Customer Reviews

Dying Well: A Lady Margaret Priam Mystery (Lady Margaret Priam Mysteries)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Her parents were the Earl and Countess of Brayfield. Her brother David currently holds the tile and the family estate Priam's Priory. Lady Margaret Priam had a typical upper class British upbringing, but she has been state side for a decade and resides in an expensive place on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Her title and bloodlines make her acceptable by the city's elite, which allows her to comfortably live without a formal job.

One of society's most powerful mavens asks Margaret to look out for her friend's daughter who is coming to live in New York. Margaret provides temporary lodging and arranges for the lass to work as a society woman's assistant. Lucy Rose appears to be a sweet innocent, but she is actually a manipulative, calculating individual who has set her eyes on her employer's rich and famous husband. Despite warnings from Margaret and others, Lucy continues her pursuit regardless of who gets hurt in the process.

Anyone who has read a Regency romance will understand the essence behind the Lady Margaret Priam mysteries, which is placing the Regency mindset in the year 2000. Joyce Christmas makes her world seem believable as her descriptions bring life to it. DYING WELL is a fascinating mystery that has only one chapter involving death and related follow-up scenes. The brunt of the tale deals with the events that lead to the murder. Anyone who enjoys a cerebral, character-based mystery will want to try this charmingly original novel.

Harriet Klausner

This is a poor effort from one of my favorite mystery authors. The plot is trite and silly, and the previous reviewer is correct. There is no mystery here until the last few pages. The last Lady Margaret book as well as the last Betty Trenka book were also very disappointing. I hope that Joyce's newest release, featuring both Margaret and Betty, makes up for three mediocre books in a row.

I have read and enjoyed all of Joyce Christmas's books. I always looked forward to her latest. Until this one. I bought the book,and expected a good mystery. There was no mystery until the very last pages. I was not interested in seeing how manipulative her main character could be. I found this book to be a big disappointment. I will think twice about buying another of her books.