Tag Archives: Below Stairs Mystery

Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

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Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

 

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Description:
When Cook Kat Holloway is blamed when a dinner guest mysteriously takes ill after eating one of her meals, she sets out to prove she had nothing to do with the gentleman’s sickness. She discovers a whole host of people who might wish to do away with the man, and she and her friends—Daniel McAdam, Lady Cynthia, Mr. Thanos, and various members of the household staff—begin to hunt for the would-be killer.

Simultaneously tasked with crafting the perfect Christmas feast, including the pièce de résistance, the Christmas plum pudding, Kat frantically works to finish all, fearing she’ll have to choose between stopping a murderer and cherishing her few precious Christmas moments with her daughter.

 

Review:

Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding by Jennifer Ashley is a wonderful Christmas novella in her fantastic Kat Holloway Mysteries series. Refresher: This series takes place in Victorian, England, centered around our heroine Kat Holloway, who is a cook extraordinaire, as well as a great detective.  Kat is smart, savvy, independent, loyal and is very protective of her below the stairs staff. This was a very enjoyable and quick Christmas treat for us to read.

The story starts off when a guest becomes ill after eating one of Kat Holloway’s dinners, and the mistress of the house blames her. Kat is determined to prove that her meal had nothing to do with the man taking ill, with her friends defending her.  As always, Kat begins to investigate a number of people who may have poisoned the man, with help from Daniel, Cynthia, Thanos, Tess, James.  The hunt is on, as each of them finds ways to get information from those in his household, as well as his family. 

What follows is a wonderful suspenseful mystery, with Kat having to discover who was the poisoner, and her going to the victim’s house to reveal the real person behind the attempt to kill him.  Surprisingly, I never guessed who the culprit was.  The twisty plot was well done, with a number of suspects.

Once again, Jennifer Ashley gives us a fun short Christmas story revolving around our heroine, Kat Holloway.  Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding was very well written by Ashley. If you enjoy Victorian stories, with a mystery theme, a Downton Abbey background, two very good leading characters and great secondary characters, you should be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

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Death at the Crystal Palace by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

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Death at the Crystal Palace by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

 

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Description:
While attending an exhibition at the Crystal Palace, young cook Kat Holloway is approached by a woman in distress. Lady Covington is a wealthy widow convinced that her entire family is trying to kill her. Kat feels compelled to help, and she escorts the lady home to discover whether she is delusional or in true danger.

It is quickly apparent that the threat is all too real, and Kat promises aid. Her charming confidant Daniel McAdam is busy infiltrating a plot against the Crown, and she worries he will not have time to lend his sleuthing expertise. This might be for the best, as Kat fears her growing emotional entanglement with Daniel can only lead to disaster. But soon, Kat faces a more serious threat when her involvement in both investigations plunges her into peril.

 

 

Review:

Death at the Crystal Palace is the 5th book in her historical Kat Holloway/Below Stairs Mystery series. This series takes place in Victorian, England, centered around our heroine Kat Holloway, who is a cook extraordinaire, as well as a great detective.  Kat is smart, savvy, independent, loyal and is very protective of her below the stairs staff.  As I have noted previously, this series has a wonderful feel of a historical Downton Abbey.

While Kat attends with her friends, and her daughter Grace an exhibition at the Crystal Palace, she is approached by a wealthy widow, Lady Covington.  Seems Lady Covington has not been feeling well and is convinced that someone in her family is poisoning her.  She tells Kat that she has heard about her detective skills from others and wants her to investigate who is threatening her.

When Kat visits Lady Covington, she uses the guise of giving their cook a special lemon cake recipe, and meets many of her family and staff.  Kat begins to suspect that the threat is indeed real, and starts investigating what poison is being used; and why. Lady Covington is very wealthy, having been widowed twice, with a daughter and son; as well as a stepson and step daughter, who all may have financial reasons to try and kill her.  She finds many of the family members, as well as staff are not overly friendly.   In a short time, at an outing, Lady Covington’s step daughter eats a basket of food that was intended for the Lady, and dies from the poisoned food.

What follows is Kat escalating her investigation to find the killer, before they strike again. She sends Lady Cynthia to stay for a few days with the Covington family to keep an eye on them all.  Kat will also help Daniel, who is very deep undercover to infilter a plot against the crown; both of these cases will put Kat in danger.  

Death at the Crystal Palace was a wonderful suspenseful mystery, with Kat finding herself on the forefront in not only trying to solve one threat, helping Daniel on another, but also in helping out her friends, and trying to spend time with her daughter.  The slow build romance between Kat and Daniel was still in the background, but we can see both of them very much expressing their feelings for each other.  What makes this a wonderful series, is not only how great Kat is, but the scenes where she and Tess are preparing all these wonderful dishes for the upstairs family, as well as learn more about below the stairs. 

Once again, Jennifer Ashley gives us another fabulous story revolving around our heroine, Kat Holloway.  Death at the Crystal Palace was very well written by Ashley. If you enjoy Victorian stories, with a mystery theme, a Downton Abbey background, two very good leading characters and great secondary characters, you should be reading this series. If you have not read this series, I suggest you start with the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Murder in the East End by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

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Murder in the East End by Jennifer Ashley – a Review

 

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Description:
When young cook Kat Holloway learns that the children of London’s Foundling Hospital are mysteriously disappearing and one of their nurses has been murdered, she can’t turn away. She enlists the help of her charming and enigmatic confidant Daniel McAdam, who has ties to Scotland Yard, and Errol Fielding, a disreputable man from Daniel’s troubled past, to bring the killer to justice. Their investigation takes them from the grandeur of Mayfair to the slums of the East End, during which Kat learns more about Daniel and his circumstances than she ever could have imagined.

 

 

Review:

Murder in the East End by Jennifer Ashley is the 4th book in her Below Stairs Mysteries series. Brief refresher on this series:  The story takes place in Victorian, England, with Kat Holloway, our heroine, who is a cook extraordinaire and a great detective.  She is a smart, confident, independent, and very loyal and protective to the household staff, where she reigns.  What I love about this series, is the Downton Abbey feel of above and below the stairs, as well as this being historical time.

In Murder in the East End, Kat becomes involved in a mystery involving missing orphan children.  Daniel comes to Kat to ask for her help, as some children from the Foundling Hospital have disappeared.  We get to learn more about Daniel, as we meet his brother Errol, who is a vicar, with a troubled past. One of the nurses at the hospital is also missing, which Errol pushes Daniel and Kat to help him find the girl and the children.  In a short time, the nurse will be found dead, with everyone fearing for the lives of the children. 

Kat continues to work around her full-time job as cook, with Tess becoming an excellent assistant.   Cynthia, the niece of the lady of the house, continues to be a good friend to Kat, as well as wanting to help on the new case.  We also get to meet a new character, Miss Townsend, an artist, who starts sketching the ladies in the kitchen; she befriends Kat, as she is also smart, and wealthy.  It is fun to see Kat cook for the family, and all the delicious food she makes.  I love the upstairs downstairs feel of this story, with housekeeper, cooks, maids, footman, butlers, etc.

In between, she visits the hospital to talk to other staff about the children, and finds that perhaps board members may be embezzling money. What follows is an interesting and intriguing mystery, which kept us unable to put the book down.  It was a lot of fun to watch Kat and her friends work together in helping her find the children. 

Murder in the East End was a nice cozy suspenseful mystery, with Kat in the forefront in solving the crimes. I also like that Daniel and Kat’s slow build romance is starting to heat up (though still in the background), with both having feelings for each other. If you enjoy Victorian stories, with a mystery theme, a Downton Abbey background, two very good leading characters and very well written by Jennifer Ashley, I suggest you start this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Death in Kew Gardens by Jennifer Ashley – Review & Giveaway

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Death in Kew Gardens by Jennifer Ashley – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
In return for a random act of kindness, scholar Li Bai Chang presents young cook Kat Holloway with a rare and precious gift—a box of tea. Kat thinks no more of her unusual visitor until two days later when the kitchen erupts with the news that Lady Cynthia’s next-door neighbor has been murdered.

Known about London as an “Old China Hand,” the victim claimed to be an expert in the language and customs of China, acting as intermediary for merchants and government officials. But Sir Jacob’s dealings were not what they seemed, and when the authorities accuse Mr. Li of the crime, Kat and Daniel find themselves embroiled in a world of deadly secrets that reach from the gilded homes of Mayfair to the beautiful wonder of Kew Gardens

 

 

 

Review:

Death in Kew Gardens by Jennifer Ashley is the 3rd book in her Below Stairs Mystery series.  This series takes place in Victorian England, and Kat is our heroine and cook extraordinaire.  She is a smart, confident, independent, and very loyal and protective to the household staff, where Kat reigns.  Kat makes a great detective, as she is always helping solve crimes.  What I enjoyed the most about this series is the wonderful feel of ‘Downton Abbey’, with the normal household staffing with housekeeper, cooks, house steward, maids, footman, valet, butlers, etc.

Once again, Kat becomes involved in a murder mystery.  When she finds out there was a murder next door, Kat becomes fully involved to find the murderer.  It is always great to see Kat’s friends work with her to solve the crime; such as Daniel, Tess, Cynthia, Thanos, and James just to name a few.

The top suspect in the murder is a Chinese gentleman (Li Chang) that Kat met earlier in the day, as she accidently bumped into him.  Later that day, he stops by to give Kat a gift for helping him.  Kat recognizes that there is prejudice against the Chinese man, and does everything in her power to find clues to help clear him. 

In a side story, there is a new housekeeper where Kat lives and works, and everyone hates her.  I loved how strong Kat is standing up to this arrogant and mean person; this was a nice added element to the story, especially with everyone below the stairs join hands against the housekeeper.     

The mystery heats up, as another person related to the victim is murdered.  Kat discovers that Li Chang was looking for special tea plants from his homeland, and this was the reason for the deaths, as these plants were very valuable. What follows is an interesting and intriguing mystery, which had a number of suspects, and quite a few twists along the way.  It was a lot of fun to watch Kat and her friends (I loved Tess taking a more active part) play a big part in helping her solve the murders.  The slow built romance between Daniel and Kat took a back seat, but we will be seeing more of this in future books.

If you enjoy Victorian stories, with a mystery theme, a Downton Abbey background, two very good leading characters and very well written by Jennifer Ashley, I suggest you start this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Jennifer’s publisher is offering a paper copy of DEATH IN KEW GARDENS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please follow Jennifer Ashley on Facebook.

4. Please like Penguin Random House on Facebook

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from June 3-6, 2019

 

 

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Scandal Above Stairs by Jennifer Ashley – Review & Giveaway

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Scandal Above Stairs by Jennifer Ashley – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Priceless artwork has gone missing from the home of a wealthy baronet, and his wife stands to take the blame. When Kat’s employer asks for help in clearing her friend’s name, Kat trades her kitchen for the homes of Mayfair’s wealthiest families.
Soon antiques are disappearing not only from the extravagant households of connoisseurs and collectors, but from the illustrious British Museum. As the thefts increase in frequency, Kat calls upon her friend Daniel McAdam, who has already set himself up in a pawnshop on the Strand as a seedy receiver of stolen goods. When a man is murdered in the shop, Kat must use all of her wits to see that the thieves are caught and justice is done.

 

 

Review:

Scandal Above Stairs by Jennifer Ashley is the 2nd book in her Kat Holloway series. Kat is our heroine and cook extraordinaire.  She is a smart, confident, independent, and very loyal and protective to the household staff, where Kat reigns.  Kat would make a great detective, as she is always helping solve crimes.

In Scandal Above Stairs, which takes place in Victorian England, we find that Kat is coerced to help Lady Cynthia clear her friend and solve the mystery of stolen antiquities from other mansions of the wealthy.  We also meet Tess, a young homeless girl sent by Daniel for Kat to train and protect.  It was nice to see how Kat takes her under her care, training her and giving her hope for a future.  Tess is also street wise, and insists to help Kat with the theft investigations.  While Kat leaves the kitchen to visit the friend, she surmises that the husband is the guilty party, and eventually Daniel, who is also deep in another investigation of his, will help her, as the two cases will come together. 

What I love about this series, is the Downton Abbey feel of above and below the stairs, with the  household staffing; housekeeper, cooks, steward, maids, footman, valet, butlers, etc.   I loved seeing the things Kat cooks for the family and for the servants, which was fun, especially with her showing Tess how to do things. 

The mystery of the thefts has Kat investigating other thefts, and also worrying about Daniel, when he disappears for a few days.  Between Daniel’s friend Mr. Thanos, Cynthia, Tess and James (Daniel’s son) they try to find clues to the thefts, as well as searching for Daniel.

What follows is a very good mystery with a few surprises along the way.   Though Daniel and Kat make a great team, it is the secondary characters that Kat works with that help make this series special.  Ashley gives us a nice view of London; the streets, the wealthy society and mansions; the dark and low of the criminals or the poor.

I expect to see more romance between Daniel and Kat in future books.  If you enjoy Victorian mysteries, a Downton Abbey upstairs/downstairs background, very good leading & secondary characters, well written by Jennifer Ashley, than I suggest you start this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Jennifer’s publisher is offering a paper copy of Scandal Above Stairs to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please follow Jennifer Ashley on Facebook.

4. Please like Penguin Random House on Facebook

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from July 4-8, 2018

 

 

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