Murder at Ochre Court
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3.8 • 10 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, explore the dark side of the alluring world of America’s 19th century elite in this gripping series of riveting mysteries…
In the summer of 1898, reporter Emma Cross investigates a shocking death among the bright lights of Newport's high society . . .
After a disappointing year as a society columnist for the Herald, Emma has returned to the salty air, glittering ocean vistas, and grand stately mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, more determined than ever to report on hard news.
But for now she’s covering the social event of the season at Ochre Court, a coming-out ball designed to showcase Cleo Cooper-Smith, who will be on display as Cleopatra in an elaborate tableau vivant. But as the deb ascends to her place of honor, the ballroom is plunged into darkness. When the lights come back on, Cleo sits still on her throne, electrocuted to death.
Quickly establishing that the wiring was tampered with, Emma now has a murder to investigate. As Emma begins to discover this crime has unseen connections to a nefarious network, she puts her own life at risk to shine a light on the dark motives behind a merciless murder . . .
“Plenty of red herrings and an intimate look at the world of the wealthy and famous make for a rich broth of a mystery.”—Kirkus Reviews
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Maxwell's diffuse sixth Gilded Newport mystery (after 2017's Murder at Chateau sur Mer) takes reporter Emma Cross back to Newport, R.I., after a year in New York, where she unsuccessfully tried to break out of society reporting into hard news. Her first assignment at home is the coming-out ball of 19-year-old Cleo Cooper-Smith, which is being hosted by Cleo's aunt, May Goelet, at lavish Ochre Court. Mrs. Goelet hopes to showcase her prot g in an elaborate tableau vivant featuring the debutante as Cleopatra on a throne illuminated by electric bulbs, still a costly innovation in 1898. Instead, an electric shock kills Cleo and sends Dale Hanson, who wired the scene, and police officer Jesse Whyte to the hospital. Emma decides to investigate to prove Dale was not at fault and to help Jesse, her would-be suitor, during his recovery. Maxwell dramatically depicts the era's contentious transition from gaslight to electricity, but the main plot sags under a glut of overcomplicated subplots and a melodramatic, implausible conclusion. Series fans will enjoy following Emma's changing circumstances.)
