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An undertaker follows a mystery from Windsor Castle to Egyptian tombs: "Violet remains an engaging guide with an unusual perspective on Victorian society." —Publishers WeeklyAfter establishing her reputation as one of London's most highly regarded undertakers, Violet Harper decided to take her practice to the wilds of the American West. But when her mother falls ill, Violet and her husband, Samuel, are summoned back to England, where her skills are as sought-after as ever. She's honored show more to undertake the funeral of Anthony Fairmont, the Viscount Raybourn, a close friend of Queen Victoria who died in suspicious circumstances—but it's difficult to perform her services when his body disappears . . .
As the viscount's undertaker, all eyes are on Violet as the Fairmonts and Scotland Yard begin the search for his earthly remains. Forced to exhume her latent talents as a sleuth to preserve her good name, Violet's own investigation takes her from servants' quarters, to the halls of Windsor Castle, to the tombs of ancient Egypt—and the Fairmont family's secrets quickly begin to unravel like a mummy's wrappings. But the closer Violet gets to the truth, the closer she gets to becoming the next missing body . . .
Wrought with both heartfelt bravery and breathtaking suspense, Stolen Remains is a captivating tale of death and deception set against the indelible backdrop of Victorian London.
Praise for Lady of Ashes
"Rich with historical incidents and details." —Publishers Weekly
"A book you can sink your teeth into, with characters you'll fall in love with." —Mystery Scene Magazine
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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 show more 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. show less
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 show more 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. show less
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.
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20 Works 1,288 Members
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Stolen Remains
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- 111
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- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.58)
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