Synopses & Reviews
SECRETS TO DIE FORLady 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 Rose work as a typist and live in a women's hostel. It isn't long before Rose realizes that life as a working woman isn't quite what she imagined...or before she inadvertently discovers that recently-murdered playboy Freddy Pomfret was a blackmailer. In order to investigate properly, Rose must now return to London high society's glittering, treacherous rounds. And from elegant London townhouses that conceal ugly secrets to a tranquil country estate where danger lurks along every path, she and Harry will follow a trail of deception, rumors, and devious plots-even as a singularly calculating killer prepares to end the rebellious Lady Rose's sleuthing for good.
"Fans of the author's Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries, written under the name M.C. Beaton, will welcome this new series of historical whodunits."
-Booklist
Review
"Fans of the author's Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries, written under the name M. C. Beaton, will welcome this new series of historical whodunits."-- Praise for
Snobbery with Violence"Fans of the author's Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries, written under the name M. C. Beaton, will welcome this new series of historical whodunits."-- Booklist
"Combines history, romance, and intrigue, resulting in a delightful romantic mystery."--Midwest Book Review
"A delightful costume melodrama, featuring wry humor and sleuthing protagonists with a pesky love/hate relationship."---Library Journal
"Old hand Chesney maintains her charm and sassiness while indicting evergreen pomposity and class-status stupidity."---Kirkus Reviews
"Fans of the author's Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series should welcome this tale of aristocrats, house parties, servants and murder."--Publishers Weekly
"If you are a fan of well-written traditional mysteries, Lord Peter and Albert Campion, you might want to try this series. I, for one, will be eagerly awaiting the next."--Reviewing the Evidence
Review
"Tourists are advised to watch their backs in the bucolic villages where M.C. Beaton sets her sly British mysteries...outsiders always spell trouble for the inbred societies Beaton observes with such cynical humor."-
The New York Times Book Review"[Beaton's] imperfect heroine is an absolute gem!"-Publishers Weekly
"Beaton's Agatha Raisin series just about defines the British cozy."-Booklist
"Anyone interested in...intelligent, amusing reading will want to make the acquaintance of Mrs. Agatha Raisin."-Atlanta Journal Constitution
"Beaton has a winner in the irrepressible, romance-hungry Agatha."-Chicago Sun-Times
"Few things in life are more satisfying than to discover a brand new Agatha Raisin mystery."
-Tampa Tribune Times
"The Raisin series brings the cozy tradition back to life. God bless the Queen!"-Tulsa World
"The Miss Marple-like Raisin is a refreshingly sensible, wonderfully eccentric, thoroughly likable heroine...a must for cozy fans."-Booklist
Synopsis
The second in Chesney's Edwardian mystery series featuring Captain Cathcart, Lady Summer, and Superintendent Kerridge of Scotland Yard as they investigate the crimes of Edwardian aristocrats.
Synopsis
Eager to join the working classes, Lady Rose Summer has abandoned the comforts of her parents' home to become self-supporting. 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 Rose 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.
Synopsis
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 Rose work as a typist and live in a women's hostel. It isn't long before Rose realizes that life as a working woman isn't quite what she imagined...or before she inadvertently discovers that recently-murdered playboy Freddy Pomfret was a blackmailer. In order to investigate properly, Rose must now return to London high society's glittering, treacherous rounds. And from elegant London townhouses that conceal ugly secrets to a tranquil country estate where danger lurks along every path, she and Harry will follow a trail of deception, rumors, and devious plots-even as a singularly calculating killer prepares to end the rebellious Lady Rose's sleuthing for good.
Synopsis
Eager to join the working classes, Lady Rose Summer has abandoned the comforts of her parents' home to become self-supporting. 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 Rose 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. Set in Britain during the Edwardian world of parties, servants, and scandal, M. C. Beaton's Hasty Death is a delightful combination of murderous intrigue and high society.
About the Author
M. C. BEATON, the British guest of honor at Bouchercon 2006, has been hailed as the “Queen of Crime" (
The Globe and Mail). She is the author of the Edwardian murder mystery series, in addition to the popular Agatha Raisin series and Hamish Macbeth series. Born in Scotland, she now divides her time between Paris and the English Cotswolds.