The second book in the series involving Minerva Harper, recently come to England after her husband passed away in Corfu. Also in London is Mr Stephen Dorian who collaborated with Minerva and very successfully solved a murder mystery in Corfu. There is also unfinished business between Minerva and Stephen on a personal level.
Minerva has come to make peace with her parents and to settle her daughter in a prestigious girls school. Her intention is to return to Corfu, but life gets in the way. A couple of days in, she finds her younger sister Delia in the midst of a controversy, and the chief suspect in the murder of her lover. Minerva has to protect Delia, who confesses she is pregnant, and protect the reputation of the family. It doesn’t help that the murder victim Charles, was involved in nefarious smuggling and sale of antiquities, blackmail and to top it all was already married.
Stephen Dorian is very much part of the investigation, along with Minerva. He wants to protect Minerva who he feels does not know how dangerous it is to investigate this murder, which involves the aristocracy who will not hesitate to do anything in their power to protect their name and fortune. Stephen Dorian’s brother another Dorian is the detectives in charge of the case and the brother’s relationship is not a cordial one, adding to an already tense situation.
The story was a really good one and characters ( especially the two children with distinct personalities and interests of their own) were all interesting. I also liked the description of the way of life of upper middle class families at the turn of the 20th century and how the aristocracy still controlled society.
Sent by Kensington Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.
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