Review - A Tincture of Murder by Donna Flectcher Crow

Title and Author: A Tincture of Murder by Donna Flectcher Crow

Publisher: Greenbrier Book Company

Publication Date: November 30th, 2012

Paperback/Hardcover: 95

Genre: Mystery

Find it at: Goodreads

Summary:

POOR WOMEN ARE DYING. BUT NO ONE KNOWS WHY.

Lord and Lady Danvers—everyone’s favorite Victorian sleuths— accept an extraordinary new challenge that combines murder, madness, and a famed 19th century murder trial that British and American lawyers still talk about today.
The case begins when several of the destitute women who took refuge at The Magdalen House—an “Asylum for Poor, Degraded Females”—die under mysterious circumstances.
The Magdalen House—located in a notorious slum of the City of York—was established by Frederick Danvers, Lord Charles’s younger brother, who shocked the family by taking Holy Orders, and then by choosing to live near his church in one of the poorest neighborhoods in England.

But the cleric’s saintly works may come to a scandalous end when news of the women’s deaths spreads. The young Danvers is in trouble and Danvers family honor is at stake.
At first, Lord Danvers is reluctant to get involved in a criminal matter that seems so sordid. But when a devastating fire ravages Norwood Park, the Danver’s ancestral home, Charles and Antonia are forced to seek temporary residence elsewhere. Freddie’s plea for assistance includes an invitation to stay at elegant Wandseley Hall. Charles reconsiders—and soon finds himself struggling to answer two overarching questions: Are the unexplained deaths the result of natural causes? Or is an insane poisoner at large in York—perhaps a madman among Charles and Antonia’s own acquaintances?
While Charles investigates, Lady Antonia is drawn into helping feed the impoverished women and children living in the asylum.

And death is closer to home than anyone suspected. Was a servant’s untimely death an accident as first believed? Or something more sinister? And who set the fire that nearly destroyed Norwood Park?

  

Review:

I have received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review and even though I haven’t read the previous books in the series I still enjoyed A Tincture of Murder and wasn’t at all confused.

Frederick has set up a house with the intention of helping pregnant destitute women. Unfortunately, the women start dying mysteriously. Sure something wrong is happening, Frederick asks Lord Danvers to investigate the case. 

I liked the characters in this book and though they were very interesting and complex. The best part of the book for me was the mystery, though.

I always enjoy a good mystery and this book didn’t disappoint in that department. The mystery was entertaining, different and well-written.

Another thing I also enjoyed was the historical setting of the book. I think the author did a great job setting the scene for the development of the story.

All in all, I enjoyed A Tincture of Murder. The mystery was exciting, the action nicely paced and the story well-written.

If you, like me, enjoy mystery books, why not give this one a try?

Rating: Somewhere Between Readable and Worth Your Time (3 ½ Stars)