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The Lady Mortician's Visions #3
The Dastardly Debutante
From author Helen Goltz, the third book in the exciting mystery series about love, fate, and putting to rest more than the dead.
Miss Phoebe Astin of The Economic Undertaker has applied her mortician skills to many faces, but a beautiful young debutante, Miss Daisy Dorchester, needed little work, or so Phoebe thought. When the debutante’s spirit appears to her, insisting she was murdered and demanding Phoebe do something about it, Phoebe agrees. She has, after all, helped many of her ghostly clients before they move on to the next world.
It soon comes to light that Daisy's death is connected to the priest from St Patrick's Parish and a young gentleman suitor with an engagement ring in his pocket; Daisy had boasted to the debutantes of a secret love.
Phoebe finds time is running out as the debutante will soon be laid to rest, but her brothers Julius and Ambrose, Detective Harland Stone, journalist friend Miss Lilly Lewis, and her dear friend Kate who took a portrait of the debutante the day before her death, are on the case.
Unfortunately, Daisy appears to have more enemies than friends and is fast making Phoebe one with her demands, requiring Julius to step in and reveal a side of himself he had to date kept hidden.
But justice must be served, and for the Astin family, being dead is no excuse for letting crime go unpunished!
The Dastardly Debutante mystery includes:
Paranormal visions
A family with a funeral business and all the quirks that come with it
A beautiful and intriguing medium who is not a clairvoyant but has psychic leanings
A handsome detective who is happy to have all the help he can get to solve the mystery
Two handsome undertaker brothers who have their share of adventure and romance
Historical detail accurately researched and set in 1890 Australia.
BOOKS IN THE LADY MORTICIAN’S VISIONS SERIES so far…The Missing Brides; The Fake Child; The Dastardly Debutante
Miss Phoebe Astin of The Economic Undertaker has applied her mortician skills to many faces, but a beautiful young debutante, Miss Daisy Dorchester, needed little work, or so Phoebe thought. When the debutante’s spirit appears to her, insisting she was murdered and demanding Phoebe do something about it, Phoebe agrees. She has, after all, helped many of her ghostly clients before they move on to the next world.
It soon comes to light that Daisy's death is connected to the priest from St Patrick's Parish and a young gentleman suitor with an engagement ring in his pocket; Daisy had boasted to the debutantes of a secret love.
Phoebe finds time is running out as the debutante will soon be laid to rest, but her brothers Julius and Ambrose, Detective Harland Stone, journalist friend Miss Lilly Lewis, and her dear friend Kate who took a portrait of the debutante the day before her death, are on the case.
Unfortunately, Daisy appears to have more enemies than friends and is fast making Phoebe one with her demands, requiring Julius to step in and reveal a side of himself he had to date kept hidden.
But justice must be served, and for the Astin family, being dead is no excuse for letting crime go unpunished!
The Dastardly Debutante mystery includes:
Paranormal visions
A family with a funeral business and all the quirks that come with it
A beautiful and intriguing medium who is not a clairvoyant but has psychic leanings
A handsome detective who is happy to have all the help he can get to solve the mystery
Two handsome undertaker brothers who have their share of adventure and romance
Historical detail accurately researched and set in 1890 Australia.
BOOKS IN THE LADY MORTICIAN’S VISIONS SERIES so far…The Missing Brides; The Fake Child; The Dastardly Debutante
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2023
120 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Helen Goltz
78 books133 followersHelen is a hybrid-published, Amazon best-selling author. After studying English Literature, Media, and Communications at universities in Queensland, Australia, and obtaining a Counselling Diploma, Helen Goltz has worked as a journalist, producer and marketer in print, TV, radio and public relations. Born in Toowoomba she has made her home in Brisbane, Australia with her journalist husband, Chris, and Boxer dog, Baxter.
Connect with Helen:
Website: www.helengoltz.com
BookBub:www.bookbub.com/authors/helen-goltz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelenGoltz.Author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helengoltza...
Connect with Helen:
Website: www.helengoltz.com
BookBub:www.bookbub.com/authors/helen-goltz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelenGoltz.Author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helengoltza...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 7, 2024
Generous 3.5 stars rounded up stars because it entertained me.
I don’t have a lot to say about this one. It was similar to the others in the series, and had a busy cast of characters and a lot of side plots/romances for a cozy, but I wanted something that I didn’t have to think too much about and this fit the bill.
Not a stand alone, you really need the background of the other books in the series, but the mystery was decent and at least the ghosts played more of a part in this than they have in previous books.
The author seems to be exploring the same themes in this series as her last one; stodgy detective, free thinking, unconventional heroine, lady reporter (side character this time), only sister in close knit family of brothers. It’s extremely similar and not quite as well executed as Miss Hayward and the Detective books. I’m curious as to why she’s not trying to differentiate between her series more. She has a really good idea here with the lady mortician who can see ghosts to help solve crimes but it’s not fully realized and she seems to be falling back on familiar storylines rather than stretching herself.
So this was good but I still feel slightly disappointed. I am always upset when an author tells the same story over and over again, so take that for what you will. Some readers enjoy familiarity, while I get bored by it.
So all in all a decent read. It was not the best by this author but it got the job done, I guess?
I don’t have a lot to say about this one. It was similar to the others in the series, and had a busy cast of characters and a lot of side plots/romances for a cozy, but I wanted something that I didn’t have to think too much about and this fit the bill.
Not a stand alone, you really need the background of the other books in the series, but the mystery was decent and at least the ghosts played more of a part in this than they have in previous books.
The author seems to be exploring the same themes in this series as her last one; stodgy detective, free thinking, unconventional heroine, lady reporter (side character this time), only sister in close knit family of brothers. It’s extremely similar and not quite as well executed as Miss Hayward and the Detective books. I’m curious as to why she’s not trying to differentiate between her series more. She has a really good idea here with the lady mortician who can see ghosts to help solve crimes but it’s not fully realized and she seems to be falling back on familiar storylines rather than stretching herself.
So this was good but I still feel slightly disappointed. I am always upset when an author tells the same story over and over again, so take that for what you will. Some readers enjoy familiarity, while I get bored by it.
So all in all a decent read. It was not the best by this author but it got the job done, I guess?
May 10, 2025
When Miss Phoebe Astin of The Economic Undertaker in Brisbane, Australia, took her tools to the recently deceased, preparing them for burial, Phoebe found herself helping many to successfully pass over. She'd helped solve suspected murders as well, and when her latest client, Miss Daisy Dorchester, an eighteen year old about to do her debut, informed Phoebe she had been murdered, the coroner agreed it was possible. With Phoebe's brothers, Julius and Ambrose, plus Detective Harland Stone and his offsider, journalist Miss Lilly Lewis and photographer friend Kate, the investigation began. When it came to light that a priest had also lost his life in suspicious circumstances, and another young man was brutally bashed, now in hospital, the police knew they were after a murderer.
Meanwhile with Phoebe's gift as medium to the spirit world, Daisy took full advantage and was driving Phoebe nuts! Her vanity and self-interest continued even though she was dead. Would they discover who had murdered her? It seemed that not many had liked her..
The Dastardly Debutante is the 3rd in The Lady Mortician's Visions by Aussie author Helen Goltz and I loved it. Fun, entertaining with plenty of twists and murderous drama, I'm very much looking forward to #4. Daisy was certainly a dastardly debutante and played her part well!! Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
Meanwhile with Phoebe's gift as medium to the spirit world, Daisy took full advantage and was driving Phoebe nuts! Her vanity and self-interest continued even though she was dead. Would they discover who had murdered her? It seemed that not many had liked her..
The Dastardly Debutante is the 3rd in The Lady Mortician's Visions by Aussie author Helen Goltz and I loved it. Fun, entertaining with plenty of twists and murderous drama, I'm very much looking forward to #4. Daisy was certainly a dastardly debutante and played her part well!! Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
December 28, 2023
Very enjoyable
Such a pleasure (rare these days!) To read a great story with engaging lighthearted characters. I love the Astin family, the Vexed Vixens and the detectives, the friendships and the romances. There are no contrived dramatic devices. The story moves along without repetitious fillers, and the plot is logical and believable. I was so sure the murderer was someone else, too, so the mysteries also were handled solidly. A really enjoyable read!!
Such a pleasure (rare these days!) To read a great story with engaging lighthearted characters. I love the Astin family, the Vexed Vixens and the detectives, the friendships and the romances. There are no contrived dramatic devices. The story moves along without repetitious fillers, and the plot is logical and believable. I was so sure the murderer was someone else, too, so the mysteries also were handled solidly. A really enjoyable read!!
November 25, 2024
The setting up of couples was annoying
While I hadn’t really contemplated who the murderer was, it would have been simply. The book was full of people making eyes too and with each other. I find it unlikely that the Economic Undertaker would really hire so randomly groups of people that deserve better. They cannot save everyone. Go thing this book is free.
While I hadn’t really contemplated who the murderer was, it would have been simply. The book was full of people making eyes too and with each other. I find it unlikely that the Economic Undertaker would really hire so randomly groups of people that deserve better. They cannot save everyone. Go thing this book is free.
December 28, 2023
Wonderful read!!!
I really enjoy the Aston family adventures. Julius’ kind heart is refreshing and yet he is always aware of one’s need to hang on to their pride. The way the family love and support each other is endearing as well.
I really enjoy the Aston family adventures. Julius’ kind heart is refreshing and yet he is always aware of one’s need to hang on to their pride. The way the family love and support each other is endearing as well.
December 23, 2024
Very unexpected ending!
I love how you hinted about tIhe killer but yet left it just enough of a mystery. I didn't figure it out till right before they announced it. I love all the love interests and the twists and how some are not accepted as suitors
I love how you hinted about tIhe killer but yet left it just enough of a mystery. I didn't figure it out till right before they announced it. I love all the love interests and the twists and how some are not accepted as suitors
February 23, 2025
True thoughts revealed
We finally hear ( and experience) Julius' past. So heart wrenching that I cried. Many changes brought about by justice finally being served for dastardly debutante Daisy.
We finally hear ( and experience) Julius' past. So heart wrenching that I cried. Many changes brought about by justice finally being served for dastardly debutante Daisy.
July 29, 2025
a wonderful discovery
Helen Goltz has written a series of tales that captures the era, develops amazing characters, and stirs mystery with a supernatural touch that leaves you unable to get to daily chores.
You must meet these charming Australians!
Helen Goltz has written a series of tales that captures the era, develops amazing characters, and stirs mystery with a supernatural touch that leaves you unable to get to daily chores.
You must meet these charming Australians!
February 14, 2026
The Dastardly Debutante
Daisy was a flirt but was to be married. She was also rude to other girls. She was murdered along with a Priest. Because of jealousy the man that was to be best man killed her and the Priest then self inflicted himself for an alibi.
Daisy was a flirt but was to be married. She was also rude to other girls. She was murdered along with a Priest. Because of jealousy the man that was to be best man killed her and the Priest then self inflicted himself for an alibi.
January 28, 2024
A lovely story!
There is murder, suspense and subtle romance in this old-fashioned storytelling. It is well written and entertaining. I highly recommend this author and her series.
There is murder, suspense and subtle romance in this old-fashioned storytelling. It is well written and entertaining. I highly recommend this author and her series.
January 25, 2025
Another fantastic read
I am loving the twists and turns of this series. I am looking forward to the next book. The cast of characters are growing and expanding. Fantastic!!!!!
I am loving the twists and turns of this series. I am looking forward to the next book. The cast of characters are growing and expanding. Fantastic!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews