Face Down Below the Banqueting House

Susanna, Lady Appleton #8

by Kathy Lynn Emerson

Shortly before a royal visit to Leigh Abbey, the home of sixteenth-century sleuth Susanna Appleton, a man dies in a fall from a banqueting house. Is his death part of some treasonous plot against Elizabeth Tudor? Or is it merely murder?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

aka Kaitlyn Dunnett, Kate Emerson, Kaitlyn Gorton

Kathy Lynn Emerson began writing as a child: a newspaper for her dolls and then a rambling adventure series featuring characters from all her favorite television shows. In addition to contemporary, historical and time-travel romance (some written under the pen-name of Kaitlyn Gorton) and historical novels written as Kate Emerson, Kathy has written children's books, non-fiction, short stories, and historical mysteries. She won the Agatha award for mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries. She also writes as Kaitlyn Dunnett.

Reviews

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Face Down Below the Banqueting House by Kathy Lynn Emerson is the 8th book of the historical 'Face Down' mystery series set in 1573 England. Lady Susanna Appleton is a widow, fiercely independent. She loves her neighbor Nick Baldwin passionately, but never again wants to be the property of a man.

Elizabeth Tudor plans her Royal Summer Progress (visiting countryside estates) to include Leigh Abbey. Susanna would much rather be left out! Housing hundreds of staff and horses can bankrupt a host family, not to mention being turned out of their own homes during the queen's visit.

The queen's emissary Brian Tymberly (who comes in advance of the queen to finalize details) is a creepy, sneaky man who delights in ferreting out secrets and reaping blackmail. He's not the only one with bad intentions: Denzil Holme secretly festers hatred for Susanna, for preferring Nick Baldwin to him as a suitor; Winifred Baldwin (Nick's mother) wants him to wed a suitable (fertile/wealthy) young woman to gain property.

Most characters in the story have secrets, or behavior that can be misinterpreted to their great harm. Widow Catherine Glenelg wants the freedom to visit her dear friend Fulkes and his baby son unchaperoned - but it isn't proper. Susanna and Nick's relationship needs to remain discreet. Nick's mother has a dark secret. A young woman of property is a secret kleptomaniac. And so on...

Tymberly commands the construction of a multi-storey banqueting house (treehouse) in a giant oak in Susanna's garden. The staircase wraps around the trunk. Each platform has a railing for safety, yet a man falls to his death. Did one of Susanna's servants have an assignation? She hopes not, yet one mail is acting flustered and upset. Soon after, one of Nick's servants falls to his death into a well.

Susanna and her trusted friend/housekeeper Jennet Jaffrey do their best to uncover the truth. Meanwhile Nick makes significant discoveries of his own. When the jealous neighbor makes ridiculous false charges, Susanna calmly faces down church elders. Eventually all is resolved, so peace and happiness can once again prevail at Leigh Abbey.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

With various twists and turns, this mystery finally reaches a satisfying conclusion at the very end. What I love about the series, also frustrates me. There are about 30 characters, which takes time to sort out. Thankfully, Kathy Lynn Emerson includes a helpful list of each person, organized by household with a brief description. The various settings are nicely described, thanks to her good research on the Elizabethan era. This particular mystery sheds light on the church's practice of disciplining sex outside of marriage, shows the sad reality of childbirth without modern care, more of the relationship between landlords and staff, and the impact of a traveling royal on guesthouses.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good entry in the Lady Appleton mystery series set in Elizabethan England. When an evil man is found dead near a new construction, a banqueting house, for a possible visit from Queen Elizabeth, there are several suspects. Things get very complicated after a second murder, and when Suzanna Appleton's friend and lover Nick helps to try to solve the crimes, his mother interferes and tries to force him into an arranged marriage with another woman. All the while there is another evil man who is going around blackmailing people and trying to stir up a lot of trouble for innocent citizens. This is a good mystery and definitely a good read.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book as a time passer. Reliable series. I like the Lady Appleton character, and some of the other women (Jennet, Catherine). I had no idea how the mystery could be resolved and that kept me interested until the end.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. A lovely mystery in the time of Elizabeth. Fun to read aspects of 16th century Kent and England.

[Linda Graf · Rating 3 out of 5]

L

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great romp through ELizabethan England and in interesting mystery as well. More character advancement and setting up for future stories than straight out mystery. Definitely worth the time and an excellent world to disappear into during lunch hours at work. I read several series of mysteries set in Elizabethan England and each one treats the Queen differently, this one holds the Queen suspect, neither in favor nor against her, but wary of interaction with her. On the whole an interesting position for the characters to be in.

[KayDee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Susanna Appleton is not very happy when she finds out that Elizabeth I plans to spend some time at Leigh Abbey. Not only does this mean an enormous amount of time and money must be spent by Susanna, she also must deal with Tymberly, Her Majesty’s slimy representative who is in charge of making sure that all is in readiness for Elizabeth’s visit. When Tymberly’s manservant is found dead, Susanna knows she must join forces with her lover, Nick Baldwin, to find the murderer before more people die.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful look at life in Elizabethan England with the indomitable Lady Appleton. Great series!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the Lady Appleton mysteries. It really gives you a glimpse at life in the 1500's. The author does a lot of research to keep things as realistic as possible. Strong female lead character.

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several especially twisty surprises, but I'm very glad that certain plot lines are being resolved.

[Kathy Holm · Rating 3 out of 5]

All her books move quickly and the ending of the story is well hidden

[Patty Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed all the details about what a potential royal visit meant in the sixteenth century :-)

[Maren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid entry to the series.