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rosseroo's review
3.0
Set in 1886, this frothy confection is the first in a sequence of murder mysteries featuring "Bertie" aka Prince Edward aka the future King Edward VII as an amateur sleuth. It's a fun conceit, and those looking for a quick and amusing period whodunnit could do a lot worse than this. The plot was inspired by, and revolves around, the mysterious suicide of a real-life star jockey of the era. The real life Prince took a great interest in horse racing, and so his fictional version seeks to investigate the suspicious death.
Soon enough, he's running around in disguise, popping down to the less reputable parts of London, and stirring up trouble. The real-life Prince was a bit of a playboy (albeit married with children), and so there's a fair amount of suggestive farcical twists built around that part of his biography. It's written first-person in a kind of bluff but insider's voice that sets a light tone for everything. As a mystery it's OK, the real pleasure comes from the comedic effect of a royal sleuth. All in all, reasonably fun, but not so much that I feel the need to read the rest of the "Bertie" stories.
Soon enough, he's running around in disguise, popping down to the less reputable parts of London, and stirring up trouble. The real-life Prince was a bit of a playboy (albeit married with children), and so there's a fair amount of suggestive farcical twists built around that part of his biography. It's written first-person in a kind of bluff but insider's voice that sets a light tone for everything. As a mystery it's OK, the real pleasure comes from the comedic effect of a royal sleuth. All in all, reasonably fun, but not so much that I feel the need to read the rest of the "Bertie" stories.
cspiwak's review
4.0
Enjoyable mystery' light and breezy with sufficient violence to avoid being a cozy , a fun plot, a hint of the supernatural and period color
margaretpinard's review
It was entertaining to hear the voice of Price Albert--very well done, with lots of fun background and laughable Victorian sensibilities. I liked that he was short and 'well-padded' as a 'hero'--it was exactly what the NYTBR called it: "A delightful romp."
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