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Lilly Long #1
An Untimely Frost
For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, explore the dark side of the alluring world of America’s 19th century elite in this gripping series of riveting mysteries…
In 1881 Chicago, the idea of a female detective is virtually unheard of. But when famed crime buster Allan Pinkerton opens his agency's doors to a handful of women, one intrepid actress with her own troubled past is driven to defy convention and take on a new and dangerous role. . .
Since the age of eleven, when her mother was murdered, the life of the theater is all Lilly Long has known. Now twenty-two, she has blossomed into an accomplished Shakespearean actress. But after her innocence--and her savings--are taken from her by a seductive scoundrel, Lilly vows to leave the stage, enter the real world, and save others from a similar fate. Following in the footsteps of the country's first female detective, Lilly persuades Allan Pinkerton to take her on.
Lilly's acting skills are a perfect fit for her real-life role as a Pinkerton operative. But her first case is a baptism by fire as she is sent to the small town of Vandalia to solve the mystery of a pastor who disappeared with his family--and the church's funds. When Lilly arrives, she finds the mere mention of the reverend's name provokes enmity or suspicious silence. Shadowed by a second Pinkerton agent with an agenda of his own, Lilly begins to uncover Vandalia's sordid secrets. But she'll have to deliver the performance of a lifetime to survive the final act of this drama.
In 1881 Chicago, the idea of a female detective is virtually unheard of. But when famed crime buster Allan Pinkerton opens his agency's doors to a handful of women, one intrepid actress with her own troubled past is driven to defy convention and take on a new and dangerous role. . .
Since the age of eleven, when her mother was murdered, the life of the theater is all Lilly Long has known. Now twenty-two, she has blossomed into an accomplished Shakespearean actress. But after her innocence--and her savings--are taken from her by a seductive scoundrel, Lilly vows to leave the stage, enter the real world, and save others from a similar fate. Following in the footsteps of the country's first female detective, Lilly persuades Allan Pinkerton to take her on.
Lilly's acting skills are a perfect fit for her real-life role as a Pinkerton operative. But her first case is a baptism by fire as she is sent to the small town of Vandalia to solve the mystery of a pastor who disappeared with his family--and the church's funds. When Lilly arrives, she finds the mere mention of the reverend's name provokes enmity or suspicious silence. Shadowed by a second Pinkerton agent with an agenda of his own, Lilly begins to uncover Vandalia's sordid secrets. But she'll have to deliver the performance of a lifetime to survive the final act of this drama.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2016
52 people are currently reading
1053 people want to read
About the author
Penny Richards
72 books73 followersPenny Richards also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym of Bay Matthews, and as Sandi Shane with the writer Sandra Canfield.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
July 28, 2016
My ARC courtesy of Kensington and NetGalley - much thanks. The opinions are my own.
I found a couple of historical errors - "feminist" was not a word in the vocabulary of Americans before about 1900, and Illinois had a "married women's property act" allowing for married women keeping their wages some 20 years before this book is set. The line that made me want to bash my head against the wall was our heroine's mental description of an old house that she was visiting as "a Victorian." No. Just ... no. No, no, no, no. no. But these pet peeves I caught may not disturb other readers, who may like the melodramatic tone, too.
On the up side: no sign of a love triangle.
There's clearly going to be a sequel. I might read it if it fell in my lap, but I doubt I'll go looking for it.
I found a couple of historical errors - "feminist" was not a word in the vocabulary of Americans before about 1900, and Illinois had a "married women's property act" allowing for married women keeping their wages some 20 years before this book is set. The line that made me want to bash my head against the wall was our heroine's mental description of an old house that she was visiting as "a Victorian." No. Just ... no. No, no, no, no. no. But these pet peeves I caught may not disturb other readers, who may like the melodramatic tone, too.
On the up side: no sign of a love triangle.
There's clearly going to be a sequel. I might read it if it fell in my lap, but I doubt I'll go looking for it.
June 27, 2016
I received a free copy of this in ebook format through Net Galley and the publisher, Kensington Books, for an honest review. If someone is looking for a clean, good intrigue/mystery story that is also in the historical genre than this book is for you. The story flows well, the characters are developed, and the writing is very good. The story kept me engaged throughout.
An Untimely Frost is the first book in the Lilly Long Mysteries series by Penny Richards. The main character, Lilly Long, is an actress with a traveling troupe. She is an orphan, recently married, and comes to be in a position that she never expected to find herself in. The life experience sends her in a new and different direction; when she sees an advertisement in the newspaper for the Pinkerton Agency.
I enjoyed this story very much. It is interesting to read how different things were in the 1880’s, how far women have come, and the changes in society in general, compared to the 21st century. I will be looking for the next book in this new series.
An Untimely Frost is the first book in the Lilly Long Mysteries series by Penny Richards. The main character, Lilly Long, is an actress with a traveling troupe. She is an orphan, recently married, and comes to be in a position that she never expected to find herself in. The life experience sends her in a new and different direction; when she sees an advertisement in the newspaper for the Pinkerton Agency.
I enjoyed this story very much. It is interesting to read how different things were in the 1880’s, how far women have come, and the changes in society in general, compared to the 21st century. I will be looking for the next book in this new series.
June 1, 2016
So so soooo good! I did NOT see that ending coming! Definitely looking forward to the next Lilly Long mystery!
January 31, 2020
4.5 🌟 rounded up to 5.
A delightful mystery. RTC!
A delightful mystery. RTC!
November 10, 2017
3.75 stars
Lilly Long is a 22 year old actress living in Chicago in 1881. In response to past events both distant and recent, Lilly finds herself motivated to apply for the position as a female detective with the Pinkertons. As a new operative she's given what seems to be a simple enough case, on the surface, as her first assignment. What Lilly finds though is definitely more malevolent.
This is another book that I knew very little about going into but which I ended up enjoying immensely. The writing style flowed, with no jarring transitions, and Lilly came across as a competent protagonist...not without some moments of self-doubt but still able to muster her inner resources when needed. And if, at times, she seemed a bit too forceful in the face of authority considering her young age, well, I chalked it up to her being an actress and playing a part. The one sort of negative aspect is the ginormous chip Lilly carries on her shoulder towards men. There are reasons why the chip is there but the frequent harping on how men are evil and abusing scum got old fast. Hopefully this hostility will abate sooner rather than later..especially since evil knows no gender.
The actual case that Lilly works took some dark turns that I wasn't expecting so that was a surprise. The fact that she is now a Pinkerton agent opens up the series to traveling anywhere in the continental United States, which is appealing and different since most stories in this genre tend to remain rooted to one locale. Though there was only a small cast of supporting characters who will likely be pulled into future books, there was one with hints of a mysterious past and that piqued my interest. In short, this was a solid start to a new series.
Lilly Long is a 22 year old actress living in Chicago in 1881. In response to past events both distant and recent, Lilly finds herself motivated to apply for the position as a female detective with the Pinkertons. As a new operative she's given what seems to be a simple enough case, on the surface, as her first assignment. What Lilly finds though is definitely more malevolent.
This is another book that I knew very little about going into but which I ended up enjoying immensely. The writing style flowed, with no jarring transitions, and Lilly came across as a competent protagonist...not without some moments of self-doubt but still able to muster her inner resources when needed. And if, at times, she seemed a bit too forceful in the face of authority considering her young age, well, I chalked it up to her being an actress and playing a part. The one sort of negative aspect is the ginormous chip Lilly carries on her shoulder towards men. There are reasons why the chip is there but the frequent harping on how men are evil and abusing scum got old fast. Hopefully this hostility will abate sooner rather than later..especially since evil knows no gender.
The actual case that Lilly works took some dark turns that I wasn't expecting so that was a surprise. The fact that she is now a Pinkerton agent opens up the series to traveling anywhere in the continental United States, which is appealing and different since most stories in this genre tend to remain rooted to one locale. Though there was only a small cast of supporting characters who will likely be pulled into future books, there was one with hints of a mysterious past and that piqued my interest. In short, this was a solid start to a new series.
July 11, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. From the description I was half-expecting a sort of historical romance with a touch of mystery, but really it's a historical mystery with some potential for romance - much more to my taste!
Although I'd correctly figured out part of it, there was enough intrigue to keep me going and the conclusion was even better than I'd imagined. Lilly is a reasonable character, using her talents as an actress but not spontaneously developing the ability to pick locks or break codes (as seems to often happen). She's a young woman with a past she must overcome, and a drive to help save other women from similar tragedy.
Let's just say I've already added the next book to my to-read list!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Although I'd correctly figured out part of it, there was enough intrigue to keep me going and the conclusion was even better than I'd imagined. Lilly is a reasonable character, using her talents as an actress but not spontaneously developing the ability to pick locks or break codes (as seems to often happen). She's a young woman with a past she must overcome, and a drive to help save other women from similar tragedy.
Let's just say I've already added the next book to my to-read list!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2016
Great read…..Lilly Long is an actress. He husband
robbed her of all her money then disappeared. Lilly
decided she needed a change of occupation.
Seeing an advertisement in the Newspaper for a woman
to be Pinkerton Agency agent, Lilly decided to apply.
With a little trickery, she lands the job.
In 1880’s, a woman detective was a real rarity. But Lilly
is a feisty, vivid, well defined character with a bold
determination to succeed in a man world. Things are
not always as they seem but Lilly manages to adapt to
solve the puzzle.
An intriguing mystery with suspense, twists and turns
plus some historical fiction all wrapped into this book.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the eBook via
Net Gallery.
robbed her of all her money then disappeared. Lilly
decided she needed a change of occupation.
Seeing an advertisement in the Newspaper for a woman
to be Pinkerton Agency agent, Lilly decided to apply.
With a little trickery, she lands the job.
In 1880’s, a woman detective was a real rarity. But Lilly
is a feisty, vivid, well defined character with a bold
determination to succeed in a man world. Things are
not always as they seem but Lilly manages to adapt to
solve the puzzle.
An intriguing mystery with suspense, twists and turns
plus some historical fiction all wrapped into this book.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the eBook via
Net Gallery.
June 11, 2016
Good fun! Sassy heroine in a tough situation with enough courage to try something outside society's view of her gender role and run a bit of a con to prove she is capable. Makes you root for her right from the beginning. Enough real situations with some that don't exactly go as she planned and a bit of real life comedy mixed in to keep you turning pages right up to a very satisfying and "I didn't see that coming!" ending
August 8, 2016
The description for this novel, the first in a historical mystery series, caught my attention on NetGalley and I’m glad I requested it. Though it’s not perfect, there’s a lot to like here and I have hopes that the series will get more interesting and nuanced as the books continue. Also, it’s set in 1880’s Chicago and involves the Pinkerton Agency and how fun is that.
Lily Long is a young actress in the Pierced Rose Theater Troupe whose brief marriage to a con man ends with him stealing her savings and leaving her with an even greater mistrust for the male species. The only exception to that is her foster father, Pierce Wainwright, who, along with his wife, Rose, raised Lily after her mother was murdered. Pierce and Rose manage the acting company that Lily is part of. The novel opens with Lily trying and failing to recover her life savings and feeling both anger at her husband and at herself for being taken in so easily.
Lily’s sense that her world privileges men over women and that many young women, like her, are being taken advantage of or worse, leads her to apply for a job with the Pinkerton’s, which is opening a field office in Chicago and looking for a female operative. Though Lily is too young by a decade for the advertised position, she is confident that her acting ability will get her the job and she is not wrong (how she does this is one of the things that I enjoyed about the book).
The hiring of a woman at the Chicago office has created strife in the Pinkerton Agency. The father, Allan Pinkerton, in ill health but still in charge, thinks a woman could be an asset. However, his son, Robert, is vehemently opposed. His other son, William, isn’t sure what to think but following his father’s orders, he hires Lily on a trial basis.
Lily’s first case seems simple enough—travel to a town in Southern Illinois and determine what happened to the owners of a property after they left town years before. However, this is a mystery novel, and a simple case is never really simple. The property owners were a minister and his wife and not only did they leave town suddenly but they left with a lot of church funds. Lily’s investigation stirs up some town secrets that many would like to keep hidden and trouble ensues.
The mystery is not earth shattering but it’s fun to see Lily work to figure things out and she often plunges into dangerous situations without thinking things through, which seems pretty realistic for someone in their early 20’s. There’s also a mysterious but handsome man who seems to be following Lily and you know this character is going to play an important role in Lily’s future (but I appreciate that it didn’t happen in this book).
This was a good start to a series and I’ll definitely follow Lily into her next adventure.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest/unbiased review.
Lily Long is a young actress in the Pierced Rose Theater Troupe whose brief marriage to a con man ends with him stealing her savings and leaving her with an even greater mistrust for the male species. The only exception to that is her foster father, Pierce Wainwright, who, along with his wife, Rose, raised Lily after her mother was murdered. Pierce and Rose manage the acting company that Lily is part of. The novel opens with Lily trying and failing to recover her life savings and feeling both anger at her husband and at herself for being taken in so easily.
Lily’s sense that her world privileges men over women and that many young women, like her, are being taken advantage of or worse, leads her to apply for a job with the Pinkerton’s, which is opening a field office in Chicago and looking for a female operative. Though Lily is too young by a decade for the advertised position, she is confident that her acting ability will get her the job and she is not wrong (how she does this is one of the things that I enjoyed about the book).
The hiring of a woman at the Chicago office has created strife in the Pinkerton Agency. The father, Allan Pinkerton, in ill health but still in charge, thinks a woman could be an asset. However, his son, Robert, is vehemently opposed. His other son, William, isn’t sure what to think but following his father’s orders, he hires Lily on a trial basis.
Lily’s first case seems simple enough—travel to a town in Southern Illinois and determine what happened to the owners of a property after they left town years before. However, this is a mystery novel, and a simple case is never really simple. The property owners were a minister and his wife and not only did they leave town suddenly but they left with a lot of church funds. Lily’s investigation stirs up some town secrets that many would like to keep hidden and trouble ensues.
The mystery is not earth shattering but it’s fun to see Lily work to figure things out and she often plunges into dangerous situations without thinking things through, which seems pretty realistic for someone in their early 20’s. There’s also a mysterious but handsome man who seems to be following Lily and you know this character is going to play an important role in Lily’s future (but I appreciate that it didn’t happen in this book).
This was a good start to a series and I’ll definitely follow Lily into her next adventure.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest/unbiased review.
October 23, 2016
This is a very enjoyable tale set in historic Chicago. A woman who is an actress decides to apply for the job of Pinkerton sleuth. She has been duped by a man who just wanted her money, and hopes to save other women from the same experience.
The only issue I had is that when we meet the head of the Pinkerton detection agency, son of the founder, he sits in his office for a couple of pages, thinking about all the background to his family and current position. The reader could have been informed in other ways, like a conversation or two, and the fact that we immediately jump to Lilly again makes it seem that this piece was inserted separately during editing.
Lilly is tremendous fun, a strong woman who is as respectable as she wishes to be but free from many constraints of society. She's wily and quick to learn, and well used to disguises. Her first case comes after a considerable amount of setting up the situation and she has to prove herself capable of doing the job.
I was sent an ARC and this is an unbiased review.
The only issue I had is that when we meet the head of the Pinkerton detection agency, son of the founder, he sits in his office for a couple of pages, thinking about all the background to his family and current position. The reader could have been informed in other ways, like a conversation or two, and the fact that we immediately jump to Lilly again makes it seem that this piece was inserted separately during editing.
Lilly is tremendous fun, a strong woman who is as respectable as she wishes to be but free from many constraints of society. She's wily and quick to learn, and well used to disguises. Her first case comes after a considerable amount of setting up the situation and she has to prove herself capable of doing the job.
I was sent an ARC and this is an unbiased review.
July 18, 2016
This is a series that I think will improve over time. The only character that gets any attempt at depth is Lily, but there is potential for a few minor characters to become more flesh and blood in future books. The mystery was not too complex (perfect for a first case) but I was left wishing that we'd gotten to see more about the villains. They were, much like the book as a whole, a little too stereotypical to be truly satisfying. But Richards' obvious talent for writing, research, and world development will hopefully expand into creating multiple, three dimensional characters and mysteries with more depth to them in future books.
A decent, though slightly disappointing, start to a new mystery series with definite potential.
For my full review go to:
http://bookwyrmreader.blogspot.com/20...
A decent, though slightly disappointing, start to a new mystery series with definite potential.
For my full review go to:
http://bookwyrmreader.blogspot.com/20...
August 3, 2025
Quaint, and entertaining historical mystery. I would have enjoyed the story more if there had been more romance. The author did a great job with the plot line though and with setting up a romance between Lilly and Cade, which I expect to advance in book 2. I begun book 2 yesterday and I am enjoying it. I also plan to read book 3.
November 22, 2018
Richards cleverly creates a character who takes on the role of a Pinkerton agent after dealing with her own personal struggles and confronting others. Forcing herself to remain strong and confident, Lilly Long takes on the mysteries of her first case, and the unsolved crime in a foreign town with people who refuse to talk about the past. Richards nearly puts together a compelling plot and a momentous climax.
May 1, 2019
Well-written mystery with a strong, amateur sleuth heroine. Lilly Long is determined to be a female detective despite the fact it is 1881 and a man's world. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I'm definitely looking forward to picking up book two.
Read
August 21, 2018I really wanted to love this. Technically, there's nothing wrong with it. It's just a little too tame for me, it moves very slowly, and I felt like I wasn't fully getting inside Lilly's head at times. When a book is just not grabbing me, I have to move on.
April 25, 2017
First in the a New Series.
In 1881 Chicago, the idea of a female detective is virtually unheard of. But when famed crime buster Allan Pinkerton opens his agency's doors to a handful of women, one intrepid actress with her own troubled past is driven to defy convention and take on a new and dangerous role. . .
Since the age of eleven, when her mother was murdered, the life of the theater is all Lilly Long has known. Now twenty-two, she has blossomed into an accomplished Shakespearean actress. But after her innocence--and her savings--are taken from her by a seductive scoundrel, Lilly vows to leave the stage, enter the real world, and save others from a similar fate. Following in the footsteps of the country's first female detective, Lilly persuades Allan Pinkerton to take her on.
Lilly's acting skills are a perfect fit for her real-life role as a Pinkerton operative. But her first case is a baptism by fire as she is sent to the small town of Vandalia to solve the mystery of a pastor who disappeared with his family--and the church's funds. When Lilly arrives, she finds the mere mention of the reverend's name provokes enmity or suspicious silence. Shadowed by a second Pinkerton agent with an agenda of his own, Lilly begins to uncover Vandalia's sordid secrets. But she'll have to deliver the performance of a lifetime to survive the final act of this drama.
Oh I so loved Lily Long in this New Historical mystery. A woman battling her own torments and fears, while making a new start in her life as a Pinkerton Agent.
A good set of characters, in a well plotted and written mystery.
I await eagerly for the next instalment.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Published by Kensington Books and downloaded via NetGalley.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres... like, comment and follow.
In 1881 Chicago, the idea of a female detective is virtually unheard of. But when famed crime buster Allan Pinkerton opens his agency's doors to a handful of women, one intrepid actress with her own troubled past is driven to defy convention and take on a new and dangerous role. . .
Since the age of eleven, when her mother was murdered, the life of the theater is all Lilly Long has known. Now twenty-two, she has blossomed into an accomplished Shakespearean actress. But after her innocence--and her savings--are taken from her by a seductive scoundrel, Lilly vows to leave the stage, enter the real world, and save others from a similar fate. Following in the footsteps of the country's first female detective, Lilly persuades Allan Pinkerton to take her on.
Lilly's acting skills are a perfect fit for her real-life role as a Pinkerton operative. But her first case is a baptism by fire as she is sent to the small town of Vandalia to solve the mystery of a pastor who disappeared with his family--and the church's funds. When Lilly arrives, she finds the mere mention of the reverend's name provokes enmity or suspicious silence. Shadowed by a second Pinkerton agent with an agenda of his own, Lilly begins to uncover Vandalia's sordid secrets. But she'll have to deliver the performance of a lifetime to survive the final act of this drama.
Oh I so loved Lily Long in this New Historical mystery. A woman battling her own torments and fears, while making a new start in her life as a Pinkerton Agent.
A good set of characters, in a well plotted and written mystery.
I await eagerly for the next instalment.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Published by Kensington Books and downloaded via NetGalley.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres... like, comment and follow.
December 20, 2019
Intriguing mystery set in Chicago with a young orphaned woman who has been a part of a theater troupe for a few years. When she gets jilted by her husband, she takes stock of her life and decides to join the Pinkertons who have just started hiring woman as agents. She's able to put her theater skills to use. I enjoyed the character and the concept and hope to read more in this series.
July 22, 2016
An Untimely Frost is the first volume of a new series set in 1880's middle America. Lilly Long is a young woman, orphaned at an early age and taken in by a traveling theatrical troupe. Lilly has developed into an accomplished actress but made a bad choice in her scoundrel of a new husband. After he attacks her and absconds with her life savings, Lilly decides that she needs to make a change. She is intrigued by an advertisement by the prestigious Pinkerton Detective Agency. The Pinkertons are looking for a female agent. Allan Pinkerton has hired women before with great success and Lilly thinks her acting experience would be a plus.The two Pinkerton sons, William and Robert, are not so enthusiastic however. Her first interview is a flop but Lilly manages by using her skills to get herself hired anyway. Her first assignment is a missing persons case in the small town of Vandalia, IL. One of the town's preachers and his family disappeared twenty years earlier, leaving a large property derelict. Lilly's client has hired the Pinkertons to find the family in order to purchase the property, Heaven's Gate. People in Vandalia don't want to talk to Lilly and she senses a deeper mystery than a missing persons case. And who is the handsome boxer who seems to turn up wherever she goes? Lilly's first assignment leads her into dark secrets and danger, but she refuses to give up.
Lilly Long is the very definition of "plucky" in her dogged pursuit of the truth. I am not as familiar with the constraints placed on women in 1880's America as I am with Britain's idea of propriety in the same period. It seemed to me that Lilly had a lot more freedom of movement and access that I would have expected. Perhaps the respect given to the Pinkerton badge accounts for her relative ease. She is a likable character who makes the sort of rookie mistakes that I would expect from a fledgling investigator; one who is more innocent than she appears. Penny Richards is obviously an author with a lot of experience in her craft, and one who has done her research. An Untimely Frost is a good read and I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy in return for an honest review.
RATING- 3.5 Stars
Lilly Long is the very definition of "plucky" in her dogged pursuit of the truth. I am not as familiar with the constraints placed on women in 1880's America as I am with Britain's idea of propriety in the same period. It seemed to me that Lilly had a lot more freedom of movement and access that I would have expected. Perhaps the respect given to the Pinkerton badge accounts for her relative ease. She is a likable character who makes the sort of rookie mistakes that I would expect from a fledgling investigator; one who is more innocent than she appears. Penny Richards is obviously an author with a lot of experience in her craft, and one who has done her research. An Untimely Frost is a good read and I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy in return for an honest review.
RATING- 3.5 Stars
June 27, 2016
A plucky young woman wronged by a thieving husband becomes a private detective, reinventing herself while uncovering memories of her mother’s death and she seeks to solve the mysteries of an abandoned home and solves a long unsolved crime. Lilly leaves a career as an actor behind seeking to solve the mystery of what happened at a certain home. Her leads take her in directions she never anticipated, and of course, into danger. The setting is Chicago and Illinois in the late 1800’s. Outside of a woman’s husband and family, she has no legal standing and is an easy mark for unscrupulous people. Having been on the receiving end of just such a scam, Lilly wants to help women who have been wronged by men in particular and society at large. She is well on her way.
Fortunately Lilly is not a character to sit, simper and not take any action to advance the story. It is a fast, enjoyable read. The characters and the storyline lend themselves to sequels (which are in the works) and I look forward to what Lilly and Cade, another Pinkerton agent) get up to next. The book drops July 26. If you like novels set in this time period add this one to your TBR pile.
~an honest review in exchange for an ARC
6/27/16
Fortunately Lilly is not a character to sit, simper and not take any action to advance the story. It is a fast, enjoyable read. The characters and the storyline lend themselves to sequels (which are in the works) and I look forward to what Lilly and Cade, another Pinkerton agent) get up to next. The book drops July 26. If you like novels set in this time period add this one to your TBR pile.
~an honest review in exchange for an ARC
6/27/16
July 19, 2016
Set in 1818 An Untimely Frost is the first book in a new series. Richards did a great job of integrating the history of the time with the back story of the main character while keeping the mystery at the heart of the story front and center. I loved the fact that the main character was a very strong woman who could fake it until she make it using her skills as a actress in her new career as a Pinkerton Operative. Look for a character who is mostly in the background and whose backstory is mostly a mystery. That is a set up for the two to work together in future stories. A very good start to a new mystery series set in a interesting and dangerous time.
June 24, 2016
This is an enjoyable mystery, that takes place in 1881. Lilly decides to become a detective after a bad breakup with her husband. She ends up working for the famed Pinkerton Detective Agency. I had heard of the Pinkerton agency, but really knew nothing about it. It was interesting to learn a little bit about the agency and it's detectives. The mystery Lilly investigates was interesting and came to a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed her personality, except for the way she is so afraid of accepting assistance from Cade.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
June 13, 2016
What a wonderful "read"! Penny's development of characters and artful description of scenes and their sequence leaves one hoping for a television series, or at the very least, a movie. I heard the leaves rustling in one of her descriptive scenes! Everyone really must read about Lilly.
December 10, 2016
Thanks Kensington Books and netgalley for this ARC.
Feisty, level-headed, and fast-paced heroine and teasing snippet of next book
Feisty, level-headed, and fast-paced heroine and teasing snippet of next book
August 30, 2016
I had a good guess as to where the mystery would take us but I still enjoyed going along for the ride. I adored the heroine and would love to read the next one.
April 10, 2018
AN UNTIMELY FORST by Penny Richards is a very interesting historical mystery novel set in the early 1880’s. Main character, Lilly Long, is in her early twenties and is an actress with a traveling group. A few months before the novel opens, Penny married a man named Timothy Warner. The novel begins with Timothy assaulting Lilly and her surrogate mother, Rose, and making off with Lilly’s life savings. Looking to protect women like herself – and her mother who was murdered years ago by her lover – Lilly applies for a job as a female operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. It takes some convincing, but Lilly manages to get hired on a trial basis.
For her first assignment, Lilly is sent to southern Illinois to look for a missing family. Around twenty years ago, Harold Purcell robbed the church where he preached at and disappeared along with his wife and daughter. Lilly is tasked with finding the Purcell family and figuring out if they are willing to sell the large home that they still own. It doesn’t take Lilly long to realize that something more than an old robbery is going on. The Purcell family had been living well beyond their means, none of the townspeople want to talk about the Purcell family, and it’s clear that something horrible happened in the house. After learning what she could from the townspeople and the personal belongings left in the house, Lilly travels to the state capitol where she accidently finds Mrs. Purcell. After speaking with Mrs. Purcell and traveling back to Vandalia, Lilly’s first case takes a dark turn.
There were some historical inaccuracies – mainly the author used words that would not have been used during the 1880’s – but most of them can be easily overlooked. Overall, AN UNTIMELY FROST was an enjoyable read. Lilly is a well-developed, likeable character. Agent Cade McShane, Lilly’s shadow throughout the novel, seems like an interesting character and I look forward to more appearances from him in later novels. Her first case starts out as something boring and mundane, but it quickly becomes an intriguing cold case. There is some early forensic science involved. And there is a twist in the end that readers won’t see coming.
For her first assignment, Lilly is sent to southern Illinois to look for a missing family. Around twenty years ago, Harold Purcell robbed the church where he preached at and disappeared along with his wife and daughter. Lilly is tasked with finding the Purcell family and figuring out if they are willing to sell the large home that they still own. It doesn’t take Lilly long to realize that something more than an old robbery is going on. The Purcell family had been living well beyond their means, none of the townspeople want to talk about the Purcell family, and it’s clear that something horrible happened in the house. After learning what she could from the townspeople and the personal belongings left in the house, Lilly travels to the state capitol where she accidently finds Mrs. Purcell. After speaking with Mrs. Purcell and traveling back to Vandalia, Lilly’s first case takes a dark turn.
There were some historical inaccuracies – mainly the author used words that would not have been used during the 1880’s – but most of them can be easily overlooked. Overall, AN UNTIMELY FROST was an enjoyable read. Lilly is a well-developed, likeable character. Agent Cade McShane, Lilly’s shadow throughout the novel, seems like an interesting character and I look forward to more appearances from him in later novels. Her first case starts out as something boring and mundane, but it quickly becomes an intriguing cold case. There is some early forensic science involved. And there is a twist in the end that readers won’t see coming.
October 3, 2021
In this book the heroine in looking for a minister and his family that supposedly skipped town with the church funds. Lilly, the heroine of the story went to the house the family lived in and saw the bloody sheets on the bed and the gross looking scissors and sink in the house. She's been told that the daughter was quarantined due to coming down with tuberculosis. The sheriff supposedly went out to the house after being told of strange noises that some kids heard coming from the house. I think that the blood on the bed wasn't caused by someone being killed there, but from someone giving birth in the bed and that the childbirth didn't go well. I think that the daughter was really pregnant and the minister and his wife didn't want people to know so they told everyone she had tuberculosis. It's possible that someone in the town impregnated the daughter. I almost think that the sheriff knows more about what happened to the family than he is letting on. He's my candidate for fathering the child with the minister's daughter, but I could be wrong. I can't imagine that if something went wrong with the daughter's childbirth that her parents would just leave her in the house to die. And then what happened to the baby? However, maybe they would have done that because they would've felt that it was God punishing them for stealing money from the church. I was right about the blood on the bed being the daughter's and that the father was having an incestuous affair with her.
August 17, 2017
Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge for a honest and unbiased review.
My last run in with Blackstone Audio left a bad taste in my mouth. I was hesitant at first but wanted to see for myself if it was possibly a one time thing. I am happy to note it seems to be just that. This book was great and the narrator is even better. I really enjoyed listening to Christine Williams. She made this book very enjoyable. Penny Richards book An Untimely Frost is written in a way that makes it great for audio. It was nice being able to sit back and just enjoying the story. Penny Richards caught my attention and kept it through out the story. I honestly would have been finished with this book a long time ago if life hadn't kept getting in the way. The pace of this audiobook is great especially with Christine Williams as the narrator. The pace is not to fast and not to slow but just great for listening. It's like Christine Williams is talking and sharing a personal story with you.
This story revolves around Lilly Long. Lilly Long is an actress turned Pinkerton detective. Her job is to find the owner of an abandon house and see if he's willing to sell.Along this journey Lilly finds out things that most people want left alone. Lilly is able to make a little advancement into her own personal mystery from her past. Yet in doing so she causes problems for herself in the present by attracting some danger.
Having now listen to a few Mystery audiobooks. I can say that I like this format in audio. It makes it easier to let my imagination roam and create it's own little movie. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was the first book in Penny Richards new series. I look forward to the next book and hope it's as great as this one has been.
My last run in with Blackstone Audio left a bad taste in my mouth. I was hesitant at first but wanted to see for myself if it was possibly a one time thing. I am happy to note it seems to be just that. This book was great and the narrator is even better. I really enjoyed listening to Christine Williams. She made this book very enjoyable. Penny Richards book An Untimely Frost is written in a way that makes it great for audio. It was nice being able to sit back and just enjoying the story. Penny Richards caught my attention and kept it through out the story. I honestly would have been finished with this book a long time ago if life hadn't kept getting in the way. The pace of this audiobook is great especially with Christine Williams as the narrator. The pace is not to fast and not to slow but just great for listening. It's like Christine Williams is talking and sharing a personal story with you.
This story revolves around Lilly Long. Lilly Long is an actress turned Pinkerton detective. Her job is to find the owner of an abandon house and see if he's willing to sell.Along this journey Lilly finds out things that most people want left alone. Lilly is able to make a little advancement into her own personal mystery from her past. Yet in doing so she causes problems for herself in the present by attracting some danger.
Having now listen to a few Mystery audiobooks. I can say that I like this format in audio. It makes it easier to let my imagination roam and create it's own little movie. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was the first book in Penny Richards new series. I look forward to the next book and hope it's as great as this one has been.
September 10, 2018
A Timeless Feast!
Penny Richards’ An Untimely Frost is a captivating mystery crafted by an expert wordsmith. Ms. Richards convincingly takes us back to 1881 Chicago. Her powerful descriptives breathe life into the people and places of the late 19th century that she so aptly and colorfully portrays. Her protagonist, Lilly Long, is a captivating character: headstrong, courageous and beautiful. This novel introduces us to the early days of the Pinkerton detective agency, when women in this profession were unheard of. Lilly battles her own personal demons while working hard to solve her first assignment. The actress-turned-sleuth receives scant help from the people of Vandalia, who seem more determined to run her out of their town than to have a decades-old mystery solved. The plot takes numerous twists and turns, adding layer upon layer of riddles and enigmas that will keep the reader entertained—and guessing—right up to the last page. Towards the end of the story, Penny Richards introduces us to a rather perplexing man, whetting our appetites for what promises to be an engaging historical mystery series!
--Michael Hawron, author of the award-winning spy thriller, Just Good Clean Fun
Penny Richards’ An Untimely Frost is a captivating mystery crafted by an expert wordsmith. Ms. Richards convincingly takes us back to 1881 Chicago. Her powerful descriptives breathe life into the people and places of the late 19th century that she so aptly and colorfully portrays. Her protagonist, Lilly Long, is a captivating character: headstrong, courageous and beautiful. This novel introduces us to the early days of the Pinkerton detective agency, when women in this profession were unheard of. Lilly battles her own personal demons while working hard to solve her first assignment. The actress-turned-sleuth receives scant help from the people of Vandalia, who seem more determined to run her out of their town than to have a decades-old mystery solved. The plot takes numerous twists and turns, adding layer upon layer of riddles and enigmas that will keep the reader entertained—and guessing—right up to the last page. Towards the end of the story, Penny Richards introduces us to a rather perplexing man, whetting our appetites for what promises to be an engaging historical mystery series!
--Michael Hawron, author of the award-winning spy thriller, Just Good Clean Fun
March 16, 2022
It wasn't bad for a first book. The plot had no obvious holes and was well-paced. The characters are likeable and Lily is 3-dimensional. Given the opportunity, I will read additional books in the series just for the character development. However, I found the male shadow perspective distracting. His identity was obvious from the book, his purpose was immediately obvious from the blurb for the book, but would have been confirmed about 2/3 of the way through without it. The foreshadowing was too apparent and the clues were not subtle enough. The only "twist" I didn't see coming was the client's identity because it didn't matter enough to think about.
August 7, 2017
I had started reading this a while ago, set it aside, and came back to it. Then I really got into it. The history came alive, and I really liked how the mystery unfolded in layers. I wasn't quite as convinced with some of the main character Lily's thoughts on her past and her mother's murder, but she was still interesting to get to know. Great history on the Pinkerton Detective Agency, too. Looking forward to see what Lily is up to next.
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