Recent Reads {Behind the Shattered Glass}

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Behind the Shattered Glass by Tasha Alexander - I have been waiting for what seems like a long time for the newest Lady Emily mystery, and it was a quick and entertaining read! Emily and her husband Colin are settled in the English country home, enjoying their little sons and hosting a couple of guests, when a quiet evening is interrupted by a man stumbling in the door and falling down dead. He turns out to be their neighbor, the Marquess of Montagu. Of course Emily and Colin are called upon to investigate, but it seems like almost everyone they talk to is lying about something. The list of potential suspects includes the cousin of the Marquess who thought she would inherit the title until another long-lost cousin showed up, and a vicar's daughter who had been in a relationship with the Marquess and claimed they were engaged. Neither is completely honest with Emily. The trail also leads them to several serving girls and their families that may have had a reason for revenge. 

One thing that makes this novel a little different is that the chapters alternate between Lady Emily's first-person narrative, and a third person narrative that describes what is happening 'downstairs' - with the servants of the household, particularly the housemaid Lily. I really enjoyed the glimpse of life below stairs, although the trouble-making kitchen maid didn't seem to have a real motive for being so nasty.

The solution to the mystery did come as rather a surprise to me, but after the reveal the story gets quickly and rather too neatly wrapped up with a couple of odd couple romances. All in all, an enjoyable mystery, but not the best in the series. Also? I have no idea how the title relates to the story. LOL

By the same author: Death in the Floating City, A Crimson Warning, Dangerous to Know, Tears of Pearl, A Fatal Waltz, A Poisoned Season, And Only to Deceive

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