Agatha Christie would be proud!
Shortest Summary Ever: It’s 1703 (the place to be!) and Cecily Kay has returned to London to visit the home of collector Barnaby Mayne. While searching for botanical information, she stumbles right into a mystery when the host is killed. But she saw the killer and he confessed! The end? Oh no, that’s merely the beginning!
Thoughts: I wasn’t sure about this mystery until about 20% in, and then I was hooked (line AND sinker!). I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE historical mysteries, and while the tone was more cozy than I typically care for, I fell right in and enjoyed a paddle through this mystery pool.
The author’s narrative was engaging – pulling me into the shelves upon shelves in the home of Barnaby Mayne. I envisioned all of the characters ala Christie fashion, and the mystery itself reminded me so much of her books. Not an easy endeavor. I did guess the killer right off but it was likely a guess or else I’m watching entirely too much ID channel during this quarantine and I should become the next Hercule Poirot (minus the ‘stache).
All my reviews available at scrappymags.com around time of publication.
Genre: Mystery/Historical Fiction
Recommend to: Agatha lovers, leaning toward cozy mystery but a little grit.
Not recommended to: Those who love the dark and dirty.
Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my always-honest review and for the education of the time period!
