Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters
Publication Date: March 28th 2023 by Berkley
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★½
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads
My
Thoughts:
Countess Amelia Amesbury has taken many changes in her life
in stride, from becoming countess, mother and then widower. Her secret
occupation answering letters as Lady Agony for a London newspaper has been a welcome
distraction. She finds giving frank, useful advice, with a little bit of cheek
and fun to be fulfilling. However, one
of her writers claims to know of a murder, her mistress, and when Amelia goes
to meet her to find out how to help, she finds the poor woman dead. Amelia’s determined to find out who murdered
the lady’s maid and her mistress.
With the help of a family friend, the Marquis Simon
Bainbridge, Amelia sets out to find the murderer, hunting down clues and asking
questions. Her investigation does not go unnoticed and soon she finds herself
facing danger and threats to unmask her identity as Lady Agony, something that risks
the reputation of her young stepdaughter and the family name.
I enjoyed Murder in Postscript overall. The letters
were fun, the plot was entertaining, and I liked the relationship between
Amelia and Simon that hints at a romance to come. I did struggle with the
writing style with a lot of telling instead of showing. It made it hard to feel
fully immersed in the story, being told of things instead of “experiencing”
them through the characters. Also, the dialogue didn’t feel natural in spots. Still,
with these issues I did like the story overall and I look forward to the next one.
3.5 Stars
Book Description:
When one of her readers asks for advice following a suspected murder, Victorian countess Amelia Amesbury, who secretly pens the popular Lady Agony column, has no choice but to investigate in this first book in a charming new historical mystery series.
Amelia Amesbury—widow, mother, and countess—has a secret. Amelia writes for a London penny paper, doling out advice on fashion, relationships, and manners under the pen name Lady Agony. But when a lady’s maid writes Amelia to ask for advice when she believes her mistress has been murdered—and then ends up a victim herself—Amelia is determined to solve the case.
With the help of her best friend and a handsome marquis, Amelia begins to piece together the puzzle, but as each new thread of inquiry ends with a different suspect, the investigation grows ever more daunting. From London’s docks and ballrooms to grand country houses, Amelia tracks a killer, putting her reputation—and her life—on the line.
Despite a few issues, this still sounds like an enjoyable historical mystery. And hopefully those issues will resolve as the series continues.
ReplyDeleteSound good even if the dialogue was spotty
ReplyDeleteYes, I'll be checking out the next story.
DeleteTelling rather than showing always makes it hard to connect with the characters in a story. There's still a lot about this one that sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd like to continue with the series despite some of my niggles. :)
DeleteTelling instead of showing tends to be a sore spot for many readers. At least it had some redeeming qualities.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was happy about that.
DeleteIt's always hard when a book falls squarely in the middle. I feel like they're so difficult to review! I do agree though... it's a turn off when a book tells and doesn't show. I recently had that problem with The Warden by Daniel M. Ford.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Lindsi! Hopefully there were parts you did enjoy?
DeleteThose letters sound fun. I'll have to give this a try eventually.
ReplyDeleteThey were fun, Sophia!
DeleteI'm curious about those letters. Thanks for the heads up about the writing style.
ReplyDelete