“A Woman of Consequence” by Anna
Dean
This is the third in Dean’s Dido Kent
engaging historical series set in England. Miss Kent, an unmarried
woman of a certain age, referred to as a spinster in her time, is writing to
her sister, Eliza, as the book opens. She’s trying to give Eliza an account of
Penelope Lambe’s accident, but her sister-in-law, pointedly and repeatedly
reminds her that she is dependent on her brother’s hospitality—a cold garret
room—and there is mending to do. Margaret, the sister-in-law, continues to
interrupt the letter writing throughout the story, but Dido manages to clearly relate
her feelings to her sister—and to us.
In between, we witness the strange goings on at Madderstone
Abbey, the ghost of the Grey Nun, mysterious lights in the ruins, and the
annoying Crockford sisters Lucy and Harriet, who are visiting the Harman-Footes
of Madderstone, along with their good friend Penelope. Penelope hasn’t yet
recovered from her fall at the ruins when a skeleton is found in a recently
drained pool. Dido engages to find out who the skeleton is and how she died,
not believing the conclusions of the local experts.
A trip to Bath
and the attentions of the handsome Mr. Lomax, endeavor to keep Dido from her
enquiries. She is also thwarted by Captain Laurence, a man she considers coarse
and “altogether more masculine” than
a man should be.
The historical aspect is just right. For me, the language was
authentic to the period, but not stilted and difficult to read, as can happen
in historicals that strive for accuracy. I hope for many more Dido Kent
investigations.
Reviewed by Kaye George, author
of Choke
for Suspense Magazine
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1 comment:
Do you know if there is word on a 5th book?
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