I just finished listening to Eliza Mace by Sarah Burton and Jem Poster. This book just came out in March of this year and I got to listen to the audio version of this Victorian mystery on NetGalley. 1870 in Wales - we find ourselves in a crumbling mansion with Eliza Mace and her stern, over-protective mother. Eliza’s father is often not home and always spending away money they don’t have. That is why Eliza’s mother was given the mansion and inheritance in her name from her father - to protect it from her husband. James, her uncle, also lives in the mansion and is more like a father to Eliza than her real one is.
After her father mysteriously disappears, Dafydd, the young police constable comes to solve the mystery. But, he has no idea that Eliza will insist on being part of the detective crew as well. She will not rest until she figures out what has happened.
The list of suspects is too long to list, as her father owes money to most everyone and has angered and lied to everyone he has met.
Eliza must face hard truths and danger as she pushes past the expectations of a young lady and past the harsh truths of her family’s secrets to find who had the biggest grudge against her father.
I will say that I really enjoyed the narrator and I enjoyed the middle of the story the most. But, when I got to the ending - I was a little disappointed. It wasn’t that it didn’t get wrapped up - but instead I felt like I had no idea what really happened after the mystery was solved. Now, this might be because it is the start of a series…but I was a little annoyed. But, the rest of the story and the mystery saved the day on this one. That was Eliza Mace by Sarah Burton and Jem Poster.

Eliza Mace is a 16-year-old young woman living on the Welsh border with her parents and her uncle James. Her father's business adventures have left the family in financial trouble. She lives a quiet life until one day when her father goes missing and a young constable named Dafydd Pritchard comes to investigate the case. With her help they solve the mystery, but at what cost...

I was a bit disappointed by the book. I was hoping for a quick-witted and fast-paced Enola Holmes kind of detective story vibes.

The book was dragging a bit in the beginning and at 25% and kept on wondering why the book was advertised as a mystery/detective novel. After the father went missing the book picked up the pace a bit, but eventually still fell flat. Eliza wasn't as clever of a detective as I'd hoped for and truth to be told...she was a bit dumb and way too obsessed with the young constable Pritchard. It felt also historically inaccurate with Eliza running around unchaperoned as a 16-year-old young woman of the time. The writing felt a bit weak and the story not engaging enough.

So...did I even like something about the book? Well...I did like the narrator of the book and I didn't DNF the book so my overall rating is 2 stars. I also think the relationship between Eliza and her uncle was nicely done. But I wouldn't recommend it unless you need to read something short to reach your reading goal for the year.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the chance to review the book in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It’s the sort of lighthearted murder mystery that I think lends itself really well to audio as it’s enjoyable and really easy to follow.

Eliza Mace was indeed, no doubt, a sharp young lass with a love for curiosity. Although I would like to point out the fact that she solved the mystery not because she brainstormed who the culprit was, but because the circumstances were in her favor and it happened that she was a very observant person. That was the only thing I had on her, the rest of her logical thinking skills were okay.
All in all I liked the story; it was entertaining enough for me to finish it at a shorter period of time.

Actual rating 4.5.

Oh how I loved this book! If you are after a gloriously gothic and compelling mystery, with a spunky female lead character, this is your book 🙌

I listened to the audiobook of this story in about a day, as the narrative just flowed so easily and kept me hooked. I adored Eliza, our heroine who refuses to do as society (and her mother) expects, and found the mystery around her father’s disappearance utterly intriguing and a great whodunnit - when everybody hates a victim, there are a lot of possible suspects to eliminate! It also led to a far deeper dive into her family’s history, which I really enjoyed as each character had an interesting background.

There was also a lot of joy in her partnership with the hot new constable, Dafydd, who didn’t dismiss her and respected her views and knowledge in order to solve the case - whilst I don’t know if there will be any romantic edge to their relationship, I can’t wait to see where it all leads! A really brilliant historical mystery which I’d highly recommend, I’m so glad it’s just the beginning of a series!

Following the escapades of headstrong, Victorian teen Eliza Mace, this first novel in the newly launched detective series, is a great introduction into what I think is destined to come.

On the cusp of adulthood, Eliza (or as her mother would prefer Elisabeth) is trapped by her gender, wealth and the expectations of her parents regarding her behaviour and future prospects.

Forced to endure the implosion of her parents' marriage, as her father's drinking and growing debts cause increasing tension and resentment. Walks with her Uncle James seem to be her only escape. That is until her father disappears and the constable leading the case, Dafydd Pritchard, needs to rely on Eliza's local knowledge of the area to aid his search.

As the missing person case turns into one of murder, Eliza's partnership with Pritchard brings Eliza into conflict with her mother. It also sees her confronting a number of familial secrets which, while helping to solve the case, also open old wounds with some unfortunate consequences.

Containing many twists and plenty of red herrings, this engaging historical crime novel, is filled with well developed characters. It also covers a number of topics including homosexuality, adultery, jealousy and class divide, while keeping them relevant within the plot.

Engaging, impulsive and a perfect main character, I can't wait to see where plucky Eliza Mace's next adventure takes her.

This is the first book in a new series and a new to me author. Great narrator with a pleasant voice. I found this story very charming and look forward to the next novel in this series. thank you to Netgelley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank You, NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book.

Eliza Mace by Sarah Burton, Jem Poster is a historical mystery or cosy crime set in the 19th century.

It had a lot of promise but somewhere the pace was slow and it felt like a slog.

Still, I would like to give it a chance.

It is an average read, I would say.

A Victorian mystery.
Is it just a missing person or a murder.
Elza sets out to find out.
A mystery with a little intrigue , suspense and possible beginning romance,
Good narration.
Voluntarily reviewed.

I enjoyed this Victorian era mystery. As with most of these types of novels, we have an amateur detective motivated by an unexpected death working with the local police detective to solve the mystery. I found both of the characters very likable, and both the main and subplots were interesting. There's nothing new here, but I would probably continue to read the series.

The narration was good.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #BolindaAudio for a free copy of #ElizaMace by Sarah Burton and Jem Poster. All opinions are my own.

I felt like I was listening to a BBC series as I listened to Eliza Mace, in a good way! Karen Cass' narration perfectly brought this Victorian mystery to life. The plot of the book centers around Eliza, a coming-of-age young woman who struggles with the strict rules, dysfunctional family, and societal expectations placed on her. When her father goes missing and is later found dead, Eliza decides it's up to her to solve the mystery of who was at fault. While there were some details that did not seem accurate to the time period, the narrative was engaging and fun if you just don't think too hard on the history. I found the resolution to be very sudden, though, giving a little bit of an underwhelming payoff for the book's slow start.

Thank you to Bolinda Audio, Sarah Burton, and Jem Poster for an advance copy of the audiobook for honest review.

Before I start with this one, there’s content that some readers might want to know about - check out at the end for more information.

Whilst there is the comparison with Enola Holmes for this one, I haven’t yet read the books (or seen the films) but I was intrigued. Given that Eliza is billed as a would-be investigator, I was actually surprised that the crime didn’t actually occur until about half way through. The first half was letting us get to know Eliza and her family’s situation, which I really enjoyed.

Given the period setting, there’s commentary on society’s treatment and values placed on women and young girls - thankfully I wasn’t born during that time! But what was refreshing with Eliza’s family is the financial power is held by her mother, but she doesn’t wield all the power and it’s still a struggle to make her own choices with her wealth. Much to her husband’s disgust.

I really enjoyed Eliza’s first foray - the characters and plot are really engaging, and the audiobook narration was really well done. I’d be keen to see what mystery/crime she needs to solve in her next outing.

Thanks to NetGalley, the team at Bolinda Audio, and the authors for the opportunity to listen to this review copy.


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⚠️Content warning/potential spoilers: repeated reference to suicide

"Eliza Mace" by Sarah Burton and Jem Poster, narrated by Karen Cass, is a delightful Victorian mystery that follows the adventures of the quick-witted detective Eliza Mace as she endeavours to uncover the truth behind her father's mysterious disappearance. Set in the 1870s in a crumbling manor house in the Welsh borders, Eliza faces challenges from societal norms and dark secrets that threaten to upend her world.
I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook version of this novel, and Karen Cass's narration brought a unique personality to the story, immersing me in the world of Eliza Mace. The character of Eliza is a charming and spunky protagonist, navigating the chaotic dynamics of her home life while showcasing her determination and intelligence in solving the mystery at hand.
While the comparison to Enola Holmes is a compelling one, I found that Eliza Mace still has room to grow in terms of logical deduction and plot development. The age difference between Eliza and Constable Dafydd Pritchard, whom she partners with to unravel the mystery, felt somewhat extreme, considering Eliza's young age of 16. However, this partnership adds an interesting dynamic to the story and keeps readers engaged in the unfolding mystery.
The cosy mystery elements of the novel shine through, with a focus on character development, setting, and mood. I found Eliza to be a likeable and relatable character, and her interactions with Constable Pritchard added depth to the narrative. While some aspects may not align perfectly with the Victorian era's societal norms, the modern touch added a unique flair to the story without detracting from the overall enjoyment.
Overall, "Eliza Mace" is a charming and engaging mystery that kept me enthralled from beginning to end. While there were some minor critiques, the captivating storyline, well-developed characters, and cosy mystery atmosphere made this novel a delightful read. I look forward to future instalments in the series and following Eliza Mace on more thrilling adventures as she navigates the complexities of Victorian society and uncovers hidden truths.

In the 1870s Welsh borders, Eliza Mace struggles for autonomy in a decaying manor while facing resistance from her family. When her father disappears under dubious circumstances, she teams up with the new police constable, Dafydd Pritchard, to unravel the mystery, uncovering debts and vendettas that jeopardize her quest for truth and independence.

This was another book that left me conflicted. I love a good Victorian mystery, and the premise of this one seemed intriguing. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to that premise. It was also difficult to figure out who this was meant for. It felt too mature for teenagers, with a dark plot. At the same time, the main character felt too childish to appeal to adults.

Eliza Mace is no Enola Holmes, and at times it was difficult to like her. She was very much a teenager who thought she knew best about everything. Honestly, though, it was difficult to find any character that I really liked in the story. The “partnership” between Eliza and Dafydd made no sense. Why was a constable investigating a murder at all? Why did he confide in a girl ten years his junior? None of it made any sense.

The plot took a long time to get started. While I understood the need to set the scene, the mystery didn’t begin until thirty percent into the story. I will say the resolution, though sad, made sense.

I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a good job. She was easy to listen to and each character had a unique voice. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy a darker historical mystery.

This was an interesting and unique take on the murder mystery genre, set in 1870s Wales. At first, I was worried that the murder was going to take place almost immediately, which I personally dislike as it is difficult to care about the victim without getting to know them first, but I was glad to realise that this wasn't the case. Eliza Mace was a refreshing character to listen to; a headstrong teenager fighting for independence from her controlling and manipulative parents. The detective, Dafydd Pritchard was also an interesting character, and I cannot express how relieved I was to find out that they didn't end up together at the end, given Eliza's age. Thankfully, there was very little romance throughout the novel and the main focus was on finding the killer, who just as thankfully, wasn't entirely obvious until the end of the story.

I've tried several times to get into this book, and unfortunately it's just not holding my attention at all. I'm not invested in the characters or the story, and at almost a quarter of the way into the book I should be at least intrigued. Unfortunately, because of this, I've decided to dnf. It's not poorly written, but it doesn't seem to be the book for me.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio.

What a good mystery. I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I did feel like I wanted more but it’s a 1st in a series so yay to that.

Thank you for my copy Netgalley.

I like the author's writing style and ability to weave a tale. She is obviously very skilled at her craft and I can't say anything bad about that, at all.

However, my issue - which is why it's not a 5 star - is the MC just seems like a brat to me.

I'm not a child! She cries stamping her feet. I am a grown up. I can make my own decisions. I know more than everyone else. She pouts and folds her arms across her chest. I know when to tell (and not tell) the police important information better than anyone else. Then I proceed to put myself in unnecessary danger, embroil myself in a police investigation because I'm so much smarter than everyone else, ignore my mother's requests/ rules/ pleas and treat my father like a God even though he beats and abuses my mother and my uncle and anyone who is "beneath him".

Anyway, it's still 4star because if just words on a page can cause me to feel so strongly about a character, I class that as successful story telling.

Happy to read more by Burton and Poster.

A gentle, old fashioned crime set in a bygone era (Victorian?), but with both a sad and rebellious undertone. A good untaxing read

This book reminded me so much of the BBC show Miss Scarlet and the Duke, which I love. Eliza and Dafydd reminded me so much of Eliza and William from the show, and they also reminded me a lot of Emma and Mr. Knightley. The story was definitely more focused around the family dynamics and family drama rather than on solving the mystery or developing the characters, but this was fine with me. I wasn't ever captivated by the mystery or the need to figure out who did it, but it was a cozy mystery, so again, it met my needs perfectly. Overall, if you enjoyed Miss Scarlet and the Duke or if you are looking for a cozy historical mystery, this is a great option!