I’m now two weeks out from having sustained a high ankle injury, and things are beginning to look up. No, I’m not driving yet, nor dancing around the house. The swelling has gone down significantly, and I’m beginning to see some hope that eventually I’ll be back to normal. I’m even going without the boot some.
Meanwhile, I’ve got lots of time to read, one of my favorite activities. Mo.st recently, I read a mystery; Loch Down Abbey by Beth Cowan-Erskine. It’s a historical mystery that takes place in the early 1900’s and is complete with upstairs-downstairs characters who are unique and have their own approach to life and preparing for the future.
In this mystery, the “Lord of the Manor” is found at the bottom of the stream at the base of a weir. Initially, although it made no sense for him to have been fishing in that particular spot, it was thought to be an accident. As more questions are asked, it turns out to be murder, no big surprise to the more suspicious characters in the book.
While the police are called in, of course, the head housekeeper takes it on herself to solve the case. On several occasions she mentions the importance of her discovering who is responsible for the murder. She also continually says she needs to solve this quickly. The downstairs staff have their own unique view on the people who belong to the upstairs coming from seeing them in their regular habitat.
As the housekeeper investigates, the upstairs residents show varying personalities. Some are totally oblivious to reality and the need to plan for the future, and others are riddled with frustration at their inability to bring about the changes they see so necessary.
The characters are all believable and well drawn. It’s a gentle read, in keeping with the era of the book, and thoroughly enjoyable. Hopefully I’ve piqued your interest. For the full review, click on the book title at the top of this blog and it will take you to the magazine where it’s published. That’s all from me for now, so I’ll leave you by reminding you: Happy Reading.
