“Clever and entertaining, you’ll love this charming Golden Age mystery series. And the fashion is to die for!” – Molly C. Quinn, actress, Castle
Murder’s Bad Karma. . .Life couldn’t be better on Eaton Square Gardens where the most prestigious families lived, until one of their own dies and it’s murder.
Ginger and Basil are on the case, but it’s not a simple glass of bubbly fizz. The more the … prestigious families lived, until one of their own dies and it’s murder.
Ginger and Basil are on the case, but it’s not a simple glass of bubbly fizz. The more the clues present themselves, the trickier the puzzle gets, and Ginger feels she’s on a wild goose chase.
But as someone close to the victim so aptly quips, “One shouldn’t commit murder. It’s bad karma.”
Reaping what one sows is hardly a great cup of tea.
~~~
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
Genre: dog cozy mystery series / historical mystery / women amateur sleuth / British detective mystery
Hop aboard the 1920s!
THE GINGER GOLD MYSTERY SERIES
Murder on the SS Rosa (Book 1)
Murder at Hartigan House (Book 2)
Murder at Bray Manor (Book 3)
Murder at Feathers & Flair (Book 4)
Murder at the Mortuary (Book 5)
Murder at Kensington Gardens (Book 6)
Murder at st. George’s Church (Book 7)
The Wedding of Ginger & Basil (Book 7.5)
Murder Aboard the Flying Scotsman (Book 8)
Murder at the Boat Club (Book 9)
Murder on Eaton Square (Book 10)
Murder by Plum Pudding (Book 11)
Murder on Fleet Street (Book 12) COMING JANUARY 2020
~more on the way!
Don’t miss LADY GOLD INVESTIGATES, the short story companion series!
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The Ginger Gold mysteries are great fun for fans of cozy historical mysteries set in the Downton Abbey era which is a favorite time period of mine.
4.5 stars rounded up
Ginger and Basil are invited to a dinner party at the home of Reginald Peck and his wife who reside on Eaton Square, where only the most prestigious families live. The next morning, while reading the paper over breakfast, they discover Mr. Peck has died. They’re a little shocked because they were with him the night before, but not completely surprised because he wasn’t in good health and it was well known that he had a heart condition. But Basil soon discovers Mr. Peck’s death wasn’t related to his heart condition–he was poisoned!!
The Peck family–Reginald, his much younger second wife Virginia, his children from his deceased first wife–son Matthew and married daughter Deirdre Northcott, and her husband Alistair Northcott– are wealthy but severely disfunctional. All of them had opportunity and most of them had a motive for wanting the crotchety old man dead. The more clues they find, the more confused it gets, especially when someone else in the family turns up dead.
Not only are Ginger and Basil trying to solve a murder(s), Basil’s parents are back from their travels and are coming to dinner. It will be the first time Ginger and the elder Mr. and Mrs. Reed meet. Poor Ginger’s going to wear out her t-strap shoes chasing down clues and making sure things are perfect for dinner with the Reeds.
Felicia, Ginger’s sister-in-law, is still working at Lady Gold Investigations and talked Ginger into letting her take a minor case. That case, and Felicia’s lousy camera skills led to one of the clues. It was fun to see Felicia do something in the office. We also get an update on Ginger and Basil’s adoption of Scout.
I was not happy with Basil’s parents at all! They’re still of the old school and division of classes so they don’t want Basil and Ginger to adopt Scout–how will it look?!! And they threaten to cut Basil out of their will, not that Basil and Ginger need their money.
I could not figure out who killed the old man–so many suspects all living in the same house. Was it the son Matthew, who hasn’t been the same since serving in the war? What about the son-in-law that no one in the family likes? I certainly did not see the twist in the end coming. Again, I enjoy seeing how well Ginger and Basil work together to solve the murder, and reading all the wonderful descriptions. I find it hilarious that Ginger can’t figure out why other motorists are upset when she has no issue with the road. There was a reason Hailey didn’t like riding with Ginger. LOL
I listened to an audiobook of this from my library through the Hoopla app. I love the narrator.
so even on a regular week in a regular year lee strauss is one of the best writers around. her style incredible. the historical mystery genre has been gifted a spectacular addition. during covid i have been spending quite an enormous amount of time with ginger and basil and now hailey higgins and samantha hawke. i have already downloaded from another of her series as well… i’m a fairly fast reader…. oooohhhh, and what a delightful time in reading land… and all 3 short stories with lady gold investigates have been read… i’ve finished 7 these last few weeks. so for convenience sake so i can get back to “death on the tower” i’m going to copy and paste my review to all 7 aforementioned books. forgive me… but i must…
Exciting finish
I have enjoyed the entire Lady Gold series, and this was no exception. I didn ‘t connect as well with the “suspects” as much in this book, but the twists in plot were good as always. A very enjoyable quick read.
How very enjoyable! This particular mystery was written so well that you suspect everyone and don’t see the twist coming. Mystery aside, I was happy with the character development and am looking forward to the next book. Its easy to become invested in the “folks” in this series and as I read I project how young Scout will grow and what Ms Strauss has in store for him. As for Ginger and Basil, I see many potential pitfalls but I have hope that their characters and relationship will persevere. Well done, Ms. Strauss, well done!
Another Must Read from Lee Strauss
August 21, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
The captivating Ginger Gold stars in another classic cozy mystery. In addition to the mystery which needs to be solved there are subplots in which we learn more about the social norms and expectations of the day…particularly with regard to subjects such as a woman’s place both at home and in business and how adoption was viewed. We also get to know more about Ginger’s personal life, the challenges she faces and the desires of her heart. These glimpses bring her to life and add depth to the portrayal of her character. She is not merely a protagonist whose presence is a vehicle to carry forward the solving of a mystery but a strong, yet vulnerable woman whose story is still unfolding and we are drawn into that story. Vividly portrayed supporting characters add further depth to the story.
The twists and turns of this murder case will take one on a dizzying journey as the spotlight of suspicion falls first on one character, then another…and yet another until the complex denouement is reached.
This story is likely to be particularly enjoyed by fans of cozy mysteries set in earlier eras, featuring the fashions of a bygone age whilst dog lovers will enjoy the escapades of Boss the Boston Terrier.
I read this book as a free ARC but my review is voluntary and is my own honest opinion.
If you enjoy historical scenery and fashion, then this whole series is for you! Ginger and Basil had just visited Eaton Square the night before. That is where the most prestigious families live until one of them is no longer living, but killed! A very well written ‘whodunit’ by Lee Strauss as is all her Ginger Gold books. I voluntarily reviewed a free ARC of this book.
Murder on Eaton Square by Lee Strauss was another engaging cozy historical mystery that kept me turning the pages.
Ginger and Basil become involved in a suspicious death that has occurred at a mansion on Eaton Square that they had just visited the previous evening during a fund raiser for injured soldiers. The plot moved quickly and the suspects all seemed to have motive, means and opportunity. There was also an appearance of Basil’s parents in this book. They are typical aristocracy of the time in their attitudes which disappointed me but was not surprising. The twists to this story kept me turning the pages and the double twist at the end left me speechless. Well done, Ms. Strauss!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.