4.5*

I received an eARC at no cost from the author.

Although I already knew (and loved) Jennifer Ashely as a historical romance writer, I had never read a mystery book from her, so this was my first attempt.

Our main character, Kat, is a cook with a lovely young daughter and a past. She goes to work in a house where a young girl (a scullery maid) dies. And so she decides to get Daniel’s help – he’s someone she knows from her past, but that neither she nor us know much about. And that doesn’t really change throughout the book. It might be the only thing I would like to change – I would have liked to have known just a little bit more about Daniel and his son James, but I’m guessing Jennifer Ashley will start lifting the veil a bit more in the next book.

It was full of mystery and I usually find out right away who killed whom, but in this book I was kept on the edge of my chair trying to find out who planned to kill the scullery maid. In the end, it made perfect sense, and I really enjoyed finding out what was happening alongside with Kat and Daniel.

It was a very pleasurable read, with a small touch of romance between our main characters. I can’t wait to see what happens next to our Kat, and if she and Daniel upgrade their romance status (I’m sure they will!!).

Death Below Stairs (Kat Holloway Mysteries #1) by Jennifer Ashley
Berkley Books, 2018
Crime Fiction/Historical; 336 pgs
Source: I received an e-copy from the Publisher for an honest review via NetGalley

You know how sometimes you know you will just love a book even before you start it? It was that way for me with Jennifer Ashley’s Death Below Stairs, the first in the Kat Holloway series. Fortunately, it did not disappoint. I loved Kat Holloway right from the start, a young cook, who takes her job very seriously. She is assigned to a new household and hopes to stay for a while. Only a master who doesn’t respect boundaries and the murder of her assistant cook, have her doubting that will happen. There was so much to like about this Victorian mystery: mystery and intrigue, a budding romance, and interesting characters. The more I got to know Kat, who is mysterious in her own way, keeping her secrets close to her vest, the more I liked and respected her. And I adored Daniel McAdam, the man who seemed to be able to do just about anything. He is the biggest mystery of all—a man of all trades, able to play the role of working class or gentleman. Even Kat, who he seems to fancy, doesn’t know what to make of him. Somehow she trusts him though, despite her reservations. It is he she turns to when she discovers the murder victim in the food pantry, and it is he she leans on when she needs the support of a friend.

Another character I quite liked was Lady Cynthia, the sister-in-law of the master of the house. She is unconventional in every way, preferring to wear trousers over dresses, and sneaking into men’s clubs with her friends. She proves to be more than just a rebellious socialite.

I was expecting a straightforward historical murder mystery, but I got so much more. Who exactly killed Sinead, no one knows, but there are plenty of theories. Did it have something to do with the recent terrorist attacks in the country or was it a case of blackmail gone wrong? Kat figures she is in the best position to find out along with Daniel’s help. The novel ended up going in a direction I hadn’t expected—and which could have thrown the book off the rails—but it didn’t. I loved it all.

It almost felt like there was an entire novel before this one, given the history between Kat and Daniel. Kat has quite the backstory, and I was just as intrigued with that as I was with the main story line. Both Kat and Daniel are single parents, and I was touched by their stories and their relationships with their children. I understand there is a short story in which the author, Jennifer Ashley, first introduced Kat. I am eager to get my hands on it. I look forward to reading more in this series to see what Kat and Daniel get up to next.​

I had a strong connection to this story from the start. It had a classic murder mystery feel but based in a "Downtown Abbey" flair. The pace was quick and engaging but then it stalled. Pushing on, I'm happy to say that it came back once again strong, providing a white-knuckle reading straight through the conclusion.

I received this ARC copy of Death Below Stairs from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Death Below Stairs is set for publication Jan. 2, 2018.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Jennifer Ashley
Series: A Below Stairs Mystery (Book 1)
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
ISBN-10: 0399585516
ISBN-13: 978-0399585517
Genre: Historical Mystery

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Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
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Death Below Stairs is the first book in the Kat Holloway Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley.

Kat Holloway begins a new position as cook in a Mayfair Mansion. Even before her first full day can begin she finds one of the kitchen staff, Sinead, murdered in the larder. She is determined to help discover who the murderer is and asks her friend Daniel MacAdam to help her. What looks like a murder by a burglar who was caught in the act, is very much more than that.

This story had a little bit of a slow start, but once it got going I was absolutely enthralled in it. Who would have thought that the death of a kitchen hand could be linked to an act of terrorism! I loved watching the mystery unfold, and was fascinated by the twists and turns. I never knew what was going to happen next. There was so much danger, so much suspense, and the slightest amount of romance, put that together with some fabulous characters including Lady Cynthia who insists on wearing men's clothing, and you have a really great book. The only thing that I didn't like was the amount of the book taken up with Kat telling us what food she cooked for the upstairs, and the downstairs of the mansion. It's not that the information wasn't interesting, but it slowed the story down when I wanted it to move on to the good stuff. I was tempted to just skim past those passages which to me is never a good thing in a book. The plot of the book and the climax more than made up for those slow parts though. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

My Highly Caffeinated Thought: A quick-witted and character rich story that seamlessly combines the elements of a cozy mystery with historical fiction.

DEATH BELOW THE STAIRS is the first in a series that I hope will have many more to come. Being a fan of both cozy mysteries and historical fiction, this book checked off all the boxes for a perfect read for me. From page one, I was instantly draw into Kat’s world and all the pomp and circumstance of Victorian England. There is something so great about an author who can take a historic setting and through a well crafted story, make it seem modern and fresh.

I enjoyed the way Jennifer Ashley effortlessly pulled together the death of the kitchen maid, the intrigue of a much larger plot, and the variety of characters complete with eccentricities and past histories. However, it was the characters that drove this book home for me. With each new person I met within these pages, I was pleasantly surprised by the range of personalities, inclinations, and rich histories behind the characters. It is true that some secrets are still held and hopefully will come out in subsequent books, but what I know about Kat and those she has encountered is that I want to know more.

In truth, there was little I didn’t like about the book. I guess the fact that it ended and I wanted more is my biggest complaint at this point. If you are a fan of The Lady Sherlock Series by Sherry Thomas, you will definitely want to one click this book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. Death Below Stairs is the first book in Jennifer Ashley’s Kat Holloway Mysteries series. There is a prequel novella called A Soupçon of Poison that introduces some of the main characters in this book that can be purchased either as a stand-alone or in a collection of Jennifer Ashley’s mysteries called Murder Most Historical. I have it in my TBR pile and as quite often happens with review books will be reading it backwards. Kat Holloway is a cook in a Victorian Mayfair household who discovers the body of her young assistant bludgeoned to death in the larder. Investigating the murder leads to more mysteries including the reappearance of Daniel McAdam and his son James. I found the story fascinating enough that I missed my bus stop and had quite a hike back home. The characters are well written and complex and I look forward to reading the next book in the series Scandal Above Stairs that will be published in July of 2018. Death Below Stairs was published on January 2 2018. #DeathBelowStairs #NetGalley

This book did not live up to my expectation. I felt like there was back story I was missing on some of the characters and the story itself just didn't grab me or hold my attention.

It's 1881 London and cook Kat Holloway has taken up a new position in the household of Lord Rankin. But on her second day of employment she discovers a body in her pantry. She involves old friend Daniel McAdam, but the death is only the beginning of the mystery.
I enjoyed this well-written story, and liked the characters and their interplay. I hope to read more about them in the next book.
I would recommend reading the prequel novella to get some background on the characters.

On Goodreads I rated this book 3 stars because, like I said, it’s very much a meh book. I didn’t hate it, didn’t love it, just had no real feelings about it. However, if I’m rating based on whether I would recommend it to someone, I’d have to say no. If someone asks me about this, I’d probably tell them to pass. I feel like there are other books of similar genre that are much more interesting. The concept is fun, but it just didn’t do anything for me. Maybe I’ll give the second book a chance, maybe not. But if I do, I hope that the book can pick up the pace a little bit.

For full review, visit https://www.booksbeautyandbuys.com/blog/2018/1/8/death-below-stairs

Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley is the first installment in A Below Stairs Mystery series (also called Kat Holloway Mysteries). Mrs. Kat Holloway is twenty-nine years old and a cook in London (1881). She has just obtained a position at Lord and Lady Rankin’s home in Mayfair. Kat comes down to work the next morning to discover her assistant dead in the larder. Kat sends for the mysterious Daniel McAdam to assist her in uncovering what happened to the poor girl. The eccentric Lady Cynthia (Lady Rankin’s sister) joins them on their quest to discover what happened. It seems that Kat’s assistant had gotten herself involved with the wrong people. What had the young woman come across that got her murdered?

Death Below Stairs had my attention for the first couple of chapters, but then it became tedious (I wish the whole book had been like the beginning). The author is overly descriptive. Every little detail is provided. It does create a rich environment (reminds me of the show Upstairs Downstairs). Readers are given detailed accounts of clothing, how Kat sharpened her knives (more than once), how Kat prepares each dish, description of rooms, people, buildings, etc. The pace was glacial, and the book did not hold my attention. The murder mystery was interesting, but it was not the main focus of the book. The mystery took them into the world of the Fenians. I found some parts of this section to be implausible. I believe many people will be surprised by the killer’s identity. I was curious how Kat was able to run around looking for a killer. Most cooks are busy from the moment they enter the kitchen in the morning until late at night. Kat, who just started her position, manages to run around London and then take several days off in the pursuit of answers. It was also odd that she never consulted the lady of the house regarding meals. Most cooks met once a week with their employer to discuss the meals for the upcoming week (food had to be ordered by the housekeeper). Kat is an interesting character. She has a secret that could ruin her and her career. Daniel McAdam is an enigma. We are given scant details on him. After I began Death Below Stairs, I felt I was missing something. It did not feel like the first book in the series. After a little research, I found that there is a prequel titled A Soupcon of Poison. Events from the prequel are alluded to in Death Below Stairs. Death Below Stairs felt more like a romance novel (at times) than a mystery. Kat and Daniel are attracted to each other. We get to hear how attractive Daniel is and how his kisses make her “lips tingle” (many, many times). The author tried to put too much into this one book. I wish she had stuck with the murder mystery and excluded the plot to eliminate Queen Victoria and the Fenians.

Death Below Stairs is the first full entry in Jennifer Ashley’s Kat Halloway series, following A Soupçon of Poison (Kat Holloway Mysteries, #0.5). Mrs. Halloway is a talented cook, highly sought-after for her culinary expertise. Cooks held a special status in the hierarchy of Victorian households. They operated independently, working in concert with the butler and housekeeper but answering only to their mistress. As a mark of respect, all cooks went by the courtesy title of Missus, be they married or not. Their undisputed queen, particularly below-stairs, was Mrs. Isabella Mary Beeton (1836-1865). Her famous cookery book was “a household guide all about cookery, household work, marketing, prices, provisions, trussing, serving, carving, menus,” to name just a few subjects.

Kat’s independence and intelligence combine to make her a keen observer of life above and below stairs in the Lord Rankin’s Mayfair mansion. It’s an “odd household”; Lord Rankin is an earl heavily immersed in financial matters, his titled wife affects die-away airs, and his sister-in-law chooses to dress as a man and indulge in a bohemian lifestyle.

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.

It is Kat who discovers Sinead’s body in the larder, early in the morning, before anyone is awake. Kat’s task each morning is to put a bowl of dough out on the kitchen table for a final rise before preparing the bread for the household. Kat is furious at the man who killed her, for she believes only a man could have made the young assistant’s face so “bruised and bloodied.” The young cook knows she’ll need help to discover Sinead’s murderer.

There was one person I wanted to have come and look at this crime, who would know what to do better than most. The trouble was, finding the bloody man would be a daunting task.

Kat refers to “the ever-capable Daniel McAdam, who is certainly much more than the charming delivery man he pretends to be.” But even during tragedy, the show must go on and meals must be prepared, lest the staff be sacked. Kat certainly rises to the occasion.

At last the meal was ready to go up, the cream of carrot soup resting in its tureen; the fish pale in its butter sauce; the beef proudly browned and crackling with heat, its sauce of wine, demi-glace, and shallots poured around its base; the potatoes crisp; the greens resting in a bowl with a light sprinkling of a wine and lemon sauce; the lemon tart to be set on the sideboard for after.

It is noteworthy that Kat’s skill and precision as a cook and the original techniques she employs are put at the service of Daniel McAdam as he turns to sleuthing for, “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.” The tip-off to the plot to assassinate the Queen was the discovery of a ripped piece of paper. Like all good cooks, Kat can read, something she learned at grammar school and later from the “first cook who’d apprenticed” her. How else could she understand, “the nuances of recipes or read them out correctly?” The paper had letters and numbers but no words. Eventually, the couple determines the paper is a copy of a train schedule. Why a train schedule? What could it mean, Kat wonders?

“Am I correct?” I asked Daniel. “These are times for trains passing through stations? That Fenians are marking as potential for dynamiting?”

“Possibly.” Daniel glanced up at me, his interest and worry evident. “Or that someone simply wishes to take to reach a destination. The trouble is, there’s no way to tell what these times mean—which stations?”

And the race is on to discover where and when the assassination attempt is to be made. What a likable couple our sleuths Kat Holloway and Daniel McAdam make—after you’ve enjoyed Death Below Stairs, make room on your reading calendar for Scandal Above Stairs, coming in July 2018.

Highly sought-after young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in a Mayfair mansion of Lord & Lady Rankin and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household. 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, Sinead is murdered.
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 Cynthia 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.
A well written page turning book that had twists & turns throughout it & the murderer was a surprise to me. The characters were well developed, Kat & Daniel are very likeable as are the secondary characters. The pace of the story was very good & kept me engrossed & I look forward to more stories about the crime solving duo & ultimately finding out who exactly Daniel is. I particularly liked the way the author drip fed information about Kat & Daniel that only my interest grow. Definitely a keeper & one to reread

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I liked this story from the beginning. I really like the characters. Daniel is an enigma and Kat is a very strong person. You have women who dress in trousers and some interesting servants. When Kat's assistant is murdered, she didn't stop trying to find out what happened to her. Along the way Kat and Daniel uncover a plot to kill the Queen. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to hearing more from Kat and Daniel.

First Sentence: I had not been long at my post in Mount Street, Mayfair, when my employer’s sister came to some calamity.

Cook Kat Holloway has a new position in the home of Lord Rankin. He’s not a man you’d trust with the young maids, but would he really have killed a young Irish kitchen maid? With the help of Daniel McAdam, who is far more than he appears to be, and his son James, a plot is uncovered that extends far beyond the household.

Ashley creates a very strong sense of place, down to things as basic as a description of –“London was always a town on the move. Mud flew as carriage wheels and horses churned it up, droplets becoming dark rain to meld with the fog.”—and the layout of the house.

One cannot have a protagonist who is a cook without many mentions of food and tempting-sounding meals—“…the cream of carrot soup…, the fish pale in its butter sauce, the beef proudly browned and crackling with heat, its sauce of wine, demi-glace, and shallots poured around its base, the potatoes crisp…” These descriptions represent more than the food itself. The quality of the cook represented the wealth of the family, the prestige of the cook, and the work involved in buying for, and preparing such meals.

Kat is an excellent character. She knows her worth and doesn’t stand for any nonsense. She has a life outside the kitchen but keeps that life very much to herself. There is a strength and intelligence to her which would have been important for her role during the period. Kat exemplifies so many women, both then and today, who deal with life’s disappointments and tragedies yet take care of others and their own daily tasks.

Using a first-person POV is cleverly done and demonstrates the quality of Ashley’s voice. Our protagonist is well aware that she is telling the story, but it again clarifies who she is—“I’d read nonsensical tales in popular magazines in which maids, when stumbling upon an inert member of mankind, dropped entire trays full of the household’s best porcelain. I’d always consider the maids in these stories to be fools—a dead body is no reason to destroy so much crockery.”
Ashley’s observations are fascinating and make one think. Her pragmatism makes her the type of person one should like to know.

Daniel is a character who adds just the right element to the plot. He has the connections, physical strength, and ability to move about the city in ways Kat does not. And a bit of romance never hurts, either.

“Death Below Stairs” has a plot that is a bit convoluted and feels as though it takes a back seat to Kat's activities in the kitchen. However, it truly is the characters who are the book’s strength, as well as a look at life below stairs, but there’s enough suspense to make this a very worthwhile read.

DEATH BELOW STAIRS (Hist Mys-Kat Holloway-London-1881/Victorian) - Good
Ashley, Jennifer – 2nd in series
Berkeley, Jan 2018

She's a cook, a good cook. When she goes to a new house, she knows she'll have to see who the other servants are and how they act. But she didn't expect to land in a hotbed of illegal activity...

Berkley and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It is being published today so you can grab a copy now.

This is a Victorian read with servants below and the family above. The first odd note is that the older sister (who is a spinster) wears men's clothing. She hates being confined by a dress and she likes to pop into men's pubs and the like and pretend she's male. Kat is not sure what to think of her.

The man of the house is out most of the day but expects dinner to be ready upon his return. His wife stays in bed. The servants are varied. Some are nice, some are greedy, and some have been there for years. Her cooking assistant is pleasant enough and when she finds the master of the house likes to take advantage of her, she takes his tea up instead. She's astonished to find an old friend up there with him but she says nothing. That evening, her cooking assistant is killed...

I enjoyed the story as a whole. Kat is smart and she begins investigating. Her friend is also investigating, so they work together. Daniel is a mystery. He can act like he's a member of the Ton or he can be a common street laborer. He won't tell her who he works for. But they are beginning to care for each other and that was the best part of this book.

When the murder leads to a plot to kill the Queen, the tension and danger both ratchet up. It's not until the end that you find out just how big the plot was and how many people were involved.

I'd read another book in this series. Ms. Ashley has a fresh look at the past with honest emotion. I want to see how this romance turns out and how many more cases Kat and Daniel solve.

Is it possible to give a book seven stars out of five? I would give Jennifer Ashley’s DEATH BELOW STAIRS seven stars out of five, if I could. So let’s say that I have. Good? Good. Now let me tell you why…

I think I’d read six percent (I’d happily received an eBook ARC) when I liked it enough to peek at it on Goodreads. Let me tell you, I was thrilled (thrilled!) to see there will be a sequel this summer. That’s a lot of investment from me that early on in a book, but you do what a book tells you to do. And this book made me want more of this world, of these characters, of Jennifer Ashley’s writing, and of the things that happened here.

DEATH BELOW STAIRS drops immediately into 1881 London (a definite hook for the historical fiction addict that I am) and I found myself meeting Mrs. Holloway as she starts a new job as a cook in one of the fancy Victorian houses that so much historical fiction likes to focus on. Mrs. Holloway, who is only about thirty years old and uses the idea of missus with some liberty, finds herself employed by Lord and Lady Rankin. They are minor characters in the story, hardly ever part of the action, but they are compelling. As are Mrs. Bowen and Mr. Davis, the housekeeper and butler of the Rankin house. The cast is rounded out by Sinead - a kitchen maid, James - a boy at home in the streets, Lady Cynthia - the unmarried sister of Lady Rankin, and Daniel McAdam - the mysterious man and father to James, who shares some history with Mrs. Holloway.

I adore them all. Absolutely adore them. They are, all of them, interesting and complex and fun.

It’s obvious that Daniel, who exists as easily as a wealthy man-about-town as he does a day laborer who hires himself out for menial chores and sleeps above stables, has something like love for Kat. (Kat is Mrs. Holloway, though only Daniel calls her that… and never in front of anyone else.) He might not be willing to admit it, but it’s there. And his hesitancy makes it all the more perfect.

I never watched Downton Abbey and my other experience with Upstairs-Downstairs dynamics in fiction is limited. But this? This murder mystery spin on that is something that works incredibly well.

I never guessed who might have killed the victim, why anyone might have killed the victim, or even how the murder would be solved. Even a murder in the Rankin house took on a whole different look under the wider scope of the Fenians, Queen Victoria, and openness and equality in Victorian England.

It’s Lady Cynthia who fascinates me, as much as I do the not-yet-couple that is Kat and Daniel, because it is Lady Cynthia who really bridges both worlds best. She can do it, she has to do it, because she doesn’t fit in either world. Not as she like to be accepted. (I may have cheered aloud when Mr. Thanos declared her beautiful and fascinating… and they may be one of the best reasons to read the sequel.)

I didn’t expect such breathless and yet balanced suspense and drama and action from this book. Maybe because I expect the Victorians to be stuffy and dull or maybe because I expected it to have more romance. I am very happy to have been proven wrong and I am sorry (and also not sorry, because how else would I be so surprised?) for it.

The story ends with sadness, which is essentially how it began, but it seems as though the message is that sadness gives way to a chance at hope and happiness. It’s awfully poetic and nice. And though there is a sequel to be released this summer, the main plot lines of this story are fully wrapped up. There is no cliffhanger and this book could stand alone easily (and I’m tempted to skip the sequel and let it, because I’m afraid nothing can be this good!).

I read it too fast and it was over too soon but I love this book. It comes out January 2, 2018 and I’m going to buy it. I hope you will too!

(I received a copy of DEATH BELOW STAIRS through NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest and original review. All thoughts are my own & my review is cross-posted on NetGalley, Goodreads, and my blog.)

Murder in a Victorian Mansion

Kate Holloway, only 30 years-old is a sought after cook. She’s just starting a new job in a Mayfair mansion. The household has it’s share of eccentrics. They all seem harmless, but Kate finds her employer, Lord Rankin, difficult to like.

Things are going well until Kate discovers the body of her assistant cook, a young Irish girl, in the larder. With the Finians active in Victorian England, it’s a question of whether they’re involved in the murder. Kate is a sensible young woman, but she can’t resist trying to find the solution to the crime. Assisted by Daniel McAdam, a delivery man who is more than he seems, she sets out to find the truth.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, this is well done. Kate is a likable character. She talks to you in the first person as though you were an old friend. Daniel is mysterious, but a strong male lead. Kate can’t help but be attracted to him, however being an independent spirit, the romance it tempered.

I loved the setting. The author does an excellent job describing the mansion and its occupants. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the food Kate prepares. However, the plot was rather difficult to get involved in. Kate seems to spend an inordinate time out of the kitchen which didn’t seem realistic given the complexity of Victorian meals. I also found the outcome easy to guess, although the solution to the mystery is presented in a twist at the end.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Murder, secrets, and seedcake all come together to form one highly entertaining mystery in Death Below Stairs. Jennifer Ashley’s first Kat Holloway novel is a delight, thanks in large part to the wonderful cast of characters.

Kat Holloway is a talented cook and I loved seeing how a Victorian-era household chef works. Yet while that’s interesting in its own right, that’s not what endeared her to me. Kat is smart, no-nonsense, and stands up for what is right, even when it might get her in trouble. She’s a clever sleuth, and when her assistant is murdered in the middle of the night, she becomes determined to find out who killed the girl and why. But a cook – no matter how quick – cannot solve crime alone, which is why she needs the help of Daniel McAdam. Daniel is a mysterious figure who puts on and sheds personas at the drop of a hat. He seems to be able to find anything at any time and I’m desperate to know more about him. What I do know so far, I absolutely adore. Even though this isn’t a romance (though it does have romantic elements), I still have to say that Daniel is a pretty swoon-worthy hero. His charm radiates off the page and the way he interacts with Kat makes me sigh more often than not. The two of them have seriously fantastic chemistry that I’m hoping will continue to develop over the course of the series.

Daniel and Kat are at the heart of Death Below Stairs, but they’re not the only interesting characters. Daniel’s son James is as charming as his father and Kat’s daughter Grace is as sweet as can be. Lord Rankin’s household staff are a bunch of colorful characters that add life and depth to the story. Every single supporting character in this book is well-drawn and adds to the tale. But though the characters are what stood out most to me in Death Below Stairs, that doesn’t mean the mystery is lacking. A not-so-simple case of murder leads to clues about a Fenian plot, one with dire implications that leads to an exciting race against the clock. Ms. Ashley seamlessly blends historical details in with fiction and the result is a marvelous mystery that’s filled with action.

Death Below Stairs is the first full-length Kat Holloway novel and readers can easily dive right in here. However, there is a prequel novella, A Soupçon of Poison, that I highly recommend reading first. It gave me a better sense going into the novel of Kat’s character, background, professional situation, and her relationships with Daniel, James, and Grace.

Death Below Stairs is an engaging murder mystery overall. Jennifer Ashley’s writing always draws me in and this story is no exception. And while I finished this book a well-satisfied reader, I cannot wait to see what Kat and Daniel take on next in Scandal Above Stairs!

Stevie‘s review of Death Below Stairs (A Below Stairs Mystery, Book 1) by Jennifer Ashley
Historical Mystery published by Berkley 02 Jan 18

I keep telling myself that I need to read more of Jennifer Ashley’s historical novels, and this first book in her new series looked like an ideal starting point. There is a prequel novella out there, as I realised after I picked up the novel, but reading that isn’t necessary to follow the happenings in this story. Set in late-Victorian London, the novel follows a cook, Kat Holloway, as she takes up a new position in a Baron’s household, only to find that her new employers and their staff are hiding any number of secrets which put not only themselves but also Kat and her friends at risk from a number of nefarious characters.


The first major indication to Kat that this is a rather unusual household, although she already has her suspicions, is when she meets her employer’s sister – dressed up as a well-to-do man about town. Apparently this is normal practice for Lady Cynthia; although her brother-in-law disapproves, her sister seems to regard the behaviour as a charming eccentricity. The situation becomes more complicated, when Lady Cynthia runs down a workman in her carriage. He is brought into the house to recuperate overnight, but the next morning, he has vanished, and Kat’s young assistant is found lying dead in the pantry.

Having encountered her good friend, and man of mystery, Daniel McAdam, speaking with the man of the house, Kat turns to him for help in discovering why her assistant has been killed – it seems unlikely, given the circumstances, that the girl simply disturbed a casual intruder, intent on stealing the family silver – and soon the pair of them, along with Lady Cynthia and Daniel’s teenage son, are deeply embroiled in trying to prevent a Fenian plot, armed only with a scrap of paper found near where the dead girl was lying. Whether the girl’s death is directly linked to the plot or not, however, is another matter entirely…

I utterly adored this book. It was full of details and explanations of life below stairs, and particularly the duties and tasks of a cook, in an aristocratic townhouse. Kat’s narrative voice was such that none of the details felt like we were being bombarded with information; she simply went about her day describing everything in detail as if keeping track of what she had done in order to write up these experiences in her notebook later: cooks and housekeepers are well known for having recorded their work in order to ensure that the house and kitchens run at utmost efficiency. We also learned much of Kat’s backstory through little asides made as she observed the other members of the household and through her interactions with Daniel – with whom she has a particularly complex relationship – and with her other friends. Kat makes a fine amateur sleuth, and I’m planning on reading the prequel very soon, while waiting to get my hands on the next novel in the series. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys mysteries, or the history of food and cookery.

Grade: A

4,5 STARS

Jennifer Ashley is one of my favorite HR authors and The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie is one of my top three all time favorites. Under her pen name Ashley Gardner she writes a similar series like this one, Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries.

Heads up right away: this isn't romance although it does have romantic elements and I'm pretty confident that those will become more significant in later installments. It is a historical mystery, set in the late 19th century.

In DEATH BELOW STAIRS we are introduced to the main protagonists, Kat Holloway, a cook, starting her new employ and the mysterious Daniel McAdam. If you want to know how they meet try Ms. Ashley's novella A Soupçon of Poison that starts off the series. It's also a nice way to become acquainted with her writing style.

The political atmosphere is tense in the Victorian age, Fenians are up to no good and one of their devious plans is to kill the queen. The author catches the mood quite well - it's obvious that she has done her research!

Kat is a very likable heroine, with a clever head on her shoulders, a no-nonsense attitude, keeping Daniel a bit at arm's length, because the man has so many different faces and plays so many roles that she doesn't know who the real Daniel is. What she is keenly aware of though is that he is a good man. She can't deny their attraction although she keeps trying but you know, you KNOW it's all just bluster.


***What I do know, Daniel, is what you are. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a gent in a posh suit who can purchase first-class railway tickets on the spur of the moment, or a deliveryman who talks like a South London villain. I’ve seen you.”***

I can't remember a single hero in Ms. Ashley's book that I didn't adore and Daniel is no exception. He doesn't hide his affection for Kat, there is no doubt that he is hers but it's just not the right time. Daniel is entirely endearing, protective of Kat and his son and always looking out for them. He is charming, a little sweet-talker but I'm sure that there is a darker side to him. Uncovering his secrets will be interesting and I can't wait to meet the real Daniel McAdam.

***He was studying me with a look I’d caught on my own face during a visit to someone I was deeply fond of. There was caring in that look, and worry, and gentle wonder.***


The mystery is well executed and to unravel it Kat and Daniel are supported by two phenomenal sidekicks: a trousers-wearing lady and a mathematical genius, both of them wonderful in their own way. One more unusual thing is that the main characters are working class, or at least Kat is. Daniel the chameleon feels comfortable in any role he chooses.

“I believe I adore you, Kat.”

Admittedly, the story starts out a bit slow but I think it's because introduction needs to be made and the plot has to be set up. It's in no way frustratingly slow though and it picks up soon enough. Yes, there are a lot of details you have to work through, I never felt that it was overwhelming though.

Death Below Stairs is a gem and knowing Jennifer Ashley this series will only get better with each installment. I am looking forward to discovering more about Kat and Daniel. If you are a fan of Downton Abbey mixed with a classic whodunit mystery pick this up!