Louisa and the Country Bachelor: A Louisa May Alcott Mystery

Louisa May Alcott Mystery #2

by Anna Maclean

Louisa May Alcott returns in this "historically accurate and entertaining mystery series." (The New York Review of Books) Louisa convinces her family to visit cousins in rural New Hampshire, only to confront tragedy. A local bachelor is found dead in a ravine, the apparent victim of an accidental fall while hiking. But Louisa suspects foul play and sets out to uncover the vicious murderer hiding among her family's new friends...

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2005

About the author

A pseudonym used by Jeanne MacKin.

Reviews

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful imagining to think about... What if Louisa May Alcott (destined to become a famed American authoress) solved crimes in her youth?! Yes, she would have had the aptitude for it, I must say.

I loved how the character of Louisa and her family are portrayed in this book. I feel like their family values and beliefs are clearly shown to the world. Louisa was definitely a runner, and I like how Anna Maclean has incorporated that into the story too. Louisa even has a running outfit, so that she doesn't have to be encumbered by layers of skirts. I also enjoyed hearing Louisa's thoughts as she formed ideas for her next stories. This created a well-rounded atmosphere for the plot, and adequately shows her writerly tendencies.

There is a quite a cast of characters in this book, one that rivals a good Agatha Christie whodunit, from the rich neighbors next door, to the poor immigrants in town, and Mr. Tupper who owns the general store. The characters are all rather intriguing, but my favorites are definitely Louisa and her sisters and parents. And Llew, who is a perfect substitute for fans of Little Women's Laurie.

Personally, I enjoyed this book much better than the first book in the series. I'm so glad I pressed on to try the sequel! A lovely mystery.

Recommended for: Adults
Suitable for: Ages 13 & up

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. It was a little glimpse into the family life of Lousia May Alcott, with a dark mystery that was added. I enjoyed that all the little observations, that Lousia was having trouble fitting together, fell into place with the answer to a letter that she had thought to write with the hopes of understanding a bit more regarding a primary suspect.

[Steffi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fan faction about author Louisa May Alcott (Little Women).
This is book 2 and even better than book 1. Next to the murder mystery in 1850s Boston there's quite an insight into the Alcott family.

[Angiolina (Linalovesreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louisa is at it again! Spending time in Walpole New Hampshire for some quiet time in the country after she solved the murder in Boston. Now with Sylvia and her family by her side she solves the mysteries surrounding the deaths that have been occurring in the quiet countryside.

[Robin Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me back to high school, reading Agatha Christie and figuring out the "who dunnit"

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since Alcott wrote gothic mysteries, it only seems fitting that she got involved in a few! This is fun.

[Amy Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first one in the series! The ending was SO satisfying.

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting characters and entertaining.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second Louisa May Alcott mystery where we read about Louisa’s life as a young woman before she became a famous author. Louisa and her family are vacationing with cousins in New Hampshire. Their rural village suffers a tragedy when a young laborer is found dead, pushed down a ravine. His sister believes one of the shopkeepers killed him so as to buy their piece of land by the railroad track, but Louisa isn’t so easily convinced. Their neighbors harbor secrets, and all isn’t what it seems in this sleepy little town. The questions build as she investigates, especially when the local sheriff suspects her close friend of being the murderer. To prove his innocence, Louisa probes into people’s lives, not realizing she’s putting her own safety at stake. Another delightful installment in a charming series.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you only know Louisa May Alcott as the author of Little Women, you have missed her prior adventures solving mysteries. I thought this was the first one in the series, but it turned out to be the 2nd. I picked up this book at a thrift store sale, but the library also has this one.
After a bleak winter in Boston, Louisa talks her whole family into accepting an invitation to spend time at a picturesque village in New Hampshire visiting relatives. Soon after they have settled in, tragedy strikes!
Not the most spellbinding book I have ever read, but a good story and a glimpse into the family of the famous author and some information about her family and other books she has written besides the celebrated Little Women.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was wortth reading for light entertainment but not sure it is worth buying to read. If I got it passed on to me and wanted something fun to read I would read this series. Otherwise this well may be the last of these I read. It is in the genre of the well know author being a closet sleuth. There is a similar series with Jane Austen. Basically I feel the same about those.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, pleasant read, but I know so little about Alcott that it felt like lots of the references are sailing right over my head. Louisa makes a pretty good sleuth character, but I'm not as taken with the family as it feels the author is.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very "cute" and fun read

[Laurin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant read! Like fresh summer fruit - crisp, sweet, and refreshing on a hot summer's day. :) If you enjoy Louisa May Alcott's work, you will enjoy this as well.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good & the main character is Louisa May Alcott.