The Secret of Bow Lane (A Below Stairs Mystery, #6) by Jennifer Ashley – Review

Tags

5 stars, Book Review, historical, Jennifer Ashley, mystery, romance, series, Victorian England

Review

This is the book Kat Holloway fans have been waiting for.  I’ll tell you why, but first….

In The Secret of Bow Lane, the mystery is about Joe Bristow, the man Kat thought she was once married to until she found out he was already married to someone else.  The death of her ‘husband’ left Kat in poverty, but it is also what led her to become the best cook in all of London.  While he died many years ago, his actual wife contends that he left a fortune somewhere and she needs help finding it. Bow Lane is Kat’s old neighborhood and there is more than one intriguing secret to uncover there.

Joe’s ability to pretend he was something he was not, reminds her a little too much of her friend Daniel McAdam, who is a master of the many disguises he uses in his investigative work.  So, when Daniel tells Kat how he feels about her, she pulls back.  There is nothing to be done, except find out more about the real Daniel.

In her life, there are two men that Kat has gotten close to.  Joe and Daniel.  Throughout the story, the details of both of their lives are slowly brought to light, revealing all the sordid details of one and the worthy details of the other.  So, you see, Kat Holloway fans, this book is for you.

The mystery the Kat must solve in this tale is just as fascinating and twisty as it always is.  Also, all of Kat’s helpers are there to make sure they uncover every necessary clue while still allowing Kat to see to her cooking duties and her daughter.  And Daniel is ever present to give his support, friendship, and a kiss now and then.  I recommend you enjoy this historical mystery with a nice cup of hot tea and a biscuit.

Through NetGalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book.  My review is my honest opinion.

*****************************

About The Secret of Bow Lane by Jennifer Ashley

A stranger who appears on Kat’s doorstep turns out to be one Charlotte Bristow, legal wife of Joe Bristow, the man Kat once believed herself married to—who she thought died at sea twelve years ago. Kat is jolted by Charlotte’s claims that not only was Joe murdered, but he had amassed a small fortune before he died. Charlotte makes the cook an offer she cannot refuse—if Kat can discover the identity of Joe’s murderer, Charlotte will give her a share of the fortune Joe left behind.

With the help of Daniel McAdam, her attractive and charismatic confidante, Kat plunges into her own past to investigate. When it becomes apparent that the case of Joe’s death goes far deeper than simple, opportunistic theft, Kat and Daniel’s relationship is put to the test, and Kat herself comes under scrutiny as her connection to Joe is uncovered. She must race to catch the real killer before she loses her job and possibly her life.

Links

Add The Secret of Bow Lane books to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase books in the Below Stairs Mystery series (The Secret of Bow Lane releases 8/2/22):

Below Stairs Mystery by Jennifer Ashley – Series Review

Tags

5 stars, Anne-Marie Piazz, Book Review, historical, Jennifer Ashley, mystery, romance, series, Victorian England

The World of Kat Hollway

Highly sought-after young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in a Mayfair mansion and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household of Lord Rankin. Kat is unbothered by the family’s eccentricities as long as they stay away from her kitchen, but trouble often finds its way below stairs.  

Below Stairs Mystery Series summary adapted from the book blurb for Death Below Stairs.

Review

I was introduced to the Below Stairs Mystery series in 2018 when I read Death Below Stairs, the first book in a new series. The Victorian era historical mystery had a unique appeal because of its working class heroine, Kat Holloway, who solves mysteries while she whips up sauces, bakes seed cake and pours tea. Kat’s friend, Daniel McAdam, is another working class character whose mysteriousness is as appealing as it is annoying to Kat. Kat and Daniel help each other out – often – and enjoy a little very slow burning romance along the way.

The series is full of wonderful secondary characters that complement every aspect of the story. Lady Cynthia, who lives in the house where Kat works, is the eccentric, yet charming upper class cross dresser who always has Kat’s back. Daniel’s friend, Thanos, is super smart and is also awkwardly sweet on Cynthia. Daniel’s son James is the youth-nearly-a-man that wants to be like his father. With the second book, Kat takes on an assistant cook, Tess. Her rough beginnings lend her a charm that works because she devoted to Kat. Mr. Davis, the household butler is gruff, yet oddly helpful at times.

All the main and secondary characters are likable and intelligent. And of course, they all love to solve a good mystery.

The author’s attention to detail often includes mouth-watering dishes as prepared by one of the best cooks in London, along with colorful descriptions of the kaleidescope setting of London and the people that inhabit the city.

Typically, each book has an intricately woven plot that strings out details until the very end, sustaining the reader that likes to keep guessing but doesn’t really want to figure out the mystery until the very last page.

I listened to the audiobooks of books 2 and 3 (Scandal Above Stairs and Death in Kew Gardens). Anne-Marie Piazz is a fine narrator whose subtle voice changes for different characters were unaffected and perfect.

I was able to download the most recent installment, Death at the Crystal Palace, from my library’s digital collection, so check your library to save some $$$. I skipped #4, Murder in the East End, due to the unavailability of a low cost option, but I’ve put it on my TBR. Book #6, The Secret of Bow Lane, will be released in August and it is on my NetGalley review list.

A Soupcon of Poison is a series prequel and the e-book is currently free in the Past Crimes anthology.

*****************************

Links

Add Below Stairs Mystery books to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase books in the Below Stairs Mystery series:

The Lady Loves Danger (The Maidens of Mayhem, #2) by Anabelle Bryant – Review

Tags

4 stars, Anabelle Bryant, Book Review, historical, mystery, romance, series

Review of The Lady Loves Danger

There’s plenty of mystery in The Lady Loves Danger.  Who kidnapped the child?  Who dognapped the Duchess’s dogs?  And what happened to the diamond collar?  Two people from very different walks of life work through these mysteries.  Lady Delilah Ashbrook, who has joined her Aunt in London after her father died, and Sebastian St. Allen, whose origins are a mystery. 

The series is called The Maidens of Mayhem.  While the Maidens, who believe women should have all the same advantages that men have, were a part of the story, it was a very small part.  Most of the story concentrated on St. Allen and Delilah both separately and together.  Also, there is an adorable child and a dog, giving the story cute appeal.

Historical mystery is combined with romance, but I found the combination to be awkward.  At a certain point, the mystery became predictable.  I did enjoy the story though and can recommend it to readers of historical mystery and romance. 

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book.  My review is my honest opinion.

*****************************

About The Lady Loves Danger by Anabelle Bryant

The society of daring women known as the Maidens of Mayhem dedicate their lives to protecting London’s most vulnerable citizens from injustice. Daring and discreet, their missions lead them to people and places they least expect, often putting their lives—and their hearts—in peril…

Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for a boy who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen certainly cuts a dashing figure. But is he hoping to save the child—or harm him?

Sebastian has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible. Sebastian knows they can help each other, if only she’ll let her guard down. And, as they become entrenched in danger, they realize how strong their ties have grown—and how much they need one another.

*****************************

Links

Add The Lady Loves Danger to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase books in The Maidens of Mayhem series: