From the New York Times bestselling author of Death Below Stairs.A mystery of stolen antiquities has Kat Holloway setting aside her apron once again for the intrigues of the upper echelons of Victorian London.Priceless artwork has gone missing from the home of a wealthy baronet, and his wife stands to take the blame. When Kat’s employer asks for help in clearing her friend’s name, Kat trades her … clearing her friend’s name, Kat trades her kitchen for the homes of Mayfair’s wealthiest families. Soon antiques are disappearing not only from the extravagant households of connoisseurs and collectors, but from the illustrious British Museum.
As the thefts increase in frequency, Kat calls upon her friend Daniel McAdam, who has already set himself up in a pawnshop on the Strand as a seedy receiver of stolen goods. When a man is murdered in the shop, Kat must use all of her wits to see that the thieves are caught and justice is done.
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This is Jennifer Ashley at her best. The second in a series (not including the prequel) is Scandal Above Stairs, which follows Death Below Stairs. The thing about Ashley is that she meticulously researches her material, and is true to the period (in this case Victorian London) while at the same time creating a compelling mystery. There are actually two main characters in this series: Kat Holloway, who is cook in an upperclass family that is eccentric to say the least; and Daniel, a mystery man about whom we know little until this volume. In addition to the back and forth of the two solving the mystery, there is also romantic tension. If I were British, I think I might say “it’s a jolly good read.” But since I’m not, I think I’ll just say I highly recommend it.
This is the perfect follow-up to Death Below Stairs. The mystery is multi-faceted, we meet a new character, we learn more about the continuing characters and we feel as if we are in Victorian London in 1880. The descriptions of life both above and below stairs just make you feel as if you are right there in the kitchen with Kat making those lovely meals. You feel the heat of the stove, smell the lovely odors of the dishes Kat is preparing, and feel the tension of the timing and delivery of those meals. The writing is flawless, the plot well planned and executed and the characters are interesting, fully developed and totally three dimensional.
The main new character is Tess, Kat’s new kitchen assistant. You’d think Tess and Kat would be totally incompatible because they seem to be polar opposites – oil and water. Tess is free-spirited, undisciplined, improper, and she’s also a former ‘tea leaf’ (thief). I absolutely loved Tess’s exuberance and flinging her arms around the prim and proper Kat and giving her a huge hug. Tess is intelligent and learns quickly and she appreciates the opportunity to learn and grow. She is also totally loyal. I loved her and she quickly became one of my favorite characters. We also learn of but don’t actually meet, Tess’s brother. It will be interesting to see if he plays much of a role in future books.
We learn a bit more about the past of the enigmatic Daniel McAdam – just enough to whet our appetites to learn more in future books. We have some small hints of who his employer MIGHT be, but don’t learn anything of real substance there. I really like Daniel and wonder what changes, if any, he’ll make in his employment and lifestyle since his son was injured and his feelings for Kat seem to be growing.
Lady Cynthia reappears in this book as does Elgin Thanos. Talk about opposites attracting. I love these two characters and truly hope to see a meaningful relationship develop there. We’ll have to wait and see what develops there.
The story begins with a disaster in the kitchen. The whole roast pig, the crowning glory of the meal Kat had created for this dinner party, lay on the floor amid cracked pottery. Bits of vegetables and sauces rolling everywhere. Anyone else would have run from the kitchen in tears, but not the capable, intrepid Kat Holloway. She immediately rearranges the courses and prepares additional dishes. Not what she would have preferred, but a perfectly acceptable meal. Then, after that long and stressful day, Lady Cynthia wants to speak with her. Goodness – can’t it wait? Well, it turns out that it can’t.
Lady Cynthia’s friend, Clemmie (we met her and two other friends in the last book), is in a terrible pickle. Three of her husband’s very valuable paintings have been stolen from their home – and her husband is blaming her. There is no evidence of any break-ins and nothing else is missing. Clemmie is a gambler and loses frequently, so she constantly owes large amounts of money. Her husband had recently refused to cover those losses any longer, so he accuses her of stealing the paintings to pay off her gambling debts. She didn’t do it. So, Lady Cynthia asks Mrs. Holloway to help her friend.
As soon as Kat meets with Clemmie and hears the entire story, she is sure she knows what happened – who and how, but not why. The why of it unwinds slowly and surely throughout the book to reveal quite a big snarl.
In the meantime, Davis, the butler, mentions to Kat that he has seen Daniel McAdam working in a pawnshop. Surely not! During her next day-out to visit her daughter, Kat decides to return home by way of the pawn shop – just to see if it really was Daniel. It was! During the visit, she learns that Daniel is investigating the disappearance of antiquities from the British Museum and some of those involved are very dangerous thugs.
Over the course of time, Kat and Daniel learn that their investigations are intertwined – like the strands of a rope. These people are very dangerous and Daniel doesn’t want Kat involved, but, of course, she’s going to do what she can to defend Clemmie and to help Daniel where she can.
There are multiple murders, attempted murders and a tragic accident before all is solved. The villain might surprise you, but it might not. The wrap-up is lovely with all of the injured being cared for and . . . maybe there is something developing there.
I’m really enjoying this series and particularly Kat and Daniel. I can only wonder what our author has in store for them. How will their lives change if they marry? Kat is a live-in domestic, so how can she continue her employment should she marry and live with Daniel? How would that change her relationship with Lady Cynthia? We surely don’t want to lose her! I wonder if Daniel isn’t employed by Whitehall – if he is, how will that affect a marriage with Kat? Would she help him with cases? Will they both finally get their children to live with them? So many questions, so very much to look forward to in this delightful, well-written series!
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
Scandal Above Stairs is the second book in the A Below Stairs Mystery series. This series has a sequel, A Soupcon Of Poison(an ebook novella). I would suggest starting with Soupcon Of Poison to have a better understanding of the characters and their relationship to each other.
This series has quickly become one of my favorite historical mystery series. We get a chance to see what goes on “below stairs” to effectively manage the household food requirements. I found it very interesting to read what the gentry’s meals might have consisted of and what was needed for their preparation.
The series consists of an interesting cast of characters. Kat Holloway is the cook in the home of Lord Rankin. Rankin is no longer in residence since his wife’s death. The mysterious Daniel McAdam returns and he is still a mystery but we do learn some of his past. James, Daniel’s son, is back also. He again seems to appear out of nowhere when Kat needs to contact Daniel, much the same way Daniel does also. A new character is Tess who is Kat’s assistant. Daniel has sent her to Kat and at first, Kat has doubts about whether she will work out. But Kat’s gentle nature soon puts Tess at ease and ends
A wonderful Victorian mystery.
A Worthwhile Read
I liked this book and the series so far. I am just not as enthralled with it as I hoped to be. Ms. Ashley does a wonderful job of painting a picture and there are twists and turns in the mystery. Still, I just can’t seem to get into this series.
Another enjoyable read.
Good characters.
Puzzling mystery.
Interesting people.
This was my first novel to read by this author. While well written and somewhat engaging, it will probably be my last.
There was just not enough interest for me to ever become absorbed to the point of not wanting to put it down, or of having to find out what happens next. This is paramount for me, especially when reading a mystery.
I did enjoy learning some new-to-me information about the time period, though.
I award this book 3 1/2 stars.
The second book in the Kat Holloway mysteries is clever and delightful as the first.
Kat Holloway is not looking to solve mysteries. She is trying to make money and secure a home for her daughter. She is trying to figure out where the charming and secretive Daniel McAdam fits in her future. Yet once again she is pulled into a mystery and her well ordered days become full of intrigue.
Jennifer Ashley crafts a compassionate, clever heroine in Kat Holloway. The hero Daniel McAdam is complex. likable and interesting. The cast includes many familiar faces from the first book, Lady Cynthia, Mr.Davis, Mr. Thanos and Daniel’s son James. Ms. Ashley then adds some interesting new characters to round out the wonderful atmospheric book.
Sleuthing, cooking and a mild flirtation make this wonderful book one that you won’t want to miss.
*I received my ARC was from Penguin First to Read
When Kat’s employer asks for her help in solving the disappearance of some artwork from her friends home, Kat discovers there are a series of thefts occuring in the upper echelons of society. While investigating she is surprised to find her friend (and love interest) Daniel McAdams ensconced in a pawn shop fencing stolen goods. When a man turns up dead in his shop Kat ends up investigating more than stolen goods and once again finds herself in the drawing rooms of the elite, when all she wants is to be quietly cooking in her kitchen.
This series takes place at the turn of the century in London, in a time where upstairs downstairs lines are drawn severely. As the head cook responsible for feeding not only the family that lives there, but the 20 or so servants who work in that house, I am amazed that Kat can find the time to investigate the crimes she finds herself embroiled in. A couple of months have passed since the previous novel and she has not heard a word from Daniel. When she finds him at the center of her investigation, she’s pretty relieved and we see how much she is starting to care for him. The mystery that is Daniel McAdams is slowly being unveiled, but we still don’t know exactly who he is working for, but I’ll admit to loving his roguish charm and the twinkle in his eye as he makes Kat forget she’s mad at him.
This mystery was very well plotted out, but it’s the characters that keep me coming back to these novels. As I learn more about them, I care more about how their lives are enmeshed and I’ll admit that I find it fascinating to read about the lives of the servants in a big London house. It’s very Mansfield Park, although not as boring. LOL. If you love historical mysteries and haven’t read the first novel Death Below Stairs, please read it! These are not lively books, but the mysteries are very good and Jennifer Ashley really knows how to write great characters. I know you’ll get caught up in their daily lives and will want to see how all of the relationships will pan out- oh, and you’ll also help catch a killer or two.
Love, love love these books! Characters are well defined and gives one insight into olde England and its class system.
Love this author
Nice start to a new series
Kat and Daniel are back for another nail-biting mystery that you will never figure out. There are mysteries inside mysteries that will keep you guessing. I love seeing favorite characters again and meeting new ones as they all come together to solve everything. Every time I thought I had things figured out something would have me second guessing myself. Be prepared to hold your breath multiple times and ready to cheer at other times. The kiss of romance between them and others just adds to everything.
Kat is using her skills again and finding her self in trouble again. I loved getting to know her a bit more and seeing her bring people together too. She makes friends and helps others that you wouldn’t expect.
Daniel is slowly opening up, but still has a mystery surrounding him. I was so glad that more about him was in this story because it made him more understandable. He will do anything to protect those he cares about.
I’ve read many of her books and have not found any that wasn’t entertaining and enjoyable!
Really liked this book. I love all of Ashley Garners books
Second book in the series and I have enjoyed both!
FINAL DECISION: I enjoyed this one more than the first in the series. I really enjoyed learning more about the characters and developing the backstories of the cast of characters.
THE STORY: Kat is called to help investigate the theft of artwork from a friend of her employer. Kat is soon drawn into a series of thefts including ones being investigated by her friend, the mysterious Daniel McAdam. Open doors in the home she is working in and breaking in a new assistant are some additional challenges for Kat while also preparing meals for the household. Kat’s investigations lead her into the uncomfortable position of moving in the world of the upper household.
OPINION: This book allows times to delve into the relationships between the characters and also presents a whole series of mystery situations. I liked that we got to move through various stories at once. Things overlap and it is not clear what is relevant and what isn’t. In other words, it is a good mystery set up.
I really enjoyed how the mystery is both evidence and personality. And we get to know a lot about the characters surrounding Kat. Some of the information and facts are misdirection but all are interesting. The emphasis in this book is relationship and I especially enjoyed that we get a lot more of Kat and Daniel. They make a cute couple and I like seeing them reveal more to one another.
The book is interesting and I wasn’t sure where the story was going until the end which is enjoyable in a mystery.
I look forward to more from this series.
WORTH MENTIONING: Who knew how much work was involved in Victorian kitchen work?
CONNECTED BOOKS: SCANDAL ABOVE STAIRS is the second book in the Below Stairs aka the Kat Holloway Mysteries series. This is a self contained mystery that can be read as a standalone, but there are ongoing character developments that continue through the series and for that the books should be read in order.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via First Reads. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.