Review: Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley

Death Below Stairs

by Jennifer Ashley

Publisher: Berkley Books

Pages: 336

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Victorian class lines are crossed when cook Kat Holloway is drawn into a murder that reaches all the way to the throne.

Highly sought-after young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in a Mayfair mansion and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household of Lord Rankin. Kat is unbothered by the family’s eccentricities as long as they stay away from her kitchen, but trouble finds its way below stairs when her young Irish assistant is murdered. 

Intent on discovering who killed the helpless kitchen maid, Kat turns to the ever-capable Daniel McAdam, who is certainly much more than the charming delivery man he pretends to be. Along with the assistance of Lord Rankin’s unconventional sister-in-law and a mathematical genius, Kat and Daniel discover that the household murder was the barest tip of a plot rife with danger and treason—one that’s a threat to Queen Victoria herself.

Kritters Thoughts:  The first in a series with a cook of a home taking center stage as she takes a new position and shortly after a murder occurs.  Kat Holloway, our cook, has to decide whether she is going to get to the bottom of this murder or let someone else do the job.  Of course she has to take on the investigation, but it takes her to a place she couldn't have predicted!

When pitched this book to review, I remember a nod to Downtown Abbey and even though I didn't watch that show, I still love a Victorian set anything like most folks.  I love the commentary on class system and reliving the days where women had their place to be and nowhere else!  

I loved the combination of historical fiction with a mystery involved.  It was so fun to read two of my favorite genres at the same time, I am not sure I get to do it that often!  Although the murder takes an interesting turn and sent Kat and her friend Daniel down a road that I couldn't have imagined, it was interesting.  I will have to admit to being a little disappointed that it veered off so far from the murder, but still a good read.  

I am intrigued to see where this series could go and what characters will be in the next book and what mystery they will have to solve.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2017 Challenge: 72 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Berkley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.