A Mortal Curiosity

`A Mortal Curiosity' starts in 1864 with Lizzie temporarily leaving London to be a companion to Lucy Craven, a niece of an acquaintance of her aunt. Mrs Craven is staying with two elderly sisters at Shore House in the New Forest while recovering from the tragic death of her baby. There are concerns for Mrs Craven's sanity as she denies that her baby is dead. In short, Lizzie has a challenge in front of her which quickly becomes more complicated when a rat-catcher is found murdered in the grounds of Shore House, and Lucy is discovered beside the body. Finding out who killed the rat-catcher and why is only one of the mysteries in this novel. Inspector Benjamin Ross, of Scotland Yard, becomes involved and he and Lizzie, with the assistance of others including the interesting Dr Lefebre, solve the various mysteries. One of the joys in this series is the juxtaposition of 19th century sensibilities and values with the relative freedom that Lizzie Martin enjoys by virtue of her relatively fluid position in a hierarchical society. This novel touches on too much of the underside of Victorian society to be neatly classified as a `cozy' mystery. This is the second of Ann Granger's mystery series to feature Elizabeth (Lizzie) Martin and Inspector Ben Ross from Scotland Yard. While it is not essential to do so, I'd suggest that any new reader start with the first book (`A Rare Interest in Corpses') to obtain a clearer sense of Lizzie's background and circumstances as well as her knowledge of and understanding with Inspector Ross. I enjoyed the novel and, no, I did not work out all of the mysteries before the end. I have only just discovered this author, and I'll be looking to read her other novels as time permits. Jennifer Cameron-Smith

In Ann Granger's "A Mortal Curiosity," twenty-nine year old Lizzie Martin leaves London and her beau, Inspector Ben Ross of the Metropolitan Police, to take a position on the south coast of England. She has been hired by a wealthy importer named Charles Roche to serve as a companion to his niece, Lucy Craven. Miss Craven, who is only seventeen, lost her baby shortly after its birth, and is disconsolate. While her husband, James, is on an extended business trip in China, Lucy lives in Shore House with two maiden aunts who offer her little comfort or sympathy. Ben does his best to dissuade Lizzie from leaving, but he knows that "once Lizzie's mind is made up, it would take something really extraordinary to shift it." During her stay in the country, Lizzie meets a number of unusual characters: Dr. Marius Lefebre, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the mind, is visiting the Roches, ostensibly to keep an eye on Lucy; the two maiden aunts, Christina and Phoebe Roche, are remote, stuffy and reclusive; Lucy Craven is a pretty and insecure young lady with a volatile temperament. A series of puzzling events convinces Lizzie that not everything in this place is as it seems, and when a murder occurs, she is relieved when Ben Ross is called in to investigate. He and Lizzie team up to find out what is really going on behind the respectable façade of Shore House. "A Mortal Curiosity" is entertaining and fast-paced, with lively dialogue, delightful humor and irony, and an engrossing and suspenseful plot. The author alternates points of view between Lizzie and Ben Ross, a device that works surprisingly well. Lizzie is an outspoken and independent woman, whose insight, imagination, and keen powers of observation make her an excellent amateur detective. Ben is a first-class investigator; he is tenacious and not easily fooled. The author's realistic conclusion wraps up the whole affair logically and satisfyingly. Like other similarly-themed novels, "A Mortal Curiosity" provides a harrowing look at the poverty and social injustice suffered by the lower classes in nineteenth century England. In addition, it also makes clear that wealthy people have difficulties of their own; money does not insulate anyone from the problems that life brings. Granger's graceful prose, atmospheric settings, and well-constructed story combine to make this a must-read for those who enjoy high-quality Victorian mysteries.

In 1864, Aunt Parry obtains a position of temporary companion for her almost thirty year old by marriage niece Elizabeth "Lizzie" Martin. Clipper ship owner Charles Roche is worried about his teenage niece Lucy Craven whose husband is in China on family business while she recovers from having given birth only to have her baby die a couple of days later. Currently Lucy is staying with her much older spinster Aunts Miss Christina and Miss Phoebe. He also sends his friend Dr. Lefebre, an observant alienist, to check on the emotional well being of the distraught Lucy whose aunts insist she is deranged. At the Shore House in New Forest in Hampshire, Dr, Lefebre is welcomed by the aunts as a special guest while they literally look down their respective noses at Lizzie, who makes it clear she is unafraid to speak her mind though to herself she admits it looks silly as the two aunts are well over a head taller than her. Still she makes it clear that she is there as Lucy's companion. As a gentleman farmer seems to be courting the married Lucy, someone murders the traveling rat catcher Jethro Brennan. Worried for Lucy's safety as well as her own, Lizzie sends for her boyfriend, Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector Benjamin Ross; he drops everything to come immediately. Readers will feel they are in Victorian England mostly by the sea away from London as Ann Granger provides a vivid look into the manners of a bygone era. The murder mystery comes deep into the tale turning the story line smoothly from a historical novel into a police procedural with a superb final twist that reminds the audience it is 1864 Hampshire (though some will insist it could be 2008 DC with the last spin). Mostly told from Elizabeth's perspective, fans of the period will appreciate this fine mid ninetieth century English whodunit. Harriet Klausner