It was interesting reading about a woman undertaker. A nice change of pace from the usual detective. Thought it was well written and it certainly kept my interest. I had no clue as to the 'killer' would be until the end. ( )

This was a treat: an interesting & compelling read, which I read in one day!

Mrs. Violet Harper, widow of London undertaker Mr. Morgan, now running a funeral business in Colorado is currently visiting her sick mother in England.

Lord Raybourn, recently returned from Egypt where he was keeping tabs on Prince Albert Edward & the building of the Suez Canal by the French, is found dead of a gunshot wound to his face by his housekeeper and soon to be wife Mrs. Peet.

Violet is summoned by Queen Victoria to take over the preparations of the body and funeral of the now deceased Lord Raybourn , as well to ask questions about his death...

Due to the nature & extent of facial disfigurement of the corpse, Violet locks the coffin. After agreeing to open it for Mrs. Peet, so that she might take hair for a mourning brooch, Mrs. Peet is found dead, hanged by her neck.

Meanwhile, both Lord Raybourn's Valet & Cook have gone missing and then someone steals Lord Raybourn's remains demanding a ransom for their return.

In the house with Violet are the family:
* Stephen, 2nd son is the new Lord Rayburn; as his eldest brother Cedric, was assumed dead in the Crimean War
* Katherine, Stephen's wife
* Dorothy Fairmont, Lord Raybourn's eldest daughter whom he forced into spinsterhood
* Eleanor "Nelly" Bishop, Lord Raybourn's youngest daughter, whom he forced into an unwanted marriage & out of a career in journalism
* Gordon Bishop, Nelly's husband
* Toby Bishop, Nelly's & Gordon's son who always seems to disappear

Working against Violet is Inspector Hurst of Scotland Yard, who would prefer the death of Lord Raybourn be ruled suicide, but isn't quite convinced.

There were many twists and turns, the family members were written so that they appeared to the reader opposite of their true character.

The dialog was easy to read, the various practices of preparing a body for burial & a family for mourning was very interesting. ( )

http://www.girllostinabook.com/2015/02/review-stolen-remains-by-christine-trent.... ( )