The Secrets of Wishtide (A Laetitia Rodd Mystery)

Mrs. Rodd is good at extracting information from people by means of kindness and sympathetic listening. She turns this talent into much needed money by doing discreet investigations for her lawyer brother. He has a large family and an extravagant wife, and can only help her by paying her for work.Mrs. Rodd leaves her cozy but shabby lodging for the mansion of a rich man. Posing as a governess, she’s been hired to dig into the past of an unsuitable charmer who has bewitched the only son of the family. Her job becomes much graver when the charmer is murdered, and the young man is accused of killing her.The plot is rich in fallen women, reversals of fortune, painstaking inquiries, and a plethora of murders. Tea flows on every tense occasion — and sometimes gin. Mrs. Rodd’s nemesis is a police inspector who loves cold hard facts and despises speculation.The Secrets of Wishtide is a fun read. Mrs. Rodd, a delightful sleuth, has a dry sense of humor and an amazingly resourceful nature.I’m always a bit skeptical of the psychological authenticity of modern Victorian mysteries, wondering if contemporary attitudes have crept into the Victorian atmosphere. But this novel was so enjoyable, I decided I didn't care.I notice Mrs. Rodd appears in other books. I’ll be reading them.

A lot of charm in this Dickensian tribute with engaging characters and a solid plot. Too much exposition on historical details (clearly the author had done her research) sometimes jolted me out of the story. For me a slightly harder edit would have made it a four star read. Really enjoyed the relationships between Laetetia, Mrs Briggs and Fred, that's where the story really shines.

I very much enjoyed this book. Good character development and a delightful sense of humor. I especially enjoyed the way the author set us down in the middle of this woman's life, merely mentioning from time to time previous events. I look forward to more from this author about this delightful detective.

Enjoyed the read and would like more Laetitia Rodd mysteries. I liked the period setting and good plot line.

A JOLLY GOOD READ.

A pretty solid first effort in a series which leans toward a 3.5 star rating.I like that the main character is an older woman (52, only a year younger than myself). There are not enough interesting narrators in this age group. Ms. Saunders has also drawn some likeable secondary characters such as Mrs. Bentley, Fred and Minnie. The mystery was pretty good, though I guessed the villain's secret (and identity) about halfway through the book.Even though this is a first book in the series (I hope), I like that this is not Letty's first case (previous cases are alluded to throughout). She does not come off as a bumbling novice and she asks intelligent questions and is no shrinking violet when faced with impossible odds.One thing which annoyed me a little was the overabundant references to different food and drink. Seemed a little like a "show off" move meant to impress.The pace did lag in spots. And I'm not sure why there was such a direct correlation between Helen Orme and Mrs. Calderstone's backstories (regarding affairs and the loss of illegitimate offspring) since neither really had anything to do with the other. To show us how little governance women had over their own lives at the time, especially since we are given two more relatable instances in regards to Mrs. Hardy and Miss Muirfield?Blackbeard was an interesting character (though the name is a little over the top) and makes an intriguing, possible romantic interest for Laetitia Rodd. However, I do think the story grew mawkishly romantic near the end (although not in regards to Laetitia and Blackbeard).One thing which did make me laugh. Letty's niece is named for her and goes by the nickname of Tishy. Letty's brother is Fred Tyson. Which makes Letty's niece Tishy Tyson. Ha ha! I couldn't help laughing.This book is billed as "Laetitia Rodd Mystery #1" and I really hope there is a second. Does anyone have information? I'm a bit pessimistic, however, since this was written over a year ago and I can't find any word of a second book in the works. Too bad because the idea worked very well and I enjoyed Ms. Saunders writing.

Laetitia Rodd is the widow of an Archdeacon and now living quietly in Hampstead. She undertakes confidential investigations, usually brought to her by her brother Fred who is a criminal barrister. She is asked to look into the background of a Mrs Helen Orme by Sir James Calderstone as his son, Charles wants to marry her and Sir James believes her to be an unsuitable wife for him.Laetitia travels to the frozen wastes of Lincolnshire ostensibly to be a governess to Sir James' tow daughters and she quickly discovers that the Calderstones have secrets they want kept hidden which are every bit as damaging as those of Mrs Orme. Letty will need to use all her intelligence and powers of observation after a murder takes place and she and Fred have their work cut out to rescue their clients.I really enjoyed this entertaining Victorian mystery with its evocative pictures of many aspects of Victorian life and its strong minded and intelligent heroine. I also liked Inspector Blackbeard of Scotland Yard and Letty's brother Fred who is a larger than life character. I liked the combination of humour - Letty and Fred often find themselves in funny situations. I also liked Mrs Bentley - Letty's sensible landlady.If you enjoy historical crime mysteries then you may enjoy this one. It is well written with string characters and an interesting plot and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series when it is published.

Set in 1850, this novel introduces us to Laetitia Rodd a widow who lives in ‘reduced circumstances’ with Mrs Mary Bentley (her previous tenants included Keats). Laetitia Rodd has moved out from her beloved brother, Frederick Tyson’s house. Fred is one of London’s most celebrated criminal barristers, but he is also the father of ten children, with another on the way, and childless, widowed sisters are too often expected to act as nurse or governess for Laetitia’s liking…One way in which Laetitia does help her brother, is in the ‘management and prevention of scandal.’ So, when a note arrives saying, “Dear Letty, a matter has arisen…” she wastes no time in jumping in his coach and heading to his house. Sir James Calderstone, head of the Calderstone family of Wishtide in Lincolnshire, has a problem and needs someone discreet to investigate. His son, Charles, wants to make a bad marriage and Sir James wishes it to be prevented at all costs. Charles is independently wealthy, so does not need his father’s approval, but the lady in question will not marry him without his family’s consent.The woman that Charles has fallen for, Helen Orme, had arrived at Wishtide to teach the two daughters of the family to speak Italian. Now Laetitia heads to Lincolnshire to go undercover as a new governess to ‘finish’ the girls before they go into society. She determines to discover the truth, but manages to uncover far more than she anticipated before the end of this delightful novel. I loved Laetitia and all of the characters in this book. Although it is the first in a series, it is obvious that we meet Laetitia after she has already taken place in more than one investigation and so we meet Inspector Thomas Blackbeard, for example, who is already known to Fred and his sister.This is a really excellent historical mystery. I liked the setting, the characters and the storyline. Although much of the story takes place in the genteel settings of dining rooms and great houses, we are also taken to dangerous backstreet London inns and the depths of Newgate prison. With blackmail, murder and more to deal with, Laetitia needs her wits about her to solve the mystery of what is really going on at Wishtide. Hopefully, this will become a series and I really look forward to reading on. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

This is a very appealing story, albeit mirroring many Dickensian plot features, but very much more digestible. On reading it, I kept wondering had there been an earlier book? but no, and although it it is titled "A Laetitia Rodd Mystery" there seemed to be little chance of more in a series (unless retrospectively to this book). I was encouraged to look at other works by the writer, but none of them appeal to me. I could only give this book 4 stars because it was scattered with too many modern touches both in dialogue ("gaff"? really?) and detail, and I found they interrupted the flow uncomfortably. For example, half a crown in the 1850s would have been equivalent to a year's pay for some souls, but the writer dishes them out with abandon, and even in the 1950s so many at one time would have been pretty extravagant. Still, on the whole as a cosy Dickensian mystery this worked well, and I enjoyed it a lot.

Laetitia Rodd, the detective in the stylish, intelligent, and often heart-warming first novel in a new series is a vigorous-minded Victorian widow of a certain age. who ekes out her pension helping her barrister brother solve such mysteries which require a woman's unobtrusive touch. This first outing was inspired by the author's issues with a minor female character in David Copperfield and it is wonderfully done. Well researched, with just enough scenes of Victorian cosiness, interspersed with grittily realistic glimpses of the darker side of Victorian times - for women especially. But what most remains with me is the truthful portrait of the childless widowed Laetitia. Though she has found a useful role for herself, and the companionship of the brilliantly well-drawn Mrs Bentley with whom she shares her small house in Hampstead, Laetitia is constantly reminded of the beloved husband she has lost. Though it is never allowed to overpower the narrative, and there is plenty of humour for balance, her grief is so subtly and realistically conveyed as to make Laetitia a deeply sympathetic character..

An excellent first novel in this series, with a brave and intelligent heroine, characters you quickly come to know and love or hate, a great plot and all the atmosphere of Victorian London. I'm now starting on the second in the series and can hardly wait for the third to appear in paperback (don't like heavy, bulky hardbacks).