Hasty Death: An Edwardian Murder Mystery

This is quite a contrast from the Agatha Raisin and Hamish McBeth books by the same author, writing as M.C. Beaton. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this novel very much. It's the first Edwardian Murder Mystery I've read, but it won't be the last. The story line isn't all that much, but the characters, incidental details, and atmosphere make this worthwhile. The characters remind me of P.G. Wodehouse at his best--aristocrats pretending to some superiority they definitely do not have and a caste system that is beyond my egalitarian understanding. London in winter with coal smoke in the air, a country house with murders--it is all great fun. Speaking of fun, there is a wry humor throughout, a corpse that migrates from the Thames riverbottom to a woods and beyond, a chambermaid who cries out a strange announcement at dinner, etc., etc. There's also a reality that one seldom encounters in fiction, in this case, flatulence, chamber pots under the bed, loss of bladder control, and odd suggestions of sex. The book is certainly unlike any other mystery I've read. I look forward to the next one in this short series.

I wanted to add a few quick points since other reviewers have so succinctly covered the gist of the book. This "mystery-lite" series, set in Edwardian England, while not the most enthralling, mystery wise, is above par in characterizations, fun dialog and giving the reader the ambiance of the period the stories take place in. I read the first three books back to back: first-Snobbery With Violence, second-Hasty Death, and third-Sick of Shadows-and I do recommend the reader read the books in order so they can follow the flow of Rose, Harry and crews adventures and misadventures. I am an avid reader of Miss Chesney's Regency Romances and I can honestly say that this series is just as entertaining. Chesney is well known for her intriguing bits of info about the period the book is set in and it is here as well. I learned so much about the social customs, beliefs, superstitions and slang of the period. I would suggest this series of any fan of period fiction who is looking for something a bit lighter and more funny than say The Historian, LOL. There is enough mystery to satisfy your average mystery fan, though mystery purists may feel unfulfilled. There is a fun and sweet side story of Romance that continues throughout and read the series if for no other reason than Rose's Ladies maid and companion-the hilarious Daisy! I hope Miss Chesney writes more in this charming series-5 stars. PS-of the first three I felt this was the best so enjoy!

As usual, the book was excellent! I would highly recommend it!!

It might be the dawn of a new century, but women remain the property of their father, brother, or husband. The chasm between the social classes is as large as it has ever been and females of Polite Society are expected to marry a rich titled gent. Lady Rose Summer, daughter of an earl, is not content to idly party, as she prefers to work. Her reluctant but suffering parents accept her laboring at a bank alongside her former maid Daisy. At the bank, Rose learns of the murder of Mr. Pomfret. She checks the records and learns that three people deposited funds into the account of the deceased. Rose discusses her finding with private detective Captain Henry Cathcart and both agree that it seems the victim blackmailed several people, of which all had the motive to kill him. Unable to resist, Rose accompanied by Henry and her maid Daisy hunt for the killer. Although this novel takes place at the beginning of the twentieth century in enlightened London, the gap between the social classes remains as vast as ever and the suffragette movement is just starting to impact society. The solid investigation into the cleverly designed mystery is fun to follow especially in light of Rose's deeper agenda to gain the attention of her "social inferior" Harry. Sparks fly while they making inquiries, which makes for a terrific tale from Marion Chesney, know for her Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth tales. Harriet Klausner

This book brings back memories of Agatha Christie?s writings, with the superb combination of wit , charm and intellect in the creation of murder mysteries. The author expertly intersperses the darkness of human activities such as murders and blackmailing, with wry humour and indications of romance between the adversarial protagonists of the story. This will be a very entertaining read that takes you back to the early decades of the twentieth century. The author is also competent in conveying the historical setting of the novel, with witty observations on the beginnings, of the rumblings of change in the social structure of British high society. I would also suggest other books written by the author under the penname M.C. Beaton, the Agatha Raisin series of mysteries, which I have also enjoyed tremendously.