A Trace of Poison

I'm really enjoying this historical mystery series written by Colleen (Gleason) Cambridge. Not only does it have a plot that would make Dame Agatha proud, but historian Cambridge really gives readers a strong feel for the period and all that it entails being the housekeeper of a large country home.

Phyllida Bright is a stern taskmistress, but she is liked and respected by the staff of Mallowan Hall, and since she and Agatha Christie served together during the Great War, she has a special relationship with her employer. Phyllida is extremely opinionated and, in A Trace of Poison, seems to have a thing about mustaches, but to each her own. The chauffeur, Bradford, and his puppy really get up her nose, and I love how Bradford enjoys show more getting a rise out of her every chance he can get. Yes, the sparks are flying between these two, but I sincerely hope that Cambridge doesn't light the fire, at least for a while.

All detectives worth their salt have "resources" to help them with their investigations. Sherlock Holmes has the Baker Street Irregulars, and Phyllida Bright has her "downstairs" contacts-- all the housekeepers, cooks, maids, and footmen who work in the surrounding houses. She needs all the help they can give her because this is one magnificently convoluted crime.

All the historical figures in A Trace of Poison are 99% set dressing. They say very little and have even less to do with the actual plot, but it's great just to imagine them spending a weekend with Agatha Christie and her husband in their country house. If there's anything I've found to be a bit tiresome in the (so far) two books in this series it's the long, drawn-out summoning of the suspects and all the explanations given during the reveal at story's end. It just takes too bloomin' long. Phyllida, I know you love Hercule Poirot; does he take as long to amaze us with his brilliance? If he does, you really don't have to be a slavish imitator, you know!

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley) show less

I enjoyed reading this. I like the author's writing style; writes in a brisk, engaging way with warmth and wit. It doesn't have overly descriptive sentences that cause the story to drag. I liked all the characters; particularly the chauffer and his dog held intrigue and charm. Contrary to what others thought, I didn't find the MC a terrible harridan. She's a bit of a stiff and has a high opinion of herself but it's written in such a comical way you don't take offense and reminds one of Poirot. And I enjoyed the banter between her and the chauffer, you know for all that that they're attracted to each other they just don't want to admit it. I look forward to how their relationship will progress.

However, it all fell apart at the end. I show more figured out some of the mystery but what annoyed me the most was the overly convoluted resolution where parts of it didn't make sense and had holes in the logic. Something the author didn't adequately address. It was a let down. Too bad because up until then, it was quite good. show less

3.5 Stars

I am always on the lookout for a new ‘favorite’ historical mystery series and author, and though I rarely read the fan fiction types of books, I thought I’d give this one a try. I did not read the first book in the series, but I don’t feel as if I missed anything that this book didn’t fill in for me – nor did this one enthuse me to go back and read that first book.

Mrs. Phyllida Bright is housekeeper to the famous author Agatha Christi and her archaeologist husband Max Mallowan. Agatha and Phyllida became best friends during the war and they remain so. Phillida is perceptive, and exacting, and expects those who report to her to be efficient with their tasks and exacting with their personal grooming. She sets high show more standards and expects them to be followed to the letter.

The local Catholic church, St. Wendreda, supports an orphanage that happens to need a new roof. So, it was decided that a Murder Fete would be held and that the local Listleigh Murder Club members (they are amateur murder fiction writers) would each write and submit a short story to be judged by the members of The Detection Club (that really existed as did the members). The author of the winning entry would be published in both England and America and they would also get an agent. Those are very valuable prizes to would-be professional writers.

On the first evening of the Fete, there is a murder and as the Fete goes on, there are more murders and attempted murders – not to mention thefts. Everyone (including Phyllida) knows it is up to Phyllida to solve the crime. The police, Constable Greensticks and Detective Cork are both bumbling idiots that Phyllida looks down her nose at, so they cannot be trusted to solve the murder. Yes, it has to be Phyllida.

While continuing to manage the Fete and run her household with ease and efficiency, Phyllida investigates the crimes. Everyone is hiding some secret or another. Are those secrets pertinent to the crime or are they just embarrassing bits of information they don’t want to share?

There are so many characters and references to popular murder mysteries of that period that you’ll need a pen and paper to keep up with them. The author does provide a ‘Cast of Characters’ section at the front of the book to help you keep up, and I believe it is multiple pages long. I believe the author is trying to write in the style of those early mystery writers without directly copying them and, to me, it was just too much, too many twists, too many out-of-left-field things happening, and the end was a major leap of – logic??? For me, the story gets bogged down in so much minutia that it just almost comes to a halt. I believe the author could present the same general story with many fewer words and have a much more readable story.

I just could not come to like Phyllida. I know I was supposed to like her, but try as I might, I just couldn’t. I thought she was condescending, aloof, and a bigger snob than her ‘betters’. Some of my favorite parts are when the driver, Bradford, gets the better of her. Frankly, I was rooting for him to solve the mystery and leave Phyllida in the dust. I wouldn’t mind knowing more about Phyllida and Bradford because the author keeps hinting that there is more to them than we are privy to know. I’m not sure I’m interested enough to find out by reading the next book though. I’ll have to think about that for a while. Should you choose to read the book, I hope you’ll love it. It just wasn’t the style of book I enjoy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

Phylida Bright is her no-nonsense self as head housekeeper at Mallowan Hall, home to old friend, the famed Agatha Christie. Other golden age authors are descending to help fundraise and assist the local detection club in their writing contest. A local vicar keels over after drinking a poisoned cocktail meant for the head of the local writers' group. The publishing prize seems to bring out the worst in someone. There is a bit less of the upstairs/downstairs vibe, since so much of the action takes place out of the Hall, but Phylida, butler Mr. Dobble and chauffeur Bradford have plenty of time to sigh and spar.

A Trace of Poison is book #2 in the Phyllida Bright Mysteries. The book is a gentle murder mystery in that there is not a lot of blood and gore but it ends with an elaborate plot twist. Four stars were given in this review.

I liked the first in this series although not enough to pay a lot for the next books, but since they are available with Kobo Plus I have happily read my way through the whole series. The author is American, and it shows, although I can read through the language Americanisms as the story carries you along. However the lack of understanding of British manners and behaviour of the time grated sometimes. Each of the murders investigated by the housekeeper, Mrs Bright, apparently gives Agatha Christie ideas for her novels.

In "A Trace of Poison," by Colleen Cambridge, Phyllida Bright is sleuthing again. Agatha Christie's tightly-wound housekeeper swings into action when a local man is poisoned. There are plenty of suspects, since the town of Listleigh is hosting a Murder Fête, a weekend event to benefit the local orphanage. On hand for the festivities are renowned authors that include, among others, Agatha Christie, G. K. Chesterton, and Dorothy L. Sayers. In addition, ten local writers have submitted their short stories for the famous guests to judge. The grand prize is a publishing contract for the winning entry that could jump start a novice's career.

This novel's predecessor, in which we first meet the irrepressible Mrs. Bright, was witty and amusing. show more Phyllida's persnickety ways, her condescension towards the clueless police, and her expertise in running a large household make her a formidable and sometimes feared figure. One problem is that Cambridge does little to flesh out Phyllida's character in this, the second book of the series. We learn nothing more about Mrs. Bright's shadowy past, including why she is opposed to having a serious relationship with either of the two men who admire her.

"A Trace of Poison" is a heavy-handed whodunit in which Phyllida juggles her supervision of the fête, her duties at Mallowan Hall, and her investigation of three homicides. She goes hither and yon, interrogating potential witnesses and searching for clues. Assisting her is Joshua Bradford, the Mallowans' cheeky but likable chauffeur, and members of the neighboring housekeeping staffs, who provide useful gossip. This is a tepid cozy with a great deal of forced humor, in which Cambridge satirizes the ambitions of amateur writers who long for fame and fortune. In addition, the author shows that long-festering resentments can sometimes culminate in deadly acts of violence. show less