To the ranks of great sleuths of ages past, add a new candidate - Julian Kestrel - a detective as historically authentic as Brother Cadfael and as ...
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reviews
Nov 24, 2008
Nicole
rated it: 
The debut of Julian Kestrel and a very neatly done mystery. One of the great things about Kate Ross' writing is that while she creates a character with a number of extraordinary talents, she reveals the extent of them slowly of the course of the four books that she wrote so the reader is not overwhelmed by too much uniqueness. I always liked that Julian had enough personality quirks to be fascinating without being so overdone that his perfection was annoying. I also appreciated the little de
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Nov 03, 2010
LJ
rated it: 
Originally read in 2/2003 - Re-read and re-reviewed 2/2010
First Sentence: Mark Craddock paced slowly, deliberately, back and forth behind the desk in his study.
Regency dandy and detective Julian Kestrel rescues young Hugh Fontclair from embarrassment at a gambling hell and, in turn, is asked to serve as best man for Hugh’s forced marriage to Maud Craddock. Kestral, along with is man Dipper, travels to the Fontclair country home for a weekend with both families. The last th More...
First Sentence: Mark Craddock paced slowly, deliberately, back and forth behind the desk in his study.
Regency dandy and detective Julian Kestrel rescues young Hugh Fontclair from embarrassment at a gambling hell and, in turn, is asked to serve as best man for Hugh’s forced marriage to Maud Craddock. Kestral, along with is man Dipper, travels to the Fontclair country home for a weekend with both families. The last th More...
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Nov 29, 2008
Eric_W
rated it:
I had stumbled across Kate Ross’s most recent novel Whom the Gods Love. Her detective is Julian Kestrel, a rake who, with the help of Dipper, a reformed pickpocket, solves crimes that leave the Bow Street Runners (Scotland Yard’s predecessors) baffled. Naturally, I wanted to read the earlier Kestrel novels and I’m pleased to report that Ross’s first novel, Cut to the Quick lived up to my expectations. Julian has been invited to be best man at the wedding of Hugh Fontclair. He s
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Nov 02, 2009
Theresa
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After saving Hugh Fontclair from embarrassing himself in a gaming hell, suave and stylish Julian Kestrel receives an invitation to act as best man at Hugh’s upcoming nuptials. This, despite the fact, that the two had never met before that night. Intrigued (and eager to give his finances a rest), Kestrel and Dipper, a former pickpocket turned valet, head off to Bellegarde, the Fontclair’s country estate. Before long it becomes quite clear that the family is in turmoil. Mark Craddock, once a Fontc
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Aug 31, 2010
Margaret
rated it:
These excellent Regency historical mysteries get even better as they go along. The sleuth, Julian Kestrel, is a dandy with a mysterious past, and there are many memorable supporting characters: Dipper, Kestrel's manservant and former pickpocket; Sally, Dipper's sister (whom I wanted to see more of after her initial appearance in A Broken Vessel); MacGregor, the crusty Scottish doctor; and young Philippa Fontclair (and I wonder if her name is meant as a homage to Dorothy Dunnett's Philippa Somerv
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Oct 02, 2009
Kim
rated it: 
Possibly three and a half stars. The strength of this book was the mystery, which was compelling and well-plotted, with enough red herrings to keep me guessing. The main character, Julian Kestrel, is essentially Lord Peter but one hundred years earlier and without a title. He's fairly good company without being particularly original or surprising. The supporting characters are well drawn and colorful. I had some problems with a lack of historical detail, actually. I couldn't tell except fr
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Jul 23, 2010
Lauren
rated it:
Hurray for Felony & Mayhem for reprinting this book, originally published in 1993. This is a great combination of Regency and Mystery. So true to the style of the "Regency Romance" that I love and also very much an "Murder She Wrote" in that the main "detective" is really just a visitor, invited to a wedding when he finds a dead girl in his bed. Julian Kestrel is a wonderful Regency-era dandy in "full rig" but a smart and caring man (as they so often are)
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Jan 02, 2010
Tina
rated it:
"You're cynical. I thought you would be. Can you sneer?"
"With terrifying effect."
Hugh Fontclair finds himself drunk and seriously out of his depth at a gaming hell where he is taken by his feckless cousin to celebrate his engagement. He is rescued by a gentleman of the dandy set named Julian Kestrel and is sent home safe and sound. Thankful, Hugh invites Julian to his family home, a gorgeous mansion & estate that dates back to Elizabethan times, for a ho More...
"With terrifying effect."
Hugh Fontclair finds himself drunk and seriously out of his depth at a gaming hell where he is taken by his feckless cousin to celebrate his engagement. He is rescued by a gentleman of the dandy set named Julian Kestrel and is sent home safe and sound. Thankful, Hugh invites Julian to his family home, a gorgeous mansion & estate that dates back to Elizabethan times, for a ho More...
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Apr 15, 2008
Shala
rated it: 
Good story, but I found the writing/dialogue to be ponderous. Am going to check out another one, because Ross came highly recommended, and it's possible that this is a first novel sort of problem that will shake out.
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Feb 01, 2009
earthy
rated it:
First in a series starring rake-turned-detective Julian Kestrel. Julian is a fabulously entertaining character, which is just as well, since the actual mystery here is a bit subpar. There's an awful lot of interminable chatting about this suspect or that clue, which gets mighty old mighty quick, but the charm of Julian, his servant and former thief Dipper, and the all-too-little-used young heiress Philippa Fontclair make the sometimes dull plot worth plodding through.
The characters More...
The characters More...
Nov 19, 2011
Jennifer
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Ross presents the reader with a polished little gem of a puzzle, Regency in its manners but thoroughly Miss Marple at heart. Compelling in its characters and pace, though perhaps a little curious in being so disinterested in the series hero it's supposed to be introducing. Who is this Kestrel, anyway? Only The Shadow knows, since Ross never really bothers to tell us. The main quibble I have here is a technical one: Ross keeps letting her POV slip, tripping from character to character within a c
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Oct 08, 2011
Kate
rated it:
Another historical murder mystery (I really do love them!), this one was actually very good. The amateur detective in this case is Julian Kestrel, a dandy who seems more concerned with the cut of his coat than with anything else. He is, however, a dandy with more a quick wit and a warm heart, though he does the best to keep both of these hidden. Staying at a country estate, he is confounded to find a dead girl in his bed. What follows is a really intriguing mystery with lots of twists and turns,
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Jun 21, 2011
Victoria
rated it:
1820's London, Julian Kestrel is a dandy who, in this first novel of the series, finds himself involved in an murder investigation of an unknown young woman, who happens to be found in his own bed. If he cannot find the true killer, he or his manservant stand to be accused. Kestrel is a charming character and a mystery himself. He is a dandy on the surface, but there is much more to him than meets the eye. Of these four listed series, these Kestrel mysteries are the closest to being fair play. I
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Aug 19, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
A late regency era mystery featuring a pink of the ton amateur sleuth named Julian Kestrel. Julian is somewhat unwittingly dragged into the secretive and scandalous inner turmoil of the outwardly respectable Fontclair family when he finds a murdered girl in his bed while staying at their country house. As he investigates trying to clear his and his valet’s names of the crime he discovers he has a talent and a somewhat reluctant fascination with investigating crime. This is the first in a seri
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Apr 05, 2011
Christy
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Cut to the Quick is book #1 in the Julian Kestrel mysteries, set in 1824 London. I have been dying to read this series, after I first learnt about it from Deanna Raybourn's blog. I was afraid that I had built up these books too high in my mind, but I can say that that wasn't the case with Cut to the Quick.
Kestrel is an almost Beau Brummell type figure, but with more brains. One day he receives an invitation to be best man at a wedding, the wedding of Hugh Fontclair and Maud Craddock. More...
Kestrel is an almost Beau Brummell type figure, but with more brains. One day he receives an invitation to be best man at a wedding, the wedding of Hugh Fontclair and Maud Craddock. More...
May 27, 2010
Samira
rated it:
This is a solid mystery set in 19th century England. For a mystery to get more than 3 stars from me, it has to transcend the bounds of genre fiction, and I do not think this book does so--ˆsuspect that one could read the entire series without getting deeper knowledge of Kestrel. That said, it was well executed genre fiction.
I am a bit annoyed at the extent to which the hero is a Lord Peter Wimsey knock off, set in an earlier era, but otherwise, perfectly good.
I am a bit annoyed at the extent to which the hero is a Lord Peter Wimsey knock off, set in an earlier era, but otherwise, perfectly good.
Apr 15, 2010
Carolyn
rated it:
Kate Ross' first book and I thought it was a fun mystery. Julian Kestrel is invited to a rural family home to meet the family of Hugh Fontclair. Hugh has asked him to be his best man at his wedding. Yet, Julian does not really know Hugh. Imagine his surprise when a young girl is found murdered in his bed.
This was a tightly woven mystery with questions about Julian himself. Who was he really? Read on.
This was a tightly woven mystery with questions about Julian himself. Who was he really? Read on.
Apr 04, 2009
Dee
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This mystery set in the late Regency period introduces Julian Kestrel as a man about town. He is invited to be the groomsman for a recent acquaintance, and he accepts an invitation to the Fontclairs' country home. From there, it is murder and other mayhem, including blackmail and anger. I really enjoyed this book. The author took a classic mystery plot and set it in history, always one of my favs.
Sep 26, 2009
Jessica
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interesting characters, although a little shallow. felt the author substituted expositional explanations of characters' personalities, rather than demonstrating through their actions/words. a little in love with julian kestrel, and like that author is boston trial lawyer (as learned when finished book and read blurb on back flap). could not put this book down, had to finish at 1.30 am!
Jun 12, 2008
Meagan
rated it:
3.75 stars. England, late 1800's murder mystery, everyone's a suspect, a "Dandy" by the name of Julian Kestrel becomes entangled in a family feud that may or may not be the cause of murder. I am currently on a quest for a new mystery author (which is why you will see me reading a lot of books about murder over the next few weeks :) and Kate Ross is one that showed up on a lot of forums. I was bored out of my mind in the beginning and thought I had everything all figured out. I was happ
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May 02, 2011
Katie
rated it:
This is a very good murder mystery, set in the Regency period in England. The author seems to have taken great pains to remain historically correct to the period, especially concerning investigation methods available to her amateur detective, dancy Julian Kestrel.
I plan to read other mysteries by Miss Ross!
I plan to read other mysteries by Miss Ross!
Oct 31, 2009
Jess
rated it:
I'm so glad I picked this one up, in spite of the off-putting cover (which isn't even accurate! She was stabbed in the back!) Julian Kestrel bears some resemblance to a young Lord Peter, minus the sobering effects of World War I. Julian is a bit of a dandy, and we get to see him gradually take on a more substantial life. I can't wait to see where the other books take him. The book is the perfect combination of character-driven mystery (although the plot wasn’t too shabby), period setting, s
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Aug 01, 2011
Emily
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Do you like mysteries? Do you enjoy reading 18th century British literature, including Regency books by Georgette Heyer? This is a blend of all these, with the emphasis on mystery. This is the first book by Kate Ross and I enjoyed it immensely. I thought it was well written and did not figure out the murderer until late in the novel.
Dec 30, 2010
Nell
rated it:
Enjoyable read. The quirky protagonist is the best drawn of the lot, but the characters are largely believable and seem true to the early 19th century. I found it more difficult to believe the romantic attachments. I did figure out elements of the mystery but not the complete solution.
Sep 01, 2010
Julie
rated it:
The first of the quartet of "Julian Kestrel" mysteries. Absorbing, good old-fashioned mystery set in England, with a young dandy as the sleuth (Julian Kestrel, ably assisted by his ex-pickpocket valet, "Dipper") finding himself embroiled in an English country house murder.
May 30, 2009
Patrice
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I'm not a real fan of mystery. I love Agatha Christie (who doesn't) but aside, I was swept away by the dandy Julian Kestrel from the start. It's very sad that this author passed away so early.
This is a very good series that had so much potential.
This is a very good series that had so much potential.
Jan 16, 2011
Tiger
rated it:
A rich plot and a varied cast of characters result in a book I had trouble putting down. The tempo is slow, but moves the reader along with superb descriptive passages and eloquent dialogue. Looking forward to reading the next in the series
Sep 29, 2010
First in a rather short series from the 1990's (four titles in all, I believe?) about the dandy Julian Kestrel in London society of the 1820's. Very entertaining, nice period detail, appealing characters. Written by an American lawyer.
