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Mayfair 100 #2
A Death in Chelsea
Set against the backdrop of WW1, Mayfair 100 is the telephone number for a small, specially-formed crime fighting team based in a house in Mayfair.
A call comes through to Mayfair 100, where the intrepid team of investigators eagerly await their next case. A society gossip queen has been found hanged in her room in mysterious circumstances. Her enemies are numerous - and her family are convinced she was murdered.
Can the group uncover the truth?
A call comes through to Mayfair 100, where the intrepid team of investigators eagerly await their next case. A society gossip queen has been found hanged in her room in mysterious circumstances. Her enemies are numerous - and her family are convinced she was murdered.
Can the group uncover the truth?
326 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2019
119 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Brittney
66 books109 followersLynn Brittany has been a writer for almost thirty years and has written several adult and children’s non-fiction books and many plays for adults and children that have been performed all over the world. Her first young adult novel was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Prize; the Brandford Boase Award and the Doncaster Book Prize. Her second young adult novel was included in the UK Government’s Recommended Reading List for Boys and was described by the Daily Telegraph as containing…”furious swordplay, tremendous chases, atmospheric journeys and wince-inducing reminders that this was an age before anaesthetics.”
'Mayfair 100: A Murder in Belgravia' is her first historical crime novel for adults and was published by Mirror Books in January 2018.
She has been a writer for many years, first working as a journalist on trade and business magazines. She also worked part-time as a drama teacher and began writing plays for children, young adults and older actors. These are published by Playstage Junior, Playstage YA and Playstage Senior.
Then, when her son was a teenager, she became aware that teachers were struggling to interest their pupils in Shakespeare, so she embarked upon writing a series of young adult novels set in Elizabethan England, involving espionage, action and Shakespearian plots. The Nathan Fox books were nominated for various awards, such as the Waterstone’s Book Prize and the Brandford Boase Award. She then created some fact books to accompany the novels, called The Elizabethan World of Nathan Fox. Both novels and fact books have become useful tools in English speaking schools around the world. These books are now published by Iris Books in London.
In 2017, she began to write a series of period murder mysteries – called the Mayfair 100 series. Set in London during WW1, the books involve a secret team of professional policemen and educated women in solving crimes. The team are based in Mayfair, an upper-class area of London and Mayfair 100 is the telephone number. Book 1, called A Murder in Belgravia, was published in the UK by Mirror Books, at the beginning of 2018 and the second book in the series was published in the UK in March 2019. The American version of Book 1 was published by Crooked Lane Books in March 2019.
In 2019, a second murder mystery book, in the Mayfair 100 series, called A Death in Chelsea, was published by Mirror Books in the UK and by Crooked Lane in the USA.
During the lockdown of 2020, Lynn Brittney tried her hand at something new and wrote a series of three small books entitled Gifts From Your Garden. An avid gardener, cook and craftsperson, she decided to combine all her hobbies and skills into Book 1: Culinary, Book 2: Health and Beauty and Book 3: Crafts. The trio of little books are packed with recipes, instructions and tips on how to make use of everything you grow and make them into gifts for friends and family. These books are published by Iris Books of London.
All of Lynn Brittney's plays are published by the Playstage Group (Playstage Junior, YA and Senior).
'Mayfair 100: A Murder in Belgravia' is her first historical crime novel for adults and was published by Mirror Books in January 2018.
She has been a writer for many years, first working as a journalist on trade and business magazines. She also worked part-time as a drama teacher and began writing plays for children, young adults and older actors. These are published by Playstage Junior, Playstage YA and Playstage Senior.
Then, when her son was a teenager, she became aware that teachers were struggling to interest their pupils in Shakespeare, so she embarked upon writing a series of young adult novels set in Elizabethan England, involving espionage, action and Shakespearian plots. The Nathan Fox books were nominated for various awards, such as the Waterstone’s Book Prize and the Brandford Boase Award. She then created some fact books to accompany the novels, called The Elizabethan World of Nathan Fox. Both novels and fact books have become useful tools in English speaking schools around the world. These books are now published by Iris Books in London.
In 2017, she began to write a series of period murder mysteries – called the Mayfair 100 series. Set in London during WW1, the books involve a secret team of professional policemen and educated women in solving crimes. The team are based in Mayfair, an upper-class area of London and Mayfair 100 is the telephone number. Book 1, called A Murder in Belgravia, was published in the UK by Mirror Books, at the beginning of 2018 and the second book in the series was published in the UK in March 2019. The American version of Book 1 was published by Crooked Lane Books in March 2019.
In 2019, a second murder mystery book, in the Mayfair 100 series, called A Death in Chelsea, was published by Mirror Books in the UK and by Crooked Lane in the USA.
During the lockdown of 2020, Lynn Brittney tried her hand at something new and wrote a series of three small books entitled Gifts From Your Garden. An avid gardener, cook and craftsperson, she decided to combine all her hobbies and skills into Book 1: Culinary, Book 2: Health and Beauty and Book 3: Crafts. The trio of little books are packed with recipes, instructions and tips on how to make use of everything you grow and make them into gifts for friends and family. These books are published by Iris Books of London.
All of Lynn Brittney's plays are published by the Playstage Group (Playstage Junior, YA and Senior).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
March 8, 2019
Lynn Brittney has created a hugely enjoyable historical crime series, set in 1915 amidst the background of WW1, with its carnage of death and destruction, the physical and mental health issues of returning soldiers, anti-war protests, women filling male roles, the suffragette movement and the developments in policing and forensic science of the era. The Mayfair 100 group in London, a covert investigative group with its unprecedented inclusion of women has been set up by Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Edward Henry, it is led by Chief Inspector Peter Beech, afflicted by leg injuries from the war. The team has been getting restless after the successful conclusion of their first case, wondering when and what will be their next case.
The Treborne Catholic aristocratic family has fallen on hard times, and has distanced itself from Adeline Treborne, a scurrilous gossip columnist for The London Herald newspaper. Adeline is a pariah, shunned by London society, when she is discovered in her bedroom having hanged herself. Her mother, the Duchess of Penhere, begs for a below the radar investigation, and so our crack team get to work. Dr Caroline Allardyce conducts the post-mortem with the help of the cutting edge forensic and photographic input of pharmacist, Mabel Summersby, and the invaluable help of PC Billy Rigsby's Aunt Sissy. Victoria Ellingham proves her worth both on the legal side of the case and in keeping Beech on the straight and narrow. Detective Arthur Tollman has his work cut out as he looks into suspects with the help of Billy, whilst at the same time having to keep several steps ahead of some of his police colleagues when another murder takes place. Adeline turns out to be a woman who barely left her flat, she was a persona non grata in London high society so how was she getting her information? With a host of suspects, from a QC, an MP to a baby farmer, the team unearth intrigue, prejudice, blackmail and a oddly suspicious sewing group comprising of servants.
This is a series that has the feel and atmosphere of the Downton Abbey series which touched on the turbulent changing times of these years, with the economic decline of the aristocracy, whilst having to face their declining influence in the social sphere as class differences begin to minimise, and the changing role of women in the world. All these factors, as well as critical aspects of WW1 and its impact in London can be observed in Brittney's gripping narrative and in her diverse range of characters, not to mention the scientific advances in policing. I am truly looking forward to the next in this wonderful historical series. I have developed an affection for many of the characters, and am interested in seeing how they will develop next. A fabulously entertaining read for those who love their historical crime fiction. Many thanks to Mirror Books for an ARC.
The Treborne Catholic aristocratic family has fallen on hard times, and has distanced itself from Adeline Treborne, a scurrilous gossip columnist for The London Herald newspaper. Adeline is a pariah, shunned by London society, when she is discovered in her bedroom having hanged herself. Her mother, the Duchess of Penhere, begs for a below the radar investigation, and so our crack team get to work. Dr Caroline Allardyce conducts the post-mortem with the help of the cutting edge forensic and photographic input of pharmacist, Mabel Summersby, and the invaluable help of PC Billy Rigsby's Aunt Sissy. Victoria Ellingham proves her worth both on the legal side of the case and in keeping Beech on the straight and narrow. Detective Arthur Tollman has his work cut out as he looks into suspects with the help of Billy, whilst at the same time having to keep several steps ahead of some of his police colleagues when another murder takes place. Adeline turns out to be a woman who barely left her flat, she was a persona non grata in London high society so how was she getting her information? With a host of suspects, from a QC, an MP to a baby farmer, the team unearth intrigue, prejudice, blackmail and a oddly suspicious sewing group comprising of servants.
This is a series that has the feel and atmosphere of the Downton Abbey series which touched on the turbulent changing times of these years, with the economic decline of the aristocracy, whilst having to face their declining influence in the social sphere as class differences begin to minimise, and the changing role of women in the world. All these factors, as well as critical aspects of WW1 and its impact in London can be observed in Brittney's gripping narrative and in her diverse range of characters, not to mention the scientific advances in policing. I am truly looking forward to the next in this wonderful historical series. I have developed an affection for many of the characters, and am interested in seeing how they will develop next. A fabulously entertaining read for those who love their historical crime fiction. Many thanks to Mirror Books for an ARC.
February 7, 2020
A DEATH IN CHELSEA by Lynn Brittney is a historical mystery set in England in 1915 during World War I. It is the second book in the Mayfair 100 Murder Mystery series, but it worked well as a standalone novel for me.
Chief Inspector Peter Beech has a semi-secret team of amateur women detectives and professional policemen that the commissioner of Scotland Yard allowed him to create. For their second case, a duchess’ daughter has been found dead in what appears to be a suicide but her family suspects foul play. This leads the team on an investigation that is unlike most in in early 1900’s.
The characters were compelling, strong, complex and had depth. Their motivations seemed believable and distinct. There were enough internal and external conflicts to keep this reader fully engaged. The plot twists seemed believable, and while many were expected, there were a few surprises. The descriptions gave me a clear sense of time, mood and place without distracting from the story.
This is not a fast-paced novel, but it was relatively steadily paced. It also takes place during the early days of scientific police work and when women are taking on jobs that men had largely held before the war. Additional themes include corruption, murder, drug use, adoption, baby farms, gossip, and views on social order and race. There is one very controversial scene.
Overall, this was a well-written, engrossing, and thought-provoking read. I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Lynn Brittney for an ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Chief Inspector Peter Beech has a semi-secret team of amateur women detectives and professional policemen that the commissioner of Scotland Yard allowed him to create. For their second case, a duchess’ daughter has been found dead in what appears to be a suicide but her family suspects foul play. This leads the team on an investigation that is unlike most in in early 1900’s.
The characters were compelling, strong, complex and had depth. Their motivations seemed believable and distinct. There were enough internal and external conflicts to keep this reader fully engaged. The plot twists seemed believable, and while many were expected, there were a few surprises. The descriptions gave me a clear sense of time, mood and place without distracting from the story.
This is not a fast-paced novel, but it was relatively steadily paced. It also takes place during the early days of scientific police work and when women are taking on jobs that men had largely held before the war. Additional themes include corruption, murder, drug use, adoption, baby farms, gossip, and views on social order and race. There is one very controversial scene.
Overall, this was a well-written, engrossing, and thought-provoking read. I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Lynn Brittney for an ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
March 8, 2019
I'd like to believe that common people have the ability to achieve uncommon results. It's all in bringing personal talents to the table.
And that's exactly what Lynn Brittney does once again in this second book in the Mayfair 100 Murder Mysteries. She showcased this unusual group of amateur women detectives paired with professional police officers in the first book, Belgravia. Never fear: Both books read as standalones and she fills in backstories nicely in A Death in Chelsea.
Our story is set in July of 1915 when England is caught in the clutches of World War I. Lynn Brittney provides a backdrop of men from all walks of life going to war.....the "Great Equalizer" in which both hardcore individuals and men with soft hands manning the front lines. And the casualities visited upon the rich and the poor, the dedicated and the undedicated. Out of necessity, women stepped up into roles once relegated only to men.
Mayfair 100 was created by Sir Edward Henry, the Metro Police Commissioner. He instructed Chief Inspector Peter Beech of Scotland Yard to select individuals to work undercover. Dr. Caroline Allardyce becomes the medical examiner. Mabel Summersby, a pharmacist by trade, is an expert with a camera. Victoria Ellingham, a nurse, is accompanied by her talented society mother, Lady Maud. Three police officers round out the team.
The Mayfair group is called back into action when a young woman is found hanging from the ceiling of her apartment. Although it appears to be a suicide, the evidence points to murder. It appears that Lady Adeline Treborne may have laid a path to her door as a society commentator for the London Herald. Secrets were leaked in daily print on the threshold of today's split-second internet. Bad news if you were at the receiving end.
Lynn Brittney tells quite the tale here with highly interesting implementation of early scientific police work in pathology and forensics. These women give their male counterparts quite the challenge. She also weaves in timely historical facts of the suffragette movement and demonstrations against the war. The streets of Chelsea come alive with Brittney's infusion of quirky characters and societal misfits. A Death in Chelsea gives us a bit of pause as to how times have changed and how times stay the same.
I received a copy of A Death in Chelsea through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Mirror Books and to Lynn Brittney for the opportunity.
And that's exactly what Lynn Brittney does once again in this second book in the Mayfair 100 Murder Mysteries. She showcased this unusual group of amateur women detectives paired with professional police officers in the first book, Belgravia. Never fear: Both books read as standalones and she fills in backstories nicely in A Death in Chelsea.
Our story is set in July of 1915 when England is caught in the clutches of World War I. Lynn Brittney provides a backdrop of men from all walks of life going to war.....the "Great Equalizer" in which both hardcore individuals and men with soft hands manning the front lines. And the casualities visited upon the rich and the poor, the dedicated and the undedicated. Out of necessity, women stepped up into roles once relegated only to men.
Mayfair 100 was created by Sir Edward Henry, the Metro Police Commissioner. He instructed Chief Inspector Peter Beech of Scotland Yard to select individuals to work undercover. Dr. Caroline Allardyce becomes the medical examiner. Mabel Summersby, a pharmacist by trade, is an expert with a camera. Victoria Ellingham, a nurse, is accompanied by her talented society mother, Lady Maud. Three police officers round out the team.
The Mayfair group is called back into action when a young woman is found hanging from the ceiling of her apartment. Although it appears to be a suicide, the evidence points to murder. It appears that Lady Adeline Treborne may have laid a path to her door as a society commentator for the London Herald. Secrets were leaked in daily print on the threshold of today's split-second internet. Bad news if you were at the receiving end.
Lynn Brittney tells quite the tale here with highly interesting implementation of early scientific police work in pathology and forensics. These women give their male counterparts quite the challenge. She also weaves in timely historical facts of the suffragette movement and demonstrations against the war. The streets of Chelsea come alive with Brittney's infusion of quirky characters and societal misfits. A Death in Chelsea gives us a bit of pause as to how times have changed and how times stay the same.
I received a copy of A Death in Chelsea through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Mirror Books and to Lynn Brittney for the opportunity.
March 22, 2020
A Death in Chelsea by Lynn Brittney is the second in the Mayfair 100 mystery series but it reads well on its own. Mayfair 100 is the telephone number in Chelsea, UK of a group of female amateur detectives with skillsets that are compatible with professional police detectives, as they attempt to solve serious crimes together. A new case is presented when the body of Lady Adeline Treborne is found and the circumstances indicate that it was suicide but the ladies soon prove that all is not as it seems. Lady Treborne had made many enemies during her short life. Their investigation takes them to all levels of English society and, during their search, more crimes are committed. I found it somewhat disconcerting that the author wrote of events and methods that are too modern for the era of WW I. Vocabulary was sometimes too modern as well. I thought that there were too many secondary characters involved in the mystery, making it confusing at times to keep up with the story. It was an interesting book and light entertainment, which is not a bad thing in these troubling times. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this book but I am a little annoyed with myself that I did not make the effort to find and read book one first. Although A Death in Chelsea does work as a stand alone I think it would have been even better if I had already been familiar with the lead characters.
Anyway this was still a very good read. Set in London in 1915 it features a team of people set up to deal with crimes which need special treatment. Led by Chief Inspector Beech the team includes regular police officers and civilian specialists. Due to the fact that the country is at war and the men are away fighting, the civilian specialists are women, something previously unheard of.
I enjoyed all of the characters especially the extras like Aunt Sissy. I needed more background on the main characters but realise that is my own fault for jumping in at book 2. The story was good, the mystery intriguing and the historical content excellent.
Now I must go find myself the first book.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Anyway this was still a very good read. Set in London in 1915 it features a team of people set up to deal with crimes which need special treatment. Led by Chief Inspector Beech the team includes regular police officers and civilian specialists. Due to the fact that the country is at war and the men are away fighting, the civilian specialists are women, something previously unheard of.
I enjoyed all of the characters especially the extras like Aunt Sissy. I needed more background on the main characters but realise that is my own fault for jumping in at book 2. The story was good, the mystery intriguing and the historical content excellent.
Now I must go find myself the first book.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 4, 2020
The suicide of Lady Adeline Treborne in her own bedroom caused the suspicions of her mother that it wasn’t suicide at all. She called upon Chief Inspector Beech with her concerns, who immediately gathered the secret Mayfair 100 team to investigate the new case. The women detectives – amateur but intelligent and clever – joined with Beech and other police officers to find the answers. But there was much more than met the eye with this particular case, as was revealed by the autopsy, and when the well-bred of London’s elite were seen to be involved in the darker side of society, the danger was heightened.
Set in 1915 London, A Death in Chelsea is the 2nd in A Mayfair 100 Murder Mystery by Lynn Brittney and once again I loved it. The lengths that were gone to in finding a solution; the way of thinking between the amateur women detectives and the local police; their devious ways of working – it all came together perfectly. I found the characters well fleshed out, and particularly liked Aunt Sissy and Lady Maud. Caroline and Victoria are great characters as well… I’m loving the series and am looking forward to #3 already. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Set in 1915 London, A Death in Chelsea is the 2nd in A Mayfair 100 Murder Mystery by Lynn Brittney and once again I loved it. The lengths that were gone to in finding a solution; the way of thinking between the amateur women detectives and the local police; their devious ways of working – it all came together perfectly. I found the characters well fleshed out, and particularly liked Aunt Sissy and Lady Maud. Caroline and Victoria are great characters as well… I’m loving the series and am looking forward to #3 already. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2023
I recommend this mystery series. It has a touch of not antiwar sentiment but perhaps the view that so much damage and loss of life is due to WWI. I enjoyed the growth of the team from book 1 and how womans place in society is changing. Even changes amongst different classes and races are occurring. I thought the mystery well thought out and had a satisfying end. I disagree with some actions in the book but that is my prerogative as a reader.
April 1, 2019
A Death in Chelsea is the second outing in the Mayfair 100 Murder Mystery series. I haven’t read the first book but had no difficulty picking up the story thread. In this episode, the specialized unit, working quietly behind the scenes and comprised of both regular police and citizen specialists who happen to be women, are tasked with solving the questionable death of the daughter of the Duchess of Penhere. These amateur detectives have real world knowledge and interests which serve them well during investigations, expertise such as medicine, pharmacology and law. They also are living at a time when women are beginning to have more opportunities outside the home since so many men have already gone or are leaving for the continent for war, many never to return.
In this particular case, the woman in question, a notorious society gossip columnist, was discovered hanging in her apartment. Her mother, the Duchess, believes she must have been murdered in spite of appearances and her daughter’s reputation. Now, combining science and instinct, the team will investigate where the evidence leads, and discreetly.
My enjoyment of this book grew as I read. While I initially thought it was going to be a fairly bare boned mystery with little color or character, I was soon proven wrong as the various members of the team became individuals, developed senses of humor and displayed their skills and emotions. Even the suspects tended to be interesting individuals not types. I also appreciate the ways in which the author tied in the war which was never far from anyone’s mind in those years. I do recommend this book and plan to look for book one.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
In this particular case, the woman in question, a notorious society gossip columnist, was discovered hanging in her apartment. Her mother, the Duchess, believes she must have been murdered in spite of appearances and her daughter’s reputation. Now, combining science and instinct, the team will investigate where the evidence leads, and discreetly.
My enjoyment of this book grew as I read. While I initially thought it was going to be a fairly bare boned mystery with little color or character, I was soon proven wrong as the various members of the team became individuals, developed senses of humor and displayed their skills and emotions. Even the suspects tended to be interesting individuals not types. I also appreciate the ways in which the author tied in the war which was never far from anyone’s mind in those years. I do recommend this book and plan to look for book one.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
September 28, 2019
A Death in Chelsea by Lynn Brittney is the second book in her Mayfair 100 mystery series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I had gotten the first book in the series from my library and was eager to start this one.
Chief Inspector Peter Beech calls in his "secret" team when a daughter of a aristocratic family is found hanging in her flat. Caroline, Mabel, Victoria and PC Billy Rigsby's Aunt Sissy converge on the flat to determine if it is suicide or murder. Each member of this team is smart, dedicated and determined to find the answers as the case evolves into blackmail and another murder. A clever and quickly paced plot with twists and turns and a nail-biting finale that I can't put down until the end.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Mirror Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own. I would like to sincerely thank Mirror Books for allowing me to read and review this book.
Chief Inspector Peter Beech calls in his "secret" team when a daughter of a aristocratic family is found hanging in her flat. Caroline, Mabel, Victoria and PC Billy Rigsby's Aunt Sissy converge on the flat to determine if it is suicide or murder. Each member of this team is smart, dedicated and determined to find the answers as the case evolves into blackmail and another murder. A clever and quickly paced plot with twists and turns and a nail-biting finale that I can't put down until the end.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Mirror Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own. I would like to sincerely thank Mirror Books for allowing me to read and review this book.
March 17, 2019
There’s a lot of mentioning of killing, there’s a lot of doing of killing, and there’s a heck of a lot of editorializing about killing, in A Death in Chelsea. Way too much editorializing, in my opinion.
The year is 1915. A special secret team of amateur women “detectives” and professional policemen have been drawn together to solve unusual crimes. It must be kept secret because of course the county would be appalled at the idea of female crime-solvers working publicly with the police. It’s an interesting premise – but how is the execution?
First off, the beginning plot – a young woman of a titled family is found hanged in her bedroom. Her mother insists she wasn’t the self-murdering kind. A scandal-monger (with a column in a daily rag that runs close to slander), a disgrace to her family, but incapable of suicide. Adeline Treborne, our murder victim, had enemies – “her only job in life is to make other people unhappy.” Quite the indictment of her character. So, who killed her?
It’s ascertained at the autopsy (conducted by female members of the secret team – not the done thing, but it’s hidden, of course) that Miss Treborne didn’t die from the hanging. It’s also become evident that she isn’t what she seemed – and this story becomes a watchword throughout the plot. And that plot soon becomes tangled up and twisted and is out and about in all kinds of directions. Can we say blackmail, ladies and gentlemen? Of course we can.
The horrors of war figure prominently; again, the author going on about it at length. There are plot lines that are very unsettling, that will leave you shaken, no doubt. However, within these plot lines the author takes over again with her thoughts and opinions – modern opinions; the story advances not a jot, and that is a bad thing.
Meanwhile, this secret team. What do they look like? What is their history? What do we know about them? Not much, and in the pages of A Death in Chelsea, nor do we learn much. Oh, they have “jobs” -- doctor, pharmacist, titled lady, maid -- but that’s just the author trying to diversify. There is very little explained to readers, and I found this quite disappointing. There is no substance to these people.
The ending is one big chase to the finish, which is good, since up to this point it’s been pretty slow going. I’d kind of lost interest, so it was a welcome change. At least the epilogue ties it all up very neatly, explaining what happened to basically every participant in the crime.
While the premise is interesting, the beating over the head with paragraphs worthy of an Op Ed piece is not. Won’t be reading any more in the series.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the book in advance of publication, in exchange for this review.
The year is 1915. A special secret team of amateur women “detectives” and professional policemen have been drawn together to solve unusual crimes. It must be kept secret because of course the county would be appalled at the idea of female crime-solvers working publicly with the police. It’s an interesting premise – but how is the execution?
First off, the beginning plot – a young woman of a titled family is found hanged in her bedroom. Her mother insists she wasn’t the self-murdering kind. A scandal-monger (with a column in a daily rag that runs close to slander), a disgrace to her family, but incapable of suicide. Adeline Treborne, our murder victim, had enemies – “her only job in life is to make other people unhappy.” Quite the indictment of her character. So, who killed her?
It’s ascertained at the autopsy (conducted by female members of the secret team – not the done thing, but it’s hidden, of course) that Miss Treborne didn’t die from the hanging. It’s also become evident that she isn’t what she seemed – and this story becomes a watchword throughout the plot. And that plot soon becomes tangled up and twisted and is out and about in all kinds of directions. Can we say blackmail, ladies and gentlemen? Of course we can.
The horrors of war figure prominently; again, the author going on about it at length. There are plot lines that are very unsettling, that will leave you shaken, no doubt. However, within these plot lines the author takes over again with her thoughts and opinions – modern opinions; the story advances not a jot, and that is a bad thing.
Meanwhile, this secret team. What do they look like? What is their history? What do we know about them? Not much, and in the pages of A Death in Chelsea, nor do we learn much. Oh, they have “jobs” -- doctor, pharmacist, titled lady, maid -- but that’s just the author trying to diversify. There is very little explained to readers, and I found this quite disappointing. There is no substance to these people.
The ending is one big chase to the finish, which is good, since up to this point it’s been pretty slow going. I’d kind of lost interest, so it was a welcome change. At least the epilogue ties it all up very neatly, explaining what happened to basically every participant in the crime.
While the premise is interesting, the beating over the head with paragraphs worthy of an Op Ed piece is not. Won’t be reading any more in the series.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the book in advance of publication, in exchange for this review.
April 10, 2019
I love a good historical mystery. I especially enjoy it if the characters are written realistically. I need to feel they are in sync with the era. That said,....
The Duchess of Penhere’s daughter, Lady Adeline Treborne, was found hung in her bedroom. Initially thought of as a suicide, her religious background gave pause. Would a devout Catholic commit a mortal sin and kill herself?
The victim was despised by many people. A known gossip columnist, she thrived on people’s misery. I was never sure if the other characters were going to refer to the deceased as Adeline or Miss Adeline which was not what I would expected of the time. After all, she was still a member of the nobility. Before long, I found myself at an impasse. I discovered the victim was a borderline agoraphobic yet she managed to work for a newspaper. Just who was this woman?
A secret team of professional women -that were at the same time amateur sleuths- were paired with individual policemen. Factored into the plot was the Suffragette Movement, the early stages of forensics and pathology and WWI war demonstrations.
I will give the author credit with well-researched details. Among other things, I learned that unmarried women in England could not give birth in regular hospitals; the Salvation Army was an often-used resource. But the oh-so-many characters neatly embedded in the pages were two-dimensional. I found it hard to identify with the MCs; I knew little of their individual personalities. And the pacing was slow with lots of facts.
When I read any mystery, I want a fair amount of tension and a rush as the story progresses. I want an armchair-traveler sensation: I am invisible but right alongside the characters. Perhaps if I had read the first book in this series, I would have been more comfortable.
*I received a copy of A Death in Chelsea through NetGalley for an honest review. I appreciate Mirror Books and Lynn Brittney for the opportunity to read this story.*
The Duchess of Penhere’s daughter, Lady Adeline Treborne, was found hung in her bedroom. Initially thought of as a suicide, her religious background gave pause. Would a devout Catholic commit a mortal sin and kill herself?
The victim was despised by many people. A known gossip columnist, she thrived on people’s misery. I was never sure if the other characters were going to refer to the deceased as Adeline or Miss Adeline which was not what I would expected of the time. After all, she was still a member of the nobility. Before long, I found myself at an impasse. I discovered the victim was a borderline agoraphobic yet she managed to work for a newspaper. Just who was this woman?
A secret team of professional women -that were at the same time amateur sleuths- were paired with individual policemen. Factored into the plot was the Suffragette Movement, the early stages of forensics and pathology and WWI war demonstrations.
I will give the author credit with well-researched details. Among other things, I learned that unmarried women in England could not give birth in regular hospitals; the Salvation Army was an often-used resource. But the oh-so-many characters neatly embedded in the pages were two-dimensional. I found it hard to identify with the MCs; I knew little of their individual personalities. And the pacing was slow with lots of facts.
When I read any mystery, I want a fair amount of tension and a rush as the story progresses. I want an armchair-traveler sensation: I am invisible but right alongside the characters. Perhaps if I had read the first book in this series, I would have been more comfortable.
*I received a copy of A Death in Chelsea through NetGalley for an honest review. I appreciate Mirror Books and Lynn Brittney for the opportunity to read this story.*
March 18, 2020
I think I liked this one even more than the first one -such a great read!!
Set in July of 1915 when England is caught in the clutches of World War I, our intrepid team is finding themselves at loose ends [all busy with their lives, but not any special cases] when the Superintendent called Chief Inspector Beech into his office and gives him a case and the story begins. A young woman, reviled by both her family and society [for being a malicious gossip writer for the local "rag" newspaper] is found dead, hanging from her overhead gas fixture in her rooms. Nothing is the rooms seems amiss and the team is puzzled from day one. They also struggle with this one, because as sad as it is that someone has died/been murdered, it is difficult to find much sympathy for such a reviled human being. And as the case goes on, they all will have to dig deep inside themselves to find the wherewithal and strength and courage to go forward and it will take ALL of their skills to get the job done.
I love how they all work together - society and "under-the-stairs" with no pretense or uppity airs. They all have specific gifts and they are all put to use with those gifts and skills and it is so gratifying to read that - it makes for a more interesting story and really shows how people can and do work together in the most trying of times. I hope this series continues as it is one of my new all-time favorites. Well done Ms. Brittney, well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Set in July of 1915 when England is caught in the clutches of World War I, our intrepid team is finding themselves at loose ends [all busy with their lives, but not any special cases] when the Superintendent called Chief Inspector Beech into his office and gives him a case and the story begins. A young woman, reviled by both her family and society [for being a malicious gossip writer for the local "rag" newspaper] is found dead, hanging from her overhead gas fixture in her rooms. Nothing is the rooms seems amiss and the team is puzzled from day one. They also struggle with this one, because as sad as it is that someone has died/been murdered, it is difficult to find much sympathy for such a reviled human being. And as the case goes on, they all will have to dig deep inside themselves to find the wherewithal and strength and courage to go forward and it will take ALL of their skills to get the job done.
I love how they all work together - society and "under-the-stairs" with no pretense or uppity airs. They all have specific gifts and they are all put to use with those gifts and skills and it is so gratifying to read that - it makes for a more interesting story and really shows how people can and do work together in the most trying of times. I hope this series continues as it is one of my new all-time favorites. Well done Ms. Brittney, well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2019
What a scandalous read! If there’s one thing that gets me excited when reading historical murder mysteries, it’s the shenanigans of the upper class, what a deceitful bunch they are! Also, I love the ‘airs and graces’ and the dialect. Needless to say, I love the setting of this novel, both the era it was set and the London location. If post-Edwardian settings, scandal, and a gripping murder mystery are your thing, you don’t want to miss this one!
A Death in Chelsea is the second novel in Brittney’s Mayfair 100 series; it follows A Murder in Belgravia. I always advocate for reading series in order, because, while each case is different, you get to know the backstory of the characters, and you get this sense of familiarity with each novel. However, A Death in Chelsea can absolutely be read as a standalone, particularly because in the ‘Introduction’ to the novel, Brittney gives you a quick rundown of who’s who, so you begin this novel with a sense of understanding even if you haven’t read the first one.
The murder mystery in this novel is really interesting, it’s full of twists that keep you guessing until the end, a very satisfying end might I add. But, my favourite thing about this novel is the awesome women who make up the detective team. During WWI, it was not the norm for women to investigate crime, but Detective Inspector Beech (a great man) saw the need for them on an investigative team. To strengthen his team of P.C. Bill Rigsby and Detective Sergeant Tollman, he enlisted the help of Dr Caroline Allardyce and Victoria Ellingham (trained as a lawyer but not allowed to practice). The dynamics between this group make for joyful reading, and they’re a vibrant bunch, each likeable in their own way, with plenty of wit! Individually they have their own unique skills, and together it makes for a strong team, and it’s great to watch them piece together this case over the course of the novel.
While the case is dark, this novel is perfect for those who want to skip the gory details. Fans of cosy crime will appreciate the closely acquainted community in this novel. Gathering clues, the Mayfair 100 team use their intelligence and intuition to solve the case, A Death in Chelsea is reminiscent of the Golden Age of detective fiction, it was a pleasure to read and I absolutely recommend it.
*My thanks to the publisher (Mirror Books) for providing me with a copy of this book*
A Death in Chelsea is the second novel in Brittney’s Mayfair 100 series; it follows A Murder in Belgravia. I always advocate for reading series in order, because, while each case is different, you get to know the backstory of the characters, and you get this sense of familiarity with each novel. However, A Death in Chelsea can absolutely be read as a standalone, particularly because in the ‘Introduction’ to the novel, Brittney gives you a quick rundown of who’s who, so you begin this novel with a sense of understanding even if you haven’t read the first one.
The murder mystery in this novel is really interesting, it’s full of twists that keep you guessing until the end, a very satisfying end might I add. But, my favourite thing about this novel is the awesome women who make up the detective team. During WWI, it was not the norm for women to investigate crime, but Detective Inspector Beech (a great man) saw the need for them on an investigative team. To strengthen his team of P.C. Bill Rigsby and Detective Sergeant Tollman, he enlisted the help of Dr Caroline Allardyce and Victoria Ellingham (trained as a lawyer but not allowed to practice). The dynamics between this group make for joyful reading, and they’re a vibrant bunch, each likeable in their own way, with plenty of wit! Individually they have their own unique skills, and together it makes for a strong team, and it’s great to watch them piece together this case over the course of the novel.
While the case is dark, this novel is perfect for those who want to skip the gory details. Fans of cosy crime will appreciate the closely acquainted community in this novel. Gathering clues, the Mayfair 100 team use their intelligence and intuition to solve the case, A Death in Chelsea is reminiscent of the Golden Age of detective fiction, it was a pleasure to read and I absolutely recommend it.
*My thanks to the publisher (Mirror Books) for providing me with a copy of this book*
March 19, 2019
Murder in the upper echelons!
The daughter of a Duchess is found hanged in her rooms. Suicide or murder?
The odds ante up when it's discovered that Adeline Treborne is a gossip columnist whose scurrilous reports have had many a family or person shunned. And then there's the ugly question of blackmail.
I still can't quite put my finger the tone but maybe the Murdoch Mysteries comes close.
I have to admit to enjoying the characters as they grow into their roles, as the central raison d'être for the Mayfair 100 team unfolds.
Underlining the series are serious social issues which are often implied but mostly form part of a character's stated commentary. These might vary from mixed marriages, baby farming, the toll of war and how ill prepared Britain was for the devastating injuries and things like the need for artificial limbs, to the levelling of the social barriers. WW1 was the precipice for great change in all sorts of areas, from working conditions or social status to government policies.
Kudos to Brittney for her very thoroughly researched understandings of the issues of these times.
Tying all these social problems into a murder mystery is challenging but Brittney seems to be pulling it off.
It's interesting the way the characters are developing, gaining depth and taking on more responsibilities, showing more initiative. I'm having trouble tying the series feel down but it's a captivating series that is developing into quirky murder mysteries with a conscience, and I must confess I'm sorta hooked!
A Mirror Books ARC via NetGalley
The daughter of a Duchess is found hanged in her rooms. Suicide or murder?
The odds ante up when it's discovered that Adeline Treborne is a gossip columnist whose scurrilous reports have had many a family or person shunned. And then there's the ugly question of blackmail.
I still can't quite put my finger the tone but maybe the Murdoch Mysteries comes close.
I have to admit to enjoying the characters as they grow into their roles, as the central raison d'être for the Mayfair 100 team unfolds.
Underlining the series are serious social issues which are often implied but mostly form part of a character's stated commentary. These might vary from mixed marriages, baby farming, the toll of war and how ill prepared Britain was for the devastating injuries and things like the need for artificial limbs, to the levelling of the social barriers. WW1 was the precipice for great change in all sorts of areas, from working conditions or social status to government policies.
Kudos to Brittney for her very thoroughly researched understandings of the issues of these times.
Tying all these social problems into a murder mystery is challenging but Brittney seems to be pulling it off.
It's interesting the way the characters are developing, gaining depth and taking on more responsibilities, showing more initiative. I'm having trouble tying the series feel down but it's a captivating series that is developing into quirky murder mysteries with a conscience, and I must confess I'm sorta hooked!
A Mirror Books ARC via NetGalley
March 6, 2019
This is the 2nd book in the Mayfair 100 series - Mayfair 100 is the phone number for a small specially-formed crime investigation team - set up at the behest of Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Edward Henry and based in a house in London's upmarket Mayfair in 1915. What makes this team unique is that it includes two women - Caroline Allardyce, a pharmacist and a legal professional, Victoria Ellingham who adopt a forensic approach to crime, a new procedure in the early part of the 20th Century. Chief Inspector Peter Beech heads the unit with his deputy, Detective Arthur Tollman and Police Constable Billy Rigsby who - similarly to Beech - was invalided out of the trenches at the battlefront of The Great War.
This time, the Mayfair 100 team is called on to investigate the death of a young woman at a block of flats in Chelsea. It turns out that she cam from an upper class family which has fallen on hard times. Her death is originally thought to be a suicide, but Caroline and Victoria - with the aid of Billy Rigsby's redoubtable Aunt Sissy - soon establish that the victim, Adeline Treborne, was murdered.
It seems Adeline was a much hated society gossip columnist who, as a result, had been disowned by her family and friends. It also seems that she had turned her hand to blackmail. The team splits in two with the women carrying out an autopsy and checking the flat for clues while Beech's deputy, Detective Arthur Tollman, aided by PC Billy Rigsby, visit some of London's seedier districts as well as some upmarket areas as the list of suspects widens. Among them are a hardened confidence trickster, a member of Parliament, a Queen's Counsel and Adeline's brother who is trying to restore the family's good name. Even more shocking is the discovery that a "baby farmer" was also the being blackmailed. A baby farmer was a woman who bought and sold illegitimate babies, a practise which was not illegal in Britain at this time. Since it was more profitable for the baby farmer if the child she adopted died, many babies died of neglect or were murdered.
Given that some of the murder suspects are part of Britain's aristocracy, Commissioner Henry wishes them to be treated with kid gloves, but the ongoing war is gradually changing people's attitudes and class divisons matter less and less. The author, Lynn Brittney, gives us constant reminders that this story is taking place during the 2nd year of the First World War. One example is the Suffragist movement which has faded away somewhat due to women working to aid the war effort. It transpires that a suffragette is another blackmail victim. Everywhere there are soldiers who have returned from the battlefront, broken in mind as much as in body.
Meanwhile, the females in the team turn their attention to a seemingly innocent sewing bee attended by servants from the capital city's most notable households. In this they are helped out by another member of Billy's family - his mum, Mabel!
This is a fine mystery thriller incorporating well researched historical details which perfectly capture the mood of the time and reflects Britain's class divide, particularly the breaking down of many barriers as women moved from the kitchen to the workplace. Although this is the 2nd in a series, it can easily be read on its own and I look forward to reading more about the Mayfair 100 team. My thanks to Mirror Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This time, the Mayfair 100 team is called on to investigate the death of a young woman at a block of flats in Chelsea. It turns out that she cam from an upper class family which has fallen on hard times. Her death is originally thought to be a suicide, but Caroline and Victoria - with the aid of Billy Rigsby's redoubtable Aunt Sissy - soon establish that the victim, Adeline Treborne, was murdered.
It seems Adeline was a much hated society gossip columnist who, as a result, had been disowned by her family and friends. It also seems that she had turned her hand to blackmail. The team splits in two with the women carrying out an autopsy and checking the flat for clues while Beech's deputy, Detective Arthur Tollman, aided by PC Billy Rigsby, visit some of London's seedier districts as well as some upmarket areas as the list of suspects widens. Among them are a hardened confidence trickster, a member of Parliament, a Queen's Counsel and Adeline's brother who is trying to restore the family's good name. Even more shocking is the discovery that a "baby farmer" was also the being blackmailed. A baby farmer was a woman who bought and sold illegitimate babies, a practise which was not illegal in Britain at this time. Since it was more profitable for the baby farmer if the child she adopted died, many babies died of neglect or were murdered.
Given that some of the murder suspects are part of Britain's aristocracy, Commissioner Henry wishes them to be treated with kid gloves, but the ongoing war is gradually changing people's attitudes and class divisons matter less and less. The author, Lynn Brittney, gives us constant reminders that this story is taking place during the 2nd year of the First World War. One example is the Suffragist movement which has faded away somewhat due to women working to aid the war effort. It transpires that a suffragette is another blackmail victim. Everywhere there are soldiers who have returned from the battlefront, broken in mind as much as in body.
Meanwhile, the females in the team turn their attention to a seemingly innocent sewing bee attended by servants from the capital city's most notable households. In this they are helped out by another member of Billy's family - his mum, Mabel!
This is a fine mystery thriller incorporating well researched historical details which perfectly capture the mood of the time and reflects Britain's class divide, particularly the breaking down of many barriers as women moved from the kitchen to the workplace. Although this is the 2nd in a series, it can easily be read on its own and I look forward to reading more about the Mayfair 100 team. My thanks to Mirror Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
June 6, 2025
English version below
********************
Ein würdiger zweiter Band in dieser Serie.
Diesmal wird eine junge Aristokratin aus verarmter Familie tot aufgefunden. Rasch stellt sich heraus, dass sie ermordet wurde. Da sie als Klatschkolumnistin hässliche Gerüchte über die bessere Gesellschaft verbreitet hat, gibt es mehr als genug Verdächtige.
Da vorwiegend in der besseren Gesellschaft zu ermitteln ist, kommt auch hier wieder das Team von Mayfair 100 zum Einsatz.
Der Roman thematisiert wieder viele der hässlichen Aspekte des Krieges und die schlimme Situation für verwundete Kriegsheimkehrer.
Mich persönlich hat auch häufig die Beschreibung des damals noch viel ausgeprägten Klassenbewußtseins die Wänge hoch getrieben. Aber man kann ja schlecht auf eine Autorin wütend werden, die einfach Tatsachen beschreibt.
Mir hat es wieder gut gefallen und innerhalb des Genres historischer Krimi ist mir der Roman 5 Sterne wert.
------------------
A worthy second volume in this series.
This time, a young aristocrat from an impoverished family is found dead. It soon emerges that she has been murdered. Since she was a gossip columnist who spread nasty rumours about high society, there are more than enough suspects.
As it is mainly high society that needs to be investigated, the Mayfair 100 team is once again deployed.
The novel again deals with many of the ugly aspects of war and the terrible situation for wounded war veterans.
Personally, the description of the still very pronounced class consciousness of the time often made my skin crawl. But it's hard to get angry at an author who simply describes facts.
I enjoyed it again and within the genre of historical crime fiction, the novel is worth 5 stars to me.
********************
Ein würdiger zweiter Band in dieser Serie.
Diesmal wird eine junge Aristokratin aus verarmter Familie tot aufgefunden. Rasch stellt sich heraus, dass sie ermordet wurde. Da sie als Klatschkolumnistin hässliche Gerüchte über die bessere Gesellschaft verbreitet hat, gibt es mehr als genug Verdächtige.
Da vorwiegend in der besseren Gesellschaft zu ermitteln ist, kommt auch hier wieder das Team von Mayfair 100 zum Einsatz.
Der Roman thematisiert wieder viele der hässlichen Aspekte des Krieges und die schlimme Situation für verwundete Kriegsheimkehrer.
Mich persönlich hat auch häufig die Beschreibung des damals noch viel ausgeprägten Klassenbewußtseins die Wänge hoch getrieben. Aber man kann ja schlecht auf eine Autorin wütend werden, die einfach Tatsachen beschreibt.
Mir hat es wieder gut gefallen und innerhalb des Genres historischer Krimi ist mir der Roman 5 Sterne wert.
------------------
A worthy second volume in this series.
This time, a young aristocrat from an impoverished family is found dead. It soon emerges that she has been murdered. Since she was a gossip columnist who spread nasty rumours about high society, there are more than enough suspects.
As it is mainly high society that needs to be investigated, the Mayfair 100 team is once again deployed.
The novel again deals with many of the ugly aspects of war and the terrible situation for wounded war veterans.
Personally, the description of the still very pronounced class consciousness of the time often made my skin crawl. But it's hard to get angry at an author who simply describes facts.
I enjoyed it again and within the genre of historical crime fiction, the novel is worth 5 stars to me.
February 26, 2023
Lots of history woven into this tale. The daughter of an aristocrat is found hanged and her mother enlists the Mayfair 100 to investigate. This newly formed and informal investigation team is unique for its time in that it includes a female doctor, a lady hospital pharmacist and a woman quasi-lawyer (women were not allowed in English law schools) as well as two policemen and their leader, a Scotland Yard DO.
The victim is also unique for her time in that she writes a scandal column for a local newspaper. The group of detectives soon learns that the victim was a virtual recluse and seemed to have no social activity at all, not that she would ever be invited to any events. So the mystery was how did she get all her juicy gossip to use in her column.
The story is exciting and the ladies (investigators) have to take a few chances to uncover the truth. The victim was murdered but who killed her and why is well developed. The author draws the reader into the personal lives of these women who are vastly ahead of their time and with the historical background of the first World War, the whole reading experience is captivating.
Loved the book.
The victim is also unique for her time in that she writes a scandal column for a local newspaper. The group of detectives soon learns that the victim was a virtual recluse and seemed to have no social activity at all, not that she would ever be invited to any events. So the mystery was how did she get all her juicy gossip to use in her column.
The story is exciting and the ladies (investigators) have to take a few chances to uncover the truth. The victim was murdered but who killed her and why is well developed. The author draws the reader into the personal lives of these women who are vastly ahead of their time and with the historical background of the first World War, the whole reading experience is captivating.
Loved the book.
March 10, 2020
A Death In Chelsea is the second book in The Mayfair 100 Mystery series.
Inspector Beech’s secret team is anxiously looking forward to their next assignment and hoping that they will be helping someone from the working class. But that will not will be the case. The Duchess of Penhere has sought out the Chief Superintendent to ask him to investigate the death of her daughter, Lady Adeline Treborne. Adeline had been found hanging from a ceiling in her flat and the Duchess doesn’t feel that it was suicide even though it looks that way.
What with the Duchess and her status, the Chief Superintendent calls on Inspector Beech and his team.
The team, who call themselves The Mayfair 100, the phone number at the house they meet at. The team consists of a doctor, Caroline, a lawyer, Victoria, and two policemen, Arthur and Billy, and the newest member, Mabel, a pharmacist.
Beech meets with his team and once they have their assignments Victoria, Mabel and Sissy, Billy’s aunt, set off for Lady Adeline’s flat to begin their investigation. Victoria. They are quickly able to determine that she didn’t commit suicide. While searching her flat they found her journal and it appears that not only does she write a “gossip” column for a newspaper, but she has also been blackmailing fellow members of society. In the journal, they find a page with initials and what appears to be monetary amounts. Victoria can suggest some possible names of the people who are being blackmailed. But, some pages are missing from the journal and they hope that with what they have, they will be led to the killer. Their searches will take them as high as Parliament.
I really enjoy this series a lot. The stories are well written and plotted. I also liked how the author weaved in new methods of police investigation procedures. Also, the book contains a cast of interesting and enjoyable characters. I particularly enjoyed Aunt Sissy. Sissy was in the first book but has a bigger role in this book. She was instrumental in proving that Lady Adeline wasn’t hanged. I would love to see her added as a member of Beech’s team.
I will be watching for the next book in this wonderful historical series.
Inspector Beech’s secret team is anxiously looking forward to their next assignment and hoping that they will be helping someone from the working class. But that will not will be the case. The Duchess of Penhere has sought out the Chief Superintendent to ask him to investigate the death of her daughter, Lady Adeline Treborne. Adeline had been found hanging from a ceiling in her flat and the Duchess doesn’t feel that it was suicide even though it looks that way.
What with the Duchess and her status, the Chief Superintendent calls on Inspector Beech and his team.
The team, who call themselves The Mayfair 100, the phone number at the house they meet at. The team consists of a doctor, Caroline, a lawyer, Victoria, and two policemen, Arthur and Billy, and the newest member, Mabel, a pharmacist.
Beech meets with his team and once they have their assignments Victoria, Mabel and Sissy, Billy’s aunt, set off for Lady Adeline’s flat to begin their investigation. Victoria. They are quickly able to determine that she didn’t commit suicide. While searching her flat they found her journal and it appears that not only does she write a “gossip” column for a newspaper, but she has also been blackmailing fellow members of society. In the journal, they find a page with initials and what appears to be monetary amounts. Victoria can suggest some possible names of the people who are being blackmailed. But, some pages are missing from the journal and they hope that with what they have, they will be led to the killer. Their searches will take them as high as Parliament.
I really enjoy this series a lot. The stories are well written and plotted. I also liked how the author weaved in new methods of police investigation procedures. Also, the book contains a cast of interesting and enjoyable characters. I particularly enjoyed Aunt Sissy. Sissy was in the first book but has a bigger role in this book. She was instrumental in proving that Lady Adeline wasn’t hanged. I would love to see her added as a member of Beech’s team.
I will be watching for the next book in this wonderful historical series.
October 26, 2019
My primary concern starting this book was I haven't read book 1 of this series, so I'm not familiar with the characters. However, reading the book, I had no trouble following who's who. This starts with the apparent suicide of a duchess's daughter. The family is not convinced she killed herself, but also do not want a scandal. So enters the "secret" team of Mayfair 100. They are a group of women including a doctor, pharmacist, and lawyer helping with Chief Inspector Beech's investigations. Of course, this is during a time when the men are at war, so women are filling the traditionally male jobs. However, females still face major barriers and discrimination.
As the investigation into the suicide turns into investigations of murder and blackmail, we are given glimpses into the societal problems of that era. There's issues on race and social classes. We see how Britain had to cope with the consequences of WWI. It's wonderfully-written and I found drawn into the investigations.
My favourite TV shows include Murdoch Mysteries and Frankie Drake Mysteries. This book reminds me of those shows. The setting and the tone feel very similar. Looking forward to more books in this series.
**Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.**
As the investigation into the suicide turns into investigations of murder and blackmail, we are given glimpses into the societal problems of that era. There's issues on race and social classes. We see how Britain had to cope with the consequences of WWI. It's wonderfully-written and I found drawn into the investigations.
My favourite TV shows include Murdoch Mysteries and Frankie Drake Mysteries. This book reminds me of those shows. The setting and the tone feel very similar. Looking forward to more books in this series.
**Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.**
February 1, 2020
3.5 stars. This mystery, set in London during WWI, centers on the death of Adeline Treborne, a much-hated socket gossip columnist, who turns out to have been a blackmailer as well, leaving numerous possible suspects in her murder. The team of investigators, who we meet in book one, Murder in Belgravia, is a secret team that uses women to assist the male police officers, some of whom were wounded in the war. With amusing characters and a compelling mystery, this held my attention the whole way through. I still have the same complaint I had about the first book--that I just don't feel like I really know the characters very well, but that may be a consequence of having such a large ensemble cast--there are no fewer than nine people working on the case, five of whom are core members of the task force. With as many possible suspects as there were, all with juicy secrets they would like to keep hidden, this book was packed with action, and a very fast-paced read. Would recommend to all fans of historical mysteries who don't require a lot of deep character development.
*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2022
Scotland Yard, 2 July 1915. Lynn Brittney’s Death in Chelsea (Mayfair 100 Mystery #2) has Scotland Yard’s ‘special’ team investigating the supposed suicide of a ‘notorious’ gossip queen who just happens to be a member of the nobility, an ostracized member. Lady Adeline Treborne writes a vicious gossip column for a London paper, and she has made many enemies, but her mother, Duchess of Penhere, does not believe her daughter committed suicide. One quick call to Mayfair 100 alerts this ‘one-of-a-kind’ group of detectives, female detectives, that begin to discover just what this Lady gossip queen was doing, and it s shocking! Dr. Caroline Allardyce, Mabel Summersby, a pharmacist, and Victoria Ellingham, a lawyer have been chosen by Chief Inspector Peter Beech, a young man who had been wounded in Belgium fighting WWI. Add two very professional police officers - Billy Rigsby and Arthur Tollman as well as Billy’s mother and aunt whose specific skills definitely help the other professional women. The team is successful and as seen when Dr. Caroline, Billy, and Arthur go to Dartford in Kent show extreme compassion. Clever idea! 4.5 stars.
March 14, 2019
This book is the second outing for the Mayfair Group. Set in 1915, this is a compelling and well written historic mystery. If you haven’t read the first book in this series you will be somewhat lost in regards to the characters and their roles. But having said that, this story stands on its own and while you may not understand a lot about these characters you will still be held in the grip of a well plotted mystery. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for review.
August 15, 2019
Death in Chelsea took my attention from minute one. I recommend reading it because I loved the way it explains how women entered in a world of men with good results even though many didn’t recognize their contributions during the war. I didn’t expect the results of the investigation and that’s another reason to recommend this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of this book to read and review
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of this book to read and review
December 27, 2019
It was a bit of a disappointment, but not a bad book nonetheless. It left me a bit indifferent. I didn't click with the writing style and that was why it took me so long to finish.
The story was ok, an old classic mystery, but I had trouble differenciating the characters, they kind of blended all together in my mind.
Had I had a physical copy, it might've a been a bit better, but not much so. It was simply not for me...
The story was ok, an old classic mystery, but I had trouble differenciating the characters, they kind of blended all together in my mind.
Had I had a physical copy, it might've a been a bit better, but not much so. It was simply not for me...
January 3, 2020
A good mystery to try and solve and characters that are interesting and changing even only two books in.
February 15, 2020
This book is the second in a wonderful series. It is the period in Britain during WWI. Wounded men are returning home but even more men are not returning and never will. A great deal of work in London has been taken over by women. Women have been inserted into positions that previously would have been completely unacceptable.
Scotland Yard’s Inspector Beech (a wounded veteran) has been given the opportunity to have his own secret team of investigators and more than half of them are women. There is a lawyer, a doctor, a pharmacist and two women who have been in service and are thrilled to be a part of the team. There are also, two policemen. One is a formerly retired policeman who has been very successful and the other is a wounded veteran who is young, enthusiastic and physically very powerful. Each member of this team contributes their expertise and intelligence. This is a formidable group.
The Chief Superintendent has asked Beech and his team to take on their second case. The daughter of a late duke has been found hanging in her apartment. The apparent suicide does not seem to fit this young woman’s personality. Her mother does not believe she took her own life. The woman has been making her living by writing a newspaper gossip column, She writes ugly things which are designed to hurt the reputations and hearts of other people who are part of the upper class. She is a much disliked person. In fact one could say she is truly hated.
Would a person like that take her own life?
This mystery is like an onion. For each layer which is peeled back, another even darker layer appears. This story shows some of the darkest and most distressing sides of humanity. Unfortunately, everything shown is possible and in fact probable.
Just as the police team is made up of capable women who are devoted to doing the right thing, there are villains who are female and just as devoted to doing as they please with no thought of consequences.
Members of the team are able to see things and use techniques which illustrate what actually happened. They can find facts which tell a story. The biggest questions remain. Finding the people who actually did what and why.
Although this is the second in a series, there is not a problem in following the action and recognizing the characters. Previous events and relationships are fully explained.
The lead characters are created as quite human. Each member of the team not only provides skills, but they also contribute their life experiences and perspectives. The fact that the class system was so entrenched, it is an advantage to have people who see the world from varied backgrounds.
This is a character driven story. Not only the people who are on the side of right, but the truly evil characters illustrate motives. The motives may be disgusting, but they are the chosen motives of the villains.
Ms Brittney has created a book which has all the atmosphere and sense of place that one would want from the early 20th century. Life was not easy for most people and the conditions endured often created a strong and resilient population. It also created people who would do almost anything to get the advantage of their fellow man.
This book has humor, love of family, admirable actions by heroic people, adventure and finally the realization that there will be a price to pay for the evil that has been done.
I liked the first book in this series. I loved this book.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hope that I would write an honest review.
I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
Scotland Yard’s Inspector Beech (a wounded veteran) has been given the opportunity to have his own secret team of investigators and more than half of them are women. There is a lawyer, a doctor, a pharmacist and two women who have been in service and are thrilled to be a part of the team. There are also, two policemen. One is a formerly retired policeman who has been very successful and the other is a wounded veteran who is young, enthusiastic and physically very powerful. Each member of this team contributes their expertise and intelligence. This is a formidable group.
The Chief Superintendent has asked Beech and his team to take on their second case. The daughter of a late duke has been found hanging in her apartment. The apparent suicide does not seem to fit this young woman’s personality. Her mother does not believe she took her own life. The woman has been making her living by writing a newspaper gossip column, She writes ugly things which are designed to hurt the reputations and hearts of other people who are part of the upper class. She is a much disliked person. In fact one could say she is truly hated.
Would a person like that take her own life?
This mystery is like an onion. For each layer which is peeled back, another even darker layer appears. This story shows some of the darkest and most distressing sides of humanity. Unfortunately, everything shown is possible and in fact probable.
Just as the police team is made up of capable women who are devoted to doing the right thing, there are villains who are female and just as devoted to doing as they please with no thought of consequences.
Members of the team are able to see things and use techniques which illustrate what actually happened. They can find facts which tell a story. The biggest questions remain. Finding the people who actually did what and why.
Although this is the second in a series, there is not a problem in following the action and recognizing the characters. Previous events and relationships are fully explained.
The lead characters are created as quite human. Each member of the team not only provides skills, but they also contribute their life experiences and perspectives. The fact that the class system was so entrenched, it is an advantage to have people who see the world from varied backgrounds.
This is a character driven story. Not only the people who are on the side of right, but the truly evil characters illustrate motives. The motives may be disgusting, but they are the chosen motives of the villains.
Ms Brittney has created a book which has all the atmosphere and sense of place that one would want from the early 20th century. Life was not easy for most people and the conditions endured often created a strong and resilient population. It also created people who would do almost anything to get the advantage of their fellow man.
This book has humor, love of family, admirable actions by heroic people, adventure and finally the realization that there will be a price to pay for the evil that has been done.
I liked the first book in this series. I loved this book.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hope that I would write an honest review.
I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
February 28, 2020
The second case for the unique crime fighting crew based in Mayfair starts out with a mother's plea. She doesn't believe that her daughter committed suicide and asks a high ranking police officer to look into the case. He suggests that this would be a perfect case for the team.
The team includes three policemen, a female doctor, a female pharmacist, and a couple of society ladies. They also pull in one of the policemen's mother and aunt to fill some gaps in their knowledge base.
It quickly becomes apparent that the death was not a suicide but rather a murder and the victim's role as a hated gossip columnist who delights in exposing secrets of the people in the highest classes opens up quite a pool of potential murderers. Add in that she is supplementing her income by blackmail and the suspect pool expands even further.
The story has a great setting. With World War I raging and roles for women changing, it is a time of social readjustment. The characters are all well drawn and engaging people. I enjoyed getting to know them better in this episode and seeing how they solve a rather complex crime.
The team includes three policemen, a female doctor, a female pharmacist, and a couple of society ladies. They also pull in one of the policemen's mother and aunt to fill some gaps in their knowledge base.
It quickly becomes apparent that the death was not a suicide but rather a murder and the victim's role as a hated gossip columnist who delights in exposing secrets of the people in the highest classes opens up quite a pool of potential murderers. Add in that she is supplementing her income by blackmail and the suspect pool expands even further.
The story has a great setting. With World War I raging and roles for women changing, it is a time of social readjustment. The characters are all well drawn and engaging people. I enjoyed getting to know them better in this episode and seeing how they solve a rather complex crime.
June 15, 2019
Thank you to The Reading Agency and Mirror Books for providing copies of A Death in Chelsea for our reading group. We have enjoyed reading and discussing this book, here are some of our thoughts;
“I enjoyed the book it was an easy read which I like sometimes. It didn’t feel very realistic but that’s okay.”
“An easy read-just a tad short of a ripping yarn. I felt the characters were rather wooden and not filled out sufficiently however I did enjoy the historically interesting background.”
“Easy to read and lots of good ideas for example the suffragette story but lots of characters none of whom seemed very real, it could of done with more fleshed out characters.”
“I’ve read many mysteries over the years, including ones actually written in the early 1900s and throughout the 20s/30s (the so-called “Golden Age” of the genre) and this one is a really poor pastiche of the style and themes of those years. The characters are cardboard stereotypes. I seriously doubt whether women or men of that age actually thought or spoke as they’re being depicted doing. Perhaps it suffers too from a resemblance to so many detective type TV programmes. I also felt that it was aimed more at the American market- a bit of the Downton Abbeys, isn’t the British aristocracy interesting.?”
“Whilst I would not normally have chosen a mystery to read I saw the appeal of a gothic murder mystery set in London and hoped it would be a stylised page turner if not a particularly original read. Whilst it was a quick and easy read I could not say it hooked me with the plot and I really struggled with the amount of characters none of whom we got to know enough to care about or form a mental picture of. The most interesting aspect of this book was the social issues of the time it brushed upon for example attitudes towards divorce, anti-war sentiment, Suffragettes, baby farms, feminism and the class system. I thought the detail about Kitty and Joseph Bellamy was especially touching, Kitty may well have been the most interesting character in the book but was only a few pages of side story as a dangerous suffragette and wanted woman and wife to a war wounded soldier.”
“I enjoyed the book it was an easy read which I like sometimes. It didn’t feel very realistic but that’s okay.”
“An easy read-just a tad short of a ripping yarn. I felt the characters were rather wooden and not filled out sufficiently however I did enjoy the historically interesting background.”
“Easy to read and lots of good ideas for example the suffragette story but lots of characters none of whom seemed very real, it could of done with more fleshed out characters.”
“I’ve read many mysteries over the years, including ones actually written in the early 1900s and throughout the 20s/30s (the so-called “Golden Age” of the genre) and this one is a really poor pastiche of the style and themes of those years. The characters are cardboard stereotypes. I seriously doubt whether women or men of that age actually thought or spoke as they’re being depicted doing. Perhaps it suffers too from a resemblance to so many detective type TV programmes. I also felt that it was aimed more at the American market- a bit of the Downton Abbeys, isn’t the British aristocracy interesting.?”
“Whilst I would not normally have chosen a mystery to read I saw the appeal of a gothic murder mystery set in London and hoped it would be a stylised page turner if not a particularly original read. Whilst it was a quick and easy read I could not say it hooked me with the plot and I really struggled with the amount of characters none of whom we got to know enough to care about or form a mental picture of. The most interesting aspect of this book was the social issues of the time it brushed upon for example attitudes towards divorce, anti-war sentiment, Suffragettes, baby farms, feminism and the class system. I thought the detail about Kitty and Joseph Bellamy was especially touching, Kitty may well have been the most interesting character in the book but was only a few pages of side story as a dangerous suffragette and wanted woman and wife to a war wounded soldier.”
March 8, 2019
"A Death in Chelsea" is a mystery set in 1915 in London. It's the second book in a series. The author assumed that the reader already knew who the characters were, so it may initially be confusing if you haven't read the previous book. The previous mystery was not spoiled.
A group of intelligent, resourceful women and policemen worked to solve a crime that needed to be kept a secret. It was a very complex mystery because several people were involved in the crime and more crimes were discovered along the way. Each person on the team played an important part on the team and contributed useful information to solving the crime. The crime was so complex that there's no way to guess every nuance before the confession. However, it was a puzzle mystery full of clues, and it was fun to guess as much as I could.
I understand that these characters were very "modern" and had seen some bad things due to the war. However, I'm never comfortable with a detective who decides to be judge and jury – deciding another person's fate, even if they go along with it. The doctor carried out two "mercy killings." She didn't even bother to question them about what they knew regarding the mystery before doing so, either. It just seemed very unprofessional.
One character graphically described what a corpse would look like if the person died from hanging. There was a fair amount of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this mystery.
I received an e-book review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
A group of intelligent, resourceful women and policemen worked to solve a crime that needed to be kept a secret. It was a very complex mystery because several people were involved in the crime and more crimes were discovered along the way. Each person on the team played an important part on the team and contributed useful information to solving the crime. The crime was so complex that there's no way to guess every nuance before the confession. However, it was a puzzle mystery full of clues, and it was fun to guess as much as I could.
I understand that these characters were very "modern" and had seen some bad things due to the war. However, I'm never comfortable with a detective who decides to be judge and jury – deciding another person's fate, even if they go along with it. The doctor carried out two "mercy killings." She didn't even bother to question them about what they knew regarding the mystery before doing so, either. It just seemed very unprofessional.
One character graphically described what a corpse would look like if the person died from hanging. There was a fair amount of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this mystery.
I received an e-book review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
July 11, 2019
This book seems to be pretty much beloved by lots of people. I wasn’t one of them. 3 is probably a little generous but I can’t give 2.5. The story line was ok. Society girl turns gossip columnist is found dead from hanging and in swoops chief inspector Beech and his mainly female crew to investigate. Is it suicide or murder? The whole thing felt far too forced and just not developed enough. There was little characterisation with each character and no growth either. It felt very amateurish in its writing and ideals. It was way too preachy as well. Set in the first World War I felt like the author couldn’t decide weather to merely go with the attitude of the times or to make statements about it. Far to often the females would talk and make derogatory comments about the treatment of women as if contemporary thought and hindsight has been placed in their mouths, and often the men were made to look like buffoons. Strong female characters could make the point by definition, they do not need to remind me every few pages how capable they are. Also I was pretty disgusted with the scene when the doctor purposefully over administers morphine. Another statement this time about euthanasia and the right to die or a doctor forgetting the sacred oath? Harold Shipman would be proud! I maybe being a little harsh but having been currently reading Colin Dexter and Sherlock Holmes it is clear that there is so much quality reading out there that it’s sometimes hard to enjoy the stuff that’s just not up to scratch.
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