The Green Baize Door

by Eleanor Birney

In the fashionable mansions on Chestnut Hill, a simple green baize door separates the masters’ world from the servants’. That door is thrown wide when an elderly housekeeper is found brutally murdered on the first day of the new century. Marie Chevalier, the housekeeper’s poor but ambitious granddaughter, and James Lett, the mansion owner’s kind but indolent son, suspect the killer is connected to one of their families—but which one?

From drawing rooms to alleyways, their separate investigations lead them through the sometimes lavish, sometimes brutal, landscape of turn-of-the-century New England. When long-buried secrets begin to unravel the fragile threads that hold both households together, Marie and James must find a way to bridge the gulf between them—if only to prove that the murderer belongs not to their own world, but to that strange and foreign land on the other side of the green baize door.

Inspired by real-life events, The Green Baize Door is a richly layered historical mystery that explores themes of class identity, family loyalty, and the sometimes blurry line between virtue and vice.

Genres: Crime, Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 27, 2026

About the author

Eleanor Birney writes historical mysteries about class, moral ambiguity, and people who aren’t satisfied with life on their side of the green baize door. She received a BA in History from UC Berkeley, and works as a legal research attorney, a day job that feeds her love of precision, research, and puzzles. Growing up in foster care gave her a lifelong fascination with the way society steers people into assigned places—and how some of those people refuse to stay in them. She lives in Northern California with her family. The Green Baize Door is her debut novel and the first of the Marie Chevalier Mysteries.

Reviews

[Laura❄️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers Parlor and Dock Press for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book started off strong with the introduction of the mastachioed man, I really enjoyed this chapter as it was really strongly written and draws the reader in, I wanted to know more about the identity of the mastashioed man and why he was so desperate to speak to James. This made me feel we were off to a strong start, this book does start a little slowly as the author sets the scene and all the players enter the stage but with the murder of Marie’s grandmother the dice is cast and we have watch as the cards fall where there may. I did wonder how James’s investigation would tie in with Marie’s grandmothers murder but when the connection was revealed I felt this was very nicely and cleverly tied in. Marie’s father and brother were a pair of wasters completely rotten to the core, Marie’s sister Eliza I didn’t really form a strong impression of her character other than that she was very timid. The twist at the end I didn’t see coming and my heart broke for Marie when this was revealed. I also felt for William as he truly loved Marie and I felt for both of their unfulfilled dreams.

The first time I read this book I didn’t really give it a chance to impress me but I decided to revisit my review and reread this book. On my second reading I really enjoyed this book, the writing was strong, I thought it was a really cleverly written who done it.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a memorable debut! It reads like a book written by a seasoned author, rather than a first attempt.

The prose is sharp and descriptive without being indulgent. The opening chapter set the scene and the tone immediately. I was impressed with how efficient the language was. The author establishes the setting, feel, and characters with economy. There is no wasted space, and nothing felt rushed. The prose fits the historical period well. It flows smoothly, but reads as an accurate facsimile of the time. Anachronistic language is a massive turn off for me in books set in a historical time period.

The examination of class was interesting and vivid. The lower class experience is grounded in a sense of grime and lack that is almost tangible, and the upper class in a malaise of entitlement and ennui.

The characters intrigued me. We get several point of view shifts, and the author does a great job of showing how an individual’s experiences with a different character colors their perception. There are characters who are intent on being a victim of others and of their circumstances. Things are never their fault. And it was fascinating to see their thoughts on a character who had boundaries and refused to let their behavior go, and vice versa. It made for layered and intricate characters. All of the characters are frustrating, but in a good way. They have distinct flaws, and make poor choices, and fail in recognizable ways.

Marie’s level of naivety was a stretch, given her background and upbringing. She is not as active a participant in events as she could have been, and is less compelling than I would have liked. She is easily misled and believes nearly everything said to her. It didn’t ring true to her environment.

The mystery was interesting, although not as much of a hook as the class and character conflicts. It’s not complicated, but it’s handled efficiently. I was engaged enough to stick with it to the end. The end, when it comes, was so utterly shocking that I actually found my mouth hanging open as I read. I don’t think it was set up or even hinted at in the process of the story, so it took me completely by surprise. It was so out of left field that it lowered my opinion of the book. I think it had the potential to work as a reveal if more care had gone in to establishing it. As is, I found it almost unbelievable.

The book also finishes very abruptly. I actually doublechecked to make sure there was nothing wrong with my Kindle because I assumed there had to be at least an epilogue. But no, it ends where it ends. The author is setting up a series, but it did the book a disservice. Overall, I was invested and I had fun reading this, but it wasn’t quite as great as it could have been.

[Claressa Hallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long time employee of the Lett family is found murdered on New Years Day 1900. Her granddaughter, Marie, investigates the murder in an attempt to exonerate her ex-lover, father, and brother from suspicion. Separately, Jamie Lett investigates with his sister to determine if someone in his family is tied to the murder. Marie and Jamie eventually cross paths and must work together to solve the murder, even if it means someone in one (or both) of their families is to blame.

I enjoyed the historical setting of this mystery. The mystery itself was written in a classic whodunit manner - with several potential suspects and civilians using basic investigative skills to aid in the capture of the culprit.

The story deals with vices such as airs, graces, and entitlement. Other topics explored are the treatment of minorities by law enforcement in the late 1800s/early 1900s, the expectations of women in society and within family units, and the relationship between household staff and employers during this time period.

As with traditional whodunits, the focus is on the plot. The characters are developed just enough to draw suspicion but not with great detail. The turn of the century setting was something I like in any novel, so I found that enjoyable. The ending set the stage for more books in the future featuring Marie (and hopefully Jamie).

If you are looking for a historical mystery that involves a female sleuth, this will fit the bill. It did keep me guessing, which is what I look for in a good mystery.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emziethebookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this had a good mystery vibe to this book which made it very hard for me to put down from the start to the very end of the books story.
The books plot was very hard gripping and very detailed.
The characters throughout made the book come to life and in the end it was all too real.
I want to thank netgallery for allowing me to read this book, I certain ly enjoyed it.

[Julia Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, I love a good suspense story and this was perfect. If I could have a would have read it in one sitting!

[Bok Choy Nomad (Cat-Dan) · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review: The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney

I decided to accept this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) of The Green Baize Door by this debut novel of new author Eleanor Birney based on the summary and cover. I was intrigued as it seemed to be a historic murder mystery set at turn-of the-century New England with class and cultural divides spanning the female main character (FMC) and male main character (MMC)...so I was also hoping for some romance as well.

And the story delivered this…somewhat, I felt. I really appreciate how it was well-written and researched, especially at the start when the author is introducing the characters. We first meet MMC, James Lett, a privileged young man who seems to have been dragged on a business trip with his father’s colleague to the back and beyond when he notices the colleague acting oddly…and then witnesses the death of a stranger who was trying to get his attention the night before. Then, we meet FMC, Marie Chevalier, who is visiting her Mémé (grandmother), Madame Alozia Tompkins, who is currently housekeeper to the Lett family. Marie’s family lives in poverty due to her father and brother’s arrogance and belief that they deserve better because they know they have a large inheritance to look forward to that Alozia inherited from a previous husband. Alas, death strikes, but this time to Marie’s family and the story plays out from there.

Birney’s writing style contains the right amount of descriptive elements to help the reader visualize the characters’ appearances and personalities without going over the top. I could also picture the surroundings and the main places (e.g., Philadelphia and New York City) in 1900 without becoming confused as a non-native. The author’s legal background shines as well as I learned a lot about turn-of-the century court proceedings and appalling segregation laws in the USA at the time as we discover more about the racism and prejudice Marie and her family face when the truth comes out that Alozia had Creole origins. Without leaving any spoilers, the murderer’s identity resolves towards the end and truly did surprise me.

Despite this, I really struggled to become invested in the characters and story overall. I felt too much time focused on the character of William Jones, Marie’s first beau and her brother’s best friend, especially as he seemed to be ‘God’s gift to women.’ I found myself skimming things when he appeared, and as he showed up a lot, this made the story drag for me. He was really annoying, and I did not care at all when he was framed for the murder, and then found myself frustrated with Marie for suddenly caring about him again when she saw him behind bars. The interactions between James and Marie were more mildly interesting, and could have redeemed the plot more for me if they had worked more in tandem to aid in James’ investigation (Marie didn’t really do any investigating at all as I thought would happen from the summary). The reader is led to believe Marie’s and James’ connection might continue in the next book, however, in spite of how written this story was, I really didn’t become invested enough in them to find out more.

Overall, I think this would appeal to you if like reading about 1900 life in this part of the US. The author could do so much more with the class, identity and cross-cultural aspects, and perhaps, this might come through as this is meant to be a series. It’s too bad it wasn’t more compelling in this first book.


P.S. I am grateful to BookSirens for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.


P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!

[Cathleen Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars - rounded up to 3 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Parlor & Dock Press for a digital ARC of Eleanor Birney’s “The Green Baize Door.”

Birney’s debut was a good effort with room for improvement. The premise and themes were solid, but the execution of certain elements could use refinement.

What Worked vs. What Didn’t?

The characters of Marie and Jamie worked for the most part. They have struggles/conflicts and display enough kindness/determination to help readers become vested in them, but they are sometimes lost among the competing POV characters, especially at the beginning of the novel. This hurt the initial pacing and at times created a disconnect with these main characters. Too much was “told” about them and their interactions with others rather than “shown.”

The dual mysteries of who killed Marie’s grandmother and what’s going on with the Lett family’s business are intriguing enough to carry the plot of the novel and kept me turning pages by the time I reached the 25% mark. Unfortunately, the resolution of one of these mysteries is disappointing. Without spoilers—while the culprit may be a surprise to some readers, the shock factor would have been more effective if handled differently. I understand that the intent is for there to be future novels with at least one of the MCs, but more could have been done to make this MC an active participant in the resolution and still leave room for sequels.

The “green baize door” and the social and racial issues addressed in the novel resonated, and Birney’s knowledge of history and the law are apparent. The one area that could be improved here would be finding a balance between the inclusion of detailed historical/legal information and keeping readers engrossed in the fiction. I was pulled out of the story a few times when the characters’ thoughts/dialogue became too close to textbook definitions. For future works, the author may want to consider a note at the end of the novel that provides a deeper dive into important historical references used as inspiration instead of interrupting the narrative with these explanations.

Again, for a first novel this is a good effort, and I will be curious to see how Birney evolves as an author.

[Laila · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Green Baize Door is one of those rare mysteries that digs not only into who committed the crime but also into why the world around them allowed it to happen in the first place. The opening murder is violent, shocking, and deeply symbolic. It tears away the fragile calm of Chestnut Hill’s finest mansion and forces every character to face the kinds of secrets that polite society would rather bury. This is not comfortable reading. It scratches at the polished surface of privilege, and what it reveals can be unsettling.

Marie Chevalier lingers in my mind. She is poor, but her dignity is unshakeable. She carries nothing but her name and the memory of her grandmother, and that is enough to push her forward. Following her through the halls and alleyways as she tries to understand who among the masters or the servants could commit such an act feels both urgent and heartbreaking. James Lett, with all his wealth and his wavering morals, ended up surprising me. His hesitation, his guilt, and his eventual realization of the injustice around him give his character a bittersweet but meaningful arc.
The divide between upstairs and downstairs is drawn with remarkable clarity. You feel it in every whisper, every sharp look, and every door that stays locked. The mystery winds through lies and secrets like smoke, and it never lets you settle. It pushes you not only to guess who committed the crime but also to question whether any resolution can feel clean in a world built on hierarchy and silence.

There are moments when the investigation slows down, and the distance between suspicion and proof narrows in a way that feels a little too neat. Still, the final reveal of the culprit lands with force. It also leaves a lingering ache for the people on both sides of the green baize door, because the weight of truth does not fall evenly on everyone.

I am grateful to NetGalley for the ARC, and I am glad I had the chance to read this early. If you are drawn to historical mysteries that expose the rot beneath refinement, examine the harshness of class divisions, and refuse to shy away from moral complexity, this novel will stay with you long after the last page.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid debut historical mystery novel. I enjoyed the way it established the turn of the century setting, and how it included social conflicts around class and race. It had more of a courtroom drama flavor than the amateur sleuths I was expecting, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable.

We get to experience this story from the 3rd-person points of view of a varied cast of characters. And all of them were well-drawn and believable as individuals (even if some were very unlikeable with the way they always portrayed themselves as victims, using that as an excuse for their almost complete lack of redeemable qualities). But I didn't always feel like their relationships and how they reacted to each other rang true. Especially Marie's reactions and feelings to some of the more unlikeable characters (who shall remain unnamed here) felt off somehow. And every time the book tried bringing in undertones of romantic history or romantic feelings between two characters it felt like the cliché of "all telling, no showing". The characters I found most interesting and compelling in the end were Jamie Lett and his sister. I wish we'd seen a bit more of her.

The pacing felt a little uneven, with the first half of the book moving very slowly and the second half feeling a bit rushed. Then towards the very end it felt like it lost momentum again and tapered off, making me worry for a moment that we wouldn't even get to learn the identity of the murderer. And when we finally did, while the killer's identity was a surprise to me, the passive way in which it was revealed left me disappointed (almost wishing the question had remained unanswered after all).

I liked the writing overall, so I'd definitely consider picking up another book by this author. But I'm not sure I find these characters, especially Marie, compelling enough to carry a series, so I'm not sure I'd pick up another "Marie Chevalier mystery".

Thank you to the publisher, Parlor & Dock Press, for providing a review copy via NetGalley. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[K.J. Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love a good historic murder mystery, and The Green Baize Door is certainly that. Told from multiple points of view, we follow the various characters, both those who are rich and live an easy life and those who are struggling, while we find out who murdered a housekeeper. She was a grandmother to one of the poorer families and a housekeeper for the richer. I felt swept into the time period of this book which is something I really love.
It isn't a murder mystery in the classic sense of the word. There is a murder, although in many ways, that almost seems secondary to the rest of the action here. We also don't follow anyone trying to solve it as such, although there are hints. In some ways, this book feels as much a study of race and poverty as it does anything else. I didn't work out who the murderer was, but I didn't feel that I was being guided to do so in any case. Rather, the story itself carried me along.
This is very much an American book, which again helps build the feel of the time. One of the main characters, Marie, passes as white, but has a 'coloured' grandmother. As a result, she ends up feeling that she fits nowhere. I know that race (or perhaps skin colour would be more accurate) is still a hugely contentious issue in the US, and the idea of someone's identity being based on their ancestors' ethnicity, rather than their own reality, is something that is viewed rather differently in the rest of the world. We certainly see some of the roots of that here.
The book ends at a point where I assume that it's all finished, but there is still scope to follow the fortunes of the characters in the future. I'm not sure if that is the intention, or if it will finish here; I think either way would work.
This was a great read and one that I didn't want to put down. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for this author in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a murder mystery set at the turn of the 19th to 20th century. It is set up as a contrast between a rich family and a poor one, in which the poor family’s grandmother, working as a housekeeper for the rich family (the Letts), is found murdered in the Lett’s home.

I found this first novel a very interesting read. There are 2 mysteries to unravel involving 2 families at opposite ends of the social spectrum. As the mysteries unfold, we begin to see the connections between the two converge. There are several suspects that are considered, but the ending is a surprise!

The author did a good job in character development. The main female and male characters were well drawn and very likable. The negative aspects of the secondary characters effectively set off the differences between the “good” people and the “bad”. There were no explicit scenes, making this a book that I would feel comfortable recommending to younger teens.

The unraveling of the murder that is the connection between the 2 families is a shock—at least I didn’t see it coming! The ending of the book (it seems to me) left the relationship between the H & h unresolved—will they ever get their HEA? I suspect that we will see a follow book further exploring that thread! A very good first book and I hope to read another from this author.

I received an early copy of this book from BookSirens. My review is voluntary, and the opinions my own.

[Deborah Spier · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was well written but a bit slow going. It is less of a mystery than a character study of a group of people in Philadelphia at the turn of the 20th century. We get to know that several of them are of mixed race, but neither their race nor racism are more than background, lightly alluded to. The title indicates this is the first of the "Marie Chevalier Mysteries", but I didn't get the feeling that Marie was the main protaganist of the story until far into it. It also didn't get to a plot for way too long. The introduction of characters took up a quarter of it, without making any of them particularly appealing. The crime was part and parcel of their relationships, rather than the point of the story. Having said that, the characters themselves were well fleshed out and realistic, as was the sense of time and place. If a reader enjoys historical novels, for the pleasure of visiting the past and it's people, this book works well. I was also attracted by the beautifully done cover, which illustrates the mood of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid debut novel for the author with rich background into the history and times of what life would be like for both rich and poor. While I immediately felt empathy for Marie and her sister, I found it difficult to like almost any of the other characters apart from Jamie & his sister. I spent a few chapters wondering if the point of the book was that the characters were unlikable, but they still deserved to be treated fairly. Much like the lawyer's description of William later in the story, that a person might not be "good" but that doesn't mean they are a murderer. The pacing of the story was hit or miss, with some parts feeling too descriptive and lengthy when I wanted information and movement in the investigation. I was able to identify the murderer before it was revealed, and I wished it had been done a little more dramatically, but I also wonder if it was done in a way to leave open a storyline for a future book. If not, I found the ending unsatisfying as it needed more. I think I would pick up another book in this series if it were to come out.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Green Baize Door is an historial murder mystery, set in the 1900s in America. The book deals with class and race conflicts, as people's perceptions of Marie and her family are skewered when they learn that Marie's grandmother, the murdered woman, is a colored lady. At the start of the book people are kind to Marie, but afterwards they treat her poorly, telling her she's a liar for not declaring that she's a person of color, something they would never know just by looking at her as Marie is very pale.

James also experiences something similar towards the end of the book when his family's fortune dwindles. People who, in the past, would treat him with respect look down on him and his newfound 'poverty'.

The book was a little slow at times but ultimately I kept going to find out who the murderer was. I spent most of the book believing it to be Marie's brother, and then another character rang alarm bells in my head and made me change my attention to them. The plot twist was masterfully done. I'm looking forward to reading more of Marie and James.

[Ruth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a debut novel, this book was stunning.
It hooked me from the very beginning. I love to read period novels, and this one did not disappoint.
The characters were very well done and felt alive. The scenes and places were also well done and I could get the sense of being there, watching things play out.
When a crime takes place, the investigation ends up putting one man in jail, and he may or may not be guilty... But people on the outside are desperate to find the actual truth. But one part of the crime remains unsolved and the police have no interest in finding the true culprit.
When the perp was finally revealed, all I could say was NO WAY! It was a total shock. I don't think I've ever read such a shocking reveal in a murder mystery before. I was well and truly NOT expecting that!
Well done, Eleanor Birney. Well done.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my voluntary review.

[Evelyn Holson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book to review through NetGalley.

The Green Baize Door is filled with many mysteries and questions for the reader to follow to conclusion, all intriguing although slow at times. The book starts off strong with a mysterious death, characters from different social classes and races, and then a second death that is most definitely a murder. We meet James and Marie, our main protagonists, and follow them as they eventually learn that they need each other's perspective to determine the killer of Marie's grandmother, who is the housekeeper of the affluent James. There are other characters along the way, from both families, all who have either a reason to want the grandmother dead or see her death as a part of a bigger mystery.
The book's pace slowed down in the middle chapters, but finished strong with a surprising and satisfying conclusion. The writing was descriptive and was lovely to read. If you are a fan of historical fiction, and mysteries, I highly recommend.

[Ana-Maria Scutelnicu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an addicting read. From the start, I was captivated by the description of the book, but I would not have guessed where the action was leading. Eleanor Birney makes such good use of the early 1900s scene and the discrepancies that one would find in that time's society to bring her readers in the heart of the action and draw a picture of what seems like mundane routines. The book takes you through saloons, along the streets and through "the Green Baize Door", in order to discover the pieces of the main puzzle. The ending was as surprising as the whole action, as I was heading towards a completely different conclusion. The writing style completely reflects the moods, feelings and situations that the characters dealt with from love to loss and so much more. I'd say it is a more character driven book, one that intertwines themes of identity and independence with social restraints and class boundaries. Definitely worth the read and I can't wait for what comes next.

[saint forest99 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgallery for this early access edition.

Eleanor Birney's debut novel The Green Baize Door is a historical fiction center around early 20th century America. Within it comes Marie as we follow her attempt to discover her grandmother's murder, her own identity, and who she can trust. She works with Jamie Lett, the son of her grandmother's boss.
With different and unexpected turns, it makes for a good read. However, there were parts that seemed slower than other chapters. Near the end I got really confused and sadly to impatient to read the end completely.
If you enjoy murder mysterious give it go! I'm not a big murder mystery reader and thats probably why some of my opinions are full of confusion with the plot.

[Jan Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, this story was a little long getting started but once I saw where it was going, I didn’t want to stop reading. And now that I see where it ended, I’m very much looking forward to the next in the series.
Three pairs of characters are the focus of the narrative. Marie Chevalier is ostensibly the main character, James Lett and his sister connected to her by virtue of Marie’s grandmother working for the Lett family. The third pair is a former beau of Marie’s and his new wife—he is accused of murdering Marie’s grandmother.
It’s a tangled, intricate plot, and I was shocked by the ending. A fair amount of courtroom drama, too, leads to a satisfying ending. Highly recommended historical mystery. I can’t wait for the next one!

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this to be very slow moving and difficult to get into. I considered giving up on it more than once. Presented in a setting so heavy and cumbersome that it was a bit depressing. Add a plot which took forever to emerge and evolve, with characters so unlikable you really didn't care what was happening to them. I was three quarters of the way through this book before it sparked any real interest and then it devolved into what I thought was just plain unrealistic. An intriguing and unexpected twist near the ending of the book gave me hope, but then fell short of a real satisfying finish. The ending left me in mid air, thinking perhaps there will be a sequel? I will skip it if it lands.

[Katherine Hilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very easy to love and/or hate. The mystery kept my interest and offered a twist at the end, although I thought it a little odd the h wasn't really involved with trying to solve it. Some of the dialogue was a little disturbing, although, I'm sure, accurate. I found myself wanting to tell off the people speaking the disturbing words. I 'm looking forward to reading the future books in the series and seeing how Marie Chevalier grows as a person when she broadens her horizons.

[Heather MacLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly satisfying mystery - the time period comes alive, as do the characters. Birney has a knack for conveying depth of character and the complexities of the human psyche, so that the mystery becomes not just the murder, but the mystery of human behavior in general - the way people justify their actions, the dreams and lies they tell themselves that trap them in addictions and illusions. And every now and then, a wry sense of humor peeks through the narrative, unexpectedly cracking me up!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC.

I enjoy a good mystery set in the past. This one intrigued me when the blurb said that it covered: class identity, family loyalty and the lines between virtue and vice. And it did include all of these things promised along with being centred around an interesting mystery (or two)! Marie and Jamie each followed lines of inquiry for their own reasons. And I enjoyed seeing how everything came together!

[Constance M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this ARC from the author through Book Sirens.

At first, the various POV had me wondering at the connection between the characters, until the story was a little more developed.

I enjoyed watching the way the mystery worked itself out, and the characters developed. I was surprised by the conclusion of the mystery, as I had an alternate idea all along. That’s good writing, when it keeps you guessing.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every once in a while you stumble upon a great historical murder mystery that just is worth a re-read. This is a cup of hot tea read on a cool fall or winter night. The multiple POV was skillfully done in a way that did not cause confusion but added depth and layers to the story as it unfolded. Over all this book is an easy and enjoyable read that explores not only social class but also the importance of seeing another perspective in order to gain the best perspective to solve a murder.

[Florence Belle]

The Green Baize Door is a captivating historical mystery that skillfully weaves themes of class, family, and secrets in turn-of-the-century New England. With well-drawn characters and a gripping plot, it brilliantly exposes the fragile divide between social worlds and keeps readers guessing until the end.
Highly Recommended

[MB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Author did an excellent job explaining the time period and vivid detail of characters. I had not figured out the true murderer and was surprised by the outcome described at the end of the book.

[Curt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read. I sat down and finished it in one seating. I even skipped lunch, and I love lunch!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read, which follows Marie Chevalier, her family, and friends. Marie lives a life skimming the poverty line, with her wastrel brother and father.
Life gets turned upside down when her brother’s friend William (another wastrel and Marie’s past love) is accused of murdering her Grandmother Alozia.

There’s so many facets to this tale, from the society family who her grandmother was housekeeper for, the family’s dodgy business man, the implications of being of coloured or coloured passing for white, to the dodgy criminal activities her brother and father were getting up to, when they weren’t drinking their life away.

Each character is well written and brought to life so well.

It was refreshing to read an ending that you weren’t expecting.

I love the cover of the book <3
The cover has “A Marie Chevalier Mystery”, hopefully pertaining to a future series. I’d definitely be onboard about that.

Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.