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fictionfan's review against another edition
5.0
Murder in the capital...
Charles Murray of Letho is back in Edinburgh for this 5th book in Lexie Conyngham's fine series. Charles is asked by Viscount Melville, one of the most important men in Scotland, to find out if there is something not quite right about the family of Rose Ronaldson, as one of his young relatives is hoping to marry her. Since Melville is one of the most important men in Scotland, this is not a request Charles can refuse. Rose's brother is about to appear as a witness in what seems like a straightforward murder trial, so Charles attends the proceedings in the hope of scraping an acquaintance. However, Charles has a nose for murder and he suspects there may be more behind this one than comes out in evidence. And when the killer is then murdered himself, Charles' suspicions are well and truly aroused...
Conyngham writes very well and her characterisation is very strong. Murray is now established as the head of his family and at the age of 26 is thinking it might be time to find a wife. His father's old friend Alester Blair appears again in this book, likeable and eccentric as ever as he provides advice and assistance to the younger man. And as always we get to see what happens below stairs too, where the butler Robbins is having to cope with the frailties of the elderly housekeeper Mrs Chambers.
But what sets Conyngham apart is the authenticity of her depiction of post-Enlightenment Scottish society, and in each book she shows us a different aspect. She mixes historical fact and real people so seamlessly into her fictional stories that it's impossible to see the join. In this story, we are given an inside picture of the militia stationed in Edinburgh Castle, where French prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars are being held. There are shades of Austen, or perhaps Georgette Heyer, as we are shown the officers and young ladies attending balls and concerts, and anxious mothers trying to find suitable husbands for their daughters; but all contrasting with the darker elements of the story - drinking clubs, family secrets and, of course, murder.
This is an excellent and well-plotted addition to the series - I only got to the solution at roughly the same time as Charles. It could be read as a standalone but to get the most out of the characters I'd suggest reading the books in order starting with [b:Death in a Scarlet Gown|11888111|Death in a Scarlet Gown|Lexie Conyngham|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327953257s/11888111.jpg|16846937]. The series is as good as any historical crime I've read (including Shardlake) and in my opinion deserves a wider readership than it gets. Highly recommended.
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Charles Murray of Letho is back in Edinburgh for this 5th book in Lexie Conyngham's fine series. Charles is asked by Viscount Melville, one of the most important men in Scotland, to find out if there is something not quite right about the family of Rose Ronaldson, as one of his young relatives is hoping to marry her. Since Melville is one of the most important men in Scotland, this is not a request Charles can refuse. Rose's brother is about to appear as a witness in what seems like a straightforward murder trial, so Charles attends the proceedings in the hope of scraping an acquaintance. However, Charles has a nose for murder and he suspects there may be more behind this one than comes out in evidence. And when the killer is then murdered himself, Charles' suspicions are well and truly aroused...
Conyngham writes very well and her characterisation is very strong. Murray is now established as the head of his family and at the age of 26 is thinking it might be time to find a wife. His father's old friend Alester Blair appears again in this book, likeable and eccentric as ever as he provides advice and assistance to the younger man. And as always we get to see what happens below stairs too, where the butler Robbins is having to cope with the frailties of the elderly housekeeper Mrs Chambers.
But what sets Conyngham apart is the authenticity of her depiction of post-Enlightenment Scottish society, and in each book she shows us a different aspect. She mixes historical fact and real people so seamlessly into her fictional stories that it's impossible to see the join. In this story, we are given an inside picture of the militia stationed in Edinburgh Castle, where French prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars are being held. There are shades of Austen, or perhaps Georgette Heyer, as we are shown the officers and young ladies attending balls and concerts, and anxious mothers trying to find suitable husbands for their daughters; but all contrasting with the darker elements of the story - drinking clubs, family secrets and, of course, murder.
This is an excellent and well-plotted addition to the series - I only got to the solution at roughly the same time as Charles. It could be read as a standalone but to get the most out of the characters I'd suggest reading the books in order starting with [b:Death in a Scarlet Gown|11888111|Death in a Scarlet Gown|Lexie Conyngham|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327953257s/11888111.jpg|16846937]. The series is as good as any historical crime I've read (including Shardlake) and in my opinion deserves a wider readership than it gets. Highly recommended.
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vesper1931's review
4.0
March 1810, Edinburgh. Charles Murray is flattered when Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville asks for his help in looking into the Ronaldson family. He starts his investigation by attending the trial of surgeon John Symons, uncle to members of the family. He is accused of murdering an engraver. Where will the investigation lead.
Another enjoyable well-written historical mystery, with a cast of likeable characters
Another enjoyable well-written historical mystery, with a cast of likeable characters
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