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Kathryn Ardleigh #11
Death at Blenheim Palace
The ancient park surrounding what is now Blenheim Palace, is said to be the place where Henry II carried on his liaison with Rosamund - who perished, many suspect at the hands of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Now as Charles and Kate Sheridan arrive in 1903, at the invitation of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, it is the site of a new mystery.
As Kate labours on a book about the legendary love affair, she is distracted by the disappearance of a household maid - and Charles discovers that a mysterious woman seems to be offering the famous Marlborough Gems for sale. Then the Duke and his teenage mistress vanish - and soon Winston Churchill and the youth T.E. Lawrence make appearances as intrigue and history repeat themselves ...
As Kate labours on a book about the legendary love affair, she is distracted by the disappearance of a household maid - and Charles discovers that a mysterious woman seems to be offering the famous Marlborough Gems for sale. Then the Duke and his teenage mistress vanish - and soon Winston Churchill and the youth T.E. Lawrence make appearances as intrigue and history repeat themselves ...
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2005
54 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Robin Paige
42 books187 followersRobin Paige is the pen-name of husband and wife team Bill and Susan Wittig Albert.
The Robin Paige Victorian/Edwardian mystery series was written by Bill and Susan Albert from 1994-2006. There are a dozen books in the series (now completed), beginning in the mid 1890s and continuing through 1903.
The series, beginning with Death at Bishop's Keep, features two amateur sleuths: Kate Ardleigh Sheridan and Sir Charles Sheridan, later Lord Sheridan , Baron of Somersworth. Kate is an Irish-American woman who writes under the pseudonym of Beryl Bardwell.
She comes to England and inherits a small fortune and the estate of Bishops Keep, located in East Anglia, near the village of Dedham, Essex. Sir Charles is a landed peer and amateur scientist with a special interest in new forensic techniques, such as fingerprinting, ballistics, toxicology, and photography.
In each of the 12 books in the series, Kate and Charles meet notable figures of their time as they set about solving the relevant mystery.
The Robin Paige Victorian/Edwardian mystery series was written by Bill and Susan Albert from 1994-2006. There are a dozen books in the series (now completed), beginning in the mid 1890s and continuing through 1903.
The series, beginning with Death at Bishop's Keep, features two amateur sleuths: Kate Ardleigh Sheridan and Sir Charles Sheridan, later Lord Sheridan , Baron of Somersworth. Kate is an Irish-American woman who writes under the pseudonym of Beryl Bardwell.
She comes to England and inherits a small fortune and the estate of Bishops Keep, located in East Anglia, near the village of Dedham, Essex. Sir Charles is a landed peer and amateur scientist with a special interest in new forensic techniques, such as fingerprinting, ballistics, toxicology, and photography.
In each of the 12 books in the series, Kate and Charles meet notable figures of their time as they set about solving the relevant mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
October 11, 2018
I liked it better than the last book in the series. This one seemed to deal much more with Charles and Kate. I also like T. E. Laurence MUCH better than Jack London as a character. And I enjoyed Gladys Deacon and Consuelo Vanderbilt as characters as well. The mystery would have been a little better if I hadn't already known the history somewhat. That's an issue when you use real historical people in a fiction novel. You know Ned's not going to die during the course of this book. However, I went into this knowing that and it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the novel.
February 16, 2012
I am a huge fan of Susan Wittig Alber and the Edwardian Mystery series that she and her husband wrote as Robin Paige is wonderful. As a matter of fact, I plan on going back and getting these books for my Kindle so I can re-read them anytime I want! (Hopefully they are available on Kindle?!)
September 13, 2020
2020 bk 304. A return to the Great Houses mysteries without the royal interference (other than a planned visit). This mystery involves a ring of thieves who insert themselves into a great house disguised as servants. When one of them disappears, her partner falls apart, allowing a chink in the carefully laid plans of the mastermind. Then a guest, er the mistress, of the Duke disappears. Are the two disappearances related? And what of the mystery woman who appeared at the Oxford Museum inquiring about selling the family gems? It takes Charles, Kate, Winston Churchill, and the future Lawrence of Arabia to solve the disappearances and stop ....
July 23, 2017
let's say 3.5, but i liked it a lot :-)
March 20, 2016
Fun book to read while visiting Blenheim Palace! Love the insight to the history of the palace and its people.
October 15, 2019
Death at Blenheim Palace by Robin Paige (pseudonym of husband-wife team Susan Wittig Albert and Bill Albert) is set at Blenheim Palace, current site of Marlborough Hall, where the relationships of Charles (Sunny) Spencer Churchill the 9th Duke of Marlborough, his wife Consuelo Vanderbilt Spencer Churchill, a fictional Lord Henry Northcote (Botsy), and American Gladys Deacon in 1903 is compared to that of King Henry II, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, Roger of Salisbury and Rosamund de Clifford in 1154. The protagonists of the series, Lady Kathryn (author) and Lord Charles Sheridan (amateur detective) are invited to Blenheim Palace to allow Kate to do research the medieval scandal, but instead the couple fall into the contemporary scandal when first a maid, Kitty, and later Gladys disappear. Charles ties all the events to a probably robbery to take place at Blenheim when the King and Queen visit the next month, as well as a successful gang of hoodlums headed by a "Napoleon of Crime."
The plot is actually rather interesting, and the historical situations (1903 far more than 1154) are nicely presented with lots of details for both the upstairs and downstairs activities and characters. Characterization, however, leaves a lot to be desired. The Duke may have been as cold and cruel, and poor Consuela Vanderbilt may have been a bird in a guilted cage, and even Gladys may have been as stupid and flighty as they are painted. But Winston Churchill? and T. E. Lawrence? These are damning portraits of them as young men. Yes, it is nice to have known figures to pin things down, but really; "Robin Paige" did not create these people and would be guilty of liable for these character descriptions today.
However, it is not just historical figures that are poorly drawn. Charles is dull and smug and hard to take, but he is far more realistic and likeable than his wife. Kate, the protagonist, has an alter ego, Beryl Bardwell, who supposedly writes her novels. And they carry on conversations and disagree with one another. Listening to one's conscience makes some sense, but this is absurd. These are two separate personalities in one body. But this is not a psychological thriller; she is the "good guy." No, this is nothing like Anne Perry. Don't believe those who tell you otherwise.
The plot is actually rather interesting, and the historical situations (1903 far more than 1154) are nicely presented with lots of details for both the upstairs and downstairs activities and characters. Characterization, however, leaves a lot to be desired. The Duke may have been as cold and cruel, and poor Consuela Vanderbilt may have been a bird in a guilted cage, and even Gladys may have been as stupid and flighty as they are painted. But Winston Churchill? and T. E. Lawrence? These are damning portraits of them as young men. Yes, it is nice to have known figures to pin things down, but really; "Robin Paige" did not create these people and would be guilty of liable for these character descriptions today.
However, it is not just historical figures that are poorly drawn. Charles is dull and smug and hard to take, but he is far more realistic and likeable than his wife. Kate, the protagonist, has an alter ego, Beryl Bardwell, who supposedly writes her novels. And they carry on conversations and disagree with one another. Listening to one's conscience makes some sense, but this is absurd. These are two separate personalities in one body. But this is not a psychological thriller; she is the "good guy." No, this is nothing like Anne Perry. Don't believe those who tell you otherwise.
October 10, 2020
I once walked from Oxford to Blenheim Palace. It’s eight miles. I was training for a 35-mile London-to-Brighton walk sponsored collectively by the American banks in London. I walked that too. My bones were a lot younger then.
I digress. So does this mystery novel. Not that the digressions aren’t enjoyable, especially for those of us fascinated by English social history. Real people—Winston Churchill, Consuelo (née Vanderbilt), Duchess of Marlborough, even T.H. (Ned) Lawrence—take part. The picture of life at Blenheim in 1903 seems accurate (not my period), though I noticed a few chancy facts and title usages. Early on in the story, something happens to a housemaid, but it’s a dozen chapters before Kitty’s name even comes up again, and in the meanwhile we’re diverted by another young woman’s disappearance. If, like me, you cheat and look at the end notes, you’ll learn that she was a real historical personage too, so I was pretty sure she hadn’t been murdered.
The main plot—I think it’s the main plot—concerns a gang of jewel thieves led by a master criminal referred to as “the Napoleon of Crime.” At this point, you’re not sure if this plot is semi-historical/biographical or derived from Sherlock Holmes. However, the king and queen are coming to a house party at Blenheim, and the idea that jewels might be stolen from them and the several other titled guests, puts the Marlboroughs in a quandary, and it’s up to Kate and John Sheridan (he’s a lord, but I’m a little fuzzy about what kind so I won’t give him a title) to stop the plot. Oh, and find out what happened to Kitty. Did I mention that the Sheridans are the detectives in this series?
I’m only kidding, honest. Death at Blenheim Palace (#11 in this historical mystery series), co-written by the husband-and-wife team of Susan Wittig Albert and Bill Albert, is an enjoyable read, more so if you’ve ever toured that huge and most impressive palace.
Each chapter is headed by an excerpt from one of the authors’ research sources. The best for mystery writers comes from, of all people, Henry David Thoreau in his 1850 journal: “Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, such as when you find a trout in the milk.”
I digress. So does this mystery novel. Not that the digressions aren’t enjoyable, especially for those of us fascinated by English social history. Real people—Winston Churchill, Consuelo (née Vanderbilt), Duchess of Marlborough, even T.H. (Ned) Lawrence—take part. The picture of life at Blenheim in 1903 seems accurate (not my period), though I noticed a few chancy facts and title usages. Early on in the story, something happens to a housemaid, but it’s a dozen chapters before Kitty’s name even comes up again, and in the meanwhile we’re diverted by another young woman’s disappearance. If, like me, you cheat and look at the end notes, you’ll learn that she was a real historical personage too, so I was pretty sure she hadn’t been murdered.
The main plot—I think it’s the main plot—concerns a gang of jewel thieves led by a master criminal referred to as “the Napoleon of Crime.” At this point, you’re not sure if this plot is semi-historical/biographical or derived from Sherlock Holmes. However, the king and queen are coming to a house party at Blenheim, and the idea that jewels might be stolen from them and the several other titled guests, puts the Marlboroughs in a quandary, and it’s up to Kate and John Sheridan (he’s a lord, but I’m a little fuzzy about what kind so I won’t give him a title) to stop the plot. Oh, and find out what happened to Kitty. Did I mention that the Sheridans are the detectives in this series?
I’m only kidding, honest. Death at Blenheim Palace (#11 in this historical mystery series), co-written by the husband-and-wife team of Susan Wittig Albert and Bill Albert, is an enjoyable read, more so if you’ve ever toured that huge and most impressive palace.
Each chapter is headed by an excerpt from one of the authors’ research sources. The best for mystery writers comes from, of all people, Henry David Thoreau in his 1850 journal: “Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, such as when you find a trout in the milk.”
February 25, 2023
Husband and wife writing team Bill Albert and Susan Wittig Albert do a fine job in mixing historical personages with fictional ones in this mystery set at Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of the Marlborough family and birthplace of one of the protagonists in the story, Winston Churchill.
The Duke and Duchess are struggling a little in their marriage as it is suspected that the Duke is having an affair with a young American beauty Gladys Deacon and his wife Consuelo is far from pleased. But Charles Lord Sheridan and his wife Lady Kathryn Ardleigh Sheridan, who also writes under the pseudonym of Beryl Bardwell, are there on a visit and they attempt to smooth things over.
There is plenty of intrigue going on at the Palace for Lord Henry Northcote is there and he has his eye on Gladys Deacon, too, while Alfred the footman believes that his love for Kitty, a housemaid, is being returned but things do not quite work out as expected. And with a young TE 'Ned' Lawrence [I never knew he was nicknamed Ned] being taken on the staff to do some spying what exactly is going on regarding a planned jewel theft is a burning question.
The plot slows down somewhat in the middle passages and then livens up again when someone goes missing but the closing stages are something of a disappointment and, compared to the pace of the rest of the book, are slow moving indeed. But overall it is a good Edwardian country house mystery.
The Duke and Duchess are struggling a little in their marriage as it is suspected that the Duke is having an affair with a young American beauty Gladys Deacon and his wife Consuelo is far from pleased. But Charles Lord Sheridan and his wife Lady Kathryn Ardleigh Sheridan, who also writes under the pseudonym of Beryl Bardwell, are there on a visit and they attempt to smooth things over.
There is plenty of intrigue going on at the Palace for Lord Henry Northcote is there and he has his eye on Gladys Deacon, too, while Alfred the footman believes that his love for Kitty, a housemaid, is being returned but things do not quite work out as expected. And with a young TE 'Ned' Lawrence [I never knew he was nicknamed Ned] being taken on the staff to do some spying what exactly is going on regarding a planned jewel theft is a burning question.
The plot slows down somewhat in the middle passages and then livens up again when someone goes missing but the closing stages are something of a disappointment and, compared to the pace of the rest of the book, are slow moving indeed. But overall it is a good Edwardian country house mystery.
September 17, 2024
I came across this after visiting Blenheim Palace and thought it would be fun to 'revisit' through this book. It is set in Blenheim, but there really isn't much description/ambience of the palace.
It's a pretty standard mystery with many characters; some fictional and others real (Duke "Sunny," Consuela Vanderbilt, Grace Deacon, Winston Churchill). Several times it was emphasized that Blenheim ("the monstrous house," as Consuelo called it) was not a cozy or welcoming place to live ("I felt awed, ant-like, apprehensive, as I gazed at Blenheim's huge baroque mass, its fearful symmetry, its threatening roofscape of ferocious lions and plunging swords, its trumpeting central portico and tremendous, trailing wings ... This is a dragon of a house which once breathed fire and was turned to stone by some terrible curse." ~Miriam Fowler; "Blenheim was not, could never be, a pleasant place ... the house had no soul.")
I wasn't a big fan of how the young Churchill was portrayed as blustering and bumbling (seems out of character, although I don't really know). I think it would be difficult to write a fictional book with real people included too. Also, the authors put footnotes within the story to three of their other books ("Patrick's story is told in ..."). As an author, I totally "get" how we want readers to read all our books. But advertising them in this way seemed to take me out of the story and be a little tacky.
It's a pretty standard mystery with many characters; some fictional and others real (Duke "Sunny," Consuela Vanderbilt, Grace Deacon, Winston Churchill). Several times it was emphasized that Blenheim ("the monstrous house," as Consuelo called it) was not a cozy or welcoming place to live ("I felt awed, ant-like, apprehensive, as I gazed at Blenheim's huge baroque mass, its fearful symmetry, its threatening roofscape of ferocious lions and plunging swords, its trumpeting central portico and tremendous, trailing wings ... This is a dragon of a house which once breathed fire and was turned to stone by some terrible curse." ~Miriam Fowler; "Blenheim was not, could never be, a pleasant place ... the house had no soul.")
I wasn't a big fan of how the young Churchill was portrayed as blustering and bumbling (seems out of character, although I don't really know). I think it would be difficult to write a fictional book with real people included too. Also, the authors put footnotes within the story to three of their other books ("Patrick's story is told in ..."). As an author, I totally "get" how we want readers to read all our books. But advertising them in this way seemed to take me out of the story and be a little tacky.
February 4, 2018
Death at Blenheim Palace by Robin Paige is the 11th book in the Kathryn Ardleigh/Charles Sheridan mystery series set in 1903 England. Kate is an unconventional woman for the time. An American, she originally moved to England to work for her great aunt, then inherited her aunt's estate. She writes popular novels under a pen name, and leads a more independent life than a traditional wife's role in English gentry. Charles, although a titled peer with inherited property, is fascinated with the newly developing field of forensics. Together they have earned a reputation for solving crimes with modern methods and great discretion.
This time they're guests of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, on Winston Churchill's ancestral estate. Subplots abound: the unhappy duchess vs. the duke's mistress, a missing housemaid and her boyfriend the footman, stolen family jewels for sale, a ring of thieves who rob country house parties. Chapters alternate with point of view from many different characters, providing the reader with much more information than either Kate or Charles have until the end. Kate and Charles separately pursue clues, each trying to protect the other from danger. An interesting mix of characters and plot twists. Historical figures include a young Winston Churchill, Consuelo Vanderbilt, and T.E. Lawrence, "Ned" as a young man just starting his archaeological career.
This time they're guests of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, on Winston Churchill's ancestral estate. Subplots abound: the unhappy duchess vs. the duke's mistress, a missing housemaid and her boyfriend the footman, stolen family jewels for sale, a ring of thieves who rob country house parties. Chapters alternate with point of view from many different characters, providing the reader with much more information than either Kate or Charles have until the end. Kate and Charles separately pursue clues, each trying to protect the other from danger. An interesting mix of characters and plot twists. Historical figures include a young Winston Churchill, Consuelo Vanderbilt, and T.E. Lawrence, "Ned" as a young man just starting his archaeological career.
March 17, 2018
Review - I preferred this one to the previous one 'Death in Hyde Park'. I liked the fact that Kate and Charles were more central to this one, and I love the mysteries within the aristocracy, although perhaps that is more due to my personal interests than the story-telling; it's difficult to tell. I found Consuelo Vanderbilt to be interesting, but I thought the chapters from her point of view were a little boring. Nevertheless still an excellent and engaging read.
Genre? - Historical / Crime / Mystery
Characters? - Kathryn Ardleigh Sheridan / Charles Sheridan / Winston Churchill / T.E. Lawrence / Consuelo Vanderbilt Duchess of Marlborough / Charles 'Sunny' Duke of Marlborough / Gladys Deacon
Setting? - Blenheim Palace (England)
Series? - Kathryn Ardleigh #11
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 19/20
Genre? - Historical / Crime / Mystery
Characters? - Kathryn Ardleigh Sheridan / Charles Sheridan / Winston Churchill / T.E. Lawrence / Consuelo Vanderbilt Duchess of Marlborough / Charles 'Sunny' Duke of Marlborough / Gladys Deacon
Setting? - Blenheim Palace (England)
Series? - Kathryn Ardleigh #11
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 19/20
August 11, 2023
I am so pleased to have finished Death at Blenheim Palace! Kate and Charles are paying a visit to Blenheim Palace so that Kate can research her latest novel, however, Charles unearths a plot that will put the King and Queen in danger and bring shame on the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. Then the Duke's mistress Gladys Deacon disappears without a trace causing everyone to worry for her safety. And last but not least the body of a missing maid is discovered in Blenheim Palace's lake...
In my opinion, there were too many different points of view making the book feel disorganized and hard to follow and I also disliked how Winston Churchill was portrayed at the end of the book (I think it would have been better if a fictional character made that decision) I honestly can't see myself picking up other Kathryn Ardleigh books.
In my opinion, there were too many different points of view making the book feel disorganized and hard to follow and I also disliked how Winston Churchill was portrayed at the end of the book (I think it would have been better if a fictional character made that decision) I honestly can't see myself picking up other Kathryn Ardleigh books.
May 29, 2025
Another of this series that I found so interesting as it's a period in history that I know little about. Some of the characters in this book are real and some of their situations are too. I find this fascinating that the authors can then weave a story around these facts.
There is a main plot here, to steal jewels from the rich and famous during the kings visit to Blenheim but also a few sub plots that we don't often get in these books. I've enjoyed this one tremendously.
Sadly I have only one book to go now before I reach the end of this series and I wonder who will pop up in it? The authors do get characters from previous books wondering through later books so I think I'll read the last book next and find out what happens.
There is a main plot here, to steal jewels from the rich and famous during the kings visit to Blenheim but also a few sub plots that we don't often get in these books. I've enjoyed this one tremendously.
Sadly I have only one book to go now before I reach the end of this series and I wonder who will pop up in it? The authors do get characters from previous books wondering through later books so I think I'll read the last book next and find out what happens.
June 27, 2018
Complete and utter drivel - so bad I reached page 100 and wanted to hurl the wretched thing across the garden. Why the authors think they can recreate the Golden Age mystery and utilise historical figures such as Churchill is incredible. Poor plotting, weak characterisation and simply bad writing. However, that didn't stop 50 Shades of Shite selling by the bucketload. Thankfully, this was a charity shop buy and will be returned asap!
Apparently there are several in this series and words fail me. Luckily, I found a collection of Wimsey short stories to alleviate the Golden Age craving. Why bother with cheap imitations when the originals are infinitely superior.
Avoid!
Apparently there are several in this series and words fail me. Luckily, I found a collection of Wimsey short stories to alleviate the Golden Age craving. Why bother with cheap imitations when the originals are infinitely superior.
Avoid!
June 5, 2020
To be honest I'm not a big fan of the historical mystery. But the description on this was intriguing and the book was a dollar. I'm in several chapters and it doesn't feel right. The people don't seem real and there is no atmosphere. So I flip to the back of the book and sure enough, it's written by 2 Texas authors. That's why there was no slang or colloquialisms. Also why the surroundings were described in American terms. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Texas author, but I won't try to pass off my writing as English. I'm not too disappointed but be ware if you are a British purest, this is no the book for you.
September 15, 2025
Found this to be a fascinating look at one of the largest estates and palaces in England, in addition to learning more about the house and grounds during the early adulthood of Consuelo Vanderbilt and Winston Churchill. Susan Whittig Albert and husband Bill Albert provide a realistic double mystery plot with jewelry and artifact robbery, compounded by murder and the disappearance of two guests.
Fast-paced mystery and interesting look at one of the "dollar princesses" who brought their families in the USA a nobility title for huge sums of money to repair and maintain their vast estates.
Fast-paced mystery and interesting look at one of the "dollar princesses" who brought their families in the USA a nobility title for huge sums of money to repair and maintain their vast estates.
August 8, 2017
In this book Charles and Kate Sheridan are visiting the Duke of Marlborough, and they start investigating the disappearance of a housemaid. But the other guests are up to all sorts of hijinks, and it's difficult to sort out the clues from the red herrings.
The plot is a little thin and sometimes obvious, and every tiny detail is drawn out and repeated again and again. I do like the characters, and there is some good drama. I mostly enjoy reading about Charles and Kate doing their sleuthing, because they make such a sweet couple and a good team.
The plot is a little thin and sometimes obvious, and every tiny detail is drawn out and repeated again and again. I do like the characters, and there is some good drama. I mostly enjoy reading about Charles and Kate doing their sleuthing, because they make such a sweet couple and a good team.
September 23, 2021
I strongly recommend studying the picture on the front of the book do that when there are comments about the SIZE of the palace, you have context The blending of history and fiction is fascinating. Set at Blenheim Palace shortly before a royal visit, Charles stumbles into a jewelry heist scheme. The cast includes the Duchess, Consuelo Vanderbilt, Gladys Deacon who relentlessly pursues the Duke and 22 years later marries him, and budding archaeologist T E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). Perhaps the only main characters in this story are Sir Charles and Kate Sheridan.
June 8, 2018
A Good Read and Informative
Now I am inspired to read their other books. Much better than a "a historical romance," as I was spared the overblown and repetitive. sex scenes. This used actual people who could have been involved. Would have loved to know if the Royal Visit occurred and how the King and Queen related to the Duchess and the Duke. ( I do not think I spelled Duchess as indicated by the red line under it .)
Now I am inspired to read their other books. Much better than a "a historical romance," as I was spared the overblown and repetitive. sex scenes. This used actual people who could have been involved. Would have loved to know if the Royal Visit occurred and how the King and Queen related to the Duchess and the Duke. ( I do not think I spelled Duchess as indicated by the red line under it .)
October 6, 2020
A cozy mystery where murder isn’t assured until late in the book. Still I never thought it dragged as it is a short book with multiple points of view. I’ve enjoyed this series and characters although they live an extremely privileged life. So it’s a pleasant way to spend some time, but not enlightening about the times.
I did spend some time in Woodstock a couple of years ago, and stayed at The Bear. So I may have enjoyed the setting more than someone without pleasant memories of the area.
I did spend some time in Woodstock a couple of years ago, and stayed at The Bear. So I may have enjoyed the setting more than someone without pleasant memories of the area.
October 4, 2022
This time Lord and Lady Sheridan, on a visit to the Marlborough’s, look to thwart a nefarious scheme to relieve the family and house-guests of their valuables.
These Victorian Mysteries, as well as the clever plotting to weave fictional and real characters into a feasible historical drama, also do much to highlight the trials and tribulations of life above and below stairs in the late 1800s/early 1900s and there seems to be nothing to envy amongst either class at Blenheim.
These Victorian Mysteries, as well as the clever plotting to weave fictional and real characters into a feasible historical drama, also do much to highlight the trials and tribulations of life above and below stairs in the late 1800s/early 1900s and there seems to be nothing to envy amongst either class at Blenheim.
January 16, 2023
This was ok, but I prefer stories were the death is established pretty early on and they are solving the mystery. This was much more a story about the terrible lives of the Marlborough's with a random jewelry theft and missing person thrown in. I haven't read this series in a long time and while I still liked Kate and Charles, it felt like we didn't actually spend that much time with them. I'm glad I only have one book left in this series and then it will be over.
April 10, 2024
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series of historical mysteries featuring real people and regret that I am close to the end. Reading about Blenheim Palace, Consuelo Vanderbilt and her British husband the Duke of Marlborough and his cousin Winston Churchill turned me to the internet to learn more about their lives. I especially liked the addition of a young T. E. Lawrence of Lawrence of Arabia fame.
Anyone who likes history and a mystery will enjoy this series.
Anyone who likes history and a mystery will enjoy this series.
October 9, 2023
My first experience with this husband/wife team writing under the pseudonym Robin Paige, it was an interesting read since they incorporate real historical figures who privately wonder if they’ll ever make something of themselves. This particular novel is the first of their “Edwardian Mysteries” and I look forward to checking out their previous collaborations known as the “Victorian Mysteries.”
March 28, 2024
Kate and Charles are visiting the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. Kate went to learn more information for the next book she was going to write. When Charles arrives he finds that a mysterious woman was trying to find out how much some Gems were worth from the museum.
Robbery, murder, mystery, and romance all are in this tale.
Robbery, murder, mystery, and romance all are in this tale.
March 26, 2018
I am truly enjoying this series even though I've had to read them out of sequence. The history of the time and the inclusion of real historical figures almost makes the mystery a side issue for me. Almost.
May 4, 2018
Un libro che scorre bene nonostante qualche volta le descrizioni fossero troppo prolisse. Descrizioni che però aiutano ad immergersi nella storia. Purtroppo devo dire che per essere un romanzo "giallo" era fin troppo facile capire cosa stesse succedendo e chi fosse l'assassino.
January 6, 2020
Fun read, always interesting when authors incorporate real people in made up stories. The Sheridan's are a well balanced detecting couple.
It's hard to find them in libraries, so will have to look into rentals to read the other stories in the series.
It's hard to find them in libraries, so will have to look into rentals to read the other stories in the series.
May 24, 2020
I rather enjoyed this one. Winston Churchill is again in this mystery, so there is some history involved. The authors take their liberty, of course, but there is plenty of excitement and intrigue to anyone interested.
July 1, 2020
These stories have become a little too crowded with casts of thousands and too many subplots. Katherine and Charles have become bit players rather than the main characters. A series whose successful phase was unfortunately short-lived. I doubt I'll read further.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews