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Loading... A Death of No Importanceby Mariah Fredericks
   None No current Talk conversations about this book.  Kathy89 | May 22, 2022 |  I enjoy historical mysteries and looked forward to reading the book set in New York in 1910. Reminiscent of "Downton Abbey" and "Upstairs, Downstairs" with portrayal of distinctions between the 2 classes - the social class hierarchy, the physical settings of living quarters, lifestyle differences between fashion and uniform, and the expectation of performance to serve without being seen or heard. The intrigue that a ladies' maid would have seen and heard key elements that could solve the murder considered one of the crimes of the century although fictional would be beyond possibility to the "upstairs." I found the storytelling riveting, the history interesting, and the mystery absorbing. I also found the pairing of a ladies' maid and newspaper reporter engaging as it presented different sleuthing possibilities than the all-too-familiar pairing of female sleuth with a member of law enforcement. I read one of the last chapters more than once as taking up a few words of the title I could discern "no importance" or "no relevance" at all to any aspect to the storyline at that juncture as to the inclusion for the main character suddenly relating a fondness of elephants that than describes animal abuse of elephants in this time period. It seemed as though the author discovered this information as part of her research and was determined to insert it into the book. From my perspective, it detracts rather than adds to the conclusion of the book. In this mystery the ending is quite different. (  ) FerneMysteryReader | Mar 2, 2022 | Loved this historical mystery! Can't wait to get my hands on Book #2. (  ) SheriRichey | Oct 29, 2021 | New York City, 1910 and Jane Prescott is a ladies’ maid to the newly rich Benchley daughters. Even worse for the Benchleys, their younger daughter Charlotte becomes engaged to useless playboy Norrie, the son of the eminent and rich Newsome family. Jane is at the house party to announce the engagement when she discovers a body. With help she investigates the murder. An engaging well-written mystery. With some rounded characters which I hope will appear again. A NetGalley Book (  ) Vesper1931 | Jul 29, 2021 | Very good mystery set in the early part of 20th century New York. The central character is Jane Prescott, a maid working for a newly wealthy and prominent family and in the course of their youngest daughter's (Charlotte) romantic entanglements, Jane witnesses the aftermath of the death of the daughter's betrothed. Jane has her feet not only in the world of the wealthy, but also in the world of her upbringing, which puts her in contact with those of the working classes as well. So when Charlotte's reputation suffers and an anarchist is wrongly accused of the murder, she feels she must use her skills of observation to look for the truth. Interesting historical links, particularly with early disasters leading to worker deaths through industrial negligence, foreshadowing the later worker organizing, strikes and worker safety laws. Recommended. ( ) FYreads | Mar 26, 2021 | no reviews | add a review
Belongs to Series
"A taut, suspenseful, and complex murder mystery with gorgeous period detail."--Susan Elia MacNeal Through her exquisite prose, sharp observation and deft plotting, Mariah Fredericks invites us into the heart of a changing New York in her remarkable debut adult novel,A Death of No Importance. New York City, 1910. Invisible until she's needed, Jane Prescott has perfected the art of serving as a ladies' maid to the city's upper echelons. When she takes up a position with the Benchley family, dismissed by the city's elite as "new money", Jane realizes that while she may not have financial privilege, she has a power they do not--she understands the rules of high society. The Benchleys cause further outrage when their daughter Charlotte becomes engaged to notorious playboyNorrie, the son of the eminent Newsome family. But when Norrie is found murdered at a party, Jane discovers she is uniquely positioned--she's a woman no one sees, but who witnesses everything; who possesses no social power, but that of fierce intellect--and therefore has the tools to solve his murder. There are many with grudges to bear: from the family Norrie was supposed to marry into, to the survivors of a tragic accident in a mine owned by the Newsomes, to the rising anarchists who are sick of those born into wealth getting away with anything they want. Jane also knows that in both high society and the city's underbelly, morals can become cheap in the wrong hands: scandal and violence simmer just beneath the surface--and can break out at any time. No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.6 — Literature English (North America) American fiction 21st CenturyLC ClassificationRatingAverage: (3.64)
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Wikipedia in English
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There’s a second storyline overlapping about anarchists and the horrific working conditions in mines, and factories and a friendship that develops between Kate and Anna, one of the anarchists. Kate also is befriended by a reporter, Michael, who helps her in her search for clues. (