“P.B. Ryan makes a stunning debut with Still Life with Murder, bringing Nineteenth Century Boston alive, from its teeming slums to the mansions on Boston Common, and populating it with a vivid and memorable cast of characters. The fascinating heroine, Nell Sweeney, immediately engages the reader and I couldn’t put the book down until I discovered the truth along with her. I can’t wait for the … next installment.”
—Bestselling author Victoria Thompson
Boston, 1868: The dawn of the Gilded Age, an era of burgeoning commerce and invention, of unimaginable new fortunes and lavish excess—for some. Born into dismal poverty, young Nell Sweeney scratches by on her wits and little else until fortune blesses her with a position as nursery governess to the fabulously wealthy Hewitts. But she soon learns that ugly secrets lurk beneath the surface of their gold-plated world.
The Hewitts’ eldest son, William, a former Union Army battle surgeon and the black sheep of the family, was reported to have died three years before in a notorious Confederate prison camp. But one snowy February afternoon, his parents learn that he is, in fact, still alive—and in jail for having murdered a man while intoxicated on opium. Infuriated by his son’s deception and convinced of his guilt, August Hewitt forbids his wife from coming to Will’s aid, so she begs Nell to help exonerate him. Nell finds that she must delve into the kind of dark and treacherous underworld she thought she’d left far behind if she is to unearth the truth before the hangman’s noose tightens around William Hewitt’s throat.
Originally published by Berkley Prime Crime
“What a thoroughly charming book! A beautiful combination of entertaining characters, minute historical research, and a powerful evocation of time and place. I’m very glad there will be more to come.”
—New York Times bestselling author Barbara Hambly
“P.B. Ryan captures an authentic flavor of post-Civil War Boston as she explores that city’s dark underbelly and the lingering after-effects of the war. The atmosphere is that of The Alienist, but feisty Irish nursemaid Nell Sweeney is a more likable protagonist. I look forward to seeing her in action again.”
—New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen
“Still Life with Murder is a skillfully written story of intrigue and murder set during Boston’s famous Gilded Age. Nell Sweeney, governess and part-time nurse, is a winning heroine gifted with common sense, grit, and an underlying poignancy. With its rich sense of place and time and a crisp, intelligent plot, readers will speed through this tale and be clamoring for more.”
—Bestselling author Earlene Fowler
“Utterly absorbing. Vividly alive characters in a setting so clearly portrayed that one could step right into it. A very clever plot in which each clue is clearly offered and yet the identity of the murderer is a complete surprise. I look forward to many more books…”
—Bestselling author Roberta Gellis
“If you like fast moving, accurately drawn, historical mysteries, you won’t go wrong by trying Still Life with Murder.”
—Reviewing the Evidence
“This debut mystery is a winner, with a feisty heroine, a colorful historical backdrop and a strong mystery rife with complexities. An ideal blend of history and mystery.”
—RT BookReviews
“Still Life with Murder is sheer perfection… gripping… powerful… unforgettable… You’ll know you’ve read one hell of a story after you turn the last page!”
—Reader to Reader Reviews
About the Author: Patricia Ryan, a.k.a. P.B. Ryan, is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including the #1 national bestseller Still Life with Murder. Pat’s books have garnered rave reviews and been published in over twenty countries.
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This is one of the best mysteries I’ve read. It has everything I love in a book–a great heroine who’s smart with a big heart; a complex, irresistible love interest with plenty of flaws but even more character; a solid mystery; great descriptions; and an Irish cop to win my heart. I’ve never read P.B. Ryan before, but I can’t wait to buy her …
A friend recommended this 2010 book to me, and, OMG, I will now read everything this friend highly recommends. I devoured not only this book, but all 6 in the series, one right after the other. Set in 1860s-1870’s Boston and environs–both stifling high society and threatening underworld–this series has everything: page turning mysteries, jump …
Really enjoyed this first book in the Nell Sweeney series by PB Ryan. Loved the 19th century Boston setting and the character of Nell. Ryan is able to deftly weave a story that allows the reader to get lost within the pages. Can’t wait to read the next one!
The book held my interest until the end. Admirable main character, Nell, trust-worthy and determined, investigates tirelessly until she finds the answers. Unlike a true detective, she jumps to conclusions before thoroughly investigating. This leads her to some false suppositions which in turn lead her to some other false suppositions. Actually, so …
Absolutely convincing milieu, with unique, fully realized characters and high stakes.
Even though this book had the fussy frivolity of every Victorian novel, it also carried a solid plot with some twists and endearing and realistic characters. I want to read more in the series.
This was my first Louise Penny book. Louise Penny is wise and full of insight into
people and into living. She also has a delightful sense of humor. She paints with her words and she is a poet. I have now read all but two of her books and will continue until I have read them all. What a delightful treat!
How great is this book? Mystery and history sprinkled with a touch of romance!
+ Very well written with a plot that moves and surprises
+ Interesting back stories of several characters revealed along the way
+ Characters are distinct and somewhat flawed
+ Boston just after the Civil War. Descriptive details ring true and relevant
A little Downton Abbey, a little Peyton Place- enjoyed it!
I found it to move pretty slowly, and it didn’t really get interesting till near the end.
I liked the characters in this little murder mystery set in Boston just after the Civil War. A governess to one of the Brahmin families gets involved when a son of the household, long thought to have died at Andersonville, not only turns up alive in 1868, but accused of murder and likely to hang. The errant son was a talented army surgeon who is …
Fun read. Loved the characters
I liked the story and the post Civil War historical setting. The main character, Nell, has a shady past and has struggled to lift herself to respectability as a governess with a rich Boston family. She becomes embroiled in a murder investigation as one of the family’s sons, thought to have been killed in the war, resurfaces and is then accused of …
Enjoyed this first book in the series.
The entire series was wonderful!
Wow!! What a great book, will definitely be reading more by this author.
Good character development. Gave a brief history of the underbelly of the opium trade in the US. The storyline was not plausible based on the time it was set in. Nell as a governess let alone a detective (of sorts)was not believable. There was a murder, but no still life. There was a wicked twist at the end, but did not whet my appetite for more …
Got to love a heroine like Nell Sweeney. Life is hard for a poor woman in her her era. Smart and devoted to those who she loves and who have helped her, Nell is determined to have a better life. History comes to life; in the aftermath of the Civil War, lives not lost are often returned damaged. Addition to drugs and family dysfunction are …
Wonderful characters and storyline. Good mystery. I love all five of these books. Excellent.
The author’s treatment of opioid addiction through the lives of the characters is informative, enlightening, and heart-rending, The story is uplifting and hopeful, and is indeed a mystery, with an unpredictable ending that satisfies the reader’s need for both suspense and resolution.
There is everything to like: several well-developed …