The Killing at Kaldaire House (The Milliner Mysteries Book 1)

I really enjoyed this book, and plan to read more from this author. I think it was well researched and well written .

We're never sure who murdered whom even at the end . The author leaves lots of questions unanswered. Peers of the realm act strikingly out of character. I'll read the series to see if other books are less murky

The Killing at Kaldaire House begins a new series from Kate Parker, this one set in Edwardian London and featuring Emily Gates, a young, talented, and reasonably successful milliner who inherited her shop from her mother. Unfortunately some of her aristocratic clients seem to see no need to actually pay their bills, and Emily is forced to take extreme measures, using the burglary skills she learned from her father’s disreputable (but highly successful) family to take their valuables (some of which turn out not to be!) hostage.On a late night visit to Kaldaire House, Emily discovers the dying master of the mansion lying on the floor of his study. Unwilling to abandon anyone in that condition, she alerts the household. When Lady Kaldaire promises to vouch for her (and pay Emily’s bill herself) if Emily will help her solve the mystery of Lord Kaldaire’s murder, Emily has little choice.She doesn’t have much choice when the attractive detective assigned to the case, James Russell, recognizes Emily as a member of the notorious Gates family and promises not to arrest her if she will help him keep an eye on her relatives. Needing her income to send the relative she cares most about, her younger brother Matthew, to a special school for the deaf, she finds herself juggling her investigating for Lady Kaldaire, her family, and her growing attraction to Detective Inspector Russell.With a range of entertaining supporting characters, lots of period detail, and a good mystery, The Killing at Kaldaire House promises another fun series of cozy mysteries from Parker.

This is the first book that I have read lately that moved along and did get stuck in the library interviewing people. Too many of these novels spend too much verbiage on describing the room interviews are conducted in. Each interview goes on forever with nothing forthcoming. BORING!This book moves along at a swift pace and has a romantic angle as well.

This was fun and engaging. Lots of moving pieces and a whole lot of angst but also a bit modern in feel. Emily and Inspector Russell are fun characters. Liked the family push pull struggle.

To begin with I'd actually rate this 3.5 stars if allowed. Better than okay but a real mix of hits and misses. A rocky start to the series. The main characters are appealing, for the most part, and the familial relationships complex and interesting. I expect those will be revealed layer by layer in future books - which is wonderful. The mystery was interesting though one part wasn't fully explored which is too bad since it was an excellent twist/addition to the original mystery. The writing was not as polished as I'd expect from an established author. Several times while reading this I'd think "remember, this is just a first book" only to remember that it was a first book in a series, not the first book this author had written. It was jarring to notice this in the middle of a passage. I am a fan of her "Deadly" series and never noticed anything like this in any of those books so this puzzled me. I also felt as if things moved abruptly at times; some of the segues left something to be desired.From a plot standpoint I found many of the demands made by Roberta, Lady Kaldaire, to be ridiculous and found it implausible that our protagonist would go along with them. Yes, I understand Lady Kaldaire's "hold" over Emily - even so it didn't ring true, especially as Emily is written as an intelligent, resourceful, spunky young woman. I also felt as if Emily's family was a little too good to be true, in terms of talent, their apparent ability to be anywhere and everywhere without any consequences and then, in their heroic moment they do little more than toss jewels around. ??I will buy the next book in the series in part because I am a fan of the "Deadly" series and in part because I found enough to enjoy in it and look forward to a 4-5 star read - fingers crossed.

Usually one of Kate Market's cozy mysteries has me heading for the big easy chair with a cup of tea (English of course) . Dinner is always late because I am loathed to leave her characters. They are complex, unique and always leaves me diving in and becoming the main character's shadow!She is a master researcher as anyone who has read her Victorian based series. Now, she begins this new series with an Edwardian setting, equally detailed and correct without letting the setting overwhelm.The conflicts kept me guessing. The tenuous reconciliation between Emily and her family that lives on the other side of the law while at the same time time dealing with a very persistent inspector are only the tip of the very active iceberg. And of course, there are the murders and more murders to solve.I'm sure there will be many reviews that will give you more details, but I won't. It's a MYSTERY after all. However, I will offer a warning. As you head for your comfy chair, order takeout for dinner. The Killing at Kaldaire House will grab you and not let you go. It kept me reading long into the night. Thank goodness this is the first in the series. Kate Parker, sharpen your pencil. I want more Emily.

Please see keep writing Kate! I love how you mix humor with good old crime fighting. I miss Georgia Fenchurch so this new seris is great

looking for the answer for the murderer and looking forward to see who did it? Love the book and looking forward to read more of her books.

I enjoyed the Deadly series and was not disappointed by this book. Look forward to the next in the series.

a great fun and frothy cosy mystery. an ideal read for a sunday afternoon or while on holidays. i eagerly await the next instalment in this series.

A nice, easy read, good mystery and historically accurate.

Very enjoyable. And entertaining