It is November of 1880, and the future looks promising for Annie and Nate Dawson. Nate’s law practice is taking off. Annie has made the transition from pretend clairvoyant to a successful financial consultant, and as a couple, they are looking forward to spending their first Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays together.For Robert Livingston, the owner San Francisco’s newest grand emporium, the … emporium, the holidays are shaping up to be a dismal failure if he can’t figure out how to stop whoever is stealing from his department store, the Silver Strike Bazaar. When he hires the Dawsons to investigate, Annie and Nate discover that behind the doors of Livingston’s “Palace of Plenty,” nothing is quite what it seems.
Pilfered Promises, by USA Today bestselling author, M. Louisa Locke, is the fifth full-length historical mystery in the cozy Victorian San Francisco mystery series featuring Annie and Nate Dawson and their friends and family in the O’Farrell Street boarding house. Locke’s shorter works, found in Victorian San Francisco Stories and Victorian San Francisco Novellas, feature minor characters from the series.
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I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the time period with its pomp and ceremony and correctness of the English language and respectful behaviour. There was a bit of romance here and there but not overwhelming. I don’t like mystery peppered with a love story. Plot interesting and kept me wondering as to who was guilty right to the end.
lots of details not too quick to read. characters are enjoyable.
Read so long ago can’t remember.
It is November 1880, and the future looks promising for Annie and Nate Dawson. Nate’s law practice is taking off. Annie has made the transition from pretend clairvoyant to a successful financial consultant. As a couple, they are looking forward to spending their first Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays together. For Robert Livingston, San Francisco’s newest grand emporium owner, the holidays are shaping up to be a dismal failure. He cannot figure out how to stop whoever is stealing from his department store, the Silver Strike Bazaar. He hires the Annie and Nate to investigate. They discover that behind the doors of Livingston’s “Palace of Plenty,” nothing is quite what it seems. – The Christmas portion of the story is fun and takes you back. The mystery portions are interesting, as well dress designer Marie’s background. There are too many characters, and it gets confusing as to who is who and how they are connected. I wished that I had written down the characters as I began reading because I had to stop and think about who they were. That meant this already lengthy book took even longer to read.
Too wordy. Didn’t have enough substance
The book is to worry for my liking
Read it mostly for what San Francisco was like before the earthquake and the bridges to east bay and north bay. Seemed well researched with an entertaining story line.
Don’t usually read historical novels, however this was a good story.
The book sounded like it might be a good read so I purchased it. I had such a hard time following the characters. I have never had been in the dark about a story like this. Really needs some work.
I am reading the next in series. Wanted to know what happens next.
I just thought it was boring
I love the independent female characters, the egalitarian marriage, and the accurate period detail.
I like the story and I liked the characters. I really enjoyed reading the book.
Mediocre
These mysteries are always a great read
This fun, easy to read mystery has wonderful characters. Very enjoyable!
love this series
Great historical mystery. All books in this series are great.
I have enjoyed Locke’s books for a long time. I like here characters and the methods of thinking that solve the mysteries.
Being a native San Franciscan, I enjoy the historical version of San Francisco. I felt that the characters are true to the time in which the book is set–and I love a good mystery!