by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Kat Holloway Mysteries #2
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Priceless artwork has gone missing from the home of a wealthy baronet, and his wife stands to take the blame. When Kat's employer asks for help in clearing her friend's name, Kat trades her kitchen for the homes of Mayfair's wealthiest families.
Soon antiques are disappearing not only from the extravagant households of connoisseurs and collectors, but from the illustrious British Museum. As the thefts increase in frequency, Kat calls upon her friend Daniel McAdam, who has already set himself up in a pawnshop on the Strand as a seedy receiver of stolen goods. When a man is murdered in the shop, Kat must use all of her wits to see that the thieves are caught and justice is done.
Scandal Above Stairs by Jennifer Ashley is the second novel in the Kat Holloway Mysteries and offered another suspenseful mystery, with wonderful banter as we deal with life above and below in 1880 London. Kate, respectfully referred to as Mrs. Holloway is the cook in wealthy Mayfair home. With a sharp mind and excellent skills with a kitchen knife Kat finds herself enthralled in another mystery when there is a rash of home burglaries.
Lady Cynthia asks for Kat’s help when her friend’s husband accuses his wife of stealing valuable paintings from their ancestral home to pay off gambling debts. That is quite the switch, No? When she bumps into Daniel he is working at an unsavory pawnshop. Once again he cannot tell her what he is doing, but when she shares her kitchen woes, he sends a clever street urchin, named Tess. I liked Tess and hope she continues to be a part of the series.
In this installment local homes are being pilfered for ancient artifacts and something is going on with the kitchen door. Is it Tess the new help or is this somehow linked to Lady Cynthia’s friend? Kat will face danger before it’s all sorted out and what an adventure it was.
Once again Ashley pulled me right into the story. I found myself at the kitchen table below stairs, sipping tea and taking it all in. I love not only the mysteries in Kat Holloway mysteries, but the talks of food as Kat prepares meals. I will not be applying for Kat’s job anytime soon! We even get to visit another kitchen in the area and oh my what a night that was.
Kat Holloway is one of my favorite characters and I love the relationship she has both with Lady Cynthia and the staff. Then there is her complicated relationship with Daniel. We see some development and it delighted me. Secondary characters from suspects, gentry and staff added depth to the story and were all colorful.
Danger, near death, suspense and delightful banter made Scandal Above Stairs a splendid read. Fans of historical fiction, cozy mysteries and strong heroines will enjoy spending time with these characters.
Danger, near death, suspense and delightful banter made Scandal Above Stairs by Jennifer Ashley a #mustread #historical #mystery Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
This sounds like a great series! I love historical mysteries. I have to start this series. Great review.
Mary
Kimberly
Happy reading I am having grand fun with the series.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
The first one in this series is still one of my favorite reads of 2018 and I’m super excited for this one. I love art theft type mysteries so to have one from a favorite author in a favorite series is just doubly exciting.
Kimberly
Sweet. I hope you enjoy this one as well 🙂
Angela @ Simply Angela
I really need to start this series. I’ve heard so many good things and your review just confirms them.
Kimberly
I hope you love it!
Lily B
I love Kat and Daniel, they work together so well. Cannot wait to read this one
Kimberly
Happy reading!
sjhigbee
This one sounds like huge fun – thank you for a readable, entertaining review:)
Kimberly
Happy to share 🙂
shooting
Sounds like a fun read! I do like mysteries that take place before all the modern gadgets. 🙂
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Kimberly
The series is a lot of fun Lauren.
Angela Adams
I see so few reviews of historical suspense. This read looks like a good one. Thanks for the post.
Kimberly
I love them, and this series is a lot of fun Angela
Debbie Haupt - The Reading Frenzy
Oh i have heard so much good about this series. I need more time, more hours in the day! Great, fantastic review! Thank you
Kimberly
I hear you and feel your pain.
Tyler H. Jolley
I’m glad you enjoyed it and it didn’t disappoint!
Kimberly
Thanks Tyler. This series is proving to be a favorite.
blodeuedd
Ohhh I mean it ticks all the boxes for me!
Kimberly
Right! I hope you grab it 🙂
Sophia Rose
I’m having a good time with this series, too. The kitchen and servant’s hall world, the mystery, and yes her complicated relationship with Daniel and his James. 🙂
Kimberly
Glad you are loving it as well Sophia!
Crystal @ Lost in Storyland
Kat sounds like a great character. I love mysteries with suspense and danger. I haven’t read many historical ones, but I do love historical settings 🙂
Kimberly
This series is proving to be a lot of fun Crystal. I hope you try them.
sherry fundin
Historical romance is hit and miss with me, but I do have a couple from P M Terrell that I will be reading soon.
Kimberly
I would classify this as more historical mystery Sherry.
Melliane
It’s an author I still need to ry but I have some of her books at home
Kimberly
Glad to hear it,, I need to try more of her works myself
Ailyn Koay
i wonder if she gets paid well enough to risk near death…
Kimberly
Pfft. No. She gets one-half-day a week off!
Nadene
Glad this installment was just as good as the first book.
Kimberly
It was Nadene, each book has gotten a little better <3
Christy LoveOfBooks
Sounds fun! I love good characters like that.
Kimberly
Me too, and they make me laugh.