Face Down Beside St Anne's Well
Face Down Series #9
by Kathy Lynn Emerson
Rosamund Appleton, the foster daughter of series protagonist Lady Appleton, has been sent
to live at Bawkenstanes Manor near Buxton. Now she is convinced her French mistress has
been murdered, and so Susannah comes to investigate. Buxton boasts some healing Roman baths
where Rosamund's real mother Eleanor is coming to take the waters, but Mary, Queen of Scots
is also keen to come. Does Louise Poitier's death have any bearing on this, and is another
plot afoot to free the queen?
This is the ninth of Kathy Lynn Emerson's admirably slim volumes, and as usual there is
a large story bursting out of it. We are taking a holiday from Lady Appleton's usual Kent
residence with its staff and her lover, and instead Buxton is the venue which extends the
story possibilities. I continue to enjoy the way this author capitalizes on the best part
of any long-running series - the characters and their intertwining lives - and now we
have not only Rosamund but Eleanor and her secret agent husband thrown into the mix, as
well as the folk at Bawkenstanes Manor. These books are as much about the characters
and their fascinating lives as anything else; that is not to say that the mystery plot
takes a back seat, as it is there in the forefront, but sharing the limelight with the
characters. Once again there is a highly useful dramatis personae and a glossary of
Tudor terms, essential to all books about times long past or unfamiliar places. And did
I mention the historical verisimilitude, which delineates the everyday lives of these
people? There is a lot to praise here. |
The Book |
Perseverance Press (Daniel & Daniel Inc) |
April 2006 |
Trade Paperback |
1880284820 |
Historical Crime [1575 Buxton, Derbyshire, UK] |
More
at Amazon.com |
Excerpt |
NOTE: |
The Reviewer |
Rachel A Hyde |
Reviewed 2006 |
NOTE: |
|