Death of an Avid Reader

Kate Shackleton #6

by Frances Brody

A lady with a secret

Kate Shackleton's sterling reputation for courageous sleuthing attracts the attention of the venerable Lady Coulton. Hidden in her past is a daughter, born out of wedlock and given up to a different family. Now, Lady Coulton is determined to find her and puts Kate on the case.

A mysterious killing in the library's basement

But as Kate delves deeper into Lady Coulton's past, she soon finds herself thrust into a scandal much closer to home. When the body of the respected Horatio Potter is found in the Leeds Library basement, the quiet literary community is suddenly turned upside down with suspicions, accusations and - much to Kate's surprise - the appearance of a particularly intelligent Capuchin monkey!

The most puzzling case in Kate's sleuthing history yet

Convinced an innocent man has been blamed , Kate sets out to discover the truth. Who would want Dr Potter dead? Does Lady Coulton's missing daughter hold a vital clue? As the stories start to emerge in the seemingly quiet Leeds Library, Kate is learning fast that in this case, she can't judge a book by its cover.

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

360 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2014

About the author

Frances Brody's highly-praised 1920s mysteries feature clever and elegant Kate Shackleton, First World War widow turned sleuth. Missing person? Foul play suspected? Kate's your woman. For good measure, she may bring along ex-policeman, Jim Sykes.

Before turning to crime, Frances wrote for radio, television and theatre, and was nominated for a Time Out Award. She published four sagas, winning the HarperCollins Elizabeth Elgin Award in 2006.

www.frances-brody.com

Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to read this because school was keeping me so busy. This is a solid historical mystery with an intrepid female detective in the 1920s. There is some very dark aspects to this story that are surprising for a genteel historical mystery. Well-plotted and populated with interesting characters.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.

[K.J. Charles]

A pretty good read, atmospheric of Leeds 1920s, though the mystery element feels a bit like the heroine blundering into answers rather than deducing them. Plots are well worked together.

Weird use of tenses. Told in past but switches to present when describing characters. Obviously intentional because it keeps happening, but really jarred me out of the narrative when the past tense narrative says "X is such a brilliant man" several paras after he's died on page. Not sure what that's about, stylistically speaking.

[Anmiryam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery was solid, the characters fine, I was just not thrilled with the writing style which I found competent, but bland.

[Bodies in the Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Kate Shackleton Mystery I’ve read, but I’m sure it won’t be the last.

I picked it up in the Christmas sales last year and it sat on my To Be Read shelf until September, when I started commuting once a week for a job that can’t be done from home. I decided to see how long it took me, only reading on my journey, as a direct comparison with the days when I used to commute 5 days a week.

In the end, though, I finished the last 100 pages today as I couldn’t wait for the ending - a good sign in any novel, and especially crime fiction.

As someone who has researched librarianship and library education in the time period Brody has set the story, I found this to be a really good depiction of the lot of the librarian and other library staff. The tension between male and female staff (with Mr Lennox leapfrogging Mrs Carmichael to be Librarian despite her almost decade longer working at the Leeds Library) was well portrayed without being overdone.

The rationale behind the murders was interesting, and although it would have been possible to guess the murderer from quite early on, I did not - led astray by the many well-crafted red herrings.

All in all, this was a 5 star read for me - one of the best library-set crime novels I’ve read.

[Kirsty Darbyshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the previous books in this series so I was a bit disappointed to walk into Waterstones in Huddersfield a few weeks ago and find a big sign telling me that Frances Brody was coming to sign books... I was disappointed because the time on the sign ended about an hour before I had arrived. Happily as my brain was still processing this a little lady popped up beside me who turned out to be Frances Brody - still there and happy to sign a book for me. Thanks!

I liked this too - it's set mostly in the middle of Leeds which will have me wandering round looking for the right buildings next time I am in the city centre, it's 1920-something and Kate's searching for the adopted daughter of a lady and getting tangled up in a murder at the Leeds Library. Nicely plotted as usual and lighthearted without being too lightweight. Good entertainment.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Piatkus for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

So first of all my confession out of the way, this is my first Kate Shackleton Mystery novel, how I have missed the others I do not know but I will blame my children, they are my go to excuse and terrible at getting in the way of my reading (bless their dirty socks).

Anyhoo I love a good mystery from my all time classic favourite Agatha Christie's Miss Marple to my hi-tech fave Eve Dallas in J.D. Robb's In Death series. These stories never fail to entertain me but muscling in to my favourites list is this newcomer in the shape of Kate Shackleton and her very enjoyable tale set in the 1920's.

I must first of all draw your attention to the cover, I love it, when the review opportunity arose it was this cover that drew me in, it kind of reminds me of the railway posters of this era which had beautiful eye catching designs.

This is the sixth book in the Kate Shackleton Mysteries series, it starts of with Kate being called to London by the venerable Lady Coulton. She wishes for Kate to track down her daughter who was born out of wedlock and was given up many years before, her husband is ill and she feels now is the time to track down her daughter.

Kate very ably takes up the case, once more assisted by Sykes the former policeman but as she delves deeper in to the past and searches for Lady Coulton's daughter she discovers more than anticipated and a lot closer to home.

A respected scholar Horatio Potter is found dead in the basement of her local library, delving deeper in to his murder she finds that these two cases could be linked, could an innocent man be found guilty of this horrible crime and is Lady Coulton's daughter a link in this poor man's murder?

Well Kate investigates with such amazing stamina, she is a woman who never gives up and considering the setting where a woman's place was usually at home she does not let anything get in her way including a stowaway in her car in the shape of a Capuchin monkey.

The story is seamless, it flows beautifully and the setting mainly in Leeds is just perfect, I truly loved Death of an Avid Reader, you could almost smell the books in the library scenes and feel the chill air from the misty evenings plus it did keep me guessing right up to the end when the killer is revealed and of course does Kate find Lady Coulton's daughter?

As much as I love a modern crime book, I love a book set in the early part of the last century which shows us that before the invention of the Internet and looking up your iphone, things can be solved with true determination and brain power!

Death of an Avid Reader is awarded 5 out of 5

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking through my bookshelves for something to read, I picked this book out because it has such a great cover and it's set in a library - forgetting that it was not the first in the series and I was saving it until I'd read the others!

But I was immediately so absorbed in the book I decided to carry on regardless and catch up with the rest of the series later.

I love the detail that the author puts into the story about the period she is writing about. I know some reviewers think this slows the pace of the story down too much but I actually like this aspect of the book and enjoy absorbing all the atmosphere, and checking on Google maps to see the places she mentions. Her accuracy in the details of, for example, the Leeds Library give me confidence that her research is thorough and I found myself looking in my fashion books to see what sort of clothes she would have been wearing and immersing myself in the world of the 1920s.

The main character, Kate Shackleton, has a back story which I gleaned parts of but I think the series is probably best read in order. So I'm looking forward to reading more of this series, and I'll make sure that it's the first book in the series that I pick up next!

[Melissa Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many twists and turns and mixed plots that it was sometimes hard to keep track of everything going on, but it held my interest and I couldn't put it down until I was at the end.

"The Search for a Daughter: Lady Coulton gave up the baby that would have ruined her marriage, born when Lord Coulton was abroad. Now that her husband is dying, she asks Kate to find Sophia.A Haunted Library: It is forty years since the ghost of a dead librarian haunted the old library, yet the stories have begun again. Kate does not believe in ghosts but obligingly takes part in a ceremony to expel the restless spirit. Shockingly, there is a body in the basement, strangled, and covered in dusty volumes from a fallen bookcase. It is Dr. Potter, a mathematician. A Killer on the Loose: Dr. Potter’s body is taken away. The police find a sick man sheltering in the basement. He is an Italian, Umberto, an organ grinder and owner of a lively Capuchin monkey. Umberto becomes the prime suspect and will be charged with murder. Kate goes with Umberto to the infirmary. But he is too weak to be a suspect. And now Kate must set out to find the real culprit."

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been looking forward to this book because I loved the cover and title so much. It didn’t live up to my expectations, but I still enjoy these for the Yorkshire locations.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Shackleton’s success at finding missing persons has made its way to London to the ears of Lady Coulter. Lady Coulter wants Kate to find the daughter she gave up for adoption many years ago. Kate and Jim think finding Sophia will be easy at first, but they run into some roadblocks. While researching at the Leeds Library, Kate runs into another proprietor, Dr. Potter, an eccentric mathematician and the library’s most avid reader. He spins her a tale of a library ghost (which he doesn’t believe in), asks her to check out some articles he wrote for a student newspaper in his youth and hints the library may be moving to a new premises. Kate doesn’t know what to make of all that or the planned exorcism for the building. One thing she does know is that the library is not haunted. Or is it? During the exorcism the priest stumbles across the dead body of Dr. Potter. While the police zero in on a homeless organ grinder, Kate feels there’s more to the case than that and it’s up to her to solve it. Can she find out who killed Dr. Potter and find out who stole some rare and valuable books? What should she do with the organ grinder’s monkey living in her house?
This is another great mystery. The first person narration didn’t bother me this time because Kate is largely detached from the crimes. Her personal life doesn’t much come into play, though there is a hint that someone cares for her in more than a professional manner. She doesn’t reflect on it, which is fine with me. She does reflect on Gerald and comes to terms with his probable death, though I am not convinced she’s 100% over him. The mystery is so complicated and there are so many mysteries going on here that I simply couldn’t figure out how or whether they were all connected. I never guessed who the villain/s was/were. I thought something entirely different so was pleasantly surprised when I was wrong. The story of the adopted girl was both boring and fascinating, depending on how far along Kate was in her investigation. What did we do before Google? Call Kate Shackleton!

I really liked the library. Being a member of the oldest subscription library is something special and I also have that privilege. I would have liked a little more about the books though. Kate knows what the library is and how it works so I think that is the limit of the first person narrator. The reader feels thrown into unfamiliar territory with little or no explanation.

There are many many new characters for Kate to interact with, in addition to Jim Sykes and Mrs. Sudgen. I love Mrs. Sugden here. She has hidden talents and a kind heart. Jim is growing on me too, for all he is an ex-policeman. My favorite new character is Percy, the Capuchin monkey. I felt sorry for him to be kept in captivity. I also felt very bad for Dr. Potter’s animals though I believe he meant well. I’m certain that his experiments were wasted on the animals he had but if he could have experimented with Great Apes, then he would have met with success. As for Dr. Potter himself, I quite liked him from the beginning. He’s charming, intelligent and he respects Kate’s intelligence, which is important to her. I didn’t really understand his rivalry with Professor Merton and was confused when an additional mathematician was introduced. Professor Morton seems a bit more of the absent-minded professor type than Dr. Potter. He’s oblivious to anything that doesn’t directly concern his work. His sister keeps house for him and I didn’t really like her. She’s a gossipy, ambitious woman who would love to see her brother rise to the top of his profession.

At the library there’s Mr. Castle, the President and Mr. Lennox, the Librarian. I got them mixed up at first. Neither are very appealing characters. Mrs. Carmichael is a stereotypical librarian and personifies hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! She is truly a bitter woman but her character development is excellent.

Other new and important characters include Sophia Wells who may be going by another name. Marian Montague (or is she Sophia?) has had really rotten luck. I was very distressed by what happened to her and found it hard to believe that someone would do such horrible things to her. She was dealt a bad hand in life. Her friend didn’t appeal to me at first because of the obvious difference in backgrounds and the mysterious manner in which he is introduced. He grew on me though.

I can’t wait to read more of this series when I have a chance.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Shackleton is asked to try and trace Lady Coulton's illegitimate daughter who was adopted at birth. Kate is unusually reluctant to take on the case but isn't sure why. At first everything she tries leads to a dead end and then she becomes inadvertently involved in a murder which was committed at the Leeds Library of which she is a share holder.

Dr Potter - scholar and enthusiast is found dead under a fallen bookcase un the basement of the library. Libraries have a connection with Kate's search for Sophia Wells as she is believed to be working in a library and when she hears a library assistant has apparently left her employment without notice she starts to wonder whether the cases are connected.

Featuring Kate's assistant, Jim Sykes, a monkey called Percy, a parrot called Polynesia and some very nasty crimes this is an absorbing and well written mystery story set in and around Leeds in the 1920s. The author brings the background vividly to life and Kate Shackleton herself is an interesting character. I though the plot was particularly well constructed in this story which in my opinion is probably the best of this excellent series so far.

If you enjoy crime novels set in the 1920s then you may enjoy this series. They can be read as standalone stories but if you read them in the order in which they were published you find out more about Kate's background and how she came to be a private detective.

[Magill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back on form indeed, a 4 just from sheer relief (for the genre, of course), the 6th book of the series is an improvement from #5.

Kate, as usual, ends up with several puzzles to sort through: finding a lost daughter who may have disappeared from view again, and the murder of a library patron. Besides, of course, book stealing, ghosts, a very sick man and a monkey. Mrs. Sugden gets a bit more back story... and a gun, while Sykes keeps an eye on Kate and, as always, has a knack for turning up with information.

There is a warmth to Kate that is pleasant to read and that seemed to shine on this outing. There is a new police inspector, Wallis, whom Kate distrusts but maybe he will grow on her.

An enjoyable read.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Late October, 1925 in Leeds, England, with Guy Fawkes Day bonfires rapidly approaching, Kate Shackleton is hired to find the illegitimate daughter of Lady Coulton, who was given up at birth 24 years earlier. Kate also finds herself accompanying a priest and the head of the library as an effort was made to exorcise the ghost that has haunted the Leeds Library for decades, especially the basement. While they don't encounter a ghost, they do find the murdered body of one of the librairies proprietors (similar to trustee) and a deathly ill vagrant. Kate finds herself investigating the murder as well to see that the ill vagrant isn't hung for a crime she is sure he was not in a condition to commit.

The two investigations do wind around each other before ultimately separating and reaching resolution. I quite enjoyed this rather gentle and easy murder mystery. The setting in Leeds and the Leeds Library, the older subscription library extant in the UK today, was refreshing, a nice change of pace and led me down a few google rabbit holes. Kate herself is interesting, independent and modern. The time period, 1925, has motor cars (Kate owns and drives one), telephones, telegrams, and travel to London by train, but still also pony carts and traditional values and class distinctions from before the war. Best of all, a capuchin monkey named Percy, a horse named Clever Archie, and a couple of cats provided a nice balance to some of the quirkier characters, such as a Welshman named Morgan living in an octagonal house in the countryside.

[Altivo Overo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine twisted mess that private investigator Kate Shackleton and her partner Jim Sykes have to untangle. Actually two separate puzzles, one a search for a child who was given up for adoption 24 years earlier, and the other a murder set in a library. The two become more and more entangled as the plot develops with false turns and misconjectures. Of course it all has to work out in the end, but not without additional deaths, threats, and perhaps a blackmail or two. Oh, yes, and rare books stolen, a ghost who may or may not exist, and dark secrets in the library cellar. Fun, challenging puzzle, and oh so very British. I lost count of the innumerable cups of tea that were served. Hold your conclusions until the end. The villain is probably not your first candidate, nor the second, nor even the third.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slightly different type of book for me. Thoroughly enjoyable story.
A female private detective is retained by a member of the aristocracy. The case is to find Her Ladyship's daughter, given up for adoption at birth, as the child was not fathered by Lady Coulson's husband.
Kate Shackleton begins her investigation, but soon draws a blank. As she continues her search for the adopted girl, who is now a young woman, Kate finds herself involved in several other investigations. It soon becomes clear that, whilst not obvious from the outset, all the investigations are linked in some way.
Kate keeps going, despite the dangers and setbacks. She eventually solves all the cases, with some help from her sidekick, Sykes, and the local constabulary.

[Carole-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to class this as "Historical" then I'm really getting old.... :)

1925'ish lady detective work from Kate (with help from Mr Sykes!) and quite a good understanding of 10920's circumstances where the 'rich' certainly deviated from the "less well-to-do".

A mystery concerning (very devious) power-entitled unscrupulous gentlemen; a 'lady' trying to trace a "by-blow" (did they do that sort of thing in the 20's??); some rather nice secondary characters; and a Capuchin monkey!

I actually enjoyed this dive into history. Not so meandering as the first one I read, so worthwhile the time. A good, gentle, murder-mystery.

[Henna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5⭐️

I think it’s just me who has rated this record 2 out of five stars personally I just was not intrigued by this book I had picked up as a whim thought it would be a good classic murder mystery there are two mysteries involved in this I was really confused all of the characters were like just put in one place and you had to figure out what was going on at the beginning was boring the middle is boring the ending was boring everything is boring I just did not find this good at all I just wanted to finish it because there’s all my physical TBR I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall I have read five Kate Shackleton books and this is my favourite one, and not just because of the title. I really enjoyed how it started off, with an investigation to find a person, to then find a body in a library of all places. I liked this book as it showed not to judge a book by its cover with the character Mrs Carmichael. I particularly enjoyed this book as Mrs Shackleton seems more rebellious and scandalous in this one, with making remarks and putting her place between men, which would be seemed as a scandal in them days as men over powered women. I liked this mystery as it seamed like it picked her than her choosing it, This seamed to bring out the character more and shows that she is born to be a detective. In this book you also get to know more about he neighbours and her Family.

[D.L. Morrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this cozy, historic mystery, a rich lady hires Kate to find an illegitimate daughter she gave up for adoption 20 years ago. Meanwhile, a librarian is murdered and a sick organ grinder is accused. Kate takes care of his monkey.

Admittedly these are fluff fiction with no social commentary or insights on humanity, but I enjoy them. They are good reads.

[Nofar Spalter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and pretty original detective story, as usual, with some great historical context. One of the characters (Marian) is a little patchy and inconsistent, but otherwise the characterization is on point. They sound and act like fully fleshed out people, and not cardboard cutouts for an overly laden plot (something that happens in many detective novels). The plot is relatively original, and affords Brody the chance to explore issues of poverty, xenophobia, and women's place in a growingly modern society. Leeds and Yorkshire in the 1920s come to life, and the setting and historical context are superb.
An enjoyable book to read that doesn't leave you feeling "malnourished".

[Kirstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd probably call this a " cosy mystery "
Easy to read and not to complicated, just some nice light entertainment
I did like the description of Leeds in the 1920s
and the do's and dont's of society which made me giggle ( a lady can't eat an apple on the street / it is unseemly to roll up your shirt sleeves at work / if you wear earrings at work you must be a floozy etc)

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfying.

[Catherine Whitelam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a joy this book! From its cover to the voice of Kate Shackleton to the fabulous geographical meandering of the story through the streets and suburbs of 1920 Leeds while solving a good old fashioned mystery.

[Linniegayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another interesting entry in the series, featuring several different mysteries. I'll definitely pick up the next in the series.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this mystery set in a library. Kate is detective and former nurse. Reminds me of the Maisie Dobbs books.

[Rain Shoshana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Kate Shackleton book I’ve read yet! Definitely a good standalone, so if you’re not ready to commit to a series read this one!

[Munch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Percy was a delight.

[Gerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy the Kate Shackleton series and with 'Death of an Avid Reader' seemingly having a bookish background, I was ready for a most enjoyable read. However, I was slightly disappointed for the story seems to wander around and the various strands need putting together to bring out the tale. I am afraid that I was sometimes unable to do that; now that does not mean that Frances Brody has written a poor book, it probably means that I am not up to putting together difficult-ish plots!

Our heroine Kate Shackleton has always been a first-class sleuth but her powers of detection are tested to the limit after Lady Coulton asks her to find a long lost daughter, born out of wedlock. As Kate begins her delving, she finds herself involved in a couple of murders that take place in the Leeds Library. What is more she discovers a Capuchin monkey close to the scene of the crimes!

Her investigations reveal skulduggery at the library and a seemingly innocent man has been blamed for the murders. Kate leaves no stone unturned to discover the truth and eventually, as is her wont, she comes up with the solution - and finds Lady Coulton's daughter. But, for me at least, there is difficulty along the way in comprehending it all - sorry!

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second Frances Brody book I've read, the first being Death at the Seaside. It was #8 in the Kate Shackleton series and a little more polished than Avid Reader. Brody is a skilled and entertaining writer, but I wish she would introduce her characters a little more fully. At the beginning of Avid Reader, several similar characters entered the scene and I had trouble separating them for the rest of the book, which is bad, because SPOILER ALERT, one of them is the victim.

I suppose the Kate Shackleton books are cozy mysteries, but a little edgier than Agatha Christie. In this modern messed up world, I could do with less edginess and I hope Brody eliminates it in further volumes.

[Debra K · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a more detailed review, please check out my review below:

Debra's Book Cafe


Debs :-)