Death at Daisy's Folly (Robin Paige Victorian Mysteries, No. 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Robin Paige (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997

Sir Charles Sheridan is many things - an amateur scientist, a renowned photographer, and a skilled detective. And due to Victorian customs, he will soon become a baron - rendering him unable to marry Kate Ardleigh, an American writer of the popular, yet frowned upon "penny-dreadfuls." Even as the customs of the time keep them apart, a good murder case always seems to bring them together...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robin Paige is the pseudonym of husband-and-wife team Susan Wittig Albert and Bill Albert. Susan Wittig Albert is the author of the China Bayles mysteries Thyme of Death, Witch's Bane, Hangman's Root, Rosemary Remembered, Rueful Death, Love Lies Bleeding, Chile Death, Lavender Lies, Mistletoe Man, and Bloodroot. Bill Albert is the coauthor, with his wife, of more than sixty novels for young adults. They live in the Texas hill country.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425156710
• ISBN-13: 978-0425156711
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > British Detectives

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Visit to the Past . . ., July 5, 2000

By 

kellytwo "kellytwo" (cleveland hts, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death at Daisy's Folly (Robin Paige Victorian Mysteries, No. 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

The era of the 'Great House' and the lavish parties held in them are unfortunately, in the past. Thanks to Robin Paige, however, we can relive them vicariously, while being afforded the opportunity to solve a crime or two along the way.

This is the third of a delightful series, set in an exciting time -- the last few years of the previous century. Cameras have already proven their merits, soon it will be motor cars and after that, who knows?

Kate Ardleigh, an Irish-American orphan, has struggled to support herself writing 'penny-dreadful's' under the pseudonym of Beryl Bardwell. When she discovered to her great surprise that she had an aunt -- in England -- she set off for a visit. While she is there, her aunt dies, and suddenly, Kate is an heiress. As an independent woman, however, she refuses to give up her writing. It is while searching for background for her novels, that she first meets Sir Charles Sheridan in her first adventure, Death at Gallow's Green.

Charles is a scientist and photographer who won his knighthood for a celebratory photograph of Queen Victoria, and at first, he indulges Kate's curiosity as a novelty. It doesn't take long for either of them to realize the feelings go much deeper than expected. Now, when he is invited to Easton Grange, home of the Earl and Countess of Warwick along with the Prince of Wales and his entourage, Charles discovers that his older brother -- the heir -- is dying, childless. His plan to propose to Kate is thrown into disarray by a murder. Bertie instructs Charles to investigate, eliminating the necessity to call in the local police, which will certainly dismay Bertie's Mama - the Queen.

Historically accurate, this is an enjoyable deductive mystery, which will keep you guessing until the last moment. You won't want to miss the final author's notes about the 'Darling Daisy' of the title (in reality, the Countess) and you'll probably want to investigate the books in the bibliography. I did.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Book, April 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Death at Daisy's Folly (Robin Paige Victorian Mysteries, No. 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I enjoyed all of the books in this series but this was the best one. The romance between Charles Sheridan and Kate Ardleigh moved along nicely and the mystery was interesting and well thought out. I especially enjoy the historical tidbits of life in Victorian England.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars third Victorian Mystery, March 9, 2004

By 

Brenda Jo Mengeling (Davis, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death at Daisy's Folly (Robin Paige Victorian Mysteries, No. 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

As usual in the Victorian Mystery series by Robin Paige, the authors mix in historical people into their fictions. In Death at Daisy's Folly, we spend a country weekend with the Prince of Wales (Bertie) and his mistress the Countess of Warwick (Daisy) along with 20 other guests. The death of the prince's new groom under mysterious circumstances and the definite homicide of a nobleman prompts Bertie to enlist the detecting powers of Sir Charles Sheridan and Kate Ardleigh, both guests for the weekend. The life of Daisy plays a significant role in the story, and the authors have done thorough research into this real person, and they bring her to life so that we can see the charm she must have had to attract the prince. The morals and mores of the Marlborough Set, as the friends of the prince are called, drive the action of the story and provide unexpected motives. The relationship of Charles and Kate deepens, and Charles' responses are particularily delightful. All in all, another winner from Robin Paige.