Dollycas's Thoughts
Set in 1860 London
Lady Amelia Amesbury has a secret. She came to London with her husband Edgar who died shortly after from a degenerative disease. While continuing to raise Edgar's niece, Winifred takes much of her time, she still was bored. âmind-numbingly boredâ. So when a friend offered her a job at his penny paper she gladly accepted and Lady Agony was born. Only a very few people know the real identity of Lady Agony. She gives advice on love, etiquette, fashion, and more. She sometimes gets some odd requests as well. Her latest letter is from Charlotte who âwitnessed something dreadfulâ and begs Lady Agony to meet her. Against her better judgment, she goes to the designated spot but all she finds is the body of a young woman, Charlotte.
Believing had she just arrived a few minutes earlier she could have saved the girl Amelia is bound and determined to find her killer. With the help of her best friend Kitty Hamsted and her new friend the Marquis of Bainbridge, she follows each clue wherever it leads no matter how much danger it puts her in.
I am very impressed with Lady Amelia Amesbury. She grew up in a small village working at her family's inn when a young man arrived and soon proposed. It was then he revealed he was an Earl and that he was part of one of the wealthiest families in London. Sadly, then two months later he was gone. Amelia adapted and followed all the rules of a widow, devoutly watched over by Edgar's aunt Tabitha. But Amelia is a strong independent thinking woman. While she would never do anything to hurt the family name she doesn't let the name rule her. This character was strong from the start but she continued to grow and develop throughout the entire story.
The author has surrounded her protagonist with several strong characters as well. Aunt Tabitha, one of the old guard, prim and proper most of the time, tries to keep a tight hold on Amelia as much as she can. Edgar's niece, Winifred is a sweetheart and smarter than her years and quickly became a favorite of mine. Her friends Kitty and Grady are fun and on hand when she needs them. Then there is the handsome Marquis Simon Bainbridge. I loved the way he and Amelia banter back and forth. The character development of these core characters is so well done.
Ms. Winters has captured the time period so well and plotted out a very complex mystery. With plenty of suspects, the story moves at a great pace. I was delighted to tag along with her around the streets of London and even to the county to get the answers she needed. I loved every twist and the lengths Amelia went through in her efforts to find the truth.
The Lady Agony theme is very entertaining. Getting to read the letters and Amelia's answers added to my reading enjoyment.
Murder in Postscript is an excellent debut for this series. This book checked all my boxes for a fine historical cozy mystery. It truly was A Perfect Escape! I am looking forward to the next A Lady of Letters Mystery.
Set in 1860 London
Lady Amelia Amesbury has a secret. She came to London with her husband Edgar who died shortly after from a degenerative disease. While continuing to raise Edgar's niece, Winifred takes much of her time, she still was bored. âmind-numbingly boredâ. So when a friend offered her a job at his penny paper she gladly accepted and Lady Agony was born. Only a very few people know the real identity of Lady Agony. She gives advice on love, etiquette, fashion, and more. She sometimes gets some odd requests as well. Her latest letter is from Charlotte who âwitnessed something dreadfulâ and begs Lady Agony to meet her. Against her better judgment, she goes to the designated spot but all she finds is the body of a young woman, Charlotte.
Believing had she just arrived a few minutes earlier she could have saved the girl Amelia is bound and determined to find her killer. With the help of her best friend Kitty Hamsted and her new friend the Marquis of Bainbridge, she follows each clue wherever it leads no matter how much danger it puts her in.
I am very impressed with Lady Amelia Amesbury. She grew up in a small village working at her family's inn when a young man arrived and soon proposed. It was then he revealed he was an Earl and that he was part of one of the wealthiest families in London. Sadly, then two months later he was gone. Amelia adapted and followed all the rules of a widow, devoutly watched over by Edgar's aunt Tabitha. But Amelia is a strong independent thinking woman. While she would never do anything to hurt the family name she doesn't let the name rule her. This character was strong from the start but she continued to grow and develop throughout the entire story.
The author has surrounded her protagonist with several strong characters as well. Aunt Tabitha, one of the old guard, prim and proper most of the time, tries to keep a tight hold on Amelia as much as she can. Edgar's niece, Winifred is a sweetheart and smarter than her years and quickly became a favorite of mine. Her friends Kitty and Grady are fun and on hand when she needs them. Then there is the handsome Marquis Simon Bainbridge. I loved the way he and Amelia banter back and forth. The character development of these core characters is so well done.
Ms. Winters has captured the time period so well and plotted out a very complex mystery. With plenty of suspects, the story moves at a great pace. I was delighted to tag along with her around the streets of London and even to the county to get the answers she needed. I loved every twist and the lengths Amelia went through in her efforts to find the truth.
The Lady Agony theme is very entertaining. Getting to read the letters and Amelia's answers added to my reading enjoyment.
Murder in Postscript is an excellent debut for this series. This book checked all my boxes for a fine historical cozy mystery. It truly was A Perfect Escape! I am looking forward to the next A Lady of Letters Mystery.
