A flavorful, rich Victorian murder mystery among servants

I have read a bunch of Jennifer Ashley’s Mackenzie series Victorian romances, but I had never read any of the author’s mystery books before. This is actually the second installment in this Kat Holloway series. The first installment, “A Soupcon of Poison” has recently been republished in Ashley’s mystery anthology “Past Crimes”. I did not read that one first, but sometimes during my reading of “Death Below Stairs” I wished I had. The author often vaguely refers to the events as being important in Kat's life, but it is still very possible to read “Death Below Stairs” first.

It took me a few chapters to settle in and get to know and love the heroine, but then I was very engrossed and enchanted by the book. Kat is an intelligent, practical lady who has deep compassion for others. The book is written in the third person past perspective. I found the rich descriptions of Kat’s menus and cooking process very soothing and sensory. I could smell the brioche bread rising, and my mouth watered for her sponge cake with lemon cream. I also enjoyed the colorful cast of characters both below and above stairs.

On her first day at a new job Kat's young female assistant was murdered. Kat found the body in the larder. Daniel, an enigmatic man who had helped out Kat in the past, turns up and they both try to figure out the murder in between her cooking schedule. The amiable and secretive Daniel really grew on me, and I cheered on his and Kat's slowly developing relationship. I think that the book is suitable for teens and adults.

The plot took some wonderfully unexpected turns. It is a very high quality historical mystery fiction. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Victorian mysteries or lady investigators or to anyone who likes to read about great cooking. I think fans of Jennifer Ashley’s other series would love this one as well.

I received a free advanced reading copy from the publisher via Netgalley, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

This book doesn't read like the first book in a series. After I did some hunting on the author's website I found out that the main characters had already been introduced in a novella. Now, I didn't mind that the two main characters already had met but I didn't like being introduced in the middle on their 'will they-won't they' romance.
However, I did like the characters themselves. Having the main character a cook was an interesting take on the historical fiction genre. The main guy himself has a nice mysterious background.
The mystery was fine even though there were times when it wasn't the center of the book.

Intelligent, hardworking, kind and purposeful, this Kat Holloway is a new favorite heroine. Kat has an unusual relationship with Daniel McAdam who is a friend and could possibly be more. But Daniel is a bit mysterious and has a variety of jobs and disguises. He seems to work for the good, but you never know who he works for or is financed by. That is part of his charm, to be honest, and though I really want to know more about him, I also like his mystery.

There will be many tense moments for heroine, hero, and, of all people, Queen Victoria. Intricately woven, the the plot keeps you guessing, but don’t guess too soon. In fact, you really need to read to the end to appreciate the suspense that propels the story and reflects the politics of the day.

Lady Cynthia, who prefers men’s clothing, and the nerd mathematician Thanos are cool characters. They definitely deserve to have recurring roles in future books. Daniel’s son James is the youth-nearly-a-man that wants to be like his father. So far, he is the least interesting, but has potential as he most certainly could be getting into trouble.

Death Below Stairs is historical mystery at it’s best with the heroine and cook Kat Holloway. Jennifer Ashley evokes the Victorian era with attention to detail and a well-told story that will appeal to lovers of the genre.

Although this is the first of a new series, there is a series prequel, A Soupcon of Poison. There are events in the prequel that are often referenced in Death Below Stairs, so if you are a stickler for reading things in order, read A Soupcon of Poison first. However, Death Below Stairs can be read as a standalone if you are like me and don’t take the time to go back to the series starter.

Through NetGalley, the publisher provided a copy of this books so that I could bring you this honest review.

Summary from Goodreads:

"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."

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading this book so much and am now so excited about this new series! I basically read the above description and just knew that I had to get my hands on this book. It was one of those reads that sounded totally up my alley and after finishing I can tell you that it really was. One of my absolute favorite things about this book was reading about Kat's cooking and everything that she put into it. I love a good mystery that features food as you probably already know by now. But this book stood out for me because it was set in a day and age where everything is prepared differently along with different types of foods than what we eat nowadays. I adored reading about Kat making these different meals and honestly I loved those parts of the books most. What I also enjoyed though was the relationship that Daniel and Kat had. It was unique to say the least and the banter between the two of them was something that I just couldn't get enough of. I'm really excited to read future books in this series and see where their relationship goes from here! The mystery portion of this book was also well done and left me guessing. I really don't have a single negative thing to say about this book as I enjoyed it so much!

Overall after finishing this book, I was absolutely thrilled to find that book two in this series will be releasing later this year! I just cannot wait to see what kind of trouble Kat finds herself in next! There is nothing better than not having to wait ages for the next book in a favorite series. And if the next book is as good as this one was, this series will definitely be added to my must read favorites list! I think that fans of mysteries and cozies alike will enjoy this book. If you've read and enjoyed Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen (which now saying that makes me want to get back to that series - or maybe reread book 1) then I really think that you will enjoy this book as well. They aren't the same by any means but have enough similarities that I think if you enjoyed one, you would definitely enjoy the other. I can easily recommend this book and now begins the wait for book two!

Bottom Line: A great beginning to this new mystery series! I can't get enough of these characters!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

Kat Holloway Mysteries Book One

Kat is thrown into a deadly mystery when her new assistant is murdered in the night. She seeks out the help of Daniel McAdam, a previous acquaintance who seems to be able to do anything he pleases. The two begin looking for her murderer, only to find a much deeper plot. During their investigation, Kat and Daniel have several moments of romantic interest. Kat cannot figure out who Daniel is, though, so she is wary of getting too involved.

If you're looking for a new Historical Mystery with hints of romance, this is the book for you!

As DEATH BELOW STAIRS opens, Mrs. Kat Holloway has just accepted the position of cook in the household of Lady Rankin. She meets the other staff members and appears to ease seamlessly into her new job. Any thoughts she may have had about a tranquil existence are quickly shattered, as her young assistant, Sinead, is found murdered the very next day. The volatile Lord Rankin threatens to sack her, and the household is in chaos. Onto the scene, comes Daniel McAdam, a mysterious man who has a history with Kat.

Daniel is a chameleon - he can take on the guise of a lowly servant, as well as a finely dressed gentleman. He is fond of Kat, and we learn through her recollections that they have shared a kiss or two, though she has been unable to get a straight answer from him as to who exactly he works for. He does advise Kat that there are suspicions about the new household she's working in, and he advises her to take caution as she may be in danger.

Kat is a no-nonsense type of woman, though she has a kind nature. She is abrupt with Daniel, but it's apparent she has a definite soft spot for him. Kat learned some bitter lessons from her deceased husband, and she's leery of romantic relationships. She has a young daughter, Grace, who lives with two good friends while Kat works to support her. Daniel also has a child, a son James, who appears to have inherited his father's cleverness and charm.

It's soon revealed that the murder of Sinead is only a small part of a much larger plot, one that ambitiously seeks to assassinate Queen Victoria. At this point, the reader has to just go with the flow of this entertaining story, and not expect that it resembles reality. It's very unlikely that a newly hired cook would have the latitude to leave her position in order to run out whenever the need arises, in order to meet Daniel or to take part in some aspect of investigating this treasonous plot. It's even more unlikely that she could take off for longer than a day, and have Daniel install a temporary cook in her place.

I very much enjoyed DEATH BELOW STAIRS, and its main characters. Daniel has the type of charm that is genuine, and he is obviously fond of Kat, and is a very capable man. Kat is cautious and good hearted, and a dedicated parent. While the romance takes a backseat to the mystery, it is definitely there at a slow simmer. The story is all told in first person, and Kat's point of view often includes an inordinate amount of information about food and its preparation. While Kat's thoughts fill in some of the puzzle pieces of her past with Daniel, I still felt that I should have more information. I later found out that there is a novella prequel to this story, titled A SOUPCON OF POISON, which I intend to read. The writing of DEATH BELOW STAIRS felt very different from the Jennifer Ashley historical romances, though equally as captivating. If you enjoy a well written and entertaining mystery with a touch of romance, I recommend DEATH BELOW STAIRS, but I strongly urge reading the prequel first.

Wonderful first book in a series (excluding the introductory ebook short A Soupçon of Poison) featuring Kat Halloway, a skilled domestic chef in Victorian London.

This book combines an accurate, vivid daily life background, realistic characterization, constant food description, cooking competence, class/status commentary, a strong heroine who knows her mind, a plot against Queen Victoria, and a murder below stairs.

Yes, it does have a lot, and it works very well. The pacing is mainly steady, at times a bit slow, and then exploding into movement. Their is a bit of romance between our heroine and a mysterious-yet-familiar hero, but that generally takes a back seat to both the demands of working in service in a grand house and the complications of the traitorous plot and in house murder.

In my mind, there were two unresolved issues, and a questionable inconsistency in characterization, but overall the book was really enjoyable, and Kat Halloway is a heroine that I could grow to love.

Death Below Stairs was written by Jennifer Ashley, and it is the first book in her new Below Stairs series of Victorian mysteries. Although this marks Ashley’s first foray into the mystery genre, she is best known for her books featuring the Mackenzie family, a series of Victorian historical romances. I have only read the first of her Mackenzie books- The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie- and it was absolutely amazing. Needless to say, as a fan of historical mysteries, I was very excited about the opportunity to read this book.

Kat Holloway is a young chef who begins a new position in the household of Lord Rankin. She immediately senses some irregularities, but she is caught off guard when Sinead, the girl she was hoping to train as her assistant, is found dead. While everyone is content to believe that the unfortunate girl was the victim of a burglar, Kat senses there is more to the story than that.

Luckily for Kat, she has a “friend” who might be able to help her with any investigating. Daniel McAdam seems like a simple deliveryman, but Kat knows that he is far more complex than he appears to be. Together, Kat and Daniel try to discover the truth behind Sinead’s death. They are joined in their efforts by Lady Rankin’s sister (who prefers to dress in men’s clothing) and Daniel’s friend. This unlikely quartet find themselves racing against the clock to stop any more people from dying at the hands of those who would wish for their secrets to remain secret.

I loved this book! Kat is a delightful protagonist. She is assertive and she is competent. She has suffered some setbacks in life, but has persevered and managed to make a life for herself. The mystery was satisfying, and there was a second layer to the resolution that I did not anticipate.

I would absolutely recommend Death Below Stairs to fans of historical mystery. Likewise, fans of historical romance might also enjoy branching out into a new genre. We have seen forays into the world “below stairs” before; most recently in Downton Abbey, but that formidable show split its storylines between Lord Grantham’s family and the lives of the servants running his household, Death Below Stairs focuses almost exclusively on the lives of the servants, and I found it quite fascinating to see Victorian London from Kat’s eyes. I am certainly looking forward to the next book in the Below Stairs series, and until then, I am going to have to work on catching up on the Mackenzies series!

I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Kat Holloway and Daniel McAdam meet again in this first full length novel. The cook and man of all trades. Kat needs something to focus on while deciding the fate of her daughter and when a maid is murdered in the new house she is working in, it's just the thing to do it. Add in an unusual piece of paper at the sight of the murder and Kat and Daniel are back n action.
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I really enjoyed this historical mystery. Kat’s work ethic, the secret she keeps and love for Daniel are all great ingredients in this mystery about a downstairs cook. I liked the way the crime was set up and the upstairs/downstairs feel of the book. I had a hard time putting this one down!

I obtained this book from Net Galley and have left an honest review.

Kat Holloway is employed as the head cook for Lord Rankin in London. She finds the family members to be a bit odd with Lord Rankin spending his time involved in secretive financial matters. His wife rarely leaves her bed and appears to be depressed. His eccentric unmarried sister in law also lives with them and enjoys dressing in men’s clothing. Kat accepts her employer's faults and continues to excel at her job. When she gets a day off, she travels to visit her young daughter. One day Kat’s assistant is found murdered at the estate. The reaction from her employers seems peculiar and Kat sets out to understand what really happened.

This book is a mystery filled with interesting characters and suspense. Scandal Above Stairs, book two in this series, is set to be released in July 2018.

Great Historical Mystery. Kat is a highly sought-after cook and takes a position with Lord Rankin. Kat does her best to ignore the family’s eccentricities but when a maid is murder she must find out who did it. She turns to Daniel, a friend for help. I do admit I found Daniel to be an interesting character. The story is fast paced with lots of drama and suspense. Daniel and Kat have great chemistry and though I don’t read mysteries very often, I found this one enjoyable. I liked it.

I really miss Downton Abbey. So when I saw the description of this book, I jumped right on it! I loved all the descriptions of the workings of Lord Rankin's household....the meals, the running of a large house, the different servants and the family members, and all the Victorian trappings. Add a murder mystery and treason to the mix, and it's a very suspenseful and fun romp.

The basics: Kat Holloway is hired as a cook in Lord Rankin's household. Things seem a bit strange, but she's so happy to have the position that she doesn't care. When her assistant is found murdered in the pantry, it's time to do some investigation and find out who killed the Irish kitchen maid. She gets help from a friend, Daniel McAdams -- who is much more than he appears to be.

I was a bit astounded that a cook in such a large house would have the time to run around investigating as much as Kat did.....but I'm happy to suspend reality for such a fun mystery!

I love the cover art for this book!

This is an awesome start to a new series! A second book, Scandal Above the Stairs, is coming out in June. I will definitely be reading more!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Berkley Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

An absorbing, vibrant mystery
5 stars

This book is the first book in the Kat Holloway Below Stairs Mystery series. The second book, Scandal Above Stairs, comes out in July 2018 although it’s not yet clear how long the series will continue after that.

I didn’t realise until I’d finished this book that it was actually the start of a series. (In fact, Kat Holloway first appeared in Ashley’s previous Soupçon of Poison - now noted as a prequel to the series.) This irked me for about 5 minutes - I was really hoping for a conclusion to the wonderful relationship between Kat and Daniel - and that shows just how wonderful this book was. I staunchly avoid books where the relationship doesn’t conclude within the pages of the first book - and if I don’t realise it until the end - I don’t go on to read the rest. The beauty with this book is that the relationship is simmers deliciously in the background while all the murder, mystery and adventure is going on. I really want to read more of Kat and Daniel - partly for the mystery and partly because I really, really, really want them to end up together!

Kat was the kind of character that I imagine is very hard to write - and get right for the reader. She’s a bit snarky, a bit standoffish and likes her life, and her kitchen, just so. And I bloody loved her. She felt so real and I could feel her emotions - especially when she was trying to keep herself at an emotional distant from Daniel. With varying degrees of success!

The book is written purely from Kat’s point of view and in first person. We get to see things as they develop and get to know how Kat is feeling and reacts to things - probably another reason there is such a connection with her. Because of this, Daniel is as mysterious to the reader as he is to Kat. I had plenty of theories as to his back story and occupation (all theories left unfulfilled) but Kat had them too. She was a smart cookie and I loved that she was a strong, independent woman when it probably wasn’t acceptable to be one. Still, I think I loved Daniel as much as Kat obviously did and I want to know so much more about him. As an aside, the book isn’t filled with sex - in fact, there are only a few kisses. But as someone who prefers a little steam in their stories, I promise you you do not miss it.

The mystery element of the story is interesting, constantly moving and contains lots of elements that fit together - not neatly like you might expect - but messily and more true to life than I expected. I didn’t guess the “answer” to the mystery/ies but then I’m happy to let the characters do all the sleuthing and guess work!

But hands-down, hand on heart, the best thing about this book is the storytelling. From the very first page I was pulled right into 1880s London and Kat’s world. The story was so rich, vibrant and absorbing - it felt so wonderful to be pulled into the world of a good story. I was actually in Kat’s kitchen (and other locations around London and the south) as if I was there and Kat was relating her story to me.

This book wasn’t what I expected but it took me by surprise in the best possible way. I’m really looking forward to the next in the series and recommend this book to you whether you’re a diehard mystery fan or, like me, you are a romance reader looking for something a little different but just as captivating. A wonderful book - 5 stars.

Death Below Stairs was recommended by Wendy, and when I realized that Jennifer Ashley also writes as Ashley Gardner (the author of the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries, which I've enjoyed), I was in. Death Below Stairs is the first in a new series and is a bit cozier than the Captain Lacey series, but it was fun. The first book sets up characters and situations, and I expect the next installment to be even better.

Kat Holloway is a cook, and with the help of Mrs. Beeton (kind of like the Victorian Martha Stewart), Kat manages delicious meals and a tight kitchen. It was funny to see her recipes and kitchen techniques taken straight from Mrs. Beeton's Everyday Cookery and Housekeeping Book, while dealing with a murder and a plot against the Crown.

A Soupcon of Poison is a prequel novella that gives some background on the main characters. I may get around to it later, but simply for curiosity because Death Below Stairs doesn't actually depend on it and works well enough on its own. The beginning was a little slow, but once I felt comfortable with the characters and the action picked up, I enjoyed the ride. I look forward to seeing Kat, Daniel, Lady Cynthia, and Elgin Thanos.

NetGalley/Berkley Publishing Group

Historical Mystery. Jan. 2, 2018. Print length: 313 pages.

While I enjoyed the story for the most part, it was missing a "special ingredient" that would have made it a real standout mystery. The two main characters, Kat and Daniel didn't really have that much in the way of "on page" chemistry and as a result the story was flat and one dimensional.

This Victorian murder mystery featuring Mrs. Katherine Holloway had me glued to my chair until I finished the novel. I love this era and if you are a fan of “Upstairs, Downstairs” or “Downtown Abby” as I am, you’ll be hooked as well. Kat who is one of London's premier cooks has just started her new post on Mount Street for Lord and Lady Rankin. She’s already questioning her judgment in taking this post on her first day of work due to a few oddities that rub her the wrong way. Could it get even odder? Yes, it does the following morning when she goes downstairs to her kitchen to start the morning tea she finds the body of a young woman in her pantry.
One thing for sure Kat's not going to let this murder go unsolved. She enlists the help of her friend, Daniel McAdams who she had met at her last post. Mr. McAdam’s is a mystery all to himself, she’s not sure what to think of him, one minute he’s dressed as a Lord himself then the next he’s a lowly stable hand. He’s proven to be a good friend and ally to Kat, even though he keeps her off guard. I can’t wait to see where their relationship goes.
Lady Rankin’s older sister, the eccentric but fun Lady Cynthia even offers her services to help solve this mystery. They find themselves involved in something more sinister than any of them could ever imagine.
This mystery has several plots going so there isn’t a dull moment, like the relationship between Kat and Daniel, plus something is brewing besides tea in the household of the Rankins.
I wasn't aware that there was a novella "A Soupcon of Poison" which if I had read it first I would have understood the ties between the main character’s better. But it’s not necessary because it’s still good as a stand-alone. I purchased the novella and enjoyed it as well. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment to this series “Scandal Above the Stairs” which is to be released sometime in June.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. My Opinion and ratings are my own.

In this Victorian era mystery, young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in Lord Rankin's household and soon becomes involved in the murder investigation of a young maid. There isn't a simple solution to the murder nor a clear explanation for the presence of Daniel McAdams in the household, but Mrs. Holloway takes all of the disruptions in stride, while maintaining order below stairs.

I was reminded of the staff of Downton Abbey while reading this story, even though this story takes place earlier in history. The differences in class were not so different, despite the years involved. I really liked the fearless and brave manner that Kat adopted regardless of the danger involved to her or to someone that she cared for. I am looking forward to more adventures for Kat and Daniel.

Many thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

3.5 Stars. I believe this is the first historical mystery I’ve read and I enjoyed it. This is the first in the Kat Holloway series. She works as a cook and gets involved when her apprentice is murdered in the home. Helping her is the mysterious Daniel and his son James.

What I liked - 4 stars for the mystery itself. Lots of twists and turns and great action. Several layers to this whodunit and it is very well written.

What I didn’t like - 3 stars for the main characters themselves. Kat and Daniel have a lot of secrets. Lots of things implied and referred to, but never fully explained. For me, that made it hard to get invested in the characters. My wish would be to know the back story and understand why they are the way they are and see how it effects them as they work together to solve mysteries. This is Book one, but sometimes I felt like I had missed something when reading.

Overall, it was enjoyable and I look forward to the next.

I received a review copy as part of the Regency Review Crew.

Go into this knowing it isn’t a romance. It is strictly a murder mystery though she does start the very slow development of a possible romance between Kat and Daniel. If you go into it not expecting what you typically get with a Jennifer Ashley book, you won’t be disappointed. I was expecting her typical passionate story but there is no romance at all. A few stolen kisses and looks, but nothing else, so it left me disappointed. Now, will I read more, yes because I want Kat and Daniel to get together and I want to know who Daniel really is but I don’t know how long I will be willing to wait. The story was slow, sometimes so slow it was hard to stick with. It did develop the plot and conflict but it was just slower than I wanted. Daniel was a great character, he is the one that kept me interested. I wanted to know more about him and whether he likes Kat or not.