Louisa and the Missing Heiress
When Louisa’s friend Dorothy returns from her honeymoon trip in Europe, she begins behaving oddly. After appearing to be impolite by missing her own welcome home tea, Dot promises to enlighten her friend the following day but is murdered before their discussion can take place. Suspicion is immediately cast upon Dot’s husband, for in marrying Dot he married into great wealth. Or so he thinks…
Louisa and the Missing Heiress is the first of a series of mystery novels whose main character is a fictionalized version of Little Women author Louisa May Alcott. Set in 1854, this first book conveys the feel of the period, but with a character who’s a lot like Jo March in charge of the narrative, it isn’t a tale in any way typical of a young woman of the period. Louisa’s forwardness makes the story very accessible for the average reader of today.
Anna Maclean’s novel is a good mystery with historical flavor. The Louisa May Alcott connection is the only thing that really draws attention to itself. It’s a gimmick, and an unnecessary one.
