≡ PDF Snobbery with Violence A Mystery M C Beaton Marion Chesney 9780312304515 Books

Snobbery with Violence A Mystery M C Beaton Marion Chesney 9780312304515 Books

Download As PDF : Snobbery with Violence A Mystery M C Beaton Marion Chesney 9780312304515 Books

Snobbery with Violence A Mystery M C Beaton Marion Chesney 9780312304515 Books

I am a huge fan of the author's two other mystery series, that of Agatha Raisin and that of Hamish Macbeth, which she writes under the name M.C. Beaton. So, when I saw that the author had written an Edwardian murder mystery series, I decided to read the series. I confess that I am hooked on this series, as well.

It is a lighthearted mystery and a romp through Edwardian social mores. The author introduces the reader to the highly spirited Lady Rose Summer, who is the well-educated, outspoken, and beautiful daughter of a fabulously wealthy earl. Due to her suffragette leanings, however, Lady Rose is having a rough season as a debutante, when she finds herself romanced by the handsome Sir Geoffrey Blandon, who seems to be dragging his heels in terms of making a proposal. Her father, suspicious of his daughter's suitor who has only just returned to England after a four year hiatus in the States, calls upon Captain Harry Cathcart to discreetly investigate him. Recently returned from the Boer War, Captain Cathcart is a gentleman who is in somewhat financial straits. So, he undertakes the commission.

Due to the subsequent scandal surrounding her ill-fated romance, Lady Rose finds herself reluctantly attending a house party being held at Telby Castle by the Marques and Marchioness of Hedley for women whose matrimonial prospects have been dampened by the vicissitudes of fate. When murder strikes at Telby Castle, Lady Rose finds herself immersed in the mystery, and Captain Cathcart reappears in her life as a guest at the castle. Lady Rose and the Captain collaborate in finding out the truth when, suddenly, another murder occurs, and it becomes a matter of life or death for Lady Rose.

The main characters are likable, as are the secondary ones. The book is light-hearted and fast paced, and the mystery is really not the driving force of the book. What makes the book most enjoyable are the characters and their interactions with each other, as do the period details that are laced throughout. The book is a good addition to the genre of the cozy mystery. I look forward to reading the next one.


Tags : Snobbery with Violence: A Mystery [M. C. Beaton, Marion Chesney] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <div>When a marriage proposal appears imminent for the beautiful -- if rebellious -- Lady Rose Summer,M. C. Beaton, Marion Chesney,Snobbery with Violence: A Mystery,Minotaur Books,031230451X,Aristocracy (Social class);Fiction.,Historical fiction.,Private investigators;Great Britain;Fiction.,Aristocracy (Social class),Fiction,Fiction - Mystery Detective,Fiction Mystery & Detective Traditional,Great Britain,Mystery & Detective - Historical,Mystery & Detective - Traditional British,Mystery & DetectiveHistorical,Mystery fiction,MysterySuspense,Private investigators,Historical fiction

Snobbery with Violence A Mystery M C Beaton Marion Chesney 9780312304515 Books Reviews

Snobbery With Violence deals with the classic mystery genre of murder in an old castle filled with gentry and butlers. While Chesney's novel is interesting, I couldn't help but think that it was utterly flat. I felt no rise and fall of emotion or excitement. The climactic and suspenseful scenes passed without evoking any type of response.

I also never grew adequately attached to the two main protagonists, Rose and Harry. First of all, Rose came off as being childish and impulsive. She was playing at being a detective, but never really was one. Harry simply seemed two dimensional to me. The readers know that something in his past during the Boer War changed him, but we're never allowed glimpses into his past, nothing to hint at how his leg became injured - nor does it seem as though he's in contact with any of his family. Finally, concerning Rose and Harry, I never felt any connection between them. There was no sizzle whenever they are in each other's company. I just recently read Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn. In Raybourn's novel, every scene with the protagonists together steams - even in the beginning when they utterly dislike each other. In Snobbery With Violence, I felt nothing.

Snobbery With Violence reminded me of children play-acting at "solving a mystery" than clever people actually solving a murder. I hate to say it, but I wish I had borrowed this book, rather than buy it. I doubt I'll read the sequels unless they're at my library and I don't have anything else to read.
This is a terrific Edwardian mystery/romance from Marion Chesney, who, as M.C. Beaton, writes my current favorite mystery series featuring Agatha Raisin. If you like the Agatha Raisin books, Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mysteries, and Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence Beresford adventures, you'll love this book.
Chesney creates 4 really memorable characters in this delightful story, told with her unique humor. Aristocratic Captain Harry Cathcart, a saturnine, anti-social Boer War veteran who must earn his living, turns to discreetly clearing up messes for the aristocracy and becomes quite successful.
Lady Rose Summer, beautiful daughter of an earl, is over-educated and far too independent for her class and time. She meets Captain Cathcart when her father hires him to investigate a young man she has become infatuated with. Lady Rose's father later hires Cathcart to handle another delicate situation regarding King Edward VII.
The two meet again and join forces to investigate the mysterious death of a fellow guest of Lady Rose's at a marquess's house party. The young woman has died of arsenic poisoning, and Cathcart and Lady Rose set about uncovering some sordid secrets among the aristocracy to find out why the girl was killed.
Cathcart's manservant Becket, a young man Cathcart found starving and nearly dead from hard labor, has worked hard to educate himself, and eagerly assists in the investigation. Lady Rose's maid Daisy, a former music hall performer, is educated by Lady Rose throughout the story, and also joins the investigation. Becket and Daisy are clearly fond of each other, and clearly intend to bring the feisty Lady Rose and the proud Cathcart together.
I hope Chesney intends to write more stories with these characters. This first novel would earn five stars, except for the fact Chesney over-populates the book with far too many characters for this rather short story.
Still, as with the Agatha Raisin series, I beg for more, more, and more!!
I read them sequentially and loved everything about them. Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton) never ceases to amaze me with the level of research she does to transport you into the period. Terrific characters. I wish she's right more of the Edwardians, but she is so prolific, there's no shortage of entertaining series to dive into.
I am a huge fan of the author's two other mystery series, that of Agatha Raisin and that of Hamish Macbeth, which she writes under the name M.C. Beaton. So, when I saw that the author had written an Edwardian murder mystery series, I decided to read the series. I confess that I am hooked on this series, as well.

It is a lighthearted mystery and a romp through Edwardian social mores. The author introduces the reader to the highly spirited Lady Rose Summer, who is the well-educated, outspoken, and beautiful daughter of a fabulously wealthy earl. Due to her suffragette leanings, however, Lady Rose is having a rough season as a debutante, when she finds herself romanced by the handsome Sir Geoffrey Blandon, who seems to be dragging his heels in terms of making a proposal. Her father, suspicious of his daughter's suitor who has only just returned to England after a four year hiatus in the States, calls upon Captain Harry Cathcart to discreetly investigate him. Recently returned from the Boer War, Captain Cathcart is a gentleman who is in somewhat financial straits. So, he undertakes the commission.

Due to the subsequent scandal surrounding her ill-fated romance, Lady Rose finds herself reluctantly attending a house party being held at Telby Castle by the Marques and Marchioness of Hedley for women whose matrimonial prospects have been dampened by the vicissitudes of fate. When murder strikes at Telby Castle, Lady Rose finds herself immersed in the mystery, and Captain Cathcart reappears in her life as a guest at the castle. Lady Rose and the Captain collaborate in finding out the truth when, suddenly, another murder occurs, and it becomes a matter of life or death for Lady Rose.

The main characters are likable, as are the secondary ones. The book is light-hearted and fast paced, and the mystery is really not the driving force of the book. What makes the book most enjoyable are the characters and their interactions with each other, as do the period details that are laced throughout. The book is a good addition to the genre of the cozy mystery. I look forward to reading the next one.