An Unmourned Man

Lady C Investigates #1

by Issy Brooke

A fresh, uncomplicated nineteenth-century adventure with a strong, unconventional amateur detective. Escape with Lady Cornbrook into the fun side of history. Cordelia, Lady Cornbrook has lost her husband, her home and she’s about to lose her patience. She should have been enjoying a relaxing stay with Hugo Hawke at his country manor. But Hawke is a cad who is mostly interested in drinking, gambling and - well, all the other things you’d expect a bounder of a Victorian gentleman to pursue. Then a young man is found dead and it unlocks a series of events that expose the darker side of quiet rural life. There’s callisthenics, a surly coachman, a doctor with a suspicious past, laudanum and society balls. Cordelia has two reasons to find the killer, and only one of those reasons is “justice.” Because if she can’t unmask the murderer, her very future is at stake…

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Victorian, British Literature

394 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 16, 2016

Reviews

[louise davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fair read. It was kinda hard to keep into the storyline. It seem hard to hold my attention but it was an ok read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1845, Cambridgeshire, England and Cordelia, Lady Cornbrook is staying with the trustee of her estate Hugo Hawke of Wallerton Manor.
On visiting the local town she is drawn by the crowds to a house where a killing has occurred. With her trusted servants she decides to try and find the killer as a wager.
Though it took a while for Cordelia to start investigating I found the style of writing very easy to read, drawing you along, and the likable characters have formed a basis for the next book.

[Loris A Gies · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disjointed with poor character development

I finished thus book only because it was so bad I kept hoping it would improve. None of the characters ever developed into anyone I would care to follow. The plot was disjointed. The heroine was not likable. I could not maintain interest four any length of time and finishing the book was difficult.

[Ана Хелс · Rating 5 out of 5]

Какво трябва да направи една дама на преклонната възраст от 27, когато съпругът ѝ е починал, оставил ѝ е добра купчинка пари, но имотите отиват при мъжките наследници, защото жената във Викторианска Англия може и да има пари, ама къща – нивга? Първият ѝ официално приемлив избор е да се погребе жива в провинцията в дома на някой нещастен роднина, където да подрязва рози, да бродира ковьорчета и да въздъхва дълбоко на всеки кръгъл час, а вторият е да си намери друг мъж, който някак да преглътне, принципно с помощта на достатъчно много пари, че е някак нечиста в очите на обществото, и да я обгради бързичко с деца, за да се забрави неудобството на липсата на първенство. Но лейди К избира нещо съвсем друго – поставя си направо три основни цели – никакви мъже, които да я притежават; наличие на собствена къща и прислуга без зависимост от други, и превръщането ѝ в първата лейди детектив в кралството. Амбиция? Корделия.

Това е криминална поредица, разследваща убийства в условия не просто на липса на каквито и да е било системи за сваляне на отпечатъци, днк, бази данни и каквато и да е друга благина, ами и при условието да сте жена, автоматично четящо се като тъпо, свенливо и склонно към припадъци при всяко бъзване на муха същество, неясно как впрягащо всичките си сили да диша и клюкари. Но лейди К се опълчва на света, веейки своята благородническа фамилия, статута си на вдовица а.к.а без репутация за пазене и общата си наглост на отегчена жена, което прави истински винкелна комбинация, подсичаща през коленете всички престъпници околовръст.

Въпреки труповете и потискащите сексизъм и грозота в отношението между хората класите, тази поредица е някак изненадващо лека за четене, с много хумор, забавни герои и обрати повече на късмет, отколкото плод на ползване на сивите мозъчни клетчици. Ситуации на надвисваща опасност във всяко едно отношение не липсват, но лейди К ги отбива всички с лек финт в ръката с чадърчето, пък ако и това не помогне – не се свени да повдигне поли и да хукне на зиг-заг из полето. Приключение криминално и комедийно – идеалната разтоварваща комбинация.

[DiAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!!! I found this to be a page-turner that I was sad to have it end. It had me gripped from beginning to the ending. Full of mystery, deceit, drama, and a bit of humor thrown in too. Twists and turns that make it not so obvious whodunit, lol. I can't wait to read the rest of this series and Issy Brooke's other books as well. Excellent storyline and some definite characters that add spice to the writing.

A fresh, uncomplicated nineteenth-century adventure with a strong, unconventional amateur detective. Escape with Lady Cornbrook into the fun side of history.
Cordelia, Lady Cornbrook has lost her husband, her home and she’s about to lose her patience.
She should have been enjoying a relaxing stay with Hugo Hawke at his country manor. But Hawke is a cad who is mostly interested in drinking, gambling and - well, all the other things you’d expect a bounder of a Victorian gentleman to pursue.
Then a young man is found dead and it unlocks a series of events that expose the darker side of quiet rural life. There’s callisthenics, a surly coachman, a doctor with a suspicious past, laudanum and society balls.
Cordelia has two reasons to find the killer, and only one of those reasons is “justice.”
Because if she can’t unmask the murderer, her very future is at stake…

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

There wasn't much of substance to this book - it was a light, quick, and somewhat entertaining read but I definitely wouldn't recommend it or pick it back up again. Nothing much happened until the very end and then Cornelia somehow put all these pieces together to solve the mystery even though she was completely befuddled just a few hours prior. There were also annoying contradictions in her character that didn't make sense to me and threw me out of the story. I'll pick up the second one in this series because a friend read it and recommended it, but if it's not significantly better than this first one, I'm not going to bother finishing the series.

[GG · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Interesting mystery. I think Lady C may grow up to be Miss Marple. She is tenacious, she notices details, and once she puts it together, she is correct. And then men listen to her. Speaking of men, I had great hopes for Hugo Hawk but not to be. I think in Regency days he is called a bounder. I would call him a jerk.

The group of servants she has gathered around her, make for a mixed bag of capable people helping in her investigations. There are secrets within secrets. Cordelia herself has a disastrous background as do many of her servants. As the series unwinds, I hope we will get a better understanding of all concerned.

[Elizabeth Doerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentlewomen, servants , manor houses and murder. Who could ask for more?

I thoroughly enjoyed this period murder mystery with Lady Cordelia as the detective. The picture of the period, for both high and low born, was impeccably drawn and a pleasure to explore. Characters were well drawn with humor and sarcasm for extra spice. I will revisit this series whenever I want to escape to another time and pretend an acquaintance with Lady Cordelia.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, a self-published book and now that I’ve read it - I know why.

It’s very amateur. The dialogue is stilted, the characters are not well developed, and the story line doesn’t flow.

The premise is fine - a 30 something widow - trying to find direction and keep her house - in Victorian times- who decides to solve a murder.

Maybe with time and an good editor- the author can develop into good writer.

[Nancy Hayworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong woman protagonist

This fun mystery has a heroine that is strong and smart. Her hair frizzes when it rains, she seems like a woman that other women would like. The mystery is smart and the characters entertaining.

[Stephen Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

It is a great book to read. Entertaining and enjoyable. You can tell the author spent time researching historical elements to make her story come alive.

[Vira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow start. Wasn't sure I'd like this one, but it entertained.

[poetdeluxe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it but didn't love it. Well-written with fully developed characters. Nicely unconventional if not quite compelling plot.

[Jersey Girl Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

So boring and awful. Ugh.

[Julie Kreutzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing and fun

The detective heroine is unusual and not always in control, but that makes her more real. She’s highly imperfect yet finds her way to the complex solution.

[Billie L Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I

IUn mourned man is cheerful, informative and fun to read , despite the title. It may or may not be historically inaccurate...its good writing, and I loved it. Try it

[Naticia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slow to get started, and I wanted to shake Cordelia a few times. The second half moved a bit faster, but I might recommend skipping the start of this series and starting with Book 2.

[Sharon Draffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

It is relaxing and mindless. Mindless is not a negative. It just means one doesn't have to keep track of multiple plots and a plethora of character. Yet there is enough of a plot to keep one's attention. At the end there are the authors historical notes and links.

[DOROTHY SILLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a slow starter. But stick with it, it gets better. This book takes place in the early 1800’s about an interesting lady named Cordelia and her maid Ruby. Good story.

[Ramona Sprague · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was a little slow to get interesting but once the Cordelia and her servants get started the story becomes very interesting.

[Martine Centrella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

I found that I was immediately drawn to the characters. The story line was interesting and the book was well written.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book. It was easy to read and I enjoyed it. Cordelia was a very modern woman in a very un-modern time. She had clear ideas on how she should be left to live and by betting she could solve this murder , she won her house back and her life.

[caribbeanbookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Interesting Read

An intriguing read, with well thought-out characters. The plot was a good one which kept you guessing. The ending was presented in an unusual way and was unexpected. An enjoyable read.

[Ardith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very British, good uses of vocabulary.. I love big words . They describe everything so well.

A four star rating in my book means a good read. It also means well written Good story, good job.

[Lynnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished rereading this and still agree with my original review and rating.


I thoroughly enjoyed this! Well written, a good and intriguing mystery, great characters that you care for. I'm looking forward to Lady C's next adventure.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a two-star rating, there are two "requirements" that need to be met: I scan-read (skim) a lot and I finish the book. Both "requirements were met in this instance. This was a cozy mystery. I was. To charmed by the characters and do not want to read on in the series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable little mystery

I enjoyed Lady C and her little entourage. The story started slowly but gained momentum so that I'm now looking forward to her next adventure.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gem! With some very interesting characters, strong heroine and lively plot.

[Deborah Whipp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun British mystery set in mid-1800s with interesting characters. The protagonist definitely has unusually close and relaxed relationship with her servants who assist her in her investigation.

[Norma J. Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Servants are people too

Her interaction with her servants seemed modern. Where else can you find good friends in a far away place? I enjoyed the plot and characters.