Death at Blenheim Palace

From Publishers Weekly
In Paige's middling 11th historical (after 2004's Death in Hyde Park), detecting couple Lord Charles and Kate Sheridan are guests in 1903 at Blenheim Palace, hereditary home of the dukes of Marlborough, when one of the maids disappears. A greater disturbance erupts when another woman vanishes—the mistress of the current duke—amid signs of possible foul play. With a royal visit on the horizon, the Sheridans, a devoted pair (though lacking the depth of David Dickinson's Powerscourts in his historical series set in the same period), enlist the aid of an eager young T.E. Lawrence, who goes undercover on the palace's staff. Lawrence, with improbable speed, manages to gain the trust of a crooked servant implicated in a burglary ring specializing in the theft of precious stones. There's little mystery about the murderer's identity, though a major, and more interesting, enigma remains unresolved, until perhaps the next book in the series. Winston Churchill buffs might find his featured role of interest, but the historical loom on which this tale is spun is just not sturdy enough. (Feb. 1)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Description
In 1154, Marlborough Hall hosted a love affair between young King Henry II and a teenaged Rosamund, right under the patrician nose of his wife. To keep his mistress safe, Henry built Rosamund a house only reachable by labyrinth. But his efforts proved futile when he found her poisoned to death-and with her died the secret of the killer's identity...

Now, in 1903, the Duke and Duchess have invited husband-and-wife scholars Charles and Kate Sheridan to Blenheim Palace-which stands now on the historical site of Marlborough Hall-for Kate is working on a book about the age-old scandal. As she tries to pull together pieces of the mystery, Kate must lend a hand when a household maid is kidnapped-and, not long afterward, the Duke and his mistress disappear. But Kate may have set aside her research too soon. For as the intrigue unfolds, it holds an uncanny resemblance to another, much older affair.

About the Author
Robin Paige is the pseudonym for Susan Wittig Albert and Bill Albert. Susan Wittig Albert writes the bestselling China Bayles mysteries and the new Beatrix Potter series, whose debut title is The Tale of Hill Top Farm.


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In Paige's middling 11th historical (after 2004's Death in Hyde Park), detecting couple Lord Charles and Kate Sheridan are guests in 1903 at Blenheim Palace, hereditary home of the dukes of Marlborough, when one of the maids disappears. A greater disturbance erupts when another woman vanishes-the mistress of the current duke-amid signs of possible foul play. With a royal visit on the horizon, the Sheridans, a devoted pair (though lacking the depth of David Dickinson's Powerscourts in his historical series set in the same period), enlist the aid of an eager young T.E. Lawrence, who goes undercover on the palace's staff. Lawrence, with improbable speed, manages to gain the trust of a crooked servant implicated in a burglary ring specializing in the theft of precious stones. There's little mystery about the murderer's identity, though a major, and more interesting, enigma remains unresolved, until perhaps the next book in the series. Winston Churchill buffs might find his featured role of interest, but the historical loom on which this tale is spun is just not sturdy enough. (Feb. 1) FYI: Paige is the pseudonym of husband-wife team Bill and Susan Albert. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.


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