The Pigeon Pie Mystery: A Novel (edition 2012)

When her father dies unexpectedly, Mink, and Indian royal expat, finds herself destitute and living at the “grace and favor” estate of the Queen. To further complicate matters, Gen Bagshot seems intent on pursuing her even though he is married. So, when he dies after eating pigeon pie made by Pooki, Mink’s maid, the young woman finds herself on a mission to clear Pooki’s name. A very “cozy” mystery full of rich characters including several widows, and American, and the local doctor who falls for Mink, but little action. ( )

Mink is an Indian Princess who falls on hard times when her father suddenly passes during some unsavory circumstances. Mink's faithful maid Pooki sticks by her and together they move into a grace and favor residence. The dispecable Major General Bagshot is dispatched with a poisened pigeon pie baked by Pooki so the blame for his death falls on her. Mink must uncover the true murderer in order to save her maid while in the processs uncovering some interesting secrets held by her neighbors in Hampton court.

I enjoyed this book set in Victorian England. I learned a lot that I didn't know from reading this novel. Maybe a little too much because at times the novel dragged. The mystery itself doesn't take place until the middle of the book but I found the resolution of it very interesting. There was a lot of character development in the first half of the book and now that the backstory of everyone is down I hope the author will use it to expand on future adventures for the delightful characters she created. ( )

I usually love all mysteries British and this sounded like a fun one. Mink, who is really an Indian Princess who has lived all her life in London with her father, a Maharaja exiled from India. When her father dies, Mink discovers that he was living a life of debt and because he died scandalously, the man Mink loves has ditched her. Mink is offered a grace and favor home by Queen Victoria, apartments and homes in Hampton Court Palace offered to people of Quality who have no money. Mink lives with her one servant, Pooki and gets to know some of the quirky residents of the court, many of who believe the place is haunted. Mink and Pooki join the other residents for a picnic and an obnoxious Major-General dies after eating the pigeon pie that Pooki made especially for him.
At this point I was about halfway through the book and was bored. I thought once there was a murder, the story would pick up but it didn't so this was the point I gave up.
I think this could have appeal for the right audience but I just wasn't the right audience. Too bad. ( )

I saw this book mentioned online, so when it turned up on Vine, I thought I would request it. It looked like a fun summer read. I wasn't disappointed, but I was a bit underwhelmed. I thought that there were a lot more words than the story warranted. It was amusing in a British comedy sort of way, and that was appreciated. I do think that it would have benefitted if it was shorter by fifty pages or so.

This is a story of a young lady who was left in very dire straights when her father passed away, leaving her a lot of debt and absolutely no means to pay it. But, having a good head on her shoulders and a seriousness beyond her years she did what she could to right things. This was a rather gargantuan undertaking, however, considering how her fathers death came about. Despite being a serious young lady, she was used to a certain way of living and did tend to slip up now and then when it came to denying herself pretty things. Thankfully, she had her long time servant, Pooki, to help her along. They sold the menagerie, and let all of the other
servants go, before a bit of hope arrived in the form of a letter.

Their salvation nearly became their undoing, all because of a batch of Pigeon Pies. Finding the way out of the maze of this story was enjoyable at times and a bit tedious at other times. A mystery there certainly was. A cast of characters, some of whom were amusing and others who were downright ridiculous, one or two pathetic, much like you would find in any neighborhood, I think?

To me, three stars is a good read. I'm glad I read it, but doubt it will ever call out to me to be read again. That however is me, and if British mysteries appeal. or a light read is what you are looking for, you may just find it here. ( )

http://www.cozylittlebookjournal.com/2012/07/pigeon-pie-mystery-by-julia-stuart....

I'm not sure how author Julia Stuart is spending her time these days, but I sincerely hope it involves working on another Princess Mink and Pooki book. The Pigeon Pie Mystery is whimsical and cozy and lovely and I didn't want it to end. I mean, just look at the cover. It's FULL OF WHIMSY.

Princess Alexandria--aka Mink--is an Indian princess and daughter of the late Maharaja of Prindur who finds herself in dire straits after her father's death in 1897. Luckily she and her trusty Indian maid, Pooki, are invited to move into the grace-and-favour housing of the Hampton Court Palace. After dispatching with her father's menagerie of exotic pets--including porcupines, flamingos that have turned yellow from eating goldfish, and a red-trousered monkey named Albert--the pair move into their new home, surrounded by other down-and-out aristocrats. Before long they find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery (involving, yes, a pigeon pie) that threatens to land Pooki in hot water. Fortunately, Mink is on the case and is determined to find the real culprit.

I can't say for certain how historically accurate the world of The Pigeon Pie Mystery is. The author's note assures us that grace-and-favour housing continued to be granted by the British Crown up until 1980 and Hampton Court still has a small number of residents and palace staff to this day. On the other hand, she anachronistically uses the word "teenager" throughout the book when describing young people, even though the story takes place several decades before that word (or concept) even existed.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter. The whole novel is, as I've said, deliberately whimsical, borrowing and exaggerating elements of Victorian life into a delightful tapestry. There are competing professional mourning companies. There is a bicycling instructor who fretfully warns against fancy riding. There is a homeopath who also performs magic tricks, with a rabbit and everything. There's a one-legged dance instructor who cautions against ever attempting the Lancers because "no one knows how to do that."

If Julia Stuart decides to make this a series (DO IT! DO IT!) I will definitely be lining up to get each instalment!

For more reviews, please visit my blog, CozyLittleBookJournal.

Disclaimer: I received a digital galley of this book free from Edelweiss (Above the Tree Line). I was asked to write an honest review, though not necessarily a favourable one. The opinions expressed are strictly my own. ( )