Mortmain Hall (Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mysteries)
Mortmain Hall is a brilliantly scripted mystery, captivating from start to finish. The second in Edwards’ Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mystery series, it follows Rachel Savernake and Jacob Flint in pursuit of the truth through murder, acquittal, and the age-old battle of vice and virtue in London, 1930.
Mysterious heiress and amateur sleuth Rachel Savernake prefers her privacy, much to the chagrin of crime reporter and admirer Jacob Flint. When a chance encounter with a stranger reconnects the two, Flint finds himself once more woven into Savernake’s web of few clues and manifold expectations. As they work through the seemingly disconnected tales of murders past, each examines the justice—or lack thereof—that brings four perfect strangers to a house party in the remote reaches of North Yorkshire, and the questionable motives of the one woman who has connected them all. Murder abounds, and no one is off-limits.
Edwards’ Mortmain Hall is a triumph of intrigue, touring Whitehall, late-night Soho, the justice system, and the psychology of murder. Readers will be entranced by Savernake as the mysterious leading lady, although the jury is still out on whether “heroine” is the appropriate term to use. While readers get a peek into Savernake’s reclusive life and mysterious background, plenty of information is yet to be revealed in anticipated sequels to come.
The promising series opens with Gallows Court; however, Mortmain Hall can easily and enjoyably stand alone for readers too eager to begin at the start. Run, don’t walk, to pick up your copy!
