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thenovelbook's review
4.0
This is probably one of the strongest Lady Emily mysteries to date, set in the world of the Russian ballet in the year 1900.
Lady Emily is in St. Petersburg for the New Year, bent on celebration and enjoyment. But after an evening at the world-renowned ballet, her deductive skills are suddenly called to work when the body of a ballerina is discovered in the snow outside the theatre. Who could have wanted to do away with her, and why?
I've read all of the Lady Emily mysteries, and at times have taken issue with this Victorian character too loudly and proudly proclaiming her modernity. I'm pleased to say that I didn't notice that tendency in this book. Her character seemed a little more mature, a little more self-controlled.
I also enjoyed the storytelling technique in this book. It's one that Tasha Alexander has used to good effect before, but it was particularly skillful here. She intersperses the Lady Emily chapters with shorter chapters from the point of view of the ballerinas, starting about 10 years prior to the investigation, revealing their relationships and the course of their careers, catching up to Lady Emily's narrative just in time for the big finish. Both narratives were compelling and made me want to keep reading.
The recurrence of Sebastian Capet, unreformed thief and admirer of Lady Emily, lends wit and comedy to the story and is a welcome addition to the plot.
Not least of the accomplishments of this novel is the well-defined setting. St. Petersburg at the turn of the 20th century sounds like quite a place. I enjoyed the glimpses of the Hermitage, the Winter Palace, and the exquisite Faberge eggs.
An "Easter egg," if you will, is the appearance of a character with a subtle connection to Amelia Peabody (the much loved character created by Elizabeth Peters and the main star of about 20 novels in her own series). Blink and you'll miss it, but it's a fun thing. Tasha Alexander is actually not the only author to pay tribute to the late Elizabeth Peters in this delightful way. It's great.
***Thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me a review copy!
Lady Emily is in St. Petersburg for the New Year, bent on celebration and enjoyment. But after an evening at the world-renowned ballet, her deductive skills are suddenly called to work when the body of a ballerina is discovered in the snow outside the theatre. Who could have wanted to do away with her, and why?
I've read all of the Lady Emily mysteries, and at times have taken issue with this Victorian character too loudly and proudly proclaiming her modernity. I'm pleased to say that I didn't notice that tendency in this book. Her character seemed a little more mature, a little more self-controlled.
I also enjoyed the storytelling technique in this book. It's one that Tasha Alexander has used to good effect before, but it was particularly skillful here. She intersperses the Lady Emily chapters with shorter chapters from the point of view of the ballerinas, starting about 10 years prior to the investigation, revealing their relationships and the course of their careers, catching up to Lady Emily's narrative just in time for the big finish. Both narratives were compelling and made me want to keep reading.
The recurrence of Sebastian Capet, unreformed thief and admirer of Lady Emily, lends wit and comedy to the story and is a welcome addition to the plot.
Not least of the accomplishments of this novel is the well-defined setting. St. Petersburg at the turn of the 20th century sounds like quite a place. I enjoyed the glimpses of the Hermitage, the Winter Palace, and the exquisite Faberge eggs.
An "Easter egg," if you will, is the appearance of a character with a subtle connection to Amelia Peabody (the much loved character created by Elizabeth Peters and the main star of about 20 novels in her own series). Blink and you'll miss it, but it's a fun thing. Tasha Alexander is actually not the only author to pay tribute to the late Elizabeth Peters in this delightful way. It's great.
***Thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me a review copy!
madbutterfly12's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
Death in St. Petersburg by Tasha Alexander is the latest A Lady Emily Mystery. Lady Emily Hargreaves is in St. Petersburg, Russian enjoying the season thanks to an invitation from Cecile du Lac. Lady Emily and her husband, Colin enjoyed watching Swan Lake at the Marinsky Theater and exit to discover body of ballerina Irina Nemetseva outside in the snow. A gold Faberge egg is found underneath her body. Did Irina steal the egg or has Sebastian Capet stroke again? Irina had disappeared halfway through the performance and was replaced by Ekaterina Petrovna. The next day, Prince Vasilii meets with Lady Emily asking her to find Irina’s killer. Her investigation will take her across St. Petersburg from the Winter Palace to modest apartments belonging to the dancers. Join Lady Emily on her latest case in Death in St. Petersburg.
Death in St. Petersburg can be read alone. I had not read the previous eleven books in the series (did not know it was part of a series until I started reading the book) and I had no trouble. I did, though, have difficulty with all the various Russian names. Each person went by more than one name which makes it confusing. The author did a wonderful job at describing St. Petersburg and the world of ballet. You can tell that she did her research on the era, city, and is knowledgeable about ballet. The mystery was simple and can easily be solved long before the reveal. There is a lack of action regarding the investigation. It is mostly questioning and speculation. There are flashbacks into the early years of the two ballerinas that help readers understand their characters. Death in St. Petersburg is a slower paced story as Tasha Alexander sets the stage (very descriptive writer). I did like Lady Emily who is a woman ahead of her time in many ways. If you are looking for a light historical mystery, pick up a copy of Death in St. Petersburg.
Death in St. Petersburg can be read alone. I had not read the previous eleven books in the series (did not know it was part of a series until I started reading the book) and I had no trouble. I did, though, have difficulty with all the various Russian names. Each person went by more than one name which makes it confusing. The author did a wonderful job at describing St. Petersburg and the world of ballet. You can tell that she did her research on the era, city, and is knowledgeable about ballet. The mystery was simple and can easily be solved long before the reveal. There is a lack of action regarding the investigation. It is mostly questioning and speculation. There are flashbacks into the early years of the two ballerinas that help readers understand their characters. Death in St. Petersburg is a slower paced story as Tasha Alexander sets the stage (very descriptive writer). I did like Lady Emily who is a woman ahead of her time in many ways. If you are looking for a light historical mystery, pick up a copy of Death in St. Petersburg.
mamap's review
4.0
The author has added the back story of the murdered ballerina and her best friend - her understudy. Normally, I don't enjoy this multiplicity of characters, but this is well done.
It is interesting although a standard mystery for Lady Emily.
Not long.
It is interesting although a standard mystery for Lady Emily.
Not long.
whitreadslit's review
3.0
I have been a big fan of the Lady Emily series for years, but Death in St. Petersburg just sort of dragged for me. I'm not sure exactly why. I think it might have been a pacing problem. Each chapter went back and forth between the past and the present (which is something that Alexander doesn't normally do in this series), and it just made me lose steam with each change. In the end, I wanted to know what happened, but it was a bit more of a struggle than I would have liked. Hopefully the next book in the series is a bit better paced. (3 Stars)
redheadtreefrog's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bethanyread's review
4.0
The St. Peterburg details were amazing; the ballet dancers lives were interesting. The mystery and the "ghost" dancer were unusual. Liked it
ashleyelizabeth's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
5.0
This is the best Lady Emily book I’ve read so far!