What do you think?
Rate this book
McKenzie Sisters Mystery Series
The Case of the Peculiar Inheritance
Witty and irascible Rose McKenzie tackles Denver’s criminal cases with a woman’s intuition and a loaded Smith and Wesson tucked in her skirt pocket.
Eager for adventure beyond her scientific experiments, Rose accepts her uncle’s challenge to become Denver’s first female private detective. When a wealthy woman employs her to track down a burglar, Rose zealously applies her unique investigative talents to prove she can handle any job. After two more home invasions turn violent, Rose races to find the perpetrator before another innocent shows up on a slab at the city morgue.
With the stakes raised, Rose employs the help of her friend, the attractive Dr. Taylor Whitman, to lure the perpetrator out of hiding—with Rose as the bait. What Rose fails to foresee is the complexity of the crime, involving more than one perpetrator tasked with silencing her. Will her cunning be enough to unravel the clues before it’s too late?
Step into Denver’s bustling city streets at the turn of the century with Rose McKenzie, a spirited private investigator, and a woman brave enough to undertake any case.
Don’t miss The Case of the Peculiar Inheritance, a stand-alone novel in the delightfully entertaining McKenzie Sisters Mystery series.
Eager for adventure beyond her scientific experiments, Rose accepts her uncle’s challenge to become Denver’s first female private detective. When a wealthy woman employs her to track down a burglar, Rose zealously applies her unique investigative talents to prove she can handle any job. After two more home invasions turn violent, Rose races to find the perpetrator before another innocent shows up on a slab at the city morgue.
With the stakes raised, Rose employs the help of her friend, the attractive Dr. Taylor Whitman, to lure the perpetrator out of hiding—with Rose as the bait. What Rose fails to foresee is the complexity of the crime, involving more than one perpetrator tasked with silencing her. Will her cunning be enough to unravel the clues before it’s too late?
Step into Denver’s bustling city streets at the turn of the century with Rose McKenzie, a spirited private investigator, and a woman brave enough to undertake any case.
Don’t miss The Case of the Peculiar Inheritance, a stand-alone novel in the delightfully entertaining McKenzie Sisters Mystery series.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2021
16 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Samantha St. Claire
15 books54 followersSamantha St. Claire lives with her husband, two horses and three cats in the Pacific Northwest at the edge of the Salish Sea.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 27, 2021
Reckless? No. Determined to the point of risking life and limb, and more? Of course! The case is the thing! [To misquote someone....] As a detective struggling to establish a business, she is dedicated to both justice and morality--and is happiest when both can be had at once.
Miss Rose McKenzie is blunt in speech and manner, very intelligent, somewhat neglectful of "proper appearances," and is admired for her kindness. It seems an odd mix. Like setting off an explosive chemistry experiment when she promised to be doing ladylike things such as primping her hair for a trip to the museum with a very handsome man.
Rose's older sister is a trained Pinkerton detective who gets to investigate murders, so Rose is a bit disappointed with her current lot in life, but hopes to improve it.
Her friend, and sometimes buggy driver (and picnic lunch companion), Dr. Taylor Whitman is either concerned for her health, or driving like a demon on a mission. She has noticed that even the most gracious gentlemen turn into Mr. Hyde while driving the streets of Denver. It's most shocking!
The current case involves a break-in but the only thing taken was an ugly urn supposedly left to the woman by someone she claims she never knew; then another break-in. On top of the strange events, important clues have been cleaned up by frightened servants.
Rose has just begun to investigate, but there don't seem to be many avenues for inquiry. Will this be her first failed case? Impossible! She could teach her Basset Hound, Sergeant, a few things about dogged determination. And if the good doctor can't accompany her when needed, a certain Detective Donahue of the police force might eagerly volunteer. (Not that she has given either man serious thought.) Her career is most important to her at the moment; that means solving this case, and it would surely be best (for others) if everyone simply stepped out of her way!
The time period of this book is shortly after women were granted the right to vote. And there is a lot of talk about solidarity among career women, independence, and equality. Not in a bad way, but blunt, noticeable, and frequent. (Refreshing to see it discussed openly, but perhaps a tiny bit overdone for me.)
I liked Rose's character and how much she was respected for her kindness as much as her cleverness. It is an adventure fraught with plans gone wrong (for the good and bad), dead-ends, and surprises. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to an audience tween through adult.
One thing bothered me; occasionally, Rose would see a wolf (or lupine) look in the doctor's eyes, then be gone. I'm assuming it was supposed to represent attraction that he was keeping under tight control. However, I kept getting the feeling that the doctor was a high-functioning sociopath, with his true nature surfacing, then being pushed back. It got worse every time the "wolf look" was mentioned, and it was creepy. I can't imagine wanting a man to look at me like a dangerous, unpredictable animal. I prefer kind, considerate, and affectionate.
I seriously hope the author is not encouraging young people to believe that attraction is similar in nature to a wolf!
If the wolf-look continues, I will have to "cease my association" with the people of this series, despite liking them.
Book 4/5 Stars
Wolf look -3 Stars
Hoping for a revision +3 Stars
Total 4/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher and Book Sirens for a free preview of this ebook!
#TheCaseofthePeculiarInheritance #BookSirens
Miss Rose McKenzie is blunt in speech and manner, very intelligent, somewhat neglectful of "proper appearances," and is admired for her kindness. It seems an odd mix. Like setting off an explosive chemistry experiment when she promised to be doing ladylike things such as primping her hair for a trip to the museum with a very handsome man.
Rose's older sister is a trained Pinkerton detective who gets to investigate murders, so Rose is a bit disappointed with her current lot in life, but hopes to improve it.
Her friend, and sometimes buggy driver (and picnic lunch companion), Dr. Taylor Whitman is either concerned for her health, or driving like a demon on a mission. She has noticed that even the most gracious gentlemen turn into Mr. Hyde while driving the streets of Denver. It's most shocking!
The current case involves a break-in but the only thing taken was an ugly urn supposedly left to the woman by someone she claims she never knew; then another break-in. On top of the strange events, important clues have been cleaned up by frightened servants.
Rose has just begun to investigate, but there don't seem to be many avenues for inquiry. Will this be her first failed case? Impossible! She could teach her Basset Hound, Sergeant, a few things about dogged determination. And if the good doctor can't accompany her when needed, a certain Detective Donahue of the police force might eagerly volunteer. (Not that she has given either man serious thought.) Her career is most important to her at the moment; that means solving this case, and it would surely be best (for others) if everyone simply stepped out of her way!
The time period of this book is shortly after women were granted the right to vote. And there is a lot of talk about solidarity among career women, independence, and equality. Not in a bad way, but blunt, noticeable, and frequent. (Refreshing to see it discussed openly, but perhaps a tiny bit overdone for me.)
I liked Rose's character and how much she was respected for her kindness as much as her cleverness. It is an adventure fraught with plans gone wrong (for the good and bad), dead-ends, and surprises. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to an audience tween through adult.
One thing bothered me; occasionally, Rose would see a wolf (or lupine) look in the doctor's eyes, then be gone. I'm assuming it was supposed to represent attraction that he was keeping under tight control. However, I kept getting the feeling that the doctor was a high-functioning sociopath, with his true nature surfacing, then being pushed back. It got worse every time the "wolf look" was mentioned, and it was creepy. I can't imagine wanting a man to look at me like a dangerous, unpredictable animal. I prefer kind, considerate, and affectionate.
I seriously hope the author is not encouraging young people to believe that attraction is similar in nature to a wolf!
If the wolf-look continues, I will have to "cease my association" with the people of this series, despite liking them.
Book 4/5 Stars
Wolf look -3 Stars
Hoping for a revision +3 Stars
Total 4/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher and Book Sirens for a free preview of this ebook!
#TheCaseofthePeculiarInheritance #BookSirens
Read
July 25, 2021A book by Samantha St. Claire promises a rich blend of lovely language, graceful sentence construction, and beautifully sculpted paragraphs. This promise is never broken. Indulging in the guilty pleasure of underlining favorite passages, the pencil dulls long before reaching “The End.”
This is not the first of Ms. St. Claire's works which I’ve been privileged to read. I will suggest that our relationship with her lovely stories springs from our relationship with the characters. In her latest offering, THE CASE OF THE PECULIAR INHERITANCE, we are immediately charmed by the inimitable Miss Rose McKenzie, first encountered in the process of setting her house afire. (Or, almost.) The story, set in Denver, Colorado, is founded on historical fact and offers fascinating details. The year is 1899 and—dare I say it?—immersed in the era, one gains knowledge of the times.
In summary: I recommend a pair of slippers, a cozy couch corner, a favorite pencil, your own copy of author Samantha St. Claire’s THE CASE OF THE PECULIAR INHERITANCE, and, as an accompaniment, a cup of tea. Earl Grey? Enjoy!
This is not the first of Ms. St. Claire's works which I’ve been privileged to read. I will suggest that our relationship with her lovely stories springs from our relationship with the characters. In her latest offering, THE CASE OF THE PECULIAR INHERITANCE, we are immediately charmed by the inimitable Miss Rose McKenzie, first encountered in the process of setting her house afire. (Or, almost.) The story, set in Denver, Colorado, is founded on historical fact and offers fascinating details. The year is 1899 and—dare I say it?—immersed in the era, one gains knowledge of the times.
In summary: I recommend a pair of slippers, a cozy couch corner, a favorite pencil, your own copy of author Samantha St. Claire’s THE CASE OF THE PECULIAR INHERITANCE, and, as an accompaniment, a cup of tea. Earl Grey? Enjoy!
June 28, 2021
Meet Rose, a lovable young lady born into a life where money is not an object and she becomes a private detective (seems realistic right lol). The book opens with Rose being summoned to a ladies home that was just broken into and they ask her to find the missing vase that they had just received and was now stolen. The story takes many twist and turns and you ultimately find out who done it.
Through the course of the book there is a slight love triangle between Rose, Dr. Whitman and Detective Donahue. Though no romance is in the story you want there to be a little more development of the relationships. There was not a lot of back story with the characters and I wanted to like them more but they were pretty one dimensional.
Overall it was a cute and easy read but not something that will be a favorite.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Through the course of the book there is a slight love triangle between Rose, Dr. Whitman and Detective Donahue. Though no romance is in the story you want there to be a little more development of the relationships. There was not a lot of back story with the characters and I wanted to like them more but they were pretty one dimensional.
Overall it was a cute and easy read but not something that will be a favorite.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 22, 2021
I've rounded up from 3.5 stars.
I read the other book in this series (The Case of the Copper King) before I read this one. Both stories are standalones about different McKenzie sisters, Cassandra (in Copper King) and Rose (in Peculiar Inheritance). I believe the events of both stories happen at around the same time, although it feels like Rose's story may occur slightly before Casey's. Either way, The Case of the Peculiar Inheritance was an enjoyable read. Rose was a smart, funny character, although she felt a little unnecessarily obstinate or flippant at times. The mystery unfolded well, with some proper twists and turns. And I'm a little intrigued by Mrs. Pennyworth's backstory! Haha.
I received an eARC for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I read the other book in this series (The Case of the Copper King) before I read this one. Both stories are standalones about different McKenzie sisters, Cassandra (in Copper King) and Rose (in Peculiar Inheritance). I believe the events of both stories happen at around the same time, although it feels like Rose's story may occur slightly before Casey's. Either way, The Case of the Peculiar Inheritance was an enjoyable read. Rose was a smart, funny character, although she felt a little unnecessarily obstinate or flippant at times. The mystery unfolded well, with some proper twists and turns. And I'm a little intrigued by Mrs. Pennyworth's backstory! Haha.
I received an eARC for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 8, 2021
This book was so good! It's well written and full of action, drama, suspense and a mystery to solve. It is full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing until the end. Once you start reading this book you can't put it down, you just have to know what happens next. I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 28, 2021
Simplistic novel, nothing too dramatic.
September 5, 2023
Who killed Larson and why??? Extortion and Blackmail??? Thank you, Sargent!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
October 16, 2023
This is a delightful series. Strong women. Mystery Romance and Adventure. Clean story
June 23, 2021
There is 2 books in the Mckenzie sisters series.
They are:
The case of the peculiar inheritance.
The copper king. (M K McClintock)
I have read both of the above books, I recommend this series, they are both wonderful reads, from two talented and experienced authors.
This book is a wonderful clean historical book, it sets the scenes and provides a lot of detail.
The characters are interesting, have agendas and flaws of their own, to add to the books details and flow.
I very much enjoyed both of these books.
please read the author's introduction blurb for more information about this book.
🇳🇿💜📚
They are:
The case of the peculiar inheritance.
The copper king. (M K McClintock)
I have read both of the above books, I recommend this series, they are both wonderful reads, from two talented and experienced authors.
This book is a wonderful clean historical book, it sets the scenes and provides a lot of detail.
The characters are interesting, have agendas and flaws of their own, to add to the books details and flow.
I very much enjoyed both of these books.
please read the author's introduction blurb for more information about this book.
🇳🇿💜📚
September 10, 2021
This book has intrigue, suspense, romance and love!! Love the story of women Pinkerton’s!! They have bravery, courage, strength and mystery!! Rose is a captivating character!! This a great read!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews