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The Mystery of Her (The Zane Brothers Detective Agency Book 1)

Patricia Catacalos (Goodreads Author)

4.50 · Rating details · 8 ratings · 5 reviews

London, 1888…Two serial killers, Leather Apron (Jack the Ripper) and the Torso Killer are mutilating women in the slums of Whitechapel. But even in the bedchambers of the peerage, a killer is claiming lives. A determined Lady Kiera Everett wishes to hire the Zane Brothers Detective Agency to prove that her sickly father, and two other ailing members of the peerage, were mu ...more

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Kindle Edition, 228 pages

Published May 28th 2016

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Aug 12, 2017 Vera mallard rated it really liked it · review of another edition

STORY-LINE THE MYSTERY OF HER BY PATRICIA CATACALOS:

There are killers loose in Patricia Catacalos latest novel, The Mystery of Her. Set in London 1888, someone's killing prostitutes in White Chapel and in the wealthy bedrooms of the Ton. Lady Kiera Everett believes the nurse caring for her father murdered him; a nurse he left a substantial amount in a newly amended will. Contacting the Zane Brothers Detective Agency, she hires them to investigate her father's death. Kiera's determined to take pa STORY-LINE THE MYSTERY OF HER BY PATRICIA CATACALOS:

There are killers loose in Patricia Catacalos latest novel, The Mystery of Her. Set in London 1888, someone's killing prostitutes in White Chapel and in the wealthy bedrooms of the Ton. Lady Kiera Everett believes the nurse caring for her father murdered him; a nurse he left a substantial amount in a newly amended will. Contacting the Zane Brothers Detective Agency, she hires them to investigate her father's death. Kiera's determined to take part in the investigation. Zachary Zane's determined she won't; Kiera determined she will. Who will win this battle of wills?

During the investigation the Zane's discover Kiera's father's not the only wealthy man to unexpectedly die leaving money to the same nurse. Things are looking suspiciously like murder. Danger, murder, and of course, romance follow Kiera and the Zane brothers. My Victorian Era historical book review of The Mystery of Her follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

A historical Victorian Era mystery romance novel with mystery, murder of the wealthy, the White Chapel murders, and a variety of characters, make an entertaining intriguing read. With everyone's avid interest in Jack The Ripper, Catacalos, vividly and skillfully included these "Ripper like murders" as part of her story-line; the Torso Killer and Leather Apron. Set in London of 1888, the setting was perfect for inclusion.

I felt so sorry for Zachary and the trauma he endured as a child; which turned him into a closed off serious man who hid his emotions. When he told Kiera of the trauma, I could feel his pain. Characterized as closed off and serious, Catacalos's introduction of Kiera into his life, changed Zachary. A man with depth, he sees the life with Kiera and happiness which could be his.

Kiera's a woman born before her time; she wants independence and equality; she's willing to stay a spinster to achieve her goal. She's not the dutiful little wife without input or opinion material; bowing before the master of the house, no way. She wants to take part if she marries. I loved her character.

Catacalos created truly evil villains in this book; giving me chills as I read of their crimes and intentions. Catacalos writing's vivid and her scenes transition smoothly. I could see the dirty filth and squalor of 1888 White Chapel. I could smell the odors, and see the vivid landscape; as well as, the lowly street boys Evan hired and used for surveillance and information. Prostitution's a way of life for many of the uneducated poor residents. How sad live must have been in this area.

With well-developed characters, vivid writing, pacing in line with length of the book, and a sweet romance, I enjoyed reading The Mystery of Her. With many plot threads to bring together, Catacalos skillfully wove an entertaining book. I must include the fact, Catacalos used the crude language of this time period in the White Chapel scenes. Catalcalos had no need of explicit or graphic sex to sell this story; her writing skill alone carried the book. Nor did she fill the pages with fluff to increase the page count. I found The Mystery Of Her a solid intriguing and entertaining historical romance mystery novel. I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend.

THE MYSTERY OF HER RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I received this book from the author and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest Victorian Era historical book review. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. No one influenced my voluntary historical book review. ...more

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Feb 26, 2018 Aimee Ann rated it it was amazing

The Mystery of Her was a book I was always destined to love thanks to the many thrilling themes it explores. The Mystery of Her, written by the fantastic Patricia Catacalos explores murder, crime, 18th Century London and Jack the Ripper in her latest novel, The Mystery of Her and let me express now book lovers that this book is just as great as it sounds! The story of The Mystery of Her weaves the themes I listed above flawlessly which ensures that the book is stand out against the historical fi The Mystery of Her was a book I was always destined to love thanks to the many thrilling themes it explores. The Mystery of Her, written by the fantastic Patricia Catacalos explores murder, crime, 18th Century London and Jack the Ripper in her latest novel, The Mystery of Her and let me express now book lovers that this book is just as great as it sounds! The story of The Mystery of Her weaves the themes I listed above flawlessly which ensures that the book is stand out against the historical fiction genre, it is a sensational book that fans of the Jack the Ripper mystery and crime in 18th century London will love. Fans of crime and mystery will also adore this book, so I implore all lovers of this genre to read this piece of historical fiction as you will not regret it!

The Mystery of Her is a compelling novel that is set in London in the year 1888, a year in which poverty and disease were rife. The story follows three brothers who run a ‘business’ called the Zane Brothers Detective Agency, they have a talent for solving the unsolvable crimes, and the crimes that have landed on their desk recently is the peculiar string of killings of prostitutes. However, the Zane brothers will not only investigate this crime but a crime of a murdered father. Lady Kiera Everett’s father was murdered and Kiera believes that the nurse who was caring for her father committed the sinister act, and so she contacts the Zane brothers to enlist their help. The Zane brothers start to investigate the murder and when they do they discover some shocking truths, and it leads them down a path of danger and deceit; one that will have the reader captivated for many hours and this book lovers is the general premise of this exceptional story.

The story of the Mystery of Her is one that I love for many reasons. Of course, the primary reasons I love this book is thanks to the authors exceptional writing but before I discuss Patricia Catacalos’s talent at writing Historial fiction, I first want to discuss the general premise of the story and how brilliant it is. Mostly ever reader is fascinated by Jack the Ripper as well as how it was in London centuries ago so the fact that Catacalos explores these two themes and weaves a brilliant and incredibly entertaining plot around them make The Mystery of Her a sensational story.

Patricia Catacalos is a very talented author who clearly has a talent for whisking her readers back in time to the past. It is hard to transport any reader, even by a few years but to transport them back centuries is even more difficult; that is why Catacalos is wonderful for transporting her readers flawlessly. Catacalos manages to perfectly transport her reader to the damp, dark and sinister streets of 18th century London. Catacalos will place her reader right in the thick of the hustle and bustle of London so that the reader will be able to perfectly imagine themselves in the situation.

As The Mystery of Her is an incredible, captivating and brilliant book I have no choice but to award this sensational book a wonderful five stars! So please, if you are a reader who loves historical fiction and murder mysteries then The Mystery of Her is not to be missed! ...more

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Jun 30, 2017 Stanley McShane rated it liked it

Lady Kiera Everett is pretty darned sure her father was murdered and how it could have been viewed as anything else, even in London in 1888, is beyond me given the nature of the manner in the first of the Zane Brothers Detective Series, "The Mystery of Her" by Patricia Catacalos. I'm a fan of historical fiction, particularly mysteries.

The author paints London in all it's disease-ridden, dark and dank environment, where it would seem the street urchins outnumber the rats. She seeks the help of t ...more

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Apr 22, 2019 Boundless Book Reviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, stormi-s-reviews

Murder is happening all around in Whitechapel. Lady Kiera Everett is on a mission to find out the truth behind her father's death. Kiera feels like his nurse had something to do with it since she was given money in his will. Getting the Zane Brothers Detective Agency to help her is just what is needed. Reluctantly they agree to have her "involved" in the investigation, much to their disapproval. Evan, Noah, and Zachery find the investigation leads them, Kiera most of all, into danger. Danger can ...more

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Apr 29, 2020 Victor Hess rated it it was amazing

I am glad to discover this author. This is a well written story with engaging characters and a plot that held my attention. I look forward to reading more of her stories.

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Winnie rated it really liked it
Sep 30, 2017

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About Patricia Catacalos

Patricia Catacalos

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Patricia Catacalos holds a BA in Theatre from Seton Hill University and a MA in Theatre from the University of Denver. Years ago, when still single, she acted in and directed plays in the Philadelphia area but suffered the fate of many artists, struggling financially. So, she entered a career in sales but her creative spirit needed to express itself. So approximately ten years ago, she started wri ...more