Helpful Score: 13
Agnes Meadows is a cook who becomes involved in a mystery. Silver is missing from the house presumed to have been stolen by a missing young servant. Agnes is more worried about the young woman whose disappearance has her puzzled. Of course, she fears foul play.
The research, the setting and the characters are indicative of the period. I loved the little details that take us back to the London of the 1700s. The roles of the servants, the kitchen and cooking information and the attitudes of those who employ the servants fold together to make this an entertaining read. My first reaction was "A cook as an investigator?" And, I found myself saying "Why not?" Other readers have questioned this role for the cook as being inappropriate for the time but one must remember that this is fiction and anything can happen in fiction.
All in all this is a good historical mystery. I quite liked it.
The research, the setting and the characters are indicative of the period. I loved the little details that take us back to the London of the 1700s. The roles of the servants, the kitchen and cooking information and the attitudes of those who employ the servants fold together to make this an entertaining read. My first reaction was "A cook as an investigator?" And, I found myself saying "Why not?" Other readers have questioned this role for the cook as being inappropriate for the time but one must remember that this is fiction and anything can happen in fiction.
All in all this is a good historical mystery. I quite liked it.
Helpful Score: 5
A household cook is reluctantly drawn into a complex murder and theft investigation. Lots of intrigue and deception. Interesting view of household from the "below stairs" characters. The cook is a great character and could have another book written about the next saga of her life, or even the one preceeding her becoming a cook, if the author wanted to make this into a series.
Helpful Score: 4
Excellent period piece, rich in detail of 1750's London. Gleeson writes with well-researched knowledge and brings to life not only a gritty picture of life below in servents' quarters but, an engaging murder mystery as well.
Helpful Score: 2
A well-researched mystery set in 18th-century London. The author provides interesting details about life as a member of a household staff during those times. If you like cooking, then you'll really appreciate the descriptions of menus and the preparation of meals. The mystery surrounding the disappearance of a maid and the theft of a valuable silver cooler will draw you in and keep you reading until late into the night.
