I seem to be reading mystery/murder stories across the years from the very modern to much earlier times and every year in between.
This one with a Regency theme sees our Austen characters in a clever who dun it. It’s the festive season and Emma faces a very surprising announcement. Her father widowed (and rather grumpy) has announced his intention to marry the excitable Miss Bates. Emma has to hand over the reigns of running the household to another lady. Something she finds hard to do and move to Donwell Abbey neglected and run down and make it a comfortable home.
A splendid party is somewhat marred by the sudden death of a maid Prudence and then the rumours begin to fly. Emma’s enquiries unearths several unsettling claims which are whispered about in the locality, ending with the arrest of Mr Larkins, Emma’s steward and one whom she and her husband George trust implicitly. The feelings of the locals and the judge are against Mr Larkins who is of Irish descent (not very popular amongst the English villagers). Emma and George have their hands full when they unearth a smuggling ring, involving villagers, servants of the Abbey and a gang of ruthless men determined to see the hapless Mr Larkins hang.
A very interesting mystery murder cozy set in very English surroundings of a different age.
Sent by Kensington Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.
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