Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Berkley (June 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425222047
ISBN-13: 978-0425222041
In this first book in the Bellehaven House mystery series, we are introduced to Meredith Llewellyn, headmistress of Bellehaven House, a finishing school set in Edwardian England. Tom, the head gardener, has just led Meredith out to the garden to show her his grisly discovery; the dead body of Kathleen Duncan, one of Bellehaven's tutors. As Meredith immediately thinks some accident has befallen Kathleen, Tom quickly disabuses her of that notion. It's murder, plain and simple. Kathleen was bashed in the head with a large neatly sawn off tree branch.
When the local constable is called in, he is quick to assume it was a passing vagrant and rapidly writes off the case. He actually has the gall to suggest it was Kathleen's fault for being out by herself at night. When Meredith first sees Kathleen's ghost she thinks Kathleen is trying to communicate who killed her and why. The ghost just keeps vaguely pointing in the direction of the flower gardern. Along with the school's other two tutors, Essie and Felicity, they try to figure out the mystery so Kathleeen's spirit can rest easy. Not an easy task since there are really no tangible clues.
All during the book I could not get a clear picture in my mind of any of these characters. This tells me the author did a poor job of fleshing them out. It was reasonably easy to guess who murdered Kathleen and the means of getting the person to confess was inane and totally unbelievable. The only promising aspects of the book were the two maids' interest in being suffragettes but unfortunately, this was not pursued. I felt the Edwardian timeframe could have been much more delved into and would have given the book an interesting atmosphere.
Would I read the next book in the series? Due to the weakness in this one, no I would not. There are plenty of better developed mysteries out there to be read. 2** is a generous rating. No thumbs flippers up on this one. It left me flat!
Disclosure: The book used for review is from my personal library and was purchased by me.
Too bad it left you flat since it's the first of a series. Maybe the second will be better.
ReplyDeleteNo up flippers??? Well, honey I won't be bothering with this one. I absolutely go to you for the cozy mysteries and if you don't want to read book 2 then I'm out of here!
ReplyDeleteI had high hopes when I saw the title!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review - I won't be looking for this series.
ReplyDeleteAw, sorry to hear this! I usually never pass up a mystery, but this doesn't sound like one that I'd enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been into cozies lately and it sounds like I'm not missing anything with this one. Sorry it wasn't so good
ReplyDeleteSorry this was a bomb for you Kaye.
ReplyDeleteAt first I though that was a penguin in your bed...LOL See how great my vision is :)