Customer Reviews

Styx and Stones (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 7)

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

 

 

Daisy's brother in law Johnny has a major problem. Some years ago, when he was recovering from an horrific injury incurred in WW I, he had a one night affair with a local woman. He is now getting poison pen letters and fears that his wife Violet will find out. Apparently he isn't the only victim, and when the local vicar's brother is killed by a falling statue, all of them are suspects.

As usual, this is a really entertaining mystery. Daisy and Alec solve the mystery with a few twists and turns and arguments. A quick read as usual!

In 1923 London, a desperate Lord John Frobisher visits his sister-in-law Daisy Dalrymple to ask for her help. Someone has sent John an ugly unsigned letter filled with profanity, that accuses the aristocrat of having an affair with a widow, Mrs. LeBeau. John acknowledges that he in deed did have a dalliance with the woman, but that it ended. John wants Daisy, who has had success with solving mysteries, to come to his hometown of Kent to uncover the identity of the perpetrator. Even knowing that Daisy's fiancé works for Scotland Yard and fears for her safety, John refuses to go to the police because he does not want to hurt his family.

Daisy, accompanied by her fiancé's daughter, travels to Kent where she quickly learns that the anonymous author has written similar letters to many of the local citizens. However, before she can determine who the culprit behind the crippling correspondence is, Daisy finds the murdered corpse of the Vicar's brother.

The seventh Dalrymple amateur sleuth historical mystery is an entertaining entry in a well-written series. The cozy-like story line moves forward though the motive for the letters seems too stretched for such a campaign. Still Daisy retains her freshness and the support cast makes readers feel they are visiting the decade following WW I in England. Though far from Carola Dunn's best entry in an overall wonderful series, STYX AND STONES remains an enjoyable novel.

Harriet Klausner

I've really enjoyed the Daisy Dalrymple series, but this one was truly terrible. It was as if someone else had written the second half. It all starts promising enough, I was enjoying it very much, until about two-thirds of the way into it. Then, everything fell apart. Interesting characters were never more to be seen, the unmasking of the murderer was completely anticlimatic. It felt like the author suddenly stopped midway through the book and quickly decided to pick a murderer at random. Really awful, the real mystery is: what happened in the writing of this book? I'm a bit wary of buying anymore in the series if the next one is going to be the same.

I love this series. That said this is a good example. It is interesting to experience the different classes and how they react to murder (among other things) in 1920's England. I have learned a few things and always enjoy Carola Dunn's books. My favorite is mistltoe and murder but this is a good one to start with as well.

As an avid reader of Carola Dunn whose Daisy Dalrymple mysteries are hard to find, I was thrilled to be able to get them through Amazon.com. New or used, the books arrived quickly and in great shape. Loved Styx and Stones. Thanks, so much.

I recently met the most delightful heroine: Daisy Dalrymple. Carola Dunn's character is most enchanting. Much like Winspere's works, Dunn explores England after the War to End all Wars through the eyes of a young female detective who keeps thea ction moving from beginning to end. I recommend her works to anyone looking for a new and exciting read.

I have enjoyed this series ever since I read the first book, "Death at Wentwater Court". I really think that Ms. Dunn has the Dorothy Say- ers, Marjorie Allingham, Agatha Christie thing down pat. She gets my vote as the bst choice for being heir to the abovesaid Ladies.