Death at Gallows Green

Rating:
Summary: Solving the Mystery in Mr. McGregor's Garden
Review: A fan of the Anne Perry mysteries set in Victorian England, I was skeptical when a friend told me she thought the Robin Paige books were on an equal par. Reading "Death at Gallows Green" convinced me! Feisty (Kate) Kathryn Ardleigh, author-in-secret of a number of "penny-dreadfuls," is a fascinating heroine. Although she is an outspoken "recently rich" American with sometimes scandalous behavior in the eyes of the British ton, she has obviously won the heart of amateur detective and scientist Sir Charles Sheridan. They make not only a delightful sleuthing team, but an "unsyrupy," real opposite-attraction romantic mix!

The husband/wife writing team (Robin Paige) of "Death at Gallows Green" are well-versed in the nuances of life in Victorian England. For the most part, they do a fine job of providing the reader with historic relevance without bogging down the plot. I was particularly fascinated at their spell-binding weaving of fictional plot with factual characters. They did a wonderful job of bringing the children's author, Beatrix Potter, to life. From the discovery of the body of a local constable in Mr. McGregor's garden to the mystery of a lost child (along with Beatrix' soon-to-be-famous "Jemima Puddle-Duck"), the reader is drawn along a path of twists and turns in plot. In putting the book down at the end, I found myself thinking that if were to pick up "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," I might just meet some of the characters out of "Death at Gallow's Green!" -- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING!

Rating:
Summary: Solving the Mystery in Mr. McGregor's Garden
Review: A fan of the Anne Perry mysteries set in Victorian England, I was skeptical when a friend told me she thought the Robin Paige books were on an equal par. Reading "Death at Gallows Green" convinced me! Feisty (Kate) Kathryn Ardleigh, author-in-secret of a number of "penny-dreadfuls," is a fascinating heroine. Although she is an outspoken "recently rich" American with sometimes scandalous behavior in the eyes of the British ton, she has obviously won the heart of amateur detective and scientist Sir Charles Sheridan. They make not only a delightful sleuthing team, but an "unsyrupy," real opposite-attraction romantic mix!

The husband/wife writing team (Robin Paige) of "Death at Gallows Green" are well-versed in the nuances of life in Victorian England. For the most part, they do a fine job of providing the reader with historic relevance without bogging down the plot. I was particularly fascinated at their spell-binding weaving of fictional plot with factual characters. They did a wonderful job of bringing the children's author, Beatrix Potter, to life. From the discovery of the body of a local constable in Mr. McGregor's garden to the mystery of a lost child (along with Beatrix' soon-to-be-famous "Jemima Puddle-Duck"), the reader is drawn along a path of twists and turns in plot. In putting the book down at the end, I found myself thinking that if were to pick up "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," I might just meet some of the characters out of "Death at Gallow's Green!" -- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING!

Rating:
Summary: 2nd Victorian Mystery by Robin Paige
Review: Death at Gallows Green is the second installment in the Victorian Mysteries by Robin Paige. It is even more delightful than the first. Kate Ardleigh meets Beatrix Potter at a house party and invites her to Bishop's Keep for a visit and adventure. They certainly have an adventure when a police constable is found murdered, and subsequent inquiries try to blacken his name which would deny his young wife and daughter a pension. The daughter, Betsy, is a remarkable little girl and a delight, as is the characterization of Beatrix Potter. Bea knows Sir Charles Sheridan, who arrives to help solve the murder, and she realizes that Kate and Charles have strong feelings for each other. Sir Charles believes Kate has two other suitors whom she prefers, and Kate is unsure of Charles' regard, or the advisability of becoming involved with a man at all when she wants to remain a mystery author. The two do a much better job of solving the mystery; Sir Charles with new forensic science (very well depicted by the authors) and Kate with her keen intellect and ability to sense motivations. They are a perfect partnering, and Paige handles there characterizations with a loving and light touch that are a pleasure to read. As mentioned above, the advent of forensic science is a major theme in the Victorian Mystery series, and the authors (Paige is a husband-wife writing duo) have researched the field well. They present not only the the implementation of these new techniques but the dubious responses they received by the general public and juries. All in all, a delightful and engaging mystery.

Rating:
Summary: 2nd Victorian Mystery by Robin Paige
Review: Death at Gallows Green is the second installment in the Victorian Mysteries by Robin Paige. It is even more delightful than the first. Kate Ardleigh meets Beatrix Potter at a house party and invites her to Bishop's Keep for a visit and adventure. They certainly have an adventure when a police constable is found murdered, and subsequent inquiries try to blacken his name which would deny his young wife and daughter a pension. The daughter, Betsy, is a remarkable little girl and a delight, as is the characterization of Beatrix Potter. Bea knows Sir Charles Sheridan, who arrives to help solve the murder, and she realizes that Kate and Charles have strong feelings for each other. Sir Charles believes Kate has two other suitors whom she prefers, and Kate is unsure of Charles' regard, or the advisability of becoming involved with a man at all when she wants to remain a mystery author. The two do a much better job of solving the mystery; Sir Charles with new forensic science (very well depicted by the authors) and Kate with her keen intellect and ability to sense motivations. They are a perfect partnering, and Paige handles there characterizations with a loving and light touch that are a pleasure to read. As mentioned above, the advent of forensic science is a major theme in the Victorian Mystery series, and the authors (Paige is a husband-wife writing duo) have researched the field well. They present not only the the implementation of these new techniques but the dubious responses they received by the general public and juries. All in all, a delightful and engaging mystery.

Rating:
Summary: To those who love Beatrix Potter, this book is a must!
Review: This is a delightful Victorian mystery. We are introduced to a wonderful Beatrix Potter, and we get to meet characters from her books - like Jemima Puddle Duck, Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggy-Wiggle. Plus we get to see more of feisty Kate Ardleigh. This is the second book in the Kate Ardleigh series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are warm and fun, and the Victorian times are depicted so wonderfully! The murder and mayhem are good and of course half the fun is in the detecting of who actually did the dastardly deed! I am enjoying this series, and if you like warm, funny Victorian mysteries, you will too.

Rating:
Summary: To those who love Beatrix Potter, this book is a must!
Review: This is a delightful Victorian mystery. We are introduced to a wonderful Beatrix Potter, and we get to meet characters from her books - like Jemima Puddle Duck, Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggy-Wiggle. Plus we get to see more of feisty Kate Ardleigh. This is the second book in the Kate Ardleigh series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are warm and fun, and the Victorian times are depicted so wonderfully! The murder and mayhem are good and of course half the fun is in the detecting of who actually did the dastardly deed! I am enjoying this series, and if you like warm, funny Victorian mysteries, you will too.

Rating:
Summary: Now for a bit of fun!
Review: While Death at Gallows Green is not the most traditional mystery I've ever read, it's precisely the little twists that made me like the book. You know that while the male investigator and the female investigator (no spoilers!) really don't get along too well now... they're going to, sometime. Also, the idea of the poor American relation thrust in amongst suspicious servants made me think pleasurably of "Rebecca", so that was another bit of fun for me. I look forward to reading more books in this series.