Drew and Madeline Farthering arrive at a Regency-era house party at Winteroak House, excited to be reunited with old friends, including Drew's former Oxford classmate Talbot Cummins. Tal is there with his fiancée, Alice Henley, and though many present seem worried about the couple, nobody is prepared when Alice dies from an apparent overdose. Tal refuses to believe she'd taken the drugs intentionally, and a dark question arises of whether the death is an accident or murder.
The police have their own information though, and Drew is shocked when they arrest someone he's trusted and admired since his childhood--someone who's been smuggling drugs into the country for years. Stunned by what has happened, Tal begs Drew to get to the bottom of everything, but Drew has never felt more unsettled. Questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, Drew doesn't know whom to trust, and he's not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover--or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.
Julianna Deering has always loved British history and literature and is particularly a fan of the classic mysteries written by Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas and now works for an attorney specializing in wills and estate planning. She lives outside Dallas, Texas, where she loves to quilt, cross-stitch, and watch hockey. Learn more at www.juliannadeering.com.
MY REVIEW:
I have been a huge fan of Julianna Deering's since I read her first book, "Rules of Murder" and then her other two books after that. They never disappoint!
Dressed for Death is another great mystery, set in England during the early 1930's and filled with amazing characters that I just can't forget. Julianna writes in a way that is classic and holds your attention throughout.
This story finds us with Drew and Mandeline at a friend's estate where they are having a Regency-era house party. Nick and Carrie, and her brother Will, are there as well as Drew and Nick's friend, Tibby and his fiance, Alice. Tibby's family owns the estate and all is going really beautifully until someone dies.
There are shocking revelations about Tibby's family and he is devastated when one thing after another happens to change his life forever. Cocaine is found to be the murdering agent and the police move in to reveal that they have been watching the Lord of the Manor for a long time. It's a very tangled web that leaves us wondering where one strand starts and one ends.
I really love how Drew and Madeline's faith plays such a huge part in their life. Prayer is something that they will turn to time and again and they truly live their faith out. I also enjoy how Drew feels called to do what God has called him to do, detective work, and Madeline supports him every step of the way. The Austen references throughout the book also make it very endearing.
I did figure out who the main culprit was towards the end, but it took me most of the book to figure it out. I can usually figure out "who done it" half way through a book and really hold a book in high esteem if it stumps me for longer than that. I really loved this book and I'm sure you will, too!!
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Bethany House Publishers
Blessings - Julie
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