Death of an American Beauty is the third in Mariah Fredericks’s compelling series, set in Gilded Age New York, featuring Jane Prescott. Jane Prescott is taking a break from her duties as lady’s maid for a week, and plans to begin it with attending the hottest and most scandalous show in town: the opening of an art exhibition, showcasing the cubists, that is shocking New York City. 1913 is also … York City.
1913 is also the fiftieth anniversary of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation speech, and the city’s great and good are determined to celebrate in style. Dolly Rutherford, heiress to the glamorous Rutherford’s department store empire, has gathered her coterie of society ladies to put on a play–with Jane’s employer Louise Tyler in the starring role as Lincoln himself. Jane is torn between helping the ladies with their costumes and enjoying her holiday. But fate decides she will do neither, when a woman is found murdered outside Jane’s childhood home–a refuge for women run by her uncle.
Deeply troubled as her uncle falls under suspicion and haunted by memories of a woman she once knew, Jane–with the help of old friends and new acquaintances, reporter Michael Behan and music hall pianist Leo Hirschfeld–is determined to discover who is making death into their own twisted art form.
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A welcome trip to New York City in the Gilded Age, realistically but enjoyably portrayed. Lady’s maid Jane Prescott is a worthy guide and adept sleuth.
Loved it! I never tire of the winning, kind-hearted heroine Jane & the characters drawn into her world. Although “just” a ladies maid, she is the center of the action & holds the household together. Every plot point, conversation, entertainment, commentary brings 1913 NYC to life—with all its glories & grisliness . . . I tried to make it last, but it was still over too soon . . .
Exciting new entry in this terrific series, with insight into social issues still relevant today.
Death of an American Beauty is the third book in the Jane Prescott series by Mariah Fredericks. The second book was excellent, and I was extremely excited to get my greedy little paws on this one. If you haven’t read the previous installments, don’t fret; though they share characters, each story stands just fine on it own. I unfortunately haven’t had the opportunity to read the first book yet, but I wasn’t lost in the least. Series like this one has made me a huge fan of historical mysteries.
Jane Prescott, lady’s maid for Louise Tyler, is heading home for a week’s vacation. Where is home? That would be a refuge for fallen women run by her uncle, who took Jane in when she was just three years old. Jane is thrilled to begin her time off by going to an art exhibit featuring the shocking cubists. (Cubism is NOT my style of art; give me a Van Gogh any time.). When an animal is found mutilated outside the gallery, Jane doesn’t know it’s a portent of things to come… Jane’s next plan involves the yearly dance for the women in her uncle’s shelter. All have a wonderful time, until one of the ladies sneak out. Jane finds her, dead and mutilated; her appearance brings forth memories of someone from Jane’s past . If that wasn’t enough to ruin a vacation, Mrs. Tyler enlists Jane’s aid with costumes for a show by society ladies celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, to take place at the renowned Rutherford’s department store. When another women is found murdered and suspicion falls on Jane’s uncle, she is determined to figure out who is committing these murders.
This is one murder mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. I figured out whodunit numerous times; apparently detection isn’t my strong suit. I was totally taken by suprise. It’s the characters, though, who kept me so engaged. Jane is a young woman, but she’s seen a lot in her short lifespan. She is smart, stubborn and caring of those in her sphere. Her reporter friend Michael Behan makes his appearance; I still can’t figure out the relationship between Jane and Michael, which intrigues me. Mrs. Tyler is as sweet and shy as ever. One of my favorite characters, however, was Leo Hirschfeld, a music hall pianist/singing waiter. Oh, but Leo was handsome and charming! He made me giggle, though I’m far from being a young lass. At story’s end we discover that Jane will be traveling to Europe with Mrs. Tyler. I’m excited about the trouble no doubt awaiting Jane there!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I have not read the first two books in this series but I still really enjoyed this third book. I would recommend reading the first two because it might give a little more of Jane Prescott’s back story and they look enjoyable. I really liked the characters but once in a while I got a little confused who was who. It is nice to read about women in this time period that was just before a war. I enjoyed the bits of romance and the intrigue. I received a copy of this book from Minotaurbooks for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Authentic, atmospheric, and mysterious!
In this latest novel by Fredericks, Death of an American Beauty, we head back to Manhattan during the early twentieth century and into the life of lady’s maid, Jane Prescott whose highly-anticipated vacation is suddenly turned upside down when a resident of her uncle’s refuge for reformed prostitutes is found viciously murdered, and the American Beauty Pagent is in urgent need of a last-minute seamstress.
The prose is meticulous and rich. The characters are independent, intelligent, and resourceful. And the plot is a well-paced whodunit full of amateur sleuthing, red herrings, suspects, deduction, familial dynamics, duty, friendship, secrets, racial inequality, sexism, romance, violence, and murder.
Death of an American Beauty is the third book in the Jane Prescott series, and if you love historical mysteries, this novel won’t disappoint. It is a menacing, entertaining, vivid tale that is certainly well worth a read.
early-20th-century, historical-research, historical-fiction, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, NYC *****
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Gossip mongering cruel and grasping media reporters, hypocritical religious fanatics, racial profiling, testosterone poisoned madmen with knives, now or a hundred years ago police and citizens are plagued by the same old things. And Jane is motivated to find the brutal murderer of one of The Refuge’s downtrodden women. Tough job for a lady’s maid whose uncle operates The Refuge. But she is a good sleuth and the story kept me awake too late! Don’t miss this one!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Death of an American Beauty by Mariah Fredricks is the third installment in this historical fiction, murder/mystery series featuring Jane Prescott, a feisty female protagonist that works for a wealthy family during the “Gilded Age” 1910s in NYC. I have to confess, this is my first exposure to this author, and also this series, and I had no problems diving right in. I think I would appreciate the characters even more if I had read the previous two, however it is definitely not necessary.
I enjoyed Jane. She is a strong, fiery, and intelligent “amateur” sleuth that gets placed into situations that seem to end up involving a murder. I enjoyed learning about Jane’s family and background, andI feel that makes Jane more relatable and likable.
I really enjoyed this book and I am going to read the previous two books because I would love to learn even more about the awesome Jane Prescott and her interactions with the family she works for. I also find the early 1900s New England/NY fascinating, so this made me love this story even more. The plot was creative, interesting, and appropriately paced. I enjoyed the characters and ending as well.
4/5 stars