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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is the seventh in a series of Victorian period mysteries written by a husband and wife team under a pseudonym. Well written and well-researched, they are replete with detail evocative of a bygone era. The main characters are engaging and with each passing book, the reader becomes more interested with the details of their lives. As with all cozy mysteries, it is not so much the mystery that is of import but the characters that revolve around the mystery. While the mystery is intriguing, it is simply the framework around which the characters evolve.
The series revolves around Lady Kathryn and her husband, Charles, Baron of Somersworth. This time they are off to the races at Epsom Downs for the Derby, as Lord Charles, an avid and renowned photographer, has been commissioned to take photos of the finish of the race. Unfortunately, a jockey is killed during the race, when the horse he is riding does the unthinkable.
Suspicions of doping and the potentially detrimental effects of such on racing and betting prompts those in high places to engage the services of Lord Charles to investigate just what really happened. Lady Kathryn, meanwhile, schedules Lillie Langtry, who happens to be at Epsom downs, for an interview in hope of writing an article about the famous actress. What she discovers serves only to aid her husband in his investigation. Together, they are, indeed, a formidable investigatory team.
It is of interest that these books always seem to include a historical personage or event that is intertwined into the mystery at hand. The historical notes at the end of the book are most enjoyable, as they allow the reader to understand the reasoning and research that went into such inclusion. In this case, they provide a lot of information about horse racing in England and some of its practices. The injection of Lilly Langtry into the storyline was also quite interesting, and, again, the historical notes are also illuminating as to why. For those who enjoy history, these notes are an added bonus to these books. Those who enjoy the historical cozy mystery genre will definitely love this series.
The series revolves around Lady Kathryn and her husband, Charles, Baron of Somersworth. This time they are off to the races at Epsom Downs for the Derby, as Lord Charles, an avid and renowned photographer, has been commissioned to take photos of the finish of the race. Unfortunately, a jockey is killed during the race, when the horse he is riding does the unthinkable.
Suspicions of doping and the potentially detrimental effects of such on racing and betting prompts those in high places to engage the services of Lord Charles to investigate just what really happened. Lady Kathryn, meanwhile, schedules Lillie Langtry, who happens to be at Epsom downs, for an interview in hope of writing an article about the famous actress. What she discovers serves only to aid her husband in his investigation. Together, they are, indeed, a formidable investigatory team.
It is of interest that these books always seem to include a historical personage or event that is intertwined into the mystery at hand. The historical notes at the end of the book are most enjoyable, as they allow the reader to understand the reasoning and research that went into such inclusion. In this case, they provide a lot of information about horse racing in England and some of its practices. The injection of Lilly Langtry into the storyline was also quite interesting, and, again, the historical notes are also illuminating as to why. For those who enjoy history, these notes are an added bonus to these books. Those who enjoy the historical cozy mystery genre will definitely love this series.
4 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Once again the Robin Paige writing team keep the mystery fans on their toes with a well paced addition tom their quality Historical novels. Enjoyable and fun read. Well Done
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
14 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
History with mystery and a smile
31 July 2001
Format:Hardcover
This is the latest in a wonderful series, a series featuring two fine leading fictional characters (now married) and some very interesting non-fictional characters. In this one The Jersey Lily herself is joined by figures of the late nineteenth century British and American horseracing world, including an appearance (as in other books) of her paramour, the Prince of Wales. The problems are serious; murder is involved, yet a deft, light touch and very appealing characters make this book, and others of the series, terrific reading.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
A great Victorian mysyery
15 Feb 2001
Format:Hardcover
In 1899, Lord Charles Sheridan, Baron of Somersworth, and his wife Lady Kathryn attend Derby Day at Epsom Downs. Charles, a photography buff, plans to shoot the hoses as they cross the finish line. However, tragedy strikes during the race when one of the thoroughbreds Gladiator goes berserk killing his jockey and another horse.
The highly respected racing horse owner and fan, the Prince of Wales, believes someone drugged Gladiator. He asks Charles to investigate. While Charles is sleuthing, Kate visits Lillie Langtrey in an attempt to interview the famous actress for a magazine article that Kate wants to write under a pseudonym. Kate learns that Lillie owes a fortune to a bookie, who happens to have been shot at the same time he was supposed to meet the renowned performer. Charles sees the link between his inquiries and the bookie shooting. He files his report, but no one knows whether the guilty party will be punished or even if the doping will stop.
DEATH AT EPSOM DOWNS is as much a social commentary of a time in which the excesses of the aristocracy was slowly ending (but still prevailing) in England as it is a mystery. The cleverly arranged mystery absorbs the audience, but takes a back seat to the human drama at the tail end of the nineteenth century. Robin Paige provides a page-turning novel that will entice historical fiction buffs and Victorian mystery readers to seek her previous works in a strong series.
Harriet Klausner
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Fluffy but cute
11 May 2003
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I admit I do enjoy this series, but it is strictly a "fun" read. I agree with the other reviewers that the author(s) really make a royal hash of the British titles, alternately referring to the same character as Lord "surname" and then as Lord "first name" - yet the same person would NEVER go by both of those. Charles, as a peer, would never EVER be referred to a Lord Charles, and it would be terribly gauche to do so. A prince is never Your Majesty.
These are pretty simple things that even an American like me can figure out and understand, yet the author(s) screw this up every time in book after book.
However if I just grit my teeth and bear it the rest of the book is funny and informative, a "light" read, so I guess I cannot expect too much accuracy. But fun. Brain candy.
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