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A Gentlewoman's Guide to Murder #2
Some Touch of Madness
A hushed-up murder sends Emmeline St. Germaine on a quest for justice . . .
Having chosen to go to a women’s institution rather than live under her brother’s oppressive thumb, Emmeline is second-guessing her decision. Her ulterior motive was to learn under what circumstances her sister died there six years ago, but the conditions are dismal, the treatment is harsh, and the women are restricted on all sides. When one of the women is murdered, Emmeline resolves to solve the crime despite the powerful owner’s hostile insistence that the death was a suicide.
As she uncovers what little evidence there is to be found, Emmeline’s investigation is thwarted at every turn by the increasingly severe restrictions on her movement—until she discovers that the mistreated help belowstairs are more than willing to reveal the institute’s grim secrets. Determined to honor the victim’s memory and follow the trail to the murderer wherever it goes, Emmeline will have to face down thuggish guards and abusive staff, fearful all the while of the price she’ll pay to bring a killer to justice . . .
Having chosen to go to a women’s institution rather than live under her brother’s oppressive thumb, Emmeline is second-guessing her decision. Her ulterior motive was to learn under what circumstances her sister died there six years ago, but the conditions are dismal, the treatment is harsh, and the women are restricted on all sides. When one of the women is murdered, Emmeline resolves to solve the crime despite the powerful owner’s hostile insistence that the death was a suicide.
As she uncovers what little evidence there is to be found, Emmeline’s investigation is thwarted at every turn by the increasingly severe restrictions on her movement—until she discovers that the mistreated help belowstairs are more than willing to reveal the institute’s grim secrets. Determined to honor the victim’s memory and follow the trail to the murderer wherever it goes, Emmeline will have to face down thuggish guards and abusive staff, fearful all the while of the price she’ll pay to bring a killer to justice . . .
236 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2022
23 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Hamilton
45 books1,041 followersVictoria Hamilton is the bestselling author of several mystery series including the national bestselling Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mysteries. She does, indeed, collect vintage kitchenware and bake muffins. She drinks tea and coffee on writing days, and wine other times. It doesn’t do to confuse days. A solitary being, she can be coaxed out of her writing cave for brownies and cat videos.
She started her writing life as Donna Lea Simpson, bestselling author of Regency Romances, paranormal historicals and historical mysteries, and still has a soft spot for the Regency period.
In fact her latest writing adventure is the new Regency-set historical mystery series - to be published by Midnight Ink - beginning in February 2019 with A Gentlewoman's Guide to Murder, featuring Miss Emmeline St. Germaine, a young lady who dares to defy society. She will fight for her right to live her own life, despite the dangers that presents. She has a dagger, and she's not afraid to use it.
If you Google ‘Victoria Hamilton’, you will find listed first a famous actress who starred as the Queen Mother in the Crown and as Charlotte Brontë in ‘In Search of the Brontës’. That’s not the Victoria who writes mysteries.
No, really, it’s not!
You can find her buried in a good book, (entombed in a good tome?) or online at:
Website: http://www.VictoriaHamiltonMysteries.com (Sign up for her annoyingly infrequent newsletter for all the latest!)
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictor...
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MysteryVictoria
She started her writing life as Donna Lea Simpson, bestselling author of Regency Romances, paranormal historicals and historical mysteries, and still has a soft spot for the Regency period.
In fact her latest writing adventure is the new Regency-set historical mystery series - to be published by Midnight Ink - beginning in February 2019 with A Gentlewoman's Guide to Murder, featuring Miss Emmeline St. Germaine, a young lady who dares to defy society. She will fight for her right to live her own life, despite the dangers that presents. She has a dagger, and she's not afraid to use it.
If you Google ‘Victoria Hamilton’, you will find listed first a famous actress who starred as the Queen Mother in the Crown and as Charlotte Brontë in ‘In Search of the Brontës’. That’s not the Victoria who writes mysteries.
No, really, it’s not!
You can find her buried in a good book, (entombed in a good tome?) or online at:
Website: http://www.VictoriaHamiltonMysteries.com (Sign up for her annoyingly infrequent newsletter for all the latest!)
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictor...
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MysteryVictoria
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 26, 2022
It’s been several years since the first book in this series was released, and I was beginning to fear it was a one-and-done series. I was excited to see this book in the NetGalley catalog, even though the book published more than two weeks ago, which meant bumping it up to the top of my to-read list.
I like Emmeline, the main character, and the characters from the first book who returned in this one. Because of the setting of this book, many of the characters I liked weren’t involved in this story. If the series continues, I hope we will see more of them. The setting here was disturbing, as were many of the “treatments” and other attitudes held by those in charge, but I know they’re historically accurate (which is even more disturbing!).
As promised in the series name, there is a murder in the book, although it doesn’t occur right away. I had a relatively short list of potential suspects, which changed as the story progressed, and I was ultimately able to figure out whodunnit, although the motive was surprising. I hope this series continues, as I would love to read more of Emmeline’s adventures.
I like Emmeline, the main character, and the characters from the first book who returned in this one. Because of the setting of this book, many of the characters I liked weren’t involved in this story. If the series continues, I hope we will see more of them. The setting here was disturbing, as were many of the “treatments” and other attitudes held by those in charge, but I know they’re historically accurate (which is even more disturbing!).
As promised in the series name, there is a murder in the book, although it doesn’t occur right away. I had a relatively short list of potential suspects, which changed as the story progressed, and I was ultimately able to figure out whodunnit, although the motive was surprising. I hope this series continues, as I would love to read more of Emmeline’s adventures.
November 8, 2022
A hundred years before Nellie Bly women were treated like unruly chattel (at least in the monied class) and sent to mental health institutions for "corrections". Emmeline’s sister died in one of those places, and now a friend is threatened. Emmeline’s reaction to these things caused her elder brother to send her to that very institution. At first it suits her because it is a way to investigate. Until she finds it to be more of a prison complete with abuse and forced feedings. And then one of the younger girls was murdered by strangulation. Now things got really dangerous. A very good read.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you
November 22, 2022
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victoria Hamilton for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Some Touch of Madness. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Leaving off from where the first book ended, Emmeline has decided to go to a women’s institution instead of living under her brother’s oppression. But she is now wondering if she made the right decision. Her motive was to learn under what circumstances her sister died there six years ago, but the conditions are awful, the treatment is harsh, and the women are restricted. Then a woman named Maggie is murdered. Emmeline knows she must solve the crime despite the owner’s insistence that Maggie committed suicide. As she uncovers what little evidence there is to be found, Emmeline’s investigation is stopped at every turn by the severe restrictions on her movement. She finds out that the mistreated help belowstairs are more than willing to reveal the institute’s dark secrets. Determined to honor Maggie’s memory and follow the trail to the murderer wherever it goes, Emmeline will have to face guards and abusive staff. Will she be able to bring the killer to justice before another woman is in trouble?
Overall I enjoyed this story. I don’t think I loved it as much as the first book, but I did really like it. I think my expectations were for it to be more like a Nelly Bly type of story. I didn’t feel the same fast paced Addison from the first book. I think a lot of it was investigating and the stakes didn’t seem as high for Emmeline. There also seemed to be less of Woodforde until the end. I love that she’s a strong character, but there seemed to be something different in this book. I would definitely read more books in the series though.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys regency murder mysteries!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Leaving off from where the first book ended, Emmeline has decided to go to a women’s institution instead of living under her brother’s oppression. But she is now wondering if she made the right decision. Her motive was to learn under what circumstances her sister died there six years ago, but the conditions are awful, the treatment is harsh, and the women are restricted. Then a woman named Maggie is murdered. Emmeline knows she must solve the crime despite the owner’s insistence that Maggie committed suicide. As she uncovers what little evidence there is to be found, Emmeline’s investigation is stopped at every turn by the severe restrictions on her movement. She finds out that the mistreated help belowstairs are more than willing to reveal the institute’s dark secrets. Determined to honor Maggie’s memory and follow the trail to the murderer wherever it goes, Emmeline will have to face guards and abusive staff. Will she be able to bring the killer to justice before another woman is in trouble?
Overall I enjoyed this story. I don’t think I loved it as much as the first book, but I did really like it. I think my expectations were for it to be more like a Nelly Bly type of story. I didn’t feel the same fast paced Addison from the first book. I think a lot of it was investigating and the stakes didn’t seem as high for Emmeline. There also seemed to be less of Woodforde until the end. I love that she’s a strong character, but there seemed to be something different in this book. I would definitely read more books in the series though.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys regency murder mysteries!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 9, 2022
Some Touch of Madness, the second book in the A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder series not only picks up where the last left off but the story’s pace as well.
Victoria Hamilton, AKA national bestselling author Donna Lea Simpson with her protagonist Emmeline St. Germaine hits her stride as our heroine voluntarily goes to the Coleman Institute for Women rather than live under the thumb of her bombastic brother, as well as furthering her mission to aid the helpless, abused and victimized.
Though Emmeline chose to enter the facility for “uncontrollable” women seeking to find out the circumstances of her sister’s death there six years earlier and at the bequest of a woman concerned for her daughter also committed to the institute, Emmeline finds her brother has committed her indefinitely.
Though the plot and setting emphasizes the hold men have held over women’s lives through the centuries, Emmeline’s strength and determination to overcome her constraints is strengthened when one of her roommates is murdered.
I recommend Some Touch of Madness for anyone who enjoys historical fiction mysteries.
I received a free egalley of Some Touch of Madness courtesy of Beyond the Page Publishing, through NetGalley. This review is fair and impartial.
Victoria Hamilton, AKA national bestselling author Donna Lea Simpson with her protagonist Emmeline St. Germaine hits her stride as our heroine voluntarily goes to the Coleman Institute for Women rather than live under the thumb of her bombastic brother, as well as furthering her mission to aid the helpless, abused and victimized.
Though Emmeline chose to enter the facility for “uncontrollable” women seeking to find out the circumstances of her sister’s death there six years earlier and at the bequest of a woman concerned for her daughter also committed to the institute, Emmeline finds her brother has committed her indefinitely.
Though the plot and setting emphasizes the hold men have held over women’s lives through the centuries, Emmeline’s strength and determination to overcome her constraints is strengthened when one of her roommates is murdered.
I recommend Some Touch of Madness for anyone who enjoys historical fiction mysteries.
I received a free egalley of Some Touch of Madness courtesy of Beyond the Page Publishing, through NetGalley. This review is fair and impartial.
October 28, 2022
Hamilton once again brings a light to feminine issues in her latest entry to her historical mystery series. Hamilton has not only created incredibly likeable characters in Emmeline and her maid Geillis but always delivers a mystery that balances the clues, red-herrings and suspects that will leave you guessing to the final reveal. This series and book does tackle serious topics so be sure to check all the CWs. This is book two in the A Gentlewoman's Guide to Murder series, and I would suggest picking up the first book, A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder, so you don’t miss anything.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
November 9, 2022
Some Touch of Madness
A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder #2
by Victoria Hamilton
Earc:NetGalley
Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing
Publication Date: 8 November 2022
Genre : Historical Fiction, Mystery and Thriller
I was fascinated from the beginning. The author draws me into the beginning of a story full of suspense, murder, and a heroine determined to find the truth, perhaps even at her own risk....The horrifying treatment of women during this period
As Emmeline investigates the 'patients' of the psychiatric hospital, the truth emerges, but the tangled cobwebs keep her alive. Take her on a journey and she won't soon forget!
Looking forward to reading more in this series and by this author!!
#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #historicalfiction #mysteryandthriller @beyondthepagepublishing @victoria Hamilton
A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder #2
by Victoria Hamilton
Earc:NetGalley
Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing
Publication Date: 8 November 2022
Genre : Historical Fiction, Mystery and Thriller
I was fascinated from the beginning. The author draws me into the beginning of a story full of suspense, murder, and a heroine determined to find the truth, perhaps even at her own risk....The horrifying treatment of women during this period
As Emmeline investigates the 'patients' of the psychiatric hospital, the truth emerges, but the tangled cobwebs keep her alive. Take her on a journey and she won't soon forget!
Looking forward to reading more in this series and by this author!!
#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #historicalfiction #mysteryandthriller @beyondthepagepublishing @victoria Hamilton
November 8, 2022
This was a very engaging read. Emmaline is one determinant lady, she needs to find out about her sister, Maria and also investigate someone’s daughter. She is brave and quite fearless when it comes to finding out things. Emmaline is very conscious of women’s rights or rather the lack of them at this time. I will say the murder had me guessing until the end, there were quite a few possible suspects. There was also the friendship between Emmaline and Dr. Giles Woodforde, he was one of the few men who Emmaline completely trusted. Would their friendship develop into something deeper? This is the second book in the series and although, to a certain extent it could be read as a stand-alone, I think it would help to read the first book. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 5, 2022
1810
I was intrigued from the very beginning. as the author pull me straight into the beginning of a story of suspense, murder and a heroine who was determined to find the truth, possibly at her own peril....
The author twined historical fact with fiction to make the premise believable. The terrible treatment of women during this time period, often put in asylums, just to get rid of them by a spouse or family.
As Emmeline investigates as a "patient" in the asylum, truths come out but with a tangled web that will take her on a journey not soon forgotten!
Looking forward to reading more in this series and by this author!! Do not miss it if you love historical mysteries!
I was intrigued from the very beginning. as the author pull me straight into the beginning of a story of suspense, murder and a heroine who was determined to find the truth, possibly at her own peril....
The author twined historical fact with fiction to make the premise believable. The terrible treatment of women during this time period, often put in asylums, just to get rid of them by a spouse or family.
As Emmeline investigates as a "patient" in the asylum, truths come out but with a tangled web that will take her on a journey not soon forgotten!
Looking forward to reading more in this series and by this author!! Do not miss it if you love historical mysteries!
June 11, 2025
3 stars.
I almost forgot I listened to this one. After the first depressing book, I was hoping for something a bit more uplifting but alas, it's just as depressing. I can't conceive how one would volunteer to be incarcerated into a "mental" hospital, especially only to send a message to one of the inmates. And then one of the inmates is murdered and she's determined to solve the case, even if she had to extend her stay.
Overall, I don't think I enjoyed the vibe of these books.
I almost forgot I listened to this one. After the first depressing book, I was hoping for something a bit more uplifting but alas, it's just as depressing. I can't conceive how one would volunteer to be incarcerated into a "mental" hospital, especially only to send a message to one of the inmates. And then one of the inmates is murdered and she's determined to solve the case, even if she had to extend her stay.
Overall, I don't think I enjoyed the vibe of these books.
November 7, 2022
I enjoyed this one so much more than the first book. The main character came across as a much more likeable character who is a bit outspoken but genuinely wants to help people and get to the truth. Serious subjects were covered in this book too but in a much better way than the first can't wait for the next book in the series now. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 8, 2023
Some Touch of Madness is a Regency mystery that explores the life in an asylum where women are sent for being inconvenient of embarrassing to their families. The lead female character gets herself committed in order to investigate her sister’s death and help another woman only to find more than she bargained for.
The narrator of the audiobook does a good job though her voice can be grating at times.
The narrator of the audiobook does a good job though her voice can be grating at times.
December 12, 2022
This book makes one glad not to have been a woman born in this era. Women had about as much freedom as a piece of furniture. Amazingly Emmeline did not accept this role and had Giles support but at great risk. I suspect the situation in the asylum was not unique. Thankfully Emmeline and Giles were forces for change. Well presented.
December 5, 2024
This book started as a 2 star but got better and ended at a 4 star… but to average jt out I’m giving it 3.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews