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Summary: Get your parasol and take a stroll through the Keep
Review: Wonder what the feeling was like in the traditional Victorian Society when Henry Ford introduced the automobile? Or perhaps you'd rather spend your afternoon having a talk with Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle - how did he ever dare to kill Sherlock Holmes? We can always attend a seance afterwards. These, and more delightful adventures are part of the new series of Victorian Mysteries produced by husband-wife writing team Susan Wittig and Bill Albert, under their pseudonym Robin Paige. In "Death at Bishop's Keep", we are introduced to the two main sleuths, Kate Ardleigh and Sir Charles Sheridan; a couple with lots of potential for deathly amusement. Kate is an American Victorian, but very unconventional, woman. She writes stories (called penny-dreadfuls) for a living and has no need of a husband. Sir Charles is also kind of unconventional. With his camera and his rugged appereance, who could've thought he holds a knighthood. The pair meet when Kate is summoned by a long lost aunt to come to England. Always in search for adventure, she accepts gladly. But when she arrives, she not only finds two aunts instead of one, but also sees obvious tension in the homey air of the country house. The servants are thoroughly resentful and her aunts... well, that is another story. But Kate quickly finds friends next door, among them the intriguing Sir Charles, who will help make her stay in England a long and memorable one. I couldn't honestly find any faults with this book. The plot is intriguing but never long-winded, the ending wrapping up beautifully. The description of Victorian society and customs couldn't be better; and the characters, well... halfway through the novel one feels they are part of one's family. One gets attached to them, and cannot wait for the next adventure. Even the cover illustration, by Teresa Tasolino, shows superb taste and serves as introduction to the British country house that will surely be the setting of many wonderful adventures; with a take from the lake, black swan and all. I just finished the book and I'm already longing for the sequel. It's strange that this happens with me. Usually, I like to alternate between series, but with the Victorian Mysteries, it is not the case. I fervently hope that Mr. and Mrs. Albert continue the series for many years to come.
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