FLORA FLOWERDEW AND THE SECRET OF THE SARCOPHAGUS is the third book in a three-book series. After reading all three, I feel the author does a good job of making each book a standalone read. There are some overlapping characters in addition to the heroine, Flora, but the reader is given enough background information to read ‘Secret of the Sarcophagus’ without reading the first two books.
The story is set in the late 1800s, a time when women were defined by a husband or close male relative to tell them what to do, what to think, and how to behave. Flora is her own hero as she manages to (literally) pull herself from the streets of London to become a medium for the spirit world, holding séances for those willing to pay for a chance to speak with the departed. In her work as a medium, Flora has become quite the sleuth, using her gifts to solve mysteries that seem to fall into her lap unexpectedly. Flora’s romantic interest is a Duke, Benedict, though the personality the writer weaves is very relatable and not the stiff and stodgy type of character one would expect for a Duke. Benedict has become a good friend to Flora. If you are looking for any level of spice in this Victorian-era novel, you will be very disappointed. There are, however, many furtive glances and lots of knuckle kissing. Even Flora, with her flair for life, is too proper to behave dishonorably around Benedict. Benedict, in turn, is the perfect gentleman.
Flora gets pulled into a mystery involving Egyptology and archaeological digs of pyramids by Benedict and his great Aunt Imogen. In any mystery, I like to try to guess who the villain or villains will be, but I was a bit stumped by this one as there are a lot of red herrings and breadcrumbs in every direction imaginable for such a short read. I do like the adventurous nature of both main characters, Flora and Benedict, as they work as a team to solve the mystery. Both characters are much better at being in the wrong place at the right time, which works well for the amateur investigators they have become. I did stumble into part of the answer for ‘who done it’, but only because I had complete trust in one of my favorite characters in the book, Chou-Chou. C-C is the Pomeranian pooch of Madame Flowerdew who happens to have her own ‘spirit world’ gifts. Chou-chou is a fun addition to the characters in the book and has an adorable personality. I think readers will fall in love with Aunt Imogen too.
Despite a few reservations, I would recommend FLORA FLOWERDEW AND THE SECRET OF THE SARCOPHAGUS for a fun summer beach read or a cozy evening read by the fireplace.
1889. With the winter season, Flora\'s séance society is quiet and life looking dull. A late-night visit from the too-handsome Benedict, Duke of Everton, and his aunt Lady Imogen changes all that. Imogen\'s long-ago lover, the renowned archaeologist Lord Crosbie, is missing, and she fears the worst.
Flora agrees to accompany them to a mummy unwrapping at the British Museum to see if anyone knows about the disappearance. It\'s the shock of the town when Crosbie himself is found in the ancient sarcophagus—murdered! Adventure awaits when Flora, Benedict, Imogen, the faithful Pomeranian Chou-Chou, and Mary the Cockney maidservant, set off for Egypt—and find a large cast of suspects who all had good reason to send the archaeologist off to his own underworld...
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