LibriAmoriMiei: Review: For Dead Men Only by Paula Paul

sabato 16 aprile 2016

Review: For Dead Men Only by Paula Paul

For Dead Men Only
by Paula Paul

For Dead Men Only: An Alexandra Gladstone Mystery
2nd in Series
Historical Cozy Mystery
Random House LLC
Alibi (April 12, 2016)
E-Book ASIN: B01208WOJ4

Synopsis

The Temple of the Ninth Daughter sits on a hill at the edge of Newton-upon-Sea, an aura of mystery lingering over its tall, gray silhouette. Villagers whisper about the treasure housed inside, protected by local Freemasons who are bound by clandestine oaths.

Dr. Alexandra Gladstone has no time for such nonsense. Between the patients in her surgery and the rounds she makes with her faithful dog, Zack, her days are busy enough. But Alexandra has no logical explanation when the Freemasons start dying, one by one, with no sign of foul play other than smears of blood on their Masonic aprons. And what to make of reports that a Knight Templar rides through the village before each passing?

After the constable disappears in the midst of the crisis, Alexandra reaches out to her dashing, diligent friend, Nicholas Forsythe, Lord Dunsford, for assistance. Is someone after the treasure, or might a more sinister game be afoot? In order to solve this puzzle, Alexandra must somehow catch a killer who shows no remorse—and leaves no witnesses.

Praise for Paula Paul’s Alexandra Gladstone mysteries

“I love the way real personalities from the past keep popping up to intermingle with Paul’s fictional characters.”—Lois Duncan, award-winning and bestselling author of Killing Mr. Griffin and I Know What You Did Last Summer

“A lively mixture of ruling-class murder, Victorian morals, and love.”—Bestselling author Tony Hillerman

“I would recommend this to fans of the Maisie Dobbs series. There’s a strong female character in a historical setting. She’s determined, logical, intelligent and faces an unusual situation.”—The Reader’s Hollow

My Review

I loved every single page of this cozy mystery. The author has caught my attention immediately and it was impossible to put it down before the end. The plot is well woven, the puzzle of the clues to put together is really intriguing. Many twists, witty dialogue, amazing setting and dark atmosphere is really hard not to love this book.

It takes place during the Victorian era in the English village of Newton-upon-Sea, Essex. Alexandra Gladstone is the only physician in the village and for the people has not been easy to trust her. They were very conservative and they were very puzzled when her father died and left his studio in the hands of his daughter. In the chambers of the Freemasons' temple is found dead Saul Mayhew. The cause of death seems to be a heart attack but on his Masonic apron there were spots of blood, unexplained because the man had no wounds. For Jeremy Fitzsimmons, the Grand Master of the lodge and the one who found the body, it was a murder, and tries to convince Alexandra. For him, other people are in danger buthe can't disclose his information outside of the lodge. When he also dies, Alexandra suspectes that he were not entirely wrong and begins to investigate with the help of her trusty nurse Nancy and of their friends.

The characters are really amazing and lovable. Alexandra is very helpful and intelligent, strong and modern, for women of her time was really hard to become a doctor but she has done it. Although she has to fight every day with the distrust of people. She can't even do an autopsy even though she's perfectly capable. I likeher relationship with Nancy, her nurse and maid, treats her as a friend and there is no the rigid and cold relationship between mistress and maid.

Although it is the second book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone, I have had no trouble. But I liked it so much that I'm very anxious to read also the first one.

Her writing is crisp, clear, flawless, and her story-telling is brilliant. This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I can say with complete certainty that it will not be my last! A must read that I completely loved !!

About The Author

Award-winning novelist Paula Paul was born on her grandparents’ cotton farm near Shallowater, Texas, and graduated from a country high school near Maple, Texas. She earned a BA in journalism and has worked as a reporter for newspapers in both Texas and New Mexico. She’s been the recipient of state and national awards for her work as a journalist as well as a novelist. Her previous novels featuring Dr. Alexandra Gladstone, including Symptoms of Death, have appeared on bookstore and online bestseller lists. She is also the author of the Mystery by Design series, which she wrote as Paula Carter. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.