Murder In Punch Lane by Jane Sullivan

 

The setting of Melbourne 1863 alone was rare. The setting of theatre and the life that went on in theatres at the time was similar to theatres elsewhere. Actresses were popular, sought after but not quite polite society which was a sad reflection for the time.

Marie St Denis dies of a supposedly laudunam overdose. Her best friend Lola who was present is the only one who believes it was a murder and not an accidental death. Finding someone who’d believe her, and more importantly help her to track the murderer is impossible, despite the clues she has that everything is not quite what it seems.

It was an interesting mystery and the background setting made it even more so. The characters themselves seemed a bit too simple but it was probably the way people acted at the time.

Sent by Echo Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.