Alyssa Maxwell
Autore di Murder at the Breakers
Sull'Autore
Alyssa Maxwell is an American author who grew up in New England. She has worked in publishing as a reference book editor, ghost writer, and fiction editor. She has always wanted to be a novelist. Her travels to Great Britain and Ireland, and love for all kinds of puzzles and history, made writing mostra altro mysteries a nature choice. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, the Florida Romance Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Novelists Inc. Her work includes the Gilded Newport Mysteries series and A Lady and Lady's Maid Mysteries series. (Bowker Author Biography) mostra meno
Serie
Opere di Alyssa Maxwell
Etichette
Informazioni generali
- Data di nascita
- 20th century
- Sesso
- female
- Nazionalità
- USA
- Agente
- Evan Marshall
Utenti
Recensioni
Liste
Potrebbero anche piacerti
Autori correlati
Statistiche
- Opere
- 21
- Utenti
- 1,188
- Popolarità
- #21,643
- Voto
- 3.8
- Recensioni
- 136
- ISBN
- 132
- Preferito da
- 1
A murder occurs at a Ball given at The Breakers, the newly built summer cottage of Cornelius Vanderbilt and his wife, Alice. Their niece, Emmaline (Emma) Cross, was a firsthand witness to the demise of the deceased. When Emma’s mischievous brother Brady is accused of the murder she doesn’t believe it so she sets out to prove his innocence. During her own investigative efforts, which the police are none too thrilled about, Emma uncovers deceit, thievery, infidelity and less than admirable business dealings, all of which call various individuals’ reputations into question. There’s good reason why a few of the suspects might have wanted Mr. Goddard dead, but some things are not adding up. Meanwhile, Emma can’t stand to see her brother in jail looking so discouraged and defeated when she knows in her heart that Brady could never commit murder. Alas, blame is shifted to a different possible culprit, but will new details of a revealed secret lead Emma to the proper killer before someone silences her forever and Brady is put away for good?
Since I am familiar with the Vanderbilt family I wanted to read this book. George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore House is America’s largest home and our family has visited the estate in Asheville, NC, several times over the years. It is an impressive sight.
The Breakers in Newport, RI, is the summer residence of Cornelius Vanderbilt ll. I enjoyed this murder mystery that took place in that home. Emma Cross, the amateur sleuth in this entertaining mystery, was not a rich member of the Vanderbilt family. I liked her independent nature and determined spirit. Also of note was the sweet relationship that existed between Emma and her older brother, Brady. Despite his reckless behavior at times resulting in unfavorable predicaments, Emma still loved him and tried everything within her power to help him be exonerated.
I figured out relatively early on who the murderer was but this in no way lessened my enjoyment of the book. Even though I thought I knew who did it, I still didn’t know how or why. Emma’s pursuits brought me into contact with some very interesting characters including servants, as well as the upper crust of society. The red herrings had me second guessing myself, and thus this gilded age mystery gets a big nod of approval. There was even a little romance developing between two of the characters during the investigation. I liked that it was a mild addition to the storyline and didn’t compete with the central focus of the book, the murder mystery.
I was privileged both to read and to listen to Murder at the Breakers thanks to Kensington Books and Tantor Audio. I wish to thank both for the gifted copies. The audiobook narrator, Eva Kaminsky, did an AMAZING job at bringing this book to life. Excellent narration.
It is also my understanding that Hallmark Movies and Mysteries recently aired Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers, in case you’d like to check that out. Great job, Alyssa Maxwell.… (altro)