This is the first in a series of (so far)12 books. I enjoyed the introduction of "new" crime solving techniques, like photographing the crime scene. The main characters were engaging and funny, but didn't compete for the spotlight or take away from the mystery. The lead, Kate, is a strong female, especially for that time period, making her own money, traveling on her own, etc. Just enough detail, in the victims, for a good visual picture, but not enough to be bothersome, if you don't like blood and such. There's a "typical" sister involved, interested in getting married, and buying gloves, not crime scenes and suspects. It's fun to see the two extremes of women, in that day, become friends. If you've never read cozy mysteries, this is a good book to start with.

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This is the first book in this series. We are introduced to all the main characters as well as a well-written mystery plot. Robin Paige is a pseudonym for Susan Wittig Albert (who writes the China Bayles series) and her husband. If you have read any of the China Bayles series you already know how well written they are and you will not be disappointed in this historical series a bit. These take place in England during the late Victorian, early Edwardian era, and not only contain great plots with several plots within the plots, but extremely interesting background of the history of the time. I think if you give this book a try you will want to read all the others!

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Robin Paige is a pseudonym for husband and wife writing team of Bill and Susan (Whittig) Albert. I guess this is properly classed as a cozy, as although there are a few dead bodies their deaths are not described in gruesome detail. Wasn't sure what to expect since I have little experience with cozies unless they feature animals. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself sucked in, so much so that I ordered book two in the series to find out what happened next.

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Plot synopsis:
Kate Adrleigh is everything the Victorian English gentlewoman is not--outspoken, free-thinking, American...and a writer of the frowned upon "penny-dreadfuls."
Soon after her arrival in Essex, England, a body is unearthed in a nearby archeological dig--and Kate has the chance to not only research her latest story...but to begin her first case with amateur detective Sir Charles Sheridan.

Comment:
This is a wonderful "cozy" mystery. I've stayed up much too late at night because I couldn't wait to find out "who done it". The authors do an excellent job of placing the story in Victorian England and giving the reader a good feel for the times. Can't wait to read all the books in this series.

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I thought this book would turn out to be just another cozy. A poor but resourceful and curious independent woman sets out to make her way among the stuffy English upper class. And of course there is the obligatory counterpoint with an interesting male. But then I noticed the intelligent writing style, the sprinkling of historical characters (like Oscar Wilde and Sir Conan Doyle), and a strong sense of place, time and popular culture in the late nineteenth century. The plot is complex, although I did figure out whodunit fairly early on. I eagerly begin my search for Book 2 in the series.

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I loved this book and can't wait to read the rest of this series! I was looking for some new authors and this cozy mystery is right up my alley. I loved the glimpse into how it was to live back at the beginning of the 1900s (at least I think that was the timeframe considering the horseless carriage was just being introduced). It was simply delightful and the heroine was so wonderfully independent, intelligent and a non-conformist.

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This is a very interesting series and I'm now on book three. I highly recommend this series to everyone.

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This series never fails to deliver a great story and interesting characters.

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