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Kitty Worthington Mysteries #1
Murder on the Golden Arrow
What’s a bright young woman to do when her brother becomes the main suspect in a murder? Why, solve the case, of course.
England. 1923. After a year away at finishing school where she learned etiquette, deportment, and the difference between a salad fork and a fish one, Kitty Worthington is eager to return home. But minutes after she and her brother Ned board the "Golden Arrow," the unthinkable happens. A woman with a mysterious connection to her brother is poisoned, and the murderer can only be someone aboard the train.
When Scotland Yard hones in on Ned as the main suspect, Kitty sets out to investigate. Not an easy thing to do while juggling the demands of her debut season and a mother intent on finding a suitable, aristocratic husband for her.
With the aid of her maid, two noble beaus, and a flatulent Basset Hound named Sir Winston, Kitty treads a fearless path through the glamorous world of high society and London’s dark underbelly alike to find the murderer. For if she fails, the insufferable Inspector Crawford will most surely hang a noose around her brother’s neck.
A frolicking historical cozy mystery filled with dodgy suspects, a dastardly villain, and an intrepid heroine sure to win your heart, Murder on the Golden Arrow is the first book in The Kitty Worthington Mysteries. For lovers of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey alike.
England. 1923. After a year away at finishing school where she learned etiquette, deportment, and the difference between a salad fork and a fish one, Kitty Worthington is eager to return home. But minutes after she and her brother Ned board the "Golden Arrow," the unthinkable happens. A woman with a mysterious connection to her brother is poisoned, and the murderer can only be someone aboard the train.
When Scotland Yard hones in on Ned as the main suspect, Kitty sets out to investigate. Not an easy thing to do while juggling the demands of her debut season and a mother intent on finding a suitable, aristocratic husband for her.
With the aid of her maid, two noble beaus, and a flatulent Basset Hound named Sir Winston, Kitty treads a fearless path through the glamorous world of high society and London’s dark underbelly alike to find the murderer. For if she fails, the insufferable Inspector Crawford will most surely hang a noose around her brother’s neck.
A frolicking historical cozy mystery filled with dodgy suspects, a dastardly villain, and an intrepid heroine sure to win your heart, Murder on the Golden Arrow is the first book in The Kitty Worthington Mysteries. For lovers of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey alike.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2021
1321 people are currently reading
1735 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
August 8, 2023
Hmm… where to start? First of all, small spoilers for the name of the victim in this book. Okay, so I’m torn on whether or not I liked this. Looking back, all I can say is that the mystery is quite good and engaging, but otherwise it was challenging for me to completely enjoy the story as I felt like it held an underlying judgmental tone throughout. Phrases like, “Rose had bitten the very hand that had fed her” and “Heavens. What a transformation! She’d turned into a shrew” weren’t uncommon. Sentiments befitting the time period, I’m sure, but I think it is important to note how certain lower-class female characters are described compared to the main character, Kitty, and her peers who are in the upper echelon of society. Where the whole thing gets really murky was that I was somewhat unsure where the narrative wanted my sympathies to lie, because it clearly wants to portray Kitty’s story as empowering, but doesn’t shine the same sympathetic light on Rose's, who didn’t have anything near the privileged life that Kitty had. Not that it's a competition, but the characters offering a smidgen of empathy would have gone a loo~oong way! I’m not trying to say that I 100% condone the actions of Rose, I just thought there could have been an interesting parallel between her and Kitty that the narrative didn’t seem all that keen on examining. A moment of quiet solidarity if you will. There is a paragraph where Kitty claims that she “feels sorry for Rose,” but... I don't know, it felt like a last-minute addition to me. Unfortunately, for most of the book, discussions about Rose’s circumstances as a woman who was dealt bad hand after bad hand her entire life were either half-hearted, or came across as uncomfortably apathetic.
I guess what I’m also saying is that I wasn’t a big fan of Kitty. Now, normally it doesn’t matter whether or not I liked the main character, because I do believe that a book can be good regardless of the likeability of the characters, but man… she'd always have these hot-takes that felt rich coming from someone who’s living lavish in the upper crust of society. It's always easy to say things don't matter when you have those things. When I’m constantly coming across sentences like, “you should be happy with what you have,” and several more out of touch statements that wouldn’t be out of place in Parasite, it can get a little tiresome. I also noticed that all the characters who are “rewarded” in the story “knew their place” and never tried to “rise above their station.” Hmmm, that sure is an uncomfortable throughline to have in your story. As for the love-interest? There’s really nothing to say other than he’s a stick-in-the-mud who’s vaguely bigoted and says things like “a lady shouldn’t be in this part of town,” hmmmmmm, what are you really trying to say pal? He also fancies himself a knight in shining armor, but is really just weirdly overprotective and controlling. He sucked, basically. Oh yeah, also Kitty meets Ernest Hemingway. This isn’t important to anything else I was saying, I just don’t like historical fiction books that have the main characters meeting a bunch of pre-famous, famous figures from history. I think it’s silly. Anyway, clearly I’m not going to continue this series, but I’d still like to imagine Kitty's future adventures where she'll continue to meet famous historical figures in every subsequent book, which will obviously culminate in her creating a team to solve crimes with all of them, Avengers style. Hey! A guy can pretend, right?
”And what do you hope to gain, Miss Worthington?”
”Enlightenment.”
I guess what I’m also saying is that I wasn’t a big fan of Kitty. Now, normally it doesn’t matter whether or not I liked the main character, because I do believe that a book can be good regardless of the likeability of the characters, but man… she'd always have these hot-takes that felt rich coming from someone who’s living lavish in the upper crust of society. It's always easy to say things don't matter when you have those things. When I’m constantly coming across sentences like, “you should be happy with what you have,” and several more out of touch statements that wouldn’t be out of place in Parasite, it can get a little tiresome. I also noticed that all the characters who are “rewarded” in the story “knew their place” and never tried to “rise above their station.” Hmmm, that sure is an uncomfortable throughline to have in your story. As for the love-interest? There’s really nothing to say other than he’s a stick-in-the-mud who’s vaguely bigoted and says things like “a lady shouldn’t be in this part of town,” hmmmmmm, what are you really trying to say pal? He also fancies himself a knight in shining armor, but is really just weirdly overprotective and controlling. He sucked, basically. Oh yeah, also Kitty meets Ernest Hemingway. This isn’t important to anything else I was saying, I just don’t like historical fiction books that have the main characters meeting a bunch of pre-famous, famous figures from history. I think it’s silly. Anyway, clearly I’m not going to continue this series, but I’d still like to imagine Kitty's future adventures where she'll continue to meet famous historical figures in every subsequent book, which will obviously culminate in her creating a team to solve crimes with all of them, Avengers style. Hey! A guy can pretend, right?
”And what do you hope to gain, Miss Worthington?”
”Enlightenment.”
January 8, 2022
This is a start for a new historical cozy mystery set in 1923, England.
Kitty, the youngest daughter of an English family, has just graduated from finishing school and is on the way home with her brother. Kitty's mother has lots of plans to find a suitable match and preparing for her debut.
This is what always happens, nothing goes on plan! When Kitty and her brother, Ned were on the train, the Golden Arrow, someone becomes ill and dies. This was not their problem until Kitty find out she was poisoned, pregnant, her brother had an affair with her, and she was blackmailing Ned.
Rose Trevvyan had not died a natural death, she had been murdered, Net is a suspect and, surely one of the passengers is the killer.
It is time that Kitty decided to discover the killer before they charge his brother. She finds out many things, betrayal, scandal, lies, and many more blackmail notes!
This was a great mystery with lovely characters. I really enjoyed the way story goes on. There are many suspects and twist with intelligent Kitty who tries to save her brother. I loved it.
"My dear Miss Worthington, you don’t mean to make a habit of investigating crimes?
Well. No. But if one happened to come along, and it involved someone close to me, I just might.
Heaven help us."
Hooray, count me in!
Many thanks to BookBuzz and Netgalley, I have given an honest review of Murder on the Golden Arrow: The Kitty Worthington Mysteries, Book 1 by Magda Alexander.
Kitty, the youngest daughter of an English family, has just graduated from finishing school and is on the way home with her brother. Kitty's mother has lots of plans to find a suitable match and preparing for her debut.
This is what always happens, nothing goes on plan! When Kitty and her brother, Ned were on the train, the Golden Arrow, someone becomes ill and dies. This was not their problem until Kitty find out she was poisoned, pregnant, her brother had an affair with her, and she was blackmailing Ned.
Rose Trevvyan had not died a natural death, she had been murdered, Net is a suspect and, surely one of the passengers is the killer.
It is time that Kitty decided to discover the killer before they charge his brother. She finds out many things, betrayal, scandal, lies, and many more blackmail notes!
This was a great mystery with lovely characters. I really enjoyed the way story goes on. There are many suspects and twist with intelligent Kitty who tries to save her brother. I loved it.
"My dear Miss Worthington, you don’t mean to make a habit of investigating crimes?
Well. No. But if one happened to come along, and it involved someone close to me, I just might.
Heaven help us."
Hooray, count me in!
Many thanks to BookBuzz and Netgalley, I have given an honest review of Murder on the Golden Arrow: The Kitty Worthington Mysteries, Book 1 by Magda Alexander.
September 21, 2021
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hearts Afire Publishing for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review Murder on the Golden Arrow. All opinions are my own.
Kitty Worthington’s brother is a suspect in a murder – what’s a young girl to do? Find the real killer, of course. In between readying herself for her debut and fending off a flatulent hound, Kitty does just that in this, the first book in what is expected to be an ongoing series.
It’s somewhat formulaic. There are plenty of rich young things, over-protective relatives, a nosy parker of a young woman, the stuffy police inspector who resents her interference (and who happens to be good looking), but the author, Magda Alexander, has a soft touch with it all and Kitty is a bright, determined heroine, one of the “modern girls” of the 20s that wants more than a husband and children.
There are lots of suspects besides the brother – our murdered woman was busy doing bad things to a lot of people, including blackmail. The author finds ways to put Kitty into places and situations where she can utilize the clues in a logical fashion – helpful for solving murders!
Kitty does conduct a though investigative campaign, that’s for sure. She spots something and with a bit of confirmation from Inspector Crawford, gets a murderer to confess.
Kitty is a good character, intelligent and full of common sense, and she fits well within the bounds of credibility. If you like your mysteries with a budding romance thrown in, then Murder on the Golden Arrow will fit the bill nicely.
Kitty Worthington’s brother is a suspect in a murder – what’s a young girl to do? Find the real killer, of course. In between readying herself for her debut and fending off a flatulent hound, Kitty does just that in this, the first book in what is expected to be an ongoing series.
It’s somewhat formulaic. There are plenty of rich young things, over-protective relatives, a nosy parker of a young woman, the stuffy police inspector who resents her interference (and who happens to be good looking), but the author, Magda Alexander, has a soft touch with it all and Kitty is a bright, determined heroine, one of the “modern girls” of the 20s that wants more than a husband and children.
There are lots of suspects besides the brother – our murdered woman was busy doing bad things to a lot of people, including blackmail. The author finds ways to put Kitty into places and situations where she can utilize the clues in a logical fashion – helpful for solving murders!
Kitty does conduct a though investigative campaign, that’s for sure. She spots something and with a bit of confirmation from Inspector Crawford, gets a murderer to confess.
Kitty is a good character, intelligent and full of common sense, and she fits well within the bounds of credibility. If you like your mysteries with a budding romance thrown in, then Murder on the Golden Arrow will fit the bill nicely.
November 25, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I honestly don't have a lot to say about this book. It was simply perfection in every way. A wonderful setting. Excellent writing. Well paced. An intriguing plot that kept me guessing. Extremely likable cast of characters. A flirty bit of romance. I'd say this was probably one of the best cozy mysteries I have read in a long while. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in this series!
**ARC Via NetGalley**
I honestly don't have a lot to say about this book. It was simply perfection in every way. A wonderful setting. Excellent writing. Well paced. An intriguing plot that kept me guessing. Extremely likable cast of characters. A flirty bit of romance. I'd say this was probably one of the best cozy mysteries I have read in a long while. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in this series!
**ARC Via NetGalley**
September 12, 2021
Roaring 20's Murder Mystery, a la 'Orient Express'
Synopsis:
1923
Ned Worthington has traveled to Switzerland to retrieve his sister Kitty from a brief stint at finishing school. She will soon be launched into her season and her mother is desirious to see her married. At the tender age of 20 Kitty isn't keen to be retired before getting her chance to explore the world and rub elbows with fellow artists, and thus she has no desire yet to wed.
And she doesn't have a pressing need to do so regardless, coming from an extremely wealthy family, her father a prominent financier.
On their way back to London, Ned & Kitty halve their journey home and allow a respite in Paris at the glitzy Ritz hotel where a mysterious smoke show, Rose, visibly rattles Ned, and thus the stage for the coming whodunit begins to unfold.
On the final leg abroad the London bound train, Rose falls suddenly ill, and everyone in the compartment rushes to her aid, but tis no use: She's drop dead- and not just gorgeous- like also literally dies.
Who'd cut down a Rose in her prime? Who would poison a young woman, newly wed, expecting a baby- or was she?
Rose:
Beautiful Rose had thorns a plenty to prick, and several on board lay claim to a substantial motive to wish her gone. With Kitty's brother amongst the bevy of suspects, being predisposed to be as curious as a cat, and particularly observant,
Kitty:
She inserts herself in the investigation.
Blackmail, hidden parentage, greed, broken engagements, affairs, and poison- oh my! Kitty will have to sift through much salacious goings on to solve the case.
What Pickled my Fancy:
♡Beautiful cover art. There was also this cute blackmail note in the intro, written in cursive, on parchment, and all the helpings. Very nice touch- the nicest blackmail note I've received thus far- or at the very least, the most aesthetically pleasing.
♡The premiss featured all the right notes: setting of the 1920's, trains, murder & intrigue, and a proactive protagonist.
What Ruffled my Feathers:
✗Dialogue was bland and nothing about it stood out. I believe this also contributed to my unfamiliarity with the characters and their personalities or lack thereof.
✗Poor character development.
✗ Broke my suspension of disbelief.
✗The mystery never manages to titillate me.
The Brass Tacks:
Everything is so lightly drawn, it never engaged my emotions, interest, or nerves. It is well written in a clinical manner,
but it never grabbed me. No dialogue stood out, the characters are barely fleshed out, the plot/ mystery is underwhelming, the lead is plain- at times dense- and clearly has plot amour. The 'attraction' that kept being alluded to between the detective and Kitty came out of nowhere and left me puzzled as it is so randomly thrown in at times and it seemed to me but a wisp of a thing. There were a lot of characters Kitty confided or spoke to and the stage was much too crowded for any character, including the lead, to enjoy any sort of development. Which by the by Kitty's beliefs were never tested, she undergoes no growth or change, no emotional highs or lows.
As for the murder itself, of course regardless of who Rose was, it was wrong for her to be murdered- however, that being said I did not super care! She was blackmailing everyone and their mother!
I don't want to victim blame even a fictional character, but…. play stupid games, win stupid prizes, as they say.
Rose: Blackmails and maliciously antagonizes a bunch of powerful people.
*Gets murdered*
Also Rose:
I see the reviews are glowing, so I posit this is simply not my cuppa and recommend you visit other reviews before letting my specific experience turn you off. I was disappointed I did not enjoy this as the premiss had me so excited, as did the beautiful cover art; I was in a tizzy when I scored this ARC, I was sure it would be a home run.
But alas, it was not to be. I struggled to finish this and kept checking out the other reviews hoping that at some point I would see what everyone else did.
I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review
꙳ Spice Scale rating: Belle Pepper Chaste 🌶 /5 ꙳
Synopsis:
1923
Ned Worthington has traveled to Switzerland to retrieve his sister Kitty from a brief stint at finishing school. She will soon be launched into her season and her mother is desirious to see her married. At the tender age of 20 Kitty isn't keen to be retired before getting her chance to explore the world and rub elbows with fellow artists, and thus she has no desire yet to wed.
And she doesn't have a pressing need to do so regardless, coming from an extremely wealthy family, her father a prominent financier.
On their way back to London, Ned & Kitty halve their journey home and allow a respite in Paris at the glitzy Ritz hotel where a mysterious smoke show, Rose, visibly rattles Ned, and thus the stage for the coming whodunit begins to unfold.
On the final leg abroad the London bound train, Rose falls suddenly ill, and everyone in the compartment rushes to her aid, but tis no use: She's drop dead- and not just gorgeous- like also literally dies.
Who'd cut down a Rose in her prime? Who would poison a young woman, newly wed, expecting a baby- or was she?
Rose:
Beautiful Rose had thorns a plenty to prick, and several on board lay claim to a substantial motive to wish her gone. With Kitty's brother amongst the bevy of suspects, being predisposed to be as curious as a cat, and particularly observant,
Kitty:
She inserts herself in the investigation.
Blackmail, hidden parentage, greed, broken engagements, affairs, and poison- oh my! Kitty will have to sift through much salacious goings on to solve the case.
What Pickled my Fancy:
♡Beautiful cover art. There was also this cute blackmail note in the intro, written in cursive, on parchment, and all the helpings. Very nice touch- the nicest blackmail note I've received thus far- or at the very least, the most aesthetically pleasing.
♡The premiss featured all the right notes: setting of the 1920's, trains, murder & intrigue, and a proactive protagonist.
What Ruffled my Feathers:
✗Dialogue was bland and nothing about it stood out. I believe this also contributed to my unfamiliarity with the characters and their personalities or lack thereof.
✗Poor character development.
✗ Broke my suspension of disbelief.
✗The mystery never manages to titillate me.
The Brass Tacks:
Everything is so lightly drawn, it never engaged my emotions, interest, or nerves. It is well written in a clinical manner,
but it never grabbed me. No dialogue stood out, the characters are barely fleshed out, the plot/ mystery is underwhelming, the lead is plain- at times dense- and clearly has plot amour. The 'attraction' that kept being alluded to between the detective and Kitty came out of nowhere and left me puzzled as it is so randomly thrown in at times and it seemed to me but a wisp of a thing. There were a lot of characters Kitty confided or spoke to and the stage was much too crowded for any character, including the lead, to enjoy any sort of development. Which by the by Kitty's beliefs were never tested, she undergoes no growth or change, no emotional highs or lows.
As for the murder itself, of course regardless of who Rose was, it was wrong for her to be murdered- however, that being said I did not super care! She was blackmailing everyone and their mother!
I don't want to victim blame even a fictional character, but…. play stupid games, win stupid prizes, as they say.
Rose: Blackmails and maliciously antagonizes a bunch of powerful people.
*Gets murdered*
Also Rose:
I see the reviews are glowing, so I posit this is simply not my cuppa and recommend you visit other reviews before letting my specific experience turn you off. I was disappointed I did not enjoy this as the premiss had me so excited, as did the beautiful cover art; I was in a tizzy when I scored this ARC, I was sure it would be a home run.
But alas, it was not to be. I struggled to finish this and kept checking out the other reviews hoping that at some point I would see what everyone else did.
I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review
꙳ Spice Scale rating: Belle Pepper Chaste 🌶 /5 ꙳
October 5, 2022
In genere i libri che fanno parte di una serie li leggo in rigoroso ordine cronologico, per evitare in tutti modi spoiler sulla trama e sul destino dei personaggi. Murder on the golden arrow è, sì, il primo della serie dei Misteri di Kitty Worthington, ma non è il primo che leggo: alcuni mesi fa ho letto – senza rendermi conto che era il secondo – Murder at Westminster e mi è piaciuto talmente tanto sia da non interrompere la lettura quando ho capito che era il secondo (giuro che in altri casi l'ho fatto!) sia da cercare di leggere anche il primo non appena mi fosse stato possibile. Conoscevo già la trama a grandi linee? Certo. Sapevo come sarebbe andato a finire? Ovvio. Sapevo come si sarebbero sviluypatta le relazioni tra i vari personaggi? Ancora sì. Mi è per questo piaciuto poco? No, assolutamente! È un libro frizzante, divertente, spiritoso, arguto, che si fa leggere in un battibaleno...adesso che sono rientrataneio ranghi corretti di lettura, procederò con il terzo!
***
Usually I read the books that are part of a series in a strict chronological order, to completely avoid spoilers on the plot and on the fate of the characters. Murder on the golden arrow is, yes, the first in Kitty Worthington's Mysteries series, but it's not the first one I've read: a few months ago I read - without realizing it was the second in order - Murder at Westminster and I loved it so much I didn't stop reading it when I realized it was the second (I swear that in other cases I did!) and I tried to read the first as soon as possible. Did I already know the plot in outline? Of course. Did I know how it would turn out? Obvious. Did I know how the relationships between the various characters would develop? Still yes. Did I like this less than the other book? Absolutely not! It is a sparkling, funny and witty novel, which can be read in a flash... now that the correct reading ranks are back, I will proceed with the third one!
***
Usually I read the books that are part of a series in a strict chronological order, to completely avoid spoilers on the plot and on the fate of the characters. Murder on the golden arrow is, yes, the first in Kitty Worthington's Mysteries series, but it's not the first one I've read: a few months ago I read - without realizing it was the second in order - Murder at Westminster and I loved it so much I didn't stop reading it when I realized it was the second (I swear that in other cases I did!) and I tried to read the first as soon as possible. Did I already know the plot in outline? Of course. Did I know how it would turn out? Obvious. Did I know how the relationships between the various characters would develop? Still yes. Did I like this less than the other book? Absolutely not! It is a sparkling, funny and witty novel, which can be read in a flash... now that the correct reading ranks are back, I will proceed with the third one!
May 20, 2023
Rating: 3.7 / 5
As my first read by Magda Alexander, I think this was fine, but unfortunately, I was not exactly blown away by Kitty Worthington.
I think that, having read quite a few cozy mysteries by now, while I'm a big fan of gals like Eleanor Swift and Penelope Banks, there's something about them that's more worldly (possibly because they're also a bit older?) and attractive than...
...well, a debutante like Kitty.
In Eleanor's case, part of the charm is her relationship with Clifford, which is always tops.
In Pen's case, it's the cast of colourful characters around her, as well as the fact that she has an eidetic memory.
But with Kitty...meh, she doesn't really have anything that makes her stand out just yet. Not even a bold curiosity or particular daring, actually, as she's only investigating a murder here to help out her brother. (And, while we're on the subject of "average", even her possibly-relationship with Inspector Crawford seems a bit too touch-and-go at the moment.)
So...yeah, I'm not exactly "wowed" yet, but I might take a further try at Magda Alexander reads. Maybe it gets better from here?
As my first read by Magda Alexander, I think this was fine, but unfortunately, I was not exactly blown away by Kitty Worthington.
I think that, having read quite a few cozy mysteries by now, while I'm a big fan of gals like Eleanor Swift and Penelope Banks, there's something about them that's more worldly (possibly because they're also a bit older?) and attractive than...
...well, a debutante like Kitty.
In Eleanor's case, part of the charm is her relationship with Clifford, which is always tops.
In Pen's case, it's the cast of colourful characters around her, as well as the fact that she has an eidetic memory.
But with Kitty...meh, she doesn't really have anything that makes her stand out just yet. Not even a bold curiosity or particular daring, actually, as she's only investigating a murder here to help out her brother. (And, while we're on the subject of "average", even her possibly-relationship with Inspector Crawford seems a bit too touch-and-go at the moment.)
So...yeah, I'm not exactly "wowed" yet, but I might take a further try at Magda Alexander reads. Maybe it gets better from here?
February 9, 2022
This was a decent enough mystery with an enjoyable cast of characters.
I will say that the language used felt more late 1800s than 1920s, but perhaps that’s just me.
*Disclaimer* I received an eARC from Hearts Afire Publishing on NetGalley. An honest review was provided.
I will say that the language used felt more late 1800s than 1920s, but perhaps that’s just me.
*Disclaimer* I received an eARC from Hearts Afire Publishing on NetGalley. An honest review was provided.
September 23, 2021
I’m a huge fan of both cozy mysteries and that particular era, and Death on the Golden Arrow fits that bill perfectly, Period charm, humour, and a likeable sleuth in young Kitty Worthington make this a nice addition to the genre.
again:
I received a free copy of this book from HEARTS AFIRE PUBLISHING in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own
again:
I received a free copy of this book from HEARTS AFIRE PUBLISHING in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own
April 18, 2024
This review contains very light spoilers.
It didn't take me long to breeze through this pleasant period mystery. The lead character, Kitty Worthington, was a delightful guide and kept me flipping the pages throughout. She was witty, resourceful, and highly intelligent, and she operated very believably within the confines of a 1920's heiress. I was amused at the clever rationales she developed to meet with all the suspects in the case. Without the authority afforded a member of the police force, she nevertheless found a way to gather all the information she needed to put together the facts of the crime. While the structure and formula of the mystery was familiar, I found this restriction to be unique and enjoyable, and it added to my admiration of our hero.
This book was not, however, an all-time favorite mystery for me. There were, in fact, several flaws that took me out of the story. Many of these could have been addressed with some competent editing. Certain phrases were repeated endlessly and needlessly. Maybe it's just me (I don't think it is), but I have a big problem with using a trite turn of phrase over and over to describe the same thing. Two grating examples from this book: 1) our narrator "bit back a smile" so much I was concerned her lips must have been bleeding, and 2) characters (mostly female ones) "sailed" in and out of rooms with such frequency I was certain they would ram one another and sink. And then there were the commas. I'm usually not a big stickler for comma placement, but there were occasions in this story where the entire sense of a sentence was changed by the improper inclusion or omission of a simple comma. Again, none of my complaints were colossal issues, but they made me stop to reread, and I don't like being reminded I'm reading when I'm immersed in a good story.
As for the more complex issues (not easily resolved through editing), I've stated before that a quality mystery must operate with some characteristic and recognizable attributes and signposts. There should be smaller mysteries to clear up, hidden relationships to discover, red herrings to navigate, and, crucially, the mystery itself must be "fair," meaning that the reader should be presented with the means of solving the puzzle themselves. Even if those elements aren't obvious, they should be presented in plain sight so a reader can later say, "Oh, I missed the significance of that, but it was there all the time if I'd known what I was looking for." My favorite mystery author, Peter Lovesey, routinely checks all of these boxes and does it with the style and wit that distinguish him as a true master of this genre. Many of these components did show up in Murder on the Golden Arrow, but some did not quite hit the mark for me. I wasn't truly disappointed, but there was enough of an accumulation of near misses that I'm uncertain if I'll go after the next book in this series. It's certainly possible that some of the rough edges could be smoothed out with experience, and Kitty Worthington herself is a charming enough character that I will seriously consider it, but at the moment, I'm content with just my single glimpse into her glamorous world.
It didn't take me long to breeze through this pleasant period mystery. The lead character, Kitty Worthington, was a delightful guide and kept me flipping the pages throughout. She was witty, resourceful, and highly intelligent, and she operated very believably within the confines of a 1920's heiress. I was amused at the clever rationales she developed to meet with all the suspects in the case. Without the authority afforded a member of the police force, she nevertheless found a way to gather all the information she needed to put together the facts of the crime. While the structure and formula of the mystery was familiar, I found this restriction to be unique and enjoyable, and it added to my admiration of our hero.
This book was not, however, an all-time favorite mystery for me. There were, in fact, several flaws that took me out of the story. Many of these could have been addressed with some competent editing. Certain phrases were repeated endlessly and needlessly. Maybe it's just me (I don't think it is), but I have a big problem with using a trite turn of phrase over and over to describe the same thing. Two grating examples from this book: 1) our narrator "bit back a smile" so much I was concerned her lips must have been bleeding, and 2) characters (mostly female ones) "sailed" in and out of rooms with such frequency I was certain they would ram one another and sink. And then there were the commas. I'm usually not a big stickler for comma placement, but there were occasions in this story where the entire sense of a sentence was changed by the improper inclusion or omission of a simple comma. Again, none of my complaints were colossal issues, but they made me stop to reread, and I don't like being reminded I'm reading when I'm immersed in a good story.
As for the more complex issues (not easily resolved through editing), I've stated before that a quality mystery must operate with some characteristic and recognizable attributes and signposts. There should be smaller mysteries to clear up, hidden relationships to discover, red herrings to navigate, and, crucially, the mystery itself must be "fair," meaning that the reader should be presented with the means of solving the puzzle themselves. Even if those elements aren't obvious, they should be presented in plain sight so a reader can later say, "Oh, I missed the significance of that, but it was there all the time if I'd known what I was looking for." My favorite mystery author, Peter Lovesey, routinely checks all of these boxes and does it with the style and wit that distinguish him as a true master of this genre. Many of these components did show up in Murder on the Golden Arrow, but some did not quite hit the mark for me. I wasn't truly disappointed, but there was enough of an accumulation of near misses that I'm uncertain if I'll go after the next book in this series. It's certainly possible that some of the rough edges could be smoothed out with experience, and Kitty Worthington herself is a charming enough character that I will seriously consider it, but at the moment, I'm content with just my single glimpse into her glamorous world.
September 16, 2021
The last thing one expects when returning home from finishing school is to become involved in a murder. That’s exactly what happens to Kitty Worthington and her eldest brother Ned. When Kitty discovers that Ned has a past intimate relationship with the victim and signs point to him being the chief suspect she decides that she must investigate. She will not leave her brother’s fate in the hands of an Inspector from Scotland Yard, no matter how handsome he is. And so debutant Kitty becomes detective. A small pool of suspects since the tragic event occurred on a train would seem to indicate the culprit will be easy to unmask. However Kitty must attend her season’s events, avoid her mother’s scrutiny and ensure she is properly chaperoned. No problem at all.
A delightful and lighthearted mystery. There’s a bit of an homage to Agatha Christie and Murder on the Orient Express if only because of the setting and the era. The similarities end there. Kitty is a sweet, somewhat sheltered young woman due to her parents wealth. She comes alive when investigating showing spunk and a great deal of creative thinking. Her family and acquaintances are wonderful additions making the story rich with interesting characters. I enjoyed very much the peek into a bygone era of 1920’s England. Good characters, fascinating mystery and great world building Murder on the Golden Arrow is a definite win!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A delightful and lighthearted mystery. There’s a bit of an homage to Agatha Christie and Murder on the Orient Express if only because of the setting and the era. The similarities end there. Kitty is a sweet, somewhat sheltered young woman due to her parents wealth. She comes alive when investigating showing spunk and a great deal of creative thinking. Her family and acquaintances are wonderful additions making the story rich with interesting characters. I enjoyed very much the peek into a bygone era of 1920’s England. Good characters, fascinating mystery and great world building Murder on the Golden Arrow is a definite win!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 16, 2023
I was liking this book fine until about the 60% mark. I finished it, and overall I enjoyed it, but I am not certain I will read other books in the series.
My issue was Kitty. I totally understand that she is a sheltered, unworldly upper-class British woman who has little exposure to the world. I get that. But while Kitty started out well, investigating the murder she witnessed to try to help her brother who was a suspect be cleared, the scene where Kitty is tossed in jail by the Inspector suddenly turned her into a 12-year-old. I mean for pity's sake - she actually thinks about sticking out her tongue at the meanie Inspector! Ugh. I really lost almost all my like for Kitty because of that shift in her personality. It felt absolutely ridiculous!
As I said, overall this was a well-crafted murder mystery with good characters, an interesting setting and nice pacing. Since my library has the next few books in audio format (which is how I read this book) if I needed an audio book for my daily walk and these were available maybe I would try one more in hopes Kitty will not be portrayed quite so ridiculously in the rest.
My issue was Kitty. I totally understand that she is a sheltered, unworldly upper-class British woman who has little exposure to the world. I get that. But while Kitty started out well, investigating the murder she witnessed to try to help her brother who was a suspect be cleared, the scene where Kitty is tossed in jail by the Inspector suddenly turned her into a 12-year-old. I mean for pity's sake - she actually thinks about sticking out her tongue at the meanie Inspector! Ugh. I really lost almost all my like for Kitty because of that shift in her personality. It felt absolutely ridiculous!
As I said, overall this was a well-crafted murder mystery with good characters, an interesting setting and nice pacing. Since my library has the next few books in audio format (which is how I read this book) if I needed an audio book for my daily walk and these were available maybe I would try one more in hopes Kitty will not be portrayed quite so ridiculously in the rest.
June 6, 2022
Buckle Up for a Rollicking Good Read!
A fun read that sucks the reader into the era with ease. Amateur sleuth and high society debutante is desperate to solve a mystery to save her brother from a noose. Can she catch the real culprit without getting in harm’s way? No spoilers from me. I give this book five shiny golden arrows and a strong recommendation to sit back and enjoy the ride!
A fun read that sucks the reader into the era with ease. Amateur sleuth and high society debutante is desperate to solve a mystery to save her brother from a noose. Can she catch the real culprit without getting in harm’s way? No spoilers from me. I give this book five shiny golden arrows and a strong recommendation to sit back and enjoy the ride!
no-dull-mwh-dmh-tstl-unsafe
December 3, 2021I gave this a try but the storytelling style is not for me. First person narrative, the MC read YA even though she’s in her early 20s. I’m just too old for this kind of story. :)
September 23, 2021
An excellent and well written book set in the 1920s.
When Kitty Worthington’s brother is accused of murdering a woman on a train, she decides she need to find the real killer in order to protect him. The year is 1923, and respectful women did not involve themselves in murders, but this does not stop Kitty who goes head first into the investigation. This is Murder on the Golden Arrow by Magda Alexander.
I loved the protagonist, Kitty Worthington. That girl has gumption. I loved the fact that her mother supported her, no matter what she got herself into. All the characters were well rounded and well written. The flirting between Kitty and Inspector Crawford had me rooting for them, and I hope the author continues to develop their relationship in further books. The plot was clever and kept your attention as the author exposed clues a bit at a time. The writing was superb, and you could tell the writer did her research for the time period of the book.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are my own.
When Kitty Worthington’s brother is accused of murdering a woman on a train, she decides she need to find the real killer in order to protect him. The year is 1923, and respectful women did not involve themselves in murders, but this does not stop Kitty who goes head first into the investigation. This is Murder on the Golden Arrow by Magda Alexander.
I loved the protagonist, Kitty Worthington. That girl has gumption. I loved the fact that her mother supported her, no matter what she got herself into. All the characters were well rounded and well written. The flirting between Kitty and Inspector Crawford had me rooting for them, and I hope the author continues to develop their relationship in further books. The plot was clever and kept your attention as the author exposed clues a bit at a time. The writing was superb, and you could tell the writer did her research for the time period of the book.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are my own.
September 22, 2021
When I see a historical cozy mystery I want to give it a try. Murder on the Golden Arrow is a fun read and I hope there will be more. Set in 1923, Kitty Worthington, her mother and brother are likable characters, the puzzle is a locked room mystery and it entertained me to the very end.
Kitty's mother would love to find a wealthy match for her daughter and Kitty has now completed finishing school, ready to make her debut. Those plans become derailed when, on a trip from London to Paris and back a woman on the train is poisoned and suspicion focuses on her brother. He and the victim had a connection but did it result in murder? Enter the Scotland Yard DI and a cast of interesting characters and you have the perfect reading escape. Kitty is a clever young woman and will use all of her intelligence to figure out who the real killer is.
My thanks to the publisher Hearts Afire Publishing and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Kitty's mother would love to find a wealthy match for her daughter and Kitty has now completed finishing school, ready to make her debut. Those plans become derailed when, on a trip from London to Paris and back a woman on the train is poisoned and suspicion focuses on her brother. He and the victim had a connection but did it result in murder? Enter the Scotland Yard DI and a cast of interesting characters and you have the perfect reading escape. Kitty is a clever young woman and will use all of her intelligence to figure out who the real killer is.
My thanks to the publisher Hearts Afire Publishing and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 22, 2021
Enjoyable Mystery . . .
Kitty Worthington is eager to return home after a year at finishing school. She and her brother Ned boarded the Golden Arrow, only to have a woman, who had a past relationship with her brother, poisoned. The suspect who murdered her has to be one of the passengers on the train. But Scotland Yard goes straight to Ned as the prime suspect! Kitty immediately intends to investigate, not trusting Inspector Crawford to do a decent job as it was obvious he would rather hang her brother! In the meantime, Kitty had to prepare for her own debut season and deal with her mother’s search for a suitable husband for her.
Kitty gathers a few others to help her. Nothing will stop her from finding the killer. And it turns out that the victim had been disliked by others she had blackmailed or irritated. Would Kitty actually be successful in her investigation? Would Inspector Crawford even listen to her? Can she save her brother’s life?
Kitty Worthington is eager to return home after a year at finishing school. She and her brother Ned boarded the Golden Arrow, only to have a woman, who had a past relationship with her brother, poisoned. The suspect who murdered her has to be one of the passengers on the train. But Scotland Yard goes straight to Ned as the prime suspect! Kitty immediately intends to investigate, not trusting Inspector Crawford to do a decent job as it was obvious he would rather hang her brother! In the meantime, Kitty had to prepare for her own debut season and deal with her mother’s search for a suitable husband for her.
Kitty gathers a few others to help her. Nothing will stop her from finding the killer. And it turns out that the victim had been disliked by others she had blackmailed or irritated. Would Kitty actually be successful in her investigation? Would Inspector Crawford even listen to her? Can she save her brother’s life?
September 16, 2021
The first in a new cozy mystery series sees Kitty Worthington freshly home from boarding school when the death of her brother's former mistress interrupts her plans for a successful London season. Worried the police will hang her brother for the murder, she has no choice but to investigate herself.
This started as a fun read and ended up really engaging. I'm already looking forward to the second in the series. The mystery unfolded nicely, with a progression of clues and red herrings that made the actual reveal neither too obvious nor too out there. Alexander even pulled off what is usually one of my least favourite tropes--having the main character exclaim in the narrative that she knew who the killer was, but withholding that information from the reader until the killer could be confronted.
What she did less well was character development--while Kitty herself was three-dimensional, the secondary characters weren't given enough time to blossom into fully realized people. With any luck, this will get fixed in later books of the series. While it wasn't enough to detract from my enjoyment of this book, I can see it wearing me down in the future.
With thanks to NetGalley and Hearts Afire Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book.
This started as a fun read and ended up really engaging. I'm already looking forward to the second in the series. The mystery unfolded nicely, with a progression of clues and red herrings that made the actual reveal neither too obvious nor too out there. Alexander even pulled off what is usually one of my least favourite tropes--having the main character exclaim in the narrative that she knew who the killer was, but withholding that information from the reader until the killer could be confronted.
What she did less well was character development--while Kitty herself was three-dimensional, the secondary characters weren't given enough time to blossom into fully realized people. With any luck, this will get fixed in later books of the series. While it wasn't enough to detract from my enjoyment of this book, I can see it wearing me down in the future.
With thanks to NetGalley and Hearts Afire Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book.
September 24, 2021
First in a series, and off to a great start! Magda did an excellent job taking me back in time to 1923. I loved the level of detail - enough to be able to visualize the world as it was without bogging down the story. And then there’s Kitty! She’s a fantastic main character with a personality that makes you want to be her best friend, and the brilliance to solve a murder with so many suspects. Love it and can’t wait for the next one!
I received a free copy of this book from HEARTS AFIRE PUBLISHING in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received a free copy of this book from HEARTS AFIRE PUBLISHING in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
September 22, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised by Murder on the Golden Arrow. I am not an avid reader of historical cozy mysteries (yet), but I really enjoyed the adventures of the infamous Miss Kitty Worthington. She is a quirky, intelligent and adventurous woman obviously born in the wrong era. This is a funny adventure that will grab your attention and not let go.
I received a free copy of this book from HEARTS AFIRE PUBLISHING in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own."
I received a free copy of this book from HEARTS AFIRE PUBLISHING in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own."
September 28, 2021
Enjoyable New Series
Kitty is returning home, accompanied by her brother, after a year in a Swiss finishing school. While on the Golden Arrow train a woman is murdered and Ned is the prime suspect. Kitty is determined to find the true killer. This first in a new series is well written, and evokes the atmosphere of the 1920s, with cameo appearances of James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book from Hearts Afire Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Kitty is returning home, accompanied by her brother, after a year in a Swiss finishing school. While on the Golden Arrow train a woman is murdered and Ned is the prime suspect. Kitty is determined to find the true killer. This first in a new series is well written, and evokes the atmosphere of the 1920s, with cameo appearances of James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book from Hearts Afire Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
September 26, 2021
A Great Start to A Wonderful Historical Cozy Mystery!!!
Murder on the Golden Arrows is the first book in The Kitty Worthington Mystery Series and my first book by Magda Alexander and I really enjoyed it.
Kitty Worthington is returning home after a year away at finishing school. After she and her brother Ned board the Golden Arrow, a woman with a past relationship to her brother is poisoned, and the murderer can only be someone aboard the train. Scotland Yard has Ned as the prime suspect. Kitty does not trust the handsome Inspector Crawford to catch the real killer so Kitty needs to investigate and find the killer to save her brother while dealing with her own debut season and her mother intent on finding a suitable husband for her.
This book is a wonderful historical cozy mystery set in England 1923, it's a fun, fast page turning book full of mystery, action, twist and turn, and romance with delightful interesting characters, the story line is clever and unique. It's a very hard to put down book that keeps me entertained as I try to figure out the mystery and murder. I highly recommend this book to any cozy mystery fans and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Murder on the Golden Arrows is the first book in The Kitty Worthington Mystery Series and my first book by Magda Alexander and I really enjoyed it.
Kitty Worthington is returning home after a year away at finishing school. After she and her brother Ned board the Golden Arrow, a woman with a past relationship to her brother is poisoned, and the murderer can only be someone aboard the train. Scotland Yard has Ned as the prime suspect. Kitty does not trust the handsome Inspector Crawford to catch the real killer so Kitty needs to investigate and find the killer to save her brother while dealing with her own debut season and her mother intent on finding a suitable husband for her.
This book is a wonderful historical cozy mystery set in England 1923, it's a fun, fast page turning book full of mystery, action, twist and turn, and romance with delightful interesting characters, the story line is clever and unique. It's a very hard to put down book that keeps me entertained as I try to figure out the mystery and murder. I highly recommend this book to any cozy mystery fans and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2021
Wonderful
I found this book to e engaging, from start to finish.
Kitty is independent,feisty and heaps of fun.
All of the characters were interesting.
It was a delight to follow along with Kitty as her adventure unfolded. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Such an enjoyable debut.
I found this book to e engaging, from start to finish.
Kitty is independent,feisty and heaps of fun.
All of the characters were interesting.
It was a delight to follow along with Kitty as her adventure unfolded. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Such an enjoyable debut.
September 21, 2021
Nice story with interesting characters. I liked Kitty and her brother Ned. I liked Kitty's energy. I liked how the author put us right into the 1920's so easily. I loved the times on the trains.
I was really entertained by Kitty's investigation.
I received this as an arc from Booksprout and freely left this review.
I was really entertained by Kitty's investigation.
I received this as an arc from Booksprout and freely left this review.
September 22, 2021
Get ready to read a great story and let it blow you away! I was so into this story that I could not stop reading and had to know what happened next. If you enjoy mystery, suspense, and some romance then you need to read this book. I can’t wait to read more about Kitty and family!
September 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! It kept me guessing "whodunit" until the reveal. Tight writing, good story flow, good character development. Looking forward to the next book from this author.
October 5, 2021
Hearkening back to Agatha Christie, this is a lovely start to a new series. Set in the 1920s, the reader is taken back to a bygone, more optimistic, era full of high society, balls and ugly murder. Add in some great secondary characters, a burgeoning romance and a nicely plotted mystery, Murder on the Golden Arrow is a delight to read. I look forward to many more books with Kitty.
October 20, 2021
(A big thank you to NetGalley for supplying a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!)
Earlier this year, my husband, Alex, and I planned out our honeymoon. We decided to include a 16-hour scenic train ride on the famous Zephyr Amtrak train. This train’s route is known to be one of the most picturesque in the United States, and we’d both been looking forward to it for months.
The appeal of train travel lies in the romance of the landscape, the intimacy of the train cars, and the simple excitement of seeing new sights without worrying about driving. To get me in the mood for our trip, I chose to read "Murder on the Golden Arrow: A Kitty Worthington Mystery” by Magda Alexander.
Marketed as a “1920s historical cozy mystery,” this fun, quick read was worth every page. We’re first introduced to the capricious Kitty, a young English woman whose mother is preparing for her to make her "debut" into society (think lots of dancing, date requests, and frilly dresses). Kitty humors her mother but isn't interested in marriage at the moment. After she spends some time perfecting her manners at a Swiss finishing school, her brother, Ned, arrives to escort her back home.
They take the Golden Arrow train, sharing a car with an assortment of characters. Some of the passengers Kitty has encountered at different times in her life, like the proper Lady Ainsley and the sickly Colonel Earnshaw. Others, she meets for the first time; most notably, she encounters the mysterious and seductive Rose Trevvyan, who Kitty suspects has previously made her brother's acquaintance.
Rose falls ill during the train ride and is dead within a matter of minutes. It’s not long before Scotland Yard rules her death a murder, and Ned becomes a prime suspect. Kitty is driven to clear her brother’s name, despite the handsome Inspector Crawford’s best efforts to keep her away from the story — not to mention the press and her family’s attempts to keep her adventurous, independent spirit in check.
I enjoyed this book and flew through most of the pages before departing for our honeymoon, ultimately finishing the story while I was actually on the Zephyr train.
The strongest parts of the story include its quick plot progression. I didn’t feel I was reading unnecessary information or trudging through pointless pages at any point. I also enjoyed the author’s inclusion of obstacles Kitty faces as a young woman in the 1920s, especially when it comes to solving a mystery. How exactly is a lady supposed to piece together a string of clues when everyone's watching her every move?
I also appreciated some fun historical inclusions in the story. I won't give away any spoilers but you'll find some real-life figures make an appearance at one point. The author also took care to add many details from the time period into the story, more so than other cozies sometimes do. These extra historic details helped me get a better sense of the setting without bogging the story down.
Perhaps the only part of the story I didn't like were a few character inconsistencies (at least, in my opinion). Kitty's mother seems to flipflop a bit in the amount of "helicoptering" she partakes in when it comes to Kitty's independence. Also, I wasn't a fan of her brother. Again, I won't reveal spoilers but I wasn't exactly invested in his name being cleared.
Kitty herself was a great character, and I'll keep my eyes peeled for more Kitty Worthington stories in the future!
Earlier this year, my husband, Alex, and I planned out our honeymoon. We decided to include a 16-hour scenic train ride on the famous Zephyr Amtrak train. This train’s route is known to be one of the most picturesque in the United States, and we’d both been looking forward to it for months.
The appeal of train travel lies in the romance of the landscape, the intimacy of the train cars, and the simple excitement of seeing new sights without worrying about driving. To get me in the mood for our trip, I chose to read "Murder on the Golden Arrow: A Kitty Worthington Mystery” by Magda Alexander.
Marketed as a “1920s historical cozy mystery,” this fun, quick read was worth every page. We’re first introduced to the capricious Kitty, a young English woman whose mother is preparing for her to make her "debut" into society (think lots of dancing, date requests, and frilly dresses). Kitty humors her mother but isn't interested in marriage at the moment. After she spends some time perfecting her manners at a Swiss finishing school, her brother, Ned, arrives to escort her back home.
They take the Golden Arrow train, sharing a car with an assortment of characters. Some of the passengers Kitty has encountered at different times in her life, like the proper Lady Ainsley and the sickly Colonel Earnshaw. Others, she meets for the first time; most notably, she encounters the mysterious and seductive Rose Trevvyan, who Kitty suspects has previously made her brother's acquaintance.
Rose falls ill during the train ride and is dead within a matter of minutes. It’s not long before Scotland Yard rules her death a murder, and Ned becomes a prime suspect. Kitty is driven to clear her brother’s name, despite the handsome Inspector Crawford’s best efforts to keep her away from the story — not to mention the press and her family’s attempts to keep her adventurous, independent spirit in check.
I enjoyed this book and flew through most of the pages before departing for our honeymoon, ultimately finishing the story while I was actually on the Zephyr train.
The strongest parts of the story include its quick plot progression. I didn’t feel I was reading unnecessary information or trudging through pointless pages at any point. I also enjoyed the author’s inclusion of obstacles Kitty faces as a young woman in the 1920s, especially when it comes to solving a mystery. How exactly is a lady supposed to piece together a string of clues when everyone's watching her every move?
I also appreciated some fun historical inclusions in the story. I won't give away any spoilers but you'll find some real-life figures make an appearance at one point. The author also took care to add many details from the time period into the story, more so than other cozies sometimes do. These extra historic details helped me get a better sense of the setting without bogging the story down.
Perhaps the only part of the story I didn't like were a few character inconsistencies (at least, in my opinion). Kitty's mother seems to flipflop a bit in the amount of "helicoptering" she partakes in when it comes to Kitty's independence. Also, I wasn't a fan of her brother. Again, I won't reveal spoilers but I wasn't exactly invested in his name being cleared.
Kitty herself was a great character, and I'll keep my eyes peeled for more Kitty Worthington stories in the future!
August 31, 2021
What a fun read! Perfect escape reading with lots of laughs and misdirection. The family is wealthy but they all get along and are truly nice people for the time. None of the adult children are married, but one daughter is at university, the son is in business with the father, Kitty has been through finishing school and is enjoying the social aspects without looking for a marriage contract, and everyone takes care with the mother who tries hard to do the right thing despite never having gotten over the death of the other daughter who died of the influenza. Mother, brother, and Kitty travel to and from Paris by boat and train where they meet or renew with some interesting characters and one is murdered on the way back. There is an interesting but stern DI from Scotland Yard also on the train who takes over and seems to have brother in his sights. Let Kitty's sleuthing begin! Great light read!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Hearts Afire Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Hearts Afire Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
September 25, 2021
Her brother is suspected of murder and as she is his sister, she will do anything to prove he did not do it. Where will she have to go? Will she be able to solve it? Will she find the real killer? See how she gets on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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