Series debut
Colleen Gleason (who also writes as Colleen Cambridge) adds a new series to her considerable list of works with a new series featuring Lady Darling, set in 1898 London. The Dowager Marchioness of Darling, Irene Colchester, has decided to return to London after a long sabbatical in the countryside. She’s helping a dear friend of hers who happens to be too ill to introduce her daughter to society by assisting that daughter in looking for a husband. Lady Darling is well respected but seen as a bit eccentric, and is the perfect sponsor for young Priscilla Bedwith. With all of her own children married off, Lady Darling has plenty of time and connections to help Priscilla make a success of her debut Season. Her secret hope is to marry the girl off quickly so that she can return to the countryside and avoid the frivolity of high society politics and gossip. Lady Darling has very little patience for wasting time on what she sees as frivolous conversation and false niceties, although she does put her best foot forward whenever she happens to be stuck in said social situations.
Although Priscilla has heard plenty of stories about Lady Darling’s eccentricities and somewhat uncouth behavior, such as, the horror, drinking whiskey. There is also a scandal surrounding what was the biggest ball of the Season, which resulted in said ball being canceled for four years. This year, however, it is back. Despite the public murmurs, Lady Darling fully intends to attend along with her ward Priscilla Bedwith. Everything starts out fine. The ladies meet, commission fine dresses for the season, and Priscilla tries to make peace with the menagerie of animals Lady Darling has at her home. The two seem to get along, at least on the surface. Lady Darling is a bit much for Priscilla, who has some very firm beliefs as to what a lady should and should not do. Lady Darling in turn is amused at Priscilla’s ambitious, although naive, plans to land herself a Duke to wed to elevate her title. However, at their very first party, a murder takes place behind locked doors. While most ladies reel and flee the scene, Lady Darling goes forth to investigate and even maintains the integrity of the crime scene. Far more interested in figuring out who might have killed this man than in the resultant gore, Lady Darling is on the case, much to the horror and bafflement of her family, friends, and ward. She does not neglect her duty to Priscilla and it’s convenient that escorting the young lady to events also allows her to investigate her suspects — a few of which she could also see as eligible candidates for Priscilla, assuming they end up being cleared of suspicion for murder, that is.
I recommend Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer for anyone who enjoys a historical cozy that has a strong female lead character who isn’t afraid of stepping out of line to get things done. The line in this case being what is expected and accepted for women of the 1890s. Lady Darling is often frustrated with the limitations on her person because of her gender, and is not afraid to push that line as far as she can, much to the chagrin of her family, friends, and staff. Those who have read Colleen Gleason’s other work are sure to enjoy this newest series, and will find themselves entertained by Lady Darling’s quick wit and disregard for ‘propriety’ in the name of chasing justice – or because she wishes to bring one of her pets along with her to a function. Historical cozies are not usually high on my list of books that I enjoy the most, but Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer is defiantly an exception. Lady Darling’s wit, intelligence, and eccentricities brought the story to life and I look forward to seeing what she tackles next, as well as pity whoever decides to cross this formidable Marchioness. – Carla Schantz