R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Murder at the Breakers (Gilded Newport, Bk 1) on + 1452 more book reviews
In 1895, Newport, RI, was the playground of the Vanderbilts with major families and lesser relatives enjoying this area. One poor relative is Emma Cross who grew up playing with her wealthier cousins. Her closest relative is her half-brother, Brady.
Life changes dramatically for both of them when Emma witnesses the fall of a man in her uncle âs employ. As the room from which he fell is examined, her brother is found unconscious amidst bourbon fumes with the empty bottle nearby. The natural conclusion is that Brady murdered the dead man but Emma doesn't believe it. She knows Brady. In spite of his carefree, drunken and disorderly character, he could not kill anyone. And, she notes that he never drinks bourbon because he became very ill the one time he tried it. So who set the scene to incriminate him?
Determined to discover the truth, Emma begins asking questions, lots of questions. She asks so many that twice her life threatened. She realizes that someone doesn't like all these questions and is more determined to find the real murderer, particularly as she envisions Brady hanging for a crime he did not commit. When another man is murdered, a good friend of her father, she must expand her search for the killer. It soon became obvious, too, who the murderer must be but I could not see the motive. When Emma finds herself behind a pointed gun, she learns not only who is the killer but why.
There is plenty of action in this quick read that kept this reader moving quickly from page to page. This is a good cozy mystery with a less than skillful amateur detective who almost dies herself. I thought Emma was a foolish but certainly plucky and determined to free her brother.
Life changes dramatically for both of them when Emma witnesses the fall of a man in her uncle âs employ. As the room from which he fell is examined, her brother is found unconscious amidst bourbon fumes with the empty bottle nearby. The natural conclusion is that Brady murdered the dead man but Emma doesn't believe it. She knows Brady. In spite of his carefree, drunken and disorderly character, he could not kill anyone. And, she notes that he never drinks bourbon because he became very ill the one time he tried it. So who set the scene to incriminate him?
Determined to discover the truth, Emma begins asking questions, lots of questions. She asks so many that twice her life threatened. She realizes that someone doesn't like all these questions and is more determined to find the real murderer, particularly as she envisions Brady hanging for a crime he did not commit. When another man is murdered, a good friend of her father, she must expand her search for the killer. It soon became obvious, too, who the murderer must be but I could not see the motive. When Emma finds herself behind a pointed gun, she learns not only who is the killer but why.
There is plenty of action in this quick read that kept this reader moving quickly from page to page. This is a good cozy mystery with a less than skillful amateur detective who almost dies herself. I thought Emma was a foolish but certainly plucky and determined to free her brother.
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed Murder at the Breakers (Gilded Newport, Bk 1) on + 421 more book reviews
I will continue to read this series, as I enjoyed this book very much!
