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Lord and Lady Hetheridge #3
Something Blue
Alternate cover edition for can be found here
Anthony Hetheridge, ninth baron of Wellegrave and chief superintendent for New Scotland Yard, will marry Kate Wakefield in three weeks. It’s inevitable–-the invitations are out, the flowers are ordered, the cake is chosen. But murder waits for no man, and no wedding.
In London’s prestigious West End, a disgraced CEO has been murdered at Hotel Nonpareil, an exclusive destination. No one, it seems, liked Michael Martin Hughes. Not his estranged wife, Thora, or his defiant son, Griffin. Not Hotel Nonpareil’s manager, its head of security, or perhaps even the other two women in Hughes’s life: his future bride, Arianna, or his other girlfriend, Riley. Still more ominously, before Hughes died, he incurred the wrath of a potentially more unforgiving foe: Sir Duncan Godington, longtime nemesis of both CS Hetheridge and DS Deepal “Paul” Bhar.
For the first time, CS Hetheridge, Kate and Bhar find themselves under tremendous pressure to uncover the killer in the shortest time frame ever. Has Scotland Yard, not to mention Downing Street, lost confidence in Hetheridge? Will the murder conviction rest on hard forensic evidence, a mountain of circumstantial details, or an impulsive theft? Find out by returning to the world of ICE BLUE and BLUE MURDER in SOMETHING BLUE, the third mystery featuring Lord Hetheridge, Kate Wakefield and Paul Bhar.
Anthony Hetheridge, ninth baron of Wellegrave and chief superintendent for New Scotland Yard, will marry Kate Wakefield in three weeks. It’s inevitable–-the invitations are out, the flowers are ordered, the cake is chosen. But murder waits for no man, and no wedding.
In London’s prestigious West End, a disgraced CEO has been murdered at Hotel Nonpareil, an exclusive destination. No one, it seems, liked Michael Martin Hughes. Not his estranged wife, Thora, or his defiant son, Griffin. Not Hotel Nonpareil’s manager, its head of security, or perhaps even the other two women in Hughes’s life: his future bride, Arianna, or his other girlfriend, Riley. Still more ominously, before Hughes died, he incurred the wrath of a potentially more unforgiving foe: Sir Duncan Godington, longtime nemesis of both CS Hetheridge and DS Deepal “Paul” Bhar.
For the first time, CS Hetheridge, Kate and Bhar find themselves under tremendous pressure to uncover the killer in the shortest time frame ever. Has Scotland Yard, not to mention Downing Street, lost confidence in Hetheridge? Will the murder conviction rest on hard forensic evidence, a mountain of circumstantial details, or an impulsive theft? Find out by returning to the world of ICE BLUE and BLUE MURDER in SOMETHING BLUE, the third mystery featuring Lord Hetheridge, Kate Wakefield and Paul Bhar.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
February 25, 2021
The title pretty much indicates what this book is about and the way the event finally takes place is clever. Lord Hetheridge is a very smart man.
Most of the book though is spent on police work and solving murders. Things are not going well for our team as someone from on high appears to want Tony out of his job. I wonder if he will fight back or if he and Kate will instead start a PI business (don't tell me please).
There are several murders, lots of interesting information about poisons and I even learned a few facts about computer hacking. The black dog is a continuing mystery.
I enjoyed it all.
Most of the book though is spent on police work and solving murders. Things are not going well for our team as someone from on high appears to want Tony out of his job. I wonder if he will fight back or if he and Kate will instead start a PI business (don't tell me please).
There are several murders, lots of interesting information about poisons and I even learned a few facts about computer hacking. The black dog is a continuing mystery.
I enjoyed it all.
April 7, 2020
This is third in a mystery series with a central arc to the main characters. I definitely recommend reading at least these first three in order as this one culminates in Kate and Tony finally getting married.
Having read the others, you mostly know what you'll have in this one. There are two things that I wasn't very on board with and I suspect both are going to continue forward as the rest of these stories develop.
First, I really hate setting up Sir Duncan as a sort of Moriarty-style mastermind. My familiarity with Sherlock and Moriarty isn't great so I don't even know if that's apt. But what I dislike about Sir Duncan so far is that I hate that he always comes off winning, that Tony can't touch him, and that his success is based on this weird supposition that he has a mesmerist-like success with fascinating young people into doing his bidding.
Second, and even more vexing personally, is that Vic Jackson is portrayed as such an incompetent boob with Kate regularly running rings around him and yet he keeps winning, too. He isn't subtle or bright or even cunning-in-a-low-way so having him continually coming out ahead irks me. A lot. It says bad things about everybody else in the New Scotland Yard and I don't think that's Jameson's intent. Or maybe it is? Regardless, it gripes my paladin soul having the lazy and/or stupid continually rewarded.
Which sounds like I hated the story, but both those gripes are a relatively small part of the stories. I really like how Kate, Depall, and Tony work together. They have great interactions and their trust in each other and persistence in seeking justice are fantastic. And there's a whole slew of occasionally-appearing supporting characters who stand out, too. So it's still all good, even if this time I'm rounding 3½ stars up to get the four star rating.
A note about Chaste: Kate and Tony are "doing it", but not on the page. Which works very well, I think, as those private intimacies aren't important to the story.
Having read the others, you mostly know what you'll have in this one. There are two things that I wasn't very on board with and I suspect both are going to continue forward as the rest of these stories develop.
First, I really hate setting up Sir Duncan as a sort of Moriarty-style mastermind. My familiarity with Sherlock and Moriarty isn't great so I don't even know if that's apt. But what I dislike about Sir Duncan so far is that I hate that he always comes off winning, that Tony can't touch him, and that his success is based on this weird supposition that he has a mesmerist-like success with fascinating young people into doing his bidding.
Second, and even more vexing personally, is that Vic Jackson is portrayed as such an incompetent boob with Kate regularly running rings around him and yet he keeps winning, too. He isn't subtle or bright or even cunning-in-a-low-way so having him continually coming out ahead irks me. A lot. It says bad things about everybody else in the New Scotland Yard and I don't think that's Jameson's intent. Or maybe it is? Regardless, it gripes my paladin soul having the lazy and/or stupid continually rewarded.
Which sounds like I hated the story, but both those gripes are a relatively small part of the stories. I really like how Kate, Depall, and Tony work together. They have great interactions and their trust in each other and persistence in seeking justice are fantastic. And there's a whole slew of occasionally-appearing supporting characters who stand out, too. So it's still all good, even if this time I'm rounding 3½ stars up to get the four star rating.
A note about Chaste: Kate and Tony are "doing it", but not on the page. Which works very well, I think, as those private intimacies aren't important to the story.
December 29, 2017
Something Blue, the third book in the Lord and Lady Hetheridge series was a quick read but not much of a mystery. The series has promise but the chemistry seems to have fallen off. I was hoping by the third book that there would be more mystery and crime solving rather than romance. The author just doesn’t quite find the right balance of mystery and relationship development. Most of the characters are one-dimensional, Bhar is his same childish self and he and his silly mother are my least favorite characters.
Tony and Kate are finally married and Kate’s horrid mother and sister feature prominently in the stories. Maura and Louise are such brassy, ridiculous sitcom caricatures. Adding to the drama, in the first book Tony discovers that he has a child from an engagement he broke off two decades previous. That revelation is pretty much glossed over as Tony takes very little interest in his only biological child. He makes little effort to reach out to his orphaned daughter yet he bends over backwards to develop a fatherly relationship with Kate’s nephew and brother. I now can understand why her mother kept the girl’s paternity a secret; she was proven right that Tony would turn his back on his child just like he did the mother.
When I started this series, I was hoping for a refreshing, contemporary premise of one of my favorite genres, the classical British cozy/mystery. I prefer reading mysteries/romance/police procedurals/ romance rather than watching soap operas. This series is evolving into a dramatic soap opera. Three books in and the murder mystery feels rushed and unfinished. As for the plodding investigation, I didn’t care about the murdered man nor was I intrigued by the uber villain taking over the plot. The unrealistic older man/much younger woman is a stagnant fairytale with very little depth or chemistry. Sixty year old Lord Hetheridge is, of course, virile and attractive. However, older women are portrayed as either sour old hags (the stoic and devoted Mrs. Snell) or masculine and gay (Lady Margaret and Lady Vivian). Of course Tony is portrayed as the only paragon of virtue and humanity among his class; the rest of the wealthy class are portrayed as vapid, shrill, and shallow, as are their offspring.
While this series so far are not page turning mysteries, the stories are a quick reads and entertaining. The author seems to be running out of fresh ideas, I hope the fourth installment is more polished.
Tony and Kate are finally married and Kate’s horrid mother and sister feature prominently in the stories. Maura and Louise are such brassy, ridiculous sitcom caricatures. Adding to the drama, in the first book Tony discovers that he has a child from an engagement he broke off two decades previous. That revelation is pretty much glossed over as Tony takes very little interest in his only biological child. He makes little effort to reach out to his orphaned daughter yet he bends over backwards to develop a fatherly relationship with Kate’s nephew and brother. I now can understand why her mother kept the girl’s paternity a secret; she was proven right that Tony would turn his back on his child just like he did the mother.
When I started this series, I was hoping for a refreshing, contemporary premise of one of my favorite genres, the classical British cozy/mystery. I prefer reading mysteries/romance/police procedurals/ romance rather than watching soap operas. This series is evolving into a dramatic soap opera. Three books in and the murder mystery feels rushed and unfinished. As for the plodding investigation, I didn’t care about the murdered man nor was I intrigued by the uber villain taking over the plot. The unrealistic older man/much younger woman is a stagnant fairytale with very little depth or chemistry. Sixty year old Lord Hetheridge is, of course, virile and attractive. However, older women are portrayed as either sour old hags (the stoic and devoted Mrs. Snell) or masculine and gay (Lady Margaret and Lady Vivian). Of course Tony is portrayed as the only paragon of virtue and humanity among his class; the rest of the wealthy class are portrayed as vapid, shrill, and shallow, as are their offspring.
While this series so far are not page turning mysteries, the stories are a quick reads and entertaining. The author seems to be running out of fresh ideas, I hope the fourth installment is more polished.
September 14, 2019
Jameson's third third book in this series has her trying to escape from the corner to which she finds her characters confined.
They are all here with the exception of Lady Hetheridge since Tony and Kay have yet to be married. The purpose of this book is to remedy that. The plot is thin, concerning the death of a corporate head whom many would have wanted dead. The detection is confined to the perimeter while most of the book contains variations on the theme of how so many are intent on breaking up Tony's team and sending him into retirement.
There is some humor and some tension but it can't meet or exceed that of the first two books. 2.5*
They are all here with the exception of Lady Hetheridge since Tony and Kay have yet to be married. The purpose of this book is to remedy that. The plot is thin, concerning the death of a corporate head whom many would have wanted dead. The detection is confined to the perimeter while most of the book contains variations on the theme of how so many are intent on breaking up Tony's team and sending him into retirement.
There is some humor and some tension but it can't meet or exceed that of the first two books. 2.5*
April 7, 2021
In this book it is obvious that some higher power wants Hetheridge out of the Department and his marriage to Kate is a very good opportunity!
I'm still asking myself if the English justice is so class oriented... where the higher the class the less one is responsible of any crime...
I enjoyed very much the final scene during the wedding! LOL
I'm still asking myself if the English justice is so class oriented... where the higher the class the less one is responsible of any crime...
I enjoyed very much the final scene during the wedding! LOL
September 21, 2025
Another solid entry in the Lord and Lady Hetheridge series, but uncertain if I’ll read to the end.
What Worked
👥 Great main and secondary characters.
🎭Riveting third act
😷Surprise cameos
🥚Easter eggs.
With that said, you know the Harry Potter affect? How each book became darker? I sense this happening here. As a matter of fact, there is a reference to HP which I’m interpreting as tentative confirmation. For backup I checked my Magic 🎱. It’s unhelpful response was, “Better not tell you now.“ Will proceed with caution.
What Worked
👥 Great main and secondary characters.
🎭Riveting third act
😷Surprise cameos
🥚Easter eggs.
With that said, you know the Harry Potter affect? How each book became darker? I sense this happening here. As a matter of fact, there is a reference to HP which I’m interpreting as tentative confirmation. For backup I checked my Magic 🎱. It’s unhelpful response was, “Better not tell you now.“ Will proceed with caution.
January 14, 2021
Disappointing.
Became more about romance than murder and police work.
And Im sick of the fact that Sir Duncan has been involved in every case they have investigated, at every murder in every book.
Became more about romance than murder and police work.
And Im sick of the fact that Sir Duncan has been involved in every case they have investigated, at every murder in every book.
January 7, 2020
This is an odd mashup of a modern-day Downton Abbey and a police procedural, featuring:
-A lot of tangential soap opera of wildly varying degrees of frothiness or seriousness, and I mean a lot - for example, the opening of the book features three Scotland Yard detectives rushing to their secretary's bedside because they're all discombobulated by the fact that she wasn't around to order them in a cooked breakfast, because she's broken-hearted by the lead detective getting engaged to one of his subordinates (we'll return to this shortly, oh yes we will).
-A lot of absurdly over-the-top characters, like the hippy-dippy American woman who thinks she was a horse in a past life, uses every New Age fad that can be crammed in (Reiki, dreamcatchers, etc.) and spouts traditional "SJW"-caricature complaints about white privilege and suchlike.
-Some questionably realistic portrayals of police procedure, such as the lead detective being allowed to keep running a team that includes his fiancee (HA HA HA NO), some confusion as to whether he's an inspector or a superintendent, and the detectives being allowed to continue investigating a case involving conflicts of interest for all three of them.
-A zig-zaggy attitude to class privilege and wealth, with our lead detective who's a lord, has a manservant/chauffeur and is of course a paragon of manly virtues (and marrying a 29-years-younger "commoner") while almost every other rich character is mocked (the "nouveau riche" characters) or villainous (the aristocratic moustache-twirling arch-enemy, whose taste is nonetheless presented as superior to those ghastly new money people).
Despite all this silliness, which destroyed any chance of me taking this in any way seriously (and didn't actually make me laugh enough to qualify as successful comedy, if that was the intention), I found this mildly entertaining in places. It might suit readers looking for so-called "cozy" murder mystery, but I think I'll stick to Scandi and tartan noir detective fiction.
-A lot of tangential soap opera of wildly varying degrees of frothiness or seriousness, and I mean a lot - for example, the opening of the book features three Scotland Yard detectives rushing to their secretary's bedside because they're all discombobulated by the fact that she wasn't around to order them in a cooked breakfast, because she's broken-hearted by the lead detective getting engaged to one of his subordinates (we'll return to this shortly, oh yes we will).
-A lot of absurdly over-the-top characters, like the hippy-dippy American woman who thinks she was a horse in a past life, uses every New Age fad that can be crammed in (Reiki, dreamcatchers, etc.) and spouts traditional "SJW"-caricature complaints about white privilege and suchlike.
-Some questionably realistic portrayals of police procedure, such as the lead detective being allowed to keep running a team that includes his fiancee (HA HA HA NO), some confusion as to whether he's an inspector or a superintendent, and the detectives being allowed to continue investigating a case involving conflicts of interest for all three of them.
-A zig-zaggy attitude to class privilege and wealth, with our lead detective who's a lord, has a manservant/chauffeur and is of course a paragon of manly virtues (and marrying a 29-years-younger "commoner") while almost every other rich character is mocked (the "nouveau riche" characters) or villainous (the aristocratic moustache-twirling arch-enemy, whose taste is nonetheless presented as superior to those ghastly new money people).
Despite all this silliness, which destroyed any chance of me taking this in any way seriously (and didn't actually make me laugh enough to qualify as successful comedy, if that was the intention), I found this mildly entertaining in places. It might suit readers looking for so-called "cozy" murder mystery, but I think I'll stick to Scandi and tartan noir detective fiction.
May 30, 2020
The 3rd installment of the Lord and Lady Hetheridge series. Tony and Kate finally make it to the altar, Sir Duncan gets away with another murder and Deepal's mum picks up an American cowboy. Lots of fun, as usual! Like the team, however, I'm ready for Sir Duncan to receive his just desserts.
May 3, 2020
This is one of those three stars where i'm partially judging by the first two books. It's good, but not as good as those! The pacing felt a little off and I wasn't satisfied by the mystery.
August 12, 2018
This series started out strongly, but faltered with subsequent books.
September 2, 2015
There's just something about this series. I just love it. I'm really not sure why. But once I start one of these, I just can't put it down.
I love the characters and the mysteries are appealing. In this edition, Lord and Lady Hetheridge finally actually become Lord and Lady Hetheridge.
Can't wait til #4!
I love the characters and the mysteries are appealing. In this edition, Lord and Lady Hetheridge finally actually become Lord and Lady Hetheridge.
Can't wait til #4!
September 5, 2018
Quite a good crime, which kept the story entertaining. You do start to notice by this point in the series that Jameson's grasp of Englishness doesn't quite ring true, but at this point (I'm writing the review a bit after the fact) I was still enjoying the stories enough to be going through them fairly fast.
August 27, 2025
A wedding is being planned and murders are being solved. The storyline moves along at a fast pace as usual. Lady Margaret has taken over the wedding planning which will hopefully not turn into a circus. When a high profile murder occurs in the penthouse suite of a high end hotel, Lord Hetheridge and his Scotland Yard department are called in to solve the crime ASAP. I must say, there was rather a large number of rather strange suspects, including the one well known suspect who always appears to escape any charges... Sir Duncan Godington. Another excellent storyline in the series.
July 25, 2017
Another great installment in the series. Loved how well it flows, how witty it is, and in general easy to read. Though it's not THAT easy for me, because some of the British nuances are lost on me.. Though it doesn't discourage me anymore :) I just take it as it is.
Like the previous one, we got 3 POVs, Tony, Kate and Paul (Bahr). Paul's POV adds another layer to the crime solving, and since Tony and Kate's romance takes a very small part, it really doesn't interfere with anything really, it's just perfectly balanced. I really hope Paul will get his own HEA - he SO deserves it!
As usual, we start the book with a murder for Tony's team to investigate. This time it's an American "oil lord" who stayed in London. There is a lot of controversy about this guy because of an oil leak he had caused. In the cast of many enemies he might have, there's also infamous Sir Duncan - All three would LOVE to find him as the killer but there has to be some SIGNIFICANT evidence for THAT to happen which isn't easy with someone like him.. There are a lot of colorful and interesting people for the team to investigate (mostly the two so very different girlfriends of the deceased..). Yet be warned - this book doesn't end with a full closure, there are some things left for the next installments.. I wasn't very pleased with it, but I also understood why it had to play this way.
We get more of Kate's family - her brother and nephew, trying to build a life together as a family now that Kate and Tony are getting married. There are also some other characters who aren't pleased with this reunion and so these two suffer a bit before they can tie the knot. Also, someone at the station is doing SOMETHING they shouldn't, because Tony has his superior breathing at his neck at ALL times, even when it doesn't make any sense. I have an idea who THAT would be, but I wonder about the motive, or rather, if it's more complicated than simple hatred.
The romantic part is very small, as was with the previous two, but now that they are a true couple seeing them working together as more than a team was very endearing. They work well together - in and outside the job. They somehow complete each other - so very different, yet somehow great together. They come from different worlds yet what matters is only how much they mean to each other, and how much being together affected them and made them more complete and content.
At the moment there is only one installment left in the series, but there's a 5th one in the making which I'm so happy about! Though this is clearly not my go-to genre, I love my time spent with Tony, Kate and Paul and getting more feels like a treat :)
More Reviews HERE
Like the previous one, we got 3 POVs, Tony, Kate and Paul (Bahr). Paul's POV adds another layer to the crime solving, and since Tony and Kate's romance takes a very small part, it really doesn't interfere with anything really, it's just perfectly balanced. I really hope Paul will get his own HEA - he SO deserves it!
As usual, we start the book with a murder for Tony's team to investigate. This time it's an American "oil lord" who stayed in London. There is a lot of controversy about this guy because of an oil leak he had caused. In the cast of many enemies he might have, there's also infamous Sir Duncan - All three would LOVE to find him as the killer but there has to be some SIGNIFICANT evidence for THAT to happen which isn't easy with someone like him.. There are a lot of colorful and interesting people for the team to investigate (mostly the two so very different girlfriends of the deceased..). Yet be warned - this book doesn't end with a full closure, there are some things left for the next installments.. I wasn't very pleased with it, but I also understood why it had to play this way.
We get more of Kate's family - her brother and nephew, trying to build a life together as a family now that Kate and Tony are getting married. There are also some other characters who aren't pleased with this reunion and so these two suffer a bit before they can tie the knot. Also, someone at the station is doing SOMETHING they shouldn't, because Tony has his superior breathing at his neck at ALL times, even when it doesn't make any sense. I have an idea who THAT would be, but I wonder about the motive, or rather, if it's more complicated than simple hatred.
The romantic part is very small, as was with the previous two, but now that they are a true couple seeing them working together as more than a team was very endearing. They work well together - in and outside the job. They somehow complete each other - so very different, yet somehow great together. They come from different worlds yet what matters is only how much they mean to each other, and how much being together affected them and made them more complete and content.
At the moment there is only one installment left in the series, but there's a 5th one in the making which I'm so happy about! Though this is clearly not my go-to genre, I love my time spent with Tony, Kate and Paul and getting more feels like a treat :)
More Reviews HERE
June 4, 2024
3.5 stars
The saga of Tony and Kate continues. The entire series looks as if it was written as a soap opera. Every installment, the hero and heroine investigate a new murder, but besides that, there are personal stories that continue almost without interruption throughout the series, each story belonging to one of the leading characters. There is a villain too, a recurrent, really bad guy who appears in every book. He is so smart, he is getting away with murders again and again. I hope he would get his comeuppance in the last book of the series.
In this episode, Tony and Kate are getting married. Lots of people are unhappy with their marriage: Tony is a rich aristocrat and Kate is a poor commoner. His relatives are appalled. His heir is furious. After all, Tony is 60. If he and Kate have a boy child, the heir would be chucked out of succession. Their co-workers mock them both, and media calls her a gold-digger and him an old fool. But they both persevere in the face of their strong opposition, and I cheered for them.
Bhar, the third member of their team, also has his own story, and it deepens as the series progresses. I wished him luck too.
I have read 3 novels of the series back to back so far, and I'm ready for a break. I'll read the rest of the series, I'm sure, but at the moment, I need something else - a romance or a fantasy flick - before I go back to Jameson's grisly murders.
A note of interest:
Throughout the series, the author's depiction of British rich and powerful is mostly negative. They seem to be all bounders, concerned exclusively about money and prestige. Except for the protagonist, Tony. But I'm not sure this approach reflects reality in all its complexity. Of course, I don't know any member of the British elite personally, but in my experience, any social group includes both good people and bad people. So maybe the author exaggerates intentionally? I'm not sure why.
Also I noticed too much overt racism and anti-gay sentiments in many situations the author describes. The heroes encounter both repeatedly (the third member of the team Bhar is of Indian descent, even though he was born in England). Was this derisive attitude real at the time of the series publication - early 2010s? Because it is definitely not true now, just the opposite. As of this writing (2024) antisemitism is on the rise in the world, but anti-gay and skin-color scorn - not so much.
The saga of Tony and Kate continues. The entire series looks as if it was written as a soap opera. Every installment, the hero and heroine investigate a new murder, but besides that, there are personal stories that continue almost without interruption throughout the series, each story belonging to one of the leading characters. There is a villain too, a recurrent, really bad guy who appears in every book. He is so smart, he is getting away with murders again and again. I hope he would get his comeuppance in the last book of the series.
In this episode, Tony and Kate are getting married. Lots of people are unhappy with their marriage: Tony is a rich aristocrat and Kate is a poor commoner. His relatives are appalled. His heir is furious. After all, Tony is 60. If he and Kate have a boy child, the heir would be chucked out of succession. Their co-workers mock them both, and media calls her a gold-digger and him an old fool. But they both persevere in the face of their strong opposition, and I cheered for them.
Bhar, the third member of their team, also has his own story, and it deepens as the series progresses. I wished him luck too.
I have read 3 novels of the series back to back so far, and I'm ready for a break. I'll read the rest of the series, I'm sure, but at the moment, I need something else - a romance or a fantasy flick - before I go back to Jameson's grisly murders.
A note of interest:
Throughout the series, the author's depiction of British rich and powerful is mostly negative. They seem to be all bounders, concerned exclusively about money and prestige. Except for the protagonist, Tony. But I'm not sure this approach reflects reality in all its complexity. Of course, I don't know any member of the British elite personally, but in my experience, any social group includes both good people and bad people. So maybe the author exaggerates intentionally? I'm not sure why.
Also I noticed too much overt racism and anti-gay sentiments in many situations the author describes. The heroes encounter both repeatedly (the third member of the team Bhar is of Indian descent, even though he was born in England). Was this derisive attitude real at the time of the series publication - early 2010s? Because it is definitely not true now, just the opposite. As of this writing (2024) antisemitism is on the rise in the world, but anti-gay and skin-color scorn - not so much.
February 1, 2021
This series continues to enthrall, "forcing" me to set aside other books I need to read and review just to find out what happens next in the adventures of Lord and Lady Hetheridge (this is the third installment). This one begins as the couple - Tony and Kate - have set a wedding date three weeks away but have turned over the planning to a good friend. Meantime, Tony - Baron of Wellegrave and chief superintendent of the New Scotland Yard - and Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield, must deal with a murder (with help, and one-liners that kept me chuckling throughout, from Kate's capable partner Paul Bhar).
This time, the victim is the head honcho of an oil company that has taken heat for a recent major oil spill. He's thrown a big party to divert attention from the damage, and sometime after the guests have gone, he was poisoned. The killer may well be one of the guests, which include Duncan Godington - a suspected serial killer who's managed to evade conviction on other occasions in past books.
To be sure, there's no shortage of suspects, most of them quirky. Riley, for instance, insists she was engaged to the still-married victim - and she claims to be a full-blooded Comanche as well as a "spiritual practitioner." Then there's the other fiance, who also claims the victim was planning to marry right after his divorce was final. Meanwhile, the actual wife - who will inherit the man's fortune - insists he wasn't planning to divorce her at all. Also factoring in is Jules, the daughter Tony didn't know he had until the previous book; she has, it seems, developed a fondness for Tony's old nemesis, Duncan.
Scotland Yard powers-that-be are also gunning for Tony - egged on by a jealous department rival. It doesn't hurt that Tony is about to marry a "common" woman - one who not only half his age but on the department payroll. All that, and a big wedding neither Tony nor Kate really want, must get sorted out by the end of the book - and they do, in the usual fine fettle. Another very good book in this highly entertaining series!
This time, the victim is the head honcho of an oil company that has taken heat for a recent major oil spill. He's thrown a big party to divert attention from the damage, and sometime after the guests have gone, he was poisoned. The killer may well be one of the guests, which include Duncan Godington - a suspected serial killer who's managed to evade conviction on other occasions in past books.
To be sure, there's no shortage of suspects, most of them quirky. Riley, for instance, insists she was engaged to the still-married victim - and she claims to be a full-blooded Comanche as well as a "spiritual practitioner." Then there's the other fiance, who also claims the victim was planning to marry right after his divorce was final. Meanwhile, the actual wife - who will inherit the man's fortune - insists he wasn't planning to divorce her at all. Also factoring in is Jules, the daughter Tony didn't know he had until the previous book; she has, it seems, developed a fondness for Tony's old nemesis, Duncan.
Scotland Yard powers-that-be are also gunning for Tony - egged on by a jealous department rival. It doesn't hurt that Tony is about to marry a "common" woman - one who not only half his age but on the department payroll. All that, and a big wedding neither Tony nor Kate really want, must get sorted out by the end of the book - and they do, in the usual fine fettle. Another very good book in this highly entertaining series!
April 10, 2017
I found this book to be quite delightful. An engaging group of characters who work well together without rancor. They actually rely on brain power rather than brawn to resolve murder. I have not read any of the other books in the series but will put it on my must read list. It is set in London which in itself gives me a reason to have an interest after residing their for a number of years.
I have rated this book 4.5 stars.
I obtained this book from Amazon in Kindle format.
Thank you Frank
I have rated this book 4.5 stars.
I obtained this book from Amazon in Kindle format.
Thank you Frank
July 7, 2018
Ok once again an audible listen for me and the reader ruined her voice IMHO. I have to go back and reread where I thought she had overcome her accent of origin in the first book. Because it is so very grating I will have to read the next books in the series. I love her family loyalty to the mentally challenged older brother and the son her sister just dropped off and never came back for.
Also her partner, and her lead D. S. I. Lord Hetheridge. I will include no spoilers but you should read them!
Also her partner, and her lead D. S. I. Lord Hetheridge. I will include no spoilers but you should read them!
November 29, 2018
I have loved all of the Lord and Lady Hetheridge books and can't wait to read the next one. This one did not disappoint. I'm always surprised at the humor between the two main characters. It fits in so well.
December 29, 2025
Rated 4 stars. Own Kindle. listened to Hoopla Audio. so far this title is my favorite in the series. Entertaining British crime series. It's labeled as a cozy but I disagree. Even so I'm very much looking forward to reading #4 which I also bought Kindle edition when on sale.
September 22, 2017
"Something Blue" is another wonderful mystery in the Lord and Lady Hetheridge series. Emma Jameson never fails to please with her delightful cast of characters and engaging stories.
September 21, 2019
Dorothy Sayers did it much better.
August 10, 2021
I must say that Bhar really makes this series for me! He's such a great character!!
July 2, 2022
I read this one out of order and didn't love it like I did the first two and the ones offer this one.
January 9, 2023
Delightful
August 17, 2013
This is book #3 in the Lord and Lady Hetheridge Murder Mystery Series. It revolves around a Scotland Yard Homicide Detective Superintendent and Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield who works under his command, as well as other regular characters. As tightly written and suspenseful mystery writing, I have to say that this book (and the previous two books in the series) cannot be given high marks. The cases seem slow and plodding, and I have difficulty caring about the outcome. Despite all that, I will continue reading this series as fun fluff, because the main characters are complex and compelling and for the most part immensely likable. Lord Hetheridge is a 60 yr. old, never before married blue blood. He is old money British aristocracy, well-educated with impeccable manners and style. He is also pretty set in his ways after many years in authority, with only himself to please. Now enters Kate Wakefield, who has worked her way to her present position by grit and determination. She has no money, no style, and usually no manners. She is 29 years younger than Lord Hetheridge, and is raising her 10 year old nephew in place of her sister, (who is in a Psychiatric Hospital being treated for schizophrenia. In addition, she is also providing a home and supervision for her brother who has Autism. She and Hetheridge fall in love and marry,(not a surprise or a spoiler, otherwise it would not have been called the Lord and Lady Hetheridge series). The interactions, bloopers, and adjustments between these diverse characters is wonderful, and it is that, rather than the murder mystery that will keep me reading this series for as long as it lasts.
There were some irritating copy mistakes in the Kindle Version, but I NEVER base a book rating on the quality of the editing. I read and write reviews for a story description that help readers decide if this is a kind of story that piques interest. The mention of editing issues is only mentioned here to give people that deal with editing mistakes poorly, the chance to choose a different format.
There were some irritating copy mistakes in the Kindle Version, but I NEVER base a book rating on the quality of the editing. I read and write reviews for a story description that help readers decide if this is a kind of story that piques interest. The mention of editing issues is only mentioned here to give people that deal with editing mistakes poorly, the chance to choose a different format.
June 15, 2013
Once again, Emma gives us the people we’ve grown to love, and those we may come to dislike intensely. It is helpful to have read the other books in the series to truly enjoy Something Blue, but the story stands on its own, and is extremely entertaining.
Particularly interesting to an American like myself is the pervasive nature of the class structure in Great Britain. While obviously, snobbery is also rampant in the U. S., the general consensus is that it’s not a good thing. If we didn’t feel that way, we’d probably still be “The Colonies”. British snobbery is practically praiseworthy, and we feel every bit of it throughout this book. As Kate and Paul experience more of the class prejudice that is peculiar to their home country, I find myself pierced by it, as if it were happening to me.
All the elements of a good mystery are also present, and we learn more about the lives of the characters who do indeed drive this series. With twists in plot and subplot, the work keeps the reader moving and interested through-out. Staying up late to finish a book is pretty cliché to readers, but at 43, it is certainly more difficult to do than at 23. Nevertheless, I couldn’t put this one down, even as my Kindle was slipping from my hands. As one who often scorns romance, I even enjoyed those bits, especially because Kate and Tony can’t help but take their work home with them, which makes these scenes feel authentic.
Enjoy Something Blue! On the Imaqulotta Scale, I rate it as Heavenly!
See more at http://imaqulotta.wordpress.com/2013/...
Particularly interesting to an American like myself is the pervasive nature of the class structure in Great Britain. While obviously, snobbery is also rampant in the U. S., the general consensus is that it’s not a good thing. If we didn’t feel that way, we’d probably still be “The Colonies”. British snobbery is practically praiseworthy, and we feel every bit of it throughout this book. As Kate and Paul experience more of the class prejudice that is peculiar to their home country, I find myself pierced by it, as if it were happening to me.
All the elements of a good mystery are also present, and we learn more about the lives of the characters who do indeed drive this series. With twists in plot and subplot, the work keeps the reader moving and interested through-out. Staying up late to finish a book is pretty cliché to readers, but at 43, it is certainly more difficult to do than at 23. Nevertheless, I couldn’t put this one down, even as my Kindle was slipping from my hands. As one who often scorns romance, I even enjoyed those bits, especially because Kate and Tony can’t help but take their work home with them, which makes these scenes feel authentic.
Enjoy Something Blue! On the Imaqulotta Scale, I rate it as Heavenly!
See more at http://imaqulotta.wordpress.com/2013/...
August 23, 2019
Last May, enticed by a special deal ($.99), I bought the combined fourth and fifth books in the Blue series. This past week, needing a light break from more serious reading, I opted for the third in the series, again because of a special deal ($.00). I have to say this one was worth the price and not much more. I was surprised how much of the same character material was rehashed here and in the next two with very little forward motion other than Tony and Kate getting married. (I doubt I’ll be reading other Blue books to find out more.) The mystery, while not completely lame, was at the level of a better Murder She Wrote episode. (For those too young to remember those, just say at their best they were barely worth an hour of television after a really bad day at work.) The real kicker was the transparent and unsupported cliffhanger enticing the reader to the next book. I have no problem with cliffhangers as long as the mystery of the current book is resolved. In this case, Tony announces to Kate that the accused is guilty of one murder but not of the other. Chapter end. Wedding day. Book end. Was the author bumping into the publisher’s deadline? The fifth book, Blue Blooded, is pretty good as long as you don’t read this one first.
May 14, 2023
And now I'm officially done with this series. The interesting investigation of the last book must have been a fluke since this one was haphazard and second to the romance, which is still icky. I don't understand the appeal of a detective working under her future husband, especially when he pulls rank to shut everyone up on the team and demands that none of the speak until he allows it again. But this will all get sorted out in the bedroom later? Right... The whole setting just doesn't feel right either. This series hasn't really felt like any other British procedural I've read, and some of the details of the aristocracy started feeling increasingly off, perhaps because the author is an American. That aside, her suspects are all the same people, no matter their background, and the reoccurring ones are flat caricatures that are clearly never going to develop. Add in a Moriarty-type supervillain who seems destined to appear in every book now, and well, I just can't anymore.
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