Book Info
Name of Book : Arsenic at Ascot
Author : Kelly Oliver
Publisher : Boldwood Books
Publication Date : 28 Nov 2023
No. of Pages : 279
Format : Netgalley DRCWhy did I choose the book ?
Arsenic at Ascot by Kelly Oliver was offered as a part of the blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources. And, today is my turn to post review.
Where to get the book ?
Arsenic at Ascot by Kelly Oliver is available on Amazon :
Author Introduction
Kelly grew up in the Northwest—Montana, Idaho, and Washington states. Her maternal grandfather was a forest ranger committed to saving the trees, and her paternal grandfather was a logger hell bent on cutting them down. The only thing they agreed on was Canadian rye whiskey. On both sides, her ancestors were some of the first settlers in Northern Idaho. She went from eating a steady diet of wild game shot by her dad (and playing drums with their hooves) to becoming a vegetarian while studying philosophy and pondering animal minds at Northwestern University where she got a PhD in philosophy. Competing with peers who’d come from private schools and posh families “back East” her working-class backwoods grit served her well. And much to her parent’s surprise, she managed to feed and clothe herself as a professional philosopher before giving up academia to become a mystery writer.
Her Jessica James Mysteries are contemporary suspense featuring a former Montana barrel racer become philosophy graduate student. Sound familiar? If James Patterson and Janet Evanovich had a love child, meet Jessica James. The Jessica James Mysteries have won the IPPY Award for BEST Mystery, The Silver Falchion Award for BEST Suspense, the Mischief and Mayhem Award for BEST Mystery, the E-Lit Award for BEST Suspense, and the New York Book Award for BEST Crime Novel.
Blurb
Saddle up for this first class historical mystery, perfect for fans of Helena Dixon and Verity Bright.
London, 1918
Fiona Figg finds herself back in Old Blighty saddled with shuffling papers for the war office. Then a mysterious card arrives, inviting her to a fancy house party at Mentmore Castle. This year’s Ascot-themed do will play host to a stable of animal defense advocates, and Fiona is tasked with infiltrating the activists and uncovering possible anti-war activity.
Disguised as the Lady Tabitha Kenworthy, Fiona is more than ready for the “mane” event, but the odds are against her when both her arch nemesis, dark-horse Fredrick Fredricks, and would-be fiancé Lieutenant Archie Somersby arrive unexpectedly and “stirrup” her plans. And when a horse doctor thuds to the floor in the next guest room, Fiona finds herself investigating a mysterious poisoning with some very hairy clues.
Can Fiona overcome the hurdles and solve both cases, or will she be pipped to the post and put out to pasture by the killer?
My Opinion
Arsenic at Ascot by Kelly Oliver is the fourth book in Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery Series. The plot is focused on a lady spy who is a master or should I say mistress of disguise. Fiona Figg is interesting, confident and talented. I loved her presence throughout the story. She represents all those women who are trying to establish themselves in a man's world. The story picked up fast absorbing me into the story. There were also some funny moments that definitely perks up a reader's interest. The thrill and mystery is perfectly woven. Characters were coming and going from time to time making the book an adventurous journey. The climax was definitely good. But, some readers are going to feel the setting of a spy in a cozy mystery a little bit off. Still the book is worth a one time read. The book deserves 4 stars for its fast paced adventure.
Ratings
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