Jen Mullen's review Jun 08, 2018 · edit
really liked it

Wendy introduced me to this series a while back, and I read and enjoyed Death Below Stairs. When NetGalley offered Scandal Above Stairs, I wanted to find out what Kat Holloway and Daniel and all of the characters introduced in the first book had been up to!

I suppose both books can be classified as Victorian cozy mysteries. The characters are an interesting mixture of above and below stairs, although the main character Kat Holloway is definitely below stairs as she is the cook in a prominent household.

Daniel...well, Daniel McAdam is a bit of a mystery. We know he comes from a rough background, but he has the ability to transform himself and be accepted in almost any role, from handyman to gentleman.

I liked that Cynthia and Mr. Thanos (above stairs) get to play a role in solving the mystery in this one and wouldn't mind these two graduating into even larger roles.

Tess is a new addition, and her character also shows promise of evolving.

When I read Death Below Stairs, I didn't initially realize that Jennifer Ashley and Ashley Gardner were the same person. I've read and enjoyed Ashley Gardner's Captain Lacy series set in Regency London. Both historical mystery series develop interesting characters, are well-researched, and are entertaining. :)

Read in May; blog review scheduled for June 20.

NetGalley/Berkley Publ.
Historical Mystery. July 3, 2018. Print length: 320 pages.

I love this series and hope it goes on for a good long time. Mrs. Holloway comes to the rescue again with her tender heart and pragmatic approach to people and the job at hand. This time around Kat has to deal with a frustrated detective, an art theft ring, a rash new assistant, and a last minute dinner party.

I love how Kat's work as a cook is integral to the book, with descriptions of menus and shopping, as well as her duty to train her help. The pride and satisfaction she takes in doing her job and doing it well is equally satisfying to read and reminds me of the satisfaction and pride I take in my own work. It's also a pleasure to read a historical novel written from a different point of view. Kat is not a middle class housewife, a poor downtrodden soul, a debutante, or an aristocrat. Fun!

Full review to be published online in early July.

Jennifer Ashley’s SCANDAL ABOVE STAIRS is another intriguing mystery taking place in London in the year 1880. The intrepid Kat Holloway has taken another job as head cook for a Gentry family in their city townhouse. As usual she finds a bit of mystery to solve; and as always, her special friend Daniel McAdams is smack in the middle of her investigation. Although I found this story a bit in the languid side, I enjoyed the mystery and the flair of the setting...as well as learning the preparation and recipes going into the dishes for the ‘upstairs’. There are also some enjoyable secondary characters, who look to be around for a bit in future books.

Oh, and a few more layers were also peeled back in the mystery wrapped in an enigma that is Daniel...

I loved book one, Scandal Below Stairs. Book two is a step above. Much of the back story and character development has already been done and the plot flows much smoother. This is a great mystery that kept me guessing. Daniel and Kat are more comfortable with each other and their interaction is more interesting this time. I loved the new characters and how they fit into the series. Ashley does a very good job of writing historical mysteries and I do not plan to miss a one.

I received free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

This series is getting better. It's perfect that the cook is the main investigator. The side characters are wonderful helpers. Can't wait for the next book.