Midnight treasure hunts, fancy-dress parties, and a blue-blooded murder . . .
November, 1923. Olive’s school chum, Gigi, invites Olive to London because Gigi’s dotty grandmother fears for her life—or so she’s said to Gigi. However Olive is surprised to find that the dowager is far from muddled. The sharp and imperious matriarch refuses to admit to her worries and sends Olive on her way.
Without … worries and sends Olive on her way.
Without a client or case, Olive is swept into the glittering lifestyle of the “fast set,” and their decadent excess. But then among the cocktails and champagne, a murderer strikes during a frivolous party game, and Olive realizes the dowager’s fears were well-founded.
Can Olive unmask the upper crust culprit before the party’s over for a bright young person?
An Old Money Murder in Mayfair is the fifth installment in the popular High Society Lady Detective series from USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett. Join Olive and her dapper sleuthing partner Jasper as they navigate the extravagant parties of the Bright Young People as well as their own budding relationship . . .
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An Old Money Murder in Mayfair earns 5/5 Pranks…Engaging For Sure!
Sara Rosett has penned a delightful mystery as the fifth in her High Society Lady Detective series. Set in London, late in 1923, Olive Belgrade is a bit hassled. The boarding house she lived in closed, and the landlord of the flat she hoped to rent received a better offer. Fortunately, she had an invitation from school chum and best friend Lady Gina Alton to stay at Alton House in Mayfair, but her African Grey parrot Mr. Quigley, who has the penchant of speaking scriptures, however ominous with his selection, would be a surprise lodger. Gigi’s grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Alton, believes she may be a target of a nefarious nature, but what danger is up for debate. Gigi hopes to take advantage of Olive’s formidable and discreet detective skill to uncover the truth, but the grandmother is less than cooperative. However, pranks, parties, puzzles, and a murder!Motive? Several. Opportunity? Too many. Means? In the kitchen cupboard.
Downton Abbey meets Nancy Drew? Sara Rosett’s well-written story is descriptive, clever, and entertaining, yet there is a complexity to send readers (listener in my case) on a delightful journey. Olive is an enjoyable character with an intelligence that makes her investigation realistic. The supporting characters all seem to run the gambit from close friends to antagonists, helpful to brick walls, endearing to “lock ‘em up.” I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and with Elizabeth Klett narration, the audiobook greatly enriched my experience with her voice artistry and very pleasant voice in the first-person narrative. She performed well various British dialects for upstairs and downstairs characters, sharing giddy to dark personalities, and changing tone for age and gender. Truly a entertaining performance.
Disclosure: I received a copy from the author thru BookFunnel. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Olive’s former schoolmate is a suspect this time. Can she clear her name?
This book was so much fun, showing how people entertained themselves in the ‘20s. I found it very interesting!
I will read more of Rosette books. I have read two and enjoyed them.
The plot was enjoyable set in 1923. Who can resist descriptions of the opulence, elegance and sophistication of the well off upper crust?
I love how Olive’s friend Jasper is in this book and things progress a bit in their relationship!! He always adds a nice part to the mystery solving!
The setting was fun with an elegant home and parties for the young people. The treasure hunt and hints of other party themes make the reader actually feel part of the roaring ‘20’s!! And descriptions of the clothing are fun to envision!!
Can’t forget the murder! Didn’t see that one coming! Olive is a fun sleuth and this series is one of my favorites!
All in all I was thoroughly entertained!
A series that is great, needs to write faster.
cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, historical-fiction, 1920s, women-sleuths, England, family-dynamics, friendship*****
Olive is asked by her friend, Gigi, to investigate concerns for the safety of Gigi’s dragon of a grandmother. Several distractions later the old dragon is dead of poison and Gigi is the prme suspect of the Inspector in charge. Good sleuthing and some interesting red herrings make this a fine read.
Elizabeth Klett is perfect for narrating as a perky young Londoner of the time and does a very good job of creating different voices for each character with believable accents.
I won this BookFunnel audiobook in a giveaway. Yay me!
I have seen this series before and I am a fan of Sara Rosett’s other series but I had not read any of the previous books in High Society Lady Detective. Well, I can say that I will be. I really enjoyed this mystery set in the early 1920s. The cast of characters is fun and well developed. Even though this is book 5 I was never lost as to who was who or felt I should have read the books before first. I like that in a series. Thank you for the ARC. My eyes have been opened to another great series.
I love it when mystery is mixed with history. In this story we are swept back to 1923. From the outside it seems the upper class has it all, money, prestige and parties. However, the truth is a terribly controlling Dowager is ruining the lives of everyone around her. When the unthinkable happens and Lady Gina looks guilty it is up to her friend Olive to help before the narrow minded Inspector Thorn arrests the wrong person.
This story has it all with a strong plot, interesting characters and a touch of romance. Thanks to the author for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
This series has a lighthearted approach while incorporating serious topics such as the desperation of a person under the financial control of someone who can force decisions without regard as to the controlled person’s wishes. This book actually was an interesting study in personalities and also a fun read. It was my pleasure to receive this ARC and give my honest review.