Murder Offstage (Posie Parker Mystery #1) by L.B. Hathaway
Starting a new mystery series is always exciting for me. I like the thrill of learning how a new author presents their story, the characterization which leads you to a new favorite friend, and the development of the plot. It's an intoxicating trifecta of bliss all within the pages of a novel.
"Cambridge-educated, British-born L.B. Hathaway writes historical fiction and contributes to a number of popular history magazines and websites. She worked as a lawyer at Lincoln's Inn in London for almost a decade before becoming a full-time writer.
She brings her love of detective novels set in the Golden Age of Crime and an obsession with English history to her own writing.
The Posie Parker series of cosy crime novels span the 1920s. They each combine a core central mystery, an exploration of the reckless glamour of the age and a feisty protagonist who you would love to have as your best friend.
Her other interests, in no particular order, are: very fast downhill skiing, theatre-going, drinking strong tea, Tudor history, exploring castles and generally trying to cram as much into life as possible." ~Amazon
Beyond all of the ups and downs of the legal events, Posie is also dealing with an incompetent secretary -- who might be a spy and her partner, Len, whom she has been in love with since he first came to work with her and has been giving her some mixed messages. There's a lot on this amateur detective's plate, and it's beginning to look as if she's in over her head.
A few highlights revolve around the sting operation into the underground nightclub, Posie's lack of squeamish behavior when meeting the dead, her quick and clever idea to tell the story of the raid to a newby Associated Press journalist in exchange for a future favor, the evidence piling against Rufus, the mysterious -- possibly forged letters, the gentleman waiting for Posie in her office who happened to disappear without anyone else seeing him -- and he never met with Posie and told her what he wanted; the supposedly Catholic priest at the inquest that no one noticed but Posie, and so much more keep your attention hooked and reading.
Confused by the idea of finding "carbon particles" as diamond fragments left behind in a hiding spot, I'm uncertain if the truth of this statement can lend credence to what's revealed. I know forensics were considered to be in their "infancy" during the 1920s, despite the amazing strides that had been made, and I couldn't verify that possibility when I attempted a little research. It isn't a huge deal, but it helps me to understand the plot better and feel its authenticity.
She brings her love of detective novels set in the Golden Age of Crime and an obsession with English history to her own writing.
The Posie Parker series of cosy crime novels span the 1920s. They each combine a core central mystery, an exploration of the reckless glamour of the age and a feisty protagonist who you would love to have as your best friend.
Her other interests, in no particular order, are: very fast downhill skiing, theatre-going, drinking strong tea, Tudor history, exploring castles and generally trying to cram as much into life as possible." ~Amazon
For more, see:
Book One, Murder Offstage, introduces us to the main character and prime sleuth herself --Posie Parker.
“This novel is a first class cozy worthy of Agatha Christie.”
** Praise for 'Murder Offstage' by Sweet Mystery Books **
"Like your mysteries cozy and set during the Golden Age of Crime? This is the first book in the Posie Parker mysteries, although this novel can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story in its own right. Set in London in 1921, 'Murder Offstage' is full of intrigue and red herrings. This is a classic murder mystery which will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey.
When Posie Parker’s childhood friend is robbed of a priceless jewel and becomes a suspect in a cold-blooded murder case, budding detective Posie vows she will clear his name. Aided by her seriously gorgeous assistant Len, Posie soon realizes things are not quite as they seem, and the darkly-glamorous world of London’s theatre and glittering nightclubs prove far more dangerous than she ever could have imagined.
Just who exactly is the dangerous Lucky Lucy Gibson? And who is it she has killed in the lobby of the Ritz Hotel? And more importantly, what on earth has happened to Mr Minks, the much-loved office cat?
If you love an action-packed historical cozy crime with a feisty protagonist, download a sample or buy 'Murder Offstage' now." ~Amazon
Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!
A new cozy and historical mystery to wrap your mind around.
We begin with the first book in the Posie Parker Mystery Series: Offstage Murder set in 1921's England. Here we find our mc called out on a new job -- one she needs, and she isn't quite sure what she's stepped into.
We're thrust into the murder on the very first page, and I have to say that Author L.B. Hathaway does an admirable job of setting up the scene and giving us our first view of Posie Parker. The young detective takes in the location, position, and commotion before entering the London Ritz Hotel with ease. Somehow, she isn't disconcerted by the dead body on display, but instead, makes a concise perusal of the body and what he's wearing before entering the domain and finding the man she'd gone there to meet.
An old friend of her brother's, and by extension, her family is in need of her services, and she rushes to his side to find out what all the hubbub is about. Once there, he not only tells her the tale of a stolen and priceless diamond but finds himself arrested in connection to the murdered man. Posie sets out to find out information and recover the diamond for him while clearing his name of murder.
A quick debrief of Posie's background throughout the first few chapters tell us she was an ambulance driver in the Great War, lost her brother and husband on the battlefields, and soon lost her father, a parish rector, not long afterward. With a legacy from her father left in his will and being ousted from her own home, she moves to London and sets up her dream agency. She calls it The Grape Street Bureau: P. Parker & Associates. Of course, she's hesitant to tell the world that it's an one-woman business, and after two months of no clients, she's afraid it won't matter for much longer. She might be penniless and without any hope of a job.
However, we're given the facts of a visit from a Mr. Irving who was a real detective with his own agency and employees. Ready to retire and hating to close business -- even though he's being forced out of his basement offices, he strikes a deal with Posie: take on his son, old jobs, and split the income 50/50. Against her better judgement and out of fear of being closed down herself, she accepts the terms.
Thankfully, this all works out to her advantage. Len Irving is not only a praiseworthy worker, but he's not bad to look at either. He works hard, handles a lot of the continued cases leftover from his father's business -- Posie doesn't exactly see them as worthwhile, and he brings in more ventures as time goes on. Including investigations that Posie finds comfortable taking on herself and less sordid and sneaky than that ones the Irvings had been inspecting.
Now, Posie is taking on Rufus Cardigeon's case. The case already has a dead body, a curse on the stolen jewel, an infamous outlaw, and creepy stalkers. She finds her movements dogged by an underworld criminal and making unlikely alliances.
A few highlights revolve around the sting operation into the underground nightclub, Posie's lack of squeamish behavior when meeting the dead, her quick and clever idea to tell the story of the raid to a newby Associated Press journalist in exchange for a future favor, the evidence piling against Rufus, the mysterious -- possibly forged letters, the gentleman waiting for Posie in her office who happened to disappear without anyone else seeing him -- and he never met with Posie and told her what he wanted; the supposedly Catholic priest at the inquest that no one noticed but Posie, and so much more keep your attention hooked and reading.
Confused by the idea of finding "carbon particles" as diamond fragments left behind in a hiding spot, I'm uncertain if the truth of this statement can lend credence to what's revealed. I know forensics were considered to be in their "infancy" during the 1920s, despite the amazing strides that had been made, and I couldn't verify that possibility when I attempted a little research. It isn't a huge deal, but it helps me to understand the plot better and feel its authenticity.
I was a bit disappointed by the police interactions Posie had with Inspector Oats and Inspector Lovelace. Overall, I thought Lovelace was intelligent and a good detective; he was open and willing to listen to Posie and had some ideas of his own. However, Inspector Oats was a jerk, appeared ignorant and unwilling to cooperate, and too worried about pushing Posie out of the investigation and arresting Rufus than getting to the bottom of the actual truth. It felt like a caricature of a real police officer, and I'd certainly hope one wouldn't reject legitimate ideas because they came from an outside source. I suppose this type of stereotypical portrayal did bring the story down a notch for me. Also, I doubt the police would have allowed her to keep a picture of the bad guys they'd been looking for, which had just been supplied by the Belgium government.
Excellent plot twist with who the culprit was. Unexpected to a large degree, and I'm glad I didn't really see it coming. The wrap-up of the mystery was well-done too. It didn't necessarily end neatly with a tied-bow, and I liked that. There's room for more to come about and new cases are already coming in thanks to Posie's help being revealed to the press by none other than Inspector Lovelace himself. I knew I liked him. Another pleasing plot point was that the mystery wasn't taken up with the romance brewing between Posie and her partner Len. I found it suited the story to have their beginning relationship take a backseat to what was going on, and I still feel as if there's a lot about Len we don't know yet.
Overall this was a well-written, solid plot with a complex main character who I liked more and more as the book progressed. I'm eager to read the author's series and see what develops next and how Posie learns, grows, and evolves in the coming stories. It was a great book to keep me company bringing in the new year. As a result of the above stated reasons and more, I'm giving this a 4/5 "really liked it" rating. It's a series I can't wait to fall in love with, and I encourage you to give it a try for a fun, cozy, historical mystery treat.
~Rebecca Reddell
Excellent plot twist with who the culprit was. Unexpected to a large degree, and I'm glad I didn't really see it coming. The wrap-up of the mystery was well-done too. It didn't necessarily end neatly with a tied-bow, and I liked that. There's room for more to come about and new cases are already coming in thanks to Posie's help being revealed to the press by none other than Inspector Lovelace himself. I knew I liked him. Another pleasing plot point was that the mystery wasn't taken up with the romance brewing between Posie and her partner Len. I found it suited the story to have their beginning relationship take a backseat to what was going on, and I still feel as if there's a lot about Len we don't know yet.
Overall this was a well-written, solid plot with a complex main character who I liked more and more as the book progressed. I'm eager to read the author's series and see what develops next and how Posie learns, grows, and evolves in the coming stories. It was a great book to keep me company bringing in the new year. As a result of the above stated reasons and more, I'm giving this a 4/5 "really liked it" rating. It's a series I can't wait to fall in love with, and I encourage you to give it a try for a fun, cozy, historical mystery treat.
THE POSIE PARKER MYSTERY SERIES available exclusively on Amazon:
'Murder Offstage' (Book #1)
'The Tomb of the Honey Bee' (Book #2)
'Murder at Maypole Manor' (Book #3)
'The Vanishing of Dr Winter' (Book #4)
'Murder of a Movie Star' (Book #5)
'Murder in Venice' (Book #6)
'The Saltwater Murder' (Book #7)
'Murder on the White Cliffs' (Book #8)
'Marriage is Murder?' (Book #9)
'Murder in the London Lights?' (Book #10)
'Murder in Tuscany' (Book #11) pre-order now, available 25 February 2021.
~more on the way!
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Thank you for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)
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