Customer Reviews

The Winter Garden Mystery (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 2)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Set in 1923 England, this series follows the adventures of the Honorable Daisy Dalrymple, a young woman who has defied convention by choosing to make her own living (as a journalist) rather than let her aristocratic family support her. She uses her connections, however, to gain access to material for her writing.

In this, the second of the series (preceeded by "Death at Wentwater Court" and followed by "Requiem for a Mezzo"), Daisy is researching information for the second installment of her articles on country manor houses for Town and Country magazine. Having inveigled an invitation to Occles Hall, Daisy finds herself entangled in mystery when the body of a pregnant maid is discovered in the garden. Aggravated by the ineptitude of local investigators, Daisy calls on her friend Alec Fletcher of the Scotland Yard for help.

This series is absolutely charming, a delight for fans of the "cozy" subgenre of mystery writing. Unlike many authors of this subgenre, Dunn doesn't over-rely on antics and hilarity to carry her story, but instead allows the mystery to drive her plot. The characters are interesting and well-developed, the depiction of the era is precise, and the execution of the mystery plot is masterful.

Daisy is an enormously likeable character, intelligent and practical. There is a lot to like in this series, so hopefully this title will be re-released in paperback soon (as was the first in the series). In the meantime, check your library, and tell your friends.

The Honorable Daisy Dalrymple is working on her second article for Town and Country Magazine. This time, she's been invited to profile Occles Hall by a friend from school. Lady Valeria isn't completely happy about Daisy's presence, but agrees to let her continue. While touring the winter garden, the discovery of a dead bush leads to the discovery of a body. Grace Moss, the parlor maid, was presumed to have run away two months ago. When Lady Valeria pressures the local police into arresting one of the estate gardeners, Daisy's observations convince her that an innocent man has been arrested. She calls her friend Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher to come help, but can they solve a murder that's two months old?

This is the second book in the Daisy Dalrymple series, set in 1923 England. It's a cozy with an emphasis on character and interviewing the suspects over tons of action. But don't misunderstand; it's a great read. Lady Valeria is a strong character, and watching the other characters try to work around her is lots of fun. The pace of the story doesn't lag, with lots of new information and complications coming on a regular basis. Daisy and Alec's relationship is also very fun to watch, as they are not willing to admit to any feelings between them.

If you're looking for a book with lots of shoot-outs and close calls, look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for a good mystery with great characters and an intriguing plot, this is the series for you.

Town and Country writer Daisy Dalrymple once again finds murder while writing her series on English country homes. While visiting a school friend's home as possible subject for an article, she goes on a tour of the winter garden. The undergardener notices a dead bush. When they dig it up, a missing parlormaid is found underneath. That mystery solved, Daisy and Alec have to find out who killed her.

This is a pretty good beach book, light and not too taxing. It's very entertaining.

This mystery, set in 1920's London is a great mystery novel that is not cluttered with gore and sexual innuendos. It's interesting and fun. I especially enjoyed the endearing flirtations between Daisy and Alec. Their interactions are a nice change from the often crassness of today's t.v. You won't find much to stress you out here, everything fits into a neat package by the end of the book. It's a great way to relax and be taken away from daily life. And Daisy's such a great gal! I really loved it! Check out Carola Dunn's other Daisy Dalrymple mysteries. They're all great!

This review is by Mrs. Thomas Ward --I enjoy many types of mysteries from Martha Mueller and Minette Walters to Margery Allingham. Now I have a new series to read! Daisy is an interesting character and I enjoy the complexity of the plots and the interaction between the characters.

I am currently on my fifth book in the series - even my husband is reading them now.

The Hon. Daisy Dalrymple, her family fortune just a memory due to her brother's death in the Great War, must instead write articles and take photographs for "Town and Country" magazine to earn her living. When Bobbie, an old school chum, invites her to the family estate, Daisy is overjoyed to find a new article source. But the household is unsettled: autocratic Lady Valeria is quarreling with one of the inhabitants of the nearby village, her vague husband retreats to his model dairy at the least sign of conflict, tomboyish Bobbie keeps disappearing, and something is obviously troubling breathtakingly handsome Sebastian, Bobbie's brother, and his crippled tutor, Ben.

It is when Daisy is being given a tour of the manor's famed Winter Garden that another apparent secret of the estate is revealed: the body of Grace Moss, a housemaid who disappeared, is buried under a dying shrub.

Again, while the Daisy mysteries have so far mentioned repercussions from the first World War, they are not the thoughtful, psychological tales of Anne Perry's or Jacqueline Winspear's postwar novels. Although the war deaths are not treated lightly, rather, it is the bright 1920s, with snappy slang, flappers, and bobbed hair inserted into an English country house mystery. These are quite enjoyable "cozies" with a heroine who knows her own mind, and supporting characters that will remind you of early Sayers or Woodhouse.

An early volume in the series, this is well worth reading. Certainly those familiar with Daisy Dalrymple, a modern young woman in the 1920's, will have to know about the second meeting of Daisy and her favorite Scotland Yard Inspector, as she involves him in a murder under the eyes of the imperious aristocratic mistress of the Manor. Good humor, some wit, a serviceable story and a good cast of characters, should speed any reader through this easily read and involving volume.

Carola Dunn has created a fun 'heroine' in Daisy. The stories are well plotted, and the settings are well crafted. Altogether an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

The second in the Daisy Dalrymple Mystery series, this book continues with Daisy going to another acquaintance's house to write about their house. This time, however, the matriarch of the house doesn't appreciate Daisy's personality. Not long after arriving, things get worse when Daisy is present when the body of a missing parlourmaid is discovered. Alec is called in and Daisy proceeds to try to help.

This book continues to develop the characters of Phillip Petrie, Daisy, and Alec Fletcher. It develops the track of Alec and Daisy's attraction to each other, as well as a developing friendship between Alec and Phillip. Ms. Dunn's storytelling is fun and light. An excellent British cozy!

This book was just what I needed...a delightful change of pace in a mystery series.
The Winter Garden Mystery centers around Daisy Dalrymple in England during the 1920's. Daisy is a journalist for the Town & Country magazine. She travels to Occles Hall to write an article based on personal research and finds herself most unwelcomed by the matriarch of the family, Lady Valeria.
Daisy is an emancipated sort of woman and is bound and determined not to allow Lady Valeria to become an obstacle in her quest.
While being shown around the Winter Garden one of the gardeners finds the body of the missing parlourmaid, Grace Moss.

Daisy takes it upon herself to involve Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of the New Scotland Yard. It's here that we find there may be more to their relationship than this murder. The Inspector delves into the investigation while attempting to keep Daisy at a distance for her own safety sake...but that appears to be easier said than done. Soon the two of them are at work together trying to piece together the loose ends of this murder case.

I am so happy to report that with this Daisy Dalrymple book I've found a new mystery series and a wonderful new author. This book is quite unique, not your everyday paperback mystery and so wonderfully original.
I happily recommend this book to all cozy lovers without reservation. So veddie, veddie British.