Death at Devil's Bridge

Kathryn Ardleigh #4

by Robin Paige

Newlyweds Charles and Kate Sheridan have moved into Kate's ancestral Georgian home Bishop's Keep, where Kate plans to devote herself to her writing and Charles to the responsibilities of the landed gentry. He agrees to host an automobile exhibition and balloon race at Bishop's Keep attended by Europe's foremost investors and inventors, among them the young Mr Charles Rolls and Henry Royce.

But speed, competition, and money prove to be more explosive than gasoline - and for one automobile builder, more deadly ...

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1998

About the author

Robin Paige is the pen-name of husband and wife team Bill and Susan Wittig Albert.

The Robin Paige Victorian/Edwardian mystery series was written by Bill and Susan Albert from 1994-2006. There are a dozen books in the series (now completed), beginning in the mid 1890s and continuing through 1903.

The series, beginning with Death at Bishop's Keep, features two amateur sleuths: Kate Ardleigh Sheridan and Sir Charles Sheridan, later Lord Sheridan , Baron of Somersworth. Kate is an Irish-American woman who writes under the pseudonym of Beryl Bardwell.

She comes to England and inherits a small fortune and the estate of Bishops Keep, located in East Anglia, near the village of Dedham, Essex. Sir Charles is a landed peer and amateur scientist with a special interest in new forensic techniques, such as fingerprinting, ballistics, toxicology, and photography.

In each of the 12 books in the series, Kate and Charles meet notable figures of their time as they set about solving the relevant mystery.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this fourth offering of the series Charles and Kate are married and living at Kates home Bishops Keep. Kate and Charles agree to host a balloon flight and car show with a host of car enthusiasts. Of course there is a murder, though it comes well into the book. As is the case with this series there is a link with an historical character in this case the two gentlemen behind the Rolls Royce brand. This is a gentle enjoyable series in the crime genre and I enjoyed this offering but if I am honest slightly less than previous offerings. Probably that was down to the fact that there was a lot of discussions about cars, combustion engines etc and this is not very interesting to me.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about Kate and Charles and all the people who work with them and for them. I enjoy meeting historical characters (Beatrix Potter in a previous book, Rolls and Royce of auto fame in this one). I also enjoy insights into the development of technology and criminology. If you like the same things, you will enjoy this book. But if you're looking for a tightly-plotted mystery or an ingenious piece of investigation, look elsewhere. The search for the murderer was haphazard, and there weren't enough clues for the reader to figure out whodunit.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020 bk 294 It starts and ends with a cottager who wants to fly. Her first attempts are interrupted by that devil of a new machine, the automobile, the end - that is best left to the reader. In between, Charles and Kate, newly married, end up hosting a hot air balloon and automobile show and what is possibly the first hare and hounds match in England. Not of hare and hounds but of balloon and car - you get my drift. Along the way we have at least one abduction, a theft of the anchor causing danger to Charles and the balloonist, and introduction to young Rolls and young Royce and other early automobile designers, and one person who will go to any lengths to keep a young woman as his. One of my favorite books of the series.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story about the beginning of the auto industry.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death at Devil’s Bridge by Robin Paige is the fourth book of the Victorian Mystery series set in Victorian England.

At last Kate has realized her dream of marrying Sir Charles Sheridan. The newlyweds live together in Bishop’s Keep, the Ardleigh ancestral home Kate inherited from her Aunt Sabrina Ardleigh. There are difficulties with Charles’ side of the family; his mother is not willing to accept an Irish-American daughter-in-law at her estates in Somersworth. Charles has modernized the Ardleigh estate to suit them quite comfortably.

As a favor to their young friend Lord Bradford Marsden, they agree to host an automobile exhibition and hot air balloon race attended by inventors and investors, among them young daredevil Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. Several forces conspire to complicate the event. There is resistance from rural folk afraid of the newly invented motorcars, who blame them for scaring a local farmer to death. The local roads designed for horses and carriages are in most cases too rough for a car chase. Local servants who don’t want to move to London try mild sabotage, and a superstitious local casts a spell. There is a young aristocrat in rebellion and heartbreak over a beau. Most serious is the tampering with a motorcar that causes a driver’s death.

Feisty independent Kate comes to Charles’ rescue in a daring and exciting scene. An experiment in fingerprinting that Kate conducts as research for a Beryl Bardwell novel provides the key evidence Charles needs to identify the saboteur. All side plots are wrapped up with justice and humor to a satisfying conclusion. It’s a pleasant read set within an interesting historical framework.

[Andree · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounding up. I continue to enjoy this series. I wish there'd been less of a time jump between this book and the last, mainly because I think I'd have liked to see Kate and CHarles engaged. But it's entertaining. The ballooning and such was fun. Although the entire Marsten family (except Patsy) seem to be getting slowly more and more terrible.

[Sandy Shin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Automobile race, balloon ascension, Rolls and Royce before they became partners. Cut throat competition and sabotage to win the automobile race ends in death. Fingerprints, on-site photographs, microscopy and astute deductions point out the villains, but traditional village obstinacy frustrates the reader.
I still like the series and will read on.

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate and Charles are enjoying the early days of marriage, setting up a rather unconventional (could it be anything but?) household, from terrorizing Cook with a gas cooking stove to hosting a car chase (albeit unintentionally). I thoroughly enjoy the window into the history of forensics, technology, women's rights, social classes and a time period on the cusp of war.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stumbled in this series in book 3 and while it wasn’t the best book I had ever read it was fun. This book, book 4, I found to be completely boring and confusing because I didn’t care about any of the characters or the mystery to be honest.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was far slower in getting going than the previous three, but once it did, I found it to be every bit as enjoyable as the earlier books.

[Dyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite so far in this historical fiction/mystery/romance series. It is well written and always features one or more historical figures weaved seamlessly in among the fictional ones. This book contains Charles Rolls AKA "Charlie", Henry Royce, and lesser known Harry John Lawson who is portrayed in this book under the name Harry Dunstable. The reader encounters them early in their careers, and a historical note at the end of the book tells us what happened to them later in life. The detailed descriptions of Victorian atmosphere and intertwining history gives the reader an enhanced sense of time and place. The research was excellent. At the beginning of each chapter is a short excerpt from the writing of a famous author by which the reader can determine what the chapter may be about.

We find out that Sir Charles Sheridan and Lady Kathryn Ardleigh had been married, in a private ceremony, three months ago. I guess that's why the reader wasn't invited! Charles and Kate make the perfect team when it comes to solving mysteries at the turn of the 20th century. Kate is an Irish-American redhead who now writes sleuthing stories for Blackwell's Monthly under the name of Beryl Bardwell. Charles is English gentry and has an interest in science, forensics, photography and detection. His observational skills complement her problem solving ones.

It is time for the annual Harvest Fete to be held at Bishop's Keep, the ancestral home of Kate's family and where the two are currently living. Sir Charles's friend, Lord Bradford Marsden, asks him if he would also host an automobile exhibition and balloon race at the same time. Inventors and investors will also attend, and four cars will race after the balloon and the first one to reach where it sets down is the winner. The cars include:
- Bradford's gasoline-powered Daimler driven by a German named Wilhelm Albrecht.
- A gasoline-powered Benz driven by Mr. Frank Ponsonby.
- A steam-powered car called a Serpollet driven by Mr. Arthur Dickson.
- An electric car driven by Mr. Arnold Bateman.
The balloon will be managed by Charlie Rolls and passenger Sir Charles.

The village is stirred up by the death of old man Jessup, and these new fangled machines and balloons. Was Jessup hit by a fast moving car (fast being the top speed allowed is 12 miles per hour!) or was he frightened to death by the car as it passed him? All of this anti-car tension is being stirred up by Squire Roger Thornton who is anti everything. Lady Marsden, Bradford's mother, has her heart set on her daughter Patsy marrying Thornton. Patsy doesn't like him at all; and later we find, for good reason. At the moment, this high spirited and independent minded young lady is infatuated with Charlie Rolls. On the day of the Fete and race, tensions have built to the boiling point among the villagers, and a riot ensues. The balloon is sabotaged and forced off the ground without a proper equipment check, and none of the drivers show up at the end of the race. There is a deadly accident for one of the drivers at Devil's Bridge - was it an accident or was it murder? When Kate realizes that Charles has no way of landing the balloon, she literally drives to the rescue in Rolls' car, a Peugeot, fearing he is dead. Unheard of - a lady able to drive a car!

There are, of course, a plethora of suspects. All the drivers dislike each other. Everyone hates Mr. Harry Dunstable who is the promoter of the British Motor Car Syndicate. He is really a greedy con man who is known for overselling shares. Servants Amelia and Lawrence Quibbley, introduced in a previous book, are now living in a cottage on Bishop's Keep. She is a housekeeper for Kate and he is a mechanic for Lord Marsden and afraid of losing his job. Squire Thornton is a suspect as well as a couple of Dedham villagers. Even Jessup's son wants revenge for his father's death.

Sir Charles is becoming more adept at crime scene investigation, especially in fingerprint analysis and microscopic evidence. Kate asks the butler for help with an experiment in fingerprinting as research for her next story which, incidentally, helps Charles catch the killer. There is a totally unexpected conclusion which might not be satisfying for some readers who want justice, but plays right for the time period. I would also advise you read this enjoyable series in order. Highly recommended.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Satisfied Stars. I much enjoyed DEATH AT DEVIL’S BRIDGE, which dealt more with everyday village life than the dalliances at the highest levels of English Society (as featured in the previous book). This series features a likable husband and wife team as MCs (newly married in bk4), mysteries to solve, various adventures, interesting historical details and famous people from this particular era. The overall tone is upbeat and somewhat Cozy. I enjoyed my 4th book from this author pair.

1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).

Bishop’s Keep, Essex, England. September 1895 (or ‘96) ~
American Irish Mystery writer, Miss Kathryn Ardleigh (writing mysteries under the pen name of Polly Palmer) now lives in Sussex, England. She inherited her present home, Bishop’s Keep, and the funds to maintain it after the deaths of her two English aunts. Kate (Kate Ardleigh Sheridan, following her recent marriage) and her new husband, Sir Charles Sheridan, have been asked to host a “mixed” event - an automobile chase with a hot air balloon in the forefront taking photos. Due to extenuating circumstances, the local villagers are upset, the contestants are fighting amongst themselves, and more people are angry than delighted at the prospect of the upcoming festival. Before the spectacular event even begins, Kate and Charles are looking toward its conclusion - hopefully without any blood shed. But their wishes are denied.

Quote ~
> “Gentleman, this is Mistress Gurton, who has always had a desire to fly.” 😉

Comments ~
1) DEATH AT DEVIL’S BRIDGE is bk4 in Robin Paige’s (a husband/wife writing team) 12 book Victorian Mystery series. DADB can be read as a standalone novel although certain supportive secondary characters (police force, friends, villagers) have been introduced previously. I prefer beginning with bk1.
2) I enjoy the MCs in this series. Although the writing style and tone varies, Sir Charles, in particular, reminds me somewhat of Dorothy Sayers’ Lord Peter Whimsey (but from a slightly earlier period than Whimsey). Robin Paige’s female character, Kate, has a different backstory yet shares certain similarities with Lord Peter Wimsey’s wife, Harriet Vane. Both are independent, assured, creative & intelligent women.
3) Robin Paige’s novels contain interesting facts and historical details that that never fail to prod my interest (the early days of modern household conveniences, ie., lighting, cooking stoves, heating, photography, hot air balloons and the beginning of the automobile industry). Each book also includes 1 or more a person from history. DEATH AT DEVIL’S BRIDGE included Henry Royce and Charles Rolls of the automobile industry and another. I appreciate the author notes added at the end of each book. They help differentiate actual history from fiction. I look forward to reading the next book in this series soon.
4) I prefer Mysteries which aren’t particularly dark or graphic and I have been enjoying this series. I look forward to reading the next book and recommend this series to readers of:
> Edwardian & Victorian fiction
> Cozy Mysteries
> British Mysteries
> Historical Mysteries and fiction
> Character driven Mysteries
> Seasoned character series
> Joint male/strong female lead character series

READER CAUTION ~ Minimal.
Rare or no use of strong language; murders occur off scene; intimacies (adulterous liaisons) are mentioned, or alluded to, but occur behind closed doors.

[Andy Howells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witchcraft, a tumultuous car and balloon chase, along with death, drew me into the storyline of Robin Paige’s Death at Devils Bridge, the fourth instalment in The Victorian Mystery Series, yet the first one I have encountered.

As members of the gentry, newlyweds Lord Charles and Lady Kate Sheridan begin their domestic life in Kate’s ancestral residence of Bishops Keep, Charles consents to host an automobile exhibition and balloon race, much to the disapproval of the local squire and the villagers.

The narrative builds numerous situational contexts and makes explicit references to characters and events from earlier titles, but this does not hinder the reader's enjoyment of the story. A few historical figures, such as Mr. Charles Rolls and Mr. Henry Royce, are also woven into the plot.

I appreciated the protagonists’ approach to crime-solving, utilizing relatively rudimentary techniques like fingerprint identification and photography, while the author diligently illustrates how innovative electric light bulbs and gas connections were during the 1890s.

At times, I felt that some physical descriptions of characters were introduced a bit late after their introduction, which made certain earlier chapters feel somewhat busy as the narrative was established. Nevertheless, I found the book to be well-researched and reflective of the personalities of different classes of the Victorian era.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars.

This book gave us a glimpse of the early British debates of what should power the motor car and the birth of the Rolls-Royce. It's interesting that at the same time, the Americans were also having the same sort of discussions that eventually led to the Ford Model T.

I learned a lot of the American side of things from reading Victoria Thompson's Gaslight series, in particular Murder on Madison Square. In that book, the concerns raised were how the car can be operated in New York's urban environment but it's amazing how the dissenting views were so similar to those expressed in this book.

The fact that the electric car was a serious contender in these early inventions but eventually lost to the petrol combustion engine because of fossil fuels' availability in America and elsewhere always made me feel regretful that it took us almost 150 years of environmental damage to see the benefits of non-fossil fuel powered vehicles. :(

I thought the murder mystery itself was not very interesting. And I think I would have enjoyed a glimpse into Charles and Kate's wedding preparations instead of having them already married and settled in Bishop's Keep for months.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it's apparently not a popular series, at least according to Goodreads numbers, I really enjoy these books - even before I learned that the author is actually the team of Susan Wittig Albert (one of my favorite authors) and her husband.

I like Kate and her refusal to give in to the stereotypes of her time and situation. She and Charles have servants, but they are treated well and shown respect. She isn't afraid to use her brain or to speak her mind, something very unusual for women of her societal status during the Victorian era, but I think that's what makes me like her so much. She has a few good friends she can rely on, and Charles always supports her as well, which makes me like *him too :)

With Kate's nudging, the authorities determined that the death featured here was murder and not an accident, although it took them far too long to come to that conclusion. There were several suspects on my list and plenty of red herrings, so my list kept changing as the story progressed. I didn't figure out whodunnit until just before it was revealed in the book, but the motive made sense.

I look forward to returning to this series next year, and am happy to know I still have half the series left to read.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started giving this a five star review but then changed it to four stars as, although I love the characters and the plots, there are several “Americanisms” in these books which spoils it for an English reader. Things like “odor” instead of “odour” or “color” instead of “colour” and “fender” instead of “bumper” and the list goes on!

Also there are areas of the book where the author gets a bit of verbal diarrhoea and puts in big chunks of dialogue that actually are unnecessary to the plot that you have to just skim through to rejoin the action.

Aside from these negative things though, the books are a good enjoyable read with characters you can really like and become very fond of like the scruffy Sir Charles who marries the lead character, Kathryn, and the matriarchal cook, Mrs Pratt who you can’t help but love.

I am racing through these books and there are 12 books in the series (so far!)

Give them a go, skip through the paragraphs of “word salad” and you will uncover a jewel of a book. Not quite up there with Arrowood (Mick Finlay) or Ashmole Foxe (William Savage) but they are still enjoyable.

[David Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth of these that I have heard (I have listened to audio books for all four), and the first to disappoint me.
In short, it was too fantastical, too far-fetched. All sorts of new technological advances are seen and employed by the characters (cameras, aerial balloons, automobiles, and various criminal investigation techniques. Too many such advances appear in new ways in one stories, leaving certain characters (Sir Charles Sheridan in particular) to appear to be a bit too much like da Vinci or other brilliant polymaths. Which he may be, I suppose, but his seemingly endless skills and Kathryn's unique adaptability get to be just a bit too much at times. Just too much scientific stuff to absorb and track for one story.
I shall, however, look forward to the next story. . I want to see how the story of Kathryn and Charles turns out!

[Helene Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review - Of the first four books in this series I think that this one is my least favourite. It's difficult to put my finger on why but I think that I don't really like the character of Bradford Marsden. However, I did really like his sister, Patsy Marsden. Some of the Americanisms are beginning to get a bit annoying, but generally these books are a really good read. Can't wait to read the next one.

Genre? - Crime / Mystery / Historical

Characters? - Kathryn Ardleigh / Charles Sheridan / Bradford Marsden / Patsy Marsden / Amelia Quibbley / Lawrence Quibbley / Charles Rolls / Henry Royce / Wilhelm Albrecht / Henry Dunstable

Setting? - Bishop's Keep (England)

Series? - Kathryn Ardleigh #4

Recommend? – Yes

Rating - 16/20

[Sarah Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another romp back in time with this book and Kathryn Ardleigh.
These books have historically accurate people in them with a fictitious story wrapped around them. This one has Me Rolls and Mr Royce meeting before they started their car manufacturing.
It's all good fun with a death of two thrown in.
As it's set in 1895 out intrepid female has many prejudices to fight against.
I enjoyed the part of the hot air balloon and the surmises that the electric car will have its day when better batteries can be made.
I also like reading about how a large house runs with the servants and who can do what, a much more structured society than we have these days.
As this was a shorter book, as we know our characters I was able to easily read it in a day.

[Susan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful mystery by Robin Page. Lady Kate and Charles Sheridan agree to host a automobile exhibition where the entrants must chase a hot air balloon to its landing spot. Such devilish doings as before the competition one of the elders of the village is found dead along the roadside. Suspicions of fowl play with motorcars is suspected. Far worse on the day of the competition their is a mishap with the hot air balloon. Which leads to further dastardly doings along the way with the motorcars. Rest assured that Kate and Charles learn the true nature of the crimes and bring everything to light in a very informative tale using dactylography.

[Jaime Ann Sanborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was fun! The automobile is still in its infancy and no one knows which form of fuel will become standard in use. (Unfortunately, it was the one that would destroy our ecosystem, but I digress.) Kate and Charles’s friend asks them to host an automobile race on their manor. Steam, electric, and gasoline duke it out for supremacy. Of course there is a murder as well as famous names from history. In this case, we meet Henry Royce and Charles Rolls long before the two ever thought about making a car together. There’s a dangerous air balloon ride, a high speed car ride (20 mph!), and a mystery to solve. Great read!

[Terry Polston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery book where the mystery is solved but the perpetrator is not convicted. The story is full of arrogant young men all sure their way is the right way. An interesting debate was petrol vs steam vs electricity for vehicle power. Now we know petrol was chosen and inventors now want electricity although the necessary components would mean raping rainforests or the ocean floor. There is not even a valid way to dispose of those electric car batteries. Maybe it's time to look at steam again I'm not prepared to destroy the earth to drive a car.
An enjoyable read with interesting facts about Mr Rolls and Mr Royce, new gas stoves, and hot air balloons.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific read and I am so enjoying my reread of this fine series. Historical detail is excellent and the characters come alive!

This episode, with a fairly newly married Kate and Charles Sheridan, illustrates the excitement and the danger in the new emerging automobile industry. An auto and balloon "race" turns deadly for one competitor and involves the Bishop's Keep household and many they hold dear.

On to the next in the series!

[Lorna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was over halfway through the book before a murder actually occurred and then the whole thing was wrapped up very quickly. A lot of unnecessary detail and little excitement. I should give some benefit of the doubt however as this was the first of the series I have read, having been given it by a friend, perhaps read in sequence I may have enjoyed it more. However, this one has not tempted me to seek out the first of the series.

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

A feature of this series is the inclusion of real-life famous faces. Previous books have featured Beatrix Potter and the Prince of Wales, but as a former employee of the prestigious Car factory in Crewe, Cheshire this book held special interest with Messers Rolls and Royce making an appearance in this fictionalisation of an early automotive drama.

[Liz V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Kathryn and Charles' interest in science, it is no surprise that they agree to host an automotive-balloon chase. The rural population, however, is not happy, with the Luddites sure that disaster will follow--as it does. Kathryn and Charles must show that humans, not machines, are to blame and that science can reveal the culprits.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very enjoyable gentle time period mystery. I loved the husband and wife sleuths with a whole list of suspects. However, the authors did not give enough clues to guess the culprit as a reader. An interesting twist was that the jury did not find the antagonist ‘guilty’ and he only got his just desserts by being ruined financially. I would definitely read more in the series.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good entry in this well-written series. I like Kate and Charles together solving mysteries. They employ a combination of science and intuition. Highly recommended for fans of cozy and Victorian mysteries.

[Nancy Cook-senn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rolls and Royce meet years before their profitable partnership, but are not impressed with each other. There is intrigue among those daring enough to drive automobiles (racing along at 12 mph!) and pilot balloons.

[Ellie Cripps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately this was my least favourite of the series so far, and if I wasn't still somewhat invested in the lives of the central characters I might give up on the series now. While meeting the historical characters was still interesting I felt let down by the mystery element of the book.