A thrilling mix of mystery and romance! For fans of Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, Barbara Erskine and Jane Austen.
Murder lurks behind the scenes…
1791, England
Lord Francis and Lady Ottilia Fanshawe have suffered a devastating blow.
With Ottilia sunk deep into a depression, Francis is desperate to get his beloved wife back.
So when he hears about a murder at the seaside town of Weymouth, an idea starts to form…
A young girl’s body has been discovered, laid out in an open coffin, surrounded by candles.
The staged scene, and the fact that the victim was a member of a theatrical troupe, suggests one of her colleagues is the killer.
Knowing Ottilia’s sharp intuition and penchant for solving mysteries, Francis brings her to the murder site.
Can the case spark Ottilia’s interest? Will the intrepid ‘Lady Fan’ once more make an appearance?
And can she solve the mystery of the Candlelit Coffin…?
THE CANDLELIT COFFIN is the fourth book in the Lady Fan Mystery series: historical romance murder mysteries with a courageous women sleuth embarking on a traditional British, private investigation in eighteenth-century London.
An avid reader from an early age, Elizabeth Bailey grew up in colonial Africa under unconventional parentage and with theatre in the blood. Back in England, she trod the boards until discovering her true métier as a writer in her thirties, when she fulfilled an early addiction to Georgette Heyer by launching into historical romance. Eight years and eight books later, Elizabeth joined the Harlequin Mills & Boon stable, fuelling her writing with a secondary career teaching and directing drama, and writing plays into the bargain.
With 18 historicals published, Elizabeth turned to other genres, producing two titles (Fly the Wild Echoes and For One More Tomorrow) in the cross-genre literary/paranormal field as well as a suspense novella (Silence of a Stranger). She has several short stories available too and a guide for writers on editing.
Continuing her foray into other genres, but returning to her favourite historical period, Elizabeth turned to mystery. She placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet. While Ottilia moves in the upper echelon of Society, she is thoroughly at ease in the lower, which allows Elizabeth to cross boundaries with impunity. These novels are now published with Sapere Books and the list continues to grow.
Sapere also publish her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures, a series dedicated to the countless women who could not ordinarily hope for romance and marriage: poor relations, dowerless females, those who did not "take", orphans. In a word, the classic Cinderella heroine.
Now retired from teaching, Elizabeth concentrates on writing and promotion, with a sideline in running an assessment critique service for writers.
Another excellent read in this series. The author is able to capture the customs and sensibilities of the era. I’m loving the way that Ottilia and her husband, Fan seemed to have grown closer. There were a number of possible suspects but the murderer was a surprise for me. I enjoyed the sweet romance that enfolded between two of the characters. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
1791 - London. Lord and Lady Fanshawe attempt to recover from a “devastating blow”. Elizabeth Bailey’s The Candlelit Coffin ( Lady Fan Mystery #4 ) begins with Francis, who is desperately worried about his wife, Tillie, who continues to be severely depressed, wondering what he can do to “ get his beloved wife back”. Francis aka Fan discovers that there has been a sensational murder and burial in the seaside town of Weymouth. The colonel who is head of the investigation is wishing that Lady Fan was in Weymouth to help him solve this horrible murder just as Fan is thinking and hoping that Tillie could shake her depression if she goes to Weymouth and becomes involved in solving this awful murder. Next step - Fan, Tillie, Sybilla, Tillie’s mother -in-law and friend and most of the household head to Weymouth which has become a popular town since the King visited his brother there. Theatrical groups stop and preform there in a large new theatre which had been built in this seaside getaway. There actually happens to be a group of actors preforming there at this moment. Although Tillie must rest to get her strength back, she does become intrigued by this murder, and she offers to assist the colonel in hopes of solving the murder. Does Tillie’s intuition ferret out the murderer? Does Fan “get his beloved wife back”? I enjoyed everything! 4.25 stars!
Lord Francis Fanshawe is worried about his wife, Ottilia. "Lady Fan" is suffering from melancholy after going through a personal tragedy. Lord Francis receives a letter from his friend Colonel George Tretower from a nearby seaside town right after the doctor suggests a change of scenery for Lady Fan. Colonel Tretower is requesting help from Lady Fan in solving a murder he is investigating, and Francis hopes the intrigue of the investigation might help his beloved wife to heal.
"The Candlelit Coffin" is the fourth book in this series, but it stands alone for readers who haven't read the prior books. I've enjoyed all of the previous books and this one is almost as good as the very first one in the series. In the beginning, it's hard seeing the usually outspoken and spirited Lady Fan so docile. However, she soon becomes interested in the murder of a beautiful young actress, and regains her outspoken, no-nonsense ways. She still requires more rest than usual, but her devoted husband Lord Francis and his blunt, but wise mother Sybilla pitch in to question some of the witnesses and potential suspects. There are plenty of people with motives for the murder, so I wasn't able to correctly guess the identity of the murderer and was surprised when the killer was revealed. There is a subplot tied closely to the investigation in which Colonel Tretower falls in love with one of the witnesses. Their story is sweet at times, although Cecile's hesitance in sharing information that could help solve the case becomes repetitive.
The book is well-written and well-researched. I enjoyed the author's note at the end with historical information about Weymouth, where the story takes place. At the heart of the series in general and this book specifically is the love between Lord Francis and Lady Fan. Even in the face of tragedy in their lives and danger in the investigation, their love shines through and make each of them stronger as they face things together. I love this series and really like this book and would rate it 4.5 stars. I highly recommend it for fans of historical mysteries with strong, likable characters and intriguing plots.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Fan is brought to Weymouth to recover from the blow of losing a child. Lord Francis jumps at the chance of a call for help by his friend George in charge of the Coffin murder. Lady Fan has a way of looking at mysteries in her own unique way and seeing through all the smoke to the real culprit. Will Lord Francis come to regret this decision when Lady Fan comes too close to the murderer and her own life is in danger. This is part of a good series of historical mysteries which have you liking the characters and following the clues yourself.
Such a cute series. Lady Fan had a stillborn and her and Fan are not dealing well with each other or the situation. Fan is at wit's end with his decision to save his wife over the baby and she is blaming herself for the baby dying. Neither thinks the other would understand so aren't speaking much. So Fan jumps at his mother's advice and his friend's need for help to get TIlly involved in solving a crime by the seaside. Good character development and nice mystery.
As with Bailey's previous books, this was a well crafted mystery with interesting characters and a style of writing reminiscent of the 1800's and earlier.
I really like the Lady Fan series, good historical fiction mystery. In this book, Lady Ottilia and Lord Francis Fanshawe go to the seaside town of Weymouth to recover from the lose of their baby. Ottilia has been depressed and when Francis learns that a friend needs help solving a murder, it seems like a good opportunity.
A actress with the local theater has been found murdered in a coffin in the cemetery. She was killed there. The coffin is surrounded by lit candles. Ottilia and Francis are soon involved in questioning various suspects and witnesses and solving the murder.
I really like the character Ottilia - she is a smart, calm, kind person; would love to spend time with her. In this book, some of the other characters got bigger roles because Ottilia was resting and recovering her strength. I hope there are many more books in the series.
"The Candlelit Coffin" is a mystery set in 1791 in London. This novel is the 4th in the series, but you don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one. This story didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous books.
Lady Fan is good at understanding why people act the way they do and using her observational skills. Lady Fan, her husband, and her steward asked plenty of good questions to track down clues. The mystery was a clue-based, puzzle mystery. You can guess whodunit, but the author did a good job of making me think that maybe someone else had done it after all.
The characters were interesting, and I cared about what happened to them. The author used historical details to create the feeling of a specific time and place. There was occasional use of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.
I listen to these books throughout the day. I find them pretty entertaining. If you get nothing else from them, you will get a vocabulary lesson. Lady Fan isn't a renegade no nonsense sleuth ahead of her time. She has to concede to a male driven society and overcome what today's women take for granted. That, in itself is thought provoking and ads another layer to these books. It's easy for an author to simply thumb their noses on the reality of history. It takes a true talent to find a way around it. Lady Fan has to rely on her Husband, Mother-in-law, the families title and other males surrounding her to help solve these crimes. She has no superpower other than the ability to observe and deduce from her observations. I really do enjoy these books. Well done Ms. Bailey.
Ms. Bailey has written a story to keep you guessing till the end. She has populated the book with new and old familiar characters, all linked together by the most foul murder and murderer. The one thing we do have is plenty of suspects and how Lady Fan goes about interviewing suspects, friends of the deceased and witnesses is the heart of the story. It is best to read the books in order to give you better perspective of the main characters, however this can be read as a stand-alone. You will not be disappointed.
Lady Fan AKA Otillia (Tillie) Fanshaw, is in poor spirits since the stillbirth of her first child. Desperate to raise her from numb passivity, her husband Francis and his mother Sybilla., concoct a plan to visit the newly fashionable seaside resort in Weymouth, hoping the salt air and change of scenery will ease her sadness.
Colonel George Tactower, an old friend of Francis's, is presented with a problem. A young actress has been brutally murdered, and as the Crown's local head of security, he is tasked with solving the case. George is met with a string of suspects ranging from a travelling troupe of actors to the beautiful young woman's upper class admirers. He needs someone with clear insights into human behavior for help.
George prevails upon his Army comrade for assistance from Lady Fan who has a knack for solving mysteries. Francis and Sybilla agree that a challenge might raise Tillie's spirits and volunteer to help Lady Fan put the puzzle together.
The plot has a cast of familiar characters and a romantic twist. In the course of the investigation George meets and becomes smitten with Cecile, a French emigre who works as a seamstress for the players. But George cannot pursue his courtship until the murderer is caught and punished.
The rapidly changing town of Weymouth with its mixture of wealthy holidaymakers attending the local Assemblies and the Theater Royale and those who serve--or prey-- on them, is described in realistic detail. As the detectives roam through both the heights and depths of Georgian society, the reader is invited to come along on another intriguing adventure.
I really enjoy this series. Great combination of well-written, relatable characters with interesting murder mystery plots.
I love Lady Fan as a main character. She's smart, capable and kind. But she's also incisive and determined when it comes to investigating murder. She sees things others - including the men around her - don't and thoughtfully parses out what's going on.
This installment has Ottillia and her husband at the seaside, ostensibly for Tillie to recover from losing her baby, but secretly her help investigating a murder has been requested by their friend George who has been pressed into service as the town has no constable.
Tillie, despite her sorrow and grief is tempted by the murder and starts looking into it, while also slowly healing and finding her way back to Francis and their marriage.
This is just an entertaining, well-written series with great characters and engaging plots, and I enjoy it very much. I definitely plan to continue reading this series and recommend it to those who enjoy British mystery.
I’m enjoying this series a great deal! The relationship between Lord and Lady Fanshawe is tender and genuine and the mysteries are intriguing. I also really enjoy that Lady Fan’s portrayal is quite realistic to the time period. The author does not have her off haring about in ways that would have been near impossible for a Lady at that time, like so many other historical mysteries. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy those kinds of stories too. But this series is unique in its keeping to reality and that’s delightful in its own way. Lady Fan works within the limitations of her time period and still manages to solve the crimes through her cleverness and keen mind.
Finally, one of my favorite parts is that, even though Lord and Lady Fanshawe’s romance has been set since the end of the first book, each story so far still includes some new romance through the supporting cast. And what a supporting cast! The Dowager may be my favorite character in the whole series.
Lady Ottilia (Tillie) and Lord Francis Fanshawe are quite the amazing duo! And book 4 picks up right after the loss of their first child at the end of Tillie's pregnancy. Naturally, Tillie is feeling guilty and wondering if she could have done more to save her child, and Francis isn't sure how to help his despondent wife. But then along comes a murder, and Tillie's interest is piqued, and she steps in to solve the crime, which also helps her grieve their loss. She also manages to continue her practice of "adopting people" - sheltering a young thief and potential witness; and becoming confidante to a young seamstress in the theatre.
These are such wonderful stories! I've read the all in this amazing series, and they are all as good as the last one or better! These aren't cozy mysteries either. They are full on long books! Elizabeth Bailey is an amazing author, and I'm sure anyone trying her books will agree on that. I fully recommend them, I've been hooked from the first book of Lord & Lady Fanshaw. Of course that was before the Lady Fanshaw! Enjoy!!
I think the Lady Fan series is the best of Bailey’s large body of work. Her maturity as a writer shows itself in the complexity of her characters, the authentic and witty dialogue and her ability to write a twisty mystery. She plays fair, giving you all the clues you need, yet her red herrings led me astray by miles.
This book has you going through every emotion on a rollercoaster of a story, keeps you guessing right up until the reveal and is so well written your stood alongside the endearing characters, who are developing well along the series, I truly hope there is mor to come from Lady Fan
1791 and Colonel George Tretower needs helps in solving a murder. So he contacts his close friends Lord Francis and Lady Fan for help. With the Lady Fan suffering from ill-health it is thought a murder inquiry a distraction that she needs. So off to Weymouth the family go to investigate the death of actress Dulcibella Ash. Another enjoyable well-written historical mystery
Consistent with her previous books in this series, book 4 had a very interesting plot. Lady Fan and her husband travel to assist a friend solve a murder. All our previous characters appear, but some with more reduced roles (Lord Frances' mother for example). Yet, good storytelling abounds and the new characters that are introduced are beginning to show promise.
I enjoyed this latest addition to the Lady Fan Series. The mystery was a good one and well thought out. The side characters were interesting and I loved that the character Hemp from the book The Opium Purge has joined the Fanshawe household, he was once again a delight. Ottilia and Francis have suffered a loss and Ottilia has sunk into a deep depression. Francis deeply worried about his wife learns of a murder that happened at a seaside city and takes her there to try to pique her interest. Thankfully it worked because Lady Fan is once again able to solve the case. I will definitely be reading the next one.
I enjoyed this 4th book in the Lady Fan series. A glimpse into the world of actors in a small traveling theater group, filled with funny, melodramatic characters and the soldiers who act in lieu of police in a small seaside town. The murder of an actress is gruesome & showy, and the villain looms like the Phantom of the Opera. Ottilia and Fan go round and round, with old friends and new, sorting through the twists and turns of another fun Elizabeth Bailey mystery.
Again, I am moving right into the next audiobook the series-they are wonderfully narrated by Esther Wane, whose voices make me LOL.
We met George in the first book and now he's back with a case to hopefully pull Ottilia out of her depression. It's so sad what happened but I have to admit it does feel like only Ottilia seems to feel the loss. We don't really get to see how Francis process the loss at all. But I guess maybe such loss is more usual in those days?
As for the murder mystery, there were so many suspects that I sometimes got a bit lost. But overall, still a good read.
I enjoyed this Lady Fan better than the last one. I liked having Hemp (from the previous book) and George (from the first book) make appearances. The minor characters in the group of players were interesting, and although I did suspect the killer, I questioned myself several times and wasn't certain until the conclusion.
This is the latest in the Lady Fan mystery series. Loved it! This series continues to delight me with its intelligent, original heroine and interesting secondary characters as well as its well-thought-out plots and twists. Looking forward to continuing down the road with this one.
Love this Lady Fan mystery series so true to the period and with such interesting characters. Too bad the endearing Tillie had to take on the role of Nero Wolfe in this case. Hope there will be more books coming.
Lady Fan and family are in the murder business again! It's always fun to see if you can find the murderer before our heroine. Editing could use some help, there always seems to be extra words in sentences and it slows the reading pace down
This book had all the wonderful elements of a good suspense murder mystery. I loved the fact that it could have been any of several characters. Kept me guessing to the end.
Solid mystery with a much more interesting cast than the last book. Also, the author does. It beat the reader with repetitive words as in some of the earlier series (“baint” being a prime example)
Una buena novela de intriga histórica, muy fiel con la época y por lo tanto con un discurrir un poco más lento a lo que nos tiene acostumbrado la actual novela policial. Buenos personajes y buen desarrollo de la trama.