Genre: Mystery
Hardcover; [Audio Book]; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781984804136; [B085Q25D33]
Berkley Publishing
336 Pages
$17.99; [$24.50]; $13.99 Amazon
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Hayley Burke, curator of Lady Fowling's collection of first edition mysteries, is settling into her postion at the First Edition Library in Middlebank House. She's even made progress with Lady Fowling's former secretary, the ornery Miss Woolgar. The women are busily preparing for an exhibition that will showcase Lady Fowling's life and letters. Hayley knows the exhibition is a huge undertaking and decides, against her better judgement, to hire Oona Atherton, her former boss from the Jane Austen Centre to help with the planning.
Oona is known for being difficult, but all seems to be going swimmingly until she and Hayley uncover a one-page letter that alludes to a priceless edition of MURDER MUST ADVERTISE signed by several Golden Age of Mystery authors. Oona feels this book could be the focal point of the exhibition and becomes obsessed with finding it.
When they find clues that appear to point to the book being somewhere in the First Edition Library, Oona is certain she's unraveled the mystery and texts Hayley the good news, but upon arriving back at Middlebank, Hayley finds her old boss dead at the bottom of the stairs. Did her discovery of the rare book get her killed or was it some angry shadow from her past? Hayley must read between the lines to catch a malicious murderer.
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Hayley Burke is settling into her new life as curator for the late Lady Fowling's First Edition Library at Middlebank. She has her own flat in the home, and even the company of the house's resident cat, Bunter. She's even coming to get on a better footing with Miss Woolgar, Lady Fowling's secretary, who also lives and works there. But Hayley is not only starting her own salons with noted writers, she's on a mission -- she wants to have a public exhibition of some of Lady Fowling's first editions, along with a history of her life and what it all meant to her.
The ideal location would be the Charlotte, but they're completely booked and Hayley can't find a location...until almost a miracle occurs and now she's faced with finding an exhibition manager. Luckily, or unluckily, depending on how you look at it, she discovers her old boss Oona Atherton in town, who happens to be the best at what she does, and Hayley hires her.
But it seems the woman hasn't changed, and runs roughshod over everyone, Hayley included. But when a tragic event occurs and Oona is killed, Hayley is faced with the realization of not only needing to find another manager, but the fact that a murderer is on the loose, and they might be someone she already knows...
I have read all of Ms. Wingate's books, and they are top-notch. Her writing is crisp, clear, and descriptive, and this book is no different. We are transported to England, and become a part of Hayley's life, along with her strengths and yes, her insecurities. She's also got a blossoming relationship with Val Moffat, a local writing teacher who helps her and supports her in her endeavors, and that's a refreshing thing in itself.
When the unpleasant woman dies, Hayley could easily spin into panic mode, but she keeps her wits about her and carries on, trying to balance her personal life -- which is a tale unto itself at the moment -- and her professional life, which is needing more attention than before. She's afraid of putting her career in danger and disappointing people, but refuses to allow it to get the better of her.
What Ms. Wingate has brought from all this is a very human character in Hayley Burke; much like anyone else we could know. We cheer for her when she rights things; we feel her worry and watch as she figures things out. But when Hayley is looking for a killer, she's got suspects she's focusing on, and wanting to know who killed Oona.
When the answer comes quite random it seems, but really not so, Hayley unknowingly puts herself in danger too late. But watching the outcome is the best part, and the ending gives us even more to look forward to in the next book. I thoroughly enjoyed this and can't wait for the next one. Highly recommended.
More on Marty Wingate's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/marty-wingate/
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