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Invitation to a Funeral
Aphra begins to regret casting the Earl of Rochester's mistress in her new comedy when she learns of a bet between him and the Duke of Buckingham that Elizabeth Decker is going to become the best actress on the London stage.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 25, 2021
I love the idea of a historical mystery starring Aphra Behn, but I don't think Invitation to a Funeral lives up to its premise. A minor note first: the novel is messy and choppy and crowded; I presume that these qualities reflect its setting, particularly (to my imagination) the crowded Restoration court, teeming with aspirants and intrigue. That's fine, then. What's really disappointing, to return to my first point, is that Aphra isn't a character, she's a plot nexus. The novel's Aphra doesn't cohere and the historical Aphra isn't evoked. I was so disappointed.
The teacher in whose class I read Oroonoko introduced Behn with a thrilling little lecture, and ever since I've meant to read more about her. It's hardly Molly Brown's fault that I seem to have wanted her to do my research for me; and to quiet the part of me that wants to scold, Why engage with Aphra Behn at all if you're not going to do her justice?, I recall something else this professor said, when we read Last Night at the Lobster, the second book on his syllabus (Oroonoko was the first). My paraphrase won't do him justice, I'm afraid, but: beginning novelists might dream about writing the world. But you don't have to write the world, to start with, or ever. You can just write, for example, 150 pages on one Manny DeLeon's last night working at Red Lobster.
And you can just write, in this case, an award-winning first novel starring Aphra Behn, and never mind readers who come to your book with baggy expectations!
The teacher in whose class I read Oroonoko introduced Behn with a thrilling little lecture, and ever since I've meant to read more about her. It's hardly Molly Brown's fault that I seem to have wanted her to do my research for me; and to quiet the part of me that wants to scold, Why engage with Aphra Behn at all if you're not going to do her justice?, I recall something else this professor said, when we read Last Night at the Lobster, the second book on his syllabus (Oroonoko was the first). My paraphrase won't do him justice, I'm afraid, but: beginning novelists might dream about writing the world. But you don't have to write the world, to start with, or ever. You can just write, for example, 150 pages on one Manny DeLeon's last night working at Red Lobster.
And you can just write, in this case, an award-winning first novel starring Aphra Behn, and never mind readers who come to your book with baggy expectations!
September 25, 2008
I really got stuck on a historical mystery thing. I do that sometimes. You could say I get obsessed. But not Chia obsessed. At least I hope not. (jk--I love you dear!) Anywho, this book was lots of fun. The main character is Aphra Behn, a female playwrite from Restoration England. I actually read one of her plays before--she's quite good. In this book, Aphra randomly stumbles across a man, Elias, that she knew from when she was younger, whose brother she happened to like. She asks Elias where his brother, Matthew, is, and then goes to find him. When she searches for Matthew, she winds up finding him dead, swathed in mystery and intrigue. Soon she finds herself being drawn into a web of Catholic/Protestant plots. And all Aphra wants to do is to put on her play, so she can get enough money to pay the bills. This book is a fun, fast-paced read. And there is much humor to go around. The ending is a bit quick, but somewhat surprising. I enjoyed it.
November 27, 2016
A fun Restoration murder mystery romp! I enjoyed this book which features historical figures such as Aphra Behn and John Wilmot the Earl of Rochester. A great light read which provides an introduction to an underrated period of history characterised by intrigue.
March 16, 2020
The Restoration period is one with enough characters as to create a rich back drop for a mystery. Ordinarily, I adore historical novels, but this one I cannot endorse with any enthusiasm. Thankfully, the parade of Nell Gwynn, King Charles, and even Samuel Pepys was thoughtfully done.
February 3, 2019
Mystery set in Restoration-era England. The differences between rich and poor are stark
August 25, 2022
Restoration mystery featuring Nell Gwynn and Aphra Brown. Interesting premise.
April 22, 2013
Why is it that novels set during the period called the Restoration, when the Stuart King is returned to the British throne, all seem to think they must be written like the Restoration comedies of William Wycherley or Congreve? It's like saying that life in the last fifty years of the 20thC, as depicted by the Whitehall Theatre farces, was a true and accurate account. It does irritate me!
Molly Brown also belongs to the school of History as Filth so that every street is mud and manure, the weather is foul, chamber pot contents and vomit splatter everywhere and life is dirty, brutal and short. I can never work out whether this attitude is a superior 'we're so much better today' or it's a case of applying historical details excessively with a cement trowel - or manure fork as the case might be - and a genuine misunderstanding of the 17thC.
Taking the playwright, Aphra Benn as her MC, Brown involves her in a fast moving plot revolving around the theatre, well known historical figures, and a threat against the King.
The novel is well written and amusing but I'm not a fan of using real people as main characters. So often the writer's version doesn't fit my own conception of a historical character and that puts me off. I like fiction to be fiction and real historical people to be used as background colour.
However for anyone who like a fast paced historical mystery which is a quick and easy read this is a good book
Molly Brown also belongs to the school of History as Filth so that every street is mud and manure, the weather is foul, chamber pot contents and vomit splatter everywhere and life is dirty, brutal and short. I can never work out whether this attitude is a superior 'we're so much better today' or it's a case of applying historical details excessively with a cement trowel - or manure fork as the case might be - and a genuine misunderstanding of the 17thC.
Taking the playwright, Aphra Benn as her MC, Brown involves her in a fast moving plot revolving around the theatre, well known historical figures, and a threat against the King.
The novel is well written and amusing but I'm not a fan of using real people as main characters. So often the writer's version doesn't fit my own conception of a historical character and that puts me off. I like fiction to be fiction and real historical people to be used as background colour.
However for anyone who like a fast paced historical mystery which is a quick and easy read this is a good book
November 18, 2016
It is 1676 in London and Aphra Behn is trying to get her new play on the stage. She needs the money from the play to pay her debts but feels she is obligated to pay for the funeral of a man she knew years before. She makes the arrangements but then finds the man's brother murdered in her own home. Of course, she feels she must pay his last expenses too. She doesn't know how she will come up with the necessary money until she is asked by the Earl of Rochester to make his mistress the best actress in London. He has a wager of 500 pounds on the woman and will split the bet with her. An answer to her prayers? Maybe, but the actress is horrible and Aphra doesn't know how she will ever make her a star. She begins to look into the murder of the young man found in her home and this leads her to a story of intrigue and treachery that brings her into many places. She searches from the local almshouse all the way upwards to the King's bedchamber. This was an excellent book that combines a good mystery with some actual historical characters.
October 31, 2014
Clever, entertaining historical murder mystery featuring dramatist Aphra Behn as a likeable, put-upon heroine. With a new play in the offing and drastically low on funds, she has also been saddled with an appalling actress as the result of a bet between two Lords. A chance encounter with a beggar dredges up painful memories of the past, and two brothers who showed her a kindness. Shortly after, the two brothers are dead and she is in the unenviable position of paying for their funerals. Spies, lords, and street thieves all show a dangerous interest in the brothers' doings, and Aphra finds herself caught up in a conspiracy that could shake the throne and plunge the country into civil war.
November 21, 2014
The switching between characters was a little hard to follow and often done at inappropriate times. Very confusing! The historical backdrop of the restoration period in England was very interesting as were some of the characters. The decadence of the period was fun. The mystery was nothing much and the story line only so so. I think it would be worth 3 stars if the switching between characters and scenes had been smoother.
April 19, 2010
This book was ok. I felt like it simply took the author too long to tie up the two seemingly separate story lines. Once she intersected the stories, it then felt rushed. I enjoyed the main characters, but not enough to hope that the book would turn into a series (which I understand it did not).
November 29, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. One of the better books I read in 2002. Was a library recommended book.
December 20, 2008
has an awesome website to accompany the book, it's characters and Restoration London
April 16, 2009
historical mystery with Aphra Behn and Nelly Gwen teaming up to solve the murder of two brothers who helped Aphra Behn during a rough patch in an earlier life. Fun read.
May 20, 2012
great read and very imaginative!
October 25, 2013
Great murder mystery/historical thriller with a unique detective.
November 28, 2014
I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, but this one made a nice change of pace, with a very compelling protagonist.
March 24, 2016
A wonderful 17th century whodunit.
October 13, 2008
Silly and vacuous mystery set in 17th century England.
October 21, 2008
Great mystery with an unusual historical setting. Too bad it didn't expand into a series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews