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Scott-De Quincy Mysteries #2
Lady Odelia's Secret
Do you ever really know your family?
In the 1880s a sixth daughter learns not to ask for much, even if she’s the daughter of an earl. Even if she married the richest man in her corner of Sussex. Even if she’s now a widow with a splendid Georgian mansion.
Lady Helena Whitcombe is still trying to adjust to widowhood and reconcile her family loyalties with her desires when her artist sister Odelia makes a startling suggestion. Why not make her mark on the house that’s now all hers, by commissioning a magnificent work of art from one of London’s most celebrated painters?
Lady Odelia invites Helena into the seductive world of medieval fantasies and fairy tales she has inhabited since Helena was a child. But when a shocking series of events exposes the destructive reality of a great artist’s unusual lifestyle, Helena and her lady’s maid Guttridge are called on to help—or is it to interfere?
Looming danger, the risk of scandal, and competing loyalties force Helena to re-evaluate her relationship with the sister she’s always loved the most.
What is Lady Odelia’s secret? Find out in this gripping continuation of the Scott-De Quincy Mysteries, a story that blends mystery and historical detail with Downton Abbey-style saga as the truths about Helena’s aristocratic family unfold. Read it now before the secret gets out!
In the 1880s a sixth daughter learns not to ask for much, even if she’s the daughter of an earl. Even if she married the richest man in her corner of Sussex. Even if she’s now a widow with a splendid Georgian mansion.
Lady Helena Whitcombe is still trying to adjust to widowhood and reconcile her family loyalties with her desires when her artist sister Odelia makes a startling suggestion. Why not make her mark on the house that’s now all hers, by commissioning a magnificent work of art from one of London’s most celebrated painters?
Lady Odelia invites Helena into the seductive world of medieval fantasies and fairy tales she has inhabited since Helena was a child. But when a shocking series of events exposes the destructive reality of a great artist’s unusual lifestyle, Helena and her lady’s maid Guttridge are called on to help—or is it to interfere?
Looming danger, the risk of scandal, and competing loyalties force Helena to re-evaluate her relationship with the sister she’s always loved the most.
What is Lady Odelia’s secret? Find out in this gripping continuation of the Scott-De Quincy Mysteries, a story that blends mystery and historical detail with Downton Abbey-style saga as the truths about Helena’s aristocratic family unfold. Read it now before the secret gets out!
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2022
594 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
Jane Steen
11 books965 followersDear Reader,
Welcome to my page. Now, I could talk to you about myself in the third person, as if my author-self were someone else, but instead let me give you the Most Important Fact:
I was named after Jane Eyre.
I swear that this decision of my mother's influenced my entire life. I've always felt that I lead only half my existence here (here being wherever I happen to be) while the much more interesting stuff goes on in my head.
It also doomed me to spend most of that head-time in the nineteenth century, hence my books. My aim is to write entertaining fiction that hovers somewhere in the PG range (no graphic sex or nasty stuff unless the plot totally demands it) and is neither dumbed-down nor pretentiously intellectual. In short, it's the type of fiction I like to read when I just need to RELAX.
You can get to know me a lot better by subscribing to my newsletter.
The short biography is that I've lived in England, Belgium, the United States and England. The problem with moving around is that you end up torn between different countries and cultures; the advantage is that you get to speak more languages (my second language is French).
I've had an interestingly varied employment history (editor in a law firm, translating a Belgian aerospace magazine into English and real estate marketing spring to mind, but there were others), and have absorbed more education than is good for me. I'm married to a nice American, and have two adult daughters.
Welcome to my page. Now, I could talk to you about myself in the third person, as if my author-self were someone else, but instead let me give you the Most Important Fact:
I was named after Jane Eyre.
I swear that this decision of my mother's influenced my entire life. I've always felt that I lead only half my existence here (here being wherever I happen to be) while the much more interesting stuff goes on in my head.
It also doomed me to spend most of that head-time in the nineteenth century, hence my books. My aim is to write entertaining fiction that hovers somewhere in the PG range (no graphic sex or nasty stuff unless the plot totally demands it) and is neither dumbed-down nor pretentiously intellectual. In short, it's the type of fiction I like to read when I just need to RELAX.
You can get to know me a lot better by subscribing to my newsletter.
The short biography is that I've lived in England, Belgium, the United States and England. The problem with moving around is that you end up torn between different countries and cultures; the advantage is that you get to speak more languages (my second language is French).
I've had an interestingly varied employment history (editor in a law firm, translating a Belgian aerospace magazine into English and real estate marketing spring to mind, but there were others), and have absorbed more education than is good for me. I'm married to a nice American, and have two adult daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
March 9, 2022
(3.5 stars) The first book of this Scott-DeQuincy Mysteries series came out in 2018, so we've had quite the wait for this second one. Worth the wait? Yes, in many respects, but not overwhelmingly so. This is probably really a three-star book for me but I'm rounding up just because I'm becoming ashamed of my negativity.
As with the first book, the murder mystery of this second one takes a back seat to all the personal relationships and family drama. That's not a bad thing because Steen does such a good job with the dynamics of the Scott-DeQuincy family, but if you're in this for a murder to solve, that doesn't even happen until about the last quarter of the book. There's some petty crime beforehand (vandalism and threatening letters) and a lot of sexual peccadilloes on the part of several characters, but mostly we are taken on a journey into the lives of many people, both the family members and their acquaintances.
Except for infidelity on a rather grand scale, there isn't much to shock you here, especially if you had read the first book, which was replete with secrets of infidelity, murder, and even incest. This second one is tame by comparison, I guess, but interesting in its own right.
It's the relationships that make this worth the read. And the inroads Lady Helena is making in her personal growth and independence. My particular favorite relationships here: (1) Helena/Odelia, sisters with a loving bond but a 10-year age difference. This loving bond is put to the test when Odelia's secrets come out. (2) Lady Helena/Guttridge, her lady's maid. This was a bit of a cliched relationship but fun nonetheless. Guttridge is an excellent partner in crime solving with lots of initiative and a total lack of subservience. (3) The whole rather dysfunctional Scott-DeQuincy bunch all relating to each other. There's love there, I'm sure, but in some cases it's hard to discern. (4) Last and least, for me is the widowed Helena's interactions with her love interest, French physician Fortier. We learn a little more about his background but the romance itself is quite bland and lacks any spark. With so much baggage in his life, one wonders if they will ever get together, even with five more books to get it all sorted out, but, also, unfortunately, the chemistry between the two doesn't make one care much either way.
The book is slow and bogged down for me in parts, but it is interesting in its presentation of the art world in the 1880s and a woman's place in it, with struggles to be creative without losing one's image of "virtuousness". A struggle that usually failed.
As with the first book, the murder mystery of this second one takes a back seat to all the personal relationships and family drama. That's not a bad thing because Steen does such a good job with the dynamics of the Scott-DeQuincy family, but if you're in this for a murder to solve, that doesn't even happen until about the last quarter of the book. There's some petty crime beforehand (vandalism and threatening letters) and a lot of sexual peccadilloes on the part of several characters, but mostly we are taken on a journey into the lives of many people, both the family members and their acquaintances.
Except for infidelity on a rather grand scale, there isn't much to shock you here, especially if you had read the first book, which was replete with secrets of infidelity, murder, and even incest. This second one is tame by comparison, I guess, but interesting in its own right.
It's the relationships that make this worth the read. And the inroads Lady Helena is making in her personal growth and independence. My particular favorite relationships here: (1) Helena/Odelia, sisters with a loving bond but a 10-year age difference. This loving bond is put to the test when Odelia's secrets come out. (2) Lady Helena/Guttridge, her lady's maid. This was a bit of a cliched relationship but fun nonetheless. Guttridge is an excellent partner in crime solving with lots of initiative and a total lack of subservience. (3) The whole rather dysfunctional Scott-DeQuincy bunch all relating to each other. There's love there, I'm sure, but in some cases it's hard to discern. (4) Last and least, for me is the widowed Helena's interactions with her love interest, French physician Fortier. We learn a little more about his background but the romance itself is quite bland and lacks any spark. With so much baggage in his life, one wonders if they will ever get together, even with five more books to get it all sorted out, but, also, unfortunately, the chemistry between the two doesn't make one care much either way.
The book is slow and bogged down for me in parts, but it is interesting in its presentation of the art world in the 1880s and a woman's place in it, with struggles to be creative without losing one's image of "virtuousness". A struggle that usually failed.
March 16, 2022
This is the second book in the Scott-De Quincy Mysteries and it has been a while since I read the first book. However, once I got into the first story soon came back to me.
Lady Helena, in this book discovers a secret about her older sister Odelia who is the family artist and something of a black sheep. Helena, who is now past her initial twelve months of mourning for her deceased husband, travels to London to meet an artist, recommended by Odelia, who will apparently transform the large drawing room of her country estate.
Fortier, the mysterious French physician makes a return, but his personal circumstances still appear to be complicated.
The story moves slowly, but it is full of detail of life in the late 1800's and all of the rules that apply to the various classes. As the story progresses the initial mystery takes something of a dark turn and Lady Helena starts to regret not going to the police sooner.
If you enjoy historical fiction with a little mystery and light romance (without the nipples and moist bits of Bridgerton series), then you will surely enjoy this series.
Thank you to the author for the free digital ARC.
Lady Helena, in this book discovers a secret about her older sister Odelia who is the family artist and something of a black sheep. Helena, who is now past her initial twelve months of mourning for her deceased husband, travels to London to meet an artist, recommended by Odelia, who will apparently transform the large drawing room of her country estate.
Fortier, the mysterious French physician makes a return, but his personal circumstances still appear to be complicated.
The story moves slowly, but it is full of detail of life in the late 1800's and all of the rules that apply to the various classes. As the story progresses the initial mystery takes something of a dark turn and Lady Helena starts to regret not going to the police sooner.
If you enjoy historical fiction with a little mystery and light romance (without the nipples and moist bits of Bridgerton series), then you will surely enjoy this series.
Thank you to the author for the free digital ARC.
Read
February 27, 2022OK, I'm calling this one read since I have the final file up on the retail platforms. I'm at that pre-launch stage where I simultaneously think the book sucks and is the Best Book Ever (authors with pre-launch nerves are Schrödinger's cats for sure) so I can't even start to give you a verdict on it. Just that I seem to have been working on it forever and can't wait to be able to start writing something new.
April 15, 2022
I’m a tad so so about this title. Heaps of situations I liked but the selfishness of some of the characters annoyed me. In the end tragic for the families concerned.
March 18, 2022
When Lady Helena takes up her sister Odelia's suggestion that she commission some paintings for the redecoration of her drawing room, she's unaware that some extremely messy drama is about to land in her lap. A shocking revelation and a series of abusive messages has her scrambling to navigate the artistic society of London in hopes of preventing tragedy, while coming to terms with what she's learning about her sister.
The best thing in this story is the inclusion of Guttridge, the lady's maid who seems perfectly cut out for doing some investigating in her own right. The scenes between her and Lady Helena often have an amusing edge to them which helps cut the heaviness of some of the subject matter.
This is a well-written second entry in the Scott-De Quincy mystery series... Readers will want to have read the first book so as to have a basic understanding of Lady Helena's family dynamics, although the plot in this one pretty much stands on its own. It's a bit on the lengthy side but engaging enough to keep you reading. There are several very eloquent descriptive passages too.
Recommended if you like drama and scandal in your mysteries, with a slow burn potential romance, and more character-driven than investigation-driven. (I'm honestly not a huge fan of scandalous family secret plots, but Jane Steen is undeniably an excellent writer!)
Thanks to the author for this ARC!
The best thing in this story is the inclusion of Guttridge, the lady's maid who seems perfectly cut out for doing some investigating in her own right. The scenes between her and Lady Helena often have an amusing edge to them which helps cut the heaviness of some of the subject matter.
This is a well-written second entry in the Scott-De Quincy mystery series... Readers will want to have read the first book so as to have a basic understanding of Lady Helena's family dynamics, although the plot in this one pretty much stands on its own. It's a bit on the lengthy side but engaging enough to keep you reading. There are several very eloquent descriptive passages too.
Recommended if you like drama and scandal in your mysteries, with a slow burn potential romance, and more character-driven than investigation-driven. (I'm honestly not a huge fan of scandalous family secret plots, but Jane Steen is undeniably an excellent writer!)
Thanks to the author for this ARC!
January 15, 2025
Edited to add that I very much enjoyed the audio narration by Elizabeth Klett.
Rated 4 stars. Own Kindle. Listened on Hoopla Audio. #2 Scott-De Quincy Historical Mystery set in Victorian England.
I enjoyed this as much as #1 Lady Helena Investigates. Lady Helena's older sister, Odelia, is at the center of this mystery. Their family is a very large and interesting aristocratic family with lots of secrets in their past. The author's descriptions of the homes, the countryside and in this book beautiful works of art is blended into an intriguing historical fiction/mystery. I will warn those readers who prefer a traditional mystery that this is really more historical fiction with some intrigue and an eventual murder to be solved that happens about 75% through the book. That didn't bother me as I very much enjoy this author's writing style. Looking forward to eventually reading #3 Lady Ambition's Dilemma.
Rated 4 stars. Own Kindle. Listened on Hoopla Audio. #2 Scott-De Quincy Historical Mystery set in Victorian England.
I enjoyed this as much as #1 Lady Helena Investigates. Lady Helena's older sister, Odelia, is at the center of this mystery. Their family is a very large and interesting aristocratic family with lots of secrets in their past. The author's descriptions of the homes, the countryside and in this book beautiful works of art is blended into an intriguing historical fiction/mystery. I will warn those readers who prefer a traditional mystery that this is really more historical fiction with some intrigue and an eventual murder to be solved that happens about 75% through the book. That didn't bother me as I very much enjoy this author's writing style. Looking forward to eventually reading #3 Lady Ambition's Dilemma.
March 13, 2022
I loved the first book in this series, and after waiting quite a while for book two, I hoped to love it just as much. While I can't say I loved it, this book has much to recommend it and I did enjoy it.
I love the character of Lady Helena, but in this book the various travails of her family forced her into the position of constantly trying to manage, cajole and otherwise save them from themselves. I enjoyed Helena's spunk and independence so much in the first book, but I feel that was muted here. While I applaud Helena's love and support for her family, it doesn't make for as entertaining a story.
I was also a bit disappointed that Helena's friendship/relationship with Fortier did not progress further than I thought it might in this book. Everything there remained very murky and unresolved and that made me sad for Helena.
Overall, this is a good book and Helena is still a delightful character who is smart and kind and very capable of whatever she sets her mind to doing.
I love the character of Lady Helena, but in this book the various travails of her family forced her into the position of constantly trying to manage, cajole and otherwise save them from themselves. I enjoyed Helena's spunk and independence so much in the first book, but I feel that was muted here. While I applaud Helena's love and support for her family, it doesn't make for as entertaining a story.
I was also a bit disappointed that Helena's friendship/relationship with Fortier did not progress further than I thought it might in this book. Everything there remained very murky and unresolved and that made me sad for Helena.
Overall, this is a good book and Helena is still a delightful character who is smart and kind and very capable of whatever she sets her mind to doing.
Read
March 18, 2025This one was not quite for me, as I found the adultery plot icky, though I loved the convincing art history element. (To be fair, it was meant to be icky.)
Still incredibly impressed by Jane Steen’s historical detail. I recognised a location in this book was inspired by Leighton House in London!
There was some redemptive content near the end and I’m keen to continue with the series.
Still incredibly impressed by Jane Steen’s historical detail. I recognised a location in this book was inspired by Leighton House in London!
There was some redemptive content near the end and I’m keen to continue with the series.
April 10, 2023
I cared nothing for Lady Odelia, a mediocre artist (and member of the nobility so she doesn’t have to support herself), who plays the “artist card” all the time to excuse her behavior and claim no one understands her. ““That’s because you know nothing about the artistic life.” Odelia sighed. “What Geraint means to me is about far more than physical affection. Artists share on a higher plane, that of the intellect—.” “All artists are selfish. We have to be.” She is always yawning, moving languidly, and speaking lazily. What a waste of space.
I wasn’t that much crazier about her snobby sister Helena, the narrative voice of the book, who devotes her life to following every worthless societal rule. She was prone to such thoughts as, “Its quiet elegance enveloped me in the way only a really well-appointed home can. It had that indefinable essence that bespoke long-founded wealth and breeding, separating those who possessed such qualities from the ambitious parvenu.” “Then you don’t know nearly enough aristocratic Englishwomen.” I sniffed. “We’re bred to rule, you know. Rulers don’t have the vapors. Fainting is for the middle classes.” She got all excited when she had to open a door. “Accustomed to having doors opened for me, I found it somewhat thrilling to insert the key in the lock.” Gag me. And the plot wasn't even all that good.
I wasn’t that much crazier about her snobby sister Helena, the narrative voice of the book, who devotes her life to following every worthless societal rule. She was prone to such thoughts as, “Its quiet elegance enveloped me in the way only a really well-appointed home can. It had that indefinable essence that bespoke long-founded wealth and breeding, separating those who possessed such qualities from the ambitious parvenu.” “Then you don’t know nearly enough aristocratic Englishwomen.” I sniffed. “We’re bred to rule, you know. Rulers don’t have the vapors. Fainting is for the middle classes.” She got all excited when she had to open a door. “Accustomed to having doors opened for me, I found it somewhat thrilling to insert the key in the lock.” Gag me. And the plot wasn't even all that good.
February 18, 2022
See my review at Reading World
July 4, 2022
Not as good as first book. A little slow at times
June 9, 2023
1882. Really not much of a Lady Odelia secret or much of an investigation. More a description of families. And no death until the 80% of the book and some unlikeable characters including Lady Odelia.
July 6, 2023
Lady Helena continues to find herself in this book. She's been raised as one of the elite, with societal rules and restrictions. As a young, wealthy and independent widow, she is learning to lean on herself and not others. The process can be slow and painful.
I have to say that I wasn't fond of the character of Odelia. She has so much potential but behaved like a spoiled brat. She doesn't have to support herself in any way. Her family does that. She sells the occasional painting and that makes her feel independent.
Lady Helena continues to intrigue me, despite this book being slower to reveal much in terms of her personal growth and direction. I look forward to the next book when it is published.
I have to say that I wasn't fond of the character of Odelia. She has so much potential but behaved like a spoiled brat. She doesn't have to support herself in any way. Her family does that. She sells the occasional painting and that makes her feel independent.
Lady Helena continues to intrigue me, despite this book being slower to reveal much in terms of her personal growth and direction. I look forward to the next book when it is published.
September 23, 2022
Well, I waited four years for this book to come out and sad to say, I was not pleased. I was so hyped after reading book one, that I just knew this second book would be great. There was a point when I just wanted to stop reading it, but I persevered and finished. There are approximately fifty-nine chapters in this book and no one was killed until about chapter forty. The hero and love interest of Lady Helena from book one was referred to but didn't make a physical appearance until about chapter forty also. Forty chapters which could have been condensed into half that amount. Sure one needs background but to stretch it for forty chapters is ridiculous. I actually got bored with the story until Armand Fortier made his physical appearance and then spent the rest of the book hoping the spark between him and Helena would flame, but alas it only fluttered.
The story centers around Lady Odelia, oldest sister of Lady Helena Whitcombe and her long kept secret. A secret that will bring scandal and shame to the Scott-De Quincy family. When Lady Odelia invites her baby sister Lady Helena into the seductive world of medieval fantasies and fairy tales she has inhabited since Helena was a child, a shocking series of events exposes the destructive reality of a great artist’s unusual lifestyle, Lady Helena and her lady’s maid Guttridge are called on to help—or is it to interfere? What could possibly be Lady Odelia's secret?
The story centers around Lady Odelia, oldest sister of Lady Helena Whitcombe and her long kept secret. A secret that will bring scandal and shame to the Scott-De Quincy family. When Lady Odelia invites her baby sister Lady Helena into the seductive world of medieval fantasies and fairy tales she has inhabited since Helena was a child, a shocking series of events exposes the destructive reality of a great artist’s unusual lifestyle, Lady Helena and her lady’s maid Guttridge are called on to help—or is it to interfere? What could possibly be Lady Odelia's secret?
February 26, 2022
I am so happy that Lady Helena is back! I adored the first book and enjoyed this next installment as well. For all that I loved LADY HELENA INVESTIGATES, I had not retained many details over the last 4 years and found that this book did an excellent job of reorienting me to the events and relationships of the previous one. (Spoiler alert for those starting here: It does reveal the whodunit from last time.)
This book reminded me of Dorothy Sayers's GAUDY NIGHT, both in the elements of the mystery (we start out with "poison pen" rather than a dead body) as well as the insular feeling of the new world the heroine finds herself in. The pace is leisurely, but the writing is so good that I just kept turning the pages well into the night. I love that these mysteries are so deeply entwined with Lady Helena's own family dynamics as it's an interesting contrast to another series I've been reading recently (Lynn Messina's Beatrice Hyde-Claire) where the running theme is that the heroine keeps crossing the path of dead bodies and inserts herself into the situation.
This is a smart and elegant historical mystery and I look forward to reading more!
I received an advance reader's copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
This book reminded me of Dorothy Sayers's GAUDY NIGHT, both in the elements of the mystery (we start out with "poison pen" rather than a dead body) as well as the insular feeling of the new world the heroine finds herself in. The pace is leisurely, but the writing is so good that I just kept turning the pages well into the night. I love that these mysteries are so deeply entwined with Lady Helena's own family dynamics as it's an interesting contrast to another series I've been reading recently (Lynn Messina's Beatrice Hyde-Claire) where the running theme is that the heroine keeps crossing the path of dead bodies and inserts herself into the situation.
This is a smart and elegant historical mystery and I look forward to reading more!
I received an advance reader's copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
February 15, 2022
This story depicts well the difference between impoverished nobility and money nobility in England in the 1880. The main character is the sister of the bohemian Lady Odelia of the book title. Their brother is an Earl but he is what we would now call on the spectrum. This is the author's strength depicting how people react and perceive this Earl and how his family ensure that he is happy.
Lady Odelia involves her recently widowed sister (who has money) in her hidden secret life. She gets Lady Helena to commission some painting and murals based on fairy tales and the etchings of those books. This is where the mystery starts............ the mystery is a slow burner but the detail of historic living in rural England and London is so well described that I spent a happy few hours immersed in this book which was given to me - this review reflects my own opinion.
Lady Odelia involves her recently widowed sister (who has money) in her hidden secret life. She gets Lady Helena to commission some painting and murals based on fairy tales and the etchings of those books. This is where the mystery starts............ the mystery is a slow burner but the detail of historic living in rural England and London is so well described that I spent a happy few hours immersed in this book which was given to me - this review reflects my own opinion.
February 17, 2022
Helena showed great judgment until her sister gave her the self-pitying drama. With her sister resorting to emotional blackmail to get her way, she began digging into Odelia’s past and what she found was astonishing and degrading. When the disgusting letters and package arrived, she had no choice but to investigate.
Helena knew she had a serious decision to make when the threats increased and death came knocking at the door. An intriguing mix of romance and mystery, it was captivating and entertaining, a worthy must-read.
Helena knew she had a serious decision to make when the threats increased and death came knocking at the door. An intriguing mix of romance and mystery, it was captivating and entertaining, a worthy must-read.
April 2, 2024
The so called 'ruling' class reveals their awful sins, adultery, murder and h managing her family. She truly loves her sister and challenges her to be better. H's father is dying so takes a smaller role. Wonderful to see the h and her trusty maid working together, balancing awful secrets with great kindness.
February 14, 2022
I enjoyed the second book in the series as much as the first and can't wait for the next one. An intriguing mysterday and we learn more about the main characters and the times they live in. Worth the read.
December 15, 2022
Holiday pangram!! N O F W L E K S A❄️
April 14, 2023
Well-written. Helena is pleasant enough, but her maid has much more personality. Helena’s relatives are insufferable (except Thomas and the in-laws). I ended up skipping through the scenes with Odious Odelia - her self-absorption sickened me.
March 14, 2022
4.5/5⭐️
I really enjoyed the debut of this series in 2018 and was so happy to finally check back in with Lady Helena, a young widow living in 1880s Sussex with a large, eccentric family, a handsome French physician living nearby and a penchant for making herbal remedies and solving mysteries.
Both London and Sussex are settings here, and while visiting in London, Helena makes a startling and uncomfortable discovery about her sister Odelia (who is 10 years older and an artist). As Odelia begins to receive disturbing and threatening messages related to her “secret”, Helena and her lady’s maid Guttridge, work to put the clues together following a murder related to that secret.
There is a lot going on in this one…the secret and how it affects Helena’s relationship with her favorite sister, her struggle to find/change her standing with her overbearing siblings, her discovery of Fortier’s thoughts about her and her wanting to come into her own and make her mark in her world. My only frustration is how her family manipulates her at times, but I believe that issue will be resolved as she grows stronger and more self-confident.
It’s a bit of a different kind of mystery in that it also covers more personal topics and deeper family issues rather than just a straightforward whodunit. And while that may have necessarily precluded the usual amount of action in a mystery, I actually found it refreshing and insightful.
I really enjoyed this one and becoming more acquainted with these characters and am hoping the wait won’t be quite as long for the next installment.
My thanks to the author for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
I really enjoyed the debut of this series in 2018 and was so happy to finally check back in with Lady Helena, a young widow living in 1880s Sussex with a large, eccentric family, a handsome French physician living nearby and a penchant for making herbal remedies and solving mysteries.
Both London and Sussex are settings here, and while visiting in London, Helena makes a startling and uncomfortable discovery about her sister Odelia (who is 10 years older and an artist). As Odelia begins to receive disturbing and threatening messages related to her “secret”, Helena and her lady’s maid Guttridge, work to put the clues together following a murder related to that secret.
There is a lot going on in this one…the secret and how it affects Helena’s relationship with her favorite sister, her struggle to find/change her standing with her overbearing siblings, her discovery of Fortier’s thoughts about her and her wanting to come into her own and make her mark in her world. My only frustration is how her family manipulates her at times, but I believe that issue will be resolved as she grows stronger and more self-confident.
It’s a bit of a different kind of mystery in that it also covers more personal topics and deeper family issues rather than just a straightforward whodunit. And while that may have necessarily precluded the usual amount of action in a mystery, I actually found it refreshing and insightful.
I really enjoyed this one and becoming more acquainted with these characters and am hoping the wait won’t be quite as long for the next installment.
My thanks to the author for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
March 1, 2022
I received a copy of this title from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own. Lady Odelia's Secret is the second title to feature Lady Helena following the first title Lady Helena Investigates. As there are numerous mentions to events from the previous title, I don't think this title will work well as a stand-alone title for many readers; plus the first title is great so reading it is a win-win. Lady Helena is just ending her year of mourning for her husband and still coming to terms with some family secrets revealed in the first book. Unfortunately, there are more family secrets to be discovered and she finds herself unintentionally involved in her older sister Odelia's London life trying to prevent scandal that will touch the entire family.
I love the idea around how well do we really know people, including our close family members and how that impacts our relationships. There is additional exploration on how our place in our family impacts how we are treated (Helena is youngest of six daughters and called Baby by the family) And once we know the truth, how it changes how we see everything. The mystery here is quite well done, and I enjoy the secondary characters including Odelia and Helena's maid Gutteridge, Fortier, and Sir Geraint. I'm looking forward to what more family secrets remain to be revealed as hinted at in the end of the book as well as seeing what develops between Helena and Fortier in future titles.
I love the idea around how well do we really know people, including our close family members and how that impacts our relationships. There is additional exploration on how our place in our family impacts how we are treated (Helena is youngest of six daughters and called Baby by the family) And once we know the truth, how it changes how we see everything. The mystery here is quite well done, and I enjoy the secondary characters including Odelia and Helena's maid Gutteridge, Fortier, and Sir Geraint. I'm looking forward to what more family secrets remain to be revealed as hinted at in the end of the book as well as seeing what develops between Helena and Fortier in future titles.
March 6, 2022
Lady Odelia's Secret by Jane Steen is Historical Mystery Fiction. The newest episode in the Scott-De Quincy saga. I really enjoyed the first book in this series Lady Helena Investigates and jumped at the opportunity to read the second. Lady Helena has eccentric family members that she loves but doesn’t always approve of even though she is quite different herself. She becomes involved in exciting adventures and mysteries that involve her whether she enjoys them or not. There are unique characters that assist in her investigations and other unforgettable characters that demand her attention. A hint of new tantalizing mystery is dropped at the end of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest adventure in the Lady Helena series and look forward to reading her next adventure which I hope will soon be ready for publication.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars
November 2, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded down
Yet another book that had me waffling about its rating. The first tag on the book's main page is Mystery, but there didn't seem to be much of a mystery at all until quite late in the book. Yes, I know there doesn't have to be a murder for a book to be called a mystery, but there really wasn't even much of a puzzle to figure out.
There was a *lot of time devoted to titular secret, but it didn't take long for the secret to be revealed, and considering the times and the class of people involved, it wasn't even that significant. I didn't care much at all about any of the characters, not even those I liked in the first book, so it was hard to care about what happened to them. At 450 pages, I had a hard time focusing on finishing the book, which could have been at least 100 pages shorter without losing much of what was important.
I have the next book from this series in my audiobook library, so I'll listen to it eventually, but I won't be in a hurry to do so.
Yet another book that had me waffling about its rating. The first tag on the book's main page is Mystery, but there didn't seem to be much of a mystery at all until quite late in the book. Yes, I know there doesn't have to be a murder for a book to be called a mystery, but there really wasn't even much of a puzzle to figure out.
There was a *lot of time devoted to titular secret, but it didn't take long for the secret to be revealed, and considering the times and the class of people involved, it wasn't even that significant. I didn't care much at all about any of the characters, not even those I liked in the first book, so it was hard to care about what happened to them. At 450 pages, I had a hard time focusing on finishing the book, which could have been at least 100 pages shorter without losing much of what was important.
I have the next book from this series in my audiobook library, so I'll listen to it eventually, but I won't be in a hurry to do so.
February 23, 2022
An amazing piece of work. A look into the painting and artist world and the secrets that families can hold. Because Lady Helena is the youngest in the family she realises that she really doesn’t know her siblings as she thought she did. Scandal that she has been protected from rears its head and Helena needs to get to the bottom of it. Reading this story was like boarding a train that picks up speed and takes you through surroundings both beautiful and desolate ending in a place you hadn’t imagined. A great follow up to “Lady Helena Investigates” with tantalising titbits to what is to come in subsequent stories in this series. Looking forward to the next book.
September 28, 2022
It's OK for what it is - a historical drama with a little mystery thrown in. However, it was decidedly not my cup of tea. Considering that the whole book series is labelled "Scott-DeQuincy Mysteries, I expected a lot more mystery than the 20-25% of the story that was the mystery part. The rest of it was also too slow moving for my taste. It's a pity, since I thought that I would really enjoy this series based on all the glowing reviews and the potential of an herbalist teaming up with a doctor to solve mysteries.
February 19, 2022
Do you ever really know your family? Lady Helena is slowly unfolding more secrets about her siblings and parents. At the same time she is growing into a woman who knows herself and who can find her own way in life. Where will this journey take her?
The second book in this series focuses on Lady Odelia, the sister that always had a close connection with Lady Helena. Will the secrets from past and present influence their relationship?
The second book in this series focuses on Lady Odelia, the sister that always had a close connection with Lady Helena. Will the secrets from past and present influence their relationship?
September 22, 2023
A tad too long. The story really didn’t hold my interest, and it almost became a chore to read. Some redeeming qualities, but not a book I would recommend.
October 7, 2024
The second book in the series finds Lady Helena in the last few weeks of her year long mourning for her husband, Justin, who was murdered in the previous book. Her sister, Odelia, insists that she come to London to meet a famous artist who can transform her drawing room with new artwork. Helena agrees to a commission by the artist after meeting him at a party but she is appalled to soon learn that Odelia has been having an affair with him for almost 15 years. The scandal! His wife, Millie, a fellow artist, agreed to the arrangement years ago, believing that his mistresses were just his muses, but now regrets that decision. It also appears that her 5 children all know of and resent the arrangement. And Odelia is not the only mistress, there are two others, one another artist and the other an actress. When Odelia starts getting hate mail and slurs are painted on the fence, Helena starts to quietly investigate the matter to protect her sister's reputation. It could be Millie or the other mistresses or even the children. When the actress ends up dead, Helena fears for Odelia's life and is just in time to save her when she rushes to the artist's studio and finds his son getting ready to hang Odelia from a noose. Unfortunately Odelia's secret gets out as she has to testify at the trial so she decides to spend some time in Europe until things settle down. On the personal front, Dr. Fortier is in London caring for his dying father and he helps Helena and Guttridge in their investigations. He tells Helena that once his father dies, he must travel to France to get his cousin and a child that the two have been raising as their own. We don't get any further details so I'm sure that it will be at topic in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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