Though Kat Holloway is a cook by trade, and a very good
one, she also has a talent for solving mysteries. This
talent has brought murder and mayhem into her sphere once
again, as she is drawn into an investigation of stolen
artworks and antiquities. Lady Cynthia is one of the
"above stairs" residents of Kat's employers, and this
unusual lady considers Kat a friend, rather than just a
servant. It's Lady Cynthia's friend, Clemmie, who has
had valuable artwork stolen, which first brings Kat into
this puzzling series of thefts.
Daniel McAdam is Kat's somewhat mysterious friend, and
possible future lover, who Kat has not seen for a couple
months. When the household butler mentions that he saw
Daniel managing a pawn shop, Kat doesn't hesitate to go
there to find out what Daniel has been up to. Daniel,
while happy to see Kat, is angry to have her appear at
the shop where he is playing a dangerous masquerade. It
seems Kat and Daniel are both involved in investigations
which are more closely related than they realize.
In SCANDAL ABOVE STAIRS, Daniel finally reveals a little
more of his past to Kat, though we still don't truly know
who he works for. Daniel is a charming man with a silver
tongue, who has a knack for disguises and seems able to
do anything. Yet, he seems to have a heart of gold, and
a true affection for Kat, as well as his son, James. Kat
was deceived badly by a man when she was younger, and is
wary and very careful now. Still, she can't seem to
stay away from Daniel, mysterious though he is, and
welcomes the rare kisses and embraces they share.
I enjoyed this second installment in the Below
Stairs series very much. The pacing was excellent,
and the story flowed along nicely, holding my interest
with every page. The characters of Daniel and Kat, while
charming and stern respectively on the outside, are also
caring and generous on the inside. They share an
affinity for solving puzzles, and make an excellent team.
There are other secondary recurring characters who leave
a lasting impression: Lady Cynthia - the smoking,
trouser wearing rebel; James - Daniel's charismatic
teenage son; the nosy, yet kindly butler; and the cheeky
new cook's assistant, Tess. SCANDAL ABOVE STAIRS is a
compelling read, and I look forward the upcoming
adventures (and hopefully romantic interludes) of Kat and
Daniel.
A mystery of stolen antiquities has Kat Holloway setting
aside her apron once again for the intrigues of the upper
echelons of Victorian London
Priceless artwork
has gone missing from the home of a wealthy baronet, and his
wife stands to take the blame. When Kat's employer asks for
help in clearing her friend's name, Kat trades her kitchen
for the homes of Mayfair's wealthiest families. Soon
antiques are disappearing not only from the extravagant
households of connoisseurs and collectors, but from the
illustrious British Museum.
As the thefts increase in
frequency, Kat calls upon her friend Daniel McAdam, who has
already set himself up in a pawnshop on the Strand as a
seedy receiver of stolen goods. When a man is murdered in
the shop, Kat must use all of her wits to see that the
thieves are caught and justice is done.
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