Miss Burnham and the Loose Thread
Miss Burnham and the Loose Thread is a cozy mystery set in 1925 London, where the population is grappling with the changes brought about as a result of World War 1, particularly the shortage of men. Rose Burnham, and her sisters—Ginny (a war widow) and Alice—use their talents as seamstresses to build a business. Others, desperate to find a husband, turn to a matrimonial agency. However, ‘Cupid’s Arrow’, has been set up to exploit vulnerable women of means, and when one of Rose’s key customers confides that she has been duped, Rose determines to find the man responsible.
The female protagonists are diverse in background, character and desires, and Knight has provided a clear view of the differing pressures and problems they face. The writing is sharp and perceptive (‘stray words pierced the air and hung there; a gramophone would have helped’), and Knight’s background as a non-fiction author has ensured the authenticity of the descriptions of clothing. However, the level of detail tends, on occasion, to slow the pace of the story. One character presents Rose with two mysteries to solve, but as only one relates to the main plot, I found the second an unnecessary distraction. The villains are stereotypical, but their lack of distinct characteristics is central to the confusions and misinterpretations underpinning the mystery.
The denouement is satisfying, with all the various threads resolved, except one, which hints at a sequel to come. Recommended.
