M.C. Beaton - Our Lady of Pain

Lady Rose Summer, the wayward Edwardian debutante who keeps getting mixed up in disreputable adventures, would swear she is not a jealous woman. After all, she knows her engagement to private detective Captain Harry Cathcart is only a ploy to keep her parents from shipping her off to India.
But then Harrys latest client, Dolores Duvala vision of curves with a seductive French accentstarts appearing everywhere at his side ...
In a fit of rage, Rose threatens Dolores, only to be found the very next day, standing over her dead body. The newspapers rush to convict her, but can Harry and Detective Superintendent Kerridge clear her name? 

Comment: This is the last installment in the Edwardian Murder Mysteries by author MC Beaton. I liked the first book a lot so I kept reading the series and I had hopes for this last one. As a whole, the quartet is funny, witty and entertaining but I confess I expected more of this last book.

The conclusion of the adventures of captain Cathcart and lady Rose Summer begins with a new investigation case for Harry Cathcart. Rose is not very happy with it, he keeps being a no show at events where they should be together and now the new case comes in the presence of a woman Rose is very jealous of. As usual, things happen quickly and Rose is soon the main suspect of that lady's murder, which propels her and Daisy's actions to another level of inappropriate behaviors. Can Harry save the day one last time?

Disappointed. This is the word that summarizes my opinion of this book.

After amazing adventures, both in terms of plot and also in character's evolution, this last book which I hoped would be the end of all the little personal threads to yet solve, proved to be very poor in those expected resolutions. I feel the author was too subtle in her last pages...

I have loved the tone and style of the writing since the beginning. I know many other readers dislike the short sentences, the almost condescending "voice" and the lack of depth in some details. But I just clicked with this and for some reason it all felt as if it made sense and I've come to love the stories, the details, the fun scenes here and there and the seemingly careless approach to the character's descriptions but which I found to have the right amount of layers for us to discover between the lines. Since this is the final book, I expected a great finale but it wasn't so.

My biggest issue with this book is the way it ends. First, some characters start acting rather silly, like Daisy and while I understand, her issues weren't explored well enough to let us assume the hidden reasons so she comes as vain and this bothers me. Rose too was not a character that stood out here. I guess I hoped for more flare from her, considering all the things she's done and all the risks she took in the previous books. Second, the HEA seems as if it's missing. Meaning, where's the rest of it besides the obvious? Perhaps an epilogue would have been too much to ask, but a few more pages describing possibilities, as we have for Daisy and Beckett and as we did in the other books for other characters and situations.

The reality is that when it comes to the final conclusion of Rose and Harry's relationship, all was subtle and not done well. After everything, a few words exchanged make up for a HEA? It feels like we were cheated on having it there on the page.

The plot doesn't have much to it, it's not too far from the plots in the previous books and things were solved rather easily. The domestic side of the book, meaning the lives of the characters outside the investigation, that is what makes these books so addictive and this was the part I felt wasn't done as well as it could.

Writing all this makes it seem I disliked the book when in fact it was good enough but the details, the lack of a proper (for me) HEA just brought the grade down. I guess I can always imagine what it could have been. But it's not the same.

Grade: 6/10

MC Beaton - Sick of Shadows

Lady Rose Summer and Captain Harry Cathcart have an engagement of convenience to keep her from India and failed debutantes. She befriends newly arrived Miss Dolly Tremaine, stabbed to death and floating in a boat on the Serpentine River, and barely survives an attempt on her own life. Harry is summoned and the duo uncover deceptions, secrets, and the killer.

Comment: This is the third installment in the Edwardian Murder Mysteries by author MC Beaton, a.k.a Marion Chesney. This is the third book in the adventures of captain Harry Cathcart and lady Rose Summer. This time, the unlikely team must deal with another murder which puts lady Rose right at the center of the possible suspects...

Once more, lady rose sees herself in the middle of a dire situation, namely because she was bored and tried to help a young lady, recently arrived from the countryside. The girl is found dead by lady Rose and her faithful companion Daisy after a strange note sent to Rose scheduling a meeting. This means scandal is at Rose's door again and captain Harry Cathcart is called so he can investigate and solve the problem.

Lady Rose isn't much pleased with Harry, though, because since their fake engagement he has not done his part by going with her to public places or even social calls. They think about breaking things off and Rose even finds a new man to help her but scandal fallows them all once more...

I liked this small story, I managed to read this in one day not only because it was a shorter book but also because it's fascinating and, to me, completely engaging as well.

The stories heavily focus on the relationship troubles between Rose and Harry and I find it quite funny how they easily misunderstand each other and despite being so polite and knowledgeable about so many things, they still fail to talk properly. Since there's only one book missing, I fully expect an amazing finale for their adventures.

I like the writing style a lot. I know I've mentioned before the label "cozy mystery" attributed to books like this one and to me, the shoe sort of fits because it's quite cozy to read about these characters and their little quirks. I like there's a sense of seriousness while still letting us enjoy all the funny aspects of he character's personalities and actions. I can only imagine it's not easy to keep up the balance between the comedy and the drama without resorting to silly details and I think the author does this well.

The book deals with interesting subjects, namely the expectations of younger ladies at the times of plot's setting and even the parents but we still manage to get funny glimpses to make things sound a little easier to digest. I wouldn't say this is filled with stand up comedy jokes but when something is funny I do laugh and enjoy it, for instance, when a man is asked to search Harry's office and retrieve something, he is unable to do it in different moments all because of the cleverness of a character and the ways used to distract the guy seemed funny to me by their ingeniousness (even if things don't end up as funny as that). It just felt like a well played scene I couldn't help laughing at.

The plot is solved soon and although I had my ideas I still enjoyed myself a lot because the explanation proved to be interesting and not too obvious.

The lady Rose/captain Harry situation is taking it's time to be solved but while I understand the attempt to veracity in not making them too close as it to be improper and unrealistic, I do admit I wished they would show - even if not to one another  - bigger proof of their feelings and not just a conversation here and there to other characters. I guess I'd want ti to look a bit more romantic than what it feels now.

All things considered, I had fun reading this and do want to get back to it. I'm very eager to read he final book and to see if it's done and solved well by the author. As for this one, it's a great story, it can be read as s stand alone but it feels "fuller" if one reads the previous installments in order.

Grade: 8/10

TBR Challenge: MC Beaton - Hasty Death

Lady Rose Summer refuses to abide by her parents' insistence that she marry. Even more distressing, she wants to become self-supporting by moving out with her maid Daisy and going to work in trade. On advice from Captain Harry Cathcart-a noble-born private investigator who knows the independent-minded Rose all too well-the Earl and Countess of Hadshire agree to let Lady Rose work as a typist and live in a women's hostel.
Eager to join the working classes, Lady Rose abandoned the comforts of her parents' home. But life as a working woman isn't quite what Rose had imagined---long hours as a typist and nights spent in a dreary women's hostel are not very empowering when you're poor, cold, and tired. Luckily for Rose, her drudgery comes to a merciful end when she learns of the untimely death of an acquaintance.
Freddy Pomfret, a silly and vacuous young man, was almost certainly up to no good before he was shot dead in his London flat. When she inadvertently discovers that recently-murdered playboy Freddy Pomfret was a blackmailer, and she also discovers incriminating evidence pointing to several members of her class, she returns to London high society in order to investigate properly. With the help of Captain Harry Cathcart and Superintendent Kerridge of Scotland Yard, Rose prepares to do the social rounds---uncovering a devious blackmail plot and an unexpected killer.

Comment: This is another post which belongs to the TBR Challenge I'm participating in, hosted by Wendy, the SuperLibrarian. July is dedicated to the Series Catch-Up theme and this time around I chose the second installment of a four titles series. I've read the first book in the beginning of the year and I really liked it, so this was not a difficult choice.

In this second installment, Lady Rose Summer is dedicated to be an independent working woman, master of her own destiny and somehow, along with the help of captain Harry Cathcart, whom she met in the previous book, her parents allow Rose to try for a few months while they go on a vacation for Nice. However, the situation isn't as easy as Rose imagined, for living of one's paycheck isn't the same as having all the comforts of home. Along with Rose, is her new maid/friend Daisy and things seem to go well when it comes to teaching Rose a lesson until an almost tragedy is avoided and rose starts to realize some things.

At the same time, a new death happens to someone Rose and Harry and we knew from the previous book. Of course, again Rose decides she wants to help Harry's investigation and once more, she finds herself in trouble...

For those who haven't read this series, this is an historical mystery series featuring Harry Cathcart, a clever military man who came from war needing to support himself despite being the son of a baron. Being in trade however, makes him not very worthy in society's eyes but that doesn't stop them from using his skills as an investigator. That is how he met Lady Rose's family and helped them in the previous book. Now the two meet again for the same reason and again, there is a murder investigation to solve too.

As it happened with the first book, I liked reading this one quite a lot. There's humor in the book, but it's not forced, and it can be subtle, it just seems to work out well for me. The murder investigation isn't too complex nor filled with missed calls or twists, it's a rather simple but well thought plot and the murderer someone not too obvious but who doesn't come from nowhere either. I like how we also get the domestic side of things along with the mystery and both are connected quite well.

Harry and Rose are a case we could almost say a matter of opposites attract. Lady Rose knows her place (sort of) but she hopes and wishes for independence and adventure and she has always imagined a husband would put a stop on that (the way her parents didn't do, actually). She likes Harry but there's a certain sense of entitlement to her which doesn't let her be as genuine or as friendly with him as we would like. Personally, this side of her is what I disliked the most because she also has other characteristics I am fond of in her personality.

Harry is used to life, he brought a lame leg from the war and some depression which he mostly ignores when he's busy and working and investigating. He likes Rose but they are not in the place where they can tell each other the sort of things we, as romance readers, would like them to say. Harry is proud and he wouldn't do anything unless he is certain of that. I really like Harry, he is not complicated, he doesn't care about what others think for the most part but he is kind and tries to help. I'm looking for to the book where they finally give in and admit their attraction and - eventually - marry. At least this is where the story is obviously moving to in terms of romance.

The writing is also simple and without much fuss. I enjoyed reading the story, reading between the lines and getting a very accurate POV throughout the novel about all characters and their motivations. This isn't a big book, it's not a complicated or melodramatic plot but it does bring a lot to infer and I liked how I could follow things quite easily without needing a chart with connections and stuff like that we sometimes could use in bigger and more complex mysteries.

This story features some interesting characters. It's very interesting how each one can sort of represent an idea or a concept without being so obvious that it would make them a cliché (for instance we have a vegetarian character and that does make us think about it and how people saw it in an historical context). There are several situations that touch the class system, the difference between types of poverty, the often seen stat of society values and morals and such but never in a preaching tone nor in a way that would make us think the purpose of the book was to think of that and not the mystery.

If one were to compare to other historicals, certainly this one wouldn't feel as correct/formal or serious, but I think it's very charming and has many aspects to convince the readers they are spending their time well.

The secondary characters work out pretty well too and I was very eager to see what would happen next. I can understand why it doesn't work for many people and after reading other books in the genre - and not enjoying some - I agree it could be better in some aspects like editing and the murder solving but overall, for me it was quite enjoyable. Maybe best to read the books in order considering some situations mentioned might be difficult to imagine without previous knowledge.

The end was good enough, the important things when it comes to Harry and Rose aren't solved but there two more books to go and I'm very happy to think I still have them to enjoy.

As for recommendations, those who like the "cozy mystery" type of book will probably like this series.

Grade: 8/10

M.C. Beaton - Snobbery With Violence

Lady Rose Summer's father calls on Captain Harry Cathcart to investigate her suitor, Sir Geoffrey Blandon, resulting in a scandalous breakup. When the Marquess of Hedley calls Harry about a murder, Harry calls in Scotland Yard Supt Kerridge, and Rose. Harry and Rose must unravel a web of lies, rumors, perilous plots - and their own mixed feelings.

Comment: Another book that has been in the pile for long (around 5 years and a half) but that I went through rather quickly... it does help that the book isn't long but here I got one hidden gem among the many books to read. I don't remember why I got it, except I read good things about it. Well, I'm glad the recommendation was good and I had a great time.

This is the story of lady Rose Summer, a young debutante who has joined the Suffragists and her reputation has suffered with it. However, she changed her activities again because a lord has shown interest and she is in love. Her father decided it would be a good idea to investigate the gentleman's intentions before a ball and somehow learns about captain Harry Cathcart skills and pays him to discover something. Harry finds out the lord placed bets in how he would succeed in seducing lady Rose, now considered ruined at the eyes of society.

From then on, Rose starts to blame captain Harry for her problems, although he helped her from a worse fate. Some time later, lady Rose is invited for a house party but when one young lady is found dead, here comes captain Harry, whose reputation as a sort of detective now opens many doors for him, to help solve the mystery. But is lady Rose safe from everyone at the house party?

Like I said, I had a great time reading this short book and going through the adventures of Rose and Harry. I'm not especially fan of cozy mysteries, meaning I don't look for them but I was positively surprised by this one. The fact this is an historical didn't detract me from anything and I liked the writing quite much.

The plot is very simple, after Harry helps lady Rose's family his reputation as someone who can help others by solving some of the problems they have soars and he manages to have a living after his years in the war. We learn with little bits here and there he doesn't have good memories of it and many consider him too taciturn but it's understandable for us why. I liked Harry as a character, he is a no nonsense man and he wasn't looking for a career but he is pragmatic to not say no it at the same time. The plot starts because of him, in a way, but as things develop, he finds the most interesting solutions for several issues.

Obviously there's a very subtle undercurrent notion he and Rose are attracted to each other, although such thing is never mentioned. This is an historical story and the main characters behave properly. But their interactions show there is something between them and I'm eager to read more and find out how they manage to accept each other.

Rose is a bit more difficult to like. She is a good person, she is a good heroine but I'm not yet sold on her personality...she seems to change her mind rather quickly about things and I'm afraid she will be less understanding and sympathetic than what I'd like her to be. Let's see.

The mystery isn't completely closed and at some point it starts to be easy to guess who the killer is, even if not immediately obvious why. It was interesting to see the investigations done to find the solution.

Also interesting was the theme about class differences and what it means to have influence, these things weren't explored to the limit but offered a good background development, even more so because the two main secondary characters, Becket and Daisy were so amazing.

I also really liked the writing style, the light way in which things are described and developed. I even laughed at some of the character's antics.

I'm very interested in reading the rest of this series and I'll try to get the books soon in order to read them in the following months. This was a great read, very entertaining!

Grade: 8/10