Robin M. (robinmy) -
Emma Cross receives a frantic phone call from her cousin Consuelo Vanderbilt. Hurrying to Marble House, Emma speaks with her Aunt Alva who asks Emma to talk some sense into Consuelo. Alva has arranged a marriage between the Duke of Marlborough and her daughter, but Consuelo wants nothing to do with it. Alva has even hired a fortune teller to convince her daughter that this is the path she should take. Unfortunately, the fortune teller is found strangled and Consuelo soon disappears from the estate. Emma quickly tries to figure out who killed the fortune teller and find where her cousin disappeared to. Did someone kidnap Consuelo or did she run away because of her upcoming engagement?
This story picks up immediately following "Murder at the Breakers". Though there were a number of suspects, I thought the plot was thin and the story dragged in some places. Emma is an independent woman, but won't stand up to her newspaper publisher boss who gives her stories to other reporters. What I did like was the use of real historical characters in the story. Alva Vanderbilt was famous for her temper and her dislike of her sister-in-law. She railroaded her daughter into a marriage she didn't want. I thought incorporating these facts into the story was very well done. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This story picks up immediately following "Murder at the Breakers". Though there were a number of suspects, I thought the plot was thin and the story dragged in some places. Emma is an independent woman, but won't stand up to her newspaper publisher boss who gives her stories to other reporters. What I did like was the use of real historical characters in the story. Alva Vanderbilt was famous for her temper and her dislike of her sister-in-law. She railroaded her daughter into a marriage she didn't want. I thought incorporating these facts into the story was very well done. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Murder at Marble House (Gilded Newport, Bk 2) on + 712 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
This second story in the Gilded Newport Mystery series picks up just a short time after Murder at the Breakers leaves off. This time it takes place at the other Vanderbilt Castle, Marble House. Emma's âcousinâ Consuelo is being forced into an arranged marriage and even a fortune teller has been summoned to explain to the young woman that this marriage is meant to be. Emma isn't convinced but before the crystal ball can even be consulted the fortune teller is dead and a young maid has been arrested. Soon after the bride to be goes missing. Emma soon finds herself searching for Consuelo and a murderer too.
I could almost cut and paste my review of the previous book here because again Alyssa Maxwell has given us a fantastic mystery with fabulous characters in a fascinating time and place. Again this story is based on many actual facts. Marble House is a real place. Consuelo Vanderbilt was not happy with the marriage that was arranged for her. And her mother was known for her temper and keeping Consuelo's friends from seeing her. Maxwell took these facts and a few more and created a wonderful story with suspense, mystery and intrigue.
Emma is a very strong woman in a time where women basically tended to social matters and attended teas. But is was the time when the temperance and women's suffrage movements were just starting and that plays into part of the story. Emma is trying to earn a living as a newspaper reporter but again that is considered a man's job. She also tries to carry the torch passed to her by her Aunt Sadie, who bequeathed her Gull Manor. Her aunt always had policy of helping women in need no matter what the circumstances. All of this drives her need to not only help her cousin but the young maid that was arrested.
I absolutely loved this story. The author's words let me escape back in time and enjoy the story through Emma's eyes. I could feel Emma's emotions as she tries so hard to find her cousin and catch a killer all while dealing with her own problems she is facing. She tries to make the right decisions but sometimes her heart and her head are at odds with each other. Her life is not what she thought it would be and she has been let down yet again by people who should be there to support be she perseveres through it all.
Now we wait until next Spring for Murder at Beechwood.
This second story in the Gilded Newport Mystery series picks up just a short time after Murder at the Breakers leaves off. This time it takes place at the other Vanderbilt Castle, Marble House. Emma's âcousinâ Consuelo is being forced into an arranged marriage and even a fortune teller has been summoned to explain to the young woman that this marriage is meant to be. Emma isn't convinced but before the crystal ball can even be consulted the fortune teller is dead and a young maid has been arrested. Soon after the bride to be goes missing. Emma soon finds herself searching for Consuelo and a murderer too.
I could almost cut and paste my review of the previous book here because again Alyssa Maxwell has given us a fantastic mystery with fabulous characters in a fascinating time and place. Again this story is based on many actual facts. Marble House is a real place. Consuelo Vanderbilt was not happy with the marriage that was arranged for her. And her mother was known for her temper and keeping Consuelo's friends from seeing her. Maxwell took these facts and a few more and created a wonderful story with suspense, mystery and intrigue.
Emma is a very strong woman in a time where women basically tended to social matters and attended teas. But is was the time when the temperance and women's suffrage movements were just starting and that plays into part of the story. Emma is trying to earn a living as a newspaper reporter but again that is considered a man's job. She also tries to carry the torch passed to her by her Aunt Sadie, who bequeathed her Gull Manor. Her aunt always had policy of helping women in need no matter what the circumstances. All of this drives her need to not only help her cousin but the young maid that was arrested.
I absolutely loved this story. The author's words let me escape back in time and enjoy the story through Emma's eyes. I could feel Emma's emotions as she tries so hard to find her cousin and catch a killer all while dealing with her own problems she is facing. She tries to make the right decisions but sometimes her heart and her head are at odds with each other. Her life is not what she thought it would be and she has been let down yet again by people who should be there to support be she perseveres through it all.
Now we wait until next Spring for Murder at Beechwood.
Joy L. (vintagejoy) -
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, 'Murder at the Breakers' and this second book continues the great writing of this author. Can't wait for the next novel to be published! This is great historical mystery fiction.
