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Gilded Age Mystery #3
Let the Dead Keep Their Secrets
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 Gilded Age New York, heiress Prudence MacKenzie and ex-Pinkerton Geoffrey Hunter investigate crimes that take them from the slums of Five Points in lower Manhattan to the Fifth Avenue mansions of society's elite. In the late nineteenth century, women are particularly vulnerable . . .
Childbirth can be dangerous even for the wealthy. So when opera singer Claire Buchanan shows Prudence and Geoffrey a postmortem cabinet photograph of her deceased twin sister and newborn niece, they express sadness but not surprise. The popular black-bordered portraits are the era's way of coping with the devastating losses that plague every family. What makes this death different is that Claire is convinced Catherine and her child were murdered.
Prudence's friend is haunted by a sense of her sister's lingering presence, and by the conviction that her dead twin is demanding justice. Catherine's widower, Aaron Sorensen, is a cold, controlling man who swiftly remarried. Now his second wife is already pregnant and may be in terrible danger. In order to discover the truth and find evidence of Sorensen's guilt, Geoffrey will delve deep into his past while Prudence casts herself as his next victim—putting her own life at grave risk . . .
Praise for Lies that Comfort and Betray
“Simpson further develops an admirable heroine who refuses to take refuge in the vapors but doesn’t see that she’s met a match in her partner—though neither does he.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Fans of Anne Perry will find Prudence a worthy American cousin to Charlotte Pitt.”
—Publishers Weekly
In Gilded Age New York, heiress Prudence MacKenzie and ex-Pinkerton Geoffrey Hunter investigate crimes that take them from the slums of Five Points in lower Manhattan to the Fifth Avenue mansions of society's elite. In the late nineteenth century, women are particularly vulnerable . . .
Childbirth can be dangerous even for the wealthy. So when opera singer Claire Buchanan shows Prudence and Geoffrey a postmortem cabinet photograph of her deceased twin sister and newborn niece, they express sadness but not surprise. The popular black-bordered portraits are the era's way of coping with the devastating losses that plague every family. What makes this death different is that Claire is convinced Catherine and her child were murdered.
Prudence's friend is haunted by a sense of her sister's lingering presence, and by the conviction that her dead twin is demanding justice. Catherine's widower, Aaron Sorensen, is a cold, controlling man who swiftly remarried. Now his second wife is already pregnant and may be in terrible danger. In order to discover the truth and find evidence of Sorensen's guilt, Geoffrey will delve deep into his past while Prudence casts herself as his next victim—putting her own life at grave risk . . .
Praise for Lies that Comfort and Betray
“Simpson further develops an admirable heroine who refuses to take refuge in the vapors but doesn’t see that she’s met a match in her partner—though neither does he.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Fans of Anne Perry will find Prudence a worthy American cousin to Charlotte Pitt.”
—Publishers Weekly
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2018
215 people are currently reading
2502 people want to read
About the author
Rosemary Simpson
17 books387 followersRosemary Simpson's What the Dead Leave Behind is set in Gilded Age New York where the Great Blizzard of 1888 brings both disaster and independence to her wealthy and unconventional heroine. Lies that Comfort and Betray is the second in the Gilded Age Mystery series, to be followed by Let the Dead Keep Their Secrets
Rosemary is also the author of two stand-alone historical novels, The Seven Hills of Paradise and Dreams and Shadows.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. Educated in France and the United States, she now lives near Tucson, Arizona.
Rosemary is also the author of two stand-alone historical novels, The Seven Hills of Paradise and Dreams and Shadows.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. Educated in France and the United States, she now lives near Tucson, Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
October 18, 2018
Nothing incites crime like great poverty or great wealth.
The Gilded Age settles itself around New York City in 1889. Heads turn to the sound of jingling coins and making easy money at the expense of the naive. And power comes from just how many ill-gotten coins you can line your pockets with.
Prudence MacKenzie and Geoffrey Hunter have established an investigative law firm in the heart of the city. Geoffrey is an ex-Pinkerton and a lawyer raised in the South. Prudence was groomed in law by her father, a New York judge, before his untimely death. She's exceptionally bright and makes no apologies for it. This little bird has long since flown from the gilded cage that tended to entrap women of this era.
Claire Buchanan, a darling of the opera, shows up at their office. Claire sets down postmortem cabinet photographs of her twin sister, Catherine, and her stillborn infant. Sympathy expressions are held at bay while Claire accuses her brother-in-law of murder. Her sister died while Claire was on tour and Aaron Sorensen has been curt with details. He's already remarried two months after her sister's death.
Rosemary Simpson draws us into this time period with emphasis on peculiar customs and habits of the Gilded Age. And she's done it so well. The black and white cover of the book has us following in the footsteps of a woman who may find herself in danger through faulty decisions. The proof of crime will be in the hands of Prudence and Geoffrey. But they will meet up with some shifty characters with brass hearts. Getting to the truth may even put Prudence, herself, in great danger.
I received a copy of Let the Dead Keep Their Secrets through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Kensington Publishing and to Rosemary Simpson for the opportunity.
The Gilded Age settles itself around New York City in 1889. Heads turn to the sound of jingling coins and making easy money at the expense of the naive. And power comes from just how many ill-gotten coins you can line your pockets with.
Prudence MacKenzie and Geoffrey Hunter have established an investigative law firm in the heart of the city. Geoffrey is an ex-Pinkerton and a lawyer raised in the South. Prudence was groomed in law by her father, a New York judge, before his untimely death. She's exceptionally bright and makes no apologies for it. This little bird has long since flown from the gilded cage that tended to entrap women of this era.
Claire Buchanan, a darling of the opera, shows up at their office. Claire sets down postmortem cabinet photographs of her twin sister, Catherine, and her stillborn infant. Sympathy expressions are held at bay while Claire accuses her brother-in-law of murder. Her sister died while Claire was on tour and Aaron Sorensen has been curt with details. He's already remarried two months after her sister's death.
Rosemary Simpson draws us into this time period with emphasis on peculiar customs and habits of the Gilded Age. And she's done it so well. The black and white cover of the book has us following in the footsteps of a woman who may find herself in danger through faulty decisions. The proof of crime will be in the hands of Prudence and Geoffrey. But they will meet up with some shifty characters with brass hearts. Getting to the truth may even put Prudence, herself, in great danger.
I received a copy of Let the Dead Keep Their Secrets through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Kensington Publishing and to Rosemary Simpson for the opportunity.
January 15, 2024
I have read each book in the series and find they get better and better I rate this book as a 4.5*. The series is set a few years after the civil war in New York and the aftermath is still being felt. Characters from previous books are woven lightly throughout but it can be read as a standalone. Beware the subject matter is maternal and infant death. Strong female character works towards advancing a woman's place in society. The book also deals with Cabinet death photos and spiritualism (it seems each era has quirks that we look back on). Romance is hinted at between the main characters.
July 7, 2024
Three books in and this Gilded-era series of murder and mayhem in late 18th century New York City is as good as ever.
Some things are changing— I like how our non-traditional detective duo are become more authentic people and not just historically correct characters. I also love Simpson’s continued use of some fascinating (and none too upright) characters along with some unlikely allies.
And the books are getting slightly darker; no longer are we dealing with an overly sheltered, timid lady of leisure. The ugly realities of life are sullying all the characters but in the best way possible.
(And addiction remains a challenge here— this is no cozy mystery series as I thought it might become.)
And now I’m heading to the library to (hopefully) find a fourth installment available to read.
PS— For those who don’t like much romance, I’ve been surprised that although our detectives may have some chemistry, it’s not getting in the way of a good murder mystery. I appreciate that (odd coming from an HF romance fan, but too much hemming and hawing over romance spoils a good mystery series!).
Some things are changing— I like how our non-traditional detective duo are become more authentic people and not just historically correct characters. I also love Simpson’s continued use of some fascinating (and none too upright) characters along with some unlikely allies.
And the books are getting slightly darker; no longer are we dealing with an overly sheltered, timid lady of leisure. The ugly realities of life are sullying all the characters but in the best way possible.
(And addiction remains a challenge here— this is no cozy mystery series as I thought it might become.)
And now I’m heading to the library to (hopefully) find a fourth installment available to read.
PS— For those who don’t like much romance, I’ve been surprised that although our detectives may have some chemistry, it’s not getting in the way of a good murder mystery. I appreciate that (odd coming from an HF romance fan, but too much hemming and hawing over romance spoils a good mystery series!).
February 1, 2024
These books are like potato chips. I can't stop with them!
In this story, Prudence, Geoffrey, and co investigate a "black widower," who seems to be targeting wealthy, young women whose fortunes will cover his gambling depts and fund his lifestyle. Prudence continues to bump up against the limits the men try to impose on her. Geoffrey continues to face the fact that his feelings for Prudence are deeper than before. Others see it. They both seem to know it. They aren't acting on it yet. The slow burn festers...
I appreciate how Prudence's addiction wasn't swept under the rug after the first book and she continues to deal with it. It's realistic to have her fight to urge and it makes the use of laudanum during the culmination (finale?) of the investigation even more devastating.
In this story, Prudence, Geoffrey, and co investigate a "black widower," who seems to be targeting wealthy, young women whose fortunes will cover his gambling depts and fund his lifestyle. Prudence continues to bump up against the limits the men try to impose on her. Geoffrey continues to face the fact that his feelings for Prudence are deeper than before. Others see it. They both seem to know it. They aren't acting on it yet. The slow burn festers...
I appreciate how Prudence's addiction wasn't swept under the rug after the first book and she continues to deal with it. It's realistic to have her fight to urge and it makes the use of laudanum during the culmination (finale?) of the investigation even more devastating.
August 25, 2025
I just love this series. I am way behind in it. Prudence MacKenzie and Geoffrey Hunter have a new client. Opera singer Claire Buchanan. Her twin sister and child recently died in childbirth. But Claire will have none of that. Her sister Catherine was in perfect health. She believes she was murdered.
This story just draws you in. Especially when You meet. Catherine’s husband, who is already on wife number two.
I love reading books about the Gilded Age. Rosemary Simpson does a wonderful job describing the sights and sounds of New York City at the time.
I can’t wait to find out what Prudence and Geoffrey are up up next.
This story just draws you in. Especially when You meet. Catherine’s husband, who is already on wife number two.
I love reading books about the Gilded Age. Rosemary Simpson does a wonderful job describing the sights and sounds of New York City at the time.
I can’t wait to find out what Prudence and Geoffrey are up up next.
February 26, 2022
Oh how I love a well written historical mystery with just the right amount of solid background research. It adds interesting detail to the story without allowing the story to be bogged down by it. Author Rosemary Simpson has the balance of this down to a science and entertains the reader with lots of interesting historical facts of 1889 New York City which engages the readers imagination without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail. This third installment in her Gilded Age Mystery series is perfectly balance in this regard. We hear the rustle of the ladies' gowns as they sidle down a darkened hallway or the muted sound of horse hooves on the straw strewn cobblestone resulting in muted street noise outside a home with its drapes drawn closed, of a family in mourning. The vignettes are richly described and transport the reader to another time and place.
Certainly Ms. Simpson's fine turn of phrase drew me into the book and her strong female protagonist, Prudence (daughter schooled in law by her father, a judge) held my interest as she put forth an image of a feisty, bright and fearless women in a age where such character was extraordinary. Prudence and her partner, Geoffrey run an investigative law firm. He is a southern gentleman schooled in law and a former Pinkerton man. There's a bit of a spark between them as he tries to steer her away from seemingly dangerous situations but Prudence will have none of it and that's what he so admires about her. She's an independent woman with a strong mind of her own, an admirable trait and simultaneously vexing to Geoffrey.
Their services are called upon by Claire Buchanan, the twin of a woman who had given birth to a daughter, both of whom succumbed to death shortly after the birth. Claire believes strongly that at least the death of her hale and hearty sister could not have been a natural one and wants the investigative team to dig up the dirt on her ne'er do well brother-in-law. Claire is convinced that he's behind her sister's death. And so, the investigation begins and an engaging tale unfolds.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do look forward to reading more stories by this gifted author.
I am grateful to author Rosemary Simpson, Kensington Publishing Corp. and Netgalley for having provided a free e-copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Certainly Ms. Simpson's fine turn of phrase drew me into the book and her strong female protagonist, Prudence (daughter schooled in law by her father, a judge) held my interest as she put forth an image of a feisty, bright and fearless women in a age where such character was extraordinary. Prudence and her partner, Geoffrey run an investigative law firm. He is a southern gentleman schooled in law and a former Pinkerton man. There's a bit of a spark between them as he tries to steer her away from seemingly dangerous situations but Prudence will have none of it and that's what he so admires about her. She's an independent woman with a strong mind of her own, an admirable trait and simultaneously vexing to Geoffrey.
Their services are called upon by Claire Buchanan, the twin of a woman who had given birth to a daughter, both of whom succumbed to death shortly after the birth. Claire believes strongly that at least the death of her hale and hearty sister could not have been a natural one and wants the investigative team to dig up the dirt on her ne'er do well brother-in-law. Claire is convinced that he's behind her sister's death. And so, the investigation begins and an engaging tale unfolds.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do look forward to reading more stories by this gifted author.
I am grateful to author Rosemary Simpson, Kensington Publishing Corp. and Netgalley for having provided a free e-copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
August 3, 2020
This series is set in and around the Gilded Age in New York City. This particular book is set in the early spring of 1889. Prudence and Geoffrey's investigative business is going very well when a young opera singer comes to their office. She asks them to investigate the death of her twin sister and her infant daughter. Claire has been out of the country with her work, and wasn't informed of her twin's death so missed the funeral. She is sure that Catherine's and her niece's death were murder, and she knows that Catherine's ne'er-do-well husband killed them. When Prudence and Geoffrey start investigating they find a whole nest of vipers and Aaron Sorenson is right in the middle of them. At great danger to themselves, but especially to Prudence, they try to bring this very heartless killer to justice. I like these Gilded Age mysteries. They are quite well-written, and the plot always grabs me. This book is the third in the series, and with each book I like the two protagonists more and more. They also have a very interesting group of friends who help them in their investigations too. Josiah, their assistant, is a treasure, but there are lots more, not the least of which is Mr. Washington, the very ugly but very determined carriage horse who takes his master Danny all through the streets of New York. Danny's host of street urchins and his contacts throughout the city help Prudence and Geoffrey out of more than one sticky situation in every book. This is a very enjoyable series that is very grounded in its period, (late 19 century). And there is always more than enough edge-of-your-seat action to keep you flying through the pages.
June 11, 2020
This one was about a sad topic that happened a lot more back then than now, death at childbirth. When Pru's friend shows her the picture of her twin sister and her baby whom both died at childbirth it is sad but not really anything unusual, except Claire believes her sister and child was murdered.
Prudence gets Geoffrey to help her look into what might have happened. They find out that Catherine's husband was a very cold and controlling man and now his second wife is pregnant and they start to fear for her and her child as they find out more about the man. Finding evidence of what he did is a bit harder but Prudence will not let things go.
I really like this series and I am happy to see Prudence and Geoffrey bonding more and getting closer together. It's been plenty of time since her fiance was killed and I like them together!
Prudence gets Geoffrey to help her look into what might have happened. They find out that Catherine's husband was a very cold and controlling man and now his second wife is pregnant and they start to fear for her and her child as they find out more about the man. Finding evidence of what he did is a bit harder but Prudence will not let things go.
I really like this series and I am happy to see Prudence and Geoffrey bonding more and getting closer together. It's been plenty of time since her fiance was killed and I like them together!
October 30, 2022
I am liking this series more with each book I read! It is quickly becoming a favourite series.
This author is an excellent writer with a great way with characters. I especially love Prudence and Geoffrey, but all the characters are unique and interesting with quirks of their own that make them relatable.
The plots in each of the three books I've read so far are creative and different but engrossing and very exciting, especially at the end where the suspense and drama ratchets up very quickly and has me racing through the pages to find out how things will end.
I love Gilded Age New York and the author makes good use of the setting to add colour and flavour to the rest of the story.
I definitely recommend this series, which I absolutely intend to continue reading!
This author is an excellent writer with a great way with characters. I especially love Prudence and Geoffrey, but all the characters are unique and interesting with quirks of their own that make them relatable.
The plots in each of the three books I've read so far are creative and different but engrossing and very exciting, especially at the end where the suspense and drama ratchets up very quickly and has me racing through the pages to find out how things will end.
I love Gilded Age New York and the author makes good use of the setting to add colour and flavour to the rest of the story.
I definitely recommend this series, which I absolutely intend to continue reading!
October 12, 2018
Let The Dead Keep Their Secrets is the third book in the A Gilded Age Mystery series.
This is a wonderful addition to this exciting series set in 1889 New York City. The author does a wonderful job setting the reader in the time period with description a of the homes, the period clothing, and the city of New York.
The story centers around the investigative law office of Prudence MacKenzie and Geoffrey Hunter and their secretary, Josiah Gregory. Claire Buchanan. A cover for the Met Opera company has come to their office to hire to investigate the death of her twin-sister Catherine, she feels that Claire’s husband, Aaron Sorensen. When Claire returns from a tour of Europe, where she was performing in Aida. She relates that Lucinda Pallazzo how Sorensen had vastly restricted her contact with anyone outside of their home during her pregnancy and how Catherine and their baby dies less than a day later. Claire also lets them know that she was going to confront Sorensen, but as she was nearing his home, she notices a lady exiting the house who was addressed as Mrs. Sorensen and who was clearly with child. When a sandbag falls from above the stage, as the cast is about to perform a rehearsal, and kills Lucinda, Claire is sure it was meant for her.
As Prudence and Geoffrey are into the investigation they begin to agree that Sorensen might have been instrumental in the death of his wife and the current wife may also be in danger, too. They soon learn that both wives would inherit a substantial estate and Sorensen seems to always be in need of money to pay mounting gambling debts. At this time, it was popular that people would have photographs taken of their deceased to help in the grieving. Through devious means, Prudence and Josiah are able to get the glass negatives that were taken of Catherine and the baby and with help of a police photographer, Jacob Riis, they are pretty certain that they didn’t die a natural, but still another piece of proof before calling in the police.
This story is well-plotted and an interesting story with an exciting ending. It was definitely a book that I found hard to put down. There is a cast of wonderful and well-developed characters. This series is one of my favorite historical mystery series.
I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in this interesting and exciting series.
This is a wonderful addition to this exciting series set in 1889 New York City. The author does a wonderful job setting the reader in the time period with description a of the homes, the period clothing, and the city of New York.
The story centers around the investigative law office of Prudence MacKenzie and Geoffrey Hunter and their secretary, Josiah Gregory. Claire Buchanan. A cover for the Met Opera company has come to their office to hire to investigate the death of her twin-sister Catherine, she feels that Claire’s husband, Aaron Sorensen. When Claire returns from a tour of Europe, where she was performing in Aida. She relates that Lucinda Pallazzo how Sorensen had vastly restricted her contact with anyone outside of their home during her pregnancy and how Catherine and their baby dies less than a day later. Claire also lets them know that she was going to confront Sorensen, but as she was nearing his home, she notices a lady exiting the house who was addressed as Mrs. Sorensen and who was clearly with child. When a sandbag falls from above the stage, as the cast is about to perform a rehearsal, and kills Lucinda, Claire is sure it was meant for her.
As Prudence and Geoffrey are into the investigation they begin to agree that Sorensen might have been instrumental in the death of his wife and the current wife may also be in danger, too. They soon learn that both wives would inherit a substantial estate and Sorensen seems to always be in need of money to pay mounting gambling debts. At this time, it was popular that people would have photographs taken of their deceased to help in the grieving. Through devious means, Prudence and Josiah are able to get the glass negatives that were taken of Catherine and the baby and with help of a police photographer, Jacob Riis, they are pretty certain that they didn’t die a natural, but still another piece of proof before calling in the police.
This story is well-plotted and an interesting story with an exciting ending. It was definitely a book that I found hard to put down. There is a cast of wonderful and well-developed characters. This series is one of my favorite historical mystery series.
I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in this interesting and exciting series.
April 7, 2023
This is the third installment of Ms. Simpson's Gilded Age Mystery series. Set in New York in the late 1880's, Prudence McKenzie and Geoffrey Hunter are asked to investigate a death in childbirth by the deceased's twin sister. Their investigation takes them to all levels of society, from wealth to squalor and of course, it turns out it was not a natural death. I learn something about old New York every time I read one of these books. Police procedure was harsh but there was just the beginning of a more scientific way of investigating. Photos of the just deceased were frequently made, posed in lifelike situations, like a dead mother rocking her dead baby. Apparently this practice was really common and was integral to the plot although I certainly found it painfully morbid. Although it's clear early on who the main villain is, finding enough evidence to prove his guilt resulted in a satisfying read.
December 10, 2019
If I had to title reviews, this one might be titled "I continue to struggle with this series."
Mystery: Well, there is none. We know exactly who the murderer is from the introduction of the mystery. Aaron Sorensen is being accused of murdering his dead wife and their baby. Now he's remarried to a heavily pregnant woman less than a year later, and Geoffrey and Prudence are trying to figure out why he's done it and save the new bride's life. There really isn't much in the way of suspense in this novel. The beginning was entertaining enough--I breezed through the first third or so--but because there was nothing new to discover, it quickly lost steam. Eventually it became fairly obvious that given how new forensics was at the time it would be nearly impossible to find proof that would hold up in a court of law. And all the proof they could offer could be easily explained with another theory.
Characters: As always, Prudence and Geoffrey are awful characters. Really. Despite apparently forging a partnership despite the fact that Prudence is a wealthy, proper lady, they treat each other with a strange distance and lack of real communication. The author is going for an eventual romance here, but neither of them are given real personalities so the audience can root for them. Essentially, the murderers and clients in this series are always given way more to do and say. A mystery where the detectives take a backseat can work (the Barnaby series by Caroline Graham for example), but in those cases, the victims and suspects are given enough character to carry a story. Prudence, Geoffrey, and their secretary Josiah are not given enough personality to carry the story, and as a result, their allies and helpers feel more true to life. And as a result of that, they're even more boring to read about.
Simpson is a good author, writing-style-wise, but this mystery crashed to a messy halt. Prudence is caught via bad timing, and the ending was anti-climactic and not that great. If I don't like an ending, it's hard for me to recommend a book. This wasn't bad, but it wasn't really a mystery, and I don't really feel like it was necessarily worth the read.
(Also, side note, the ending of this book makes it seem like we'll get Prudence's aunt in the next book, but the next book wasn't even in New York at all.)
Mystery: Well, there is none. We know exactly who the murderer is from the introduction of the mystery. Aaron Sorensen is being accused of murdering his dead wife and their baby. Now he's remarried to a heavily pregnant woman less than a year later, and Geoffrey and Prudence are trying to figure out why he's done it and save the new bride's life. There really isn't much in the way of suspense in this novel. The beginning was entertaining enough--I breezed through the first third or so--but because there was nothing new to discover, it quickly lost steam. Eventually it became fairly obvious that given how new forensics was at the time it would be nearly impossible to find proof that would hold up in a court of law. And all the proof they could offer could be easily explained with another theory.
Characters: As always, Prudence and Geoffrey are awful characters. Really. Despite apparently forging a partnership despite the fact that Prudence is a wealthy, proper lady, they treat each other with a strange distance and lack of real communication. The author is going for an eventual romance here, but neither of them are given real personalities so the audience can root for them. Essentially, the murderers and clients in this series are always given way more to do and say. A mystery where the detectives take a backseat can work (the Barnaby series by Caroline Graham for example), but in those cases, the victims and suspects are given enough character to carry a story. Prudence, Geoffrey, and their secretary Josiah are not given enough personality to carry the story, and as a result, their allies and helpers feel more true to life. And as a result of that, they're even more boring to read about.
Simpson is a good author, writing-style-wise, but this mystery crashed to a messy halt. Prudence is caught via bad timing, and the ending was anti-climactic and not that great. If I don't like an ending, it's hard for me to recommend a book. This wasn't bad, but it wasn't really a mystery, and I don't really feel like it was necessarily worth the read.
(Also, side note, the ending of this book makes it seem like we'll get Prudence's aunt in the next book, but the next book wasn't even in New York at all.)
March 4, 2020
My Rating: 3.5*
"Accusations of murder were as common as leaves on the ground when there was money or property to be inherited." (quote from the book)
This is book 3 in Ms. Simpson's Gilded Age Mystery series. I read and enjoyed the first book "What the Dead Leave Behind" but could not bring myself to read the second, "Lies that Comfort and Betray", as it relates/copies to the Jack Ripper murders. So I jumped to this one. I felt I didn't miss too much other than their visit to England and Prudence's Aunt, Lady Rotherton.
In this mystery, the subject matter was very sad, and the history surrounding the cabinet photographs and carte de visite was macabre. We know who the culprit is in this case but finding evidence against him, other than circumstantial, is difficult and time is of the essence.
"Every rock you turn over nowadays has some kind of reptile lurking beneath it." (quote from the book)
I must say I do like Prudence Mackenzie. As vulnerable as she was in book one, she is coming into her own but still is learning her limits. Prudence has great instincts and ideas, however, when she tries to lure the villain to reveal his hand, things go horribly wrong, and I was terrified for her.
I look forward to reading more about Prudence MacKenzie and ex-Pinkerton agent, Geoffrey Hunter and their secretary, Josiah.
May 29, 2019
Four stars until the horrible horrible unbelievable 1 star ending. Nice historical details, interesting characters, some far-fetched twists but okay not a big deal. Until the ending.
*minor spoilers below*
Main character Prudence really really does something that makes her too stupid to live, but of course I knew she WOULD live since she is the main character, and it was all eye-rollingly unbelievable. She should have died, the next book should be about Geoffrey dealing with his loss and grief. Boo. I will read the next book in the series but Prudence better be a lot less stupid and careless.
*minor spoilers below*
Main character Prudence really really does something that makes her too stupid to live, but of course I knew she WOULD live since she is the main character, and it was all eye-rollingly unbelievable. She should have died, the next book should be about Geoffrey dealing with his loss and grief. Boo. I will read the next book in the series but Prudence better be a lot less stupid and careless.
October 26, 2018
This is the third book of the Gilded Age Mysteries. I have not read the first two, but it did not take away from enjoying this installment! The story pulled me in right from the beginning. 1889, New York, murder and mystery. A great combination for any story! I love how the leading investigator is Prudence, who is a "I won't take no for an answer" kind of woman. I now need to go back and read the other two novels!
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read for an honest review.
February 5, 2019
I liked the book, but was really disappointed that Prudence wasn't held accountable for the extremely stupid decision she made to exclude her supposed partner and place both herself and a friend in extreme danger. Getting tired of seeing this trope again and again. Prudence isn't stupid, and she should have been held accountable for the seriously bone-headed decision.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2018
"Prudence, not every death is a murder...Unless you're the one asking questions about it."
This is the third installment of A Gilded Age Mystery and easily my favorite of the series thus far. I've grown accustomed to Simpson's style of mystery. This series isn't about "Who done it" but more of the reasonings and insight into the suspects. Simpson also does a fabulous job of incorporating New York history into the storyline. I found the photography of the dead somewhat morbid, but fascinating nonetheless.
I admire Prudence's tenacity and unwillingness to let her gender deter her passion and career. She is everything I seek in a strong heroine.
In the space of a few days, she'd become a prowler, as well as a thief. Geoffrey would comment her new skills.
Geoffrey is a fantastic hero and partner. He often struggles with the need to protect Prudence against his desire to treat her as an equal. I can't get enough of these together, and I long for some romantic interlude down the road. Josiah is the much needed light hearted sidekick. I find myself always smiling at his comments and antics. These three balance each other perfectly.
I look forward to the next installment and whatever mysteries await Prudence and Geoffrey.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for my advanced review copy.
This is the third installment of A Gilded Age Mystery and easily my favorite of the series thus far. I've grown accustomed to Simpson's style of mystery. This series isn't about "Who done it" but more of the reasonings and insight into the suspects. Simpson also does a fabulous job of incorporating New York history into the storyline. I found the photography of the dead somewhat morbid, but fascinating nonetheless.
I admire Prudence's tenacity and unwillingness to let her gender deter her passion and career. She is everything I seek in a strong heroine.
In the space of a few days, she'd become a prowler, as well as a thief. Geoffrey would comment her new skills.
Geoffrey is a fantastic hero and partner. He often struggles with the need to protect Prudence against his desire to treat her as an equal. I can't get enough of these together, and I long for some romantic interlude down the road. Josiah is the much needed light hearted sidekick. I find myself always smiling at his comments and antics. These three balance each other perfectly.
I look forward to the next installment and whatever mysteries await Prudence and Geoffrey.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for my advanced review copy.
August 31, 2021
What an enjoyable series. I am so glad to have found it. Set in late nineteenth century New York (the Gilded Age) this series introduces us to a swank and modernizing New York while revealing its decidedly disturbing and criminal underbelly. Geoffrey Hunter and the intrepid Prudence MacKenzie are seeing some success with their investigative law business when a young understudy opera singer engages them to look into the sudden death of her twin sister and her infant daughter. As they investigate, crimes so heinous and distressing are revealed. Let The Dead Keep Their Secrets entertains us with the technical advances of that time like the telephone and photographic wonders while emphasizing the still backward social aspects particularly when it comes to women’s rights and freedoms. Geoffrey and Prudence are an engaging pair often at each other’s throats as her boldness and risk taking clashes with his desire to protect. Their associates add colour and depth to the story and one can’t help but love these characters like Josiah, their secretary and right hand man, Ned Hayes the alcohol and drug-addicted ex-copper and hansom driver Danny and his horse Mr Washington who are their eyes and ears on the street. Thoroughly enjoyable. A highly recommended series.
January 20, 2024
3.5 stars
It’s the late 19th century in New York City. Prudence and Geoffrey run an investigation business. An opera singer, Claire, comes to them to ask them to investigate her twin sister’s (Catherine’s) death. Her sister, also an opera singer, was married to Aaron who seemed to keep her from her family and, by his request, she had stopped performing/singing. Catherine had just had a baby and they are now both dead. Aaron remarried very quickly after their deaths, and now Prudence and Geoffrey worry about his new wife, Ethel (who is pregnant).
This continues to be an enjoyable series. I love that a woman is doing much of the investigating. Apparently there were a few women investigators with the famous Pinkerton investigation agency at the time, as well. The story didn’t grip me as much as the first two in the series did, but it did ramp up a bit toward the end. Definitely still enjoying it enough to continue the series. I didn’t mention it in my description, but Aaron had a photographer come take a post-mortem photograph of Catherine and their baby; I did know this happened, but only because of the Nicole Kidman movie “The Others” from the late 90s?, so that wasn’t a surprise.
It’s the late 19th century in New York City. Prudence and Geoffrey run an investigation business. An opera singer, Claire, comes to them to ask them to investigate her twin sister’s (Catherine’s) death. Her sister, also an opera singer, was married to Aaron who seemed to keep her from her family and, by his request, she had stopped performing/singing. Catherine had just had a baby and they are now both dead. Aaron remarried very quickly after their deaths, and now Prudence and Geoffrey worry about his new wife, Ethel (who is pregnant).
This continues to be an enjoyable series. I love that a woman is doing much of the investigating. Apparently there were a few women investigators with the famous Pinkerton investigation agency at the time, as well. The story didn’t grip me as much as the first two in the series did, but it did ramp up a bit toward the end. Definitely still enjoying it enough to continue the series. I didn’t mention it in my description, but Aaron had a photographer come take a post-mortem photograph of Catherine and their baby; I did know this happened, but only because of the Nicole Kidman movie “The Others” from the late 90s?, so that wasn’t a surprise.
November 20, 2018
Well researched and written historical mystery with a different take on Gilded Age New York. Prudence is a smart, talented woman who works alongside Geoffrey, a lawyer and former Pinkerton to solve mysteries others won't touch. This time they're looking into the death of Catherine Sorenson and her daughter at the behest of her twin Claire, an opera singer. Not as simple as it might appear although the identity of the murderer is not a secret. What makes this special are the period details and the relationship between Prudence and Geoffrey. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
June 3, 2020
Aside from thinking that what Prudence and Lydia did was extremely foolish, I really liked this. The villain's actions were so rage inducing (as intended), and Prudence and Geoffrey worked well together as always. Not much in the way of character development, everyone seems to be the same as when the book began, but it was a great plot.
March 12, 2020
3.5 out of 5 stars
December 21, 2025
Just as riveting as the previous two novels!
May 17, 2020
Excellent story excellent author
November 27, 2018
Another great book from one author that is quickly becoming one of my favorite. This time Geoffrey and Prudence have to handle a bigamist, a crazy photographer and some complicate issues of their own, and I have to admit that I enjoyed this book so much, that I read it all in one setting and now I cannot wait for the next one!!
Un altro grande romanzo, da un'autrice che sta diventando velocemente una delle mie preferite. Stavolta Geoffrey e Prudence devono investigare un probabile bigamo, un fotografo pazzo e intanto gestire alcune loro emozioni poco chiare e io devo ammettere che ho letto il libro tutto di seguito perché non volevo smettere...
THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
Un altro grande romanzo, da un'autrice che sta diventando velocemente una delle mie preferite. Stavolta Geoffrey e Prudence devono investigare un probabile bigamo, un fotografo pazzo e intanto gestire alcune loro emozioni poco chiare e io devo ammettere che ho letto il libro tutto di seguito perché non volevo smettere...
THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
January 11, 2024
I think that Rosemary Simpson is starting to become more comfortable in the mystery genre with Book 3. There was still a pretty good sense of who the murderer was early on, but the resolution made sense and the plot was fairly straightforward with some intriguing questions as to how the murder was accomplished and why. Prudence continues to grow into a strong character, and I find her battle with addiction to be a good addition of depth without being the main focus of the plot or her personality.
April 27, 2022
Let the Dead Keep Their Secrets: Rosemary Simpson
0 Stars
From Amazon: "In Gilded Age New York, heiress Prudence MacKenzie and ex-Pinkerton Geoffrey Hunter investigate crimes that take them from the slums of Five Points in lower Manhattan to the Fifth Avenue mansions of society's elite. In the late nineteenth century, women are particularly vulnerable . . .
Childbirth can be dangerous even for the wealthy. So when opera singer Claire Buchanan shows Prudence and Geoffrey a postmortem cabinet photograph of her deceased twin sister and newborn niece, they express sadness but not surprise. The popular black-bordered portraits are the era's way of coping with the devastating losses that plague every family. What makes this death different is that Claire is convinced Catherine and her child were murdered.
Prudence's friend is haunted by a sense of her sister's lingering presence, and by the conviction that her dead twin is demanding justice. Catherine's widower, Aaron Sorensen, is a cold, controlling man who swiftly remarried. Now his second wife is already pregnant and may be in terrible danger. In order to discover the truth and find evidence of Sorensen's guilt, Geoffrey will delve deep into his past while Prudence casts herself as his next victim—putting her own life at grave risk . . . "
Although I find the practice of post-mortem photography interesting and enjoyed reading about that, this book was too brutal for me, so much so, I stopped reading it. I just could not deal with the murder of wives & newborn children, it was horrifying and upset me. Which is a shame as I do like the main characters, hopefully the next in the series won't be as upsetting.
0 Stars
From Amazon: "In Gilded Age New York, heiress Prudence MacKenzie and ex-Pinkerton Geoffrey Hunter investigate crimes that take them from the slums of Five Points in lower Manhattan to the Fifth Avenue mansions of society's elite. In the late nineteenth century, women are particularly vulnerable . . .
Childbirth can be dangerous even for the wealthy. So when opera singer Claire Buchanan shows Prudence and Geoffrey a postmortem cabinet photograph of her deceased twin sister and newborn niece, they express sadness but not surprise. The popular black-bordered portraits are the era's way of coping with the devastating losses that plague every family. What makes this death different is that Claire is convinced Catherine and her child were murdered.
Prudence's friend is haunted by a sense of her sister's lingering presence, and by the conviction that her dead twin is demanding justice. Catherine's widower, Aaron Sorensen, is a cold, controlling man who swiftly remarried. Now his second wife is already pregnant and may be in terrible danger. In order to discover the truth and find evidence of Sorensen's guilt, Geoffrey will delve deep into his past while Prudence casts herself as his next victim—putting her own life at grave risk . . . "
Although I find the practice of post-mortem photography interesting and enjoyed reading about that, this book was too brutal for me, so much so, I stopped reading it. I just could not deal with the murder of wives & newborn children, it was horrifying and upset me. Which is a shame as I do like the main characters, hopefully the next in the series won't be as upsetting.
October 24, 2018
Always happy to discover an author who’s new to me! I enjoyed this one! Unfortunately I didn’t realize going in that this was the third book in the series (I always hate not starting at the beginning!), but I’m looking forward to going back to read the first two ASAP.
Our sleuths are an orphaned young woman whose father was a judge (she wants to be a lawyer) and an ex-Pinkerton detective from North Carolina now making NY his home. Diabolical villains, a hint of romance and a well-plotted story. Especially ❤️ the courageously determined Prudence! She’s one of those characters that you feel like you already know and would like to be friends with.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensington for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
Our sleuths are an orphaned young woman whose father was a judge (she wants to be a lawyer) and an ex-Pinkerton detective from North Carolina now making NY his home. Diabolical villains, a hint of romance and a well-plotted story. Especially ❤️ the courageously determined Prudence! She’s one of those characters that you feel like you already know and would like to be friends with.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensington for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
January 15, 2021
A tiny bit more character development made this a better installment than the last, but the denouement was obvious long before it came which left me skimming just to get to the end. It's an OK series. When pressed for something available at the Library, I will continue, but I'm not anticipating the next with any real excitement. More development of the characters and the budding romance would go a LONG way toward piquing my continued interest. Otherwise, it's just a plot being carried out by people.
December 25, 2018
Prudence and Geoffrey make a great investigative team. Slowly the romance is building and hopefully they will begin to see what all their fans see. Prudence is the kind of woman who doesn’t let society hold her back from living the life she wants.
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