This first book in the Vita Carew Mystery series has Vita facing mass poisoning at a posh Edwardian dinner and concert. Vita is an interesting character in that she is a self-taught science student. However, in an era when education wasn't "wasted" on women, Vita strikes an intriguing counterpoint.
Aunt Louisa, with whom Vita resides, is also written counter to the times. She is a widow and an established painter and portraitist who happens to be a long-time friend of the Pembertons. This story is chock-full of Edwardian attitudes and mores. For example, when a death occurs at dinner, the French chef loses his job. This happened despite Vita and the German doctor proving he was not at fault. The attitude of the Edwardians was to find someone to blame (and fire), so the family and estate could remain blameless. This story also shows the awful position governesses lived in; they were not part of the family or the servant pool. They lived in limbo, ignored by the family and distrusted by the servants.
I enjoyed the strong emphasis on Edwardian times. Readers relishing a bit of Downtown Abbey with their murders will enjoy this. Just to let you know: A THIN SHARP BLADE (see below) was published a year earlier and was shortlisted for a Debut Dagger by the Crime Writer's Association in 2019.
Vita Carew Series â Total of 4
** 1. Poison at Pemberton Hall (2020)
2. A Thin Sharp Blade (2019)
Aunt Louisa, with whom Vita resides, is also written counter to the times. She is a widow and an established painter and portraitist who happens to be a long-time friend of the Pembertons. This story is chock-full of Edwardian attitudes and mores. For example, when a death occurs at dinner, the French chef loses his job. This happened despite Vita and the German doctor proving he was not at fault. The attitude of the Edwardians was to find someone to blame (and fire), so the family and estate could remain blameless. This story also shows the awful position governesses lived in; they were not part of the family or the servant pool. They lived in limbo, ignored by the family and distrusted by the servants.
I enjoyed the strong emphasis on Edwardian times. Readers relishing a bit of Downtown Abbey with their murders will enjoy this. Just to let you know: A THIN SHARP BLADE (see below) was published a year earlier and was shortlisted for a Debut Dagger by the Crime Writer's Association in 2019.
Vita Carew Series â Total of 4
** 1. Poison at Pemberton Hall (2020)
2. A Thin Sharp Blade (2019)
