Customer Reviews

A Death at the Rose Paperworks (The Libby Seale Mysteries)

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Readers who've made Mary Daheim's two mystery series set in central Washington such hits may now move on to Portland for M.J. Zellnik's 'Libby Seale' mysteries. Zellnik's work is set in the past--the 1890s--with accuracy that shows a real love for the era. The details of paper-making in the 19th century and the impact of cheap labor from China add a rich background to the mystery: who died in Hiram Rose's place and who is threatening Mr. Rose's life.

I was instantly caught up in the lives of Libby Seale and her fellow investigator, Peter Eberle. I couldn't put the book down, and was surprised by a few of the plot twists. I also liked that Libby Seale is one smart cookie, perfectly capable of solving a mystery,getting her man, and keeping abreast of the latest fashions. Be sure to add this to your reading list!

After enjoying the first "Libby Seale mystery" on a trip to Portland, I figured I'd pick up this sequel to see what happened to the seamstress heroine. The book is set in 1894, a few months after the events of Murder at the Portland Variety, and Libby has managed to find steady work at the home of a local paper magnate. Hiram Rose is the owner of one of the city's two paper mills, and when someone dies in his factory, Libby reunites with newspaperman Peter Eberle to investigate. Their relationship is a strained one due to certain revelations at the end of the previous book that put the kibosh on their budding romance, but they are able to work well as a team, with Peter running around town and Libby poking around the Rose household.

As in the previous book, there are plenty of suspects, plenty of story threads, and plenty of plots twists to keep the pages turning. Family secrets, an estranged son, and even a group of unhappy men laid off from the mill and replaced with cheaper Chinese workers. The first book gave some fun insider detail on turn of the 20th-century variety theater, and this one does the same with papermaking. The strong sense of time and place comes through vividly, and anyone familiar with Portland will get extra delight from the period details and location. It's not a great book, but it'll certainly fit the bill for anyone looking to curl up with a period mystery for a few hours. The final page of the book drops a huge revelation that will leave the reader wanting to immediately pick up the next in the series -- unfortunately, there is no next book!

I enjoy Libby Seale's adventures. I was first attracted to the series because it takes place in my home of Portland, but I was pleasantly surprised that it is also a great story. The first book of the series, Murder at the Variety, was a little slow, but this book has a much faster pace and a great subplot about Libby's struggle with faith. This is a great book for those rainy Oregon days.

Question: A riveting mystery set in Portland Oregon in 1894? How good can it be?

Answer: It can and is an absolutely wonderful book. Libby Seale and Peter Eberle are two terrific characters with high powered charisma set against the backdrop of murder in Portland Oregon in 1894. Libby Seale is a herione for all time. Delightful wit, great historical descriptions, and a plot that will keep you guessing makes this book a "must buy".

I can't wait to read the next Libby Seale mystery.

Once again M J Zellnik pens an exciting and smart mystery. The main murder plot kept me guessing, while the complicated relationship between Libby and Peter kept me thoroughly intrigued. Can't wait for the next installment!

I loved this book -- Libby is a smart, plucky heroine. Peter is a smart sexy leading man. They are thrust into challenging situations not only in terms of solving a crime, but also in their own personal lives. The sexual tension is high, the historical descriptions fascinating, the characters rich and full of complexity. I loved the first mystery, practically devoured this one, and am terribly impatient to read the third. Reading these two books really made me want to visit Portland, as well! The historical settings, the time period of a city changing, the heroine with her difficult past she is escaping from in NY -- all these things leave me wanting more. Thank God for a wonderful heroine to fall in love with. More Libby Seale mysteries, please!