A Gilded Death

by Cecelia Tichi

A formal dinner in palatial, Gilded Age Newport stuns Val DeVere when her closest friend whispers a terrifying rumor. The friend’s ultra-rich auntie’s fatal heart attack at Mrs. Astor’s annual ball last winter was murder.When the aunt’s reclusive daughter—and heir—succumbs to “heart failure,” Val and husband Roddy probe the deaths to shield their dear friend who is next in line to inherit the family fortune—and sudden death.Society’s “odd couple,” Val and Roddy, a.k.a. Valentine and Roderick DeVere, blend his Old New York savvy and her mountain West vision to Is Newport truly Society’s “place to take root in,” or a dear friend’s place to die?

Genres: Mystery

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 2, 2021

About the author

A fresh start for every new book, and author Tichi's zest for America's Gilded Age and its boldface names draws this seasoned writer to a crime fiction series while uncorking the country's cocktail cultures on the printed (and ebook) page. Tichi digs deep into the Vanderbilt University research library to mine the late 1800-1900s history and customs of Society's "Four Hundred," its drinks, and the ways high-stakes crimes in its midst make for a gripping "Gilded" mystery series that rings true to the tumultuous era. The decades of America's industrial titans and "Queens" of Society have loomed large in Tichi's books for several years, and the titles track her recent projects:
• Civic Passions: Seven Who Launched Progressive America (and What They Teach Us)
• Jack London: A Writer's Fight for a Better America
• What Would Mrs. Astor Do? A Complete Guide to the Manners and Mores of the Gilded Age
• Gilded Age Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from the Golden Age
• Jazz Age Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from the Roaring Twenties.
• A Gilded Death (crime fiction)
• Murder, Murder, Murder in Gilded Central Park (crime fiction)
• A Fatal Gilded High Note (crime fiction)
Cecelia is at work on a fourth in the series, “A Gilded Free Fall.” She enjoys membership and posting in Facebook’s The Gilded Age Society. You can read more about Cecelia by visiting her Wikipedia page at: https://bit.ly/Tichiwiki or her website: https://cecebooks.com.

Reviews

[Ashlynn Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read that was written in first person. That being said, it was hard at first to get used to. With any book, written in any person, I prefer more conversation to constant non important details. Tell me where they are, what it looks like, but I don't need to know exactly how many buttons is on a gentleman's suit jacket. (Not that the writer did this, I'm just using it as an example) I do enjoy meeting the surrounding characters and learning what they're wearing and such. However I feel like the beginning of this book was very slow and a vomiting of details that made me more confused than excited about the "Gilded Age". I read a few pages to my sister (we do this with eachother occasionally and really enjoy it) and asked if she felt the same way, and she did. That being said, I had to force myself to go back to this book to finish it. That is, until about halfway through the story. There was more conversation and more of the "mystery" was brought into play. I did enjoy that part and I genuinely wanted to know who was the killer. A few scenes I even sat forward and exclaimed "oh no" aloud at the bakery I was reading it at. I did expect more of a bang for the ending. I suppose for this time Era and all the "proper" ways in which The 400 conduct themselves, even with a killer in their midst, it went the way it "should have".

I enjoyed Val and her feelings about proper society. I haven't read that many books with the main character already married, and being one half of a newly married couple, that was fun. (Married life within The 400 was certainly different than it is now, of course)

Overall I'd give this book 4 stars because the writer truly did so much research and took a lot of time and care to write with such detail about this Era, and through her work you know she loves it.

Sexual Content Rating - 3
Action/Gore Content Rating - 3
Cursing Content Rating - 0

[Scuffed Granny · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like your murder mysteries less gruesome and more sophisticated with the addition of being set in times gone by, then Cecelia Tichi's books will be perfect for you.

This first one in the series introduces the characters of Val and Roddy DeVere, Val being our narrator throughout. A married couple, both are wealthy but Val's father, (and by association, Val) have gained their status and wealth through silver mining whilst Roddy is American aristocracy, with all the trappings that that involves in terms of etiquette and poise and certain standards. This leads to Val often causing the set into which she has been thrust by her union with Roddy to baulk at her behaviour and contribute the odd, barely veiled, catty remark. However, Roddy, whilst being very much part of the establishment, is also a little unusual in some of his pastimes, as he creates cocktails, which are regularly sampled throughout the novel. For those who enjoy a mixed alcoholic drink, recipes are provided, which I think is a nice aside.

Set in Newport, Rhode Island, this book follows Val and Roddy as they support their friend, Cassie through some unexpected deaths in her family. Gradually, through their interactions with others within their peer group, the truth is uncovered, and Val and Roddy mention their suspicions to each other to lead them to the truth.

Tichi's books are not overly complicated; Val is a lively narrator and her being on the periphery of "Society" due to her joining it as opposed to being born into it, affords her a clarity, a groundedness that has not been altered by expectation. She is not a rule-breaker and she does adhere to some social mores but she is less constrained by expectation. She is not overtly critical of people around her but there is a feeling that she will never wholly integrate and will keep a level of rebellious behaviour that may raise an eyebrow, such as riding her bicycle. She is likeable and one of the strengths of the novel.

The plot is gently unfurled to a satisfying conclusion, although not overly surprising and as a reader, you leave the book feeling like you have been guided smoothly by a writer with awareness of what makes a good story, as well as luxuriating in the evocation of place and time in the Gilded Age that Tichi does with accomplishment.

[Bridget Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape into a world back in time to the Gilded Age past of Newport high society where Mrs. Astor's annual ball is the place to see and be seen. In the summer at a formal dinner, Val Devere's best friend Cassie confides her rich aunt's heart attack last winter at Mrs. Astor's is rumored to be murder. Soon after, the rich aunt's daughter dies just as mysteriously as she lived, leaving Cassie as the sole heir and possibly next on the murderer's list. Val and her husband, Roddy, are dedicated to keeping Cassie and her children safe as they stumble upon clues to solve the mystery before it’s too late.

A Gilded Death is a puzzling tale with rich (literally!) characters that slowly become under suspicion of Val and Roddy. Cecelia Tichi weaves a fictional story with such historical accuracy that I surprisingly found my own relatives names amongst it’s pages. You will find yourself not only trying to put the pieces together of whodunit but also wanting to try out the  beverage recipes provided that Roddy comes up with in the novel.

This book is ideal for a women's (or feminists) book club, covering topics such as etiquette and women's suffrage; and the readers will love Val's unconventional Western ways in contrast to the stuffy high society of Newport. They will also fall in love with Roddy who is always supportive of Val and her causes. You could even serve up his beverages at book club meetings! Most importantly, this book is about friendship and the need of them when family dramas arise. I would recommend this book for history buffs, mystery lovers, feminists, preppies, and anyone who likes to solve puzzles. This is the first book in the Val and Roddy Devere Mystery series and I am looking forward to reading the next installments that continue their adventures.
I suggest reading this book at night by the fire with one of Roddy's concoctions in hand. Be sure to have your favorite furry reading companion close by as the lovely Boston terrier Velvet will steal your heart away. You could have some tea cakes handy but I would avoid anything with cocoa...just in case...

[Alison C · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the summer of 1898, and Val and Roddy DeVere, along with much of the rest of New York City Society, are vacationing at their “cottages” in Newport; cottages, of course, being almost as huge and splendid as their city palaces. They are meant to be having a lovely time taking yacht rides, playing golf and tennis, and otherwise comporting themselves at lavish teas and balls every week, but Val and her friend Cassandra are drawn into a mystery when the only daughter of Cassie’s late aunt dies suddenly in a slum in New York City. In trying to discover the cause of the woman’s death, they find themselves caught up in a web of inheritance, business dealings and, possibly, the suffrage movement, to Roddy’s dismay; and soon they learn that even Newport is not immune from danger…. “A Gilded Death” is the first in a series of Gilded Age novels, set primarily in New York and featuring the amateur sleuths Roddy (Roderick, scion of a very old and respected New York family) and Valentine (daughter of an Irish immigrant who made a huge fortune in the silver mines out west), along with various friends and servants. I had already read and enjoyed later stories in the series, but wanted to go back to this, the beginning. It is quite delightful, although as it happens I was able to figure out the culprit early on, only because I had read later entries and therefore knew something I shouldn’t have known. As a result, while I definitely recommend this series (and would love to try all the cocktails Roddy invents!), the reader should certainly start with this installment before moving to the next; recommended!

[Ulrika Gustafsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book about the guilded age amateur sleuths Val and Roddy De Vere. I came to this book in the wrong order, since I accidentally started with it’s sequel and proceeded to read the following two parts of the series before i read this.

I’m not sure how I would have perceived this book with a totally clean slate, but I think I would have loved it in any case.

Now I’ve read the first introduction of Val and Roddy with quite a good knowledge of their characters and upcoming mystery solving. But to me it didn’t lessen the experience one bit, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

That tells me, and now I tell you, that the characters are solid and true, even with a slightly quirky perspective.
Val is an adorable heroine, I really like her spunk and how she is true to her western roots while still managing to (mostly) live up to what’s expected of her as the wife of a man from a prominent family.
And Roddy is almost as adorable, so in love with Val and eager to let her be who she is - while gently trying to get her to fit into society without being a bully about it.

In this book they’re residing in Newport with the rest of society and Val’s best friend Cassie inherits a big family fortune since her aunt and then her cousin dies most suddenly. Val and Roddy steps up to protect Cassie and her children who are now in grave danger while the mystery unfolds.

I love the way genuine historical people and events are woven into the story, like the suffragette movement. As I’ve read the sequels I also know that some things will be important later on too.

I really recommend this book and the entire series, they are a joy to read!

I recieved a copy of this book for free in return for my honest review.

[Ruth Coulson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a series of books about Valentine and Roderick de Vere, a married couple in New York high society in the very late 19th Century. In this story they, along with so many others of Society, are spending the summer in Newport.

As the title tells us, murder intrudes. Well, two murders, no less, that have happened previously. When Valentine's best friend, Cassie, seems under threat even Roddy agrees they have to figure out what is happening.

I had already read the third book in the series, so I was familiar with the main characters. However, each book is stand-alone, so there is no particular reason to read in order.

The most interesting thing I find about these books is the commentary on the lives and times of the 1890s high society, and the contrast with the less prominent people of the era. It is this which makes the book highly readable.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gilded Death is the first in the series of Gilded Age mysteries by Cecelia Tichi. There are 2 sequels and a 4th book is soon to be published. I read books 2 and 3 first and enjoyed them immensely, as one doesn't need to read the books in order. Val is a Western gal, brought up in the silver mine areas of Colorado by her silver magnate father, her mother dying young. She married Roddy, son of a prominent NY family who have fallen on somewhat hard times. While they love each other, Val's money certainly helps. Val struggles to fit in with the upper crust of 1898 society, and her friend Cassie helps her navigate the treacherous waters of social life. This book takes place mostly in Newport, RI, where the wealthy go in the summer to escape the city heat of NY. Along the way, a couple of Cassie's relatives die under mysterious circumstances, and then we're off on the quest to find out more. Val and Roddy are amateur sleuths, just wanting to help Val's friend Cassie. I'll say no more about the plot, don't want to spoil it for anyone.

Ms. Tichi researches her books very well and one is truly transported to the Gilded Age. If you watched the show The Gilded Age on HBO, you'll have a good idea of the setting for this book and the book series. It also reminds one of the American version of Downton Abbey, as there is a divide between the wealthy and the working class servants whom the wealthy employ. The descriptions of life in Newport are delicious, especially if you've had the pleasure of visiting Newport and touring any of the mansions that are open to the public (I have). Learning about the customs of the times is as enjoyable (and sometimes maddening since women have few rights in that era) as learning about the resolution of the mystery surrounding the deaths. The author weaves in real-life characters such as the Astors and the Vanderbilts, lending even more authenticity to the setting. Val is a strong willed woman who is used to much more freedom out west, and Roddy is an expert in the newfangled cocktails that are all the rage. He helps bartenders behind the scenes to create and perfect various concoctions, and since women are forbidden to order cocktails, he makes them for Val in the privacy of their home. Recipes for the cocktails are provided, which I find to be fun!

Back to the plot - the story is complete, and overall the ending is satisfying even though it felt a bit abrupt. There is a subplot concerning a suffragette whom Val befriends before she is arrested, but more information and resolution of this subplot are missing. There are a few editing snafus, mostly misplaced quotation marks, but this is minor and will not detract from your enjoyment of the book. The writing is excellent and the dialogue believable.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book with an intriguing mystery that took me most of the book to solve. The cocktail recipes are a plus - and you'll find those in the next 2 books as well. Escape from our present day troubles and spend a few hours back in the Gilded Age with Val and Roddy. It's well worth it.

I received a copy of this book as a gift from the author. I leave this review voluntarily and with pleasure.

[Romaine Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the 1900's the rich and elite travel to Newport for relaxtion. Dinner parties, golf, tennis and yachting.
Val and Roddy are visiting their luxurious 'cottage' in Newport like the other elites in the social society.
Val notices her friend's distress over her cousin's death. Cassie's is determined that she was murdered. Then in the blink of an eye her aunt dies of the same heart failure as well.
As Val and Roddy dig deeper into the deaths Cassie and her children's lives are in danger as well as their own.
Roddy's Golden Age of Cocktails with recipes are included.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting cozy mystery, but the later books are even better (I unintentionally read them in reverse order). The main characters seem a bit flat compared to their development in later mysteries, and the murderer seemed a bit predictable. I enjoyed the setting in Newport, and the opulent places where the rich and famous entertained themselves. A fascinating period of our history, but I’m glad we live a century later!

[Rick Lite · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written crime novel set in the Gilded Age with excentric characters and a superb plot. On to the 2nd book in the series.

[Kymm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the second book, "Murder, Murder, Murder in Gilded Central Park" before I read this one, so I knew the main characters prior to starting "A Gilded Death" by Cecelia Tichi. It was nice to get back in touch with Val (Valentine) and her husband Roddy (Roderick). The couple who, because of circumstances has become quite the amateur sleuths. The Gilded Age is one of my favorite times in history and I love reading just about anything that takes place then in New York. Something about the way the rich lived, acted and thought during this time of change for America really captures me.

Val and Roddy are thrown into a mystery when a member of Val's best friends Cassie's family dies by less than normal circumstances, especially when it happens within a short time of another family member's death not long ago and also under similar circumstances. Tichi delivers a well thought out murder mystery that will keep you guessing till the end. Where everyone is at one point a suspect, and no one is safe. I just love the character Val, she's strong, brave and ahead of her time. Luckily, she's married the perfect man for her in Roddy. He's a modern man who sees the value in his wife and appreciates her brain as much as her beauty! Not the norm for the Gilded Age marriage, but very refreshing to read.

This, like the second book was a quick read and took the better part of a day, but it's so fun I just didn't want to put it down. That and I had to know who the culprit was and how they were able to murder two people without leaving much of a trace! I believe the author is working on book 3 now, which is great. I'm all in and can't wait to find out what they get into next. Also, you'll once again be treated to a variety of alcoholic drink recipes, since Roddy is a mixologist on the side. I'm not a drinker but think this is so unique. The book is an all-around fun cozy with great characters, a well thought out mystery with all the charm of the Gilded Age thrown in! Happy Reading!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this series. The time period is interesting, and I enjoy the main characters. It is fun to have something you are so used to being mentioned as an odd new item.

[Roslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read. This is Book One in Cecelia Tichi’s Gilded Age crime novel series. The characters and the plot are cleverly developed and the setting is meticulously described.
Now on to Book Two in the series.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Gilded Death is the first in Cecelia Tichi’s Gilded Age series. The story begins in 1898 Newport RI and revolves around married couple Val and Roddy as they try to figure out whether or not a string of deaths and accidents involving a family of socialites is part of a larger plan.

Although the book started off a little slow for me, I still enjoyed it. Roddy and Val are likeable characters and I was interested in what they would discover about these deaths and accidents.

The story all wraps up nicely while leaving it open for the next book in the series which takes place in New York. The author’s style of writing made this a cozy read for me as well. I enjoyed this one.