The Mitford Trial (The Mitford Murders, 4)
This fourth book in the Mitford Murders Mystery series opens in Kent in 1933. It is Louisa Cannon’s wedding day, and she has just married Guy Sullivan, a member of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Metropolitan Police, London. She is no longer a ladies’ maid for the Mitford sisters, is training as a stenographer, and is looking forward to married life.
However, strange and unusual circumstances find her as a temporary ladies’ maid once again, traveling with the Mitfords on the cruise ship Princess Alice, when a murder is committed. The ensuing trial leaves Louisa in a quandary, as she knows information she cannot share and is more involved than anyone could imagine.
Although part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone. It’s fictional but based on true events and includes historical figures, such as the eccentric and controversial Mitford sisters, their brother Thomas Mitford, and known fascist Sir Oswald Mosley. Fellowes does a great job of combining fact and fiction. This novel is at times complex and compelling, but at other times I found it moved a little too slowly for me. I did not really connect with the characters and was not fond of their choices. However, I would recommend this book to fans of historical crime/mystery novels and anyone who enjoys reading about the Mitford sisters.
