The Death of Colonel Mann: A Beacon Hill Mystery

Living in an area where you cannot get many good books, I picked this one up as a last resort, thinking at least its something. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN !! I was up all night a few days in a row trying to finish this book between home and work. The plot was well developed and I didn't already know who did it half way thru, I literally had to read to the end to find out !! And the characters where real and beleivable and very likable. I am such a fan of this author I cannot WAIT until she writes more ! I highly highly recomend this book. its great historically and suspensfully. I usually read Steven Saylor (since I live in Italy, his books are amazing) and Kate Ross, but she only had a few books. From now on I am Beaconphile !!!

I couldn't put the book down! It was a wonderful mystery, I didn't know who the murderer was until the last page. I'm going to give it to my mom for Mother's day--she loves mysteries.

I loved this book - couldn't put it down. The description of 19th century foggy, fishy Boston is wonderful. The cast of characters and their secret troubles lead to a great mystery.

Addington and Caroline Ames are part of Victorian Boston's social elite even though they do not have the money to keep up their lifestyle. To supplement their income, they accept a boarder, Dr. John MacKenzie, who is recovering from a bullet wound. Although he pays rent, the Ames treat John as a member of the family.Although newspaper publisher Colonel William D'Arcy Mann does not travel among Boston's Brahmin circles, he knows the upper echelon's most private indiscretions. William blackmails many of the upper class. His latest victim is a cousin to the Ames, who pleads with Addington to retrieve her stolen letters that contains information she cannot afford go public. Accompanied by Dr. MacKenzie, Addington visits Mann's hotel suite where they find the Colonel dead and the letters missing. Addington and MacKenzie begin sleuthing in order to protect their family from scandal.Judging from the high quality of the story line and the sharply defined cast, although this is the first "Beacon Hill" mystery, this series will have a long run. The action-packed story line provides insight into Victorian Boston's upper class through the myriad of characters. Surprisingly, the novel is Cynthia Peale's first mystery, though she has written several novels as Nancy Zaroulis (see CALL THE DARKNESS LIGHT and THE LAST WALTZ). Reminding readers of Dianne Day's Fremont Jones tales, THE DEATH OF COLONEL MANN will appeal to fans of Americana historical mysteries.Harriet Klausner

A great read! The characters are well developed, the setting is perfect, and Peale makes Boston come alive. The best part is, I had no idea who did it until the very end! I would highly recommend this book to people who love a good mystery. Can't wait for the next installment.