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Fremont Jones #6
Beacon Street Mourning
Five years ago Caroline Fremont Jones fled the proper world of her native Boston for the independent life of a California private detective. But now, in the winter of 1909, she is grief-stricken to learn of her father’s grave illness.
Still hampered by half-healed injuries from her last adventure — but buoyed by her ever-deepening affection for her partner in love and work, Michael Kossoff — Fremont leaves sunny San Francisco for the ice-edged air and handsome mansions of Beacon Street.
Her visit has scarcely begun when her father, suffering from a malady not even his doctor can diagnose, takes a turn for the better ... only to die suddenly in the middle of the night. Fremont is certain her odious stepmother, Augusta, somehow caused her father’s death. But how? And did she have an accomplice?
Michael questions Fremont’s suspicions ... until an exotic piece of evidence and a second, violent death trigger an investigation that draws upon childhood memories and fears to become Fremont’s most personal one yet.
Still hampered by half-healed injuries from her last adventure — but buoyed by her ever-deepening affection for her partner in love and work, Michael Kossoff — Fremont leaves sunny San Francisco for the ice-edged air and handsome mansions of Beacon Street.
Her visit has scarcely begun when her father, suffering from a malady not even his doctor can diagnose, takes a turn for the better ... only to die suddenly in the middle of the night. Fremont is certain her odious stepmother, Augusta, somehow caused her father’s death. But how? And did she have an accomplice?
Michael questions Fremont’s suspicions ... until an exotic piece of evidence and a second, violent death trigger an investigation that draws upon childhood memories and fears to become Fremont’s most personal one yet.
269 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 24, 2010
A cute story with decent intrigue, and a particularly fun read for anyone with a knowledge of Boston. It takes place in Boston in the early 1900s and the author did a great job of using real streets and places and making it seem very authentic. However, the main intrigue of the book took a very long time building up, and then resolved too quickly. I was already halfway through the book and it felt like nothing had happened yet. I think I might have enjoyed this more if I had read some of the other Fremont Jones Mystery stories first, but it does alright as a stand-alone as well.
Definitely worth a read for Boston fans, but otherwise, I think I would pass it up in favor of the many better mystery books out there.
Definitely worth a read for Boston fans, but otherwise, I think I would pass it up in favor of the many better mystery books out there.
May 22, 2016
Such an excellent end to the series of A Fremont Jones Mystery. Couldn't put the book down and really sad to see this series come to an end. Highly recommend A Fremont Jones Mystery series of six books. They are historical novels and really bring the reader into the early 1900's. Loved these books
May 6, 2020
This historical mystery is the 6th adventure of the fictional Caroline Fremont Jones, the independent Bostonian who carved a career for herself in San Francisco in the first decade of the 20th century, first as a “typewriter” and then, after the earthquake, as a private investigator. In Beacon Street Mourning, Fremont is summoned to the bedside of her ailing father. She returns to her childhood home to find him dying, and determines to find the truth behind his death. Although still walking with 2 canes from her previous adventure, "Death Train to Boston", Fremont sets out on her investigation, abetted by her life partner, Michael Archer. "Beacon Street Mourning" is a fast-moving, enjoyable read. While the developing characters of the principal villains never quite jell, subsidiary characters such as the night nurse provide a vivid look at the plight of women 100 years ago. Day offers a vivid picture of Boston at the beginning of the 20th century, and deepens our understanding of Fremont’s background and personal growth. An entertaining escape to an earlier era.
June 16, 2023
Somehow the setting of 100 years ago in Boston just didnʻt excite me as much as San Francisco. I had been to Boston before I read this book as I was in grad school in the 1990s in western Massachusetts. Fremont and Michael travel to Boston because her father is deathly ill and she suspects Augusta is poisoning her father. Indeed evil doings are afoot. Fremont is still disabled by having broken both her legs in the previous book. She gets about with canes. I wish there was more showing us how poorer rather than wealthier people were living in Boston at the time. We do see this but I wish there was more. Fremont exercises the best judgement of people in the whole series which makes sense since it is the last book. She also is best able to converse with them to find things out. Michael is mostly in the back seat and thatʻs good to see she is fully able and in command of her powers of detection. It would have been cozier if she had been able to see more what the home of her childhood was like with the beloved mother and/or housekeeper couple tending to her and the home.
January 19, 2021
Another installment of a Fremont Jones mystery, bringing our beloved characters across the country to the other coast. And to the city close to my heart, Boston. Readers would benefit from a map of Beacon Street and the Back Bay at the turn of the century to have a better visualization of the plot.
It might have been easy to determine at the start of the book whom was responsible for one of the deaths, but the author adds some neat twists. Why is this on the Women's History Bookshelves tag? Through Fremont we see the emergence of women's independence, and the struggle to get it. Women cannot really buy a car without a male or have a longtime relationship with a man without being considered inappropriate.
I like how the author is able to keep these characters of interest to the reader by changing the setting.
It might have been easy to determine at the start of the book whom was responsible for one of the deaths, but the author adds some neat twists. Why is this on the Women's History Bookshelves tag? Through Fremont we see the emergence of women's independence, and the struggle to get it. Women cannot really buy a car without a male or have a longtime relationship with a man without being considered inappropriate.
I like how the author is able to keep these characters of interest to the reader by changing the setting.
May 10, 2021
I didn't like this one as much as the others. I found Freemont annoying. I think she could have gotten her point across in q more subtle way. I think part of the reason I found her annoying is because the whole book felt rushed. It seemed the writer knew how it was going to end and rushed the reader to get there. Then when we got there, it was like whew.. not that is done. Made me kind of sad that there won't be any more Freemont Jones adventures and that it didn't end on a strong note.
July 10, 2018
Fremont and Michael travel to Boston, where her father lies gravely ill. Fremont thinks her father's second wife Augusta is poisoning him, especially when he seems to rally with 24-hour nursing care and the prospect of a wedding to look forward to. When he dies suddenly and Augusta is murdered shortly afterward, she is no longer sure who she can trust.
This is the last book in the story arc.
This is the last book in the story arc.
January 11, 2024
I think I loved this book the most out of the 6 volumes in this series. Fremont must return to her former Boston home to visit her ill father. What happens next is sure cleverness. Some of the mystery is a touch predictable, but Fremont's reactions to being home and being supported by her lover are truly intriguing. A great story to end a great series.
May 30, 2017
This one has all the earmarks of the end of the series (and the blurb for the author's next book is a different protagonist and era). A pity. These books have been a joy to read, even if you do want to take Fremont and shake her occasionally.
June 16, 2018
Entertaining mystery with a female lead - rock on Fremont Jones! Some sexual content and adult language with a bit of a misjointed ending, but overall, a satisfying book and a series I'd like to continue to explore.
September 11, 2017
I seriously hope this was not the ending of the series. If so you will be sorely disappointed.
November 11, 2022
Entertaining, easy read! I've now finished the series!
April 6, 2011
Having read some of the reviews of this book I was prepared for a very lackluster story. Actually I found this last one to be quite good.
I started reading Fremont Jones books years ago when I discovered them as a 'local author' in California. I have enjoyed each one and looked forward to finding the next. I'm sorry to know that this was the last of this series since there seems to be so much left hanging. Perhaps someday she will take Fremont up again.
If I was disappointed in this book at all it would have to be the ending. There was a lot left unsaid if this truly is to be the last book of the series. Also, it just felt like such an abrupt end to a story that had been so well told.
I highly recommend this book to any who like mysteries. But you should read them in order since each book progressively refers back to events in previous ones. That way there are no spoilers for the storyline of each.
I started reading Fremont Jones books years ago when I discovered them as a 'local author' in California. I have enjoyed each one and looked forward to finding the next. I'm sorry to know that this was the last of this series since there seems to be so much left hanging. Perhaps someday she will take Fremont up again.
If I was disappointed in this book at all it would have to be the ending. There was a lot left unsaid if this truly is to be the last book of the series. Also, it just felt like such an abrupt end to a story that had been so well told.
I highly recommend this book to any who like mysteries. But you should read them in order since each book progressively refers back to events in previous ones. That way there are no spoilers for the storyline of each.
February 1, 2015
I began reading Fremont Jones's story with a paper book, because she was starting a new life in San Francisco running a typewriting service. Her life & story morphed over 6 books to where she became a private investigator with a life & work partner Michael. By this final book they had an assistant doing the typewriting. Author Dianne Day finished out her contract for this series & had begun another about Clara Barton when she passed away in July 2013. She briefly wrapped up Fremont & Michael at the end of Beacon St Mourning. It was not super satisfying & she could have continued to write further adventures in the coming years. I'm happy to have known Fremont, but sad that this is the end of her story.
June 3, 2013
What a delightful surprise!
Set in the early 1900s in Boston, fiercely independent Fremont Jones goes home to be with her ailing father. When he dies unexpectedly, Fremont is certain her step-mother has something to do with it. Along with her lover and business partner Michael Kossoff, Fremont starts her own investigation. What she uncovers is a sinister plot of murder and greed.
Dianne Day creates characters and a storyline that sucks you in and makes it so you cannot put the book down. Was totally invested in these characters and how Fremont was going to out maneuver her wicked wicked step-mother.
Set in the early 1900s in Boston, fiercely independent Fremont Jones goes home to be with her ailing father. When he dies unexpectedly, Fremont is certain her step-mother has something to do with it. Along with her lover and business partner Michael Kossoff, Fremont starts her own investigation. What she uncovers is a sinister plot of murder and greed.
Dianne Day creates characters and a storyline that sucks you in and makes it so you cannot put the book down. Was totally invested in these characters and how Fremont was going to out maneuver her wicked wicked step-mother.
July 20, 2014
Freemont Jones is a stubborn, independent and free-spirited Boston socialite who throws everything in for a life in San Francisco; a life built the way she wants it to be, which is a life not confined by the expectations of the period. In this the latest novel, Freemont, still recovering from a treacherous explosion, is back in Boston to see her much-loved father before he dies. Michael, of course, is with her and though she has doubts and fears, she uncovers the truth she set out to find. A fun read for a rainy afternoon.
April 10, 2011
Pretty lame but I've read almost all Day's other Fremont Jones mysteries and this one does take place in Boston, across from the park I lived in a child, on the street where both sets of my mother's parents grew up and only a few blocks from where I grew up... So I had to read it. The characters are not very deep, but the series is mildly entertaining and the books are very quick and easy to read. And sometimes that is exactly what I need.
October 27, 2012
Each new book in this series is better than the last one. I was hoping for some more of Freemont, but the best I can tell Dianne Day has not added to the series since 2000. In fact, her last book is Cut to the Heart inspired by Clara Barton was published in 2002. I am not sure where she has been the last ten years. Too bad for us if she has stopped writing.
March 4, 2013
Having read two "Fremont Jones" mysteries, I was looking forward to another entertaining mystery with an engaging heroine. However, I was dissapointed. The book was slow and uneven. Probably won't be reading this author again.
May 16, 2008
Sixth in the Fremont Jones mystery series. Fremont and her partner travel to Boston because her father is seriously ill. Fremont suspects his second wife of poisoning him. Another good read.
July 28, 2009
Final book in this series and sorry to see it end. This was a wonderful finale with many twists and turns along the way.
July 26, 2009
Somber, scary, frustrating (in a good way), much more real than the rest of the series.
August 15, 2011
This book wasn't horrible and was much better than the last one but not as good as the first three. It was just OK.
May 9, 2013
A solid conclusion to this amazing series.
March 6, 2013
These books just keep getting better. Too bad this is the last one. Fremont is in Boston visiting her dying father. She is sure his wife is poisoning him. Great story.
August 25, 2014
Always sad to reach the end of an enjoyable series.
May 17, 2014
Ends up being an OK ending to the series.
July 29, 2014
Pretty good! This mystery is set in 1909 with an unconventional heroine detective who goes by the name of Fremont. She doesn't believe her father died of heart failure and sets out to find a killer.
August 26, 2014
I will miss Fremont jones and her adventures. So sorry we lost the author when she had so much more to write.
February 3, 2015
This the sixth in the series of
fremont Jones' adventures. She returns to Boston to see her ill father. When he dies she suspects the new young second wife and makes it her task to prove it.
fremont Jones' adventures. She returns to Boston to see her ill father. When he dies she suspects the new young second wife and makes it her task to prove it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews