by Susanna Calkins
Publisher: Macmillan
Publication date: April 23, 2013
Genre: Adult Historical Mystery
Synopsis
For Lucy Campion, a seventeenth-century English chambermaid serving in the household of the local magistrate, life is an endless repetition of polishing pewter, emptying chamber pots, and dealing with other household chores until a fellow servant is ruthlessly killed, and someone close to Lucy falls under suspicion. Lucy can’t believe it, but in a time where the accused are presumed guilty until proven innocent, lawyers aren’t permitted to defend their clients, and—if the plague doesn't kill the suspect first—public executions draw a large crowd of spectators, Lucy knows she may never find out what really happened. Unless, that is, she can uncover the truth herself. Determined to do just that, Lucy finds herself venturing out of her expected station and into raucous printers’ shops, secretive gypsy camps, the foul streets of London, and even the bowels of Newgate prison on a trail that might lead her straight into the arms of the killer. In her debut novel Murder at Rosamund's Gate, Susanna Calkins seamlessly blends historical detail, romance, and mystery in a moving and highly entertaining tale
My thought
Susanna Calkins debut novel is a captivating historical mystery which documents A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate. Set in seventeenth-century London, the novel tells the story of Lucy Campion, a chambermaid turned amateur sleuth, as she struggles to find her place in society and prove the innocence of a wrongly accused family member.
Enter the world of 17th century London. It's gritty, it's harsh, it's not cozy. A Murder at Rosamund's Gate is a wonderful mystery, but it's definitely not a cozy mystery. However, if you want a fascinating story with interesting characters and a heavy dose of realism, you've come to the right place.
Summary
So as much as I liked the first chapters of A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate, it soon became clear that Susanna Calkins lacked the follow-through necessary to make this mystery novel really stand out. The premise was good, but the execution was lackluster.
Rating 3 stars
