Fieldnotes:
Portman Square, London, 1880

1 Talented and No-Nonsense Cook
1 Charming Man-of-All-Work/Jack-of-All-Trades
1 Useful Urchin

1 Despicable Aristocratic Weasel
2 Unexpected Deaths
2 Unfortunate Illnesses
1 Vengefully Placed Carving Knife
1 Soupcon of Poison

1 Thankfully Brief Sojourn in Newgate
Observational Skills
1 Sudden Resolution

The Short Version:
A prequel to the other Death Below Stairs/Kat Holloway mysteries - a charming introduction to both our cook heroine and her circumstances and the charming Daniel McAdam and urchin James. The mystery itself I enjoyed working out the how-dunnit, but found the who-dunnit a bit more frustrating as we didn't really get enough information to solve alongside Mrs. Holloway. Nevertheless, I thought the story was clever and I enjoyed it as a prelude to diving into the first full novel in the series. ( )

I wasn't enamored with the mystery, but I was quite intrigued by the characters, and this was a nice introduction to the series. ( )

London, 1880 and Mrs Kat Holloway is cook to the demanding Sir Lionel Leigh-Bradbury. When he is found murdered with one of her knives in his back she is the one accused.
Can her friendship with the mysterious Daniel McAdam help find the real murderer.
I believe this is the first in a new series, looking forward to reading the next book ( )

Included in Past Crimes ( )

Kat Holloway is a cook for a disagreeable gentleman but the job gives her lots of time to spend with her daughter. When the gentleman is found stabbed with one of Kat's knives, she is arrested and spends a night in Newgate before Daniel McAdam manages to free her. He tells her that the gentleman actually died of arsenic poison as did one of his two dinner guests. Kat determines to find out who poisoned him to save her own reputation as a cook. She also has lots of questions about Daniel who is quite a mysterious character. She could fall for him but doesn't know who he is or if he be trusted. Nice novella. ( )