Death at Epsom Downs

A so-so mystery with an interesting background and some very interesting historical characters, the most noted being Lillie Langtry and The Prince of Wales, Albert Edward. The Victorian and horse racing details are well researched and the book was worth a read for that but it did drag a little for me. It's the seventh in a series but seemed to work all right as a stand alone story.

Robin Paige is in fact the writing team of Susan Wittig Albert and Bill Albert and each of them supplied an author's note at the end.

While I don't regret reading this book, I probably won't actively seek out others in the series.

Kate and Charles are at Epson Downs to view the Derby. Unknown to them, Patrick, the boy they rescued from Rottingdean, who had run away from school, is now training as a jockey at a local stable. There he sees a horse doped for the race, in which the jockey is killed. Later a prominent bookmaker is killed and once again Charles is called upon by the Prince to solve the cases without causing scandal to the Jockey Club and British racing. Meanwhile Kate is interviewing Lily Langtry about her career and learns that Lantry may be involved in the killing. Once again, the tendency for suspects and relatives to empty their hearts to Kate or Charles on the slight acquaintance strains belief.

It was very enjoyable. The story centers around horse racing in England in 1899 when a jockey is killed and horse doping is suspected. Lord Charles Sheridan is called upon to make a private inquiry into the incident on behalf of the Jockey Club, and soon finds himself investigating a murder as well. Meanwhile, his wife Lady Katherine is staying with the legendary Lillie Langford gathering information for a magazine article. She soon finds Lillie is tied up in the murder as well. Justice is served in the final chapters, but not in the usual way.

I found the historic details of book interesting. Horse doping was not illegal at the time, merely frowned upon. American jockeys had just entered the British racing scene with their own style of show more riding, and their own brand of doping, and those in the know were making a ton of money from the bookmakers. Despite the potential harm to horses, jockeys, and bookmakers, the Jockey Club was reluctant to do anything about the doping because admitting its existence would sully the British racing name and reputation. Also, the notion of fingerprints and ballistics as credible evidence was laughable at that time as well. show less

Kate and Charles attend the races and they are upset when one of the jockeys is killed by a runaway horse. Charles is asked to investigate the "doping" problem that is officially legal but not looked on as sportsmanlike. Kate meets and is the guest of the American actress Lily Langtry and becomes embroiled in the mysteries that occur in her life also. This is an excellent addition to the series and the mixture of history and mystery make this a great read.

Simple murder mystery. Superficial, but mildly entertaining.

Enjoyable little historical fiction mystery series.