Murder at Vinland (Gilded Newport, Bk 12)
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Dollycas's ThoughtsÂ
Vinland is a Viking-themed seaside home owned by Emma's relative Florence Vanderbilt Twombly. Mrs. Twombly is hosting a fundraiser for the new Rhode Island Audubon Society where the guest of honor is the wife of Vice President Theodore Roosevelt, Edith. Emma attends, listens to the speakers, observes the other ladies attending, and finds the cause of bird protection interesting and admirable but finds the Viking warrior-inspired elements in the home troubling. Thankfully there should be no need for them today.
The following morning though, one of the guests staying with Mrs. Twombly becomes gravely ill from an unknown cause. Emma agrees to help police detective Jesse Whyte with his investigation. While checking out the guest's room she finds a box of petit fours with several pieces missing that appear to have been sent by the vice-president's wife. Knowing that is a ruse, Mrs. Roosevelt is not put on the suspect list.
Soon more desserts and letters written in toxic ink are received by other ladies who attended the fundraiser. Why are these ladies being targeted? After a warning is sent out to watch for tainted deliveries Emma and Jesse try to piece together who had the means, motive, and opportunity to wage a strike against the group of supposed bird lovers.
_____
Emma and Derrick are getting comfortable in their married life at Gull Manor and have some big plans. I am so pleased with the way these characters have evolved over the course of this series. Emma has always been very independent and Derrick knows she isn't going to change. While he does worry when she takes on an investigation he supports her. She realizes his fears so whenever they can tackle something together they do. They want to do something special together but in this story that project could be in jeopardy. Again, they tackle it together.
There are a plethora of suspects that could have sent the toxic letters and pastry and Florence Vanderbilt Twombly doesn't make the investigation easy. She takes Emma to task several times for questioning her guests and friends but Emma and Jesse need to follow clues and press for answers. Emma ruminated on all the options repeatedly but all the clues didn't fall into place until Emma found herself in a dangerous situation. I scooted right up to the edge of my seat as everything played out unsure whether our protagonist would survive. I wasn't totally surprised as to the guilty party but they had been low on my list.
I enjoy how Ms. Maxwell takes us back in time to mix history with mystery. Her descriptions of Vinland and the beautiful cover of this book made it so easy to visualize the manor and its rooms and grounds. Gull Manor is always clear in my mind after virtually being there many times. Everywhere Emma travels and everyone she meets comes alive with Ms. Maxwell's words.
Murder at Vinland is marvelously plotted and written. I know when I open a book in this series that I will escape into the pages and that it will be a struggle to return to real life. I was quickly engaged by the wonderful characters, captivated by the twist-filled mystery, and in awe of another historical Rhode Island manor that was notably enlarged by the Twombly's in a surprising way. Another Perfect Escape from Alyssa Maxwell!
Vinland is a Viking-themed seaside home owned by Emma's relative Florence Vanderbilt Twombly. Mrs. Twombly is hosting a fundraiser for the new Rhode Island Audubon Society where the guest of honor is the wife of Vice President Theodore Roosevelt, Edith. Emma attends, listens to the speakers, observes the other ladies attending, and finds the cause of bird protection interesting and admirable but finds the Viking warrior-inspired elements in the home troubling. Thankfully there should be no need for them today.
The following morning though, one of the guests staying with Mrs. Twombly becomes gravely ill from an unknown cause. Emma agrees to help police detective Jesse Whyte with his investigation. While checking out the guest's room she finds a box of petit fours with several pieces missing that appear to have been sent by the vice-president's wife. Knowing that is a ruse, Mrs. Roosevelt is not put on the suspect list.
Soon more desserts and letters written in toxic ink are received by other ladies who attended the fundraiser. Why are these ladies being targeted? After a warning is sent out to watch for tainted deliveries Emma and Jesse try to piece together who had the means, motive, and opportunity to wage a strike against the group of supposed bird lovers.
_____
Emma and Derrick are getting comfortable in their married life at Gull Manor and have some big plans. I am so pleased with the way these characters have evolved over the course of this series. Emma has always been very independent and Derrick knows she isn't going to change. While he does worry when she takes on an investigation he supports her. She realizes his fears so whenever they can tackle something together they do. They want to do something special together but in this story that project could be in jeopardy. Again, they tackle it together.
There are a plethora of suspects that could have sent the toxic letters and pastry and Florence Vanderbilt Twombly doesn't make the investigation easy. She takes Emma to task several times for questioning her guests and friends but Emma and Jesse need to follow clues and press for answers. Emma ruminated on all the options repeatedly but all the clues didn't fall into place until Emma found herself in a dangerous situation. I scooted right up to the edge of my seat as everything played out unsure whether our protagonist would survive. I wasn't totally surprised as to the guilty party but they had been low on my list.
I enjoy how Ms. Maxwell takes us back in time to mix history with mystery. Her descriptions of Vinland and the beautiful cover of this book made it so easy to visualize the manor and its rooms and grounds. Gull Manor is always clear in my mind after virtually being there many times. Everywhere Emma travels and everyone she meets comes alive with Ms. Maxwell's words.
Murder at Vinland is marvelously plotted and written. I know when I open a book in this series that I will escape into the pages and that it will be a struggle to return to real life. I was quickly engaged by the wonderful characters, captivated by the twist-filled mystery, and in awe of another historical Rhode Island manor that was notably enlarged by the Twombly's in a surprising way. Another Perfect Escape from Alyssa Maxwell!
