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A Below Stairs Mystery #5
Death at the Crystal Palace
Intrepid cook Kat Holloway puts aside her apron to delve into Victorian London’s high society and catch a killer in this thrilling new mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Murder in the East End.
While attending an exhibition at the Crystal Palace, young cook Kat Holloway is approached by a woman in distress. Lady Covington is a wealthy widow convinced that her entire family is trying to kill her. Kat feels compelled to help, and she escorts the lady home to discover whether she is delusional or in true danger.
It is quickly apparent that the threat is all too real, and Kat promises aid. Her charming confidant Daniel McAdam is busy infiltrating a plot against the Crown, and she worries he will not have time to lend his sleuthing expertise. This might be for the best, as Kat fears her growing emotional entanglement with Daniel can only lead to disaster. But soon, Kat faces a more serious threat when her involvement in both investigations plunges her into peril.
While attending an exhibition at the Crystal Palace, young cook Kat Holloway is approached by a woman in distress. Lady Covington is a wealthy widow convinced that her entire family is trying to kill her. Kat feels compelled to help, and she escorts the lady home to discover whether she is delusional or in true danger.
It is quickly apparent that the threat is all too real, and Kat promises aid. Her charming confidant Daniel McAdam is busy infiltrating a plot against the Crown, and she worries he will not have time to lend his sleuthing expertise. This might be for the best, as Kat fears her growing emotional entanglement with Daniel can only lead to disaster. But soon, Kat faces a more serious threat when her involvement in both investigations plunges her into peril.
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First published July 6, 2021
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About the author
Jennifer Ashley
210 books7,330 followersNY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, historical mysteries, and urban fantasy as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
July 16, 2022
Poisonous plots!
I do think this is one of my fav. Kat Holloway and Daniel McAdam “Below Stairs”mysteries. How far Kat has come from our first interactions with her. She’s not only now a cook of some renown to the Gentry, but she has a bit of a reputation for solving problems.
Approached for help by the wealthy Lady Covington, a neighbor who’s convinced she’s being poisoned, Kat agrees. Lady Covington is sister to the benefactor of Kat’s friend Mr. Thanos, a brilliant mathematician.
Meanwhile Daniel is on a mysterious path in pursuit of persons dangerous to Britain.
The two cases do have a certain crossover.
Kat and Daniel’s relationship is growing (snogging on the back stairs!) and Daniel is eager to shelter Kat from the man who’s tune he’s been forced to dance to. Very mysterious! and dangerous!
Lady Cynthia (who delights to dress in men’s suits) is once more being pressured to marry. She goes to stay with Lady Covington as a plant in the household, and to escape her mother’s demands. We are treated once more to the lively bunch who surround Cynthia. I do enjoy them. The development of the various secondary characters is a delight. The interplay between Mr. Thanos and Lady Cynthia made me smile.
As the plot develops, the threads woven tighten, but not without trauma.
A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley
I do think this is one of my fav. Kat Holloway and Daniel McAdam “Below Stairs”mysteries. How far Kat has come from our first interactions with her. She’s not only now a cook of some renown to the Gentry, but she has a bit of a reputation for solving problems.
Approached for help by the wealthy Lady Covington, a neighbor who’s convinced she’s being poisoned, Kat agrees. Lady Covington is sister to the benefactor of Kat’s friend Mr. Thanos, a brilliant mathematician.
Meanwhile Daniel is on a mysterious path in pursuit of persons dangerous to Britain.
The two cases do have a certain crossover.
Kat and Daniel’s relationship is growing (snogging on the back stairs!) and Daniel is eager to shelter Kat from the man who’s tune he’s been forced to dance to. Very mysterious! and dangerous!
Lady Cynthia (who delights to dress in men’s suits) is once more being pressured to marry. She goes to stay with Lady Covington as a plant in the household, and to escape her mother’s demands. We are treated once more to the lively bunch who surround Cynthia. I do enjoy them. The development of the various secondary characters is a delight. The interplay between Mr. Thanos and Lady Cynthia made me smile.
As the plot develops, the threads woven tighten, but not without trauma.
A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley
June 22, 2021
Series: Kat Holloway Mysteries #5
Publication Date: 7/6/21
Period: Victorian – London 1882
Number of Pages: 304
The books in this series can never come out fast enough for me. I procrastinate starting each new one because I know it will be a long time before the next one – and then I mourn when it is finished – because I know it will be a long time before the next one. I think I like everything about the series; while there are aristocrats, the ‘stars’ of the show are of the domestic class; the aristocrats don’t always get to walk free; there is a background romance that I love watching grow; and, I love the relationship Kat has with her daughter Grace. In this book, we had two cases to solve – one for Kat and one for Daniel (with Kat’s help). You could read this as a stand-alone, but you might be a bit fuzzy on some of the relationships and some of the secondary characters if you haven’t read the previous books in the series. And goodness – those secondary characters are definitely worth getting to know and I certainly look forward to more encounters with them in the future.
On her day out, Kat Holloway has taken her daughter, Grace, to the Crystal Palace to see the exhibits. Kat values every minute of time she has with Grace because she only gets to see her on her full day out on Monday and her half-day out on Thursday, so, the cry for help she hears is dismaying on several levels. The person who cried out, Lady Covington, is deliberately seeking Kat because she has heard about Kat helping solve other mysteries. Lady Covington believes she is being slowly poisoned and she wants Kat to find out who it is and stop them. Kat agrees to visit Lady Covington at her home, and after speaking with her, Kat believes she really is being poisoned. With a house full of family and servants, there are a plethora of potential poisoners. Kat’s job won’t be easy because her own household has new arrivals as well, so her cooking duties have expanded. In order to manage her time constraints, she enlists the help of her usual cohorts and together they work to solve the issue of the poisoner. But it doesn’t happen before a death occurs in Lady Covington’s family – from poisoning.
While Kat is occupied with poisonings, Daniel is working on a very intense case for his guv’nor, Alden Monaghan. The guv’nor is a cold, ruthless man with nary a kind feeling to be had and he has a stranglehold over Daniel. There have been some high-profile murders of government officials and they are sure it has to do with the Irish who want Home Rule. There are also rumors that the Duke of Daventry, one of the richest and most powerful men in the country, is funding the Irish. It is Daniel’s task to prove or disprove those rumors. Daniel wants to keep Kat totally away from anything to do with his mission, but … the best-laid plans…
I highly recommend this book, this series, and this author. The book is well-written, well-plotted, and filled with exceptional characters you’ll quickly come to love. It did leave me wanting more information on Henry though – I’d love to know what actually happened with him. Maybe I’ll learn in the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 7/6/21
Period: Victorian – London 1882
Number of Pages: 304
The books in this series can never come out fast enough for me. I procrastinate starting each new one because I know it will be a long time before the next one – and then I mourn when it is finished – because I know it will be a long time before the next one. I think I like everything about the series; while there are aristocrats, the ‘stars’ of the show are of the domestic class; the aristocrats don’t always get to walk free; there is a background romance that I love watching grow; and, I love the relationship Kat has with her daughter Grace. In this book, we had two cases to solve – one for Kat and one for Daniel (with Kat’s help). You could read this as a stand-alone, but you might be a bit fuzzy on some of the relationships and some of the secondary characters if you haven’t read the previous books in the series. And goodness – those secondary characters are definitely worth getting to know and I certainly look forward to more encounters with them in the future.
On her day out, Kat Holloway has taken her daughter, Grace, to the Crystal Palace to see the exhibits. Kat values every minute of time she has with Grace because she only gets to see her on her full day out on Monday and her half-day out on Thursday, so, the cry for help she hears is dismaying on several levels. The person who cried out, Lady Covington, is deliberately seeking Kat because she has heard about Kat helping solve other mysteries. Lady Covington believes she is being slowly poisoned and she wants Kat to find out who it is and stop them. Kat agrees to visit Lady Covington at her home, and after speaking with her, Kat believes she really is being poisoned. With a house full of family and servants, there are a plethora of potential poisoners. Kat’s job won’t be easy because her own household has new arrivals as well, so her cooking duties have expanded. In order to manage her time constraints, she enlists the help of her usual cohorts and together they work to solve the issue of the poisoner. But it doesn’t happen before a death occurs in Lady Covington’s family – from poisoning.
While Kat is occupied with poisonings, Daniel is working on a very intense case for his guv’nor, Alden Monaghan. The guv’nor is a cold, ruthless man with nary a kind feeling to be had and he has a stranglehold over Daniel. There have been some high-profile murders of government officials and they are sure it has to do with the Irish who want Home Rule. There are also rumors that the Duke of Daventry, one of the richest and most powerful men in the country, is funding the Irish. It is Daniel’s task to prove or disprove those rumors. Daniel wants to keep Kat totally away from anything to do with his mission, but … the best-laid plans…
I highly recommend this book, this series, and this author. The book is well-written, well-plotted, and filled with exceptional characters you’ll quickly come to love. It did leave me wanting more information on Henry though – I’d love to know what actually happened with him. Maybe I’ll learn in the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 27, 2022
Another solid entry in this semi-cozy historical mystery series.
I always enjoy catching up with fabulous cook (and amateur sleuth) Kat Holloway, her co-workers (especially apprentice cook Tess, and Mr Davis, the butler). This time we have three different plots unfolding:
1)a domestic one--why have Lady Cynthia's parents shown up? They can't really want to drag her back to the country estate, do they?
2)a culinary one-- who is trying to poison Lady Covington? motive??
3) a political one--Daniel McAdam is investigating a bit of domestic terrorism involving a very prominent duke. How in the world does Kat get mixed up in this?
I thought the author did a decent job of interweaving the three very different story-lines--there are several really nice twists involved, one of which had me laughing out loud. However, I thought the author really stretched matters to get Kat involved in the terrorism one. The poisoning story-line was the strongest mystery, and the most poignant one. I was stumped for a while on 'whodunnit', but came to the same conclusion as Kat.
It was fun finally meeting Lady Cynthia's parents. Her father certainly is interesting!
I hope the author has more in store for Kat. I'll be on hand for the next book, whenever it comes out.
I want the recipe for the lemon cake!
I always enjoy catching up with fabulous cook (and amateur sleuth) Kat Holloway, her co-workers (especially apprentice cook Tess, and Mr Davis, the butler). This time we have three different plots unfolding:
1)a domestic one--why have Lady Cynthia's parents shown up? They can't really want to drag her back to the country estate, do they?
2)a culinary one-- who is trying to poison Lady Covington? motive??
3) a political one--Daniel McAdam is investigating a bit of domestic terrorism involving a very prominent duke. How in the world does Kat get mixed up in this?
I thought the author did a decent job of interweaving the three very different story-lines--there are several really nice twists involved, one of which had me laughing out loud. However, I thought the author really stretched matters to get Kat involved in the terrorism one. The poisoning story-line was the strongest mystery, and the most poignant one. I was stumped for a while on 'whodunnit', but came to the same conclusion as Kat.
It was fun finally meeting Lady Cynthia's parents. Her father certainly is interesting!
I hope the author has more in store for Kat. I'll be on hand for the next book, whenever it comes out.
I want the recipe for the lemon cake!
May 5, 2021
Another good entry in a favorite comfort series. Kat, the intrepid cook, is drawn into yet another intrigue involving the upper class of Victorian era London. Her sweetheart Daniel has a mystery of his own to solve, and their investigations weave around each other. Daniel is still as mysterious as ever with his work for Scotland Yard, and maneuvers around London sometimes as the everyman Kat first met, and sometimes as the upperclass gentry. He seems to slide easily in and out of both worlds.
I have this fantasy that the real Daniel will turn out to be rich, and whisk our beloved Kat off into a life of leisure after her years of cooking for the upstairs folk. Oh, and I keep hoping that she’ll somehow manage to run into Captain Lacey, even though that series is set in the Regency period. Wouldn’t that be fun…
I have this fantasy that the real Daniel will turn out to be rich, and whisk our beloved Kat off into a life of leisure after her years of cooking for the upstairs folk. Oh, and I keep hoping that she’ll somehow manage to run into Captain Lacey, even though that series is set in the Regency period. Wouldn’t that be fun…
July 6, 2021
4.25 stars - Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Clever cook Kat Holloway is back in Death at the Crystal Palace . Every time I delve into a Below Stairs Mystery I’m ready for an interesting puzzle and intriguing characters and Jennifer Ashley did not disappoint.
While attending an exhibition at the Crystal Palace with her friends and daughter, Kat is approached by Lady Covington, wealthy widow of a railroad magnate. Lady Covington is sure she’s being poisoned and she’s convincing enough to rouse Kat’s curiosity. Kat uses her knowledge and instincts to navigate the potentially treacherous waters of Lady Covington’s household. Suspects abound and there’s a lot of legwork for Kat to do if she’s to figure out what the poison is, who is behind the poisoning, and why. Her friend Lady Cynthia Shires is on hand to help, as Kat’s usual partner in crime, Daniel McAdam, is busy with a task of his own. Kat’s expanding circle of friends fill out the world wonderfully and I adore Cynthia in particular. She plays a larger role in the story this time, especially once her parents enter the scene. It’s lovely watching her friendship with Kat deepen and I continue to root for Cynthia’s burgeoning romance with mathematician Elgin Thanos to take flight.
Speaking of romance, Kat’s own with Daniel continues to inch forward. I like the slow burn and as is common with these books, I gobbled up whatever crumbs about Daniel’s situation Ashley dropped along the way. Daniel is investigating a plot against the Crown and as much as he wants to keep that part of his life separate from Kat, there is a point at which he needs her help. Daniel and Kat’s investigations are both interesting although the personalities in the Covington case make that the more compelling storyline of the two. I loved how everything flowed seamlessly together and how each reoccurring character played their part.
Death at the Crystal Palace is the fifth Below Stairs Mystery and to enjoy the book fully you should at least have an idea of the main characters and the relationships between them. I adore the world Ashley has built and the connections that continue to deepen warm my heart. Any time spent with Kat and company is a good time and it’s because the characters Ashley has created are endearing, well-drawn, and compelling. I finished Death at the Crystal Palace satisfied with how things turned out but I cannot wait to see what mystery crosses Kat’s path next!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Clever cook Kat Holloway is back in Death at the Crystal Palace . Every time I delve into a Below Stairs Mystery I’m ready for an interesting puzzle and intriguing characters and Jennifer Ashley did not disappoint.
While attending an exhibition at the Crystal Palace with her friends and daughter, Kat is approached by Lady Covington, wealthy widow of a railroad magnate. Lady Covington is sure she’s being poisoned and she’s convincing enough to rouse Kat’s curiosity. Kat uses her knowledge and instincts to navigate the potentially treacherous waters of Lady Covington’s household. Suspects abound and there’s a lot of legwork for Kat to do if she’s to figure out what the poison is, who is behind the poisoning, and why. Her friend Lady Cynthia Shires is on hand to help, as Kat’s usual partner in crime, Daniel McAdam, is busy with a task of his own. Kat’s expanding circle of friends fill out the world wonderfully and I adore Cynthia in particular. She plays a larger role in the story this time, especially once her parents enter the scene. It’s lovely watching her friendship with Kat deepen and I continue to root for Cynthia’s burgeoning romance with mathematician Elgin Thanos to take flight.
Speaking of romance, Kat’s own with Daniel continues to inch forward. I like the slow burn and as is common with these books, I gobbled up whatever crumbs about Daniel’s situation Ashley dropped along the way. Daniel is investigating a plot against the Crown and as much as he wants to keep that part of his life separate from Kat, there is a point at which he needs her help. Daniel and Kat’s investigations are both interesting although the personalities in the Covington case make that the more compelling storyline of the two. I loved how everything flowed seamlessly together and how each reoccurring character played their part.
Death at the Crystal Palace is the fifth Below Stairs Mystery and to enjoy the book fully you should at least have an idea of the main characters and the relationships between them. I adore the world Ashley has built and the connections that continue to deepen warm my heart. Any time spent with Kat and company is a good time and it’s because the characters Ashley has created are endearing, well-drawn, and compelling. I finished Death at the Crystal Palace satisfied with how things turned out but I cannot wait to see what mystery crosses Kat’s path next!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
July 31, 2021
A scared aristocratic woman claiming she is being poisoned sends Kat down the sleuthing path once again even while danger and complications lurk in other aspects of her life. A Victorian era cook who keenly observes and questions is the heroine of a fabulous series of historical mysteries that keep me coming back for another helping.
Death at the Crystal Palace is the fifth of the Kat Holloway historical mysteries and work best when read in order so the reader can get to know Kat, her friends, and the interweaving of relationships and situations that carry forward through the books in the series.
I love that the author chose to write a complex and layered main character who hails from the working classes, is a woman, and a woman who has a past relationship failure and a child she loves deeply. Kat is a stellar cook, as can be noted by the delicious descriptions of her cooking, but she is also a clever investigator the way she works to unearth the truth in the Covington household and nose out the matter in Daniel’s Irish case. She is parts unorthodox in thinking which is why she has a wonderful, eclectic group of friends from all classes and ways of life, but also concerned about upholding her reputation after nearly having lost it. As a mother, she wants what is best for Grace and tries to be resigned that this means living apart for her daughter and not always being there for her.
The romance takes baby steps forward and, while I get impatient because I love Kat and Daniel together on the case and romantically, I also appreciate that someone like Kat and also like Daniel need time because of their pasts- and his current occupation.
Another of the mysteries that I couldn’t put my finger on the culprit, but was thrilled to tag along with Kat through the author’s well-drawn Victorian London, upstairs and downstairs in the households, and in and out of the kitchen to get to the heart of the matter. The Covington household was a boiling caldron and not surprising that murder happens there, but it made it tricky for Kat to discover the truth since she had to have help and Daniel unavailable while chasing down his own troubling matter for his secret employers. Though Kat does end up involved in Daniel’s case, too. With the arrival of Lady Cynthia’s parents pressuring her to come home and wed and Cynthia adamant about not marrying the eligible men paraded by, Kat must figure out that ticklish situation, and Cynthia is always game to help with her detecting.
All in all, another sensational time with Kat and the others. Kat had so much going on and still she managed it all even if it got a bit harrowing at times. With development on the personal front, time spent with Kat’s delicious food, and a solved mystery, I was left satisfied. Definitely a historical mystery series that I can recommend.
Death at the Crystal Palace is the fifth of the Kat Holloway historical mysteries and work best when read in order so the reader can get to know Kat, her friends, and the interweaving of relationships and situations that carry forward through the books in the series.
I love that the author chose to write a complex and layered main character who hails from the working classes, is a woman, and a woman who has a past relationship failure and a child she loves deeply. Kat is a stellar cook, as can be noted by the delicious descriptions of her cooking, but she is also a clever investigator the way she works to unearth the truth in the Covington household and nose out the matter in Daniel’s Irish case. She is parts unorthodox in thinking which is why she has a wonderful, eclectic group of friends from all classes and ways of life, but also concerned about upholding her reputation after nearly having lost it. As a mother, she wants what is best for Grace and tries to be resigned that this means living apart for her daughter and not always being there for her.
The romance takes baby steps forward and, while I get impatient because I love Kat and Daniel together on the case and romantically, I also appreciate that someone like Kat and also like Daniel need time because of their pasts- and his current occupation.
Another of the mysteries that I couldn’t put my finger on the culprit, but was thrilled to tag along with Kat through the author’s well-drawn Victorian London, upstairs and downstairs in the households, and in and out of the kitchen to get to the heart of the matter. The Covington household was a boiling caldron and not surprising that murder happens there, but it made it tricky for Kat to discover the truth since she had to have help and Daniel unavailable while chasing down his own troubling matter for his secret employers. Though Kat does end up involved in Daniel’s case, too. With the arrival of Lady Cynthia’s parents pressuring her to come home and wed and Cynthia adamant about not marrying the eligible men paraded by, Kat must figure out that ticklish situation, and Cynthia is always game to help with her detecting.
All in all, another sensational time with Kat and the others. Kat had so much going on and still she managed it all even if it got a bit harrowing at times. With development on the personal front, time spent with Kat’s delicious food, and a solved mystery, I was left satisfied. Definitely a historical mystery series that I can recommend.
April 21, 2024
Had strong suspicions on the identity of the poisoner and was completely wrong.
I love this series, but I thought the ruse Kat undertook to help Daniel was a little farfetched given the limited time available for her to run about and that the party would be conveniently happening on her allotted days off.
Still, I'm addicted to the series! Kat's cooking is always an interesting part of the story, how she obtains ingredients, uses herbs, and her meal prep. Everything sounds delicious! I need that Lemon Cake recipe!
I'm fully invested in Kat's romance with Daniel and I have hopes for Lady Cynthia and Mr. Thanos.
The audios are fantastic! Can't wait to start the next one!
I love this series, but I thought the ruse Kat undertook to help Daniel was a little farfetched given the limited time available for her to run about and that the party would be conveniently happening on her allotted days off.
Still, I'm addicted to the series! Kat's cooking is always an interesting part of the story, how she obtains ingredients, uses herbs, and her meal prep. Everything sounds delicious! I need that Lemon Cake recipe!
I'm fully invested in Kat's romance with Daniel and I have hopes for Lady Cynthia and Mr. Thanos.
The audios are fantastic! Can't wait to start the next one!
August 22, 2021
I love this Kat Holloway series. The blurring lines between the upstairs and downstairs is really appealing and Kat is such a wonderful, forthright, compassionate woman! Love her wisdom and practicality. Not to mention her penchant for crime solving. :-) And I swoon a little bit more each time I see Kat and Daniel together. Happy sigh.
June 28, 2021
This genre happens to be one of my most favorite genres and thankfully I stumbled upon this series earlier last year when I needed something new. It didn't take me long to quickly devour them.
I adore these characters, the setting and of course the mysteries that always manage to keep me on edge and on my toes. This is such an engaging series and I one I truly look forward to each new release. I love the slow burn romance, the relationships/friendships and truly, just everything about it.
This new installment was outstanding and I can't praise this series, the writings and everything about it enough.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I adore these characters, the setting and of course the mysteries that always manage to keep me on edge and on my toes. This is such an engaging series and I one I truly look forward to each new release. I love the slow burn romance, the relationships/friendships and truly, just everything about it.
This new installment was outstanding and I can't praise this series, the writings and everything about it enough.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
May 7, 2022
I love this book and this series thoroughly! The story warms my heart despite the poisoning and murderous intent. Just really enjoyed the development of the characters and the coziness they have with one another. I really look forward to the deepening relationship between Daniel and Kat and the mysteries that they continues to solve.
August 1, 2021
This novel represents a favorite series, heroine, storyteller & narrator. Listening is an immersive, enjoyable experience. The cast of characters is so much fun, and, as always, the scenes between Daniel & Kat are the best.
June 17, 2021
I reviewed this book for Historical Novels Review Magazine, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society. Per their policy, I cannot post the review until after it is posted on the HNS website on August 1st. I will update the review then.
July 25, 2021
Death at the Crystal Palace by Jennifer Ashley is the fifth book in the Kat Holloway series and caught my attention from the first chapter. I would not recommend reading this as a "stand alone" because of the characters relationships and how they have developed together throughout the series.
A twisted tale with more than one mystery to solve for Kat and Daniel. The tale wove together twists, multiple suspects, devious aristocrats, and possible treason. Ms. Ashley's detailed writing brings each character to life whether it is domestics or aristocrats as well as London and it's environs. I look forward every summer to the next book in the series.
A twisted tale with more than one mystery to solve for Kat and Daniel. The tale wove together twists, multiple suspects, devious aristocrats, and possible treason. Ms. Ashley's detailed writing brings each character to life whether it is domestics or aristocrats as well as London and it's environs. I look forward every summer to the next book in the series.
August 10, 2021
I enjoyed this installment of the happenings of my favorite cook. The writing keeps me interested and there were 2 mysteries to mull over. I found myself drifting a bit in the middle and both crimes were tied up a bit too quickly at the end. Looking forward to more background on Daniel. I enjoy that the side characters are fleshed out. Can't wait for the next in the series.
July 27, 2021
This is a stellar historical mystery series, and this fifth installment is outstanding. Excellent character development and relationships and not one, but two mysteries to solve make for compelling reading. Highly recommended.
January 22, 2022
I just love reading about Kat and her found family group . This series has a cozy mystery feel to it which I enjoy . I liked the introduction of newer characters. Can Jonathan please make more appearances? His back story should be intriguing.
February 11, 2022
Audio Version
Borrowed from Hoopla
Narrator: Anne-Marie Piazza
Great narration, love the characters (especially want to see something more develop with Lady Cynthia and Thanos) but I think I need to allow a bit more time before I dive into book #6. As usual with these lighter, historical mysteries, I am here for the characters...not the actual mystery. Also feel we need a little more progress with Kat and Daniel's romance. A bit stalled I think.
Borrowed from Hoopla
Narrator: Anne-Marie Piazza
Great narration, love the characters (especially want to see something more develop with Lady Cynthia and Thanos) but I think I need to allow a bit more time before I dive into book #6. As usual with these lighter, historical mysteries, I am here for the characters...not the actual mystery. Also feel we need a little more progress with Kat and Daniel's romance. A bit stalled I think.
March 13, 2022
Like visiting with old friends. Truly one of my favorite series to read.
August 28, 2021
Kat Holloway is enjoying her day out with her daughter Grace, Lady Cynthia and Cynthia's friends Miss Townsend and Mr. Thaos when a Lady Covington approaches Kat asking to speak with her privately and asks for assistance finding out who is poisoning her! Rumors of Kat's figuring out the goings-on in Lord Rankin's household have spread through the neighborhood and Lady Covington is convinced only Kat can help. How can a mere maid solve this problem? Isn't it a matter for the police? Lady Covington insists she isn't crazy and begs Kat's help. Kat agrees to assist but problems arise at home when Cynthia's parents, Lord and Lady Clifford arrive to complicate the household. Kat takes the opportunity to put Cynthia in place at Lady Covington's home to discreetly observe the goings-on in the household. Lady Covington, a wealthy widow of a railway magnate, suspects one or both of her stepchildren are trying to murder her. There's no love lost there until the next visit to Crystal Palace when someone ends up dead. The victim begs Kat for help looking after Henry but how can Kat help if she doesn't know who Henry is? Meanwhile, Daniel is infiltrating the ton to try to catch a deadly Irish anarchist putting his own life in danger but he needs Kat's help too. She's the only one who can keep his mission from failure and prevent Daniel's mysterious boss from sending Daniel far, far away where Kat and James will never see him again. Can Kat solve these mysteries using her wits without tipping off the suspect? What can she do about Lady Cynthia's problems? Is it her place to interfere in family matters? The rest of the downstairs staff seem to think so!
This is one of the better adventures in the series. It's not as dark and suspenseful as the previous installment, although for me, Death in Kew Gardens has the edge because of the tea plot. (I love tea!) This one has less suspense but tons of cooking. The author clearly had fun reading Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management! I hope she tried some of the recipes and doing it the old-fashioned way by hand. The historical details are very descriptive and really set the story firmly in the Victorian era. Kat has chef training like Mrs. Pattmore in Downton Abbey and even though I don't like lemon, I really wanted to try Kat's lemon cake recipe, the description was that vivid. I like it when the author makes the details authentic.
Mystery-wise this one is not so suspenseful or exciting as some of the previous mysteries. The secondary mystery is back to being about the Irish question again and sadly that won't be settled for many, many more decades. I figured out the anarchist plot fairly quickly and was surprised Kat didn't see it sooner but she didn't have a lot of time. The "catch the villain" scene was actually kind of comical. I liked the way Kat handled herself. The main mystery was suspenseful enough after the person dies almost midway through the book. I was shocked by the identity of the poisoner and the reason why. I did not suspect that at all and neither did Kat. She figured it out somehow when I didn't see the connection. I thought the clue that helped pointed to someone else.
Kat is amazing! She's intelligent, fierce, kind, and thoughtful. I like how she's adamant about remaining respectable and independent - not just for the sake of Grace but also for herself. I also love how she stands up for herself and her job. Not many women would do that even today. Kat does NOT suffer from imposter syndrome! She knows she's amazing and can command high wages for what she does but she also knows she's in a position to lose everything if she missteps. She does quite frequently but she always manages to battle her way back, sometimes with Cynthia's help and sometimes on her own. I think, however, her fierce independence may be hampering her romance a bit. She can't let go and trust Daniel completely. I don't entirely blame her because he isn't always honest with her but that's because he CAN'T be. He trusts HER and respects her intelligence but also wants to protect her. He's still very swoony and I hope they can marry some day. I don't think he can as long as he's in debt to his boss and I don't think the mysterious Mr. Monaghan is going to let Daniel go easily or anytime soon. I think Mr. M won't let D go until the Irish threat is eradicated and as we know, that never really goes away and long after their lifetimes, the English and Irish will still be fighting. I think Mr. M needs to DIE to allow Daniel to breathe free. Then we have the problem of the rival gang leader who wants Daniel dead. That individual is not mentioned in this novel nor is the specter looming large behind them but I think even if Mr. M were to die, Daniel and Kat couldn't marry because she would be in danger. If it was just her, she'd be willing to risk it but she has Grace to think about. *sigh* The story does end happily and satisfactorily for now anyway.
The secondary characters really come to life in this series. I adore them all. Little Grace is 12 now and wise beyond her years. Personally, I think Kat should have let her friends adopt Grace but I'm not a mother and I can't understand how Kat feels. Grace is growing up and some day soon, Kat will have to let her go. Kat's heart will break knowing Grace doesn't need her but she will have done a great job allowing Grace to grow and stand on her own two feet. I love that Grace gets interested in Egypt and archeology. How do you get to be an archeologist, Grace wonders? Well, hmm I wonder? Barge your way into the life of the greatest Egyptologist of this or any other age? Crocodile on the Sandbank is still 7 years away but Grace is only 12 so she has time to grow up before she can join Amelia. I have no doubt Kat Holloway's daughter would be a girl after Amelia's own heart. James, Daniel's son, is growing fast too. He's old enough to worry about his dad and not be so eager to participate in Daniel's adventures.
The staff at Lord Rankins has really developed into a family. I love Tess the cheeky assistant cook. She's talented like Kat and clearly learned a lot from a woman she admires. Unlike Kat, Tess isn't afraid to speak her mind and let everyone know what she thinks. She's scheming and has a romantic streak. I'm happy she has a beau but doesn't want to rush into marriage. Mr. Davis always came across as slimy to me but here he really comes through and shows a better side of him. Perhaps because they all share a common enemy?
Lady Cynthia Shires is a great Victorian role model. While she loves her family, she chafes against the strict social rules for women in her day. I agree men's clothes are less restricting and more comfortable. What if she sent to California for some dungarees? Pass the smelling salts! Poor Cynthia just wants to live her life and be free. Sadly, as an unmarried, penniless woman, she doesn't have the ability to do just that. I like how she jumps at the chance to help in the investigations and how much she values Kat's friendship. I believe they're about the same age but Kat has a lifetime more of experience and seems to be the mother Cynthia desperately needs. Her parents are ghastly! Her mother tries to be the lady of the manor but is a jumped up nobody who gives herself airs. Lord Clifford is affable and charming but he's surely up to no good. Why is he in London now and don't tell me it's to bring Cynthia home!
Cynthia's friend Bobby isn't in this one much which is a shame. She's refreshing and shows that Victorian London was more diverse than is often portrayed. LGBTQ+ people were there too. We've heard more about the men thanks to Oscar Wilde but what about the women? Bobby shows what life must have been like for LGBTQ women at the time. Miss Townsend is lovely. She's a cool customer with a good head on her shoulders. Of course being wealthy, she can afford to do what she wants. I think she's not a warm and friendly person but she's gracious and kind when it counts. Cynthia had better hurry and propose to Mr. Thanos! He's so adorable in a geeky way. He's a typical absentminded professor type and needs her. Sadly, even though he's brilliant, he's penniless too but I see a light at the end of the tunnel for that problem-I hope.
The new characters are part of Lady Covington's household. Lady C was once married to a wealthy railroad magnate who tragically died and she quickly found a new relationship with another widowed railroad owner. She has two grown children under her thumb and two steps. Lady C is tough. She doesn't allow her children to be adults. Her daughter Harriet is a spinster, meek and weak allowing her mother to control her. Harriet's brother Jonathan is a charming rogue and probably a ne'er do well. Lady C is not warm or all that kind. She's demanding and asks a lot of Kat, a stranger and a cook in someone else's household. She's so rattled she can't get her story straight. Is someone trying to poison her or is she imagining it? She suspects it's one or both of her stepchildren. Gregory is nasty. He's on the board of the railway but wants more control. He wants the money that comes with the prestige. He isn't kind to his stepmother and is beastly to his sister and stepsiblings. His sister Erica is mean to her stepsiblings. She's a young widow living with her mother once again. Her husband was cruel and devious and it has taken a toll on her mental health.
Lady Covington's maid, Jepson, is a dragon. She seems to resent and suspect Kat of being up to no good. Kat suspects Jepson is the one poisoning her ladyship and I would agree with that if I could think of a motive. Why kill your employer? Maybe she wants Lady C to depend on her too much? The only other servants we meet are Symes, the gardener, who certainly must know about poisonous plants. He tries to turn Kat up sweet but she's suspicious and doesn't like him lumping her in the same servant category as himself. There's also Mrs. Eames, the cook. She's not as talented as Kat and is illiterate. She needs Kat's help to figure out who is poisoning her food before she gets arrested!
Daniel's mystery involves a Duke. Lord Daventry seems nice and harmless enough. His wife is lovely. They're elderly and perhaps they're being duped and are unaware their money is funding Irish terrorists? Daniel's foster brother, Mr. Fielding, joins in this mystery as well, to help Kat. He's a reprobate but I kind of like him. He's devoted to Daniel and seems to respect Kat at any rate even if he's a shady character. He's honest about his checkered past and his not-so-reformed present.
Ooh Jennifer Ashley signed a TV/movie deal for this series! It would be a great addition to PBS Masterpiece. I believe Miss Scarlet and the Duke was a success and I found that one kind of tepid compared to the Victorian cozy mysteries I read. I would prefer more books though and hope the TV show or movie is successful enough to warrant more adventures for Kat and friends.
This is one of the better adventures in the series. It's not as dark and suspenseful as the previous installment, although for me, Death in Kew Gardens has the edge because of the tea plot. (I love tea!) This one has less suspense but tons of cooking. The author clearly had fun reading Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management! I hope she tried some of the recipes and doing it the old-fashioned way by hand. The historical details are very descriptive and really set the story firmly in the Victorian era. Kat has chef training like Mrs. Pattmore in Downton Abbey and even though I don't like lemon, I really wanted to try Kat's lemon cake recipe, the description was that vivid. I like it when the author makes the details authentic.
Mystery-wise this one is not so suspenseful or exciting as some of the previous mysteries. The secondary mystery is back to being about the Irish question again and sadly that won't be settled for many, many more decades. I figured out the anarchist plot fairly quickly and was surprised Kat didn't see it sooner but she didn't have a lot of time. The "catch the villain" scene was actually kind of comical. I liked the way Kat handled herself. The main mystery was suspenseful enough after the person dies almost midway through the book. I was shocked by the identity of the poisoner and the reason why. I did not suspect that at all and neither did Kat. She figured it out somehow when I didn't see the connection. I thought the clue that helped pointed to someone else.
Kat is amazing! She's intelligent, fierce, kind, and thoughtful. I like how she's adamant about remaining respectable and independent - not just for the sake of Grace but also for herself. I also love how she stands up for herself and her job. Not many women would do that even today. Kat does NOT suffer from imposter syndrome! She knows she's amazing and can command high wages for what she does but she also knows she's in a position to lose everything if she missteps. She does quite frequently but she always manages to battle her way back, sometimes with Cynthia's help and sometimes on her own. I think, however, her fierce independence may be hampering her romance a bit. She can't let go and trust Daniel completely. I don't entirely blame her because he isn't always honest with her but that's because he CAN'T be. He trusts HER and respects her intelligence but also wants to protect her. He's still very swoony and I hope they can marry some day. I don't think he can as long as he's in debt to his boss and I don't think the mysterious Mr. Monaghan is going to let Daniel go easily or anytime soon. I think Mr. M won't let D go until the Irish threat is eradicated and as we know, that never really goes away and long after their lifetimes, the English and Irish will still be fighting. I think Mr. M needs to DIE to allow Daniel to breathe free. Then we have the problem of the rival gang leader who wants Daniel dead. That individual is not mentioned in this novel nor is the specter looming large behind them but I think even if Mr. M were to die, Daniel and Kat couldn't marry because she would be in danger. If it was just her, she'd be willing to risk it but she has Grace to think about. *sigh* The story does end happily and satisfactorily for now anyway.
The secondary characters really come to life in this series. I adore them all. Little Grace is 12 now and wise beyond her years. Personally, I think Kat should have let her friends adopt Grace but I'm not a mother and I can't understand how Kat feels. Grace is growing up and some day soon, Kat will have to let her go. Kat's heart will break knowing Grace doesn't need her but she will have done a great job allowing Grace to grow and stand on her own two feet. I love that Grace gets interested in Egypt and archeology. How do you get to be an archeologist, Grace wonders? Well, hmm I wonder? Barge your way into the life of the greatest Egyptologist of this or any other age? Crocodile on the Sandbank is still 7 years away but Grace is only 12 so she has time to grow up before she can join Amelia. I have no doubt Kat Holloway's daughter would be a girl after Amelia's own heart. James, Daniel's son, is growing fast too. He's old enough to worry about his dad and not be so eager to participate in Daniel's adventures.
The staff at Lord Rankins has really developed into a family. I love Tess the cheeky assistant cook. She's talented like Kat and clearly learned a lot from a woman she admires. Unlike Kat, Tess isn't afraid to speak her mind and let everyone know what she thinks. She's scheming and has a romantic streak. I'm happy she has a beau but doesn't want to rush into marriage. Mr. Davis always came across as slimy to me but here he really comes through and shows a better side of him. Perhaps because they all share a common enemy?
Lady Cynthia Shires is a great Victorian role model. While she loves her family, she chafes against the strict social rules for women in her day. I agree men's clothes are less restricting and more comfortable. What if she sent to California for some dungarees? Pass the smelling salts! Poor Cynthia just wants to live her life and be free. Sadly, as an unmarried, penniless woman, she doesn't have the ability to do just that. I like how she jumps at the chance to help in the investigations and how much she values Kat's friendship. I believe they're about the same age but Kat has a lifetime more of experience and seems to be the mother Cynthia desperately needs. Her parents are ghastly! Her mother tries to be the lady of the manor but is a jumped up nobody who gives herself airs. Lord Clifford is affable and charming but he's surely up to no good. Why is he in London now and don't tell me it's to bring Cynthia home!
Cynthia's friend Bobby isn't in this one much which is a shame. She's refreshing and shows that Victorian London was more diverse than is often portrayed. LGBTQ+ people were there too. We've heard more about the men thanks to Oscar Wilde but what about the women? Bobby shows what life must have been like for LGBTQ women at the time. Miss Townsend is lovely. She's a cool customer with a good head on her shoulders. Of course being wealthy, she can afford to do what she wants. I think she's not a warm and friendly person but she's gracious and kind when it counts. Cynthia had better hurry and propose to Mr. Thanos! He's so adorable in a geeky way. He's a typical absentminded professor type and needs her. Sadly, even though he's brilliant, he's penniless too but I see a light at the end of the tunnel for that problem-I hope.
The new characters are part of Lady Covington's household. Lady C was once married to a wealthy railroad magnate who tragically died and she quickly found a new relationship with another widowed railroad owner. She has two grown children under her thumb and two steps. Lady C is tough. She doesn't allow her children to be adults. Her daughter Harriet is a spinster, meek and weak allowing her mother to control her. Harriet's brother Jonathan is a charming rogue and probably a ne'er do well. Lady C is not warm or all that kind. She's demanding and asks a lot of Kat, a stranger and a cook in someone else's household. She's so rattled she can't get her story straight. Is someone trying to poison her or is she imagining it? She suspects it's one or both of her stepchildren. Gregory is nasty. He's on the board of the railway but wants more control. He wants the money that comes with the prestige. He isn't kind to his stepmother and is beastly to his sister and stepsiblings. His sister Erica is mean to her stepsiblings. She's a young widow living with her mother once again. Her husband was cruel and devious and it has taken a toll on her mental health.
Lady Covington's maid, Jepson, is a dragon. She seems to resent and suspect Kat of being up to no good. Kat suspects Jepson is the one poisoning her ladyship and I would agree with that if I could think of a motive. Why kill your employer? Maybe she wants Lady C to depend on her too much? The only other servants we meet are Symes, the gardener, who certainly must know about poisonous plants. He tries to turn Kat up sweet but she's suspicious and doesn't like him lumping her in the same servant category as himself. There's also Mrs. Eames, the cook. She's not as talented as Kat and is illiterate. She needs Kat's help to figure out who is poisoning her food before she gets arrested!
Daniel's mystery involves a Duke. Lord Daventry seems nice and harmless enough. His wife is lovely. They're elderly and perhaps they're being duped and are unaware their money is funding Irish terrorists? Daniel's foster brother, Mr. Fielding, joins in this mystery as well, to help Kat. He's a reprobate but I kind of like him. He's devoted to Daniel and seems to respect Kat at any rate even if he's a shady character. He's honest about his checkered past and his not-so-reformed present.
Ooh Jennifer Ashley signed a TV/movie deal for this series! It would be a great addition to PBS Masterpiece. I believe Miss Scarlet and the Duke was a success and I found that one kind of tepid compared to the Victorian cozy mysteries I read. I would prefer more books though and hope the TV show or movie is successful enough to warrant more adventures for Kat and friends.
December 16, 2022
4,5 - Giunta al quinto volume, devo dire che mi sono ormai rassegnata al fatto che questa serie abbia un contenuto molto più "giallo" che romance. E va bene così.
Credo ci fosse proprio bisogno di un personaggio così originale, di una cuoca che arriva dall'East End di Londra, che ha alle spalle una storia dolorosa e che è sempre in bilico nel mantenere la propria facciata perbene in una società ipocrita e bigotta.
Senza strafare e senza renderla una super eroina onnisciente, l'autrice è riuscita a creare un personaggio credibile, che si avvale del proprio sapere in cucina (dove viene a contatto con ingredienti, aromi, e persino piante e veleni) e delle proprie relazioni "ai piani bassi" (le informazioni, si sa, girano molto più velocemente tra domestici invisibili ma con occhi e orecchie ovunque) per scoprire particolari sfuggiti a tutti e persino per rivelare colpevoli insospettabili.
Anche stavolta Kat sarà chiamata a risolvere un caso di omicidio e lo farà a suo modo, con la sua umiltà e la sua fiera dolcezza. In parallelo, peraltro, dovrà aiutare anche il solito Daniel, l'uomo di cui è innamorata e che però non ha ancora condiviso con lei il suo lato in ombra.
La presenza di questo protagonista maschile sfuggente è forse l'aspetto più frustrante della serie (ma anche quello che mi fa continuare a seguirla, insieme alla simpatia che provo per Kat e tutti gli amici che abbiamo via via conosciuto): soffro un po' per lei che è sempre costretta ad aspettarlo, anche se sono convinta che, quando arriverà il momento, il misterioso uomo-camaleonte si paleserà a noi con il botto.
Azzeccati anche tutti i comprimari: adoro le gentildonne che si trasformano nel team di Kat, mi fanno sorridere Tess e Mr. Davis, e ho pure un debole per un certo mascalzone con il collarino...
Davvero una serie che consiglio molto!
Credo ci fosse proprio bisogno di un personaggio così originale, di una cuoca che arriva dall'East End di Londra, che ha alle spalle una storia dolorosa e che è sempre in bilico nel mantenere la propria facciata perbene in una società ipocrita e bigotta.
Senza strafare e senza renderla una super eroina onnisciente, l'autrice è riuscita a creare un personaggio credibile, che si avvale del proprio sapere in cucina (dove viene a contatto con ingredienti, aromi, e persino piante e veleni) e delle proprie relazioni "ai piani bassi" (le informazioni, si sa, girano molto più velocemente tra domestici invisibili ma con occhi e orecchie ovunque) per scoprire particolari sfuggiti a tutti e persino per rivelare colpevoli insospettabili.
Anche stavolta Kat sarà chiamata a risolvere un caso di omicidio e lo farà a suo modo, con la sua umiltà e la sua fiera dolcezza. In parallelo, peraltro, dovrà aiutare anche il solito Daniel, l'uomo di cui è innamorata e che però non ha ancora condiviso con lei il suo lato in ombra.
La presenza di questo protagonista maschile sfuggente è forse l'aspetto più frustrante della serie (ma anche quello che mi fa continuare a seguirla, insieme alla simpatia che provo per Kat e tutti gli amici che abbiamo via via conosciuto): soffro un po' per lei che è sempre costretta ad aspettarlo, anche se sono convinta che, quando arriverà il momento, il misterioso uomo-camaleonte si paleserà a noi con il botto.
Azzeccati anche tutti i comprimari: adoro le gentildonne che si trasformano nel team di Kat, mi fanno sorridere Tess e Mr. Davis, e ho pure un debole per un certo mascalzone con il collarino...
Davvero una serie che consiglio molto!
April 25, 2022
Ms. Ashley dedicated this one to all the readers who wanted more of Kat. I'm among them. I've been a fan since I "discovered" her with the Mackenzies series and while I loved that series, I've loved this one more. Until this one she just got better and better. I had the feeling as I read that the author was struggling with this one. That she wanted to appease her fans, especially fans of Kat and Daniel, but it just didn't have the same feeling as the earlier books. It wasn't an awful read, it just wasn't as good as the earlier ones in this series. I'm not ready for the series to end....the stories for several of the secondary characters are getting really good. This one just seemed to be missing that special something Ashley brings to her writing.
July 17, 2021
This is a series that I enjoy reading each summer when the newest book comes out. Endeavor at the crystal palace we are following cook Kate Who is approved by lady Covington believes that someone in her household is poisoning her. As she starts questioning those in the household Kate realizes that there are several people in the home that cannot be trusted but which one of them is actually poisoning the lady of the house? I enjoy going back into this world and meeting the cast of characters that I enjoy. I especially like it when Kate is at the Bywaters home cooking with her friends and her housemates. For me the reason why this book felt a little bit flat was because the actual mystery wasn’t as engaging or as interesting as I would like.I look forward to reading the next book in the series next year.
July 8, 2021
This is an outstanding addition to what is an excellent series. Honestly, I am not one bit surprised. The author, Jennifer Ashley, is a very talented author who successfully writes in several different genres. This particular series is a gem!
July 27, 2022
Bit of a mess mystery-wise, but always fun to read another volume in this "downstairs-sleuthing" series; a longer review available at my blog:
https://missbatesreadsromance.com/202...
https://missbatesreadsromance.com/202...
November 4, 2021
3.5 stars
May 5, 2022
3.5 stars
I've grown quite fond of Mrs Holloway and the other characters in her world. And the food is exceptional!
I've grown quite fond of Mrs Holloway and the other characters in her world. And the food is exceptional!
July 5, 2021
I wasn't sure how this book would go since it's the 5th in a series, but I quickly found myself enjoying Mrs. H's lemon cake along with the rest of the characters (in a manner of speaking).
One of my favourite aspects of this book was the detail. Jennifer Ashley was very thorough with all of her historical details (as far as I could tell). While some might find all of the cooking instructions boring, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them and the way Kat prepared her suppers.
At first, I wasn't quite sure what to think of Kat, but by the end, I realized that I appreciated her contentedness, kindness, and determination. She loved her job and the people around her and it was lovely to read about. Daniel was a real sweetheart! Kat and Daniel each had their own mystery to solve and as they went about doing this, their paths frequently crossed. I really, really hope she and Daniel can find a happy ending together.
The mystery was well executed as well. The evidence was all on the page, but like Kat, I had to figure it out. I definitely did not put all the pieces together and enjoyed that the ending took me by surprise. Honestly, I came to a point where I suspected almost all of Lady Covington's family and staff.
I am excited to read more books in this series and I expectantly await the next installment.
One of my favourite aspects of this book was the detail. Jennifer Ashley was very thorough with all of her historical details (as far as I could tell). While some might find all of the cooking instructions boring, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them and the way Kat prepared her suppers.
At first, I wasn't quite sure what to think of Kat, but by the end, I realized that I appreciated her contentedness, kindness, and determination. She loved her job and the people around her and it was lovely to read about. Daniel was a real sweetheart! Kat and Daniel each had their own mystery to solve and as they went about doing this, their paths frequently crossed. I really, really hope she and Daniel can find a happy ending together.
The mystery was well executed as well. The evidence was all on the page, but like Kat, I had to figure it out. I definitely did not put all the pieces together and enjoyed that the ending took me by surprise. Honestly, I came to a point where I suspected almost all of Lady Covington's family and staff.
I am excited to read more books in this series and I expectantly await the next installment.
August 24, 2021
I still want to know what this not-huapia recipe is.
As far as the book itself goes. Solid entry into the series. If you liked the previous books, you will enjoy this one just fine. I'm still waiting for our mains and Cynthia + Thanos to get together respectively. At this point, idk if it will ever actually happen.
As far as the book itself goes. Solid entry into the series. If you liked the previous books, you will enjoy this one just fine. I'm still waiting for our mains and Cynthia + Thanos to get together respectively. At this point, idk if it will ever actually happen.
January 10, 2022
I’m fairly terrible at following series, so I didn’t realise that there was another Below Stairs mystery out until Wendy talked about it on her blog, Musings of a Bookish Kitty and I decided to borrow the book before I forgot about it again. Well, on the train back from Nice, I did a bit of work until I couldn’t focus on the computer because I was getting dizzy, picked up Death at the Crystal Palace because I thought I’d read a little before switching to podcasts and… couldn’t put down the book until I was finished.
Death at Crystal Palace starts with proof that Kat’s reputation is spreading because it starts with a Lady Covington coming to Kat for help. She’s convinced she’s being poisoned and she wants Kat to help her. Unfortunately, Daniel can’t do much, since he’s embroiled in a case of his own, but when a member of Lady Covington’s family dies, Kat has to investigate. To complicate matters, Lady Cynthia’s parents are here and they’re up to their own schemes.
As you can guess from my summary, this is probably not the best book to begin the series with. The characters are all pretty established by now, and if you don’t know who Cynthia is, who Tess is, or the history between Daniel and Kat, things might be a bit confusing. For me, it was like stepping back into a familiar world and I loved seeing their teamwork in action. It sounds weird to have them all work together, but knowing their history, it makes sense and is so enjoyable.
I’ve got a soft spot for Kat and Daniel’s relationship, so I’m really chuffed to see how far things have progressed between them. I’m not too sure how this is going to impact future books going forward, but I’m hoping we start to see more of Daniel’s past and that it can finally be resolved.
If you’re into mystery, heartwarming friendships (and romance), and a heroine who knows how to take care of herself and come up with an amazing lemon cake recipe at a moment’s notice, you have to read this series! I’d just suggest you start with book one, so you can appreciate how far all the characters have come.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
Death at Crystal Palace starts with proof that Kat’s reputation is spreading because it starts with a Lady Covington coming to Kat for help. She’s convinced she’s being poisoned and she wants Kat to help her. Unfortunately, Daniel can’t do much, since he’s embroiled in a case of his own, but when a member of Lady Covington’s family dies, Kat has to investigate. To complicate matters, Lady Cynthia’s parents are here and they’re up to their own schemes.
As you can guess from my summary, this is probably not the best book to begin the series with. The characters are all pretty established by now, and if you don’t know who Cynthia is, who Tess is, or the history between Daniel and Kat, things might be a bit confusing. For me, it was like stepping back into a familiar world and I loved seeing their teamwork in action. It sounds weird to have them all work together, but knowing their history, it makes sense and is so enjoyable.
I’ve got a soft spot for Kat and Daniel’s relationship, so I’m really chuffed to see how far things have progressed between them. I’m not too sure how this is going to impact future books going forward, but I’m hoping we start to see more of Daniel’s past and that it can finally be resolved.
If you’re into mystery, heartwarming friendships (and romance), and a heroine who knows how to take care of herself and come up with an amazing lemon cake recipe at a moment’s notice, you have to read this series! I’d just suggest you start with book one, so you can appreciate how far all the characters have come.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
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