Investigations of Miss Dido Kent, Bk 3
Anna Dean
Allison & Busby
2010/ ISBN 9780749008192
Historical Mystery / England-1806/Georgian
Amazon
Reviewed
by L J Roberts
First Sentence: My dear Eliza, I promised yesterday that just
as soon as I had leisure for writing should send you a full and
satisfactory account of Penelope Lambe’s accident at Madderstone
Abbey; and so I shall begin upon it.
Penelope Lambe is unconscious after falling down stone steps in
the ruin of Madderstone Abbey. It is thought she saw the ghost of
the Grey Nun. Miss Dido Kent is skeptical and believes the cause
was more corporal than spiritual. When a skeleton, identified as
Elinor Fenn, governess, is found within a lake being drained on
the property, the verdict is self-murder. A friend does not believe
Miss Fenn would have committed suicide and, in order to save her
being buried in unconsecrated ground, asks Dido to investigate.
With a wonderful opening, I am reminded how much I enjoy the voice
of Anna Dean and, therefore, her character Dido Kent. With shades
of Jane Austen and her own delightful, wry humor, we are transported
back to Georgian England..."I believe that every family which
has any claim at all to grandeur should have a ghost. I consider
it a kind of necessary which should be attended to as soon as the
fortune is made and the country estate purchased." Ms. Dean
writes her books in both third person narrative and first person
through letters from Dido to her sister. While some may find this
annoying, for me it is an interesting and amusing way of conveying
relevant information without slowing down the story. It allows us
to see both all the events and be privy to Dido thoughts at the
same time.
At 36 years old, Dido is considered a spinster yet is anything
but shy and retiring. She has a logical mind and approach to solving
problems by investigating the clues. The secondary story of her
relationship with Mr. Lomax provides an interesting look at relationships
and social mores of the time. Mr. Lomax’ discomfort at Dido
discussing "unsuitable" subjects, including the vulnerability
of women, and the proprietary of the interactions between them are
both delightful and most honest representations I have read.
Ms. Dean has written a mystery of twists and turns, of relationships
and unexpected revelations. I was intrigued by some of the history,
particularly the doctor trying to determine the cause of asthma.
With more substance than a cozy, this was a very good traditional
mystery. I anxiously await her fourth book. |