Dollycas's Thoughts
September 1899 - Emma's Uncle Cornelius Vanderbilt has passed away and the family should all be in mourning but his son has his mind set on attending the Elizabethan fête on the opulent grounds of Wakehurst. His wife has asked Emma to go with them to help her keep her husband out of trouble. Emma really has no desire to attend but finally agrees to go.
Anglophile James Van Alen has gone all out for the festivities. An archery competition, a swordplay demonstration, a stage with actors doing scenes from Shakespeare's works, and the main event is a joust. Emma chooses to wander the grounds instead of watching the joust. In her meanderings, she hears the Van Alen's dogs barking like crazy. As she draws near, she sees a dead man on the ground with an arrow in his chest. She is shocked to recognize Judge Clayton Schuyler, one of the 400's most influential members.
A new detective is assigned the case because Detective Whyte allowed Emma to "assist him" in his cases too many times. When a piece of evidence in the murder connects to a case Detective Whyte is investigating he, Emma, and her beau Derrick team up to solve both cases. Their investigation takes them in many directions and they learn that the judge had some significant secrets. Secrets that put a lot of people in danger including Emma.
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I love traveling back in history with Alyssa Maxwell. In this story, Wakehurst, the Ochre Point âcottageâ is a replica of Wakehurst Place in West Sussex, England, complete with English furnishings as well. It is owned by Anglophile James Van Alen. Again, the cover shows the "cottage" and Ms. Maxwell's descriptions take us inside and all through the elaborate gardens. I appreciate the Author's Note after the story is done where she gives historic details of the real people and places that are featured in the story.
All the core characters are very well-developed. Emma is a strong woman, independent and free-thinking. She receives something in the story that could change her life, but will she allow herself to use it? Nanny and Katie are sure to help her figure things out. Derrick's mother still isn't happy with the relationship he is building with Emma but he knows how to handle her. Detective Whyte's professional life takes a bit of a shift but it doesn't slow him down. He still works with Emma and Derrick and together they make a heck of an investigative team. The author's descriptive style really brings all her characters to life.
Ms. Maxwell has plotted out a very intricate story. Emma found herself in very interesting places and she even gets caught once but she has a great explanation, for the immediate moment anyway. I admire her fortitude to find the truth no matter what. Her unique situation allows her to mix with the elite and their staff equally and she uses it to her advantage nicely to follow clues and gets the answers she needs. In the end, she does find herself in a dire straight and that sets up a very exciting showdown. And then, the final pages were heartwarming.
Murder at Wakehurst captures life in the Gilded Age with extraordinary characters and a richly detailed account of the time. Ms. Maxwell has encased her characters in a complex mystery that kept me guessing right up until the end. A fantastic addition to this series.
I have enjoyed this series from the start but I had fallen behind with my various illnesses over the last couple of years. I am determined to get caught up and be able to read Murder at the Elms when it tours with Great Escapes so that means I will be reading and reviewing Murder at Beacon Rock very soon.
September 1899 - Emma's Uncle Cornelius Vanderbilt has passed away and the family should all be in mourning but his son has his mind set on attending the Elizabethan fête on the opulent grounds of Wakehurst. His wife has asked Emma to go with them to help her keep her husband out of trouble. Emma really has no desire to attend but finally agrees to go.
Anglophile James Van Alen has gone all out for the festivities. An archery competition, a swordplay demonstration, a stage with actors doing scenes from Shakespeare's works, and the main event is a joust. Emma chooses to wander the grounds instead of watching the joust. In her meanderings, she hears the Van Alen's dogs barking like crazy. As she draws near, she sees a dead man on the ground with an arrow in his chest. She is shocked to recognize Judge Clayton Schuyler, one of the 400's most influential members.
A new detective is assigned the case because Detective Whyte allowed Emma to "assist him" in his cases too many times. When a piece of evidence in the murder connects to a case Detective Whyte is investigating he, Emma, and her beau Derrick team up to solve both cases. Their investigation takes them in many directions and they learn that the judge had some significant secrets. Secrets that put a lot of people in danger including Emma.
_____
I love traveling back in history with Alyssa Maxwell. In this story, Wakehurst, the Ochre Point âcottageâ is a replica of Wakehurst Place in West Sussex, England, complete with English furnishings as well. It is owned by Anglophile James Van Alen. Again, the cover shows the "cottage" and Ms. Maxwell's descriptions take us inside and all through the elaborate gardens. I appreciate the Author's Note after the story is done where she gives historic details of the real people and places that are featured in the story.
All the core characters are very well-developed. Emma is a strong woman, independent and free-thinking. She receives something in the story that could change her life, but will she allow herself to use it? Nanny and Katie are sure to help her figure things out. Derrick's mother still isn't happy with the relationship he is building with Emma but he knows how to handle her. Detective Whyte's professional life takes a bit of a shift but it doesn't slow him down. He still works with Emma and Derrick and together they make a heck of an investigative team. The author's descriptive style really brings all her characters to life.
Ms. Maxwell has plotted out a very intricate story. Emma found herself in very interesting places and she even gets caught once but she has a great explanation, for the immediate moment anyway. I admire her fortitude to find the truth no matter what. Her unique situation allows her to mix with the elite and their staff equally and she uses it to her advantage nicely to follow clues and gets the answers she needs. In the end, she does find herself in a dire straight and that sets up a very exciting showdown. And then, the final pages were heartwarming.
Murder at Wakehurst captures life in the Gilded Age with extraordinary characters and a richly detailed account of the time. Ms. Maxwell has encased her characters in a complex mystery that kept me guessing right up until the end. A fantastic addition to this series.
I have enjoyed this series from the start but I had fallen behind with my various illnesses over the last couple of years. I am determined to get caught up and be able to read Murder at the Elms when it tours with Great Escapes so that means I will be reading and reviewing Murder at Beacon Rock very soon.
