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Lord Danvers Investigates #2
Grave Matters
Honeymooning in Scotland, Lord and Lady Danvers confront an insidious murderer
Antonia discovers a body at the opening of the Great Exhibition, in the presence of Queen Victoria, no less. The newly married Lord and Lady Danvers put all such unpleasantness behind them, though, as they sail off in his aerostat for a secluded honeymoon in Scotland. Until the shades of grave robbers a generation earlier come back to haunt them.
Antonia discovers a body at the opening of the Great Exhibition, in the presence of Queen Victoria, no less. The newly married Lord and Lady Danvers put all such unpleasantness behind them, though, as they sail off in his aerostat for a secluded honeymoon in Scotland. Until the shades of grave robbers a generation earlier come back to haunt them.
270 pages, Paperback
Published June 28, 2017
21 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Donna Fletcher Crow
67 books125 followersDonna Fletcher Crow loves to give books away. If you would like a copy of one of her best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates series, go to her website: http://www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.
Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.
Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 20, 2018
An eventful honeymoon!
Lord Danvers and Lady Antonia lead us on an adventurous ride on their honeymoon. There’s much talk of murder, grave robbing and the studying of cadavers. Who knew that this is what a honeymoon should involve? The book reached a satisfactory ending as I hope their honeymoon did as well.
Lord Danvers and Lady Antonia lead us on an adventurous ride on their honeymoon. There’s much talk of murder, grave robbing and the studying of cadavers. Who knew that this is what a honeymoon should involve? The book reached a satisfactory ending as I hope their honeymoon did as well.
April 9, 2013
Lord Danvers and the beautifully resourceful Tonia are off to Scotland on honeymoon, but the story starts with a dead body in a most unexpected place just a few days before. Beautifully evocative and well-researched descriptions bring the Crystal Palace World Fair to life just as vividly as Scottish lochs and the streets of Edinburgh. Meanwhile tales of the infamous Burke and Hare derail conversation and distract Tonia’s thoughts from beauty to horror, but what worries her more is her new husband’s sudden silence, so soon after the wedding.
Threads of mysteries weave together—the beautiful tartan, the mysterious parcel, the dead body (of course), medical school shenanigans, half-recognized strangers, and Lord Danvers’ quiet dismay. But they all come together in the end. Sins of the fathers might threaten the sons, or honesty of sons just might save the fathers. But Lord Danvers and his beautiful young wife seem set to stay together, pray together and get out of plenty more scrapes together by the story’s end. These mysteries are a fun series, nicely based on tales of genuine crimes and real history, well-balanced between the murk of squalor and the honesty of wonder of luxury, and pleasingly true to a low-key thoughtful sense of faith.
Disclosure: I was lucky enough to find a second-hand copy and bought it quick, since I already know I enjoy this author and this series.
Threads of mysteries weave together—the beautiful tartan, the mysterious parcel, the dead body (of course), medical school shenanigans, half-recognized strangers, and Lord Danvers’ quiet dismay. But they all come together in the end. Sins of the fathers might threaten the sons, or honesty of sons just might save the fathers. But Lord Danvers and his beautiful young wife seem set to stay together, pray together and get out of plenty more scrapes together by the story’s end. These mysteries are a fun series, nicely based on tales of genuine crimes and real history, well-balanced between the murk of squalor and the honesty of wonder of luxury, and pleasingly true to a low-key thoughtful sense of faith.
Disclosure: I was lucky enough to find a second-hand copy and bought it quick, since I already know I enjoy this author and this series.
September 23, 2018
Excellent and complex mystery. Several different sub-plots which keep the reader guessing, plus adding historical information of Scotland and grave digging (aka resurrectionists) and the relation to scientific/medical education.
You don't need to read the books in order to enjoy them, though there are a few non-spoiling references to the first story in this one. If you're reading the books in order, one thing that is noticeable is part one was told entirely from Lord Danvers' point of view, while this story is completely done from Lady Antonia's. This does have a slight effect to the style and voice of the story. But I'm a fan of Donna Fletcher Crowe's mystery series, and that did not effect my enjoyment as much (though, being male, I identify more with Lord Danvers than Lady Antonia). Both characters and several of the secondary characters are well developed (especially regular characters of the Dowager Duchess and Danvers' valet Hardy).
As mentioned, there are several different subplots going on. I was surprised when I discovered who the killer was. I'll admit - with Crow's mysteries, while I don't have the plot figured out, I usually have an accurate hunch when introduced to the villain, and this was an exception.
There is a faith element in this book (as there is in Crowe's stories), but it doesn't at all come across as preachy.
If you enjoy British history (in this case, Scotland is where most of the action occurs), or if you enjoy cozy mysteries, or even if you're more of a historical romance person than I am, I suspect you will thoroughly enjoy this story and this series.
You don't need to read the books in order to enjoy them, though there are a few non-spoiling references to the first story in this one. If you're reading the books in order, one thing that is noticeable is part one was told entirely from Lord Danvers' point of view, while this story is completely done from Lady Antonia's. This does have a slight effect to the style and voice of the story. But I'm a fan of Donna Fletcher Crowe's mystery series, and that did not effect my enjoyment as much (though, being male, I identify more with Lord Danvers than Lady Antonia). Both characters and several of the secondary characters are well developed (especially regular characters of the Dowager Duchess and Danvers' valet Hardy).
As mentioned, there are several different subplots going on. I was surprised when I discovered who the killer was. I'll admit - with Crow's mysteries, while I don't have the plot figured out, I usually have an accurate hunch when introduced to the villain, and this was an exception.
There is a faith element in this book (as there is in Crowe's stories), but it doesn't at all come across as preachy.
If you enjoy British history (in this case, Scotland is where most of the action occurs), or if you enjoy cozy mysteries, or even if you're more of a historical romance person than I am, I suspect you will thoroughly enjoy this story and this series.
October 30, 2018
Light and fun if you can say that about a story of 19th c resurrectionists. Donna Crow is always so wonderful in her research, and she knows how to weave period details and historical information seamlessly into an exciting story. I think I especially enjoyed this having recently watched the PBS series Victoria, which gives so much personality to the queen and Prince Albert. There are several mysteries and conflicts going on here, but all tied into the theme of the sins of the fathers being visited on the children, i.e. the impact of an ancestor’s bad choices. Some of the action is a bit over-the-top for a woman in Victorian dress, but then, that’s part of the fun.
July 29, 2017
A very light read although the thought process of Antonia makes the reader a little disoriented at times. If the author is going to introduce a nickname for a character best to explain to the reader, but all in all a pleasant light read.
October 29, 2017
the second in a series of historical mystery stories. I enjoyed it very much. although I did not enjoy the history this time of grave robbers and dissection. I liked the characters but they tended to get a little bit soap opera like.
August 7, 2019
2.5 stars for me
More running around mad chase than mystery. MC also kept concealing and overlooking details. So it didn't really work for me. Numerous matters easily resolved by communication.
More running around mad chase than mystery. MC also kept concealing and overlooking details. So it didn't really work for me. Numerous matters easily resolved by communication.
August 20, 2020
Very Good!
Excellent historical! Our newly married couple head to Scotland for their honeymoon—- murder, secrets, long buried family matters, and lots of people involved in this adventure! Lots of racing around Scotland in pursuit of clues and rogues occur.
Excellent historical! Our newly married couple head to Scotland for their honeymoon—- murder, secrets, long buried family matters, and lots of people involved in this adventure! Lots of racing around Scotland in pursuit of clues and rogues occur.
January 22, 2018
Too much for me about grave robbing in detail. Didn’t enjoy.
September 14, 2020
Exciting, but somewhat rambling mystery that doesn't quite tie together.
February 23, 2024
Excellent work
This is a very interesting and informative story of a history of Edinburgh as well as a fantastic mystery filled with suspense and intrigue.
This is a very interesting and informative story of a history of Edinburgh as well as a fantastic mystery filled with suspense and intrigue.
August 18, 2018
Rollicking Good Victorian Mystery
If you like Victorian England and have an own imagination you will like book. The fast pace of the book and the many locales visited make for a fun read. Who done it?
If you like Victorian England and have an own imagination you will like book. The fast pace of the book and the many locales visited make for a fun read. Who done it?
May 31, 2018
I've enjoyed this series, but this is my least favorite of the ones I've read so far, mostly because of the subject matter. The book is well-written and characters well drawn, but I didn't really enjoy reading about grave robbers.
August 26, 2019
At the Great Exhibition Lady Antonia discovers a body. But this is soon forgotten as her marriage to Lord Danvers approaches and they set off on their honeymoon in Scotland. With digging into past personal histories, the body also comes back to haunt them.
Too much non-inportant description to make it interesting.
Too much non-inportant description to make it interesting.
March 13, 2012
Dull. I decided not to read the two sequels either.
September 25, 2016
Entertaining.
August 10, 2012
Another good English murder mystery.
Want to read
July 23, 2017Amazon - 17/07/2017
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews