I received a free e-ARC of this book from Netgalley.

This book is like an old-fashioned whodunit with 2 women cast in the roles of sleuths as they try to figure out who killed Barnaby Mayne and why. I really liked the writing style and the descriptions in this book. Sometimes writing like this feels very contrived and boring, but Elsa Hart did a great job of luring me in and capturing my interest. The two lead female characters were both three-dimensional and smart in a time where women were thought of as lightweights.

Good old fashioned murder mystery! Set in 1703 London, the two main characters Cecily Kay and Meacan Barlow set out to solve the murder of Barnaby Mayne, procurer of assorted odd objects which fill his house to the rafters. The women are intelligent and have independent spirits, and there are many twists and turns along the road to discovering who the culprit is. I was particularly interested in the cabinets, which contained both mysterious and scientific artifacts and specimens from all over the world, as I enjoy hunting for fossils, potshards, crystals, and most anything old and buried in the dirt or sea. The plot was well thought out and held my attention, with great characters that were clear and not confusing to tell apart. There’s a satisfying ending, and it was a most enjoyable read. If you like a clean mystery with a good plot and fascinating characters you will enjoy this book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The start of a new series by Elsa Hart, this is a fun “cozy” that takes place in Queen Anne’s London (1703). Our two ad-hoc detectives are Cecily Kay, a devoted botanist with a sharp mind, and Meacan Barlow, a scientific illustrator with abundant practical know how. Both are ensconced in the estate of the self-satisfied and impatient Barnaby Mayne — a renowned collector of scientific artifacts. On a day when Mayne has opened the house to a group of collectors for a tour, he is found murdered at his desk.

The book is full of ambiance. It is populated with a wide array of collectors, scholars and those who take a more business oriented attitude to the fossils, stones, books, and antiquities being collected. Good writing, decent plot, interesting characters, and well-painted atmosphere. I haven’t read Elsa Hart before, but I’m now curious about some of her previous series (such as Li Du — an imperial librarians in 18th century China).

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne.

My reading preferences usually run toward modern mysteries and thrillers, but every once in awhile I enjoy a good historical mystery, especially if the premise is an intriguing one.

I was pleased when my request was approved for The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne because the plot sounded interesting.

When Cecily Kay arrives at Barnaby Mayne's home to study his vast collection of plant specimens, she did not expect to be embroiled in a murder investigation.

But, that's what happens when Barnaby is murdered in a house full of people and when Cecily discovers the wrong man is imprisoned for the crime, she seeks out to find the truth and deliver justice.

Cecily Kay is an unconventional woman, to say the least. She is married, but educated, smart and speaks her mind, a rarity during the eighteenth century when women were deemed to be seen and not heard.

Coming along for the ride, a childhood friend whose acquaintance she renews, Cecily and Meacan travels the filthy streets of London to pursue a killer, interviewing suspects and potential witnesses, encountering obstacles and unfriendly people, that does nothing to deter their course of pursuing the truth.

I loved how the main characters are two women who speak their mind. They are talented and quick witted, independent thinkers and courageous.

There are lots of supporting and minor characters, all of whom have a role in the story or know something about the murder in some way.

The story itself about collectors of antiquities, curiosities and rarities, pirates and tall tales of magic and the high seas is intriguing and offers an interesting look at what people during that particular century found captivating.

The author is a skilled writer, especially when describing the grim realities of living in the early eighteenth century, especially for a lady.

I would recommend The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne to anyone looking for a good historical mystery with strong female characters.

The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne by Elsa Hart – 5 Stars
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 9781250142818

There are so many things I enjoyed about this period mystery. At the center was a vast collection of “curiosities” collected by Barnaby Mayne that was so large that it filled all of two houses. Collecting became more than a pastime for some who had the money and leisure time to pursue it. The author described how the possession of items and the stories accompanying them became a greedy obsession. Cecily Kay, the central character, was a strong and intelligent woman in a time when those traits were neither fashionable nor encouraged. The mystery was complex with twists and an unexpected conclusion. The writing was intelligent and vividly portrayed London in 1703.
I was searching for something different from most of the current mysteries and am delighted to have found this book.

Reviewer: Nancy

Goods stuff. This has interesting characters, good dialog, and a creative plot. This is a pretty well written historical mystery. Fortunately this author has some experience and does a nice job overall Recommended for mystery fans.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

I'd been hoping for a mind-blowingly wonderful reading experience with The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne. I'm not sure why that was. Partly just the book cover and the image used for the promos. And a period mystery novel built around cabinets of curiosity, just seems like such a promising premise. That said, my mind wasn't blown. Barnaby Mayne was a good read, the kind of historical mystery I always enjoy, but it didn't float to the top like cream, so to speak.

Barnaby Mayne has two strong, central female characters who are really the heart of the book. Though they come from different class backgrounds, they were playmates for a time as children. Meeting again as adults, they are balancing a mix of pleasure at an old friend rediscovered with the trepidation that the other may not turn out to be the friend she seems to be. The various "collector" characters serve well enough, but the feel a bit interchangeable, with a few exceptions.

If you like historical mysteries, pick up this title. It will make for an enjoyable few days of summer reading. If historical mysteries aren't one of your preferred genres, Barnaby Mayne is probably not a title that will prove gratifying.

I received a free copy of this title from the publisher via Net Galley. The opinions are my own.

This gave me vibes of Lock and Key and I really enjoyed it.

If you like to know the secret that are hidden in drawers and cupboards this book is definitely for you.

What an interesting pearl!

I got quite caught up in this twisting historical mystery. It was a wonderful mystery to curl up with a cup of tea and a curious mind. I loved it!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC in exchange for my opinion.

I'll watch for more from this author.

It's not often that I find a new approach to murder mysteries, but The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne was a definitely unique offering. Set in London in 1703, the book centers on the untimely death of a renowned collector. In perhaps the forerunner of "citizen science," the collectors accumulated and cataloged specimens from around the world in curiosity cabinets. Lady Cecily Kay, a woman possessed of a most "unfeminine" interest in questions, has been sent home from Smyrna after expressing too much interest in her husband's business affairs; she has traveled to Sir Barnaby's home to identify her plant samples and is on the scene when he is murdered shortly after leading a tour of his collection.

Lady Kay joins forces with a childhood friend--a gifted illustrator who happens to also be staying at Sir Barnaby's--and the two women track down lead after lead in an attempt to save an innocent man from the gallows. This is a nice addition to the historical mystery genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for access to a digital ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed snooping through Barnaby Mayne’s collections and his life with the author’s main characters. Very much in the tradition of a classic British mystery, Hart’s characters have interesting heart and depth, and I had fun with the twists and turns of the plot. Definitely looking forward to the second in the series!

I confess I was sad that Hart's newest mystery didn't take us back to the China of her Li Du series. That disappointment soon evaporated as once again she transported me to another time and place, this time, London in the early 1700s. The murder mystery was intriguing, with many red herrings leading the main character, Cecily Kay, (and the reader) to travel down many wrong paths. The door was left open for a sequel, for which I am eagerly waiting. Recommended for those who like their mysteries with a dash of well-researched history.
Review based on an ARC through NetGalley.

A lovely historical mystery that is set in the early 1700's which features Cecily and Me a can, two intelligent, forward thinking young women that are trying to discover who killed Sir Barnaby Mayne. A friend? His widoe, perhaps? Does the murderer hope to gain all the treasures/discoveries/novelties that are to be found in the cabinets of Sir Barnaby?

This felt like a wonderful golden age whodunnit to me. It being to mind Hercule Poor, Miss Marple and Lord Peter Wimsey. I loved it. It is wonderfully written, with the author doing a lovely job detailing the characters and plot. A fantastic curl up with a cup of coffee or tea book. I hope that the author writes another book and makes this a series.

I would like to thank the author, publisher, and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Set in the early 1700s, Cecily and Meacan are trying to find out who killed Sir Barnaby. Although the killer will possibly not come as a surprise, the book is fun and light for those who enjoy a clean who dunnit? Mystery.

Is it his friend? His widow? What do they have to gain? The workings of Agatha Christie or Jessica Fletcher are felt inside these pages.

I adored it.

The writing is wonderful, I could envision myself in every page. I connected with the characters. The plot was realistic. The premise believable. Perfect novel for a Sunday mystery on your back porch.

3.5 stars!

* Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Elsa Hart for taking me on the another of your journeys and investigations. I was spellbound by chapter one with my reading experience enriched with events, information, characters, and history,

In 1703 London, Sir Barnaby Mayne is discovered murdered in his home where he displays his vast collections of literally 'everything'.'. Lady Cecily Kay is a guest at the house where she is matching plant specimens from her travels with items in Sir Barnaby's collections. From the start, Cecily believes the police have arrested the wrong person. Along with a childhood friend with connections, talents, and spunk, she investigates just who is the true murderer.

The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne is wonderful and ends with the hint of a new mystery for book 2 in the series. I discovered Elsa Hart and the Li Du series through author (and another personal favourite) Louise Penny I love the history, depth, vocabulary, facts, and journeys of Elsa Hart's works. Thank you again, Elsa, for a wonderful work to devour and enjoy.