Stevie‘s review of Death in Kew Gardens (A Below Stairs Mystery, Book 3) by Jennifer Ashley
Historical Mystery published by Berkley 04 June 19
I’ve been greatly enjoying the Below Stairs series and was eagerly awaiting this, the third novel. Once again, Kat and her fellow servants in the London town-house find themselves deep in murder and mysteries, and once again the cross-dressing Lady Cynthia and man of mystery Daniel McAdam, not to mention Daniel’s son James, are only too keen to help Kat find the solution to each puzzle.
Things start off gently enough. Kat quite literally bumps into a Chinese gentleman while out buying provisions. Having set him on his feet and gone on her way, she is surprised to meet him again that evening while taking leftovers outside to distribute amongst those in need. This time, introductions are made, and Kat is gifted with a box of very high-quality tea in recognition of her kindness. Kat is intrigued and wants to learn more about her new friend, but he slips away into the night. And the next morning the household wakes to the news that their next-door neighbour has been murdered.
The man in question made his fortune in China, and brought back many souvenirs – some valuable – so the suspicion is that he disturbed a burglar. A visitor to the house reports having seen a Chinese man in the area, and Kat fears that her new friend will find himself in trouble, whether he had any involvement in the incident or not. As it turns out, Mr Li was hoping to speak to the murdered man and try to reclaim a rare tea bush stolen from his family. This, of course, makes him the number one suspect in the eyes of the police, although a number of others appear to have equal, if not greater, motives as far as Kat can make out.
Kat’s investigations take her to Kew Gardens, where she finds Daniel working undercover – having had the same suspicions as her: that the murderer was someone who knows about rare plants – and she gets to spend time showing her daughter around the greenhouses while looking for clues.
Back at the house, however, all is not well. Lady Cynthia’s aunt has hired a new housekeeper, who is threatening to disrupt everyone’s routine and create more work than the staff can cope with. She distrusts Kat for being a young woman in a prestigious job and denigrates Kat’s collection of cookery books. Not only that, there are suspicions that the interloper is a thief and a blackmailer. Kat resolves to find out why such an unsuitable person has been taken on, but before she can investigate this new mystery, another murder takes place, obviously connected to the first.
Once again, I loved how all the strands of the various investigations were interwoven with little details about life in a Victorian household, and it was great to see the developing relationships between Kat and Daniel and between Lady Cynthia and Daniel’s good friend, Mr Thanos. It was highly pleasing to see those who deserved it get their comeuppance and for everyone else to progress in their lives and friendships. Once again, I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Grade: A
Summary:
Kat Holloway steps out from beneath the stairs and into international intrigue, where murder and stolen treasure lurk among the upper echelons of Victorian London.
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.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
