Stolen Remains
-
- $9.99
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
An undertaker follows a mystery from Windsor Castle to Egyptian tombs: “Violet remains an engaging guide with an unusual perspective on Victorian society.” —Publishers Weekly
After establishing her reputation as one of London's most highly regarded undertakers, Violet Harper decided to take her practice to the wilds of the American West. But when her mother falls ill, Violet and her husband, Samuel, are summoned back to England, where her skills are as sought-after as ever. She's honored to undertake the funeral of Anthony Fairmont, the Viscount Raybourn, a close friend of Queen Victoria who died in suspicious circumstances—but it's difficult to perform her services when his body disappears . . .
As the viscount's undertaker, all eyes are on Violet as the Fairmonts and Scotland Yard begin the search for his earthly remains. Forced to exhume her latent talents as a sleuth to preserve her good name, Violet's own investigation takes her from servants' quarters, to the halls of Windsor Castle, to the tombs of ancient Egypt—and the Fairmont family's secrets quickly begin to unravel like a mummy's wrappings. But the closer Violet gets to the truth, the closer she gets to becoming the next missing body . . .
Wrought with both heartfelt bravery and breathtaking suspense, Stolen Remains is a captivating tale of death and deception set against the indelible backdrop of Victorian London.
Praise for Lady of Ashes
“Rich with historical incidents and details.” —Publishers Weekly
“A book you can sink your teeth into, with characters you'll fall in love with.” —Mystery Scene Magazine
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in 1869, Trent's solid sequel to 2013's Lady of Ashes takes undertaker Violet Harper from her new American home back to England. Anthony Fairmont, Lord Raybourn, apparently commits suicide just hours after returning from a journey to Egypt. Raybourn's role in the multinational negotiations surrounding the Suez Canal makes his mysterious demise a sensitive matter. Queen Victoria, who remembers how helpful Violet was at Prince Albert's funeral, commands the undertaker to see to the dead peer's body and discreetly glean what information she can. As if preserving the corpse until the facts are clear isn't challenge enough, Violet discovers that Raybourn's family is a nest of animosity and intrigue. When Raybourn's housekeeper and secret fianc e, Harriet Peet, is found hanged and his own body disappears, Violet must unravel a complex puzzle with serious implications for the British Crown. The mystery's resolution feels somewhat forced, but Violet remains an engaging guide with an unusual perspective on Victorian society.