Review: Complex but great mysteries that need a lot of time and lots of tea
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 22, 2012
There are two reasons why I loved this lengthy collection of mysteries which covers about 571 pages.  The first is that they are so well-written with several characters and anyone can be the perpetrator, and the second reason is that the three mysteries in my Kindle copy take place in 1930, 1885 and 1906.  I really enjoyed the time periods and seeing how the crimes were solved without modern day technology. No iPhones or computers for these detectives; no Lincoln Rhyme, Scarpetta or Alex Cross around to help.The book description and some of the reviews mention three novels and a short story in Volume One of "Afternoon Tea Mysteries" but there are just three novels in mine.  "Murder at Bridge", "The Mill Mystery" and "The Woman in the Alcove" make up my three novels, but the short story is missing.  The authors are Anne Austin and Anna Catherine Green.Each of these mystery novels finds a murder swirling around a wealthy family with a less-than-wealthy character who is virtuous and helpful in solving the crime.  In "Murder at Bridge" a specialty dancer from New York is asked to come to a Midwestern town to begin a theater group since she has had experience with Broadway dancing and was trying to get into the pictures.  She fits herself in with the society folks and plays bridge each week with them and happens to be living in Penelope's grand home that Penelope's family lost when her father left the family.  Penelope now works as a secretary and helpful sleuth to Detective Bonnie Dundee, who is a man.  When reading this one you need to pay close attention because there are numerous characters introduced and as other reviewers suggested, it might be good to jot down names and their relationships to each other while reading.  It's a rather complicated mystery, but very enjoyable and quite clever as to who the perp is and how they pulled all of this off.My favorite is the second one, "The Mill Mystery."  One of the town's most beloved ministers is found dead at the site of an old mill that is no longer in use.  There is something very odd about this death as he seemed to have no enemies and was engaged to a lovely young lady. When a young woman who was orphaned comes to town, she becomes a friend and roommate with the minister's fiance.  When the clergyman dies, it seems to have a chain reaction effect and there are other deaths and illnesses that follow.  Somewhere there is a link with a wealthy family and the minister who eventually gives up his secret in a letter to his fiance, and it will shock the community as well and the reason for his death will, too.  A somber but well-written mystery with very interesting characters and a young lady who won't give up until she helps solve a crime.Third and last is "The Woman in the Alcove" and this is a very fun and good mystery.  A young woman attends a ball with the once-again-wealthy group and as she stands thinking about how she has no chance for marriage, she is proposed to on the spot.  Not long afterwards there is a murder of a very wealthy woman who wears an exquisite and quite large diamond.  Besides the death, the diamond goes missing.  The newly engaged young lady must become a super-detective in order to clear her fiance's name during this case of homicide and theft.  Several very interesting characters and some very exciting scenes.  I loved it.If you like the classic cozy mystery that is clean, no swearing or sexual content and also no outfront violence, just suggestions of it, these mysteries could be your cup of tea.  I'm anxious to read Volumes 2 and 3 which are on my Kindle just waiting to be read.I highly recommend these classics.