A dying man. The painting within her reach. What’s a thief to do? Talented London milliner Emily Gates creates amazing hats for Society ladies, but to collect from those who don’t pay her bill, she burglarizes their homes. She needs every penny to send her deaf brother to school. Late one night, she sneaks in to find Lord Kaldaire badly injured in his study. Unwilling to abandon him, she calls for help. When Kaldaire dies without revealing who attacked him, his widow agrees to keep Emily’s secrets ― if Emily will help find her husband’s killer. A bigger danger is a Scotland Yard inspector who threatens to arrest Emily — unless she spies on her father’s family of swindlers and conmen. Worst of all are the attacks from an unknown assailant. What will Emily face first, jail or death?
Bubby:
Go ahead. Judge this book by its cover. It’s ok this time, because the cover is a fantastic representation of what you’ll find inside. London society? Check. A touch of royalty? Check. Fabulous turn of the century fashion? Check! Our heroine, Emily Gates, was an instant favorite for me. She’s smart, sassy, driven and not afraid to speak her mind. Reminds me of someone I know…
Sissy:
Yourself?
Bubby:
I was thinking of you, but sure! I’ll take that description.
Sissy:
Sassy, for sure, but I’m certainly not as driven as Emily Gates. But what a delightful setting for a cozy mystery! The early 20th century is buzzing with new inventions and social ideas. It was fun to read about the new motorcars, which people had drastically mixed feelings about. Emily is smart in using the car experience to come up with a new product to sell–driving veils for times when ladies are in a 12 mile per hour speeding horseless carriage.
Bubby:
I think I pull out of the driveway going faster than 12 miles per hour. I can’t imagine living life that slowly! How things have changed. Emily is trying so hard to just be a respectable millinery shop owner and take care of her deaf brother. She just wants to have her bills paid on time and make beautiful things. But before she knows it, she’s embroiled on all sides by people who want something from her. Lady Kaldaire, who wants her husband’s murderer found. The Scotland Yard Detective who wants her to stay out of it all, but also to spy on her crime ring family. Her family, who want her back in the fold. What’s a girl to do?
Sissy:
I think the character of Lady Kaldaire was painted well. She was just nice enough to make you think that she had new ideas about social class disparity but just mean enough to let you know that she still thought she was better than everyone. Emily and her family have a complex relationship as well. She knows what they are doing is wrong but she loves them, won’t turn them in and relies on their help and protection at times.
Bubby:
I loved the whole premise of this story which is book one of a new series – The Milliner Mysteries. It’s the spunk of Eliza Doolittle and the class and nurturing of Mary Poppins, all wrapped up in a fashionable dress with a spectacular hat. I haven’t read Kate Parker’s other series (The Victorian Bookshop Mysteries and A Deadly Mystery Series) but if those characters are as entertaining as these, they deserve a place on my TBR list!
Sissy:
Emily is a complicated but likeable character and in The Killing at Kaldaire House, she even finds a little romance with an unlikely chap. I can’t wait to see what her next adventure will be! Don’t forget to click on the Rafflecopter link below to win a great prize!
Click HERE to buy The Killing at Kaldaire House by Kate Parker