In Deadly Fashion (A Gilded Age Mystery)
In this enjoyable continuation of a long-running series, Gilded Age debutante and private investigator Prudence MacKenzie is finally set to marry her longtime partner, former Pinkerton detective Geoffrey Hunter. However, a pall is cast over her wedding plans when someone slashes her wedding gown to ribbons and murders the unfortunate seamstress that happened to interrupt them. Once more, Prudence must navigate the treacherous drawing rooms of Mrs. Astor’s 400 as well as the darker backstreets of the working class in the Gilded Age to solve the mystery.
However, this time, the answer may lie in Geoffrey’s past as a privileged son of a slave-owning family during the Confederacy. Simpson blends impeccably researched details about the dressmakers that created the era’s magnificent gowns with an unsparing picture of the desperate circumstances even women who were skilled artisans faced during the time. Prudence and Geoffrey are likeable characters who never lose sight of their privilege, even as they enjoy it, and the supporting cast of characters is equally engaging. The central mystery may feel a touch heavy-handed to a mystery-first reader, but overall, this is another entertaining outing from a seasoned writer.
