Nice English cozy ( )

An intriguing addition to the series — many strong and interesting characters, and very cool to see Emily and Colin at home. In addition, an exploration of upstairs/downstairs dynamics.

There are several plot points that made me uncomfortable, however. I don’t understand the addition of an indigenous valet — his inclusion felt like an excuse to refer to him repeatedly as a “red indian”, and while he is portrayed as a positive character, he’s also a caricature of the misunderstood and noble savage. What is the point of including him if you can’t do better than that? — I have a suspicion he will reappear in future work, and I’m hoping for an improvement.

I am also deeply troubled by the simultaneous acknowledgment of deep power inequities between landed gentry men and serving girls and then turning around and encouraging a relationship between 2 such people. E&C are portrayed as forward thinking and open minded, but they also literally send one of the servants off unaccompanied with someone who could harm her with no repercussions.

It’s a good mystery, and if you are a fan of the series, I think you’ll enjoy this installment. However, I sincerely hope for better in the next one — feels like 21st c morals trying to coincide with Victorian sensibilities and that is an uncomfortable pairing. ( )

There are two intertwining stories to this book:

Lady Emily & Colin Hargreaves have refused an invitation to the neighboring Estate's festivities, preferring to stay home in the peace & quite of their drawing room.... When all of a sudden the owner of the neighboring estate staggers in through their glass terrace doors with his head bashed in and dies.

The neighbor & his cousin (who inherited everything expect the title & the family estate) have long had an understanding that she would live in his country estate and he would live in her London townhouse, that is until now... She is about to be removed as he is/was engaged to an American Heiress, who has/had plans for the estate.

As it turns out the dead man had a hidden dubious past of cheating & seduction and was not the "gentleman" his cousin & neighbors believed him to be.

The 2nd story is that of a maid, Lily, who has caught the eye of the Hargreaves house guest, an honorable gentleman who encourages her to educate herself in art. However she has a very jealous rival who will stop at almost nothing to destroy Lily's happiness.

As Emily & Colin investigate both problems there is intrigue & lies everywhere they turn...

Absent are Colin's mother, Ivy, Margaret, & Cecile.... Emily's mother is present, but thankfully not as much as in other books and Colin seems to be handle her in a marvelous manner.

It was an interesting story, it not only held my interest, but I liked most of the characters. ( )

This was one of the better ones, story wise, in the series. Emily and Colin are back on their home turf, and for some reason, I just prefer the home-ground settings. More of the characters a reader has become used to, I suppose.

I deducted 1/2 a star for two reasons: some of the plotting was just weak and loose; characters would lie about their whereabouts and when confronted with reports proving they lied, continue to lie about it and insist upon their story, only to off-handedly admit to lying later on. The second reason was the revelation of the killer - it could have been brilliant (the motivation was well thought out and strong) but the build up to the denouement blatantly manipulated the reader, leaving at least this reader feeling like I'd been tricked and deceived.

This is the last book in the series that I own. As far as I know there are at least two more recent ones, and I'll probably pick them up if I find a good deal on them used, but I don't feel compelled to search out the 9th book. ( )

Enjoyable, but I wouldn't recommend this unless you've read the series. The genealogical relationship between Rodney and Matilda was not spelled out sufficiently and the romantic relationship between the two was predictable. ( )