Miss Morton #2
Following on the heels of Catherine Lloyd’s first Miss Morton book, Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld, set in 1830’s Britain, brings back Miss Morton and her boisterous employer, Mrs. Frogerton. Caroline Morton is Mrs. Frogerton’s paid companion, following a loss of wealth and status that left her needing to make her own way in the world. Her job is far from an unpleasant one, however, as she and Mrs. Frogerton get on well. And now that the daughter of the house, Dorothy, is of age, the two women plan to guide her through her first season together.
Dorothy’s stubbornness to only marry someone with a title (and her general bratty attitude) turn out to be far from their biggest problems. Mrs. Frogerton goes to see a spiritualist named Madame Livinia, in order to commune with her deceased husband. Though she is convinced, Caroline is less sure and worries her employer will get taken advantage of. There’s little time to see if this would have been true – Madame Livinia is found murdered just the next day. To make matters worse, a friend of the Frogerton family, Dr. Harris, is the immediate suspect. This, alongside Caroline’s need for justice and a note from Madame herself asking Caroline to solve her murder, pull the ladies in fast.
Mrs. Frogerton and Caroline, as an investigative team, balance each other well. While Caroline is quieter, she is dogged when it comes to ferreting out the truth. Mrs. Frogerton, with her more energetic personality and societal pull, is willing to take risks Caroline isn’t. Caroline also bounces well against the grumpy, intelligent, snarky Dr. Harris. The two far from get along, but it’s very funny to watch them try to work together.
Anyone who enjoys historical mysteries will likely enjoy this one. I was left wanting to read the first one, as Caroline’s backstory is just brushed against. It isn’t necessary to read the initial novel first, it would just probably make the read even more fun. Caroline is a reserved, put together character. I can’t wait to see how she grows with the series. – Margaret Agnew