Readers' rating:
Published Feb 2013
384 pages
Genre: Mysteries
Publication Information
In 1861 London, Violet Morgan is struggling to establish a good reputation for the undertaking business that her husband has largely abandoned. She provides comfort for the grieving, advises them on funeral fashion and etiquette, and arranges funerals.
Unbeknownst to his wife, Graham, who has nursed a hatred of America since his grandfather soldiered for Great Britain in the War of 1812, becomes involved in a scheme to sell arms to the South. Meanwhile, Violet receives the commission of a lifetime: undertaking the funeral for a friend of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. But her position remains precarious, especially when Graham disappears and she begins investigating a series of deaths among the poor. And the closer she gets to the truth, the greater the danger for them both...
"That the murders play a minimal role in the story may disappoint mystery readers, but the author's painstaking research offers a tale rich with historical incidents and details that period lovers relish. Romance gives the book most of its tension." - Publishers Weekly
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Christine Trent's last book, By The King's Design, centered on a young cloth merchant who enters the opulent world of palace renovations when she has the opportunity to work on the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. But when those closest to her conspire against Parliament, she risks losing her reputation, her business. . .and even her life.
Christine writes historical fiction from her two-story home library. She lives with her wonderful bookshelf-building husband, four precocious cats, a large doll collection, and nearly 4,000 fully cataloged books. She and her husband are active travelers and journey regularly to England to conduct book research at historic sites. It was Christine's interest in dolls and history that led to the idea for her first book, The Queen's Dollmaker.
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