December is always a busy month and there's nothing better than a light, entertaining historical read to pass the time. The abundance of mysteries of the cosy variety that has appeared recently have made that one of my favourite genres for when I want to be entertained but not think too much. This time my choice was the first in the Dra Alexandra Gladstone Mysteries by Paula Paul.The book is set, I believe, in Victorian England during a house party at the Earl of Dunsford's country estate. Dra Alexandra Gladstone is called upon to attend to a young maid who has apparently tried to murder the Earl believing him to be the killer of her lover. Alexandra tends to the girl and makes her go to her room believing her to be harmless but the next morning the Earl is dead and the girl, Elsie, has disappeared.Alexandra is somewhat of a rarity, a female doctor when females weren't allowed to study medicine. Paul explains that by having her been taught at home by her father and well accepted in the village because everyone knows since she was a girl. To tell the truth Alexandra sounds a bit too sensible to be true in a Victorian heroine but I could deal with that.Earl Dunsford's guests don't waste time in blaming the doctor for not having drugged the girl, and stopped her from murder, but Alexandra quickly realises that the earl was not stabbed, as the girl was threatening, but strangled which would imply someone stronger. With the help of Mr. Forsythe, one of the Earl's guests, Alexandra decides to try to find out what really happened. Soon it is apparent that the earl wasn't exactly a nice person and that more than one of his guests could have a motive for murder. The appearance of several "ghosts", and walks in the foggy night, does give the story a bit of a gothic look and I couldn't help thinking that sometimes Alexandra was a bit too daring. In one of those I was so engaged in the story and waiting for something to happen that I immediately deduced who the murderer was... and in the end I was proven right.So if you are in the mood for something light, fast paced and with a bit of a gothic feel this might just be the book for you!Grade: 4/5
I enjoyed this first novel in a series following Dr. Alexandra Gladstone, a fictional pioneering female physician. I got the fourth novel on an e-book deal and was then compelled to read the first three. Dr. Gladstone was taught by her physician father in a time when women were not allowed to go to school to become physicians. Upon his death she has become the town doctor with mixed reception. In this story a murder has taken place and through her medical knowledge Dr. Gladstone knows the case is not as cut and dried as many would like to believe. With the help of Nicholas Forsythe, a barrister and houseguest of the deceased, Alexandra must find the murderer, track down a ghost, and save the young scullery maid accused of the crime. The plot was twisty enough to keep me interested and I would like to get to know Alexandra and Nick better. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
What do You think about Symptoms Of Death (2014)?
I was pleasantly surprised by this Kindle freebie. A light, cozy historical mystery first published in 2002, now re-issued as an ebook by the author. There isn't much in historical setup or background. In fact at times it felt I was reading an episode of Dr. Quinn, set in the English countryside instead of the American West and with a mix of aristocrats, servants and thugs instead of indians and pionieers. Sully, the mountain men is Nicholas, the barrister who teams up with female doctor Alexandra Gladstone to solve the murder of the Earl of Dunsford. There is a hint of a developing romance, but to see if I'm right about that I'll have to read book 2 in the series and I am tempted to do just that. All in all a quick and easy read.
—Jodi
This is the beginning of what may be an interesting series based during the Victorian era in England. Dr. Alexandra Gladstone follows in her father's footsteps as a doctor in a small English community. Of course, it is unlikely that a woman could be a doctor during this era but she has been trained by her father who was well respected in the community. Her assistant and best friend is Nancy, with whom she grew up, and her faithful companion is Zack, a Newfoundland dog, who protects the doctor.The scenario is this: A wealthy man is murdered in his home after a maid crashes his party waving and knife and vowing to kill him. Of course, she is arrested and charged with his murder. However, as the author unfolds events it appears that at least three people have motives which could propel any one of them to kill their host. Dr. Gladstone seeks to discover the truth and save the young maid. The story is well written, easy to read and suggests romance may be found in future novels of the series. However, my favorite character was Zack. My rating of mysteries is based on whether or not I can determine the murderer before the author reveals her/his identity. Since I was able to do so in this novel it rated only three stars for me. Perhaps I've read too many mysteries!
—Rusty
