“A taut, suspenseful, and complex murder mystery with gorgeous period detail.”–Susan Elia MacNeal Through her exquisite prose, sharp observation and deft plotting, Mariah Fredericks invites us into the heart of a changing New York in her remarkable debut adult novel, A Death of No Importance. NEW YORK CITY, 1910. Invisible until she’s needed, Jane Prescott has perfected the art of serving as a … perfected the art of serving as a lady’s maid to the city’s upper echelons. She works for the Benchley family, who are dismissed by the elite as “new money,” and who cause outrage when their daughter Charlotte becomes engaged to notorious eminent playboy Norrie Newsome.
But when Norrie is found murdered at a party, Jane discovers she is uniquely positioned to find the killer–she’s a woman no one sees, but who witnesses everything; who possesses no social power but that of fierce intellect. Jane also knows that in both high society and the city’s underbelly, morals can become cheap in the wrong hands; scandal and violence simmer just beneath the surface–and can break out at any time.
*BONUS CONTENT: This edition of A Death of No Importance includes a new introduction from the author and a discussion guide
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Through the actions and observations of the characters, the reader learns a freat deal about Gilded Age New York with it’s intricate social rules and political machinations. A fun but also fascinating look into the past with a clever, determinied, and very likable sleuth.
Riveting mystery. Moving story. Loved the main character! Talented narrator. Publishers Weekly wrote: “The novel’s voice, plotting, pace, characterization, and historical background are all expertly crafted.” And I agree!
(Trigger warning: crimes against children referred to, no gratuitous descriptions.)
One of my new favorite historical mystery series. I couldn’t put it down. Love the characters, the details, and the plots.
This is a topnotch historical mystery, about a lady’s maid who’s much more than meets the eye.
I really enjoyed reading this historical mystery. The story is told as flashback by Jane. Her story begins when she starts a new job as a maid to the Benchley daughters. They are a newly wealthy family and Jane helps them navigate society. When a murder happens at a party she sets out to solve it. I really enjoyed the characters and the historical setting. The mystery was really good with lots of suspects and wonderful twists and turns. I look for word to reading more in this series. Enjoy
I enjoyed this historical mystery. Jane, the main character is well-drawn. The setting in New York is wonderful. I’m looking forward to Jane’s next outing.
For those who are fascinated with society details during the Gilded Age, this mystery with a protagonist who is a ladies maid is intriguing. As a maid in the house of a “new rich” family, Jane has the advantage of knowing the rules of society better than her employers do. With the help of an eager reporter, she investigates the society murder and uncovers the world of the very poor at the same time.
What an excellent book. Kept me on my toes until the end. Loved the characters and the realism. Cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
It was okay. Not the best, but I’d read another by this author.
It’s 1910 and Jane Prescott is an accomplished lady’s maid whose service to one of New York’s most influential matrons positions her for service to the new-money Benchley family upon the stately Mrs. Armslow’s death. Compared to Mrs. Armslow – related by birth or marriage to the finest families of the city – the Benchley’s are quite the comedown.
They value Jane for her understanding of high society, an understanding they do not yet possess and which becomes all the more necessary (and apparent) when the youngest Benchley daughter, Charlotte, causes outrage and scandal by becoming engaged to Norrie Newsome, scion of the mining family. The Newsomes, while one of the “finest families” are also beset by their own scandals, from the mining disaster that killed so many children in Pennsylvania to Mr. Newsome’s remarriage to his daughter’s schoolmate. All of which is to say: there’s plenty to unravel when Norrie is viciously murdered at his family’s Christmas party, just as his engagement to Charlotte Benchley was to become official.
As Jane learns more of the murder, she discovers that she alone may be able to solve it.
Author Mariah Fredericks mystery is well-written and captivating. From the inclusion of anarchists to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, she’s included significant historical events that make this more than a simple, puff piece, and increased my interest. I also appreciated the twists; just when I thought I knew what would happen (and I’m not speaking only of the murder mystery here), she added plot twists to keep the reader on her toes and decrease the predictability and formulaic turns that such mysteries can often take.
Four stars.
(This review was originally published at https://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2019/12/a-death-of-no-importance.html)
Characters were flat, as was the mystery. A decent first attempt at this type of writing, but much room for improvement. I MIGHT try another one by this author, as I find the historical mysteries a genre that I usually enjoy, but I wouldn’t waste my time finishing the book unless the writing has improved.
Super slow..and I expected that, but I found the characters only a little likable.
Excellent mystery taking place in NYC before World War I with a ladies’ maid as the main character
I really enjoyed this one… I like above-stairs/below-stairs stories, and have long been a firm believer in the old adage that “servants see everything” (or, more aptly put, “those who go largely ignored in society see more than they are given credit for”). There were just enough twists to keep things interesting, particularly when coupled with the behind-the-scenes social dynamics and interactions of early twentieth century New York. Jane is a great protagonist; she’s clever and underappreciated and just this side of naive in a way that made her a delightful narrator. The high society (established and nouveau) surrounding her was fun to witness through her eyes, and I liked the dynamic with Michael.
It was playful and fun without overt and obvious romance; even if they wind up there eventually (which seems likely), I liked that this initial foray didn’t fall into tropes… The one thing I thought felt a little forced was the anarchist angle – I get it, it played a huge part in the overall mystery, but the convenience of her being friends with Anna before it all began felt a little too convenient. It didn’t detract from my enjoyment, but it didn’t add anything either…
All in all this was a pleasant historical mystery with an entertaining and clever heroine, and I enjoyed it for what it was. I caught the throwaway reference to “other mysteries” in her life which I took to indicate that more books are coming; I say hooray to that, and am looking forward to seeing what befalls her next!
My review copy was provided by NetGalley.
A Death of No Importance by Mariah Fredericks takes readers back in time to New York City in May of 1910. Jane Prescott is a lady’s maid for the Benchley’s daughters, Louise and Charlotte. Charlotte is the more vivacious and fashionable of the girls. She sets out to capture Robert “Norrie” Newsome despite the rumors that he is practically engaged to Beatrice Tyler. In September, Charlotte tells her mother that Norrie has proposed, and it is decided to announce the event on Christmas Eve at the Newsome Annual Christmas Eve Ball. When it is near time for the announcement, Jane goes looking for Charlotte and finds Norrie dead on the library floor. Inspector Thomas J. Blackburn is assigned the case and Charlotte finds herself a suspect. Jane with the aid of reporter, Michael Behan delves into Norrie’s life. There is a myriad of suspects who all had good motive to eliminate the victim. Join Jane Prescott as she sets out to catch a killer in A Death of No Importance.
A Death of No Importance had a good beginning that drew me into the story. After a while, though, the pace slowed down and the content was less captivating. The book became political with the author being on the side of the poor (the rich industrialist versus the working-class poor). We get detailed descriptions of the indulgences of the upper classes. The author tried to capture the time-period by including various historical happenings including the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (it was a devastating fire that killed 146 people—mostly immigrant women), Hull House, and the bombing at the LA Times Building They were not integrated into the story properly (felt like add-ins) and had nothing to do with the mystery. The murder mystery appears complex, but the solution was apparent. The book needed action and active investigating that would help move the book forward. The investigating that Jane can do is limited due to her gender and ability to leave her work (she does manage it at times though). The story is told from an older Jane Prescott (reliving her younger days). Jane is an observant main character whose eye for detail aids in her solving the case. A Death of No Importance had a disappointing ending (a big letdown). A Death of No Importance was not the right fit for me.
There is no question that the author knows and loves NYC and the general area. She paints such a clear picture that the reader is IN 1910 NYC with all its strengths and weaknesses.
As the various reviews point out, the main character is uniquely positioned as a lady’s maid to be seemingly invisible to the upper classes, yet bright enough to see and hear important details.
This is an excellent read. The time is clearly delineated. The class structure unavoidable. The people unique.
And the mystery fascinating.