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Community comment are the opinions of contributing users. These comment do not represent the opinions of Fraser Valley Regional Library.
Jun 07, 2016TSCPL_KatieE rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
I was disappointed in this book. I wanted to love it. Victorian mysteries are one of my favorites, but this book just left me sad and disappointed. It's billed as a mystery, but that term only applies to the last half of the book because until then, no one is investigating anything. The heroine is an insufferable know-it-all, and yet she takes over half the book to realize that a break-in of her home, a near abduction of her person, and a murder of her rescuer might have something to do with her. And that's only after the prodding of her protector. She's presented as this modern woman who doesn't kowtow to propriety, but except for being a lepidopterist (of which we are continually reminded, annoyingly, throughout the book) there is nothing about her that puts her in Victorian times. I know Deanna Raybourn knows her stuff about the Victorian era (I read, and loved the Lady Julia books), but nearly none of that is present in this book. Obviously I'm in the minority here, but I really thought this book could have been so much better. I doubt I'll continue the series (if there is one).