Published by Allison &
Busby,
18 April 2019.
ISBN: 978-0-7490-2495-6 (HB)
18 April 2019.
ISBN: 978-0-7490-2495-6 (HB)
The
year is 1907 and Detective Inspector Faro has retired from the police and is
enjoying life with his long-term lover but new wife, Imogen. The couple have
moved from Dublin to live in Edinburgh. Previously Imogen had been outlawed
from Britain because of her part in acts of Irish rebellion, but she has been
granted a pardon by Edward VII. Imogen is a writer whose research has led her
to explore many parts of the world. She is looking forward to visiting York in
order to give a lecture. It is a city that fascinates her, and she is eager to
share seeing it with Faro. Unfortunately, a minor accident means that Faro is
unable to travel, and Imogen has to go to York alone.
The talk goes well and Theo and Belle
Hardy, who helped to organise the event, invite Imogen to their beautiful home,
the Dower House, an atmospheric and historically rich house situated on the
site of a Roman palace. Imogen is surprised when Theo and Belle tell her that
they are about to go away on an archaeological expedition and ask if she and
her husband would spend a holiday living at the Dower House in order to look
after it. Imogen knows that Faro dislikes spending more than a few days in a
hotel and accepts this remarkably generous offer.
The next day, after exploring York,
Imogen goes into a flower shop to buy a gift to thank Belle. She recognises the
ring worn by the young woman serving in the shop and, to her delight, discovers
that she has found a cousin that she has not met since childhood, Kathleen
Crowe. Imogen knows little about Kathleen, except that she was also brought up
by relations who were closely involved in the campaign for Irish independence
and that she was widowed tragically young, when her husband’s ship was lost at
sea. Imogen and Kathleen agree to meet at a nearby cafe later but when Imogen
returns the cafe is shutting up for the night and there is no sign of Kathleen.
Imogen is disappointed when Kathleen doesn’t turn up but comforts herself with
the certainty that they can meet when she and Faro return to spend a holiday in
York.
When Imogen returns to York it is
again without Faro, who has to attend a funeral. She goes to the flower shop to
find Kathleen and is horrified when the young shop assistant disclaims all
knowledge of Kathleen and says that she has not worked at the flower shop in
all the time the assistant has been there. Imogen is certain that something is
very wrong and is desperate to find her cousin and ensure that she is safe. When
Faro arrives he attempts to help, but the police can do little to hunt for an
adult when there is no sign of foul play. Although she is comfortable at the
Dower House, there are things that make Imogen feel wary, especially the dour
housekeeper who tries to avoid contact with her.
In the meantime, Faro’s reputation as
a detective means that the York police are eager to involve him in their
investigations. His intervention results in a murderer being apprehended and,
when he and Imogen are invited to visit Amsterdam, Faro is entrusted with a
secret mission that proves far more hazardous than he anticipated. As the
mysteries surrounding the Dower House and the disappearance of Kathleen Crowe
become more entangled, life becomes dangerous for Faro and Imogen.
The
Dower House Mystery is the latest book in the long series featuring
Inspector Faro. It is a gently paced book filled with fascinating descriptions
of both scenery and history. The complex relationship between Faro and Imogen is particularly interesting, and
although explanations of their back stories are extensive, I would recommend readers
who are new to the Faro books to read the earlier books in the series.
An enjoyable read for those who like softly
paced mysteries full of historical information and atmosphere.
------
Reviewer: Carol Westron
Alanna Knight
is one of the most popular authors in UK
libraries. Named as one of The Times’ “100 Masters of Crime”, she is a leading
crime writer with three historical crime series: the Victorian detective
Inspector Jeremy Faro, lady investigator Rose McQuinn, and time-traveller Tam
Eildor. She has published more than 70 books, works which include romance,
thrillers, historical novels and non-fiction. Alanna is an authority on Robert
Louis Stevenson and she has written true crime, 'how to write' guides and
biographies. Hon President of Edinburgh Writers' Club, Honorary
President and founder member of Scottish Association of Writers, member of
Society of Authors and Crime Writers' Association, and Mystery People.
She appears regularly at Edinburgh International Book Festival and many other
literary events.
Carol Westron is a successful short story writer and a Creative
Writing teacher. She is the moderator
for the cosy/historical crime panel, The Deadly Dames. Her crime novels are set both in contemporary
and Victorian times. The Terminal Velocity of Cats the first in her Scene of Crimes novels,
was published July 2013. Carol recently gave an interview to Mystery People. To
read the interview click on the link below.
www.carolwestron.com
http://carolwestron.blogspot.co.uk/ To read a review of Carol latest book Strangers and Angels click on the title.
http://carolwestron.blogspot.co.uk/ To read a review of Carol latest book Strangers and Angels click on the title.
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