Author: Robin Paige
Cover Artist: Casey Hampton
Publisher: Penguin
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: 1997
Robin Paige isn’t Robin Paige. Instead, it’s the pseudonym for writing couple Bill and Susan Albert as they produce a series of mystery yarns in early 20th century Victorian England. The series, currently at twelve entries, follows two snooping sleuths: Kate Ardleigh and Sir Charles Sheridan. While reading the books in succession is probably preferable, it is not a necessity as these are plotted to be standalone mystery novels.
In Death at Daisy’s Folly, the third book of the series, Kate and Sir Charles travel to the Warwicks’ Eaton Lodge for a haunting yet memorable weekend. Here they meet the Prince of Wales along with the Countess of Warwick and a slew of other curious characters. When a stableboy is located dead, murder is the charge. The Prince assigns Sir Charles to discover what truly happened, but will his own actions put others, such as the woman he loves so dearly, in inescapable danger?
Mystery novels, by their own nature, are compelling beasts. As many do, Death at Daisy’s Folly opens up with a murder, poising the question right away: “Who has done it?” Paige then alternates between Kate chapters and Sir Charles chapters, allowing the pieces of the investigation to come together slowly. That’s not to say that nothing happens; Paige has plenty going on in terms of subplot, and surprisingly, one of those ideas turns out to be quite important come the quietly done realization at the end.
One thing to note is that the descriptions and authenticity of the Victorian setting are superb. Clearly, Paige has done extensive amounts of research to get just the perfect amount of flavor to her scenes and characters, and it only strengthens the novel. My only complaint, and maybe this is not such a big deal for those fans of the mystery genre, is that Death at Daisy’s Folly follows a pretty linear path. We have murder, investigation, murder, investigation, and then the suspect is revealed. There weren’t many twists and turns, and while I didn’t have the culprit nailed by the time he/she was revealed, I did know that come the end someone would be revealed. But that’s just me.
Death at Daisy’s Folly is a captivating read that will have you guessing characters’ motives all the way to the end. Read it, and if you like, pick up the other eleven in the series. I’m thinking about it as well.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.