Delighted by the quiet uproar of raising their newborn, Lady Lucy and Major Sir Robert Kurland could not be more pleased at the prospect of welcoming another into their home. But their preparations are soon overshadowed by a baffling case of murder . . . Once known to all in her village as the rector’s daughter, Lucy is now a mother herself—to a wonderful eighteen-month-old son, Ned. Upon … son, Ned. Upon discovering that she is expecting a second child, Lucy and Robert are delighted. In anticipation of the new arrival, Lucy is set on expanding her nursery staff. When Agnes, her current nurse, recommends her cousin, it seems like the perfect solution.
But trouble arrives along with the new nursery maid from London. Polly’s flirtations provoke fisticuffs in the servants’ hall and tumult in the village tavern, and on her afternoon off, she fails to return to the Kurland Estate. When a farmer finds her lifeless body in a drainage ditch, Lucy and Robert fear foul play.
To their consternation, they learn their new nursery maid was not who they thought. As Lucy’s sister Anna leaves the rectory and moves in to watch over Ned, the couple’s search for the truth leads them to the London theater world, where aristocrats purchase their mistresses, and into danger. But the real threat strikes all too close to home . . .
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Right from the beginning as the characters are introduced, I correctly guessed who the murder victim would be. Catherine Lloyd very artfully suggests several potential murder suspects. Which one did it and why? The process of finding out create an interesting read. The book was a little slow here and there. However, the information provided during these periods was essential to the story. This was the first book by this author I have read. From the little snips about various characters, I need to back track and read the proceeding books. I loved that the names of some of my favorite authors were used, Lady Lucy Kurland – Lynn Kurland, Anna Harrington, Lucy’s sister- Anna Harrington and Dermot Fletcher – Donna Fletcher, coincidence or purposeful? It was fun to look for each one. Like a good murder mystery, we don’t find out the whodunit until the end. I received this eBook from NetGalley for an honest review.
It was so nice to visit Kurland St. Mary once again, the Major and Lady Kurland being two of my favorite detectives although they would never think of themselves as such. It seemed that Robert was more curmudgeonly than I remember, and Lucy more subdued. The mystery was a difficult one and very close to home. It was nice to get to know their son Ned, and touch base with others in the family. The mystery was the thing and it was very good, and kept me guessing till nearly the end. I do recommend this book, however this is not a standalone. Having read the previous books continues to add to the storyline.
This is one of my favorite historical series set in the Victorian period. After six books, this one may just be my favorite in the series. Lucy and her husband, Sir Robert are the happy parents of a toddler and soon little Ned with have a sibling. Another child will require more staff so Lucy starts to look for an additional nursery maid. When Agnes mentions that her cousin Polly would be a good choice the decision is made and Polly joins the family. She brings chaos with her and soon every male with a pulse is paying a lot of attention to her Some even come to blows over her. Sir Robert is at his wits end and knows he has to find a solution, fast, before his peaceful home devolves into a shambles. Before he can put into action any plan he may have, Polly is found murdered. So who would want the new nursery maid dead? Then the questions lead Lucy and sir Robert to London and plenty of surprises await them there. If Polly wasn’t Polly, who was she and what became of the real Polly?
A wonderful twisty puzzle full of red herrings and surprises, well fleshed out characters and a very satisfying conclusion. I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and I already have the untitled #8 on my list of must read mysteries.
Delighted by the quiet uproar of raising their newborn, Lady Lucy and Major Sir Robert Kurland could not be more pleased at the prospect of welcoming another into their home. But their preparations are soon overshadowed by a baffling case of murder.
Once known to all in her village as the rector’s daughter, Lucy is now a mother herself—to a wonderful eighteen-month-old son, Ned. Upon discovering that she is expecting a second child, Lucy and Robert are delighted. In anticipation of the new arrival, Lucy is set on expanding her nursery staff. When Agnes, her current nurse, recommends her cousin, it seems like the perfect solution.
But trouble arrives along with the new nursery maid from London. Polly’s flirtations provoke fisticuffs in the servants’ hall and tumult in the village tavern, and on her afternoon off, she fails to return to the Kurland Estate. When a farmer finds her lifeless body in a drainage ditch, Lucy and Robert fear foul play.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author & it certainly won’t be the last. This is the seventh book in the series & whilst I found no difficulty with the characters it did make me want to go & read all of the earlier books, so yet again my to be read list grows. A very well written book with strong characters & very well paced. I was gripped from the start & read it in two sittings as I couldn’t put it down. I loved everything about it
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
It has been a little over a year since the last book in this series, Death Comes To Bath, and I was beginning to suffer from anxiety pangs waiting for this one. This is an absolutely delightful series and this book was a terrific addition. It has been wonderful watching Robert and Lucy’s relationship grow and mature. Robert has mellowed – at least a tad – from the taciturn curmudgeon we first met and Lucy has settled a bit as well. At the end of the last book, Lucy was expecting their first child after suffering two miscarriages. In this book, we meet the captivating Ned who is now almost three years old. NOTE: The book blurb says eighteen-month-old, but the ARC I read said he was nearly three.
Robert never thought he wanted children – those noisome small creatures who would be constantly underfoot. Then Lucy came into his life – and then there was the wondrous addition of Ned to the family. Robert is now totally besotted with both his wife and his son. How could life get any better? He quickly finds out when Lucy tells him that she is now expecting their second child in a few months. Their calm, peaceful routine quickly gets turned on its head when Lucy hires another maid for the nursery. Lucy is tiring quicker and can’t do as much and with a new baby in the nursery, they’ll need more staff. Luckily, their current nursery maid, Agnes, has a cousin who is looking for a position. Lucy is delighted when Agnes recommends Polly because she is very well pleased with Agnes.
The chaos sets in almost immediately. Polly excels in the nursery and Ned quickly comes to love her – as do all of the single males within the household and the village. While Polly does nothing to encourage the men – actually she does quite the opposite – they still come to fisticuffs on a regular basis. Robert is at the point of firing all of them – and then Polly comes up missing. When her lifeless body is found, Robert and Lucy quickly set out to find the murderer.
This book has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. Is Polly more than she seems? Is she even who she says she is? Polly is Agnes’ cousin but … Agnes is plain and Polly is breathtakingly beautiful. Who is the hostler who began working at the Inn at the same time Polly arrived in Kurland St. Mary?
Lucy and Robert end up making a trip to London in order to discover more about Polly and how she came to be in their household – and who she really is. As they learn her real identity, they have to find out what happened to the real Polly – and what caused the girl they know as Polly to run away from London. Of whom or what was she afraid?
I highly recommend this book. It is very well-written, fast-paced, well-plotted, and filled with characters you’ll love. Well, except for the villains of course – and I was very happy that they got their punishment! You will probably figure out who the murderer is before the end of the story, but, even if you do, it doesn’t detract from the story at all.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.