Author: Shelley Freydont
Publication Date: June 7, 2016
Publisher: Berkley
Series: Newport Gilded Age #2
The author of A Gilded Grave returns to Newport, Rhode Island, at the close
of the nineteenth century, where headstrong heiress Deanna Randolph must solve
another murder among the social elite.
With her mother in Europe, Deanna is staying with the Ballard family, who agree to chaperone her through the summer season and guide her toward an advantageous marriage proposal—or so her mother hopes. Relishing her new freedom, Deanna is more interested in buying one of the fashionable new bathing costumes, joining a ladies’ bicycling club, and befriending an actress named Amabelle Deeks, all of which would scandalize her mother.
Far more scandalous is the discovery of a young man bludgeoned to death on the conservatory floor at Bonheur, the Ballards’ sumptuous “cottage.” Deanna recognizes him as an actor who performed at the birthday fete for a prominent judge the night before. But why was he at Bonheur? And where is Amabelle?
Concerned her new friend may be in danger—or worse—Deanna enlists the help of her intrepid maid, Elspeth, and her former beau, Joe Ballard, to find Amabelle before the villain of this drama demands an encore.
With her mother in Europe, Deanna is staying with the Ballard family, who agree to chaperone her through the summer season and guide her toward an advantageous marriage proposal—or so her mother hopes. Relishing her new freedom, Deanna is more interested in buying one of the fashionable new bathing costumes, joining a ladies’ bicycling club, and befriending an actress named Amabelle Deeks, all of which would scandalize her mother.
Far more scandalous is the discovery of a young man bludgeoned to death on the conservatory floor at Bonheur, the Ballards’ sumptuous “cottage.” Deanna recognizes him as an actor who performed at the birthday fete for a prominent judge the night before. But why was he at Bonheur? And where is Amabelle?
Concerned her new friend may be in danger—or worse—Deanna enlists the help of her intrepid maid, Elspeth, and her former beau, Joe Ballard, to find Amabelle before the villain of this drama demands an encore.
“Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, my dear,”
Lionel Ballard said. “At least not until after dessert.”
“It sounds hard, but exciting to have freedom.
To be in charge of your own life.”
Her better judgment told Deanna it would be
smart to leave now that she had the chance. Curiosity told her to stand her ground.
I started this series last summer and fell in
love with the characters and the mystery. Deanna is a great leading lady with a
somewhat young, naïve, but yet smart and mischievous outlook. The setting is
absolutely to die for and the diction plays into the time period very nicely. I
loved everything about this book and thought it was a nice addition to the
series. I am usually skeptical about the second books in a series because they
often lack luster compared to the first. I will say that I enjoyed the first
book more than this one, but this one was not far behind. I think I am most
frustrated with Deanna’s love life because it did not go the way I wanted it to
in the first book. However, the mystery in this book was just as powerful as
the first and I guess that’s what really matters!
Deanna’s character is, as always, my favorite
and I was happy to see more of her rebellious nature. She completely defies her
mother and all of society’s expectation of what a proper woman should be and
how she should behave. Deanna is more interested in being involved in the
latest mystery and has no time to worry about securing a husband and pleasing
her mother. I absolutely love this about her. It doesn’t hurt that she is smart
and cunning and really cares for her loved ones. Shelley is a great writer and
really allows readers to imagine what it is like to be alongside Deanna. I am
looking forward to so much more from this author!
***A free copy of this book was provided by the publishers
at Berkley in exchange for my honest review***
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