Death by Misadventure

This is yet another wonderful adventure in the Lady Emily mystery series. It's 1906 and Lady Emily and Sir Colin Hargreaves are called to a house party at the Villa von Düchtel in Bavaria - the newly built mountain home of Baroness Ursula von Düchtel. They only know one attendee who is a close friend of the Baroness. It does not take long for them to be warmly received among the others. As they all spend lots of time with one another, the hostess' boorish son-in-law appears to be within someone's crosshairs. It all seems like scary pranks until a dead body dampens everyone's spirits.

In alternating chapters, the year is 1868, also set in the same Bavarian region, and features the story of the Fairytale King - King Ludwig II. His is a show more tragic tale, which to this day, it's not definitively known whether he was murdered or committed suicide.

Author Tasha Alexander writes an exquisite narrative capturing two stories set a mere forty years apart, with a narrow thread connecting them. Both are centered in the pre-alpine splendor of Bavaria, not distant from Schloss Hohenschwangau and Schloss Neuschwanstein. The author has captured well the awesome rugged and desolate mountainous terrain in its white winter raiment. The research into the King Ludwig II story is tremendous and well delivered throughout the story. The touches of French and German phrases, appropriately spoken by the various characters add to the richness of the story's mise en scène. The references to Wagnerian operas left melodic threads as sweet soundtracks for the story's setting. Eventually, the two stories are connected across the short divide and the stories draw to a satisfactory unified conclusion.

I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: ‎ Minotaur Books
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Number of Pages:‎ 304
ISBN:‎ 978-1250872364 show less

Richly detailed historical mystery thriller.

In the winter of 1906, Lady Emily and her handsome husband Colin are invited to the recently renovated home of Baroness Ursula von Duchtel in the Bavarian alps. Her art collection is amazing. Outside is a panorama of the Alps and a winter wonderland with a view of Mad King Ludwig's fairy tale castle. The eclectic group of guests are enjoying a winter house party except that there are several incidents where Ursula’s son-in-law, Kaspar Allerspach, finds himself hurt or nearly killed. Though there’s no love lost between Ursula and Kaspar, everyone is shocked when a death occurs and it’s not Kaspar. In a dual timeline, the narrative unfolds to reveal hidden desires, tumultuous passions, and show more unfortunate liaisons that destroyed lives.

I loved this multilayered story with its historical details and complicated plot. The writing is excellent and this series is definitely so well researched and interesting. I like the characters of Lady Emily and Colin, and they always find the most interesting cases on their travels.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Bianca Armato, was absolutely amazing with her voice, accents, and dramatic flair. Her performance definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book as it was an excellent production.

I look forward to the next book in this fabulous series. show less

The eighteenth Lady Emily mystery finds Lady Emily and her husband at a house party in the Bavarian Alps. Baroness Ursula von Duchtel has built a lovely modern home and filled it with her eclectic collection of art. The house party is also eclectic since it includes her daughter and boorish son-in-law Kaspar, Kaspar's best friend and his love interest, a love interest of the daughter, and an art dealer from Munich hoping to make a sale among others.

When a series of accidents targeting Kaspar occurs, Lady Emily and Colin investigate. But when tragedy finally strikes, it is the Baroness's daughter who is the victim. She was on a solitary sleigh ride with her husband when she was shot in the head.

Bad weather keeps the police from show more arriving to investigate but also allows Lady Emily and Colin time to find the villain.

Meanwhile, there is another story woven into the main one. In 1868 a young man named Niels meets King Ludwig and the two begin a relationship much to the dismay of his father. Niels' father drags him back home and forces his marriage to a young woman who is no more eager for the marriage than Neils is. The couple are each determined to lead their own lives which isn't possible until the father's death.

It only gradually becomes apparent how the two interwoven stories are connected and how events from the past impact the current murder.

This was another entertaining episode in the Lady Emily series. I like the historical detail. show less

Death in the Bavarian Mountains!

It’s 1906. Colin and Emily Hargreaves have been invited to the opening of Baroness Ursula von Düchtel’s striking new villa in the mountains of Bavaria near Schloss Neuschwanstein, “mad” King Ludwig’s castle and retreat. They’d been invited through Emily’s friend Cécile du Lac.
Baroness Ursula is an extensive collector of art which she’ll house in this fascinating building. The collection is large enough to have had her hire a curator to catalogue all the treasures. Emily as a connoisseur and modest collector is entranced by the Baroness’s works.
Running alongside this story, beginning in 1868, is that of King Ludwig and his companions, including Niels von Schön.
Niels’ father, a baron, show more forces Niels into marriage with a woman Niels continues to refer to as the Valkyrie. The first time he sees her is in front of the Bishop.
The lives of these three, Ludwig, Niels and the Valkyrie, will meld into that of drama and loss, in a searingly distressing way. A story that will hold significance for the now.
However in Colin and Emily’s times it appears someone is trying to kill Kaspar Allerspach, the Baroness’s boor of a son-in-law.
The awful mystery of who the murderer is, is finally revealed, but not without heartbreak and despair.
A somewhat dark and sobering addition to this absorbing series.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. show less

As an ardent fan of the Lady Emily mysteries, I eagerly picked up this latest book in the series. I didn’t bother reading the back & was slightly disappointed after reading to learn that one of the main plots involved a gay couple. While there were no intimate details, I found the subject matter a little off putting as it’s not my cup of tea.

The mystery set during Lady Emily’s lifetime was interesting with a house party full of guests & suspects. When one of them winds up dead, it’s up to Emily & Colin to find the killer. The ending was surprising in how it tied to the story of the “mad” King Ludwig of Bavaria.

The story of the mad king was historically interesting. I didn’t know much about him going in, but found his show more life & mysterious death rather sad. A young German Lord who has issues with both his overly demanding father & placating mother finds peace & solace in the king’s friendship.

Despite it not being my cup of tea, I enjoyed the mystery featuring Lady Emily & how all the pieces fit together. I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily. show less

The past is clearly the prologue to the present, as family histories result in current crimes. Tasha Alexander deftly weaves between the current days and their relevant history to resolve this early twentieth-century mystery.

Death by Misadventure (Lady Emily, #18) by Tasha Alexander

1906 Bavarian Alps; Lady Emily and her husband are snowed in while visiting friends. One of the guests (Kaspar) has a bit of bad luck, seems someone wants him dead. Then a tragedy occurs, one ends up dead and Emily investigates.

1868 Germany-Bavaria; Niels a young German lad attracts the attention of King Ludgwig II. A friendship forms, turning to an affair of the heart. Knowing it will not last Niels longs for contentment, yet seems to come up short.

As the past meets the present, secrets are revealed and the case will be solved. Told in alternating timelines, the suspect list grows. Fast paced and intriguing (although) I did figure out part of the story early on.

However, I did show more like the 1906 timeline a bit more, as it moved a bit faster and was more interesting. Overall I did like Death by Misadventure and plan to read more in the Lady Emily series. A good read for those who enjoy historical crime mysteries with a hint of romance. show less