Safe in Death: An Esther Hardy Victorian Mystery (Book 1) by S.K. RizzoloMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A fine historical mystery with an amateur sleuth in Victorian London. Esther Hardy is considered a spinster in 1861, but a spinster who wants more out of life. When a familiar woman dies in her father’s surgery, Esther is motivated to investigate.
The author is very skilled at atmospheric description, from the foggy London streets to the stuffy ballrooms of the wealthy. The characters are unique and interesting, and the plot includes several twists that will keep you reading.
Themes include the social mores that keep women trapped in domesticity, class distinctions, illegitimate births, blackmail, and family secrets. A tiny bit of romance hints at the future of the series.
Thank you to Library Thing’s Early Reviewers program for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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