Murder at a London Finishing School, by Jessica Ellicott

 Publication July 25, 2023   

Beryl and Edwina Mystery #7

On the surface, American adventuress Beryl Halliwell and Edwina Davenport seem an odd mix. Beryl is daring and brash. Edwina is, well, reserved and proper. Together, however, they make an excellent team of enquiry agents, ie private detectives in today's terms. Somehow their strengths and, yes, weaknesses meshed into a formidable duo, changing each for the better. Not that either is always willing to admit that change.

 

I warmed to this series slowly but have come to look forward to and thoroughly enjoy the more relaxed pace and just past WWI setting. Don't fret if you're just discovering the series as this one stands alone nicely. The author does an excellent job filling us in on background and connections with nary a pause. For instance, I loved what we learned of Beryl's past and personality when Desmond literally flies into the school and recalls Beryl once "borrowing" his test plane to do loops and circuits over the officials gathered at an event. Beryl leaps at the chance to fly the plane he flew in on while Edwina politely declines, saying she'd prefer to keep her feet on the ground. Right there is an excellent reveal of their personalities. You'll also get intriguing peeks at the personalities of the other characters, both regulars and new for this book. I'm rooting for Charles, btw.

 

And, oh, yes, the mystery. There's a dead body in the finishing school's garden grotto. How did she get there? I mean, Veronica makes the "mean girls" look sweet and kind but, well, who'd want to kill her? Oddly enough, the local law seems relatively uninterested? Why? Is Veronica's family's money an influence? But, what is behind all the spooky noises and thefts that are occurring? Even weirder, some of the items reappear while others don't? A ghost with ever changing tastes? Neither Beryl nor Edwina particularly enjoyed their stay at Miss Dupont's Finishing School, so why do they agree to visit anyway? What draws Beryl and Edwina's family of friends to follow them there? And, Mary? Why would someone whose memories of the school are probably worse than either Beryl or Edwina's now be working there? And....well, never mind. Enough teasers. Let's just say it gets really interesting then. 

 

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for allowing me to check out a staid, ol' style British finishing school without having to endure the discipline often demanded of the girls. The times are changing, aren't they? Looking forward to seeing where that change next takes Beryl and Edwina. Hope Beryl got home in time to enjoy part of the golf adventure, anyway.