1881, Sussex. Lady Helena Scott-De Quincy’s marriage to Sir Justin Whitcombe, three years before, gave new purpose to a life almost destroyed by the death of Lady Helena’s first love. After all, shouldn’t the preoccupations of a wife and hostess be sufficient to fulfill any aristocratic female’s dreams? Such a shame their union wasn’t blessed by children . . . but Lady Helena is content with her quiet country life until Sir Justin is found dead in the river overlooked by their grand baroque mansion.
The intrusion of attractive, mysterious French physician Armand Fortier, with his meddling theory of murder, into Lady Helena’s first weeks of mourning is bad enough. But with her initial ineffective efforts at investigation and her attempts to revive her long-abandoned interest in herbalism comes the realization that she may have been mistaken about her own family’s past. Every family has its secrets—but as this absorbing series will reveal, the Scott-De Quincy family has more than most.
Can Lady Helena survive bereavement the second time around? Can she stand up to her six siblings’ assumption of the right to control her new life as a widow? And what role will Fortier—who, as a physician, is a most unsuitable companion for an earl’s daughter—play in her investigations? (synopsis from Amazon
My thoughts...4.5 stars
Gentle may be an odd word to use when describing a mystery, but it fits LADY HELENA INVESTIGATES to a tee for me. Despite the ugliness she unearths, and there's quite a bit of ugly, Helena manages to keep her head and decorum while solving more than one mystery.
Our story opens with Lady Helena grieving the loss of her husband, Justin.
While more than one mystery is introduced and solved, LADY HELENA INVESTIGATES is very much character driven. And what a cast of characters we meet.
Lady Helena,aka Baby to most of her siblings. She grows into her role as a widow in charge of her life and the estate left to her by her husband. She fast became a favorite for me.
Michael, Earl of Broadmere & head of the Scott-De Quincy family - the brother closest in age to Helena. Haven't quite figured him out, Asperger's perhaps?
O aka Odelia- the unmarried Bohemian artist sister who lives in the family's London home. Bit partial to O.
Alice and Annette-the twins Like many twins they have the ability to communicate silently and can be off putting.
Geraldine aka Gerry, the oldest sister. Considering the 22 yr age gap between them, Helena & Gerry get on surprisingly well. Helena relies on Gerry's husband, Ned, Sir Edward Freestone,, the mayor of Littleberry.
Blanch the widowed Marchioness of Hastings- Snotty and envious of what others have. to her mind, she subsists on a meager amount and receives any additional at her son's pleasure or from family and friends.
These are rounded out by spouses, assorted nieces, nephews, and villagers. Not the least of which is the French doctor, Fortier.
Their lack of perfection and diverse personalities make them all the more appealing. A lot of my reads lately, with the odd exception, have characters that are hard to connect with or like. The fact that I looked forward to spending time with Helena and crew and missed them after finishing the book speaks volumes. Truly interested in how relationships and events progress in the future. Littleberry has the makings of a place I'd enjoy visiting often.
LADY HELENA INVESTIGATES should easily win a large following among historical cozy fans. With it's wonderfully flawed characters, the family dynamics, village life and relationships, and the history and detail woven so seamlessly into the story, how could you not enjoy it and want more?
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