Bright Young Dead (Mitford Murders, 2)
1 journaler for this copy...
Blurb: A MASQUERADE BALL, 1925
Meet the Bright Young Things, the rabble-rousing hedonists of the 1920s whose treasure hunts were a media obsession. One such game takes place at the 18th birthday party of Pamela Mitford, but ends in tragedy as cruel, charismatic Adrian Curtis is pushed to his death from the bell tower of the church neighbouring the Mitford home, Asthall Manor.
The police quickly identify the killer as a maid, Dulcie, who is discovered to be a member of a notorious gang of female thieves, the Forty Elephants*. But Louisa Cannon, chaperone to the Mitford girls and a former criminal herself, believes Dulcie to be innocent, and along Pamela and Nancy Mitford, sets out to clear the girl's name . . . all while the real killer may only be steps away.
*(Ought to read the Forty Thieves. The Elephants were the associated gang of men that sold off the items the Forty Theives stole. Pg 25.)
BRIGHT YOUNG DEAD (The Mitford Murders, 2) by JESSICA FELLOWES (2018) | ISBN: 0-7515-6722-1 / 978-0-7515-6722-9 (UK PB) | Publisher: Sphere
Meet the Bright Young Things, the rabble-rousing hedonists of the 1920s whose treasure hunts were a media obsession. One such game takes place at the 18th birthday party of Pamela Mitford, but ends in tragedy as cruel, charismatic Adrian Curtis is pushed to his death from the bell tower of the church neighbouring the Mitford home, Asthall Manor.
The police quickly identify the killer as a maid, Dulcie, who is discovered to be a member of a notorious gang of female thieves, the Forty Elephants*. But Louisa Cannon, chaperone to the Mitford girls and a former criminal herself, believes Dulcie to be innocent, and along Pamela and Nancy Mitford, sets out to clear the girl's name . . . all while the real killer may only be steps away.
*(Ought to read the Forty Thieves. The Elephants were the associated gang of men that sold off the items the Forty Theives stole. Pg 25.)
BRIGHT YOUNG DEAD (The Mitford Murders, 2) by JESSICA FELLOWES (2018) | ISBN: 0-7515-6722-1 / 978-0-7515-6722-9 (UK PB) | Publisher: Sphere
Much enjoyed though read in the midst of a bought of flu, or was it Covid-19, and my consentration was compromised. [It took me 10 days to read, which is about 7more than I would normally expect.]
The Bright Young Dead quickly cracks on with establishing the characters and setting for this adventure, and the tension was ratcheted up before I hit page fifty. That the tension held reasonably, through the quieter moments, right to the end illustrates Fellowes decisive skill in plotting.
Lousia and Guy even as their lives have drawn them in different directions manage, over considerable obstacles, to investigate incongruities when a maid Lousia knows is arrested for murder. That Lousia and Guy determine to delve into establishing the innocence of a relative stranger shows how keen both are on combating injustice. Though Guy's primially driven by an urge to get at the truth of any situation no matter the cost, in this instance Lousia's having a similar background to Dulcie means, unnervingly, she could imagine herself caught in such hopless circumstances. They solider on with great gumption till Guy manages to coerce the the main players into a re-enactment of the events on the night Adrian Curtis was murdered. Finally all is clear and Guy is able to arrest the real culprit.
This second murder enquiry for our unlikely investigative team, a police defective and a maid, closes with Lousia suggesting she'll hand in her notice with the Mitford's. Quite the suprise as how can the series continue under the Mitford Murders heading if she does. To be dealt with in the next instalment for sure.
I know a mix of real historical details and fiction doesn't sit well with everyone but have to say this is excellently done and I've been enjoying Fellowes novels immensely.
The Bright Young Dead quickly cracks on with establishing the characters and setting for this adventure, and the tension was ratcheted up before I hit page fifty. That the tension held reasonably, through the quieter moments, right to the end illustrates Fellowes decisive skill in plotting.
Lousia and Guy even as their lives have drawn them in different directions manage, over considerable obstacles, to investigate incongruities when a maid Lousia knows is arrested for murder. That Lousia and Guy determine to delve into establishing the innocence of a relative stranger shows how keen both are on combating injustice. Though Guy's primially driven by an urge to get at the truth of any situation no matter the cost, in this instance Lousia's having a similar background to Dulcie means, unnervingly, she could imagine herself caught in such hopless circumstances. They solider on with great gumption till Guy manages to coerce the the main players into a re-enactment of the events on the night Adrian Curtis was murdered. Finally all is clear and Guy is able to arrest the real culprit.
This second murder enquiry for our unlikely investigative team, a police defective and a maid, closes with Lousia suggesting she'll hand in her notice with the Mitford's. Quite the suprise as how can the series continue under the Mitford Murders heading if she does. To be dealt with in the next instalment for sure.
I know a mix of real historical details and fiction doesn't sit well with everyone but have to say this is excellently done and I've been enjoying Fellowes novels immensely.
