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A Mistress Jaffrey Mystery #3
Murder in a Cornish Alehouse
Mistress Rosamond Jaffrey is summoned to Cornwall and finds herself embroiled in an investigation involving smugglers, piracy – and rumours of treason.
June, 1584. On hearing news of the sudden death of her stepfather, Sir Walter Pendennis, Rosamond Jaffrey must leave London for Cornwall to look after the interests of her young half-brother and try to mend her strained relationship with their mother. However, on arriving in Cornwall, Rosamond makes the shocking discovery that Sir Walter was in fact murdered – and reluctantly she agrees to work with an agent of the queen’s spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, in order to unmask the killer.
Rosamond’s investigations will lead her into a dangerous maelstrom of smuggling, piracy – and rumours of treason.
June, 1584. On hearing news of the sudden death of her stepfather, Sir Walter Pendennis, Rosamond Jaffrey must leave London for Cornwall to look after the interests of her young half-brother and try to mend her strained relationship with their mother. However, on arriving in Cornwall, Rosamond makes the shocking discovery that Sir Walter was in fact murdered – and reluctantly she agrees to work with an agent of the queen’s spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, in order to unmask the killer.
Rosamond’s investigations will lead her into a dangerous maelstrom of smuggling, piracy – and rumours of treason.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2017
17 people are currently reading
550 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Lynn Emerson
98 books146 followersaka Kaitlyn Dunnett, Kate Emerson, Kaitlyn Gorton
Kathy Lynn Emerson began writing as a child: a newspaper for her dolls and then a rambling adventure series featuring characters from all her favorite television shows. In addition to contemporary, historical and time-travel romance (some written under the pen-name of Kaitlyn Gorton) and historical novels written as Kate Emerson, Kathy has written children's books, non-fiction, short stories, and historical mysteries. She won the Agatha award for mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries. She also writes as Kaitlyn Dunnett.
Kathy Lynn Emerson began writing as a child: a newspaper for her dolls and then a rambling adventure series featuring characters from all her favorite television shows. In addition to contemporary, historical and time-travel romance (some written under the pen-name of Kaitlyn Gorton) and historical novels written as Kate Emerson, Kathy has written children's books, non-fiction, short stories, and historical mysteries. She won the Agatha award for mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries. She also writes as Kaitlyn Dunnett.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 30, 2017
Murder and treason!
Mistress Rosamund Jaffrey is such a strong character, sometimes perhaps too strong. Husband Rob balances her nicely. It's June 1584 and Rosamunds stepfather Sir Walter Pendenni is dead, possibly murdered. His links to Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth's spymaster, and Rosamund's concern about the wardship of her half-brother send Rosamund back into Cornwall, to Priory House, to act as an agent for Walsingham and to act on her brother's behalf. Her mother is part of Rosamund's fears. The old hurts and conflict between the two are ever present and vitriolic. Alongside these worries is the more personal one. Rosamund is always wondering if Rob will sail off in search of adventure, leaving her behind. Cornish pirates, smugglers and treason are a tantalizing threat hovering on the periphery. All is a giant puzzle! 'What other secrets did Priory House hide?'
Investigations begin and bodies keep piling up
A NetGalley ARC
Mistress Rosamund Jaffrey is such a strong character, sometimes perhaps too strong. Husband Rob balances her nicely. It's June 1584 and Rosamunds stepfather Sir Walter Pendenni is dead, possibly murdered. His links to Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth's spymaster, and Rosamund's concern about the wardship of her half-brother send Rosamund back into Cornwall, to Priory House, to act as an agent for Walsingham and to act on her brother's behalf. Her mother is part of Rosamund's fears. The old hurts and conflict between the two are ever present and vitriolic. Alongside these worries is the more personal one. Rosamund is always wondering if Rob will sail off in search of adventure, leaving her behind. Cornish pirates, smugglers and treason are a tantalizing threat hovering on the periphery. All is a giant puzzle! 'What other secrets did Priory House hide?'
Investigations begin and bodies keep piling up
A NetGalley ARC
June 21, 2017
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for review.
I should start by saying that this is the third book in a series featuring Mistress Rosamond Jaffrey, but I had no difficulty reading this book without reading the first two books. Normally I'm a stickler about reading books in order, but let the record show that in this case it's not that necessary.
June 1584, Mistress Jaffrey learns of the death of her stepfather, Sir Walter Pendennis. When she returns to Cornwall to see about her half-brother and estranged mother, she determines that her stepfather's death was not accidental as everyone wants to believe, but was in fact caused by murder. Mistress Jaffrey, plucky as she is, works with the queen's secretary, Sir Francis Walsingham, to discover the truth behind her stepfather's death.
While Rosamond Jaffrey is a fictional character, Francis Walsingham was a real person, known as Queen Elizabeth I's "spymaster". If you know anything about Queen Elizabeth, you know there were a lot of plots against her, and Walsingham was the one who prevented them all from happening. He was an enduring figure in the queen's career, and it was interesting to see him take on a rather important role in this book. If you saw the 1998 movie starring Cate Blanchett as the Queen, Walsingham was the ever-fantastic Geoffrey Rush. See? Real person.
Mostly enjoyable, though I'm not one for cozy mysteries, and I think this series probably qualifies. However, I do appreciate a good thriller, especially a period piece, and this did not disappoint. I will probably check out Emerson's other books featuring Mistress Jaffrey. Girl's got spunk. The last time I read something along these lines, and that I'd consider reading more than one of, were Heron Carvic's Miss Seeton books that I enjoyed so much when I was in junior high/high school.
It took me a full month to read this, but don't let those numbers fool you. If I hadn't been so busy, I could easily have read it much more quickly.
Full review here.
I should start by saying that this is the third book in a series featuring Mistress Rosamond Jaffrey, but I had no difficulty reading this book without reading the first two books. Normally I'm a stickler about reading books in order, but let the record show that in this case it's not that necessary.
June 1584, Mistress Jaffrey learns of the death of her stepfather, Sir Walter Pendennis. When she returns to Cornwall to see about her half-brother and estranged mother, she determines that her stepfather's death was not accidental as everyone wants to believe, but was in fact caused by murder. Mistress Jaffrey, plucky as she is, works with the queen's secretary, Sir Francis Walsingham, to discover the truth behind her stepfather's death.
While Rosamond Jaffrey is a fictional character, Francis Walsingham was a real person, known as Queen Elizabeth I's "spymaster". If you know anything about Queen Elizabeth, you know there were a lot of plots against her, and Walsingham was the one who prevented them all from happening. He was an enduring figure in the queen's career, and it was interesting to see him take on a rather important role in this book. If you saw the 1998 movie starring Cate Blanchett as the Queen, Walsingham was the ever-fantastic Geoffrey Rush. See? Real person.
Mostly enjoyable, though I'm not one for cozy mysteries, and I think this series probably qualifies. However, I do appreciate a good thriller, especially a period piece, and this did not disappoint. I will probably check out Emerson's other books featuring Mistress Jaffrey. Girl's got spunk. The last time I read something along these lines, and that I'd consider reading more than one of, were Heron Carvic's Miss Seeton books that I enjoyed so much when I was in junior high/high school.
It took me a full month to read this, but don't let those numbers fool you. If I hadn't been so busy, I could easily have read it much more quickly.
Full review here.
February 11, 2017
First of all, isn't this a great cover? I want to live there.
Secondly, this book was fantastic. I love historical backdrops in novels and this one did everything right. The language was excellent, the dialogue was well-written and the descriptions of the clothing, hairstyles, character's looks and the setting itself were wonderfully done.
Immediately, I found myself intrigued by the main character and wanting to get to know more about her story, especially her strained relationship with her family. The author did a great job of keeping me guessing who was responsible for the mystery and there were moments in this book that made me laugh outright.
This book is a lot of fun and takes you in directions that you don't predict it will, making it great for taking your mind off of other things. I got lost in this story and read it all at once.
This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Secondly, this book was fantastic. I love historical backdrops in novels and this one did everything right. The language was excellent, the dialogue was well-written and the descriptions of the clothing, hairstyles, character's looks and the setting itself were wonderfully done.
Immediately, I found myself intrigued by the main character and wanting to get to know more about her story, especially her strained relationship with her family. The author did a great job of keeping me guessing who was responsible for the mystery and there were moments in this book that made me laugh outright.
This book is a lot of fun and takes you in directions that you don't predict it will, making it great for taking your mind off of other things. I got lost in this story and read it all at once.
This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
May 13, 2017
When Rosamond learns that her stepfather has been killed, she and her husband set out for Cornwall, where the accident occurred and where her estranged mother still lives. While her mother is unwelcoming, Rosamond quickly finds herself in the middle of a mystery, and wonders if her stepfather might have been murdered, and if so, why and by whom. In addition to trying to solve the mystery, Rosamond is also confronted with her husband's plans to become a merchant, and the possibility that he may spend at least some of his time in travels that would take him away from her. This book provides a fascinating view into the world of Elizabethan espionage and piracy far from the royal court. Strong characterization and interesting, believable situations make it difficult to put down. Highly recommended.
February 26, 2017
Rosamund Jaffrey has been notified that her step-father has died. She and her husband Rob will travel to Cornwall and try to work out who will be the guardian for her half brother. Rosamund knows that her mother is not a woman who will take care of and nurture the little boy.
When they arrive, her mother announces that Walter, Rosamund's step-father was murdered.
Rosamund and Rob will investigate to find if it was truly murder and if so, who did it. Walter was a Justice of The Peace who had been gathering information for the government. Was that the reason he was murdered?
The search for the truth takes them all over Cornwall. They become immersed in the investigation. All the while, they are trying to determine exactly what did Walter know?
Rosamund is a difficult woman to like. She is self centered, rude, angry, unkind and seldom considers anyone but herself. It appeared to me that she enjoys being rude to her husband and everyone with whom she comes in contact. She is also very smart, a good puzzle solver and quite able to defend herself and others. She has a quick wit and is able to hold her own in any situation. But, her mother can wound her with words.
Rob, her husband is a man of intelligence as well as action. He believes in adventure and has a strong desire to explore the world. This story takes place at the same time Sir Walter Raleigh was sending an expedition to the New World. Rob would love to be a part of such an expedition.
The secondary characters add a great deal to this story. Each person contributes to the layers of the story. Ms Emerson has created a terrific story which illustrates the history of a time in the distant past.
This is part of a series, but it works as a stand alone read. The characters and situations are explained fully and there is not a time when the reader would be unable to follow the action.
And there is a great deal of action. The plot moves forward quickly. The plot keeps the pages turning. As information is given, dead bodies begin to pile up. Things make no sense. There is no way one person could have done all the murders, or is there?
I enjoyed this book a great deal. Ms Emerson kept me involved in the story. She has created an atmosphere that feels as though it is from another era. This is a puzzle which will hold your interest until it is solved.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.
When they arrive, her mother announces that Walter, Rosamund's step-father was murdered.
Rosamund and Rob will investigate to find if it was truly murder and if so, who did it. Walter was a Justice of The Peace who had been gathering information for the government. Was that the reason he was murdered?
The search for the truth takes them all over Cornwall. They become immersed in the investigation. All the while, they are trying to determine exactly what did Walter know?
Rosamund is a difficult woman to like. She is self centered, rude, angry, unkind and seldom considers anyone but herself. It appeared to me that she enjoys being rude to her husband and everyone with whom she comes in contact. She is also very smart, a good puzzle solver and quite able to defend herself and others. She has a quick wit and is able to hold her own in any situation. But, her mother can wound her with words.
Rob, her husband is a man of intelligence as well as action. He believes in adventure and has a strong desire to explore the world. This story takes place at the same time Sir Walter Raleigh was sending an expedition to the New World. Rob would love to be a part of such an expedition.
The secondary characters add a great deal to this story. Each person contributes to the layers of the story. Ms Emerson has created a terrific story which illustrates the history of a time in the distant past.
This is part of a series, but it works as a stand alone read. The characters and situations are explained fully and there is not a time when the reader would be unable to follow the action.
And there is a great deal of action. The plot moves forward quickly. The plot keeps the pages turning. As information is given, dead bodies begin to pile up. Things make no sense. There is no way one person could have done all the murders, or is there?
I enjoyed this book a great deal. Ms Emerson kept me involved in the story. She has created an atmosphere that feels as though it is from another era. This is a puzzle which will hold your interest until it is solved.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.
March 20, 2017
1584, and when Rosamond Jaffrey learns that her step-father, Sir Walter Pendennis, has been discovered dead she travels to his home in Cornwall. When she determines that he has been murdered her investigations lead to piracy and treason.
This is the third in the series but I didn't feel that I needed to read the previous books. A well-written mystery, with some characters which are easy to like.
A NetGalley Book
This is the third in the series but I didn't feel that I needed to read the previous books. A well-written mystery, with some characters which are easy to like.
A NetGalley Book
July 31, 2017
I enjoyed this hearty historical mystery, set in deepest Cornwall. Our heroine is a respectable woman who has a merchant husband, and she is investigating family this time. Smugglers, pirates and other crooks abound in the long peninsula which uses its own language at this time.
Enjoy! Have an ale on me!
I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
Enjoy! Have an ale on me!
I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
November 10, 2023
Fun mystery!
Loved the short chapters, made reading feel faster. Also loved her and Rob working together again. Like most married couple, they had some arguments but they are so in love, its adorable 😍
But, we don't get too much romance. The book focuses on the murder of Rosamond's step-father. She wasn't particularly close to him but she still cared and wanted justice.
Her investigation gets harder and harder as more and more people seemed suspicious.
There was her erratic mother, his work with a spy master, there may have been pirates involved, or road bandits!
The book may have been borning with all the talking but it wasn't. There were pirate fights, attacks, multiple murders, piecing together information.....fun stuff 😄 haha
Enjoyed this one very much 😁
Loved the short chapters, made reading feel faster. Also loved her and Rob working together again. Like most married couple, they had some arguments but they are so in love, its adorable 😍
But, we don't get too much romance. The book focuses on the murder of Rosamond's step-father. She wasn't particularly close to him but she still cared and wanted justice.
Her investigation gets harder and harder as more and more people seemed suspicious.
There was her erratic mother, his work with a spy master, there may have been pirates involved, or road bandits!
The book may have been borning with all the talking but it wasn't. There were pirate fights, attacks, multiple murders, piecing together information.....fun stuff 😄 haha
Enjoyed this one very much 😁
November 12, 2022
Elizabethan murder mystery series, of which I won’t read more. I didn’t think the plot hung together well. The ending seemed rushed. And most importantly, I didn’t like the main character. She’s a bit of a shrew. “Exasperation made her voice sharp.” “She shoved him away from her, whirled around, and stalked to the window.” “She smacked him, hard, on the upper arm.” She “took her husband to task.” “She chided him.” She “summoned him with a preemptory gesture.” “She said through clenched teeth.” “In frustration she flung the pen across the room.” “Fists clenched at her sides…” You get the picture.
September 10, 2017
It's always fun to find a new series worth reading! Set in the late 1500s, we find a heroine who is as contemporary as possible. Opinionated, independent, forceful, and hardly dutiful, Rosamond Jeffrey is someone I would like to meet! The plot has enough twists to satisfy any mystery reader. There is even spy intrigue. I jumped in in the middle of this series, but I will certainly go back and start at the beginning.
March 21, 2024
This third in the series continues the good mystery deeply wrapped in history quality from earlier books. For whatever reason, the last two read a bit dry to me but I didn't get that feeling from this book. Perhaps I'm feeling more comfortable with the setting and characters or the writing is getting better. Although, the whole pirate thing, especially the escapes, seemed a bit unlikely but caught up in the story that didn't detract from my enjoyment.
January 5, 2018
To tell you the truth, this was the first historical novel I've ever read and it did not disappoint. The central character, Rosamond, is finely-drawn and the work is rich in period detail. This murder mystery moves along at a decent pace; I shall definitely read other works by this author. A very absorbing and enjoyable read!
November 18, 2021
I did not read the other books in the series but it was not hard to follow the story. I love historical novels and history is the strong point of this book. Characters, plot lines--all OK but I was waiting for the great "reveal". Instead, everything just kind of rolled on...until the end. Ultimately, just OK is the defining feel of the book.
November 14, 2017
Third in the series. Even when the proof pointed to one character, there just didn't seem to be enough information to prove that they were guilty. I kept wondering until near the end! There does seem to be the need for another book so I will have to check into that.
October 16, 2019
Very good but a bit slow
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but it seemed long in spots. And the intrigue was a little contrived. I enjoyed it more than that last sentence implies. Good for a gentle leisurely read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but it seemed long in spots. And the intrigue was a little contrived. I enjoyed it more than that last sentence implies. Good for a gentle leisurely read
August 20, 2019
Really enjoyed the historical details.
September 9, 2022
Not impressed with the ending.
It all got tied up too neat and tidy. Also, woman in the 1400s with a lot of money solves problems! Who would have thought?!
It all got tied up too neat and tidy. Also, woman in the 1400s with a lot of money solves problems! Who would have thought?!
January 6, 2023
Humdrum
February 18, 2017
Rosamund Jaffrey and her husband Rob have received word that Rosamund's step-father has passed away. They travel to see her mother and half-brother. Rosamund's mother believes that her husband was murdered, and asks Rosamund to find out who has committed the crime. When additional deaths occur, the mystery deepens. Can Rosamund and Rob solve these mysterious deaths?
Kathy Lynn Emerson has become one of my favorite authors. I absolutely love the characters she has developed and the twists and turns she includes in each of her novels. That being said, I was a little disappointed that the author didn't include a final scene with Rosamund and her mother. But, it is my hope that any developments that may occur there will be covered in the next novel. I anxiously await the next installment of the Mistress Jaffrey Mysteries.
Kathy Lynn Emerson has become one of my favorite authors. I absolutely love the characters she has developed and the twists and turns she includes in each of her novels. That being said, I was a little disappointed that the author didn't include a final scene with Rosamund and her mother. But, it is my hope that any developments that may occur there will be covered in the next novel. I anxiously await the next installment of the Mistress Jaffrey Mysteries.
February 10, 2017
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.
This is the third book in the Rosamond Jaffrey series. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this new series spun off from the Susanna Appleton mystery series but it is starting to grow on me. Rosamond has matured through these three books and it is reassuring for the success of this series.
In this third installment, Rosamond is forced to return to Cornwall to deal with the death of her stepfather and deal with the guardianship of her half-brother. Once there, her mother demands that Rosamond look into the murder of her stepfather. What follows is a lot of riding around the countryside from town to town trying to questions suspects and finding new murders. The only issue I had with this book was the constant description of the traveling they did. There seemed to be almost too much description about the countryside and not as much going on in the story.
This is the third book in the Rosamond Jaffrey series. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this new series spun off from the Susanna Appleton mystery series but it is starting to grow on me. Rosamond has matured through these three books and it is reassuring for the success of this series.
In this third installment, Rosamond is forced to return to Cornwall to deal with the death of her stepfather and deal with the guardianship of her half-brother. Once there, her mother demands that Rosamond look into the murder of her stepfather. What follows is a lot of riding around the countryside from town to town trying to questions suspects and finding new murders. The only issue I had with this book was the constant description of the traveling they did. There seemed to be almost too much description about the countryside and not as much going on in the story.
April 14, 2017
A fun historical fiction novel with a good mystery. This was my first book in this series, but I still enjoyed it as a stand alone.
May 1, 2017
At first I found the story a bit confusing, it seems as if this is the 3rd book in a series and there were a number of references to early books that I had trouble deciphering. Once the story got going, it did prove to be very interesting and entertaining. Rosamond is a strong female character and is definitely not the period norm. Looking forward to reading additional books by this author. I would love to see if I can find the book where Rosamond and Robert married. I would love to read how angry her mother was!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews