When the soprano singing the lead role in Verdi's 'Requiem' drops dead of cyanide poisoning during the performance, the Honorable Daisy Dalrympl...
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Sep 25, 2008
Gloria
rated it: 
I got excited when the second book of this series was pretty good. I was hoping for some sort of steady upward progression. Unfortunately, Dunn took another dip with book three. Although the main plot is well developed, several tangents remain cloudy and, well, tangential. The story centers on the poisoning of Bettina Westlea, a successful but spiteful soprano. Daisy, a friend of the deceased sister, decides to help Alec Fletcher investigate. There is no lack of suspects, since Bettina had
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Mar 12, 2010
Wealhtheow
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The Honorable Daisy Dalrymple writes magazine articles for a living and for fun, pokes her nose into the cases of her friend, Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard. In this, the third book of the series, the attraction between Daisy and Alec continues to deepen while they sort out their class differences. This book is ostensibly about the murder investigation of an unpleasant opera singer, but the mystery is so far from thrilling that only my affection for the main characters kept me readin
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Sep 19, 2011
Gerry
rated it: 
'Daisy! Don't tell me you've fallen over another dead body?' This is a question that Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher asks Daisy Dalrymple on page 15 of this sparkling mystery novel.
By page 43 Bettina Westlea, singing mezzo soprano in Verdi's 'Requiem', is killed and Tom Tring, one of Fletcher's men who were called in from Scotland Yard by Daisy, is pronouncing to his boss, 'I'm afraid she ... well, she's managed to get mixed up in things again. One of our suspects is a friend More...
By page 43 Bettina Westlea, singing mezzo soprano in Verdi's 'Requiem', is killed and Tom Tring, one of Fletcher's men who were called in from Scotland Yard by Daisy, is pronouncing to his boss, 'I'm afraid she ... well, she's managed to get mixed up in things again. One of our suspects is a friend More...
Jun 25, 2011
Hannah
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After the very good first two books to the Daisy Dalrymple series, Requiem for a Mezzo was a trifle disappointing. I still quite enjoyed it; the main characters and most of the murder suspects were actually very likeable, the historical setting was just as wonderfully crafted as it was in the previous books... but I couldn't help but feel that there was a factor missing in comparison.
Firstly, I was disappointed when I realized that Dunn had moved away from the country manor house set More...
Firstly, I was disappointed when I realized that Dunn had moved away from the country manor house set More...
Jul 25, 2010
Gail
rated it:
Life between the wars in London for an Honorable lady can be dicey if you want to be independent. Daisy, with a tiny income, could stay in the Dower House with her mother, marry well, or live with her cousin who inherited her father's title, but Daisy had decided to make a living writing. In this third outing, she's in London and she has made friends with the musical family next door.
Her friend Muriel is in the chorus of Verdi's requiem while her sister is the flamboyant mezzo, a s More...
Her friend Muriel is in the chorus of Verdi's requiem while her sister is the flamboyant mezzo, a s More...
Mar 28, 2010
Jan C
rated it: 
Fairly light mystery, supposed to take place in London in the 1920s. There didn’t really seem much to define the time period it took place in other than hair styles and cars specifically mentioned by model. I looked them up and that’s when they came out.
Title refers to singer who dies at the end of her performance. Everyone thinks it is cyanide but she drank something ratafia - a liqueur made from fruit juices or softened fruit in liquor, especially brandy, and often flavored with a More...
Title refers to singer who dies at the end of her performance. Everyone thinks it is cyanide but she drank something ratafia - a liqueur made from fruit juices or softened fruit in liquor, especially brandy, and often flavored with a More...
Jan 17, 2012
Lori
rated it:
3-3.5 stars
You can count on the Daisy Dalrymple series to contain interesting and varied characters in the 1920s, post-WWI Britain era - aristocrats, middle class, servants, and just about everyone "in-between". They're solid books, easy to read, not too taxing on the brain, and generally provide the reader with all the necessary clues to solve the mystery. Sometimes, the clues come early and the murderer is obvious - as in this book. But they're delightful reads, mostly be More...
You can count on the Daisy Dalrymple series to contain interesting and varied characters in the 1920s, post-WWI Britain era - aristocrats, middle class, servants, and just about everyone "in-between". They're solid books, easy to read, not too taxing on the brain, and generally provide the reader with all the necessary clues to solve the mystery. Sometimes, the clues come early and the murderer is obvious - as in this book. But they're delightful reads, mostly be More...
Dec 29, 2011
Karen
rated it:
Picked from a bookstand in a hospital atrium shop, I never had high hopes for this. However, my complete inability to not buy any book which has a tenuous link to music or musicians remains alive and kicking.
There was something strikingly reminiscent about the plot blurb, which unfolded into the realisation that I was actually re-reading Kerry Greenwood's 'Ruddy Gore', in which Phryne Fisher, a feisty, independent young woman, goes to a concert in the 1920's and gets caught up in a More...
There was something strikingly reminiscent about the plot blurb, which unfolded into the realisation that I was actually re-reading Kerry Greenwood's 'Ruddy Gore', in which Phryne Fisher, a feisty, independent young woman, goes to a concert in the 1920's and gets caught up in a More...
Sep 14, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
I just couldn't get into this one; it felt too drawn out (lengthy without much happening) and I was pretty much speed-reading (as opposed to reading at a leisurely pace, savouring the story/words) to finish it. Not the best, but not the worst, either. Also, as this is the third in the Daisy Dalrymple series, I have yet to feel like I know Daisy well, if that makes sense. Or Alec for that matter (although I dislike it when characters have kids or are widows, etc. Come to think of it, what hap
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Jul 07, 2010
Judy
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I'd enjoyed the first one of Carola Dunn's mysteries which I read 'the Winter Garden Mystery', but didn't like this one so much - a tale of a singer murdered at an opera performance. I found it hard to keep track of the characters, who all seemed rather samey, and there wasn't so much humour as in the previous one of hers I read. I especially liked a daft friend of heroine Daisy's in the previous book, Phillip Petrie, who has a Bertie Wooster line in conversation, but sadly he hardly comes into
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Sep 06, 2011
Mimi
rated it:
kind of like cheetos, except instead of being sprinkled liberally with fake cheese, this was liberally sprinkled with an interesting setting. reading it was was like mindlessly biting on air: i got to the end of the book and realized that nothing had actually happened. rather unsettling. despite that, i liked the book well enough to finish it (although it so lacked in any compelling action, character, or plot line that i would put it down for days on end without a thought). i would read another
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Dec 01, 2009
Laura
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I am still loving this series. The end to this was a little... meh... but the bulk of the audiobook kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know more! I think the thing I like about this series is that while it's certainly no great literary feat, it's also not just silly and frilly - it's substantive and does appeal to the intellect, and is intelligently crafted.
Jun 12, 2011
Hettie
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I really enjoyed this book. I knew what to expect and I was not disappointed. Though there was a couple of scenes alluded to that I wish had been included.
As with the first in the series it is a very gentle murder mystery steeped in 1920's culture. I am now really looking forward to reading more in the series.
As with the first in the series it is a very gentle murder mystery steeped in 1920's culture. I am now really looking forward to reading more in the series.
Dec 06, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
eh - it was ok. for it purpose, it was a nice little read. I picked this up from the library "for sale" shelves and it was a nice little story but not really my cup of tea. your traditional heroine who dates the detective. This was set in England and was just not my favorite. I may read a few more just because but I won't buy them.
Nov 06, 2011
Carrie
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This book was lots of fun. I am really enjoying this series about a young London woman in the 1920s who always seems to get mixed up in pesky murders.
Jun 08, 2011
I will get back to this one at another time. I just can't concentrate on it. I read the first two in this series and loved them so I'm sure it is just the reading mood I'm in.
Aug 14, 2009
Laurie
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The first two in this series were better. I didn't dig the opera/singing setting. Much preferred those great old English countryside houses with all the crazies running around.
Feb 05, 2011
Barbara
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I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first two, but
Daisy is still one of my favorite characters.
Daisy is still one of my favorite characters.
Aug 15, 2010
Caroline
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Looking for more to read and decided to pick this up. I'm not usually into historicals but this intrigued me and I found it quite a good read. It's # 3 in the Daisy Dalrymple series and there are 18 so far so I've lots more to read soon as I order them from Amazon! Good!
Aug 04, 2009
Ryan
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This book isn't horrible, but I cannot recommend it is simultaneously incongruous and predictable.
Jan 04, 2010
Angie
rated it:
Sweet, though not much mystery to it. I'll keep reading, though. Daisy and Alec are great characters and their adventures are just spiffing.
Sep 16, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
This is another spiffing Daisy Dalrymple story, though her friend Chief Inspector Alec plays a more prominent role.
Definitely going to read more of these stories :)
Definitely going to read more of these stories :)
Oct 02, 2011
Emma
rated it:
Not as silly as the first two & therefore not as fun. I demand more 'what hos' and 'cripes's
Dec 05, 2009
Barbara
rated it:
The third Daisy Dalrymple mystery has Daisy and inspector Alec Fletcher going to a performance of Verdi's Requiem. Alas, the mezzo soprano (a very unpleasant woman who happens to be Daisy's neighbor) drops dead on stage at the beginning of the second half of the program. Whodunnit? The intrepid Daisy and her copper will find out, to be sure. Another nice entry in this cozy series.
Jul 12, 2011
Judy
rated it:
I really like this cozy mystery series. The writing is very good and I like the way she is developing the relationship between Daisy and Alec.
Oct 14, 2011
Keziah
rated it: 
The Daisy Dalrymple series is a fun, light read that's become an autobuy for me. Cozy mystery set in the 1920s England.
Jan 17, 2009
Kirsten
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I really love Carola Dunn's Daisy Dalrymple series. It has so many good qualities. There's humor, romance, and a "spiffing" good mystery. Taking place just after WWI, she also puts quite a few historical references. Quite simply, some of the best cozies I've ever read!
