibe to this book which made it very hard for me to put down from the start to the very end of the books story.
The books plot was very hard gripping and very detailed.
The characters throughout made the book come to life and in the end it was all too real.
I want to thank netgallery for allowing me to read this book, I certain ly enjoyed it.
The books plot was very hard gripping and very detailed.
The characters throughout made the book come to life and in the end it was all too real.
I want to thank netgallery for allowing me to read this book, I certain ly enjoyed it.
December 2, 2025
Great story, I love a good suspense story and this was perfect. If I could have a would have read it in one sitting!
Review of advance copy
I have not struggled quite as much reviewing and reading a book as I have with The Green Baize Door. Let’s start with the positives, the book is very well written, richly layered, and clearly very well researched. The reader is transported fully back into the early 1900s Philadelphia for all its grit and struggle, in particular when describing the poor and the racism that exists. The story is generally interesting and it is a very good first effort by a debut novelist. I absolutely do not want to dissuade Ms. Birney from continuing to hone her craft. She is clearly thoughtful in her approach to her characters and subject matter and interest in addressing themes of race, class, gender, and family.
I admittedly struggled to read and get into the story, which is quite unusual for me. The novel is somewhat disjointed jumping between multiple character points of view since it takes quite sometime for the reader to piece together that the loose connection between the storylines. Very little happens beyond world building and character development for the first 25% of the book and nearly all of the characters are unlikable and miserable, which drags the story down. I want to root for Marie and her sister, but Marie is naïve, haughty and easily misled. We are told she is the beauty while Eliza is the brains, but very little is developed further in this regard until the end of the book, aside from passing mentions.
James Lett on the other hand does not seem to be investigating the murder. Rather he and his sister are trying to understand what is happening with his father’s business and why the man running the company has suddenly gone on an extended holiday. James’s sister appears as a minor character and then disappears from the story almost entirely. I would be more interested in her story generally as she seems much more complex than any of the other characters. We are led to believe that James is interested in Marie because she takes the initiative sells her gifted hair comb and goes to see him (his father) in New York to ask for their help, but not for money. She is beautiful after all and he owes a debt to her grandmother for all her years of faithful service and essentially raising him. I can suspend my disbelief and the likely strict class hierarchy to believe that it might be possible, but their later meetings do not particularly suggest they have much chemistry or that Marie is really all that interested in him.
Finally, the book blurb is incredibly misleading and not really at all indicative of what happens in the book. Using “the green baize door” as a symbol or demarcation between rich and poor is not well incorporated into the story and is only mention once or twice. This element and its meaning is not woven into the story well enough to be a title or even a literary device. My biggest gripe is that neither James nor Marie are really investigating anything. Marie is going to the police and talking to her ex, brother, and father but they treat her poorly and she does little to pushback. James stumbles on the truth of the financial issues facing his family but neither he nor Marie solve the murder.
I understand that this novel is meant to be the first in a series where Marie possibly investigates mysteries, but I have trouble buying into this premise or this novel as a mystery. It is much more a crime/historical fiction. It does well in this lane, but I do not see or interpret Marie as ambitious and her push to truly change her life is entirely external and at the goodwill/torment of others. This book has good bones and a workable and interesting premise, but I think it needs more time to marinate and some reworking to become a true historical crime mystery. Alternatively, the book blurb could be altered to be more accurate to the story.
While I might have been critical in my review, I do genuinely think the author has a bright future and will continue to improve her storytelling that I am interested in reading her next novels. I am grateful to BookSirens and to the author for providing me with this free advance review copy of this book; I have read and honestly reviewed this book voluntarily.
I admittedly struggled to read and get into the story, which is quite unusual for me. The novel is somewhat disjointed jumping between multiple character points of view since it takes quite sometime for the reader to piece together that the loose connection between the storylines. Very little happens beyond world building and character development for the first 25% of the book and nearly all of the characters are unlikable and miserable, which drags the story down. I want to root for Marie and her sister, but Marie is naïve, haughty and easily misled. We are told she is the beauty while Eliza is the brains, but very little is developed further in this regard until the end of the book, aside from passing mentions.
James Lett on the other hand does not seem to be investigating the murder. Rather he and his sister are trying to understand what is happening with his father’s business and why the man running the company has suddenly gone on an extended holiday. James’s sister appears as a minor character and then disappears from the story almost entirely. I would be more interested in her story generally as she seems much more complex than any of the other characters. We are led to believe that James is interested in Marie because she takes the initiative sells her gifted hair comb and goes to see him (his father) in New York to ask for their help, but not for money. She is beautiful after all and he owes a debt to her grandmother for all her years of faithful service and essentially raising him. I can suspend my disbelief and the likely strict class hierarchy to believe that it might be possible, but their later meetings do not particularly suggest they have much chemistry or that Marie is really all that interested in him.
Finally, the book blurb is incredibly misleading and not really at all indicative of what happens in the book. Using “the green baize door” as a symbol or demarcation between rich and poor is not well incorporated into the story and is only mention once or twice. This element and its meaning is not woven into the story well enough to be a title or even a literary device. My biggest gripe is that neither James nor Marie are really investigating anything. Marie is going to the police and talking to her ex, brother, and father but they treat her poorly and she does little to pushback. James stumbles on the truth of the financial issues facing his family but neither he nor Marie solve the murder.
I understand that this novel is meant to be the first in a series where Marie possibly investigates mysteries, but I have trouble buying into this premise or this novel as a mystery. It is much more a crime/historical fiction. It does well in this lane, but I do not see or interpret Marie as ambitious and her push to truly change her life is entirely external and at the goodwill/torment of others. This book has good bones and a workable and interesting premise, but I think it needs more time to marinate and some reworking to become a true historical crime mystery. Alternatively, the book blurb could be altered to be more accurate to the story.
While I might have been critical in my review, I do genuinely think the author has a bright future and will continue to improve her storytelling that I am interested in reading her next novels. I am grateful to BookSirens and to the author for providing me with this free advance review copy of this book; I have read and honestly reviewed this book voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
ARC Review: The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney
I decided to accept this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) of The Green Baize Door by this debut novel of new author Eleanor Birney based on the summary and cover. I was intrigued as it seemed to be a historic murder mystery set at turn-of the-century New England with class and cultural divides spanning the female main character (FMC) and male main character (MMC)… so I was also hoping for some romance as well.
And the story delivered this… somewhat, I felt. I really appreciate how it was well-written and researched, especially at the start when the author is introducing the characters. We first meet MMC, James Lett, a privileged young man who seems to have been dragged on a business trip with his father’s colleague to the back and beyond when he notices the colleague acting oddly… and then witnesses the death of a stranger who was trying to get his attention the night before. Then, we meet FMC, Marie Chevalier, who is visiting her Mémé (grandmother), Madame Alozia Tompkins, who is currently housekeeper to the Lett family. Marie’s family lives in poverty due to her father and brother’s arrogance and belief that they deserve better because they know they have a large inheritance to look forward to that Alozia inherited from a previous husband. Alas, death strikes, but this time to Marie’s family and the story plays out from there.
Birney’s writing style contains the right amount of descriptive elements to help the reader visualize the characters’ appearances and personalities without going over the top. I could also picture the surroundings and the main places (e.g., Philadelphia and New York City) in 1900 without becoming confused as a non-native. The author’s legal background shines as well as I learned a lot about turn-of-the century court proceedings and appalling segregation laws in the USA at the time as we discover more about the racism and prejudice Marie and her family face when the truth comes out that Alozia had Creole origins. Without leaving any spoilers, the murderer’s identity resolves towards the end and truly did surprise me.
Despite this, I really struggled to become invested in the characters and story overall. I felt too much time focused on the character of William Jones, Marie’s first beau and her brother’s best friend, especially as he seemed to be ‘God’s gift to women.’ I found myself skimming things when he appeared, and as he showed up a lot, this made the story drag for me. He was really annoying, and I did not care at all when he was framed for the murder, and then found myself frustrated with Marie for suddenly caring about him again when she saw him behind bars. The interactions between James and Marie were more mildly interesting, and could have redeemed the plot more for me if they had worked more in tandem to aid in James’ investigation (Marie didn’t really do any investigating at all as I thought would happen from the summary). The reader is led to believe Marie’s and James’ connection might continue in the next book, however, in spite of how well-written this story was, I really didn’t become invested enough in them to want to find out more.
Overall, I think this would appeal to readers who like reading about life and legal proceedings of 1900 in this part of the US. The author could do so much more with the class, identity and cross-cultural aspects, and perhaps, this might come through as this is meant to be a series. It’s too bad it wasn’t more compelling in this first book.
P.S. I am grateful to BookSirens for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!
I decided to accept this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) of The Green Baize Door by this debut novel of new author Eleanor Birney based on the summary and cover. I was intrigued as it seemed to be a historic murder mystery set at turn-of the-century New England with class and cultural divides spanning the female main character (FMC) and male main character (MMC)… so I was also hoping for some romance as well.
And the story delivered this… somewhat, I felt. I really appreciate how it was well-written and researched, especially at the start when the author is introducing the characters. We first meet MMC, James Lett, a privileged young man who seems to have been dragged on a business trip with his father’s colleague to the back and beyond when he notices the colleague acting oddly… and then witnesses the death of a stranger who was trying to get his attention the night before. Then, we meet FMC, Marie Chevalier, who is visiting her Mémé (grandmother), Madame Alozia Tompkins, who is currently housekeeper to the Lett family. Marie’s family lives in poverty due to her father and brother’s arrogance and belief that they deserve better because they know they have a large inheritance to look forward to that Alozia inherited from a previous husband. Alas, death strikes, but this time to Marie’s family and the story plays out from there.
Birney’s writing style contains the right amount of descriptive elements to help the reader visualize the characters’ appearances and personalities without going over the top. I could also picture the surroundings and the main places (e.g., Philadelphia and New York City) in 1900 without becoming confused as a non-native. The author’s legal background shines as well as I learned a lot about turn-of-the century court proceedings and appalling segregation laws in the USA at the time as we discover more about the racism and prejudice Marie and her family face when the truth comes out that Alozia had Creole origins. Without leaving any spoilers, the murderer’s identity resolves towards the end and truly did surprise me.
Despite this, I really struggled to become invested in the characters and story overall. I felt too much time focused on the character of William Jones, Marie’s first beau and her brother’s best friend, especially as he seemed to be ‘God’s gift to women.’ I found myself skimming things when he appeared, and as he showed up a lot, this made the story drag for me. He was really annoying, and I did not care at all when he was framed for the murder, and then found myself frustrated with Marie for suddenly caring about him again when she saw him behind bars. The interactions between James and Marie were more mildly interesting, and could have redeemed the plot more for me if they had worked more in tandem to aid in James’ investigation (Marie didn’t really do any investigating at all as I thought would happen from the summary). The reader is led to believe Marie’s and James’ connection might continue in the next book, however, in spite of how well-written this story was, I really didn’t become invested enough in them to want to find out more.
Overall, I think this would appeal to readers who like reading about life and legal proceedings of 1900 in this part of the US. The author could do so much more with the class, identity and cross-cultural aspects, and perhaps, this might come through as this is meant to be a series. It’s too bad it wasn’t more compelling in this first book.
P.S. I am grateful to BookSirens for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!
January 27, 2026
Manassas Edmunds, who had been a trusted employee for decades at Keystone Lumber Company, and James, often called Jamie, Lett, heir apparent of the company owned by his father, had arrived to inspect Conifer Lumber Mill in Upstate New York. After Jamie had rested for a bit at an inn, he went down to grab a bite to eat when he received a message that Manassa had left for another mill. Then, while Jamie is eating, he is approached by a man, possibly of South American descent, who asks about bonds and claims that his very life may depend on securing them. Jamie reluctantly agreed to meet with the man the next morning, but the man failed to show. Leaving for his tour of the mill the next morning, Jamie discovers that the man has been run over and killed. Could the death have anything to do with the mill despite bystanders insisting that the death is the man's own fault? The next day, while inspecting the mill's books, Jamie noticed some irregularities. If you love historical fiction, I highly recommend reading The Green Baize Door to find out.
I really like how the author, Eleanor Birney, has this book laid out. The opening chapter raises lots of interesting questions without getting bogged down in details. that I did not need to know yet. Then, in the following chapters, the author starts to provide more details at a rate that makes them easy to comprehend. A lot of the action takes place in Philadelphia, which I thought was a perfect symbolic choice for this book.
Since each chapter starts with a date, it is easy to tell when different events occur. This made the story even easier to follow. Furthermore, the author creates very believable settings. I especially loved the image of Jamie sitting in his father's office with jam-covered fingers surrounded by books with gilded pages.
There are many twists and turns in this story, so it easily kept my attention. For example, the man who confronted Jamie in Upstate New York is not the only person who ends up dead. The deaths could lead to drastic changes in the characters' lives.
The author weaves several themes into this story, including rich versus poor, white versus colored, and men versus women.
My favorite character in this story is Marie Chevalier. She is very hardworking, able to think on her feet, and very compassionate, especially toward her younger sister, Eliza, who dealt with the aftereffects of polio. Her deepest desire was that her father would become a respectable citizen. Still, to some, she could come off as pious as a missionary, a penitent lover, and a gloating vampire.
The editors have worked very hard on this book. Except for some inconsistent capitalization of one character's name, I didn't notice any grammatical errors.
I definitely never saw the ending coming. Yet, it makes perfect sense. I certainly hope there is a sequel in the works.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
I really like how the author, Eleanor Birney, has this book laid out. The opening chapter raises lots of interesting questions without getting bogged down in details. that I did not need to know yet. Then, in the following chapters, the author starts to provide more details at a rate that makes them easy to comprehend. A lot of the action takes place in Philadelphia, which I thought was a perfect symbolic choice for this book.
Since each chapter starts with a date, it is easy to tell when different events occur. This made the story even easier to follow. Furthermore, the author creates very believable settings. I especially loved the image of Jamie sitting in his father's office with jam-covered fingers surrounded by books with gilded pages.
There are many twists and turns in this story, so it easily kept my attention. For example, the man who confronted Jamie in Upstate New York is not the only person who ends up dead. The deaths could lead to drastic changes in the characters' lives.
The author weaves several themes into this story, including rich versus poor, white versus colored, and men versus women.
My favorite character in this story is Marie Chevalier. She is very hardworking, able to think on her feet, and very compassionate, especially toward her younger sister, Eliza, who dealt with the aftereffects of polio. Her deepest desire was that her father would become a respectable citizen. Still, to some, she could come off as pious as a missionary, a penitent lover, and a gloating vampire.
The editors have worked very hard on this book. Except for some inconsistent capitalization of one character's name, I didn't notice any grammatical errors.
I definitely never saw the ending coming. Yet, it makes perfect sense. I certainly hope there is a sequel in the works.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
December 5, 2025
The Green Baize Door is one of those rare mysteries that digs not only into who committed the crime but also into why the world around them allowed it to happen in the first place. The opening murder is violent, shocking, and deeply symbolic. It tears away the fragile calm of Chestnut Hill’s finest mansion and forces every character to face the kinds of secrets that polite society would rather bury. This is not comfortable reading. It scratches at the polished surface of privilege, and what it reveals can be unsettling.
Marie Chevalier lingers in my mind. She is poor, but her dignity is unshakeable. She carries nothing but her name and the memory of her grandmother, and that is enough to push her forward. Following her through the halls and alleyways as she tries to understand who among the masters or the servants could commit such an act feels both urgent and heartbreaking. James Lett, with all his wealth and his wavering morals, ended up surprising me. His hesitation, his guilt, and his eventual realization of the injustice around him give his character a bittersweet but meaningful arc.
The divide between upstairs and downstairs is drawn with remarkable clarity. You feel it in every whisper, every sharp look, and every door that stays locked. The mystery winds through lies and secrets like smoke, and it never lets you settle. It pushes you not only to guess who committed the crime but also to question whether any resolution can feel clean in a world built on hierarchy and silence.
There are moments when the investigation slows down, and the distance between suspicion and proof narrows in a way that feels a little too neat. Still, the final reveal of the culprit lands with force. It also leaves a lingering ache for the people on both sides of the green baize door, because the weight of truth does not fall evenly on everyone.
I am grateful to NetGalley for the ARC, and I am glad I had the chance to read this early. If you are drawn to historical mysteries that expose the rot beneath refinement, examine the harshness of class divisions, and refuse to shy away from moral complexity, this novel will stay with you long after the last page.
Marie Chevalier lingers in my mind. She is poor, but her dignity is unshakeable. She carries nothing but her name and the memory of her grandmother, and that is enough to push her forward. Following her through the halls and alleyways as she tries to understand who among the masters or the servants could commit such an act feels both urgent and heartbreaking. James Lett, with all his wealth and his wavering morals, ended up surprising me. His hesitation, his guilt, and his eventual realization of the injustice around him give his character a bittersweet but meaningful arc.
The divide between upstairs and downstairs is drawn with remarkable clarity. You feel it in every whisper, every sharp look, and every door that stays locked. The mystery winds through lies and secrets like smoke, and it never lets you settle. It pushes you not only to guess who committed the crime but also to question whether any resolution can feel clean in a world built on hierarchy and silence.
There are moments when the investigation slows down, and the distance between suspicion and proof narrows in a way that feels a little too neat. Still, the final reveal of the culprit lands with force. It also leaves a lingering ache for the people on both sides of the green baize door, because the weight of truth does not fall evenly on everyone.
I am grateful to NetGalley for the ARC, and I am glad I had the chance to read this early. If you are drawn to historical mysteries that expose the rot beneath refinement, examine the harshness of class divisions, and refuse to shy away from moral complexity, this novel will stay with you long after the last page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2025
A solid debut historical mystery novel. I enjoyed the way it established the turn of the century setting, and how it included social conflicts around class and race. It had more of a courtroom drama flavor than the amateur sleuths I was expecting, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable.
We get to experience this story from the 3rd-person points of view of a varied cast of characters. And all of them were well-drawn and believable as individuals (even if some were very unlikeable with the way they always portrayed themselves as victims, using that as an excuse for their almost complete lack of redeemable qualities). But I didn't always feel like their relationships and how they reacted to each other rang true. Especially Marie's reactions and feelings to some of the more unlikeable characters (who shall remain unnamed here) felt off somehow. And every time the book tried bringing in undertones of romantic history or romantic feelings between two characters it felt like the cliché of "all telling, no showing". The characters I found most interesting and compelling in the end were Jamie Lett and his sister. I wish we'd seen a bit more of her.
The pacing felt a little uneven, with the first half of the book moving very slowly and the second half feeling a bit rushed. Then towards the very end it felt like it lost momentum again and tapered off, making me worry for a moment that we wouldn't even get to learn the identity of the murderer. And when we finally did, while the killer's identity was a surprise to me, the passive way in which it was revealed left me disappointed (almost wishing the question had remained unanswered after all).
I liked the writing overall, so I'd definitely consider picking up another book by this author. But I'm not sure I find these characters, especially Marie, compelling enough to carry a series, so I'm not sure I'd pick up another "Marie Chevalier mystery".
Thank you to the publisher, Parlor & Dock Press, for providing a review copy via NetGalley. This review reflects my honest opinion.
We get to experience this story from the 3rd-person points of view of a varied cast of characters. And all of them were well-drawn and believable as individuals (even if some were very unlikeable with the way they always portrayed themselves as victims, using that as an excuse for their almost complete lack of redeemable qualities). But I didn't always feel like their relationships and how they reacted to each other rang true. Especially Marie's reactions and feelings to some of the more unlikeable characters (who shall remain unnamed here) felt off somehow. And every time the book tried bringing in undertones of romantic history or romantic feelings between two characters it felt like the cliché of "all telling, no showing". The characters I found most interesting and compelling in the end were Jamie Lett and his sister. I wish we'd seen a bit more of her.
The pacing felt a little uneven, with the first half of the book moving very slowly and the second half feeling a bit rushed. Then towards the very end it felt like it lost momentum again and tapered off, making me worry for a moment that we wouldn't even get to learn the identity of the murderer. And when we finally did, while the killer's identity was a surprise to me, the passive way in which it was revealed left me disappointed (almost wishing the question had remained unanswered after all).
I liked the writing overall, so I'd definitely consider picking up another book by this author. But I'm not sure I find these characters, especially Marie, compelling enough to carry a series, so I'm not sure I'd pick up another "Marie Chevalier mystery".
Thank you to the publisher, Parlor & Dock Press, for providing a review copy via NetGalley. This review reflects my honest opinion.
November 27, 2025
I do love a good historic murder mystery, and The Green Baize Door is certainly that. Told from multiple points of view, we follow the various characters, both those who are rich and live an easy life and those who are struggling, while we find out who murdered a housekeeper. She was a grandmother to one of the poorer families and a housekeeper for the richer. I felt swept into the time period of this book which is something I really love.
It isn't a murder mystery in the classic sense of the word. There is a murder, although in many ways, that almost seems secondary to the rest of the action here. We also don't follow anyone trying to solve it as such, although there are hints. In some ways, this book feels as much a study of race and poverty as it does anything else. I didn't work out who the murderer was, but I didn't feel that I was being guided to do so in any case. Rather, the story itself carried me along.
This is very much an American book, which again helps build the feel of the time. One of the main characters, Marie, passes as white, but has a 'coloured' grandmother. As a result, she ends up feeling that she fits nowhere. I know that race (or perhaps skin colour would be more accurate) is still a hugely contentious issue in the US, and the idea of someone's identity being based on their ancestors' ethnicity, rather than their own reality, is something that is viewed rather differently in the rest of the world. We certainly see some of the roots of that here.
The book ends at a point where I assume that it's all finished, but there is still scope to follow the fortunes of the characters in the future. I'm not sure if that is the intention, or if it will finish here; I think either way would work.
This was a great read and one that I didn't want to put down. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for this author in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
It isn't a murder mystery in the classic sense of the word. There is a murder, although in many ways, that almost seems secondary to the rest of the action here. We also don't follow anyone trying to solve it as such, although there are hints. In some ways, this book feels as much a study of race and poverty as it does anything else. I didn't work out who the murderer was, but I didn't feel that I was being guided to do so in any case. Rather, the story itself carried me along.
This is very much an American book, which again helps build the feel of the time. One of the main characters, Marie, passes as white, but has a 'coloured' grandmother. As a result, she ends up feeling that she fits nowhere. I know that race (or perhaps skin colour would be more accurate) is still a hugely contentious issue in the US, and the idea of someone's identity being based on their ancestors' ethnicity, rather than their own reality, is something that is viewed rather differently in the rest of the world. We certainly see some of the roots of that here.
The book ends at a point where I assume that it's all finished, but there is still scope to follow the fortunes of the characters in the future. I'm not sure if that is the intention, or if it will finish here; I think either way would work.
This was a great read and one that I didn't want to put down. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for this author in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨ A brutal murder. Secrets in every corner. And a story that kept me guessing till the very end. ✨
🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Green Baize Door by @eleanor.birney.author
Pub Date: January 27, 2026
Publisher: Parlor & Dock Press Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) Historical Fiction Mystery & Thriller
Thanks to @NetGalley and the Parlor & Dock Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My Thoughts: I once again fell for a gorgeous cover and a murder-mystery premise, and I’m glad I did.
I was instantly drawn in by the 1900s settings and the murder mystery, and I loved how vividly the early 1900s world was portrayed the class divide, family pressure, and hidden secrets felt real. I was deeply invested in Marie,and jamie. and I truly lived through each character’s POV. The investigation and court scenes were gripping, and I suspected almost everyone yet completely failed to guess the real murderer. While William’s POV slowed the story for me and broke some tension, the final twist caught me off guard. I wished Marie and Jamie had ended up together, but I also understand her choice after everything she endured. Some characters made me genuinely angry, especially father, son, house owner and the murderer.
For a debut novel, this was an excellent achievement. Eleanor Birney’s writing has a classic mystery feel and often reminded me of Agatha Christie especially in the way suspicion shifts and secrets slowly surface.
👏 Congratulations to Eleanor Birney on a strong debut.
I suggest this book to readers who love historical murder mysteries with Agatha Christie vibes.
#TheGreenBaizeDoor #Bookstagram #NetGalley #HistoricalMystery #debutauthor
🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Green Baize Door by @eleanor.birney.author
Pub Date: January 27, 2026
Publisher: Parlor & Dock Press Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) Historical Fiction Mystery & Thriller
Thanks to @NetGalley and the Parlor & Dock Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My Thoughts: I once again fell for a gorgeous cover and a murder-mystery premise, and I’m glad I did.
I was instantly drawn in by the 1900s settings and the murder mystery, and I loved how vividly the early 1900s world was portrayed the class divide, family pressure, and hidden secrets felt real. I was deeply invested in Marie,and jamie. and I truly lived through each character’s POV. The investigation and court scenes were gripping, and I suspected almost everyone yet completely failed to guess the real murderer. While William’s POV slowed the story for me and broke some tension, the final twist caught me off guard. I wished Marie and Jamie had ended up together, but I also understand her choice after everything she endured. Some characters made me genuinely angry, especially father, son, house owner and the murderer.
For a debut novel, this was an excellent achievement. Eleanor Birney’s writing has a classic mystery feel and often reminded me of Agatha Christie especially in the way suspicion shifts and secrets slowly surface.
👏 Congratulations to Eleanor Birney on a strong debut.
I suggest this book to readers who love historical murder mysteries with Agatha Christie vibes.
#TheGreenBaizeDoor #Bookstagram #NetGalley #HistoricalMystery #debutauthor
Review of advance copy
This was an easy read, written loosely on the light style of the classic whodunnit, with even intriguing chapter titles thrown into the mix! A good read for a quiet holiday.
The mystery revolves around the murder of an housekeeper of an affluent family, with several very-likely suspects turning up only to be displaced by a twist at the end. Neither the murdered woman’s granddaughter Marie nor her employer’s son James, on either side of the baize door, actively attempt to solve the mystery of the murder, despite what the book’s blurb promises, and what primarily influenced the 3* rating (because I admit, this was disappointing until things got rolling about midway through the book). Marie is preoccupied with her family’s precarious financial position while James investigates a mystery of his own. But these two characters intersect, despite being on different searches, at the trial of the murdered housekeeper, which is what propels the mystery and its resolution forward. I thought this was a clever move!
It captures some aspects of the time, and its race and class tensions, but these felt a tad contrived. For eg, a long passage of monologue towards the end from a character who hardly spoke, and featured only fleetingly, felt more textbook than mystery novel.
Overall though, I think this book would have been better positioned with a better blurb, rather than the current one, which sets up the reader for disappintment when the book delivers different goods!
The story’s end sets us up for a sequel. And if I was in a holiday mood, I’ll likely give it a go!
Thanks to @BookSirens for the ARC.
The mystery revolves around the murder of an housekeeper of an affluent family, with several very-likely suspects turning up only to be displaced by a twist at the end. Neither the murdered woman’s granddaughter Marie nor her employer’s son James, on either side of the baize door, actively attempt to solve the mystery of the murder, despite what the book’s blurb promises, and what primarily influenced the 3* rating (because I admit, this was disappointing until things got rolling about midway through the book). Marie is preoccupied with her family’s precarious financial position while James investigates a mystery of his own. But these two characters intersect, despite being on different searches, at the trial of the murdered housekeeper, which is what propels the mystery and its resolution forward. I thought this was a clever move!
It captures some aspects of the time, and its race and class tensions, but these felt a tad contrived. For eg, a long passage of monologue towards the end from a character who hardly spoke, and featured only fleetingly, felt more textbook than mystery novel.
Overall though, I think this book would have been better positioned with a better blurb, rather than the current one, which sets up the reader for disappintment when the book delivers different goods!
The story’s end sets us up for a sequel. And if I was in a holiday mood, I’ll likely give it a go!
Thanks to @BookSirens for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I requested this ARC on NetGalley, I requested it because it was listed as a mystery/thriller. I like historical fiction on its own sometimes, but really the main draw for me here was that it was a mystery. I personally think calling this a mystery is not a proper categorization.
While there is a murder that occurs, this is missing pretty much every other aspect of a mystery. The largest two of these though is that we do not follow a central detective figure, and there is no deduction. The description of the book states that Marie and James run separate investigations, but I don't really feel either of them actually investigated. Of the two, I would say James maybe did a bit more investigating because he was going through files, but all Marie did was talk to her dad, her brother, and her ex. Overall, I felt no suspense and no actual intrigue associated with a mystery. I would say this is more akin to legal drama, or just purely historical fiction.
Looking at it through a historical fiction lens alone, I did not find anything to be all that special about this in large part because what it appears are supposed to be our main characters, Marie and James, are not really developed. The only character who we are given much in-depth detail on is William. And William....sucks. He's written well, I guess, if you are trying to write an unsympathetic preacher's son who blames everyone else for the troubles in his life and hates women while viewing himself as a ladies man/protector. I hated reading his chapters. They were not enjoyable, and they did not drive the story forward.
While there is a murder that occurs, this is missing pretty much every other aspect of a mystery. The largest two of these though is that we do not follow a central detective figure, and there is no deduction. The description of the book states that Marie and James run separate investigations, but I don't really feel either of them actually investigated. Of the two, I would say James maybe did a bit more investigating because he was going through files, but all Marie did was talk to her dad, her brother, and her ex. Overall, I felt no suspense and no actual intrigue associated with a mystery. I would say this is more akin to legal drama, or just purely historical fiction.
Looking at it through a historical fiction lens alone, I did not find anything to be all that special about this in large part because what it appears are supposed to be our main characters, Marie and James, are not really developed. The only character who we are given much in-depth detail on is William. And William....sucks. He's written well, I guess, if you are trying to write an unsympathetic preacher's son who blames everyone else for the troubles in his life and hates women while viewing himself as a ladies man/protector. I hated reading his chapters. They were not enjoyable, and they did not drive the story forward.
Review of advance copy
In “The Green Baize Door,” Marie Chevalier is struggling to keep her family together, but her skills with a needle will only take them so far. Her father wastes his money on games, drink, and the always just out of reach investment that will lift the family out of poverty. Her brother is similar and, not too long in the past, lost his job for suspected criminal activity. Her sister is young and really needs to get away to reach her full potential. The one bright spot is Marie’s grandmother, the housekeeper at one of the nicer homes on Chestnut Hill. She offers no nonsense comfort and hope to Marie and her sister.
When her grandmother is murdered, Marie is faced with family secrets and Jamie, the son of the family for whom her grandmother worked. They each look for clues that will reveal who killed the housekeeper while trying to convince police to look at actual evidence, not just the easiest suspect. Soon, Jamie realizes there is a connection between the crime scene and suspicious activity in his family’s business.
This was an enjoyable read. I liked Marie and Jamie; they are smart and ultimately kind individuals who are trying to find their way in the world. Both discover they are more resilient than they thought and find ways to move forward with their lives. The book blurb promises this is the first in a series. I hope so because I am looking forward to seeing where life takes Marie.
This book is great for readers who enjoy historical mysteries, particularly those taking place in the United States.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, Netgalley, and Parlor and Dock Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When her grandmother is murdered, Marie is faced with family secrets and Jamie, the son of the family for whom her grandmother worked. They each look for clues that will reveal who killed the housekeeper while trying to convince police to look at actual evidence, not just the easiest suspect. Soon, Jamie realizes there is a connection between the crime scene and suspicious activity in his family’s business.
This was an enjoyable read. I liked Marie and Jamie; they are smart and ultimately kind individuals who are trying to find their way in the world. Both discover they are more resilient than they thought and find ways to move forward with their lives. The book blurb promises this is the first in a series. I hope so because I am looking forward to seeing where life takes Marie.
This book is great for readers who enjoy historical mysteries, particularly those taking place in the United States.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, Netgalley, and Parlor and Dock Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a murder mystery set at the turn of the 19th to 20th century. It is set up as a contrast between a rich family and a poor one, in which the poor family’s grandmother, working as a housekeeper for the rich family (the Letts), is found murdered in the Lett’s home.
I found this first novel a very interesting read. There are 2 mysteries to unravel involving 2 families at opposite ends of the social spectrum. As the mysteries unfold, we begin to see the connections between the two converge. There are several suspects that are considered, but the ending is a surprise!
The author did a good job in character development. The main female and male characters were well drawn and very likable. The negative aspects of the secondary characters effectively set off the differences between the “good” people and the “bad”. There were no explicit scenes, making this a book that I would feel comfortable recommending to younger teens.
The unraveling of the murder that is the connection between the 2 families is a shock—at least I didn’t see it coming! The ending of the book (it seems to me) left the relationship between the H & h unresolved—will they ever get their HEA? I suspect that we will see a follow book further exploring that thread! A very good first book and I hope to read another from this author.
I received an early copy of this book from BookSirens. My review is voluntary, and the opinions my own.
I found this first novel a very interesting read. There are 2 mysteries to unravel involving 2 families at opposite ends of the social spectrum. As the mysteries unfold, we begin to see the connections between the two converge. There are several suspects that are considered, but the ending is a surprise!
The author did a good job in character development. The main female and male characters were well drawn and very likable. The negative aspects of the secondary characters effectively set off the differences between the “good” people and the “bad”. There were no explicit scenes, making this a book that I would feel comfortable recommending to younger teens.
The unraveling of the murder that is the connection between the 2 families is a shock—at least I didn’t see it coming! The ending of the book (it seems to me) left the relationship between the H & h unresolved—will they ever get their HEA? I suspect that we will see a follow book further exploring that thread! A very good first book and I hope to read another from this author.
I received an early copy of this book from BookSirens. My review is voluntary, and the opinions my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
~ 4.5 ⭐
The Green Baize Door was an engrossing murder mystery exploring themes of colorism, classism, poverty and desperation. It also explores themes of family, love, and justice. We follow Jamie and Marie, two characters from very different backgrounds as their worlds collide through a murder. I loved both of these characters, and following them on their respective journeys helped me connect to them. The characters were compelling, realistically written and their interactions with others were intriguing.
The family dynamics in this story were diverse and interesting. There were characters I loved, but also those who I hated with a passion. However, the author has a way of humanising even the worst people and making you at least understand where they're coming from. I loved following Jamie and Marie as they conducted their respective investigations and reached their own conclusions.
My favourite part of this story was the interactions between Jamie and Marie. I was smiling throughout all of them. The way they came together to uncover the truth was unique, and so very exciting. I loved this book but sone characters were a little too nasty for me and I couldn't believe how forgiving and sympathetic Marie could be at times, and that's why I gave this book 4.5 stars. I couldn't put this book down, and the ending just makes me desperate to read the sequel.
(I Received an ARC of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for a honest review)
The Green Baize Door was an engrossing murder mystery exploring themes of colorism, classism, poverty and desperation. It also explores themes of family, love, and justice. We follow Jamie and Marie, two characters from very different backgrounds as their worlds collide through a murder. I loved both of these characters, and following them on their respective journeys helped me connect to them. The characters were compelling, realistically written and their interactions with others were intriguing.
The family dynamics in this story were diverse and interesting. There were characters I loved, but also those who I hated with a passion. However, the author has a way of humanising even the worst people and making you at least understand where they're coming from. I loved following Jamie and Marie as they conducted their respective investigations and reached their own conclusions.
My favourite part of this story was the interactions between Jamie and Marie. I was smiling throughout all of them. The way they came together to uncover the truth was unique, and so very exciting. I loved this book but sone characters were a little too nasty for me and I couldn't believe how forgiving and sympathetic Marie could be at times, and that's why I gave this book 4.5 stars. I couldn't put this book down, and the ending just makes me desperate to read the sequel.
(I Received an ARC of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for a honest review)
Review of advance copy
I received an ARC/pdf version for The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney for FREE from Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.
The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney is a work of historical fiction and it also falls into the mystery genre as well. The release date for The Green Baize Door is on January 27, 2026.
I am a fan of historical fiction novels and also mystery novels, which is why I was drawn to The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney as this novel falls into both genres equally.
Eleanor Birney is a new to me author. What better way to explore a new to me author than by reading the ARC edition for FREE to see how I enjoy their writing?
I was hoping for more when it came to The Green Baize Door. I was drawn to this novel's cover, the storyline, the fact that it has a female leading character, and the genres it falls into. However, I found the first 30% of this novel to be kind of boring after the first chapter or two, which made me not want to continue reading it. I'm glad that I did finish reading The Green Baize Door as the storyline did pick up and become more engaging and continued to be more captivating as the story moved along.
I enjoyed the characters of both James Lett and Marie Chevalier. I didn't expect the murderer to be the person revealed at the end of the novel!!
The writing was good overall for The Green Baize Door, but I won't go out of my way to read another novel by Eleanor Birney.
The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney is a work of historical fiction and it also falls into the mystery genre as well. The release date for The Green Baize Door is on January 27, 2026.
I am a fan of historical fiction novels and also mystery novels, which is why I was drawn to The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney as this novel falls into both genres equally.
Eleanor Birney is a new to me author. What better way to explore a new to me author than by reading the ARC edition for FREE to see how I enjoy their writing?
I was hoping for more when it came to The Green Baize Door. I was drawn to this novel's cover, the storyline, the fact that it has a female leading character, and the genres it falls into. However, I found the first 30% of this novel to be kind of boring after the first chapter or two, which made me not want to continue reading it. I'm glad that I did finish reading The Green Baize Door as the storyline did pick up and become more engaging and continued to be more captivating as the story moved along.
I enjoyed the characters of both James Lett and Marie Chevalier. I didn't expect the murderer to be the person revealed at the end of the novel!!
The writing was good overall for The Green Baize Door, but I won't go out of my way to read another novel by Eleanor Birney.
January 11, 2026
I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion. I did enjoy this book. It's set in 1900, or rather it actually started at the end of 1899, the author gives a good sense of the times, manners, behaviours and society. The story begins with one story and apparently turns to another, unconnected and completely different. The two slowly converge as the year moves along with the date the beginning of every chapter. The characters on one side suffer unimaginable poverty while on the other, a life of ease and wealth - until a beloved coloured housekeeper is murdered and everything changes. At the same time another, different servant had been taken In by a huge financial scam. A certain senator got a law passed that said One Drop of coloured blood made a person coloured and therefore, must be segregated from white people. This really sounds horrific today. The effect on people with that One Drop, like the family of the housekeeper, is explored in this story, as is what can become of the wealthy if they fall and the similarities in the attitudes of society to both. The only thing that lost the book a star for me is that I turned the last page expecting more - and found it was the end. Perhaps there will be a second book - a good reason for such an end, but personally I dislike what happens next being left for me to imagine.
January 23, 2026
REVIEW- 2.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
STORYLINE :
Unfortunately, the author didn't deliver what was promised in the synopsis. The investigation on the murder was subpar and disappointing. But, the investigation into the fraud by Jsmes Lett was still okay. The book was actually easy to read, I had no problems with that.
However, the storyline was just scattered and annoying because it was really disappointing. The characters were disappointing, too, when delivering the storyline
CHARACTERS:
The FMC, Marie, was just there. To be honest, it didn't feel like she added anything. She didn't solve anything or find any evidence. I found how she believed the best of her father and brother despite evidence to the contrary annoying. But, she was a good sister and homemaker.
The MMC, James Lett was much better, and I liked him. He was okay, and I liked the work he did on his father's company cade.
I must say, the villains were well written too.
WRITING STYLE:
It was okay. There was no issue with it
SETTINGS:
The settings were okay, and I liked that the author showed the realities of people with mixed races and the racism.
OVERALL:
I didn't really like this book. It was better in the beginning, but it all turned downhill as I continued.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
STORYLINE :
Unfortunately, the author didn't deliver what was promised in the synopsis. The investigation on the murder was subpar and disappointing. But, the investigation into the fraud by Jsmes Lett was still okay. The book was actually easy to read, I had no problems with that.
However, the storyline was just scattered and annoying because it was really disappointing. The characters were disappointing, too, when delivering the storyline
CHARACTERS:
The FMC, Marie, was just there. To be honest, it didn't feel like she added anything. She didn't solve anything or find any evidence. I found how she believed the best of her father and brother despite evidence to the contrary annoying. But, she was a good sister and homemaker.
The MMC, James Lett was much better, and I liked him. He was okay, and I liked the work he did on his father's company cade.
I must say, the villains were well written too.
WRITING STYLE:
It was okay. There was no issue with it
SETTINGS:
The settings were okay, and I liked that the author showed the realities of people with mixed races and the racism.
OVERALL:
I didn't really like this book. It was better in the beginning, but it all turned downhill as I continued.
December 21, 2025
The book was well written but a bit slow going. It is less of a mystery than a character study of a group of people in Philadelphia at the turn of the 20th century. We get to know that several of them are of mixed race, but neither their race nor racism are more than background, lightly alluded to. The title indicates this is the first of the "Marie Chevalier Mysteries", but I didn't get the feeling that Marie was the main protaganist of the story until far into it. It also didn't get to a plot for way too long. The introduction of characters took up a quarter of it, without making any of them particularly appealing. The crime was part and parcel of their relationships, rather than the point of the story. Having said that, the characters themselves were well fleshed out and realistic, as was the sense of time and place. If a reader enjoys historical novels, for the pleasure of visiting the past and it's people, this book works well. I was also attracted by the beautifully done cover, which illustrates the mood of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a solid debut novel for the author with rich background into the history and times of what life would be like for both rich and poor. While I immediately felt empathy for Marie and her sister, I found it difficult to like almost any of the other characters apart from Jamie & his sister. I spent a few chapters wondering if the point of the book was that the characters were unlikable, but they still deserved to be treated fairly. Much like the lawyer's description of William later in the story, that a person might not be "good" but that doesn't mean they are a murderer. The pacing of the story was hit or miss, with some parts feeling too descriptive and lengthy when I wanted information and movement in the investigation. I was able to identify the murderer before it was revealed, and I wished it had been done a little more dramatically, but I also wonder if it was done in a way to leave open a storyline for a future book. If not, I found the ending unsatisfying as it needed more. I think I would pick up another book in this series if it were to come out.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy
I was honestly close to DNF'ing this book at first—the opening chapter didn't really grab my attention, and I struggled to see where the story was going. Thankfully, I decided to give it another chance, and I'm so glad I did. Once it pulled me in, I was completely hooked and ended up reading until 4 a.m. just to finish it. The writing is wonderfully atmospheric and beautifully crafted, and it truly immersed me in a bygone era. While the descriptions weren't overly detailed, I didn't mind at all, as it's a period I'm familiar with and could easily picture through my own imagination.
The characters were thoughtfully written and added a lot of depth to the story. I either genuinely liked them or, at the very least, understood why they behaved the way they did. The mystery itself was engaging and well. The murder, the trial, and the question of who killed Meme kept me guessing the whole time. I was genuinely surprised by the identity of the killer and the eventual confession, which made the conclusion feel especially satisfying.
I received a free copy and this is my own honest opinion.
The characters were thoughtfully written and added a lot of depth to the story. I either genuinely liked them or, at the very least, understood why they behaved the way they did. The mystery itself was engaging and well. The murder, the trial, and the question of who killed Meme kept me guessing the whole time. I was genuinely surprised by the identity of the killer and the eventual confession, which made the conclusion feel especially satisfying.
I received a free copy and this is my own honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Green Baize Door is an historial murder mystery, set in the 1900s in America. The book deals with class and race conflicts, as people's perceptions of Marie and her family are skewered when they learn that Marie's grandmother, the murdered woman, is a colored lady. At the start of the book people are kind to Marie, but afterwards they treat her poorly, telling her she's a liar for not declaring that she's a person of color, something they would never know just by looking at her as Marie is very pale.
James also experiences something similar towards the end of the book when his family's fortune dwindles. People who, in the past, would treat him with respect look down on him and his newfound 'poverty'.
The book was a little slow at times but ultimately I kept going to find out who the murderer was. I spent most of the book believing it to be Marie's brother, and then another character rang alarm bells in my head and made me change my attention to them. The plot twist was masterfully done. I'm looking forward to reading more of Marie and James.
James also experiences something similar towards the end of the book when his family's fortune dwindles. People who, in the past, would treat him with respect look down on him and his newfound 'poverty'.
The book was a little slow at times but ultimately I kept going to find out who the murderer was. I spent most of the book believing it to be Marie's brother, and then another character rang alarm bells in my head and made me change my attention to them. The plot twist was masterfully done. I'm looking forward to reading more of Marie and James.
January 24, 2026
The Green Baize is a thrilling historical mystery with a heavy emphasis on the separation of social class within a wealthy household.
In many ways, I felt the mystery took a backseat to the dissection of social class and race at the turn of the century. Told in multiple perspectives, this debut novel focuses on the murder of a housekeeper in the house of an affluent family. Everyone is a suspect but the story is mainly a clash of the wealthy Letts and the impoverished family of the housekeeper and how the two families are connected. The author takes you through the mind of each character to reveal a crime that is reminiscent of a classic crime mystery.
The characters I most liked were Jamie Lett and Marie. The time period alone was intriguing, but the plot reeled me in. I did not see that plot twist coming towards the end. This debut novel was excellent! If you enjoy historical mysteries, you will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to the publisher and Booksirens for the ARC. This review is voluntary. All thoughts are my own.
In many ways, I felt the mystery took a backseat to the dissection of social class and race at the turn of the century. Told in multiple perspectives, this debut novel focuses on the murder of a housekeeper in the house of an affluent family. Everyone is a suspect but the story is mainly a clash of the wealthy Letts and the impoverished family of the housekeeper and how the two families are connected. The author takes you through the mind of each character to reveal a crime that is reminiscent of a classic crime mystery.
The characters I most liked were Jamie Lett and Marie. The time period alone was intriguing, but the plot reeled me in. I did not see that plot twist coming towards the end. This debut novel was excellent! If you enjoy historical mysteries, you will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to the publisher and Booksirens for the ARC. This review is voluntary. All thoughts are my own.
November 16, 2025
For a debut novel, this book was stunning.
It hooked me from the very beginning. I love to read period novels, and this one did not disappoint.
The characters were very well done and felt alive. The scenes and places were also well done and I could get the sense of being there, watching things play out.
When a crime takes place, the investigation ends up putting one man in jail, and he may or may not be guilty... But people on the outside are desperate to find the actual truth. But one part of the crime remains unsolved and the police have no interest in finding the true culprit.
When the perp was finally revealed, all I could say was NO WAY! It was a total shock. I don't think I've ever read such a shocking reveal in a murder mystery before. I was well and truly NOT expecting that!
Well done, Eleanor Birney. Well done.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my voluntary review.
It hooked me from the very beginning. I love to read period novels, and this one did not disappoint.
The characters were very well done and felt alive. The scenes and places were also well done and I could get the sense of being there, watching things play out.
When a crime takes place, the investigation ends up putting one man in jail, and he may or may not be guilty... But people on the outside are desperate to find the actual truth. But one part of the crime remains unsolved and the police have no interest in finding the true culprit.
When the perp was finally revealed, all I could say was NO WAY! It was a total shock. I don't think I've ever read such a shocking reveal in a murder mystery before. I was well and truly NOT expecting that!
Well done, Eleanor Birney. Well done.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my voluntary review.
December 8, 2025
I received this book to review through NetGalley.
The Green Baize Door is filled with many mysteries and questions for the reader to follow to conclusion, all intriguing although slow at times. The book starts off strong with a mysterious death, characters from different social classes and races, and then a second death that is most definitely a murder. We meet James and Marie, our main protagonists, and follow them as they eventually learn that they need each other's perspective to determine the killer of Marie's grandmother, who is the housekeeper of the affluent James. There are other characters along the way, from both families, all who have either a reason to want the grandmother dead or see her death as a part of a bigger mystery.
The book's pace slowed down in the middle chapters, but finished strong with a surprising and satisfying conclusion. The writing was descriptive and was lovely to read. If you are a fan of historical fiction, and mysteries, I highly recommend.
The Green Baize Door is filled with many mysteries and questions for the reader to follow to conclusion, all intriguing although slow at times. The book starts off strong with a mysterious death, characters from different social classes and races, and then a second death that is most definitely a murder. We meet James and Marie, our main protagonists, and follow them as they eventually learn that they need each other's perspective to determine the killer of Marie's grandmother, who is the housekeeper of the affluent James. There are other characters along the way, from both families, all who have either a reason to want the grandmother dead or see her death as a part of a bigger mystery.
The book's pace slowed down in the middle chapters, but finished strong with a surprising and satisfying conclusion. The writing was descriptive and was lovely to read. If you are a fan of historical fiction, and mysteries, I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney is a gorgeously-written debut novel in what appears to be the first in a new series. Set in 1899 and 1900 New England, it is based on real-life events. Descriptions kept me firmly in the appropriate era. The multiple points of view are executed well and the mystery lured me in further into its murky depths.
Maria Chevalier and her young sister must make ends meet. Their mother is dead and their father gambles and drinks away rent money. Sewing barely saves them financially. When their grandmother Mémé is found murdered, Marie and Jamie, the son of the people Mémé works for, look into the murder.
Courtroom drama is riveting, socioeconomic differences are believably portrayed, the snippets of romance are well placed, and the ending was enjoyable. More depth to the mystery would have elevated this story. But there is much scope for future installments.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Maria Chevalier and her young sister must make ends meet. Their mother is dead and their father gambles and drinks away rent money. Sewing barely saves them financially. When their grandmother Mémé is found murdered, Marie and Jamie, the son of the people Mémé works for, look into the murder.
Courtroom drama is riveting, socioeconomic differences are believably portrayed, the snippets of romance are well placed, and the ending was enjoyable. More depth to the mystery would have elevated this story. But there is much scope for future installments.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 28, 2026
3.5⭐️
Eleanor Birney is a master of showing, not telling. Her characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional. She did a great job painting vivid scenes, especially of hunger and survival. There is just enough mystery throughout the story that you are not really sure who the murderer is, and each character is flawed enough to believe it could be them.
One thing that I did not love was the inconsistency of the time period. This book takes place in
1899 and sometimes they are working very hard for a quarter, and sometimes they give away a
$5-$10 tip, which would be the equivalent of $200-$400 dollars today. This was just a small
thing that did not keep me from enjoying the book, but I would have preferred to stay in that time
period.
Do not read the synopsis before going into this one as it really has nothing to do with the book. The green door is mentioned barely, almost as an after thought, and I'm not sure how that became the title.
Eleanor Birney is a master of showing, not telling. Her characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional. She did a great job painting vivid scenes, especially of hunger and survival. There is just enough mystery throughout the story that you are not really sure who the murderer is, and each character is flawed enough to believe it could be them.
One thing that I did not love was the inconsistency of the time period. This book takes place in
1899 and sometimes they are working very hard for a quarter, and sometimes they give away a
$5-$10 tip, which would be the equivalent of $200-$400 dollars today. This was just a small
thing that did not keep me from enjoying the book, but I would have preferred to stay in that time
period.
Do not read the synopsis before going into this one as it really has nothing to do with the book. The green door is mentioned barely, almost as an after thought, and I'm not sure how that became the title.
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