Review: Slow but Overall Entertaining
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 11 21, 2012
In 1857, Emily Broughton is sure that she's left her secret past behind her as she struggles to establish herself as a rising actress in the seaside town of Handford.  The company is an eccentric one, full of pompous stars and petty rivalries, but Emily is determined to become a great success.  Unfortunately, her path to fame is hindered when the town becomes embroiled in a sensational murder mystery surrounding the death of Emily's new patron, the wealthy spinster Euphemia Pelham, who is found murdered by arsenic.  Emily, who has befriended the main suspect and is certain of her innocence, is sure that she can use her own wits to determine the true culprit.  But will she be able to do so before her own secret past places her under suspicion as well?  And can she prevent the murderer from striking again?I found aspects of this book to both like and hate.  The main character is, unfortunately, not too likable.  Egotistical and proud, she's also a bit naive and difficult to warm to.  Though she, and the rest of the characters, are well drawn, none really tends to draw the reader into the story as much as could be desired.  The plot, too, though intricate, is a bit slow at times and feels quite choppy at others.  However, the nicely rounded mystery with surprising ending as well as the realistic historical details and setting do make up for some of the book's faults and make it well worth the read, in the end, if you're looking for a nice period mystery.  All in all, a three - to - four star read.