Catherine Lloyd is the alter ego of Kate Pearce, an award winning author of spicy books. Kate moved to the Big Island of Hawaii just as I left Oahu ... but we have become Twitter friends. After meeting Kate at the RT Booklovers' Convention, I contacted Kensington to review DEATH COMES TO THE VILLAGE:
Major Robert Kurland has returned to the quiet vistas of his village home to recuperate from the horrors of Waterloo. However injured his body may be, his mind is as active as ever. Too active, perhaps. When he glimpses a shadowy figure from his bedroom window struggling with a heavy load, the tranquil facade of the village begins to loom sinister...Unable to forget the incident, Robert confides in his childhood friend, Miss Lucy Harrington. As the dutiful daughter of the widowed rector, following up on the major's suspicions offers a welcome diversion - but soon presents real danger. Someone is intent on stopping their investigation. And in a place where no one locks their doors, a series of thefts and the disappearance of two young serving girls demands explanation...As Robert grapples with his difficult recovery, he and Lucy try to unearth the dark truth lurking within the village shadows, and stop a killer waiting to strike again...
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| My mother's family hails from Kenn, Devon. My ancestors are buried at the Church of St. Andrews churchofstandrew.org.uk |
Few things are more pleasant than a village graced with a good church, a good priest and a good pub. - John Hillaby
In the village of Kurland St. Mary, the pleasantries derive from the rector's daughter, Miss Lucy Harrington. She cares for her widowed father, her four siblings, and the villagers in need. She also cared for the village's benefactor, Major Robert Kurland, when he returned from Waterloo. But Lucy wants more for her own life, maybe even a season in London.
Kurland struggles with his recovery and vents his anger on those who care most about him, including Lucy. After falling in the night, Lucy visits him at her father's behest. In the quiet moments they share without the servants, Kurland revelas to Lucy that he witnessed someone carrying something across his property (as he tried to close the curtains, which lead to his fall). Lucy agrees to casually ask around the village for any strange incidents. Her inquiry leads to more time spent with Kurland as they ultimately overcome the restrictions placed upon them by injury and society.
Lloyd shines with an unexpected hero in Kurland. He has a short temper, making him a difficult patient for those trying to help him. Yet Kurland employs his mind (and authority) to aid Lucy in the investigation. Likewise, Lucy is a likable heroine who makes the best of every situation. She soon makes the best of working with grumpy Kurland, forming an adult friendship with a childhood playmate. Kudos to Lloyd for the very last scene between Kurland and Lucy - he develops a sense of humor and she stands up for herself. Lloyd hints at a budding romance that may unfold in the next book, DEATH COMES TO LONDON, scheduled for release on November 25, 2014.
The cozy mystery kept my interest while I enjoyed Lloyd's vivid descriptions of the quaint village. Recommended read for those who enjoy amateur detectives with a historical twist.
I received an ARC from Kensington for an honest review.
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| The Ley Arms in Kenn, Devon theleyarmskenn.co.uk |
I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about a picturesque village and/or church you have visited (even if it is in your town).
2. Comments are open through Saturday, July 12, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 13.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
Learn more about Catherine Lloyd aka Kate Pearce at katepearce.com.
I've been to St. Patrick's Cathedral.
ReplyDeleteU have not, great pics
ReplyDeleteThanks
Kimh
Since my dad was in the army when I was a child and we were fortunate to have lived overseas for a few years, I've seen my fair share of grand cathedrals and castles. But we never really spent any time in quaint villages or churches in our travels. But as I scan my memory, I took a trip to British Columbia a couple years ago and visited a small mountain town of Nelson, which was rather quaint. My friend and I stayed in a little chalet-style hotel...so cute. :)
ReplyDelete~Jen K
As a child we travelled around a lot. I have seen many a quaint town & church. My mother loved to read the headstones & marvel at the history.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had a chance to visit Fiji a few years ago with my family, we visited a beautiful but small village by the ocean. The name of the village escapes me but I remember being awestruck by the beauty of the surroundings.
ReplyDeleteWilliamsburg is quaint with a lovely old church.
ReplyDeleteI visited Bath and found it to be amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhen visiting family in the UK, we 'found' several charming villages with lovely squares, churches and pubs.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite church is the minster in York, UK. Absolutely loved it there. A cute little village is my hometown Kalkar, our city hall dates back to the Middle ages.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kalkar.de/C1257559003D3AB7/html/4A0DE6C5E9E7E6A9C125758300540AD1?opendocument&nid1=06609
The church that I was baptism in.....it's a Basilica. Just so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOne of our local boroughs is known for it's churches - the amount of them and the variety. Some are very old and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy recollections of picturesque villages and/or churches in the U.S. are the "old towns" I have walked through in Historic Folsom and Sacramento, CA; Historic Philadelphia, PA; Historic Williamsburg, VA; Historic San Antonio, TX; Historic Old Mesilla, Las Cruces, NM; and all of the lovely old villages,churches/castles in England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland where I spent a summer in 1986 (too numerous to list here). Walking through historic sites & villages is my most favorite thing to do and I do it every chance I get...and I avoid all of the entertainment sites in new places I visit. Thanks for asking! jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDeletewe stopped in a pretty village in the Cotswolds called Bourton-on-the-water; it was pretty crowded the day we were there.
ReplyDeleteDon't think I've been to one
ReplyDeleteOur town is so small that when we travel, we usually avoid smallness. So I can't say I've ever visited any! :-)
ReplyDeleteNiagara on the lake is very pretty and rustic.
ReplyDeleteI've traveled through numerous small and picturesque towns, although the names escape me at the moment. When I was a child, we toured a number of beautiful churches/cathedrals in Canada.
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