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Rose Beckingham #2
A Grave Welcome
Death and danger on the streets of London.... When Rose Beckingham disembarks the ship from Bombay, she expects England and her distant relations to welcome her home with open arms. Instead, she walks straight into the embrace of danger. After witnessing a murder on the docks, Rose is plunged into an investigation that will lead her from the luxury and glamour of high society to the noise and glare of London’s glitziest jazz clubs. With the French detective, Achilles Prideaux, trying to uncover Rose’s secrets, can she conceal her past, while tracking down a cold-blooded killer? Or will the murderer strike again, this time closer to home?
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 25, 2018
1661 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Blythe Baker
117 books388 followersBlythe Baker is a thirty-something bottle redhead from the South Central part of the country. When she’s not slinging words and creating new worlds and characters, she’s acting as chauffeur to her children and head groomer to her household of beloved pets.
Blythe enjoys long walks with her dog on sweaty days, grubbing in her flower garden, cooking, and ruthlessly de-cluttering her overcrowded home. She also likes binge-watching mystery shows on TV and burying herself in books about murder.
Blythe enjoys long walks with her dog on sweaty days, grubbing in her flower garden, cooking, and ruthlessly de-cluttering her overcrowded home. She also likes binge-watching mystery shows on TV and burying herself in books about murder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
February 18, 2020
To me, cozy mysteries rest on a strong contrast between the “normal” everyday and the disruption of murder. One allows cozies a lot of latitude in evoking of the mundane, but A Grave Welcome simply took things too far:
• More than half the book elapsed before the mystery started.
• When it did and the MC interviews potential suspects, every one of them seems too willing to blab on, even the murderer despite what turned out to be lies and half-truths.
• Despite too many references to the murder the MC solved in the previous book and despite a paragraph late in the book explaining why she is looking for Jimmy, for most of the way this did not feel like a standalone mystery. And I have not read book-one.
• The mystery itself was less than satisfying because, as she says herself, the MC “…made too many incorrect assumptions.” Not only incorrect but obviously and blatantly a leap of logic.
• Not to mention that the murderer’s motive seems weak. (Of course, one should not hold murderers to a high logic standard I guess.)
• And the MC is saved by a man, quite an anti-feminist resolution.
• Too many descriptions of what the MC was wearing that seemed cribbed directly from an era social column:
“The dress was sleeveless, knee-length, and loose around my waist. Small silver beads were stitched in a radial design, like a silver sun coming from the center of my chest, and the whole ensemble ended with long fringe that flowed to the middle of my calf. I’d matched the dress with a sequined headband and a pair of black t-strap heels.”
• And, if you’ll forgive a personal niggle, the author seems to confuse the subjunctive and indicative verb moods: “…if I was a man.”
I was looking for a light read but even with that low bar, this one failed.
• More than half the book elapsed before the mystery started.
• When it did and the MC interviews potential suspects, every one of them seems too willing to blab on, even the murderer despite what turned out to be lies and half-truths.
• Despite too many references to the murder the MC solved in the previous book and despite a paragraph late in the book explaining why she is looking for Jimmy, for most of the way this did not feel like a standalone mystery. And I have not read book-one.
• The mystery itself was less than satisfying because, as she says herself, the MC “…made too many incorrect assumptions.” Not only incorrect but obviously and blatantly a leap of logic.
• Not to mention that the murderer’s motive seems weak. (Of course, one should not hold murderers to a high logic standard I guess.)
• And the MC is saved by a man, quite an anti-feminist resolution.
• Too many descriptions of what the MC was wearing that seemed cribbed directly from an era social column:
“The dress was sleeveless, knee-length, and loose around my waist. Small silver beads were stitched in a radial design, like a silver sun coming from the center of my chest, and the whole ensemble ended with long fringe that flowed to the middle of my calf. I’d matched the dress with a sequined headband and a pair of black t-strap heels.”
• And, if you’ll forgive a personal niggle, the author seems to confuse the subjunctive and indicative verb moods: “…if I was a man.”
I was looking for a light read but even with that low bar, this one failed.
March 20, 2019
I really want to like this series, but there is just something off about it. There's this huge history/mystery behind Rose and yet we're only getting a tiny tidbit here and there and no real explanation or focus put onto it.
April 5, 2019
An Imposter for a Noble Cause
PG-13
No sex
No Strong language
Recurring and unpleasant memories of violence that most teens - adults should be able to stomach.
4 instead of 5 stars because so much of the plot of book #1 is revealed, including whodunit. Otherwise, a 5 star cozy.
Agatha Christie fans will get a smile over the name of the incidental character, Detective Achilles Prideaux. For the uninitiated, a recurring Christie main character is Hercule Poirot. Please pick one up and read it.
Plot no spoilers:
Rose arrives in London expecting to be met by family members. When no one is immediately there for her, she goes looking, turns down an alley, and witnesses an altercation between two men. Later one of them is found dead.
Although she knows she should stay out of it, it's not long before she's investigating on her own, obviously putting herself in danger.
Good plot twists. I suspected who the true villain was, but not right away.
Recommended.
PG-13
No sex
No Strong language
Recurring and unpleasant memories of violence that most teens - adults should be able to stomach.
4 instead of 5 stars because so much of the plot of book #1 is revealed, including whodunit. Otherwise, a 5 star cozy.
Agatha Christie fans will get a smile over the name of the incidental character, Detective Achilles Prideaux. For the uninitiated, a recurring Christie main character is Hercule Poirot. Please pick one up and read it.
Plot no spoilers:
Rose arrives in London expecting to be met by family members. When no one is immediately there for her, she goes looking, turns down an alley, and witnesses an altercation between two men. Later one of them is found dead.
Although she knows she should stay out of it, it's not long before she's investigating on her own, obviously putting herself in danger.
Good plot twists. I suspected who the true villain was, but not right away.
Recommended.
June 9, 2019
See my review of the first book in the series [ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ], because my issues with that book continue with this one; namely, lots of anachronisms and historical inaccuracies. I am still trying to figure out why a rich British official would use a down-on-his-luck solicitor to write his will; and even more important, why Rose's uncle has a title but not the inheritance, whereas her father—who I'm assuming is her uncle's older brother—lacks a title. And if the family is a titled one, then why isn't the estate entailed on her uncle? That is most often how it was done in Britain in the old days.
July 8, 2022
It was a good read.
I enjoyed the mystery and I think it was a nice twist.
The whole family situation is keeping me on edge and sort of ruining the book for me.
I enjoyed the mystery and I think it was a nice twist.
The whole family situation is keeping me on edge and sort of ruining the book for me.
February 9, 2019
I really didn’t like this book as much as the previous one, I was looking forward to Rose becoming an independent woman, but she quickly found out her inheritance was subject to her getting married so she was still tied to her relations.
As for the mystery, this wasn’t particularly interesting and I found many of Rose’s actions just didn’t make sense.
As for the mystery, this wasn’t particularly interesting and I found many of Rose’s actions just didn’t make sense.
December 31, 2019
better but sudden
twice now rose has been lucky. sure, she did get some aspects of the mystery correct, but, in the end, she was just lucky. will she be another superhero? at least she doesn’t buy all the solutions.
twice now rose has been lucky. sure, she did get some aspects of the mystery correct, but, in the end, she was just lucky. will she be another superhero? at least she doesn’t buy all the solutions.
February 17, 2020
Not exactly mind blowing, but a pleasant diversion, when your book queue is full of books of a much more serious nature. It was a nice little palate cleanser, and takes place in an era which I enjoy reading about.
November 21, 2021
I wanted a few relaxing books, so I picked up some books in this series. They were there at the thrift store, sitting on the shelf, 4 little volumes just waiting for me. They are toward the front of the series, so I could slid into the story easily.
Rose Beckingham is freshly landed in England, London to be exact. She used to live in India, but unrest there killed her parents. She has family and an inheritance in England, so homeward she goes. Only this isn't Rose. It's her companion, Nellie Dennet. She has her own plans for the inheritance, money she needs to find her true family.
Nellie, or Rose as she must think of herself now, has a knack for finding murders and their authors. It seems she can't walk down the street without coming upon a dead body, or a soon to be dead person. This time it is a bartender at a jazz club. Her chauffeur is a person of interest. She also seems to stumble on the killer, after chasing other people. All's well that ends well.
Like I said, these are like peanuts. You can read a bunch of them, one right after the other, and not get filled up. Sometimes that is just what you want. At least, I do.
Rose Beckingham is freshly landed in England, London to be exact. She used to live in India, but unrest there killed her parents. She has family and an inheritance in England, so homeward she goes. Only this isn't Rose. It's her companion, Nellie Dennet. She has her own plans for the inheritance, money she needs to find her true family.
Nellie, or Rose as she must think of herself now, has a knack for finding murders and their authors. It seems she can't walk down the street without coming upon a dead body, or a soon to be dead person. This time it is a bartender at a jazz club. Her chauffeur is a person of interest. She also seems to stumble on the killer, after chasing other people. All's well that ends well.
Like I said, these are like peanuts. You can read a bunch of them, one right after the other, and not get filled up. Sometimes that is just what you want. At least, I do.
March 17, 2020
Ok if you liked a good Nancy Drew or Baby Sitter’s Club Mystery book back in the day, you will be able to find a nice chuckle with this one.
If you want a serious mystery look elsewhere, because this is completely a bubblegum mystery.
Perfect for being stuck inside for our lovely weeks of shelter in place when you just want a bit of fun fluff to amuse yourself with.
However, this book is not a stand alone and I wish I had known that before I started. It is very much a part of a series and this book definitely ruins the mystery of the previous book so extremely that there is no way to be able to go back and read the previous book. So if the rest move forward this way you must read in order. Also, for a short book there was a huge amount of recap of the previous book. If I had just read the first book, that would have probably been monotonous.
So if cheese is you thing, dig in. If not, you were warned.
If you want a serious mystery look elsewhere, because this is completely a bubblegum mystery.
Perfect for being stuck inside for our lovely weeks of shelter in place when you just want a bit of fun fluff to amuse yourself with.
However, this book is not a stand alone and I wish I had known that before I started. It is very much a part of a series and this book definitely ruins the mystery of the previous book so extremely that there is no way to be able to go back and read the previous book. So if the rest move forward this way you must read in order. Also, for a short book there was a huge amount of recap of the previous book. If I had just read the first book, that would have probably been monotonous.
So if cheese is you thing, dig in. If not, you were warned.
January 17, 2021
Nellie Dennet arrives in London to complete the takeover of the young woman Rose Beckingham, whom Nellie was a servant to before Rose and her parents were killed by assassination in India.
But she is not impersonating Rose simply to make her life easier. She made a promise to someone, and she’s determined to see it out.
Upon arrival in London Nellie walks around looking for the couple that chaperoned her from India. While down an alley she overhears a violent argument, and in her haste loses a locket.
When she reports the argument to the police, they go to search the alley and find one of the men has been shot.
Rose sets out to solve her second murder as she suspects one of Rose family servants to be the guilty party.
This was another fun story with developed characters, some humor, and several suspects to work through.
But she is not impersonating Rose simply to make her life easier. She made a promise to someone, and she’s determined to see it out.
Upon arrival in London Nellie walks around looking for the couple that chaperoned her from India. While down an alley she overhears a violent argument, and in her haste loses a locket.
When she reports the argument to the police, they go to search the alley and find one of the men has been shot.
Rose sets out to solve her second murder as she suspects one of Rose family servants to be the guilty party.
This was another fun story with developed characters, some humor, and several suspects to work through.
January 1, 2019
This book picks up where the first book ended. The mystery was solved in both books. No cliffhanger. Ruby no sooner gets off the ship when she witnesses two men arguing. In her hurry to get away she loses her locket. One of the men gets killed.
Ruby is living in London with the Beckinghams. Cousin Edward doesn't trust Ruby. He is always watching her. She keeps thinking about the murder and realizes one of the men looked like the Beckingham's chauffeur. She decides she must look into it. Come along with Rose as she rides this roller coaster. Twists and turns will hold your interest. I'm looking forward to book 3.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
Ruby is living in London with the Beckinghams. Cousin Edward doesn't trust Ruby. He is always watching her. She keeps thinking about the murder and realizes one of the men looked like the Beckingham's chauffeur. She decides she must look into it. Come along with Rose as she rides this roller coaster. Twists and turns will hold your interest. I'm looking forward to book 3.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
May 8, 2020
A grave welcome indeed
Rose has arrived in London and is ready to claim her inheritance.
Upon disembarking the ship that brought her to London, she takes a stroll while looking for her travel companions, and overhears an argument in a nearby alley.
Shortly after arriving at the Beck Ingham residence, however, she learns that the argument she witnessed has become a murder invetigation. Rose, once again, is unable to abstain from investigating - all while trying to adjust to her life in England. Will she be able to keep her secrets? Will she learn the secrets of others?
A welcome and descriptive story that begs to be continued
Rose has arrived in London and is ready to claim her inheritance.
Upon disembarking the ship that brought her to London, she takes a stroll while looking for her travel companions, and overhears an argument in a nearby alley.
Shortly after arriving at the Beck Ingham residence, however, she learns that the argument she witnessed has become a murder invetigation. Rose, once again, is unable to abstain from investigating - all while trying to adjust to her life in England. Will she be able to keep her secrets? Will she learn the secrets of others?
A welcome and descriptive story that begs to be continued
August 18, 2020
Idiotic
This series is fairly well written, but the plots are extremely thin and fantastical. The main character Rose has flimsy, nearly non existing reasons for getting involved in a murder. She makes assumptions and jumps to conclusions based only on her imagination and considers them as facts. Her actions are idiotic.
For example, “And if Edward wasn’t the shooter, perhaps the real villain would try again and, if they once again missed their mark, I would get a good look at them.” Also Roses inner voice, in which the novel is written, repeats itself over and over and over again. That being said the characters are interesting.
This series is fairly well written, but the plots are extremely thin and fantastical. The main character Rose has flimsy, nearly non existing reasons for getting involved in a murder. She makes assumptions and jumps to conclusions based only on her imagination and considers them as facts. Her actions are idiotic.
For example, “And if Edward wasn’t the shooter, perhaps the real villain would try again and, if they once again missed their mark, I would get a good look at them.” Also Roses inner voice, in which the novel is written, repeats itself over and over and over again. That being said the characters are interesting.
May 1, 2020
This could be a great series
I gave this a 3 Star rating because this and the previous book could be really good if not for the ANNOYING, REPEATED descriptions of facial expressions ie “He pursed his lips, “She pursed her lips,” “He twisted his mouth sideways” “She bit her lip” all throughout each chapter in both books. The Author isn’t very knowledgeable about England or the 1920’s either. I imagine she just doesn’t any goo editing or proof readers. Also not remembering time frames within chapters about previous events is poor. Not sure I will read the next book.
I gave this a 3 Star rating because this and the previous book could be really good if not for the ANNOYING, REPEATED descriptions of facial expressions ie “He pursed his lips, “She pursed her lips,” “He twisted his mouth sideways” “She bit her lip” all throughout each chapter in both books. The Author isn’t very knowledgeable about England or the 1920’s either. I imagine she just doesn’t any goo editing or proof readers. Also not remembering time frames within chapters about previous events is poor. Not sure I will read the next book.
April 13, 2021
Although I wasn't sure I wanted to read another Rose Beckingham book, I read the second in the series and liked it a bit more than I had the first. Rose leaves the ship in London, not sure where to go when she finds herself in an alleyway overhearing two fellows fighting. In an attempt to leave the scene, she loses her locket. She later learns that one of the fighters was killed, and she begins investigating, hoping to find her missing locket. She also must assimilate into the home of her uncle, aunt, and cousins, hoping she'll not make mistakes. A twisty tale of deception on many sides.
November 3, 2024
A Grave Welcome A Rose Buckingham Murder Mystery Book 2
Rose arrives in London to get her inheritance. Arriving, she encounters two men arguing and loses her locket. More information comes about her backstory, as she investigated the death of one of the men she caught arguing. The reader is given action and understanding of the characters that are part of Rose's tale. A great book that keeps the reader hanging on to find out if Rose will accomplish solving her own life mystery.
Rose arrives in London to get her inheritance. Arriving, she encounters two men arguing and loses her locket. More information comes about her backstory, as she investigated the death of one of the men she caught arguing. The reader is given action and understanding of the characters that are part of Rose's tale. A great book that keeps the reader hanging on to find out if Rose will accomplish solving her own life mystery.
February 25, 2020
The second in the series continues a story of assumed identity. So far, the first and second books do not really have an ending and continue into the next book. Rose has moved from India to England, but there are hints that all is not what it seems-and not only with Rose. I enjoy cozy mysteries, but wished I had known how one book flows into the next. There certainly are characters that are developing and what the result will be is unknown at this time.
February 29, 2020
I was happy to join in Rose Beckingham's world again. I like cozy historical mysteries, and this one has several plot lines extending over the series. The one issue I had was there was an incredible leap of logic for her fingering her first suspect. I couldn't buy that out of all of London, she would suspect him for the slight reasons she had. Still a very good book, and I'll read the next one in the series.
March 1, 2020
Lucky guess. Not really an elaborate detective work.
Spoiler***
Am I the only one who is diturbed by the fact that the protagonist finds her identity (and inheritance) theft completely acceptable? "What had I ever done to make him doubt me?" is the question she asks herself after the detective rejects her request in fear of being involved in a potential criminal activity. Well. I think that I am done with Rose.
Spoiler***
Am I the only one who is diturbed by the fact that the protagonist finds her identity (and inheritance) theft completely acceptable? "What had I ever done to make him doubt me?" is the question she asks herself after the detective rejects her request in fear of being involved in a potential criminal activity. Well. I think that I am done with Rose.
June 23, 2021
Holding Pattern
The second installment served to merely give the reader more background information on Rose. Trouble was that none of it was surprising. Same for the murder, easy to figure out who did it. Her Buckingham family proved interesting especially Edward and Caroline who seem to detest her. (Money of course.) I want to see more of Aseem and Prideaux.Hopefully in the next book.
The second installment served to merely give the reader more background information on Rose. Trouble was that none of it was surprising. Same for the murder, easy to figure out who did it. Her Buckingham family proved interesting especially Edward and Caroline who seem to detest her. (Money of course.) I want to see more of Aseem and Prideaux.Hopefully in the next book.
March 19, 2023
Rose Beckingham Comes Home!
Taking over the life of Her dead employer after a terrible assassination in India, the new Rose has to work very hard to keep her cover. Nothing goes her way exactly and every day brings new problems. "Rose" has reasons for her impersonation but feels guilty. Keep reading to see how she gets along. Will she be able to carry through to the end with her impersonation?
Taking over the life of Her dead employer after a terrible assassination in India, the new Rose has to work very hard to keep her cover. Nothing goes her way exactly and every day brings new problems. "Rose" has reasons for her impersonation but feels guilty. Keep reading to see how she gets along. Will she be able to carry through to the end with her impersonation?
January 5, 2019
Loving this new series. I want more! NOW!!! So different from author's other books.
I love the feeling that I am really there and love the era that it occurs in. You get another piece of "Rose's" own personal mystery.
Another mystery that takes me till the end to figure out who did it. I read in one day.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.
I love the feeling that I am really there and love the era that it occurs in. You get another piece of "Rose's" own personal mystery.
Another mystery that takes me till the end to figure out who did it. I read in one day.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.
February 17, 2019
A good sequel and interesting story in it's own right
If you love decetive stories featuring sharp minded amateur sleuths who have a side story of their own that unravels over the series,then you will definitely love this book and perhaps come back for more helpings,by which I mean the next book. So, just dig in.
If you love decetive stories featuring sharp minded amateur sleuths who have a side story of their own that unravels over the series,then you will definitely love this book and perhaps come back for more helpings,by which I mean the next book. So, just dig in.
April 1, 2019
Rose is settling in to her new persona, but immediately on leaving the boat discovers another strange death. She struggles to leave it alone but when she suspects her relatives staff is involved she feels she owes it to them to figure out if they are in danger. She tries to settle in with the Buckinghams but it is not as easy as she hoped.
July 14, 2019
Rose Beckingham has arrived in London at last from India. While looking for her uncle she sees two men fighting. Later learns one has been killed. The chauffeur seems to be the one fighting with the now dead man. Rose wants to help George show he is innocent so she gets involved. She has to keep her family happy and still do what she intends. Maybe living with them is not the best idea.
August 8, 2019
I like the added twist of the Rose's true identity. The plot of the main mystery was also fairly well done. Even though I have a pet peeve about the heroine always sneaking into someone's room or house to look around. Research on the time period was well done, which is always a plus. Will definitely continue with the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2020
Good mystery!
This book was based on a different premise in that the central character impersonated a deceased woman in order to use her inheritance to solve a mystery. She encounters more mysteries during her impersonation. The book is filled with intrigue and action packed. I highly recommend it to other mystery readers.
This book was based on a different premise in that the central character impersonated a deceased woman in order to use her inheritance to solve a mystery. She encounters more mysteries during her impersonation. The book is filled with intrigue and action packed. I highly recommend it to other mystery readers.
March 25, 2020
A Rose Beckingham Murder Mystery, Bk 2, EBk-M, Kindle, @ 2018, read 3/25/20. Fiction, Cozy Mystery, India, England, Amateur Detective. A servant, posing as her dead wealthy mistress to inherit the fortune, arrives in London, and is thrown into another clumsy attempt at solving a murder. 2 ☆'s = Okay. I did have numerous issues with this story, not the least of which her naivety.
May 28, 2020
Intriguing
The story was slow to begin but grew in anticipation. Miss Rose could become a new Agatha Christy character. All the intrigue and mystery are present. A delightful tale with no harsh situations, no violence, no foul language and no sexual content. The Miss Rose is a delightful character. Altogether interesting
The story was slow to begin but grew in anticipation. Miss Rose could become a new Agatha Christy character. All the intrigue and mystery are present. A delightful tale with no harsh situations, no violence, no foul language and no sexual content. The Miss Rose is a delightful character. Altogether interesting
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews