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| Final Rating: 4.1/5 |
Quite the genteel debut
Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman is a grand murder mystery that echoes in many ways Delderfield and Wharton in its presentation, undertones, social examinations, characters and overall atmosphere; this is a read to enjoy with a piping cup of English tea. Ms. Arlen sweeps her readers to the fictional grand house of Iyntwood on June 4th 1913 and with the following days introduces and presents a cast of characters that can fill the 60 rooms of the grand ancestral house to keep the reader engaged until the final page. Tradition and social order are strong themes in this novel and the notion of "old England" versus the imminent "new England" and no better conditions can be found to explore the differences than the hierarchical hive of the upstairs and downstairs order. On the surface this grand old house may seem benign and the occupants ordinary but when a grisly murder and baffling disappearances disrupts the delicate balance and an invisible sense of security is shattered, this is when the novel really shines and becomes a keeper for aficionados of classic murder mysteries and lovers of bygone eras.
In the end, this reader was beyond impressed with the attention to detail however minute and highly recommends Death of a Dishonorable Gentlemen. This novel was like a slice of classic cake for me, with its comforting and satisfying effects. Ms. Arlen has certainly found a niche with her attention to historical detail and its sound absorption into her storyline, nothing shared is not used in some way to enhance and bring a deeper level to the story and end experience. The fictional setting of Iyntwood and its surrounding grounds and the small villages are painted so vividly and grandly that you just want to put them in an album of places to visit when you go to England to make sure they are only in your imagination. The huge lists of characters/suspects in this murder mystery are also impressive, every character is introduced to the reader and surprisingly it becomes very easy to tell the Lords and Ladies from the Cook, Scullery Maids and even to the surrounding village professions. Overall Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman is a memorable start of a bright star of talent and this was quite the genteel debut.
* I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman.
In this series:
Death Sits Down to Dinner (Lady Montfort Mystery #2) by Tessa Arlen
Expected publication: January 2016
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