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The Violet Carlyle Mysteries #2
Kennington House Murder
April 1923.
After a winter on the Amalfi Coast, Lady Violet Carlyle returns home for her little sister’s wedding. The last time Vi was with her family, she was the pauper daughter who needed to wed before she lost her chance. After the events of the holidays, Vi’s richer than Midas.
When Violet meets her sister’s fiancé Violet knows something must be done. This is no love match or even a good match. Before she can stop the wedding, she finds herself embroiled in another murder investigation. Yet again, she and her family are the suspects.
This time, instead of being a suspect, Chief Inspector Jack Wakefield knows she’s innocent. He’s not eyeing her for the crime, but she’s captured his attention. Can they find the killer, so they can explore what’s growing between them? And just how will her family react when they discover she’s falling for a Scotland Yard detective?
Book TWO in The Violet Carlyle Mysteries. Are you ready for the roaring twenties? Not having money gave Violet a measure of freedom, she’s got to learn how to claim that independence once again. You’ll love Vi, her indulgent twin Vic, and their friends. You might even find your interest caught by Chief Inspector Jack Wakefield. For fans of Carola Dunn, Jacqueline Winspear, Georgette Heyer, and Lee Strauss. A light, cozy mystery with a fun peek into life in the life of a bright young thing. No swearing, graphic scenes, or cliffhangers.
The Violet Carlyle Mysteries
Book 1: Murder & the Heir
Book 2: Kennington House Murder
Book 3: Murder & The Folly
Book 4: A Merry Little Murder (Coming November 2018)
Book 5: Murder Among the Roses (Coming December 2018)
Book 6: Murder in the Shallows (Coming January 2019)
After a winter on the Amalfi Coast, Lady Violet Carlyle returns home for her little sister’s wedding. The last time Vi was with her family, she was the pauper daughter who needed to wed before she lost her chance. After the events of the holidays, Vi’s richer than Midas.
When Violet meets her sister’s fiancé Violet knows something must be done. This is no love match or even a good match. Before she can stop the wedding, she finds herself embroiled in another murder investigation. Yet again, she and her family are the suspects.
This time, instead of being a suspect, Chief Inspector Jack Wakefield knows she’s innocent. He’s not eyeing her for the crime, but she’s captured his attention. Can they find the killer, so they can explore what’s growing between them? And just how will her family react when they discover she’s falling for a Scotland Yard detective?
Book TWO in The Violet Carlyle Mysteries. Are you ready for the roaring twenties? Not having money gave Violet a measure of freedom, she’s got to learn how to claim that independence once again. You’ll love Vi, her indulgent twin Vic, and their friends. You might even find your interest caught by Chief Inspector Jack Wakefield. For fans of Carola Dunn, Jacqueline Winspear, Georgette Heyer, and Lee Strauss. A light, cozy mystery with a fun peek into life in the life of a bright young thing. No swearing, graphic scenes, or cliffhangers.
The Violet Carlyle Mysteries
Book 1: Murder & the Heir
Book 2: Kennington House Murder
Book 3: Murder & The Folly
Book 4: A Merry Little Murder (Coming November 2018)
Book 5: Murder Among the Roses (Coming December 2018)
Book 6: Murder in the Shallows (Coming January 2019)
159 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2018
1215 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
November 18, 2020
I am enjoying this historical cozy mystery series. Although all of the characters are "bright young things" with too much time on their hands, they are a close knit group of friends who support each other through the drama. An easy read with only a few twists.
May 27, 2020
3.5 stars
Violet Carlyle and her twin brother Victor have been summoned by their stepmother. They are loathe to visit the family after such an agreeable holiday in Italy. They needed the sun and the break after the death of their beloved great-aunt. Now their little sister is getting married and Vi is shocked. Barely out of the school room, Isolde is far too young to marry, let alone a much older man she barely knows. Vi discovers Isolde's fiance may not be all he appears but Isolde's mother is insistent her daughter marry Mr. Danvers because he's rich. Vi tries to talk Isolde out of the marriage and just when she's achieved success in teaching Isolde to stand up for herself, Vi discovers the groom dead. Someone bashed him in the had with a candlestick! Vi is shocked but knows Jack and his boss at Scotland Yard will be able to solve the case... with a little help from her.
I didn't enjoy this mystery as much as the first one. I was able to guess who and why in the middle of the story. I would think Vi could have figured it out on her own. I'm tired of every.single.book set in this time period featuring a sexual harassment/sexual assault scene. We know it happens, it's in the news A LOT these days. We know women had even less power 100 years ago than they do now. Horrible stuff happened and I don't want to read about it in fiction. I read for escape. On the plus side, at least this time the murder victim was a really, really horrible person.
A note on historical and cultural accuracy. I noted some minor errors. Their speech doesn't always sound British and I kept thinking they were American, aside from the booze, or their mother was American. Vi seems to be buying clothing off-the-rack, yet she's well able to afford couture. She does buy one dress in progress and possibly another but she's also buying ready made clothing. Miss Fisher and Ginger Gold Murder at Feathers & Flair both have dress shops with couture AND ready made clothing for those who can't afford couture. Also, there's a lack of name dropping designers. The one major thing that stood out for me was calling Vi and Vic Lord and Lady Carlyle. Um no, that's their father and Eleanor. She's Lady Violet- that was correct in the first book. He's The Honorable Victor Carlyle or Mr. Carlyle. Their eldest brother is Lord Gerald Carlyle. Debrett's is online. Look it up! It takes two seconds. At least this author knows how to spell all right and use apostrophes.
I like Vi and Vic a lot. I love how independent Vi is and how she looks after her brother and how he looks after her. He's protective of both his sisters and the rest of the family too. Vi is coming to terms with her feelings about Jack. They don't know each other very well yet and they're still exploring the relationship. Vi is reluctant to marry and give up her independence. I don't like how frivolously they spend their money on clothes and booze. They shouldn't travel to America. They wouldn't like it. No legal drinking. They would like the speakeasies and jazz music though. What I really love about Vi in this book is that she's taking Aunt Agatha's lessons and paying it forward as a benefactor to other girls. I think that's wonderful and exactly what she should do with her money. Aunt Agatha would approve. I liked getting to know the rest of the Carlyle family. Isolde is very young and sheltered. She doesn't know yet what she wants out of life. She's been under the thumb of her overbearing mother for her whole life, pushed into marrying a man she doesn't love just because he's rich. There's no reason for that because Isolde has 3 living brothers, a wealthy sister and a wealthy father. She's not the Bennet sisters and it's not 1804 anymore! Isolde is sweet and shy. She admires Violet a lot but shows some independence of spirit. The Earl is kind and loving but doesn't really express his caring in a traditional way. He doesn't know how to relate to his daughters. I tried to feel sorry for Eleanor but as she pushes Isolde on Mr. Danvers even knowing he's a villain and when she flat out lies to Vi's face about Lord Caryle's feelings about Vi seeing Jack, I gave up trying to like her. She's awful and nasty. Eleanor is the classic wicked stepmother. I liked the heir, Gerald. He's fun and funny but not as lazy or hot tempered as Vic.
Jack is getting to know and trust Violet. They have an actual date here and some conversations. I'd dearly like to know if they have anything in common but we're just told what they discussed. He seems like an honorable man and Vi helps him loosen up. Inspector Barnes is his boss as Scotland Yard and technically the detective on the case. He trusts Jack. Mr. Fredericks, Vi and Vic's man of business, is excellent. He doesn't doubt Vi's intelligence and in return, she trusts him to invest her money wisely. Mr. Fredericks can spot a scam easily and Mr. Danvers raises red flags for him. Vi and Vic are lucky to have him!
We are introduced to two precocious girls Violet tries to help. The two could not be more different. Anna Mathers, the daughter of a businessman, is protected, somewhat wealthy (but not compared to her school chums) and cared for, if not loved. Anna is funny and perceptive. Ginny, a street urchin, helps Vi recover something precious that was lost. Ginny is sharp and I think Violet is going to help her get off the streets and better her situation.
The new characters are murder suspects and there are a lot of them. Mr. Danvers was not a nice man. He was running a Ponzi scheme that anyone with sense could spot a mile away. He was an old lecher who took advantage of innocent young women and got away with it. No one was sad when he died, not even his son. Hugo Danvers is a nasty man too. He is a despicable excuse for a human and preys on innocent young ladies just like his father. Markus Kennington, the brother of Lady Eleanor and Norman Eleanor's cousin, both have reason to want Mr. Danvers dead. They have invested heavily in his scheme and stand to lose a lot of money from it. Neither sounds particularly bright and they're inclined to dismiss a woman's intelligence because of her gender.
Other suspects include Helen Mathers and her father. Helen is a woman scorned by Mr. Danvers and jealous of Isolde. She has a secret that I guessed right away. Her father worked for Mr. Danvers and is also an overprotective father. Mr. Mathers could have every reason for wanting Mr. Danvers dead. Mr. Gulliver and Mr. Higgins are major investors in Mr. Danvers's scheme. They were seen fighting with Danvers before the wedding and stand to lose everything. Hugo Danvers also invested in the scheme. Which one of them did in Mr. Danvers?
content:
gory dead body
women insinuate they have been sexually harassed and pressured into doing something they probably didn't exactly consent to.
Modern women doing things to stop babies from coming (birth control)
hints a character tried to take their own life
I plan to continue the series in the future. My Kindle Unlimited subscription is coming to an end for right now.
Violet Carlyle and her twin brother Victor have been summoned by their stepmother. They are loathe to visit the family after such an agreeable holiday in Italy. They needed the sun and the break after the death of their beloved great-aunt. Now their little sister is getting married and Vi is shocked. Barely out of the school room, Isolde is far too young to marry, let alone a much older man she barely knows. Vi discovers Isolde's fiance may not be all he appears but Isolde's mother is insistent her daughter marry Mr. Danvers because he's rich. Vi tries to talk Isolde out of the marriage and just when she's achieved success in teaching Isolde to stand up for herself, Vi discovers the groom dead. Someone bashed him in the had with a candlestick! Vi is shocked but knows Jack and his boss at Scotland Yard will be able to solve the case... with a little help from her.
I didn't enjoy this mystery as much as the first one. I was able to guess who and why in the middle of the story. I would think Vi could have figured it out on her own. I'm tired of every.single.book set in this time period featuring a sexual harassment/sexual assault scene. We know it happens, it's in the news A LOT these days. We know women had even less power 100 years ago than they do now. Horrible stuff happened and I don't want to read about it in fiction. I read for escape. On the plus side, at least this time the murder victim was a really, really horrible person.
A note on historical and cultural accuracy. I noted some minor errors. Their speech doesn't always sound British and I kept thinking they were American, aside from the booze, or their mother was American. Vi seems to be buying clothing off-the-rack, yet she's well able to afford couture. She does buy one dress in progress and possibly another but she's also buying ready made clothing. Miss Fisher and Ginger Gold Murder at Feathers & Flair both have dress shops with couture AND ready made clothing for those who can't afford couture. Also, there's a lack of name dropping designers. The one major thing that stood out for me was calling Vi and Vic Lord and Lady Carlyle. Um no, that's their father and Eleanor. She's Lady Violet- that was correct in the first book. He's The Honorable Victor Carlyle or Mr. Carlyle. Their eldest brother is Lord Gerald Carlyle. Debrett's is online. Look it up! It takes two seconds. At least this author knows how to spell all right and use apostrophes.
I like Vi and Vic a lot. I love how independent Vi is and how she looks after her brother and how he looks after her. He's protective of both his sisters and the rest of the family too. Vi is coming to terms with her feelings about Jack. They don't know each other very well yet and they're still exploring the relationship. Vi is reluctant to marry and give up her independence. I don't like how frivolously they spend their money on clothes and booze. They shouldn't travel to America. They wouldn't like it. No legal drinking. They would like the speakeasies and jazz music though. What I really love about Vi in this book is that she's taking Aunt Agatha's lessons and paying it forward as a benefactor to other girls. I think that's wonderful and exactly what she should do with her money. Aunt Agatha would approve. I liked getting to know the rest of the Carlyle family. Isolde is very young and sheltered. She doesn't know yet what she wants out of life. She's been under the thumb of her overbearing mother for her whole life, pushed into marrying a man she doesn't love just because he's rich. There's no reason for that because Isolde has 3 living brothers, a wealthy sister and a wealthy father. She's not the Bennet sisters and it's not 1804 anymore! Isolde is sweet and shy. She admires Violet a lot but shows some independence of spirit. The Earl is kind and loving but doesn't really express his caring in a traditional way. He doesn't know how to relate to his daughters. I tried to feel sorry for Eleanor but as she pushes Isolde on Mr. Danvers even knowing he's a villain and when she flat out lies to Vi's face about Lord Caryle's feelings about Vi seeing Jack, I gave up trying to like her. She's awful and nasty. Eleanor is the classic wicked stepmother. I liked the heir, Gerald. He's fun and funny but not as lazy or hot tempered as Vic.
Jack is getting to know and trust Violet. They have an actual date here and some conversations. I'd dearly like to know if they have anything in common but we're just told what they discussed. He seems like an honorable man and Vi helps him loosen up. Inspector Barnes is his boss as Scotland Yard and technically the detective on the case. He trusts Jack. Mr. Fredericks, Vi and Vic's man of business, is excellent. He doesn't doubt Vi's intelligence and in return, she trusts him to invest her money wisely. Mr. Fredericks can spot a scam easily and Mr. Danvers raises red flags for him. Vi and Vic are lucky to have him!
We are introduced to two precocious girls Violet tries to help. The two could not be more different. Anna Mathers, the daughter of a businessman, is protected, somewhat wealthy (but not compared to her school chums) and cared for, if not loved. Anna is funny and perceptive. Ginny, a street urchin, helps Vi recover something precious that was lost. Ginny is sharp and I think Violet is going to help her get off the streets and better her situation.
The new characters are murder suspects and there are a lot of them. Mr. Danvers was not a nice man. He was running a Ponzi scheme that anyone with sense could spot a mile away. He was an old lecher who took advantage of innocent young women and got away with it. No one was sad when he died, not even his son. Hugo Danvers is a nasty man too. He is a despicable excuse for a human and preys on innocent young ladies just like his father. Markus Kennington, the brother of Lady Eleanor and Norman Eleanor's cousin, both have reason to want Mr. Danvers dead. They have invested heavily in his scheme and stand to lose a lot of money from it. Neither sounds particularly bright and they're inclined to dismiss a woman's intelligence because of her gender.
Other suspects include Helen Mathers and her father. Helen is a woman scorned by Mr. Danvers and jealous of Isolde. She has a secret that I guessed right away. Her father worked for Mr. Danvers and is also an overprotective father. Mr. Mathers could have every reason for wanting Mr. Danvers dead. Mr. Gulliver and Mr. Higgins are major investors in Mr. Danvers's scheme. They were seen fighting with Danvers before the wedding and stand to lose everything. Hugo Danvers also invested in the scheme. Which one of them did in Mr. Danvers?
content:
gory dead body
women insinuate they have been sexually harassed and pressured into doing something they probably didn't exactly consent to.
Modern women doing things to stop babies from coming (birth control)
hints a character tried to take their own life
I plan to continue the series in the future. My Kindle Unlimited subscription is coming to an end for right now.
July 12, 2021
Violet and Victor are returning home from Europe because younger sister Isolde is unexpectedly getting married; when they learn that her fiance is older than her father, fat and ugly, and quite clearly keeping company with another woman, they vow to do everything they can to derail the marriage. While on her wedding day, Isolde finally gets up the gumption to refuse to marry the man, the question is soon extremely moot as the scoundrel has been quite comprehensively murdered. But who among the already-gathered wedding guests could have done it? Chief Inspector Jack Wakefield doesn’t suspect Violet this time, but her father is certainly in the frame, unless Violet can find out differently…. This is the second in this cozy series and suffers from all the flaws of the first, plus some. Aside from using Americanisms that a British aristocrat in 1920s England simply wouldn’t use, the writing itself is just extremely sloppy. For example, a great deal is made of the fact that Violet and Victor hire a cab to reach a particular London destination because they figure a cab driver would be more likely than themselves to be able to find the place, but after speaking with various people at that destination, they blithely pile into *their own car* to head off elsewhere. And, sorry, people in the 1920s were not “journaling” - certainly they *kept journals* and *wrote* in same, but the word was a noun, NOT a verb (shouldn’t be a verb now, according to me, but it definitely wasn’t one then). And, well, the whole tone of this book just comes off as rather poorly written fan-fic; it’s not worth a minute of your time. I’m angry with myself that I bought the *third* book in the series (it was cheap on kindle); unfortunately I can’t return it for a refund because I certainly won’t read it. Don’t waste your time with this series; I’m sorry I gave it even two tries!
December 25, 2021
Yes, there are modernisms and Americanisms which contribute to a kind of alternate reality. And inconsistencies. And awkward constructions. But Byers can tell a story and do characterization. What she desperately needs is an editor and to take more time with it. The whole thing feels rushed. So, I'm going to stop with this one and hope get's the help she needs. It's tough being a one person operation.
March 24, 2019
Ich hab offiziell eine neue Lieblingsserie. Wenn die Charaktere mir weiter in dem Tempo mit jedem Buch ans Herz wachsen, bin ich schockverliebt.
July 14, 2021
Fun, fast reading cozy mystery.
September 23, 2018
Bad editing!
This is the second book in this series I have read, and again very bad editing has let it down. The story is fine but the editing does not do it justice. I will order the next one as I enjoy the characters; I just hope things will have improved......
This is the second book in this series I have read, and again very bad editing has let it down. The story is fine but the editing does not do it justice. I will order the next one as I enjoy the characters; I just hope things will have improved......
March 20, 2024
OK BUT WHAT ABOUT GINNY
October 7, 2018
It's awfully nice to have money -- and to know how to use it. Lady Violet has some breathing space now (although it's come at a price, which readers of the first novel in the series will know about). So, when her little sister is getting ready to make a Big Mistake, she's prepared to spend some of her inheritance to make sure that doesn't happen. Pretty soon, she doesn't have to worry about it -- but there's something else to worry about, namely, a murder. So Vi and her twin Victor are off to find a killer, in the company of Inspector Jack Wakefield, in the Kennington House Murder.
The dialog is crisp and in keeping with the time frame, the settings are well defined (and pretty fabulous), and I loved the characters that the author brings to life. There's a bit of a proofreading problem in the ereader edition, but while that was distracting, it wasn't enough to ruin my enjoyment of the plot and the author's attempt to bring readers a good story. Looking forward to the next in the series.
The dialog is crisp and in keeping with the time frame, the settings are well defined (and pretty fabulous), and I loved the characters that the author brings to life. There's a bit of a proofreading problem in the ereader edition, but while that was distracting, it wasn't enough to ruin my enjoyment of the plot and the author's attempt to bring readers a good story. Looking forward to the next in the series.
April 22, 2022
3.5 Stars
May 6, 2020
I really like this series, Violet Carlyle and her twin brother Victory are wild free, young people who really have never had to work for what they have, you see their father is an Earl. They are currently living in a beautiful home Victor inherited from their favorite Aunt Agatha. Victor got the house and lots of money, Violet got the business Agatha owned and lots of money. The money allowed them the freedom to be free from a not so nice stepmother who tries so hard to control them, Violet especially. Now their little sister is being forced to marry a 50 year old con man because stepmother thinks he is extremely wealthy (he is not). To make a long story short, he is murdered on the day of the wedding.
Enter Jack, the handsome, smart, inspector Violet met while he was investigating Aunt Agatha's murder..there was a spark then and there is a spark now.. Together along with an older brother and some friends they rescue a kidnapped little sister and find the murderer. Reading book 3 now and will most probably read all books in the series.. Will Jack win over the wild and free Violet, how many more murders will they resolve together along with Victor for the twins are almost never far from one another.
Enter Jack, the handsome, smart, inspector Violet met while he was investigating Aunt Agatha's murder..there was a spark then and there is a spark now.. Together along with an older brother and some friends they rescue a kidnapped little sister and find the murderer. Reading book 3 now and will most probably read all books in the series.. Will Jack win over the wild and free Violet, how many more murders will they resolve together along with Victor for the twins are almost never far from one another.
April 26, 2023
Nothing Special — 2-1/2 Stars.
This is a so-so story. Really nothing special. Something I found annoying was the constant use of “darling” and other terms of endearment that Vi uses for her brother and sister. It’s overkill. Almost like she can’t remember their names, so she throws a sweet term at them. It just seems terribly artificial.
Another annoying feature is the terrible way sentences are broken up. Perhaps it’s because I read the Kindle version, but part way through a line, it would start a new paragraph. It was invariably during a conversation, so it was jarring and would take me out of the story. Conversely, when someone else would reply, it wouldn’t be set off in a new paragraph. Very odd.
Finally, the characters aren’t really developed— they are like cardboard. Rather stereotypical, two dimensional, shallow characters. I’ve read the first two books, the main characters are twins-Violet and her brother whose name also starts with “V”, but I can’t remember his name. That show how lackluster the stories are.
There are a lot of stories in this series. I will probably try one more to see if the stories improve. I really want to like them, but so far it’s Ho-Hum.
This is a so-so story. Really nothing special. Something I found annoying was the constant use of “darling” and other terms of endearment that Vi uses for her brother and sister. It’s overkill. Almost like she can’t remember their names, so she throws a sweet term at them. It just seems terribly artificial.
Another annoying feature is the terrible way sentences are broken up. Perhaps it’s because I read the Kindle version, but part way through a line, it would start a new paragraph. It was invariably during a conversation, so it was jarring and would take me out of the story. Conversely, when someone else would reply, it wouldn’t be set off in a new paragraph. Very odd.
Finally, the characters aren’t really developed— they are like cardboard. Rather stereotypical, two dimensional, shallow characters. I’ve read the first two books, the main characters are twins-Violet and her brother whose name also starts with “V”, but I can’t remember his name. That show how lackluster the stories are.
There are a lot of stories in this series. I will probably try one more to see if the stories improve. I really want to like them, but so far it’s Ho-Hum.
October 14, 2018
Lovely little series. The second entry finds us a few months after the first as the twins and friends return to London for their younger sister's wedding. They wrongly assumed that the groom would be an equally young man and that young love if approved by parents would be fine even if not their preference. They see their man of business and learn that the groom to be has come in and said the twins want to invest in his scheme and to release funds. They of course know nothing of this and are very concerned for their sister. This only intensifies when they discover the groom is their father's age and publicly canoodling with another equally young woman. So the twins and friends including Jack Wakefield swing into action to try to halt the wedding. Their stepmother of course is all in favor and has Isolde convinced this is the best she can do. Then just before the wedding the man is killed. Vi feels responsible for revealing his financial scams in an effort to halt the wedding so they turn to investigating along with protecting and helping their sister. Big twist at the end I had not expected. Excited for the next one
March 22, 2019
I really enjoyed the bonds of family seen in this book. Even though Vic and Vi have not been close to their younger sibling Isolde, partly because of age and partly because of Isolde's mother and the twin's step-mother, they unite with Isolde when they see what a horrible match this marriage would be. They were determined not to abandon her afterwards but would go travelling with her. All of them could get to know each other as adults.
The story was solid. I thought that the circumstances that revealed the murderer more crashed into them then the characters coming to a conclusion based on a preponderance of evidence. They had suspicions but no real proof until after the killer made his move and showed himself. I prefer the characters to figure it out instead of it being made known to them from outside circumstances or the killer revealing himself. Still, I will read more book in this series.
The story was solid. I thought that the circumstances that revealed the murderer more crashed into them then the characters coming to a conclusion based on a preponderance of evidence. They had suspicions but no real proof until after the killer made his move and showed himself. I prefer the characters to figure it out instead of it being made known to them from outside circumstances or the killer revealing himself. Still, I will read more book in this series.
August 17, 2019
A bit too melodramatic
A good read, a bit over the top with the drama but the put downs she issued were amusing. Enjoyed getting a more personal view of her family and the characters involved.
Their trip away has been curtailed by the news that her young stepsister is getting married. However they find out that the groom to be might be exaggerating his wealth, trying to part them from their money (in their absence), that he is old enough to be her father if not her grandfather, that he has set up a scheme that looks like a scam and that he has been dallying with another innocent. All their attempts to thwart the wedding are in vain but only the actual wedding day he is found with his head caved in. Who killed him? Was it due to the scam? Perhaps the father of the other woman? Or was it something else? Will they be able to find out? Plus what will she do about her growing feelings for Jack and the growing number of people she has taken under her wing?
A good read, a bit over the top with the drama but the put downs she issued were amusing. Enjoyed getting a more personal view of her family and the characters involved.
Their trip away has been curtailed by the news that her young stepsister is getting married. However they find out that the groom to be might be exaggerating his wealth, trying to part them from their money (in their absence), that he is old enough to be her father if not her grandfather, that he has set up a scheme that looks like a scam and that he has been dallying with another innocent. All their attempts to thwart the wedding are in vain but only the actual wedding day he is found with his head caved in. Who killed him? Was it due to the scam? Perhaps the father of the other woman? Or was it something else? Will they be able to find out? Plus what will she do about her growing feelings for Jack and the growing number of people she has taken under her wing?
November 8, 2018
After finishing the first book I wasn’t too impressed with the story, but I thought Violet had potential. I started this book in the hope that her new financial security would mean she would become the independently minded woman I was anticipating. Then Jack Wakefield turned up again, I nearly just gave up, the author didn’t even have the decency to allow her to get past the first two chapters before throwing in a man!
Violet’s vacillating over her feelings for Jack was irritating, but I was very pleased with the way she interacted with the other characters and in fact this was the best part of the book. It’s a real pity that the author didn’t believe a female character can stand on her own without being propped up by a ’strong’ man.
The mystery part of the story was straightforward and it was fairly clear who was the perpetrator, but it did provided a good vehicle for following Violet.
Without Jack I would happily given 4 or even 5 stars.
Violet’s vacillating over her feelings for Jack was irritating, but I was very pleased with the way she interacted with the other characters and in fact this was the best part of the book. It’s a real pity that the author didn’t believe a female character can stand on her own without being propped up by a ’strong’ man.
The mystery part of the story was straightforward and it was fairly clear who was the perpetrator, but it did provided a good vehicle for following Violet.
Without Jack I would happily given 4 or even 5 stars.
February 2, 2023
Violet is the sort of friend you'd want to have now and in 1920s England Violet is certainly better for having been brought up by Aunt Agatha. The book moves along at an almost breakneck pace or perhaps it only seems that way since I picked it up again devoured it in less than 2 days time. While there is nothing short of a plethora of series with Bright Young Things who are solving murders Violet Carlyle is top tier. The characters are well drawn and allowed to develop as well as the England they live in. Like the first book however there are untoward advances the likes of which are easily skipped over. Delighted to see there are dozens more books in this series. I cannot wait to read Violet's next adventure.
November 3, 2021
A series of 32 books with 33 out soon. I enjoyed these books and raced through them.
Very gentle stories of Lady Carlyle and her friends solving murders wherever they go along with her twin, Victor.
I enjoyed this series BUT they were littered with Americanisms throughout which were sometimes SO American that they just spoilt the book. I understand the author is American BUT this book is about English characters in England so you NEED to drop all the American spellings AND the American terminology within. Not a complete turn-off but it was definitely extremely annoying for an English reader to hear sidewalk instead of pavement, boardwalk instead of promenade, mom instead of mum, smashed peas instead of mushy peas and so they go on. Even stranger is that she gets a lot of English terminology correct but then she messes up by adding an American term then goes back to English again! Very odd and uneven. It throws the reader and takes the shine off what is otherwise a nice cosy read.
There are “sloppy” bits in the book especially in the series when she marries Jake Wakefield and they are also typically “over the top” American slush that makes you cringe. I do like the characters though,mainly, but what the heck is the point in Lila and Denny???? Complete waste of time and no substance. Neither bring anything to the stories or solving the mysteries and Denny is someone who you would just like to slap! He’s lazy, immature, weak and has nothing to add to these books at all. Scrap Lila and Denny then the books would be more enjoyable!
All in All these books were enjoyable but annoying, cosy but uncomfortable (in places) and got me through the week.
Very gentle stories of Lady Carlyle and her friends solving murders wherever they go along with her twin, Victor.
I enjoyed this series BUT they were littered with Americanisms throughout which were sometimes SO American that they just spoilt the book. I understand the author is American BUT this book is about English characters in England so you NEED to drop all the American spellings AND the American terminology within. Not a complete turn-off but it was definitely extremely annoying for an English reader to hear sidewalk instead of pavement, boardwalk instead of promenade, mom instead of mum, smashed peas instead of mushy peas and so they go on. Even stranger is that she gets a lot of English terminology correct but then she messes up by adding an American term then goes back to English again! Very odd and uneven. It throws the reader and takes the shine off what is otherwise a nice cosy read.
There are “sloppy” bits in the book especially in the series when she marries Jake Wakefield and they are also typically “over the top” American slush that makes you cringe. I do like the characters though,mainly, but what the heck is the point in Lila and Denny???? Complete waste of time and no substance. Neither bring anything to the stories or solving the mysteries and Denny is someone who you would just like to slap! He’s lazy, immature, weak and has nothing to add to these books at all. Scrap Lila and Denny then the books would be more enjoyable!
All in All these books were enjoyable but annoying, cosy but uncomfortable (in places) and got me through the week.
August 7, 2022
Unread shelf project 2022: book 41.
Sloppily written here and there, but this series is one that is a very good nightmare antidote as well as an anxiolytic so I am definitely going to keep reading it as long as I’m enjoying it.
There are some things that seem a bit out of place in terms of historical accuracy but I am not a historian and I don’t know for sure, so I’m letting it slide. And focusing instead of just enjoying the story and the characters. I just bought the 4th & 5th in the series as I already own the third.
Sloppily written here and there, but this series is one that is a very good nightmare antidote as well as an anxiolytic so I am definitely going to keep reading it as long as I’m enjoying it.
There are some things that seem a bit out of place in terms of historical accuracy but I am not a historian and I don’t know for sure, so I’m letting it slide. And focusing instead of just enjoying the story and the characters. I just bought the 4th & 5th in the series as I already own the third.
August 7, 2022
I like this series because it so clearly evokes the era of Roaring 20's and the Bright Young Things. Luckily, Violet and Victor aren't the idle, vapid, type of Bright Young Things but capable and intelligent and caring. In this one, their baby sister, Isolde, is forced into a marriage to a financial con artist old enough to be her father. Other than, of course, the evil stepmother, Lady Eleanor, Isolde was the least likable character. Wet noodle for a spine, anyone? No. Good mystery but a bit of an unresolved ending. Of course we are meant to read the next one. Ok. I will.
September 24, 2018
Murder at Kennington House
This is the second book I have read in this series, and I couldn't wait for it to come out. This is just a sparkling series. The characters are sharply drawn and it's a delight to know them! I keep putting the book down because I don't want to finish it! it I'm drawn back all too soon. The twins are priceless, and the clothes are devine! Write fast, miss Byers.
This is the second book I have read in this series, and I couldn't wait for it to come out. This is just a sparkling series. The characters are sharply drawn and it's a delight to know them! I keep putting the book down because I don't want to finish it! it I'm drawn back all too soon. The twins are priceless, and the clothes are devine! Write fast, miss Byers.
December 17, 2019
Vi, Vic and the gang are back and are a bit better than the first book. I can tell the author is honing her skills as the characters are a bit more defined, the ambiance is a tad better and over all the story is of a better quality. There are still one or two glairing mistakes that the editor should have caught but it is still pretty good.
The story line isn't intricate or involved but the relationships between the characters are developing nicely.
Not bad for a second try.
The story line isn't intricate or involved but the relationships between the characters are developing nicely.
Not bad for a second try.
March 3, 2021
Kept. my interest.
Well this is book number3 in the series. It kept my interest. Curious as to the progression of Violet and Jack's relationship. Had some intriguing new characters which I hope will be included in future stories. So far the author has failed to do this with Violets maid Beatrice as well as her "rich young things" friends Will read the next book as it seems to be getting better.
Well this is book number3 in the series. It kept my interest. Curious as to the progression of Violet and Jack's relationship. Had some intriguing new characters which I hope will be included in future stories. So far the author has failed to do this with Violets maid Beatrice as well as her "rich young things" friends Will read the next book as it seems to be getting better.
October 9, 2022
This book started off well but then it just turned into a typical romance novel with not much story. The relationship between Jack and Violet seems flimsy to me and I don't see how or why they're so serious about each other. Also the mystery wasn't that mysterious, nor was the way things were wrapped up. A disappointing read especially since the first one wasn't that great either and this is worse
February 17, 2023
So Many Possible Killers!
One victim and a laundry list of possible killers....
I am enjoying this series. Being a woman with a head on her shoulders in the
1920's was a rare entity as far as men were concerned in that age.
Violet continues to break the mold in everything she does. She is also becoming closer to her little sister in this book. I am looking forward to seeing
how her continued relationship with Jack works out!
One victim and a laundry list of possible killers....
I am enjoying this series. Being a woman with a head on her shoulders in the
1920's was a rare entity as far as men were concerned in that age.
Violet continues to break the mold in everything she does. She is also becoming closer to her little sister in this book. I am looking forward to seeing
how her continued relationship with Jack works out!
August 4, 2023
Kennington House Murder Book 2 a Violet Carlyle Historical Mystery
Victor and Violet return home in Kennington for the wedding of their baby sister Isolde. Her groom is murdered and Violet takes her to her and Victor's home to recover. As Violet and her brother work with Jake Wakefield to discover the killer Isolde and Violet draw closer. Enjoyed this book and know I'm going to enjoy the next. Reading this series is going to be exciting. It will for you too.
Victor and Violet return home in Kennington for the wedding of their baby sister Isolde. Her groom is murdered and Violet takes her to her and Victor's home to recover. As Violet and her brother work with Jake Wakefield to discover the killer Isolde and Violet draw closer. Enjoyed this book and know I'm going to enjoy the next. Reading this series is going to be exciting. It will for you too.
April 28, 2024
Frothy fun set in the roaring 20s. I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the first in the series. I love the characters, even if a bit unrealistic, and the plot was a bit thinner this time around. There were many editing errors that took me out of the store. These books are like sweets - you can only have so much at a time. I’m going to keep reading the series as I still find them to be just plain fun, but I’ll give it a little bit of time before picking up the third.
September 25, 2018
Oh, to be a bright, young thing!
Twists, turns, jazz, clothes, cocktails...what's not to adore? The twins are back for their little sister's wedding. What! A murder? Call Scotland Yard and hope Jack shows up! The decade is luscious and the romance is budding. Can't wait for the next book!
Twists, turns, jazz, clothes, cocktails...what's not to adore? The twins are back for their little sister's wedding. What! A murder? Call Scotland Yard and hope Jack shows up! The decade is luscious and the romance is budding. Can't wait for the next book!
October 1, 2018
In need of an editor!
I liked the story, but stray or incorrect words were distracting. I had the feeling the author was in such a rush to finish the book, she just submitted it rather than taking the time to proofread--or re-read it at all. Hopefully, the author will take more time to proofread and make corrections to the next book as I have already pre-ordered it.
I liked the story, but stray or incorrect words were distracting. I had the feeling the author was in such a rush to finish the book, she just submitted it rather than taking the time to proofread--or re-read it at all. Hopefully, the author will take more time to proofread and make corrections to the next book as I have already pre-ordered it.
October 24, 2018
Charming, but spoiled by sloppy writing/editing. Bad grammar, and again, in the UK then as now, we do not have Fall, we have Autumn. Always the downfall. It's a little thing, but it annoys. American spellings creeping in, Americanism creeping in to literature and being used inappropriately in period books.
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