Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Cassie Gwynne #2

A Plot Most Perilous

Rate this book
Join Cassie Gwynne—bookworm, cat lover and super sleuth—as she gets herself entangled in a brand-new murder mystery!

America 1883: Cassie Gwynne feels like she’s finally found where she belongs, settling into her new life in Florida with her aunt and her mischievous kitten Esy. When a traveling theater group arrives in town Cassie can’t resist signing up for the chorus. But the production goes awry from the start and soon death takes center stage...

With costumes going missing and strange voices heard coming from the dressing room, the cast are convinced they are cursed. And when the lead actor, William Gage, has a fatal accident, Cassie is certain someone is deliberately targeting the play. Off-stage Mr. Gage was known as a notorious flirt, so could a jilted lover be out for revenge?

Determined that the show must go on, Cassie launches her own investigation into the peculiar events. She quickly discovers an expensive, embroidered handkerchief stashed away on the lighting platform. This part of the theater is supposed to be out of bounds, so could the cagey chorus girl or the uppity understudy have something to hide?

When she returns at night to look around, Cassie is almost flattened as the wooden scenery crashes to the stage. Is this just the latest in a long line of catastrophes or is somebody out to stop Cassie learning the truth?

Can Cassie solve the mystery and make it to opening night or will it be curtains for her too?

Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn, C.J. Archer and Verity Bright! This is a totally charming cozy mystery full of murder, intrigue, and a cast of characters you’ll adore.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2022

18 people are currently reading
43 people want to read

About the author

Genevieve Essig

6 books13 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
28 (45%)
4 stars
17 (27%)
3 stars
13 (20%)
2 stars
4 (6%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Phrynne.
4,012 reviews2,704 followers
March 25, 2022
The second book in this series about Cassie Gwynne, heiress and orphan, who is visiting her family in Florida in 1883.

There is good plot in this book but unfortunately it struggles to survive under the sheer weight of characters! I thought there were a lot in the first book with Cassie's family, friends, animals, police officers and local residents. In this one we add a whole troupe of actors and their hangers on and I gave up trying to remember who everyone was.

Anyway Cassie makes a fool of herself, solves a crime, maybe furthers her relationship with a police officer and discovers another member of her family. We learn an awful lot about The Pirates of Penzance and early copyright law which was very interesting.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Profile Image for Shazzie.
280 reviews36 followers
March 26, 2022
I received an Advanced Reading Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts about this book.

I'll be honest when I say that I haven't read the first in the series. I went into this book looking for a lighthearted and entertaining murder mystery, and I do admit that this is a book you can pick up without having read the previous instalment.
There is some humour and sass, which is what really kept me reading. The protagonist, Cassie, seems like an interesting character, but I might just be saying this because I have an enormous soft spot for the parts of the book that described her relationship with her father, and how she missed him.
However, I found more cons than pros in my reading of this novel: it is overly descriptive, and that seems to take away from the sense of urgency I like to see in murder mysteries. I also feel like it would've been better received by me if it was 20-30% shorter than it actually is.
I love the time period it is written in, but I wish there was more effort put into character-building.
But please remember, that you are likely to feel differently if you are familiar with the Pirates of Penzance, something I am yet to catch up with.
I think it wasn't for me, but will likely resonate with other audiences.

Instagram | Twitter
Profile Image for Bridget.
2,789 reviews130 followers
April 2, 2022
This continuation in a series by Genevieve Essig is terrific! Set in the late nineteenth century on the fictional island of Fernandina, Florida, I really like Cassie Gwynne who I find to be likeable, curious and logical; she’s an animal lover, too, having a kitten named "Hesychia" (shortened to Esy). In this instalment, a travelling theatre is in town who are putting on a production of The Pirates of Penzance and Cassie is thrilled. She is persuaded to join the chorus but there is a tragedy in the troupe so Cassie gets involved.

Other fantastic characters in this series and tale include Aunt Flora and Cassie's romantic interest, Hughes. I did not foresee the outcome of the tale and I'm eagerly anticipating book three. 🙂🐈

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Mystica.
1,733 reviews32 followers
May 3, 2022
America 1883 and Cassie feels that she is finally home with her Aunt and beloved cat. A travelling
theater comes into town and Cassie takes on a role there as well. She loves the theater life and is
in her element but then death strikes a blow.

Lots of clues, accidents that just happen and Cassie is all out to solve the mystery as she feels the
police are not really doing very much. Whether she will be able to solve it all before the show goes
on the boards is the question. And will someone try to prevent her from doing so.

The confusion comes in the form of too many characters to follow so that one can get a mixed up.
The cozy part of the mystery is fine though.
Profile Image for Vivienne.
Author 2 books112 followers
April 3, 2022
My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘A Plot Most Perilous’ by Genevieve Essig in exchange for an honest review. I was also invited to take part in their publication week blog tour.

This is Book 2 in the Cassie Gwynne series of historical cosy mysteries set on Amelia Island Florida in the late 19th-Century.

December 1883 and Cassie Gwynne is settling into her new life in Florida with her aunt Flora and Esy, her playful kitten. When a flamboyant traveling theater troupe arrives in town Cassie can’t resist signing up to be part of the chorus. They are planning to do a production of The Pirates of Penzance. Yet the production goes awry from the start. One actor is convinced they are cursed because she had inadvertently spoken the name of the Scottish play. Everyone feels that she’s overreacting though then there is a death …..

No further details to avoid spoilers. Aside from the theatre plot, more details about the recent death of Cassie’s father and a secret from her past comes to light.

I found this great fun and a well plotted whodunnit. I really liked the theatrical plot line with its emphasis upon this popular comic opera. There are tropes that one would expect to encounter in such an environment including temperamental actors, backstage rivalries, and of course theatrical superstitions.

There was one down-to-Earth scene that was both amusing and unusual as it seems such everyday functions rarely find their way into fiction. While Cassie is dodging the advances of an amorous actor, she is gripped by food cramps and takes refuge in a public outhouse, where she has to wrestle with her voluminous gown while trying to retain Victorian-era decorum. Then there comes a knock at the door asking after her and she realises with horror that it’s Officer Hughes, the deputy that she fancies… she wonders how long he was standing there? I felt that Essig managed to capture Cassie’s acute embarrassment perfectly.

In her Letter to Readers, Genevieve Essig includes more details about the history of Fernandina and the buildings that appear in the novel; including the Lyceum on Centre Street that served as a community building, hosting events such as plays and balls. I always appreciate when an author anchors their narrative in reality as it provides a strong sense of place.

The only addition that I would wish for is a cast of characters as there are quite a few. I will also note the appealing cover design for both novels.

I had enjoyed the first in this series, ‘A Deception Most Deadly’, and now with ‘A Plot Most Perilous’ proving an lively and engaging read the Cassie Gwynne Mysteries is confirmed as a series that I will be adding to my list of ‘must read’ historical cosies.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Profile Image for Lisa.
596 reviews60 followers
April 1, 2022
This was a thoroughly delightful read! Cassie is staying in Florida with her aunt Flora, at least for now. She is persuaded to join the chorus of a traveling theater troupe that promotes itself as donating all their profits to needy children. But when the star of the production meets an untimely end upon the stage, Cassie can’t help but do some digging. Is the troupe as altruistic as Mr. Gage made them out to be? Who, really, is Prince Richard Montgomery, and why doesn’t Flora seem to like him? So many questions!

A Plot Most Perilous is a quick read, set in the 1880s in Florida. (I love that it’s set in Fernandina, as I have a friend that lives there.) It’s clean, with hints of possible extramarital shenanigans but no overt adult content, and no strong language. It was just fun to read.

Cassie is smart and generous and kind. She and Hughes are adorable, as they both seem to be trying to figure out what the other feels about them. I hope to see their relationship develop in future books. And I absolutely love Flora and Jake! Once they move to a more official “relationship” status, they both struggle with communication and expectations of how they “should” act instead of how they’re accustomed to interacting with each other. Flora has to sort out how to maintain both her relationship and the independence she’s developed and nurtured for so long. Very believably written, as all of the characters seem to be.

And the end of this book, y’all. It made me smile, and made me want to read the next one RIGHT NOW.

If you’re looking for a clean, well plotted cozy mystery to take along on vacation or to curl up with on a Saturday afternoon, I highly recommend A Plot Most Perilous.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from Bookouture and NetGalley. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,882 reviews135 followers
April 8, 2022
This is the second Cassie Gwynne mystery,
Set in Florida back in 1883
Orphaned, Cassie is staying with her Aunt for a while
Being with her helps her to smile!

They're given the chance to take part in a show
The Pirates of Penzance - which you'll probably know.
However the show is fraught with disasters so
Maybe this is one she really shouldn't give a go!

Along with the locals and the cast of the show
There are lots of characters - and pets - to get to know.
However, the disasters could happen to anyone there
So all of them really need to take great care!

Just what is happening and why?
Carrie is determined to discover, or at least try.
However, will that put her into danger, too?
When a murder strikes, what should she do?

Get ready for theatricals galore as this story unfolds
With mystery, mayhem and secrets untold.
As Cassie endeavours to discover
Who is guilty - the one confessing or some other?

With family drama to add to the mix
A good one to use for your historical cosy crime fix!
For my copy of this book, I say thank you,
An intriguing read and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for J_McA 251.
1,016 reviews14 followers
April 10, 2022
I really enjoyed Deception Most Deadly (the first Cassie Gwynn historical mystery from Genevieve Essig) so I was eagerly looking forward to A Plot Most Perilous. It didn’t hurt that this time, the crime occurs in conjunction with the arrival of a traveling theater company. I mean, historical mystery, feisty heroine, theater, Florida…seriously, what’s not to like?It also doesn’t hurt that Pirates of Penzance is my favorite Gilbert & Sullivan. (Isn’t it everybody’s?) I will say that this is a “thinking person’s” type of historical mystery. If you are looking for lighthearted and mindless, this might not be for you. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and the author likes to go into extensive detail. Again, I appreciate it, because it feels like the author is mimicking the writing style of the time as well as the social mores, language etc. It adds to the charm. For more details, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. This review was written based on a digital copy of the book from Bookouture.
4 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2023
If you enjoyed Genevieve Essig's first book in her mystery trilogy, A Plot Most Perilous will fill your craving for another delectable tale. Set on Amelia Island in Florida like Book 1, the atmosphere feels entirely different due to the prominence of the theater throughout the narrative. As is Genevieve Essig's way, interesting characters, each with their own motives, emerge gradually, thickening the plot around who murdered the lead actor in a play. Main character Cassie Gwynne once again gets wrapped up in trying to sort out "who done it," learning some life lessons along the way as well as deepening her attraction to Deputy Hughes. A Plot Most Perilous is a fun read that made me chuckle many times at the antics of various characters. Cassie is especially easy to identify with because of her constant mishaps and humorous attempts to come across as a lady while often behaving in the total opposite manner. Looking forward to reading the final book in the trilogy and spending more time with Cassie Gwynne!
Profile Image for Rebecca Ramsden.
183 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2022
This is the second book in the Cassie Gwynne mystery series. Although could easily be read out of order. I absolutely loved this story, even more than the first book. It was fun from start to beginning, and I loved the further development of all the characters, especially the leading lady Cassie and Mr. Hughes.
Genevieve Essig has such a beautiful way of painting 1883 in Florida. I am not usually one for ‘period’ style books, but the way in which it is brought to life makes me want to visit, I will be waiting for the time machine! The play that the travelling theatre group were doing was Pirates of Penzance and I loved the quirky was she slipped in all about Gilbert and Sullivan.
I Would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good cosy mystery. There were lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing right until the end.
Cannot wait for the next one in the series to come out!
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews163 followers
March 28, 2022
There's a lot of potential in this book and it's the best one in this series as it's more gripping and fast paced.
It was a light and entertaining read that that made me smile and try to guess the culprit.
I was glad to meet again the very large cast of characters, both human and pets, and Cassie is growing on me as she shows her softer side.
These mysteries are also a good way to learn something new on the historical side.
The author did a lot of research and the historical background is well structured and vivid.
The mystery is complex and full of twists. I couldn't guess them and the end came as a surprise.
One note: even if I enjoyed this story I think that there's too many characters and sometimes I found hard to keep track of who-is-who.
Even if this is the second in a series it can be read as a stand alone.
I look forward to reading the next instalment, recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Profile Image for Inishowen Cailín.
888 reviews50 followers
April 5, 2022
I loved this. The characters are well established having been introduced to them in book 1. The plot is very quick paced. I loved the comedy that actors in the travelling troupe provided. They were an eccentric, flamboyant and superstitious lot, just what you would imagine a group of actors to be.
The mystery had me stumped and guessing right up to the last moment. There is an unexpected twist at the end and I'm looking forward to reading more in the next book.
Cassie has yet to delve into the puzzle surrounding her father's death. It is all very mysterious and it has really piqued my interest. I want to find out but at the same time I don't want the author to reveal too much too soon as I want the series to continue for a lot more books.
An excellent read. I voluntarily reviewed a copy provided by the publisher.
Profile Image for Caroline Venables.
627 reviews8 followers
May 31, 2022
This is the second installment in the Cassie Gwynne series and I was lucky enough to read the the first, so I was eager to read this book.

A travelling theatre has arrived and Cassie is thrilled! It isn’t long before she finds herself part of their production. However things go wrong from the outset, actors believing they are cursed and items disappearing. Then an actor dies and Cassie again finds herself investigating.

I really enjoyed this book, and how Cassie looks into the mysteries that come her way. I read the book quickly as I raced through the story, which to me indicates a very well written story.

I can not wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Jude Srivalsan.
264 reviews6 followers
April 8, 2022
The second in the series, I enjoyed this as much, if not more than the first. It has a warm and cosy feel to it and you can curl up with a cuppa and just read! It was nice to see the characters develop from the first book and build their relationships with each other. The narration of the story makes you want to be there and enjoy the wonderful scenery!
Lots of twists and turns and unexpected revelations will keep you reading right up to the end. There is then a twist that will make you long for the third book!!
Profile Image for Donna Cross.
20 reviews
April 11, 2022
I realised a couple of chapters in that this was a sequel, and was worried I’d missed too much to understand what was happening. Luckily it was really well written so you don’t have to read the first one, you just alot right in. Loved the setting and the characters were well rounded. Great plot, lots of interesting interactions. Couldn’t help thinking it seemed like it was written more for screen than page though. All in all 4* would recommend to historical fiction lovers.
Profile Image for Sarah the reading addict .
595 reviews6 followers
April 10, 2022
Another really interesting book. I'm so glad I read the second book in this series and cannot wait to read the next. The style of writing is great.

I really like the books covers in this series, they really intrigue me as to what is in the content.

The characters are all brilliantly described and I really enjoyed the stage show and the rehearsals as it reminds me of when I used to be in an ametuer dramatics group.

I especially like Cassie, she's an intelligent and great character.

The detective nature of this book is really exciting and I was totally hooked.
441 reviews14 followers
April 3, 2022
An intriguing story, with very descriptive and evocative writing altho at times a trifle ponderous. Cassie’s attraction to Hughes seemed a bit contrived - as if we had accidentally wandered into a different genre. Received as a complimentary copy from the author in return for an honest review.
7 reviews
April 7, 2022
This book had me laughing out loud. This book had all my requirements, strong women, humor, not depressing, a true cozy. I live in Florida so having the series set here is fun too. I am really looking forward to further Cassie Gwynn’s Mysteries
Profile Image for Mary  (Biblophile).
652 reviews3 followers
April 29, 2022
I was disappointed in this second book of the Cassie Gwynne series. The book was overly long, far too descriptive, and had too many characters. However, Cassie is still a delightful character and brings some spark to the story.
Profile Image for Kate Wells.
327 reviews15 followers
August 9, 2023
An intriguing story, with very descriptive and evocative writing altho at times a trifle ponderous. Cassie’s attraction to Hughes seemed a bit contrived - as if we had accidentally wandered into a different genre.
Profile Image for Paula Williams .
952 reviews27 followers
April 12, 2022
I already love Cassie & was so excited to read a new book in her series! Just as the description says, there’s lots of murder mystery and a lovable cast of characters to add to ones from book one.
Profile Image for Camille Sharp.
Author 10 books7 followers
August 18, 2024
Another twisty, exciting and funny book from Ms. Essig, this was definitely a hard one to put down!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.