Dressed for Death by Julianna Deering

I absolutely love this series. I grew up on Hercule, Miss Marple, and Lord Peter and reading a Deering mystery is like coming home.

In this installment of the ongoing adventures of Farthering, Drew and Madeline are invited to spend a week at the Cummins' estate. Drew has known the family for years. The son, Tal, is a good friend. The week is one of entertainment, the wearing of regency clothing, and finale of regency dancing. Nick and Carrie join them. At the end of the celebratory week, death visits the mansion. Tal's girlfriend is dead, poisoned by cocaine. It becomes apparent all is not as it seems at the Cummins home.

I really like Drew. He feels called by God to solve mysteries like this death. But he is puzzled and can't seem to figure out what is going on. Then there is another death, and another. He is dismayed that his bumbling ways seem to have have caused more deaths rather than prevented them. He is just like so many of us, wondering if we have really heard God in our calling.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. The characters are well done and the plot is a good one. There are a few twists in the story, one of which I absolutely did not see coming. I highly recommend this book to those who like British historical mysteries. Great characters, great dialog, authentic setting of 1930s England – another wonderful addition to a favorite series.

Even though this book is part of a series, I think it would read well on its own. But why would you want to miss the earlier ones in the series? You can read my reviews of them: Rules of Murder, Death by the Book, and Murder at the Mikado.

You can find out more about the book and read an excerpt here.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Julianna Deering has a degree in business administration from the University of Texas and spent seven years as a Certified Public Accountant. She lives near Dallas, Texas. You can find out more at www.juliannadeering.com.

Bethany House, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.