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A Mistress Jaffrey Mystery #2
Murder in the Merchant's Hall
The intriguing new mystery featuring Tudor sleuth, Mistress Rosamond Jaffrey."
When Lina Walkenden is found clutching a bloody knife over the dead body of her brother-in-law and guardian, there s only one person she can turn to for help: her childhood friend Rosamond Jaffrey. Rosamond vows to do all she can to prove Lina s innocence, but when it transpires Lina was being forced into a marriage against her will and was instead besotted by her fiance s charming yet unscrupulous nephew, her motives for murder seem overwhelming.
In desperation, Rosamond seeks out the help of the Queen s spymaster himself, Sir Francis Walsingham but when she overhears a conversation at the French Embassy, it seems Lina s plight is irrelevant in the face of potential treason. Rosamond must do all she can to save her friend and keep herself and her family safe from a desperate killer.
When Lina Walkenden is found clutching a bloody knife over the dead body of her brother-in-law and guardian, there s only one person she can turn to for help: her childhood friend Rosamond Jaffrey. Rosamond vows to do all she can to prove Lina s innocence, but when it transpires Lina was being forced into a marriage against her will and was instead besotted by her fiance s charming yet unscrupulous nephew, her motives for murder seem overwhelming.
In desperation, Rosamond seeks out the help of the Queen s spymaster himself, Sir Francis Walsingham but when she overhears a conversation at the French Embassy, it seems Lina s plight is irrelevant in the face of potential treason. Rosamond must do all she can to save her friend and keep herself and her family safe from a desperate killer.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2015
26 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Lynn Emerson
98 books146 followersaka Kaitlyn Dunnett, Kate Emerson, Kaitlyn Gorton
Kathy Lynn Emerson began writing as a child: a newspaper for her dolls and then a rambling adventure series featuring characters from all her favorite television shows. In addition to contemporary, historical and time-travel romance (some written under the pen-name of Kaitlyn Gorton) and historical novels written as Kate Emerson, Kathy has written children's books, non-fiction, short stories, and historical mysteries. She won the Agatha award for mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries. She also writes as Kaitlyn Dunnett.
Kathy Lynn Emerson began writing as a child: a newspaper for her dolls and then a rambling adventure series featuring characters from all her favorite television shows. In addition to contemporary, historical and time-travel romance (some written under the pen-name of Kaitlyn Gorton) and historical novels written as Kate Emerson, Kathy has written children's books, non-fiction, short stories, and historical mysteries. She won the Agatha award for mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries. She also writes as Kaitlyn Dunnett.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 27, 2015
Mistress Rosamond Jaffrey's dear friend, Lina, has been accused of the murder of her brother-in-law Hugo Hackett, a mercer, by her own sister, Isolde, Hugo's wife. Lina flees and finds sanctuary with Rosamond's mother, Susanna Appleton. Rosamond will not believe Lina committed the murder and, with her own life in danger, sets out to find the real murderer.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've read some of the Susanna Appleton mysteries, but this is the first Mistress Jaffrey mystery I've read. I had thought the two series were not entangled so was surprised to find out they were. If you like historical fiction mysteries, I highly suggest this book. Now I need to find the rest of the Susanna Appleton mysteries and the first of the Mistress Jaffrey mysteries.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've read some of the Susanna Appleton mysteries, but this is the first Mistress Jaffrey mystery I've read. I had thought the two series were not entangled so was surprised to find out they were. If you like historical fiction mysteries, I highly suggest this book. Now I need to find the rest of the Susanna Appleton mysteries and the first of the Mistress Jaffrey mysteries.
October 12, 2023
Great murder mystery
Rosamond's friend is accused of murder and she is on the case. Unfortunately, her friend may not be as innocent as she claims, which makes it much harder to investigate 😮
As Hugo's secrets of brothel visits and debts surface, and the lengths spies went to kidnap people....more people are suspect. I enjoyed trying to piece together who might have done it.
Lina's sister was cruel and vicious and CRAZY. She was relentless in her pursuit of her own sister for the murder of her husband. I couldn't stand her. She was also a hypocrite and I wish someone had set her straight when it was proved her sister was innocent.
Loved how Rob and Rosamund were coming together more in this novel. Found it a bit hypocritical that Rob would hold a potential infidelity against her though seeing as he wasn't exactly faithful in book 1. But they talked and their journey as once again being man and wife in all sense of the term was beautiful ☺️
Curious what Rosamond will get up to in book 3 lol
Rosamond's friend is accused of murder and she is on the case. Unfortunately, her friend may not be as innocent as she claims, which makes it much harder to investigate 😮
As Hugo's secrets of brothel visits and debts surface, and the lengths spies went to kidnap people....more people are suspect. I enjoyed trying to piece together who might have done it.
Lina's sister was cruel and vicious and CRAZY. She was relentless in her pursuit of her own sister for the murder of her husband. I couldn't stand her. She was also a hypocrite and I wish someone had set her straight when it was proved her sister was innocent.
Loved how Rob and Rosamund were coming together more in this novel. Found it a bit hypocritical that Rob would hold a potential infidelity against her though seeing as he wasn't exactly faithful in book 1. But they talked and their journey as once again being man and wife in all sense of the term was beautiful ☺️
Curious what Rosamond will get up to in book 3 lol
July 27, 2017
I liked the first a bit more, but still a decent read. Rosamund is drawn into intrigue again after a childhood friend flees in search of her, having been accused of the murder of her half-sister’s husband. Complicating things are intelligencers about town, prejudice against foreigners, half-truths and lies.
November 5, 2017
Could be read as a stand alone book, but it is much better to read in order. Rosamond's childhood friend is accused of murder and Rosamond is asked to find the murderer before the police find her friend. This time Rosamond has help from her husband too.
January 12, 2024
This series has all the requisite parts. A good, slightly complicated mystery, intriguing characters, drama, mood, history. For some reason, though, I find it to be a dry read. I enjoy the read, I just feel meh.
November 5, 2019
Slight modern woman syndrome
July 10, 2022
Second good book
Second in series. Another hit. Believable characters, neither saints nor devils with a solid historical setting. Looking forward to the next one in series.
Second in series. Another hit. Believable characters, neither saints nor devils with a solid historical setting. Looking forward to the next one in series.
July 31, 2022
They are getting better. I will look for the next one.
July 25, 2019
Fantastic historical details and engaging characters. Very enjoyable read.
October 15, 2015
Rosamund is a young married woman of the 1500's who has become what would one day be termed a private investigator.
She is wealthy which helps her as she investigates and she has worked as a spy in the past. During her time spying for Queen Elizabeth government, she has developed the ability to disguise herself to be unrecognizable. She has also learned to ask questions which get interesting answers.
Rosamund is investigating a murder, in order to prove that her childhood friend, Lina, is not a murderer. During her investigation she uses disguises and also presented herself as herself. As herself, she has put her entire household in jeopardy by bringing bailiffs to her home .
Her husband, Rob, is a student at Cambridge and he too has worked part time as a spy for the government. He has a strong sense of justice. I liked Rob much more than I liked Rosamund. He seems to be a person who evaluates things and people in order to make good decisions.
For me, she was not an appealing person. She has admirable goals, but it seems she is able to easily run over other people. Whether she is investigating on Lina's behalf or simply dealing with the difficulties of life she seems to have little regard for the feelings of others.
A secondary theme of the book is the hunt for people who are of the Catholic faith. This hunt also includes people who simply do not want to burn Catholics at the stake.
The plot is involved and it is my recommendation that the reader pay close attention as the story goes along. There are many historic facts which add to the authenticity of the story.
The characters are well developed. The secondary characters are very helpful at moving the action forward, and also helping develop the atmosphere of the story.
As the investigation moves forward, there are many people who have reason to have committed the murder. There are villains who are evil on many levels. The suspects have do not want to be guilty of anything, because the punishment for even small crimes is very swift.
If you are at all interested in history, this book will be a mystery which holds your attention from beginning to end.
I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley in the hope that I would provide a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
She is wealthy which helps her as she investigates and she has worked as a spy in the past. During her time spying for Queen Elizabeth government, she has developed the ability to disguise herself to be unrecognizable. She has also learned to ask questions which get interesting answers.
Rosamund is investigating a murder, in order to prove that her childhood friend, Lina, is not a murderer. During her investigation she uses disguises and also presented herself as herself. As herself, she has put her entire household in jeopardy by bringing bailiffs to her home .
Her husband, Rob, is a student at Cambridge and he too has worked part time as a spy for the government. He has a strong sense of justice. I liked Rob much more than I liked Rosamund. He seems to be a person who evaluates things and people in order to make good decisions.
For me, she was not an appealing person. She has admirable goals, but it seems she is able to easily run over other people. Whether she is investigating on Lina's behalf or simply dealing with the difficulties of life she seems to have little regard for the feelings of others.
A secondary theme of the book is the hunt for people who are of the Catholic faith. This hunt also includes people who simply do not want to burn Catholics at the stake.
The plot is involved and it is my recommendation that the reader pay close attention as the story goes along. There are many historic facts which add to the authenticity of the story.
The characters are well developed. The secondary characters are very helpful at moving the action forward, and also helping develop the atmosphere of the story.
As the investigation moves forward, there are many people who have reason to have committed the murder. There are villains who are evil on many levels. The suspects have do not want to be guilty of anything, because the punishment for even small crimes is very swift.
If you are at all interested in history, this book will be a mystery which holds your attention from beginning to end.
I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley in the hope that I would provide a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 16, 2016
Lina seems to be guilty of murder when she is standing over her dead brother-in-law’s body clutching a bloody knife in her hand. Knowing that the punishment of the crime is to be burned at the stake, Lina has no one to turn to but her childhood friend, Rosamond Jaffrey. Rosamond vows to find out who the real killer is, yet as she investigates, the more guilty Lina seems to be. Can Rosamond determine if Lina is the true culprit of the crime?
Rosamond is a young married woman who was once a spy for Elizabeth. She is smart and resilient, and very strong-willed. She likes to do as she pleases. However, she is stubborn and does not give up and is very persistent, especially when Lina’s fate seems bleak. She also keeps secrets from her husband. I also like her relationship with her husband, Rob. While both of them have secrets, they help each other out. Rosamond depends on Rob for help, and Rob is always there for her. Therefore, their relationship is very sweet.
Overall, this story is about friendship, love, family, and trust. I did find the pacing of the novel to be very slow at times, and I thought that the mystery was predictable. However, I liked the characters, for they were fun, and I thought the novel was very well-written. I liked how the author described the setting of Elizabethan London. Like with most mystery series, this book can be read as a stand alone. I did not read the first book in the series, but I was not lost. The author gave me a lot of background into the characters. I recommend this book to anyone interested in historical mysteries set in the Tudor era.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
Rosamond is a young married woman who was once a spy for Elizabeth. She is smart and resilient, and very strong-willed. She likes to do as she pleases. However, she is stubborn and does not give up and is very persistent, especially when Lina’s fate seems bleak. She also keeps secrets from her husband. I also like her relationship with her husband, Rob. While both of them have secrets, they help each other out. Rosamond depends on Rob for help, and Rob is always there for her. Therefore, their relationship is very sweet.
Overall, this story is about friendship, love, family, and trust. I did find the pacing of the novel to be very slow at times, and I thought that the mystery was predictable. However, I liked the characters, for they were fun, and I thought the novel was very well-written. I liked how the author described the setting of Elizabethan London. Like with most mystery series, this book can be read as a stand alone. I did not read the first book in the series, but I was not lost. The author gave me a lot of background into the characters. I recommend this book to anyone interested in historical mysteries set in the Tudor era.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
September 10, 2015
This is a review by the author, obviously biased. In this second novel featuring Elizabethan sleuth and part-time spy, Rosamond Jaffrey, Rosamond is assisted in the detecting by her foster mother, Susanna, Lady Appleton. Fans of my Face Down series will recognize other familiar characters, too, although it is not necessary to have read the previous novels in order to enjoy this one. To help a childhood friend falsely accused of murder, Rosamond has to deal with French diplomats, English conspirators, Italian Lotharios, and most daunting of all, her mother-in-law. For once, Sir Francis Walsingham, the queen's spymaster, does not ask for her help, but when Rosamond accidentally eavesdrops on an exchange that smacks of treason, she's involved whether she wants to be or not.
June 21, 2016
Murder in the Merchant’s Hall by Kathy Lynn Emerson
Rosamund Jaffrey, headstrong, reckless, and exactly the person to have on your side. Even after being warned to “stay out of it,” she is determined to help her friend Lina, who is accused of murder of her brother-in-law, who had betrothed her to an Italian silk merchant “old, and fat, and ugly.” She encounters spies, bawds, and Papists and is almost arrested for (shocking!) wearing men's clothing! Aided by her stepmother, Lady Susanna Appleton (I’m starting on her series next), her husband Rob, and other true friends, Rosamund travels courageously, giving the reader insights into streets and alleys, and plots and counterplots, of Elizabethan England. I hope there will be many more visits.
Rosamund Jaffrey, headstrong, reckless, and exactly the person to have on your side. Even after being warned to “stay out of it,” she is determined to help her friend Lina, who is accused of murder of her brother-in-law, who had betrothed her to an Italian silk merchant “old, and fat, and ugly.” She encounters spies, bawds, and Papists and is almost arrested for (shocking!) wearing men's clothing! Aided by her stepmother, Lady Susanna Appleton (I’m starting on her series next), her husband Rob, and other true friends, Rosamund travels courageously, giving the reader insights into streets and alleys, and plots and counterplots, of Elizabethan England. I hope there will be many more visits.
March 20, 2016
When a childhood friend of Rosamond's is accused of killing her brother-in-law, she naturally turns to Rosamond and Rosamond's foster mother for help. As Rosamond tries to find out more about Lina, her family, and her betrothed, she also happens upon what appears to be a Catholic conspiracy. Not only does this book give an accurate representation of life in Elizabethan England, it also includes fascinating little tidbits of that life — for example, ale houses could only serve ale, while taverns could only serve wine!
December 7, 2015
I received this as a Goodreads Giveaway from the author.
I enjoy a variety of historical mystery novels and have come to like the Elizabethan/Tudor period. This is the first novel I have read by this author. I found the characters and the story intriguing. Emerson ties in many historical facts of the era throughout the book. I look forward to the continuation of this series and reading Emerson's other series, as it appears they have cross-over characters.
I enjoy a variety of historical mystery novels and have come to like the Elizabethan/Tudor period. This is the first novel I have read by this author. I found the characters and the story intriguing. Emerson ties in many historical facts of the era throughout the book. I look forward to the continuation of this series and reading Emerson's other series, as it appears they have cross-over characters.
July 27, 2016
I picked this up from the library and though it was not a brilliant read it was one which allowed you to escape and pass time. The use of a female married lead in an Elizabethan era novel is good,as is the description of what life was like for women in this era. A book which shows you how good libraries are in that they allow you to find and discover new authors.
October 8, 2016
on a roll now - selecting inferior fiction from the library just because the books are clean - thinking of giving up reading and going back to playing the piano and practicing guitar
Kind of funny, though, that "Thriller" is included in the title. Maybe it's ok for junior high kids? But not really. They should also find something better to do.
Kind of funny, though, that "Thriller" is included in the title. Maybe it's ok for junior high kids? But not really. They should also find something better to do.
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August 28, 2019Perhaps her best book
I love Ms Emerson's writing, and this one is particularly good. With a satisfying twist that I did not see coming. While I have enjoyed this series and the one preceeding it, I think this book is the best I've read. I look forward to anything Kathy Lynn Emerson cares to write.
I love Ms Emerson's writing, and this one is particularly good. With a satisfying twist that I did not see coming. While I have enjoyed this series and the one preceeding it, I think this book is the best I've read. I look forward to anything Kathy Lynn Emerson cares to write.
January 2, 2021
Its one thing to have a headstrong character but when she is also annoyingly unlikeable, you just hope that the author would have stop the series immediately. Will still read the 3rd book just to complete the trilogy.
September 5, 2016
Check out my review at Tessa's Books and Tea: http://wp.me/p3EoiQ-iB
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February 16, 2016
Excellent combination of her old and new books
January 1, 2016
Cozy mystery, Elizabethan style.
March 21, 2016
Enjoyed trying to figure out who had murdered the main character. Enjoyed the medieval background of the novel.
March 31, 2016
A fine cozy type historical fiction read. Mistress Rosamond Jaffrey continues to get involved in matters her husband, Rob, would rather she leave alone.
April 17, 2016
Earlier series with Lady Appleton better.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews