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Kathryn Ardleigh #1
Death at Bishop's Keep
Kate Ardleigh is not a Victorian lady - outspoken, egalitarian, American, and a writer of penny-dreadfuls. Aunt Sabrina invites her to Essex England, for help with the Order of the New Dawn. Aunt Jagger beats the servants to suicide, and someone feeds her Death mushrooms. Next door, Sir Charles photographs a fresh body in an archaeological dig, and seeks his killer.
296 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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4383 people want to read
About the author
Robin Paige
42 books186 followersRobin Paige is the pen-name of husband and wife team Bill and Susan Wittig Albert.
The Robin Paige Victorian/Edwardian mystery series was written by Bill and Susan Albert from 1994-2006. There are a dozen books in the series (now completed), beginning in the mid 1890s and continuing through 1903.
The series, beginning with Death at Bishop's Keep, features two amateur sleuths: Kate Ardleigh Sheridan and Sir Charles Sheridan, later Lord Sheridan , Baron of Somersworth. Kate is an Irish-American woman who writes under the pseudonym of Beryl Bardwell.
She comes to England and inherits a small fortune and the estate of Bishops Keep, located in East Anglia, near the village of Dedham, Essex. Sir Charles is a landed peer and amateur scientist with a special interest in new forensic techniques, such as fingerprinting, ballistics, toxicology, and photography.
In each of the 12 books in the series, Kate and Charles meet notable figures of their time as they set about solving the relevant mystery.
The Robin Paige Victorian/Edwardian mystery series was written by Bill and Susan Albert from 1994-2006. There are a dozen books in the series (now completed), beginning in the mid 1890s and continuing through 1903.
The series, beginning with Death at Bishop's Keep, features two amateur sleuths: Kate Ardleigh Sheridan and Sir Charles Sheridan, later Lord Sheridan , Baron of Somersworth. Kate is an Irish-American woman who writes under the pseudonym of Beryl Bardwell.
She comes to England and inherits a small fortune and the estate of Bishops Keep, located in East Anglia, near the village of Dedham, Essex. Sir Charles is a landed peer and amateur scientist with a special interest in new forensic techniques, such as fingerprinting, ballistics, toxicology, and photography.
In each of the 12 books in the series, Kate and Charles meet notable figures of their time as they set about solving the relevant mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 371 reviews
February 8, 2012
To me these are more than a cozy mystery. The husband and wife team that write under the pseudonym of Robin Paige put a great deal of research into each of these. Each centers on a different historical person or event and they do not scrimp on these details. That is what them so endearing and comfortable.
You may ask why only a three stars rating? I wanted to leave room for the others in the series. Also in this first entry they had to set up the backgrounds of the two main characters. Although necessary, that did slow things down at times.
You may ask why only a three stars rating? I wanted to leave room for the others in the series. Also in this first entry they had to set up the backgrounds of the two main characters. Although necessary, that did slow things down at times.
January 11, 2017
This was fun. I debated a bit between three and four stars, but in the end I rounded up.
For two reasons, I was sold on the characters, and this is how I like my convention flouting.
Seriously, it's kind of great. Our heroine has more modern attitudes, but for reasons that make complete sense given her background, upbringing and personality. She's American, and only goes to England because a long lost aunt offers her a post as a secretary there. She wasn't born into the upper classes and has always had to support herself. She also doesn't have the unbelievably irritating trait so often associated with convention-flouting of hating every single convention in her society. She seems to have been invited to a ball at the end of this one, and has happily agreed to dance at it. Basically, she's inquisitive, puts herself forward, is interested in a variety of subjects, wears sensible clothes, and believes that her opinion shouldn't just be disregarded because she's a woman. Also she likes adventures. The balance works is all I'm saying.
Also, I really like the dynamic between her and the love interest, Sir Charles, who sort of gets sucked into a murder investigation because he needs things to occupy his mind. (Our heroine gets sucked in because she's hoping for material for plots for the penny dreadfuls she writes.) And I like their two friends from next door's manor.
I also really like (most of) the supporting cast. Stand-outs are one of her two aunts, the household staff, and the vicar.
Oh, also, there's a fair bit of literary meta. There's a chapter that is essentially "Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle and W.B. Yeats walk into a spiritualist meeting...," which sounds like the first line of a joke, but maybe also sort of works?
On the other hand, it's not perfect. The start is problematic, and slow. I actually started this a while ago, but got about eight pages in. In fact, if I hadn't picked it up again yesterday, it probably would have gone back to the library unfinished. This takes a bit to get going, is all I'm saying.
Secondly, one aunt is absolutely terrible. She's the kind of character I hate because she's so very terrible, but to no purpose. Like I get that your life didn't got he way you wanted it to, but you could have a comfortable home, if you were just the slightest bit reasonable. I get that awful, bitter, people, exist. But I don't know... it felt extreme here.
Secondly, I'm not sure how I feel about . The plotting also really made this feel like a set-up book. Like, this is where the author obviously wanted the character to be going forward, so she made it happen.
That said, I still quite enjoyed it. And honestly, I am completely sold on the developing romance, so I have requested the next one from the library.
2017 Reading Challenge - A book by an author who uses a pseudonym
For two reasons, I was sold on the characters, and this is how I like my convention flouting.
Seriously, it's kind of great. Our heroine has more modern attitudes, but for reasons that make complete sense given her background, upbringing and personality. She's American, and only goes to England because a long lost aunt offers her a post as a secretary there. She wasn't born into the upper classes and has always had to support herself. She also doesn't have the unbelievably irritating trait so often associated with convention-flouting of hating every single convention in her society. She seems to have been invited to a ball at the end of this one, and has happily agreed to dance at it. Basically, she's inquisitive, puts herself forward, is interested in a variety of subjects, wears sensible clothes, and believes that her opinion shouldn't just be disregarded because she's a woman. Also she likes adventures. The balance works is all I'm saying.
Also, I really like the dynamic between her and the love interest, Sir Charles, who sort of gets sucked into a murder investigation because he needs things to occupy his mind. (Our heroine gets sucked in because she's hoping for material for plots for the penny dreadfuls she writes.) And I like their two friends from next door's manor.
I also really like (most of) the supporting cast. Stand-outs are one of her two aunts, the household staff, and the vicar.
Oh, also, there's a fair bit of literary meta. There's a chapter that is essentially "Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle and W.B. Yeats walk into a spiritualist meeting...," which sounds like the first line of a joke, but maybe also sort of works?
On the other hand, it's not perfect. The start is problematic, and slow. I actually started this a while ago, but got about eight pages in. In fact, if I hadn't picked it up again yesterday, it probably would have gone back to the library unfinished. This takes a bit to get going, is all I'm saying.
Secondly, one aunt is absolutely terrible. She's the kind of character I hate because she's so very terrible, but to no purpose. Like I get that your life didn't got he way you wanted it to, but you could have a comfortable home, if you were just the slightest bit reasonable. I get that awful, bitter, people, exist. But I don't know... it felt extreme here.
Secondly, I'm not sure how I feel about . The plotting also really made this feel like a set-up book. Like, this is where the author obviously wanted the character to be going forward, so she made it happen.
That said, I still quite enjoyed it. And honestly, I am completely sold on the developing romance, so I have requested the next one from the library.
2017 Reading Challenge - A book by an author who uses a pseudonym
August 10, 2016
I've said before that I think the first book in a detective series has a very tough job to do. It's got to establish character and history, it's got to set out the author's logical credentials as a mystery writer, there needs to be Atmosphere, and - these days - it also needs to set up some form of romance/developing relationship that is both developed enough to be satisfying, and tentative enough to draw readers into the next installment. Whew. So perhaps it's no wonder that most don't quite pull it off. And I don't think DaBK does either. It does a lot of things right, though - the period (late Victorian England), Kate's American and independent background & the writing style. The development of the story and the relationship are a little on the slow side for me, but I will be looking out for the next in the series.
March 1, 2019
Cozy Victorian mystery series, book 1. Kate, an American ends up with her two aunts in England in an awkward position of half Servant, half family member. She is unperturbed, however, because all she wants is to gather material for the penny shockers she writes. Suddenly, she has a lot more material than she bargained for. Thought this was entertaining and a great escape read
February 10, 2021
I love historical mysteries so when I spotted this audiobook on sale, I figured it was time I tried this series and author duo along with a new to me narrator.
First, I got a stunner when I realized this was not a medieval mystery series. I have no idea why, but I had this series pegged for the wrong period all this time. It's Victorian Era. But, even more than that, the heroine, Kathryn, is a brash, forward American Penny Dreadful writer. So, yes, a bit of adjustment was in order.
I listened to a couple of chapters and found myself struggling to get into the story. I found it easy to be distracted by other audiobooks and print books. This is not because of my mistake because I don't care what the period of the story and I can handle a bit of 'I am female hear me roar'. I listened on and off when Kathryn headed to England to live with her aunts and be used as a servant by the mean one so she could get source material for her stories. She stumbles on a real life Penny Dreadful murder adventure and along with an equally eccentric hero, works to solve the mystery. I should have been eating this story up with all the quirky plot pieces, the historical lay out and the colorful character. I simply didn't care and I didn't have strong feelings either way about the main characters. I might try a re-listen later to see if it was a mood or maybe I'll try in print to see if the narration factored into making this a lackluster listen. But for now, I'll simply call it a mismatch of book and listener and move on to something else.
In the end, I finished with the reservations I shared already. It has a distinct cozy mystery tone so those who enjoy historical cozy mysteries would be the target audience and it is more than possible that others would enjoy this series a lot.
First, I got a stunner when I realized this was not a medieval mystery series. I have no idea why, but I had this series pegged for the wrong period all this time. It's Victorian Era. But, even more than that, the heroine, Kathryn, is a brash, forward American Penny Dreadful writer. So, yes, a bit of adjustment was in order.
I listened to a couple of chapters and found myself struggling to get into the story. I found it easy to be distracted by other audiobooks and print books. This is not because of my mistake because I don't care what the period of the story and I can handle a bit of 'I am female hear me roar'. I listened on and off when Kathryn headed to England to live with her aunts and be used as a servant by the mean one so she could get source material for her stories. She stumbles on a real life Penny Dreadful murder adventure and along with an equally eccentric hero, works to solve the mystery. I should have been eating this story up with all the quirky plot pieces, the historical lay out and the colorful character. I simply didn't care and I didn't have strong feelings either way about the main characters. I might try a re-listen later to see if it was a mood or maybe I'll try in print to see if the narration factored into making this a lackluster listen. But for now, I'll simply call it a mismatch of book and listener and move on to something else.
In the end, I finished with the reservations I shared already. It has a distinct cozy mystery tone so those who enjoy historical cozy mysteries would be the target audience and it is more than possible that others would enjoy this series a lot.
June 25, 2020
Worst! “I’m not like other girls” problems throughout and I don’t want to hear it I don’t.
December 10, 2010
A female, penny dreadful story writer in the late 19th century heading for the 20th with a good attitude about women's intelligence and rights. Good character, smooth writing style, and interesting information. I especially like the way the character paid close attention to what was going on around her as research for her stories. And it looks like a long series. Will it hold my attention? Well, she goes off to England and comes into money. That may take away from the spunky, hard-working writer with attitude she starts out as. We'll see.
December 14, 2008
A thoroughly enjoyable read! Well written and fast paced with two very likable lead characters in Kathyrn Ardleigh and Sir Charles Sheridan.
I really liked the fact that I was actually stumped as who the guilty party was right up until the revelation was made.
There's 12 books in this series, if the remaining 11 are as charming as this one, I cannot wait to begin reading them.
I really liked the fact that I was actually stumped as who the guilty party was right up until the revelation was made.
There's 12 books in this series, if the remaining 11 are as charming as this one, I cannot wait to begin reading them.
February 25, 2020
DNF at 166 pages. The characters were superficially unique, but had little depth. I felt like I had seen these characters before. The multiple subplots meant that the book seemed to move slowly. I also feel like I had figured out a twist and was waiting and waiting for the characters to catch up. I might try this again in the future, but won’t be continuing with it now.
January 23, 2020
Cozy mystery set in Victorian England. Female protagonist Kathryn is unconventional for her time and supports herself by writing penny dreadfuls. Finds herself with a real mystery to be investigated.
I found it enjoyable but not special.
I found it enjoyable but not special.
November 1, 2010
Kindly sent by my dear friend Hayes. What a lovely and surprising book.
June 30, 2025
The whole series is on KU! I had a lot of fun reading this well-researched Victorian murder mystery and intend to continue on to the next (offered free at the conclusion of the first!). Just like my own series, it is set in the 1890s and has a redheaded female protagonist who writes pseudonymous sensational literature. I’m glad I didn’t know about it until now! However, that is where the similarities end.
Things I enjoyed:
Kate is a sensible protagonist. She is easy to spend time with and she makes very few mistakes. The focus of the story is on the mystery, not her character arc (which is a flat one—that’s a technical term, not an insult!).
Sir Charles had more nuance than I expected. At first I thought he was the standard “I am a discerning historical fiction love interest because I prefer STRONG WOMEN” so I really appreciated the scene where he gets totally turned off because Kate snaps at him (and she has justification to do so). Very amusing and real.
The appreciation of the plight of 19th c servants was unexpectedly sobering.
Something I look for in any kind of historical fiction is a feeling that the world is deep and detailed and not simply recycling tropey facts from popular culture, and this certainly ticked those boxes. (Though I mildly quibble with the brief negative reference to corsetry.)
The epigraphs had such fascinating content I was hoping for a historical note at the conclusion, but alas!
I would classify this as a cozy murder mystery because the protagonists always feel relatively safe and secure.
Some sensitive readers may be bothered by the negative portrayal of a character who uses religious speech as a way to bully others. The gnostic esoteric spiritualism (so rabidly popular at that time) represented in the story is not delved into deeply and there are no paranormal elements.
Things I enjoyed:
Kate is a sensible protagonist. She is easy to spend time with and she makes very few mistakes. The focus of the story is on the mystery, not her character arc (which is a flat one—that’s a technical term, not an insult!).
Sir Charles had more nuance than I expected. At first I thought he was the standard “I am a discerning historical fiction love interest because I prefer STRONG WOMEN” so I really appreciated the scene where he gets totally turned off because Kate snaps at him (and she has justification to do so). Very amusing and real.
The appreciation of the plight of 19th c servants was unexpectedly sobering.
Something I look for in any kind of historical fiction is a feeling that the world is deep and detailed and not simply recycling tropey facts from popular culture, and this certainly ticked those boxes. (Though I mildly quibble with the brief negative reference to corsetry.)
The epigraphs had such fascinating content I was hoping for a historical note at the conclusion, but alas!
I would classify this as a cozy murder mystery because the protagonists always feel relatively safe and secure.
Some sensitive readers may be bothered by the negative portrayal of a character who uses religious speech as a way to bully others. The gnostic esoteric spiritualism (so rabidly popular at that time) represented in the story is not delved into deeply and there are no paranormal elements.
December 31, 2019
Average.
February 16, 2020
A decent Victorian mystery with a likeable protagonist.
1894 England
1894 England
June 7, 2021
Robin Paige is the pen name shared by Susan Wittig Albert and her husband and coauthor, Bill Albert. They are Americans writing for an American audience, so one must forgive the Americanisms. And although this is a cozy mystery, at times the stereotypes bordered on cliche. While I enjoy "fish out of water" characters, is our American heroine really that provocative and shocking to her English acquaintances? She seems quite well-mannered to me - just intelligent and competent - unlike the spoiled and rich heiress next door. It's true though that Americans, in general, don't understand the peculiarities of the British class system. The authors have certainly done a great deal of research and there are lots of nice details - Sir Charles and his interest in photography and forensic science, the popularity of spiritualism and occult societies at the time, and the inclusion of references to real people like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But the dialect of the servants and townspeople - Is that authentic? I found it very distracting and hard to read. Maybe in audio format it would be perfect. And then (SPOILER ALERT!!!) there is the "convenience" of having both of Kate's aunts murdered so that she inherits Bishop's Keep. I know that this sets her up for the rest of the series, but still... And of course, we know that eventually Kate and Sir Charles will be a couple, but that is not developed much at all here. Indeed, they seem to be mainly at odds, and pursuing their own ideas separately. I'm not sure I found their relationship to be compelling enough to stick with the series, except that a peak at the blurb for the next book, tells us that Beatrix Potter will be a character. And I do love Beatrix Potter....
Description: Kate Ardleigh is everything the Victorian English gentlewoman is not--outspoken, free-thinking, American...and a writer of the frowned upon "penny-dreadfuls." Soon after her arrival in Essex, England, a body is unearthed in a nearby archeological dig--and Kate has the chance to not only research her latest story...but to begin her first case with amateur detective Sir Charles Sheridan. Sir Charles is interested in the developing forensic sciences: toxicology, ballistics, fingerprints, X-ray, and crime scene photography. The investigation provides the perfect research background for Kate’s next novel. But the inquisitive writer may be digging too deep–especially when the trail leads her into a secret occult society known as the Order of the Golden Dawn.
Description: Kate Ardleigh is everything the Victorian English gentlewoman is not--outspoken, free-thinking, American...and a writer of the frowned upon "penny-dreadfuls." Soon after her arrival in Essex, England, a body is unearthed in a nearby archeological dig--and Kate has the chance to not only research her latest story...but to begin her first case with amateur detective Sir Charles Sheridan. Sir Charles is interested in the developing forensic sciences: toxicology, ballistics, fingerprints, X-ray, and crime scene photography. The investigation provides the perfect research background for Kate’s next novel. But the inquisitive writer may be digging too deep–especially when the trail leads her into a secret occult society known as the Order of the Golden Dawn.
October 31, 2020
Death at Bishop's Keep by Robin Paige - Mixed
Sent to me as a RABCK by Dolph1n to grant a wishlist request.
Is it a curate's egg that is good and bad in part? If so, this is a curate's egg.
Let's start with the good. Kate Ardleigh is a young American/Irish woman. Having lost her parents at a young age, she has been brought up by family to be an independent woman capable of earning a living. Out of the blue she is contacted by her father's sister and invited back to England to act as companion/secretary. Something of a surprise as Kate did not know of her existance. She heads off for England in search of family and adventure. But what will Victorian England make of her?!
Living nearby is Sir Charles Sheridan: a Gentleman of independent means and enquiring nature. He's assisting at an archaeological dig by taking photographs of the strata and finds....until the day there is a dead body found.
Cue adventure and intrigue... of course the two of them are thrown together by fate whilst investigating independently.
The chapters are short and snappy. There's nothing too difficult or gruesome to tax the brain. Nice little story....but....
Oh dear, the writing! I can forgive americanisms on the chapters where we are listening to Kate's voice, but for Sir Charles!? He would never have walked on the sidewalk. Equally the servants would never have eaten bacon, biscuits and gravy. In Britain a biscuit is a sweet treat to dunk in a cup of tea. Still, I could just about forgive these lapses, but the attempt to write the servants speech in 'dialect' was atrocious, almost undecipherable and certainly nothing like Essex speech (where it is set) maybe some bastardised north country. It was painful to read.
Still, it's the first of a series which is never the best of the bunch. I read it because I was given one of the later books and hate to read out of order. I may well give the series a second chance because it was a nice undemanding cosy mystery if you can ignore the language.
Sent to me as a RABCK by Dolph1n to grant a wishlist request.
Is it a curate's egg that is good and bad in part? If so, this is a curate's egg.
Let's start with the good. Kate Ardleigh is a young American/Irish woman. Having lost her parents at a young age, she has been brought up by family to be an independent woman capable of earning a living. Out of the blue she is contacted by her father's sister and invited back to England to act as companion/secretary. Something of a surprise as Kate did not know of her existance. She heads off for England in search of family and adventure. But what will Victorian England make of her?!
Living nearby is Sir Charles Sheridan: a Gentleman of independent means and enquiring nature. He's assisting at an archaeological dig by taking photographs of the strata and finds....until the day there is a dead body found.
Cue adventure and intrigue... of course the two of them are thrown together by fate whilst investigating independently.
The chapters are short and snappy. There's nothing too difficult or gruesome to tax the brain. Nice little story....but....
Oh dear, the writing! I can forgive americanisms on the chapters where we are listening to Kate's voice, but for Sir Charles!? He would never have walked on the sidewalk. Equally the servants would never have eaten bacon, biscuits and gravy. In Britain a biscuit is a sweet treat to dunk in a cup of tea. Still, I could just about forgive these lapses, but the attempt to write the servants speech in 'dialect' was atrocious, almost undecipherable and certainly nothing like Essex speech (where it is set) maybe some bastardised north country. It was painful to read.
Still, it's the first of a series which is never the best of the bunch. I read it because I was given one of the later books and hate to read out of order. I may well give the series a second chance because it was a nice undemanding cosy mystery if you can ignore the language.
April 20, 2019
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
Death at Bishop’s Keep follows mostly two characters: the first one being Kathryn Ardleigh, a thoroughly modern and independent American lady, and the second being Sir Charles, an English gentleman with an interest in… well, all kinds of things, from murders to mushrooms. It opens with Kathryn, though, as she’s offered a job with her heretofore unknown British aunt, and travels across to England in order to become her secretary. She quickly finds that though the situation sounds ideal — with a generous salary — she has two aunts, one of whom is repressive and cruel, and plans to treat her like a servant instead of as family. All is not well in the household, as it’s clear that her Aunt Jaggers has some kind of hold over her Aunt Sabrina, and disapproves of the work Sabrina has employed Kathryn to do.
Meanwhile, Sir Charles finds himself investigating a murder, since the local police seem unlikely to do anything about it. Between that and neighbourly visits, he finds himself thrown into Kathryn’s company a lot. They don’t quite investigate together, but their paths keep crossing, and when Kathryn’s aunts both die violently of poisoning, Charles finds himself eager to help Kathryn discover exactly what happened.
The best thing about the book is the possibly too anachronistic Kathryn, who also happens to be a writer of lurid short stories (which is her motivation for getting involved in any trouble or intriguing situation she can — she mines it for her books!). The writing is mostly workmanlike rather than particularly exciting, and the solution to the mystery was pretty obvious from the moment a certain plot element was introduced.
Nonetheless, it was a fun enough read — though not one where I’m eager to read the rest of the series. Part of that is because I’m told Sir Charles becomes the main character to a greater degree, and part of it is that there was just something fairly pedestrian about this in the end. Kate’s an interesting character, but not in the same way as my other favourite mystery heroines. If the other books are on Kindle Unlimited, I might pick them up sometime, but I’m not in a hurry.
Death at Bishop’s Keep follows mostly two characters: the first one being Kathryn Ardleigh, a thoroughly modern and independent American lady, and the second being Sir Charles, an English gentleman with an interest in… well, all kinds of things, from murders to mushrooms. It opens with Kathryn, though, as she’s offered a job with her heretofore unknown British aunt, and travels across to England in order to become her secretary. She quickly finds that though the situation sounds ideal — with a generous salary — she has two aunts, one of whom is repressive and cruel, and plans to treat her like a servant instead of as family. All is not well in the household, as it’s clear that her Aunt Jaggers has some kind of hold over her Aunt Sabrina, and disapproves of the work Sabrina has employed Kathryn to do.
Meanwhile, Sir Charles finds himself investigating a murder, since the local police seem unlikely to do anything about it. Between that and neighbourly visits, he finds himself thrown into Kathryn’s company a lot. They don’t quite investigate together, but their paths keep crossing, and when Kathryn’s aunts both die violently of poisoning, Charles finds himself eager to help Kathryn discover exactly what happened.
The best thing about the book is the possibly too anachronistic Kathryn, who also happens to be a writer of lurid short stories (which is her motivation for getting involved in any trouble or intriguing situation she can — she mines it for her books!). The writing is mostly workmanlike rather than particularly exciting, and the solution to the mystery was pretty obvious from the moment a certain plot element was introduced.
Nonetheless, it was a fun enough read — though not one where I’m eager to read the rest of the series. Part of that is because I’m told Sir Charles becomes the main character to a greater degree, and part of it is that there was just something fairly pedestrian about this in the end. Kate’s an interesting character, but not in the same way as my other favourite mystery heroines. If the other books are on Kindle Unlimited, I might pick them up sometime, but I’m not in a hurry.
May 24, 2017
This book sounded really interesting to me, but turns out to be a bit slow moving for my taste and I did not finish it.
This isn't a bad book, necessarily, but I think was just not a fit for my tastes.
The author includes a large about of detail - descriptions of meadows, trains, rooms, clothing, etc. - and sometimes that works for me. In some books that feels natural and necessary and fits. In other books - this being one of those for me - the heavy detail is boring and distracting.
I also found the "action" in this story to be somewhat minimal, at least to chapter 24 which is the point where I gave up on this [almost halfway through the book]. I feel like very little of substance had actually happened, although to be fair, there did appear to be a variety of situations and events which might be setups for future revelations. But I found my attention drifting, as the events in the story felt more like a dull town meeting than an exciting murder mystery.
The characters were creative, well-written and intelligent for the most part, and the insertion of Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde and William Yeats was a fun component. Unfortunately, the bottom line for me was that this was just too slow and low-key a story to hold my attention. With so many books on my TBR, if a book doesn't keep me interested - especially by the halfway point, which is further than I usually give a book to hook me - I move on to the next, which is what I'll be doing with this one.
This isn't a bad book, necessarily, but I think was just not a fit for my tastes.
The author includes a large about of detail - descriptions of meadows, trains, rooms, clothing, etc. - and sometimes that works for me. In some books that feels natural and necessary and fits. In other books - this being one of those for me - the heavy detail is boring and distracting.
I also found the "action" in this story to be somewhat minimal, at least to chapter 24 which is the point where I gave up on this [almost halfway through the book]. I feel like very little of substance had actually happened, although to be fair, there did appear to be a variety of situations and events which might be setups for future revelations. But I found my attention drifting, as the events in the story felt more like a dull town meeting than an exciting murder mystery.
The characters were creative, well-written and intelligent for the most part, and the insertion of Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde and William Yeats was a fun component. Unfortunately, the bottom line for me was that this was just too slow and low-key a story to hold my attention. With so many books on my TBR, if a book doesn't keep me interested - especially by the halfway point, which is further than I usually give a book to hook me - I move on to the next, which is what I'll be doing with this one.
September 19, 2009
Robin Paige is the pseudonym of husband and wife writing team Susan Wittig Albert and Bill Albert. This is the fourth novel in the victorian england series they co-write.
I really like Wittig Albert's Beatrice Potter Series and someone at 'Murder By the Book' suggested this series to me. It is the first one I have read and I will be reading others.
Kate Ardleigh is an American who writes. She is trying to eke out a living to do what makes her happy and to be independent. She thinks she is above 'typical' romance and pursues a more meaningful life.
Out of the blue she finds she has family in England. She is invited to come as a secretary to her aunt. Seeking an adventure and curious about family she goes.
Not only does she meet her aunt, she meets two aunts. The good aunt and the evil aunt. She also meets Sir Charles Sheridan who is, of course, her male counterpart. She also walks into a murder and a conspiracy.
The book is well written even if you could guess what is coming next. If you are looking for a good read in the mystery genre this would be one.
I really like Wittig Albert's Beatrice Potter Series and someone at 'Murder By the Book' suggested this series to me. It is the first one I have read and I will be reading others.
Kate Ardleigh is an American who writes. She is trying to eke out a living to do what makes her happy and to be independent. She thinks she is above 'typical' romance and pursues a more meaningful life.
Out of the blue she finds she has family in England. She is invited to come as a secretary to her aunt. Seeking an adventure and curious about family she goes.
Not only does she meet her aunt, she meets two aunts. The good aunt and the evil aunt. She also meets Sir Charles Sheridan who is, of course, her male counterpart. She also walks into a murder and a conspiracy.
The book is well written even if you could guess what is coming next. If you are looking for a good read in the mystery genre this would be one.
December 8, 2017
I read this series a while ago (I remember being upset when the author's announced there would not be any more Kate Ardleigh/Charles Sheridan books) but I didn't remember enough of this one for it to feel like a re-read.
The main character is an independent young woman from the United States who is employed by her aunt in England to do secretarial work. Kate hadn't known about her English relatives and goes over without committing to staying.
Her aunt is involved in the Order of the Golden Dawn, a spiritualist society that includes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the poet William Yeats among its members. Kate also has a secret - she writes "penny dreadfuls" under a pseudonym, and she uses her experiences to add to the stories she writes.
The mystery did not seem to be the focus of the book until quite a way in. Most of the story was about Kate's experiences in England, the people she meets, the difference between her life in the U.S. and her aunt's life in a house with many servants. I did enjoy the mystery as it evolved, and I will probably re-read other books in the series.
The main character is an independent young woman from the United States who is employed by her aunt in England to do secretarial work. Kate hadn't known about her English relatives and goes over without committing to staying.
Her aunt is involved in the Order of the Golden Dawn, a spiritualist society that includes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the poet William Yeats among its members. Kate also has a secret - she writes "penny dreadfuls" under a pseudonym, and she uses her experiences to add to the stories she writes.
The mystery did not seem to be the focus of the book until quite a way in. Most of the story was about Kate's experiences in England, the people she meets, the difference between her life in the U.S. and her aunt's life in a house with many servants. I did enjoy the mystery as it evolved, and I will probably re-read other books in the series.
July 3, 2021
3.5 For the most part, I really enjoyed this! I did not like the spiritualism cult part that plays a big role in the plot, but I understand that it was a trending thing at the time in England. The historical characters (Wilde, Doyle, Yeats) who appear in one chapter were interesting! The mystery was also more complex than I thought at first.
Aunt Jaggers was awful. I hated reading about her, but of course, that is the point. However, other characters more than made up for her, especially Mrs. Pratt, the vicar, Mudd, Sir Charles, and, of course, Kate. Kate rocks!! I am definitely looking forward to continuing with the series and seeing how the authors flesh out Charles and Kate especially. Kate’s last quip about the bicycle was so funny and clever.
Oh and I thought Kate’s alter ego as Beryl Bardwell is a hilarious plot device because it gets her into mischief. Also I love the quotes at the start of each chapter.
Aunt Jaggers was awful. I hated reading about her, but of course, that is the point. However, other characters more than made up for her, especially Mrs. Pratt, the vicar, Mudd, Sir Charles, and, of course, Kate. Kate rocks!! I am definitely looking forward to continuing with the series and seeing how the authors flesh out Charles and Kate especially. Kate’s last quip about the bicycle was so funny and clever.
Oh and I thought Kate’s alter ego as Beryl Bardwell is a hilarious plot device because it gets her into mischief. Also I love the quotes at the start of each chapter.
July 22, 2018
Robin Paige is a pen name for Susan Wittig Albert, whose China Bayles series I've occasionally dipped in to. Death at Bishop's Keep is in the same vein- competent, cozy mystery writing with strong female characters and an amusing, if not greatly compelling, puzzle. While the protagonist, Kathryn Ardleigh, is just a hair too modern to be believable as a Victorian-era women, her engaging personality and the otherwise period-appropriate settings keep any slight anachronisms from becoming too jarring. I found this to be a satisfying, character-driven mystery that isn't intellectually or emotionally challenging- perfect for a summer weekend. I'll definitely continue the series.
January 20, 2021
I did like the mystery in this book, but unfortunately that was about all I liked. The characters were often ridiculous, and yet they were treated too seriously (it's like it's a comedy that wouldn't commit). And I wasn't a massive fan of Kate. She suffered from serious #notlikeothergirls and I thought her character felt too modern, like she was trying too hard to be independent. Also, the perspective would switch randomly in the middle of a scene, and it made the narrative feel jumpy and disjointed. The book could have easily been told from Charles and Kate's perspective only and would have been better. Saying that, I enjoyed the twists and turns of the mystery.
April 16, 2018
Well, this was a pleasant read. I was a bit wary of the information dumping at the beginning of the book (which continues during the whole thing by the way), but the mystery is sufficiently satisfyingly written to forget what is less artfully done. I'll surely be reading the next book in the series.
April 2, 2021
American orphan author Kate Ardleigh is asked by estranged aunt Sabrina to England as secretary, for history of secret Order. Bad sister Jaggers beats servants. Sir Charles photographs knifed corpse in dig. Who brings poison mushroom? Typos:17.11 vbout IS about 50.14 ready IS read
September 24, 2023
I did enjoy this book, and although there are hints of romance, it certainly was not a story of romance. I couldn’t help liking and admiring the main character, a woman who although born in Victorian times, but with modern ideas, put down to be her being an American.
Brought over to England by her aunt to work as a secretary, Kathryn (Kate) soon becomes part of the family, at least to one of the aunts, but to another aunt living there, she would never be accepted. This gives the story a fragile idea of the conditions within the household. A great many other storylines are included, secret societies, murder, blackmail, the birth of photography playing a major role within the investigations of the police, besides the lines segregation between the classes.
I particularly liked that this was set in the county of Essex which I know well.
I will definitely read on in this series by this this husband and wife team, hoping that the future books are as good.
Brought over to England by her aunt to work as a secretary, Kathryn (Kate) soon becomes part of the family, at least to one of the aunts, but to another aunt living there, she would never be accepted. This gives the story a fragile idea of the conditions within the household. A great many other storylines are included, secret societies, murder, blackmail, the birth of photography playing a major role within the investigations of the police, besides the lines segregation between the classes.
I particularly liked that this was set in the county of Essex which I know well.
I will definitely read on in this series by this this husband and wife team, hoping that the future books are as good.
September 9, 2020
2020 bk 299. The first of a series featuring American Kate and her sidekick Sir Charles. Brought to England to serve as her Aunt's secretary, Kate finds herself torn between the world of the metaphysical and the world of science. When her aunt's are murdered, Kate searches out the who dunit and the whys. How did the finding of a murdered man at an archaeological dig impact on their murders? An enchanting first novel.
February 20, 2023
I love mysteries set in Victorian times and especially those by Anne Perry and hoped this would be in a similar vein. Similar it is but, as others have said, the writing is not so good. However, I think as the main character is American, some of that language is to be expected but not of course used by other characters. As this is the first in the series, it may improve and I will try more of this author's work.
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July 4, 2020Wish it was better written than this. The characters are likeable, especially the main but still the writing lacked a lot. We didn't get to see many of the things that happened from the characters perspective so the hook didn't make as much impact as I would have liked. The plot was good but could have benefited from a different writing style.
August 12, 2023
I listened to the audiobook. There were a couple hysterical female voices that were hard to take and that I couldn't understand but other than that, the narration was good. I was totally into the story. I had no clue whodunnit.
I enjoyed Kate. There is a scene where she takes a walk outside with her friend that put me in remembrance of Sense and Sensibility. There is also several scenes in which I was reminded of Agatha Christie. Both good things in my opinion.
There is a hint of a future love triangle at the end. I will be listening to the next book.
I enjoyed Kate. There is a scene where she takes a walk outside with her friend that put me in remembrance of Sense and Sensibility. There is also several scenes in which I was reminded of Agatha Christie. Both good things in my opinion.
There is a hint of a future love triangle at the end. I will be listening to the next book.
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