Stevie‘s review of The Secret of Bow Lane (A Below Stairs Mystery, Book 6) by Jennifer Ashley
Historical Mystery published by Berkley 02 Aug 22
Kat Holloway has always been more open with her readers than with those around her as to the events of her past, particularly her ‘marriage’ to a man who turned out to already have a wife and the beloved daughter from that relationship. Now she has to face up to more of the events around that past relationship and revisit her old haunts when her late husband’s actual widow recruits her to track down his killers, in the hope of also finding the fortune that he was allegedly concealing when he died. This scenario gives us not only an intriguing mystery, but also the opportunity to see more of the less-explored parts of late Victorian London, as Kat’s investigations take her back to her old home on Bow Lane and into the shops owned and managed by her former neighbours.
Of course, we also get to follow the daily life of the house in which Kat is employed and watch the progress of the slow-burning romances between Kat and Daniel and between Lady Cynthia and Mr Thanos – not that the women in either pairing would necessarily own up to being part of a romantic couple. We also get to see more of Kat’s daughter, and Daniel’s son, as well as Daniel’s adopted brother, the vicar who may not be such a reformed character as he wants Kat to think. While the mystery itself is suitably twisty, it’s all the little details of the characters’ lives and relationships that I really love, as well as the ways in which they interact with each other.
This time, Kat uses Grace as an excuse to visit people who may hold clues to how Grace’s father really died – not in a shipwreck as Kat had previously been told, but from injuries sustained in the East End of London – taking Grace back to Bow Lane to see her mother’s childhood and marital homes and speak to those who knew Kat as both a child and as a married woman. Unfortunately, Kat’s investigations bring her to the attention of Daniel’s employer, as she uncovers links between her husband’s death and a much larger crime committed against a government institution.
This puts Kat – and her relationship with Daniel – into more jeopardy than she would like, just as Daniel is pressing her to take the romantic aspects of their partnership to a more committed level. Kat’s refusal to consider linking herself more formally to a man who is constantly being sent away – and into danger – by his employer could spell the end for them, but fortunately, this book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, and Daniel offers up a potential solution that will assuage Kat’s fears. We shall have to wait and see how that one pans out…
All in all, I enjoyed this book, although the mystery plot was less satisfying for me than some of the others in the series. I’m keen to see how all the central relationships develop in upcoming books, though, and looking forward to whatever adventure is in store for our heroes next.
Grade: B
Summary:
A stranger who appears on Kat’s doorstep turns out to be one Charlotte Bristow, legal wife of Joe Bristow, the man Kat once believed herself married to—who she thought died at sea twelve years ago. Kat is jolted by Charlotte’s claims that not only was Joe murdered, but he had amassed a small fortune before he died. Charlotte makes the cook an offer she cannot refuse—if Kat can discover the identity of Joe’s murderer, Charlotte will give her a share of the fortune Joe left behind.
With the help of Daniel McAdam, her attractive and charismatic confidante, Kat plunges into her own past to investigate. When it becomes apparent that the case of Joe’s death goes far deeper than simple, opportunistic theft, Kat and Daniel’s relationship is put to the test, and Kat herself comes under scrutiny as her connection to Joe is uncovered. She must race to catch the real killer before she loses her job and possibly her life.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
