Customer Reviews

A Dangerous Affair

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

In this historical mystery novel, Liberty Lane must solve the puzzling murder of a famous dancer in order to save her best friend's sanity and his beloved's life. The story unfolds in Victorian London, and the book is filled with realistic period details and even a few cameo appearances by historical figures (including Benjamin Disraeli). In one scene, Liberty describes the contents of a produce basket received by a typical Victorian family from the family's country estate:
"Like many families in town, the Talbots had produce sent to them regularly .... I knelt down beside [Mrs. Talbot] and helped as she lifted treasure after treasure from the hamper, unswathing them from snow-white napkins: pork pies ornamented with pastry cutouts of leaves and roses, and glazed so brightly they reflected the light; rich fruitcakes with their tops cracking to show insides packed with raisins and cherries; almond tarts and spiced biscuits. ... Four huge hams wrapped in muslin took up the corners of the hamper. ... [E]ven at this time of year there were still apples, wrinkled but sweet-smelling, and a few pears. A deep bed of straw cradled jars of jam and chutney."

Clearly, Peacock has done her research, and this novel's richly imagined setting is what elevates this book over more typical murder mysteries. This book's other advantages include a plucky, likeable protagonist and a well-crafted--and very easy to follow--plot. This isn't highbrow literature, but adult and teenaged fans of mysteries will enjoy A Dangerous Affair.

I went into "A Dangerous Affair" cold, not having read "A Foreign Affair." As such, I have to admit that reading the sequel without having read the original novel may in fact have had a negative impact on my reading.

"A Dangerous Affair" is sweet enough as a young adult novel, but I found it wanting in several ways; Peacock's plot is unoriginal, and her characters are often 2-dimensional. As a student of literature and a Victorian enthusiast I held high hopes for Peacock's novel, and was largely disappointed.

However, I would certainly recommend the book for high school students, especially those that can be difficult to engage.

In his thirties recently elected to Parliament,"watch dog" Benjamin Disraeli offers Liberty Lane a fee to spy on dancer Columbine, whose disreputable behavior could lead to a nasty highly publicized scandal. Needing the money, Liberty reluctantly agrees. However, someone poisons Columbine with the London police leaning towards rival dancer Jenny as the prime suspect as she and the deceased had a public dispute.

Liberty thinks otherwise, but there is mounting pressure to execute Jenny, already convicted by the public, the media, and the cops, for the murder. To prevent a double injustice of the wrong person being hung while the real killer is free, Liberty investigates ably assisted by Amos the groom. They begin to unravel a series of murky deceptions in which the influential and the downtrodden are tied together in secrecy.

The sequel to A FOREIGN AFFAIR is a terrific early Victorian whodunit that uses real historical persons to anchor time and place. Liberty is an intelligent sleuth and her sidekick Amos serves as a sort of Watson. The mystery is cleverly devised with fabulous plausible spins and misdirections as Caro peacock furbishes an entertaining early nineteenth century investigative tale.

Harriet Klausner

This book is a fun read - but NB warning above, and make sure you're not duped into buying it twice!

I love this series of crime thrillers that is set in early Victorian England. The period detail adds another layer to the mystery and Liberty Lane makes for a very likable heroine. These books are quick reads, but once one tale ends Caro Peacock offers you the next adventure for Liberty and her friends with her follow up books.
My only negative comment for Amazon is the confusion with book titles coming from the UK, as very few publishers agree on a book title. This is the case with Miss Peacocks books, A Foreign Affair is Death at Dawn in the UK, A Dangerous Affair is Death of a Dancer, A Family Affair is A Corpse in Shining Armour. She will have another book out here in the USA in November and that book will have only one title for both markets. Enjoy!

Set in early Victorian London, this story focuses on Liberty Lane's efforts to solve the murder of a dancer named Columbine, after a young lady named Jenny Jarvis is falsely sentenced to death for the crime.

"A Dangerous Affair" is the sequel to "A Foreign Affair"- which I have not read. I think if I had read the first book, my rating for this book would be higher. The story line could be interesting to those familiar with the main character Liberty Lane. However, for someone reading this book without having read the first book, the story can drag on a bit, because the author focuses on Liberty's life and investigative skills, but does not develop Jenny's character enough for the reader to "care" about her fate. The storyline could have worked if the author would have developed the other characters a bit more.

I really enjoyed the first Liberty Lane novel, A Foreign Affair. So when I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it as well. Usually I'm wary of sequels, afraid that they won't be as good as the first. Well, I needn't have worried here; A Dangerous Affair is just as strong as A Foreign Affair. Liberty is jut as spunky and unique as before, and the plot moves along at a brisk pace. My only problem with this novel is the same as I had with its predecessor: the dialogue is a bit too modern, as was our indefatigable protagonist. However, I look forward to reading more of Liberty's adventures in the future.