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Book Review of Ask Me No Questions (Lady Dunbridge, Bk 1)

Ask Me No Questions (Lady Dunbridge, Bk 1)
PianoLady357 avatar reviewed on + 157 more book reviews


Ask Me No Questions is a fascinating mystery of the highest quality, atmospheric and witty, and it was like I was in another world as I poured through its pages. Shelley Noble effortlessly draws readers into the 1907 world of New York City through rich historical detail and vivid descriptions.

Lady Philomena Dunbridge (Phil) is a compelling lead character. She's strong, determined, smart, and sly. Phil likes to flirt, lives life as she pleases, and is not easily intimidated by those in authority. While I wasn't crazy about her in the beginning, she grew on me as I got to know her better, and she is loyal to a fault. I loved seeing our country through her eyes, as she was often amazed at âthose Americans.â

Two strong supporting characters stand out and will be fun to watch in future stories â Lily, Phil's lady's maid, and Preswick, her butler. Lily's background is somewhat mysterious, promising much more to come. I love British fiction, and although this story takes place in America, Phil and her staff are English to the core. It's fun to watch the often frustrating interaction between Phil's staff and that of her friend, Bev.

The murder of Bev's husband, Reggie, is baffling in itself, as it took place in the middle of the day, in a crowded area, and seemingly no witnesses. The ensuing investigation follows the logical step-by-step questioning of suspects in a manner that I enjoyed. The author excels at introducing characters slowly, in a way that it's easy to keep up with them all. The world of horse racing, especially some of the criminal elements associated with it, comes into play. I'm not sure Lady Dunbridge and I would have been friends in real life, but if I were about to be charged with a crime, I'd certainly want her in my corner. There are a lot of twists and turns, and my suspicions could never rest solely on one person.

I hope Ask Me No Questions is the beginning of a long series. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.