Kat Holloway, cook extraordinaire, fears for Daniel McAdam, a police undercover agent, who is placed as a servant in a noble's home; said upper class man is suspected of ties to the fenians Irish terrorists. She manages to insert a servant to keep track of things but the noble is found dead, possibly murdered. At the same time some single upper class women are receiving blackmail letters. What ties this to the fenian plot? Good view of Victorian England from the view of the working class. Fast moving and authentic.

A Silence in Belgrave Square
Jennifer Ashley

Below Stairs #8
Berkley
August 2025
On Sale: August 12, 2025
Featuring: Kat Holloway; Daniel McAdam
320 pages
ISBN: 0593549937
EAN: 9780593549933
Kindle: B0DMTPGXSW
Trade Paperback / e-Book
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Romance Historical


In A SILENCE IN BELGRAVE SQUARE, Jennifer Ashley’s new Below Stairs mystery; valiant cook and amateur sleuth Kat Holloway must uncover the secrets of Victorian London’s most elite noblemen to save the man she loves, from the New York Times bestselling author of Speculations in Sin.

Kat Holloway knows that her beau and confidante Daniel McAdam has a talent for dangerous work as a Scotland Yard agent. At long last though, Daniel’s coldhearted boss has promised that after a final mission, his debt will be repaid, and he’ll finally be free. However, Daniel must risk his life one last time, masquerading as a secretary to an elderly viscount who could be the mastermind behind the recent plots against the Queen and her government.

Using her contacts throughout London, Kat discovers several of her friends and colleagues have been victims of vicious blackmail. They’ll do anything to protect their scandalous secrets, even conform to the blackmailer’s political agenda. If Kat and Daniel wish to save each other and the Crown, they must prove the blackmailer’s identity and evade those who will stop at nothing to eliminate them. Great read, this is such an enjoyable series. Recommended

Amateur sleuth and professional cook Kat Holloway is back at it in A Silence in Belgrave Square. Between highborn women being blackmailed and her beau, Daniel McAdam, being sent on a life-threatening undercover mission, it’s all Kat can do to keep her wits about her and get the tea cakes out on time.

Jennifer Ashley brings to the forefront another Fenian plot that will endanger many. Daniel’s boss, who’d sooner seen the man dead than free of service, has sent him undercover in a way that prevents Kat from contacting him. Kat isn’t one to sit on the sidelines, so the ever-expanding network of her and Daniel’s contacts is activated. What I liked best about A Silence in Belgrave Square is all the connections Kat has formed. Her friendship with Hannah, a con artist she goes way back with, is engaging and interesting to see play out on the page. Said friendship gives the story a bit of extra energy it needs.

There are two different mysteries at the heart of the book and Kat is making the most of her resources to solve both. I liked watching her put the pieces together, knowing what questions to ask and who can help her get the information. The mysteries aren’t as compelling as watching Kat solve them, but that didn’t overly bother me because I look to the Below Stairs Mysteries more for the relationships than the puzzle of the day. And speaking of relationships, longtime fans of the series will be excited to see things finally progress somewhat for Daniel and Kat, though what happens I’ll leave readers to learn on their own. A Silence in Belgrave Square is an entertaining read and as always, I enjoy spending time with Kat and company and I’m sure fans of the series will feel the same.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Kat Holloway series is one of my favorites in the historical mystery genre. We're well into the series now and I would read these books in order. Daniel is working for Mongahan on a new dangerous case which may be his most dangerous and hopefully, last one.

Kat, being a cook, means there are lots of food references which I love. There are her co-workers in the household. Her daughter, Grace is a teen now and she gets a visit just twice a week with her. It's a difficult time in history for women with limited choices. Kat is starting to ponder these options for Grace.

She wants a life with Daniel and is frustrated with being unable to work with him on this case. He is posing as secretary to a man in a wheelchair who seems favorable to Irish Home Rule and possibly the Fenians. She has a friend of sorts who is a con artist who goes in to pose as a maid. Mr. Fielding has his "men" placed next door in the stables to watch out for him.

Lady Cynthia and her friends are concerned about blackmail letters. They seem to be all to women who have men they can pressure. The one that came to the house was for her sister though, who died 3 years ago. They ponder who would want to pressure officials and who would be privy to the various gossip but can't come up with anyone or even one couple who would have both aspects.

Things get dire before they resolve and of course, Kat is right in the middle of it. Her views on Daniel, his work, and her own work seem to be updated at the end. I've thought that before though, and the next book seems back to the status quo.

Profuse thanks to Jennifer Ashley, Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spoilers

I adore this series. That's the crux of it. There's always an exciting, well-paced mystery to solve, though I admittedly do not prefer the ones that involve politics. But Kat's just a cook, not a detective or inspector, so Ashley has to get creative about how Kat manages to sleuth and figure things out, since she's not often directly involved. She's got a lot of useful friends and a good brain.

Speaking of her friends, I think we managed to check in with just about everyone, and even met a couple new ones! I loved Hannah and Sean and look forward to seeing them again. Rough on the outside, perhaps, but hearts of gold, like all of Kat's friends. I wish we'd seen more of James, not entirely sure why. He's just a bright, charming lad. I'm also strangely disappointed his and Grace's ship isn't intended, but I suppose that's for the best. I think the tidyness of them together appealed to me more than the reality of it.

I really hope Berkley allows Ashley to continue this series. I can't wait to dig into Daniel's past, see how Kat's stall goes, and <spoiler>watch them figure out how to blend their lives and navigate marriage. I'll mark that as a spoiler, but is it, really? It's been intended from the start.</spoiler>

My only complaints are how hungry for pastries this book made me and the many typos. But the latter are expected in an ARC, hopefully they were corrected for the final.

Can't wait for the next one!

Daniel is placed in danger’s way!

Daniel McAdam has called on Kat Holloway to tell her he’d be gone for some time investigating on the orders of the despicable Mr Monaghan. Monaghan blames Daniel for the death of a colleague and gives him the most dangerous assignments. Daniel is to enter the Belgrave household of Viscount Peyton to replace his secretary who has disappeared.
He gives Kat strict instructions to not look for him, try to contact him, or acknowledge him should they pass each other in the street.
Of course that’s not going to happen! Before Daniel’s even settled into his new position Kat has asked an old acquaintance, Hannah Dunnett, to install herself in the same household.
Concurrently Lady Cynthia has notified Kat that someone is blackmailing the women of the ton, including her aunt! What?
Strange and dangerous doings to do with the Irish Home Rule question, the Fenians, a newly formed secret Police Force investigating dangerous political groups with unquestionable powers, and Kat finds herself right in the middle.
The life of Daniel and Kat is moving to new heights.

A Berkley ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

May 1884. Will it be Daniel McAdam's last mission for Monaghan of Scotland Yard as he infiltrates the home of Lord Peyton, a known supporter of Irish Home Rule. Is he involved with various plots against the government. Meanwhile Kat is Informed of blackmailing letters among her friends, not for money but for influence on their families.
A well-written and entertaining historical mystery with its interesting and likeable characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Silence in Belgrave Square by Jennifer Ashley is the 8th book in her Below Stairs Mystery series. Refresher: This series takes place in Victorian, England, centered around our heroine Kat Holloway, who is a cook extraordinaire, as well as a great detective. Kat is smart, savvy, independent, loyal and is very protective of her below the stairs staff. As I have noted previously, this series has a wonderful feel of a historical Downton Abbey.
Kat knows that her beau and confidante Daniell McAdam works at Scotland Yard. His mean coldhearted boss pushes him to do one final case, which Daniel puts himself at risk. Daniel is assigned to find the recent plots against the Queen and government. Daniel tells Kat that he will be out of touch for a while; but Kat finds ways to keep an eye on him.

In between, Kat works hard making wonderful dinners for the family in the house that she resides in; Tess is a wonderful assistant to Kat, and Cynthia is a good friend to Kat. Kat’s daughter, Grace lives with a couple, who watch over her, with their own children. Kat and Daniel’s relationship strengthens in this book, and he is determined for them to marry, when his case is done. Kat and her group of friends try to help in any way they can to help protect Daniel. I really loved Kat how she continues to gather information, among her allies and spies. This was an exciting story line.

What follows is another wonderful suspenseful mystery, with Kat having to discover who was the person behind the violent attempts on who was plotting damage in London. A Silence in Bellgrave Square was a well-written and entertaining mystery with its interesting and likeable characters. Once again, Jennifer Ashley gives us a fun story revolving around our heroine, Kat Holloway. A Silence in Bellgrave Square was very well written by Jennifer Ashley. If you enjoy Victorian stories, with a mystery theme, a Downton Abbey background, two very good leading characters and great secondary characters, you should be reading this series.

The eighth book in this series starts with Daniel leaving for a new undercover assignment that may keep him from seeing Kat for some time. Kat herself becomes embroiled in a blackmail mystery brought to her by Lady Cynthia. Now the fun begins.

With Ms. Ashley's usual attention to detail and tightly woven plot, I was pulled into the story from the first. These characters have become old friends now since I started this series from the beginning. There were many threads for Kat to follow to unravel the blackmailing scheme but many of them lead her to the house on Belgrave Square where Daniel is undercover. Twists and red herrings expertly scattered throughout the story kept me guessing until the dramatic reveal. I was completely caught off guard by this ending which I loved.

Cozy, mysterious, and enjoyable!

In this latest novel by Ashley, A Silence in Belgrave Square, we head back to 1884, and into the life of the dependable cook Kat Holloway as she now finds herself doing whatever she can to discover the identity of a blackmailer who seems to be targeting all her friends, while also constantly worrying about the man who owns her heart.

The writing is light and fluid. The characters are intelligent, multi-layered, and inquisitive. And the plot is a compelling whodunit full of twists, turns, friendship, suspects, tradition, danger, deduction, red herrings, and amateur sleuthing.

Overall, A Silence in Belgrave Square is an atmospheric, entertaining, highly satisfying tale by Ashley that I thoroughly enjoyed and which is undoubtedly another fantastic addition to the Below the Stairs Mystery series.

Kat Holloway, a talented cook in this Victorian era series, also dabbles in amateur sleuthing and has proven herself adept at solving murders. However, her current situation is quite different. Her beau, Daniel, has been assigned a dangerous mission in his role as an agent for Scotland Yard, and Kat is deeply concerned about his safety, especially since he will be out of touch for several weeks.

Daniel’s assignment is to pose as a secretary to an older viscount, as a dangerous plot against the Queen is suspected. This in a way parallels to what Kat is currently working on. More than one of the people in her close circle have fallen victim to blackmailing, so Kat juggles her cooking responsibilities with investigating whoever it is that could be behind the blackmail scheme.

Kat’s worries for Daniel’s well-being are justified as those close to Daniel make every effort to keep her informed. Hopefully, Kat and Daniel’s inquiries will converge before any threat to their lives escalates.

This Below Stairs cozy mystery series has been a delight book after book. With Kat’s intelligence, likability, and diverse roles as a loving mother, Daniel’s perfect partner, an exceptional cook, and an amateur sleuth, she has been captivating readers Daniel might be done with Scotland Yard, and with the exciting conclusion to this book in mind, I can’t wait to see where Jennifer Ashley goes next with this series.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this book for review. This is my honest opinion.

Having read a few books from the Below Stairs Mystery series, I was very eager to read Jennifer Ashley's new book to see what all Kat Holloway has been up to in her newest mystery.

Kat Holloway is a cook for a wealthy Victorian family living in London. One night, she is visited by her boyfriend Daniel McAdam who is an agent for Scotland Yard. In an attempt to keep Kat out of danger, he tells her that his contentious boss has sent him on one final mission where he must pose as a secretary to a wealthy viscount. This operation will send him away for several months and she is not to interfere. Their parting is bittersweet, but Kat is too clever to stay away and manages to reach out to an old friend (Hannah) to keep an eye on Daniel while he assumes his role as the viscount's secretary. Meanwhile, Lady Cynthia's aunt is being blackmailed and Cynthia sends Kat to investigate. This particular subplot where various aristocrats were sent poison-pen letters was reminiscent of Agatha Christie's book The Moving Finger.

This twisty book was such a delight. There is a sense of danger, dealings with Irish mobsters, and several political issues of the time, all wrapped up into one thrilling mystery! One thing I love about each book in this series is that they work well as standalone books, but it's nice to read them all in sequence to see the progression of Daniel and Kat's relationship. If you are going to pick up this book, at least read the first book so that you grasp the gravity of Kat's past. This book is filled with a wonderful cast of characters, as we see many of Kat and Daniel's friends rally together to pull them out of scrapes. Kat is meddlesome but so very clever. I had forgotten how much I loved reading this series!

If you enjoy historical mysteries in the Victorian era, you will love this book!

Many thanks to the the author and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary, and all thoughts are my own.

A historical mystery told in the first person point-of-view by Kat, a downstairs cook in Mayfair.

I’ve only read one other Jennifer Ashley book and it was a historical romance. And while that’s usually the main sub-genre I stick to, I enjoy HR with mystery side plots and been enjoying Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series as well. This one grabbed my attention even though I jumped into this series pretty late in the game.

I knew going in that this world was already well established. As a whole, I had no problem reading this as a standalone. There’s enough backstory given of Kat and Daniel’s history and side characters that I was able to follow and immerse myself in the story. I felt Kat’s struggles as a single parent and depth of her connection with Daniel.

The story centers on a blackmail plot that involves Lady Cynthia and her friends and also a political plot that Daniel finds himself embroiled in.

Filled with intrigue, found family, and working class people enriching their lives with loved ones and trying to achieve their dreams. I was captivated and entertained all the way through.

It was written as if it could be a series finale, tying up several loose ends with side characters. And with Kat and Daniel with what could be their HEA but the author left it open that it could continue on if wanted.

A Silence in Belgrave Square is the eighth book in A Below Stairs Mystery series.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Ms. Ashley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

Honestly this series just keeps getting better and better. Ms. Ashley is a master of keeping that plot moving forward at a jump while ever-so-slowly moving things along between the female main character and her slowest-of-all-slow-burns love interest. In fact in book #8 things make (for this series, anyway) HUGE jumps forward in all areas. Kat is finally seriously considering taking a step towards her dream of owning a stall or tea shop, bringing Grace back under her roof, and making things official with Daniel; Daniel too is finally able to contemplate a career move. At least twice Kat mentions that Tess will be on her own soon too - either striking out as a cook in her own right, or marrying, which I feel is some major foreshadowing. This is such a natural growth progression for the series, though. And don't worry, there's still plenty of cooking from our talented Kat. Even better, there's less Bywaters in this book, which was just fine by me.

The mystery this time had to do with Fenians, which is a portion of history I'm not too familiar with, and plots for and against Irish Home Rule. Meanwhile there's simultaneously blackmail letters going around to society ladies, and Kat gets involved in that mystery because Lady Cynthia's deceased sister "receives" one. I flew through this book at top speed. I don't think Ms. Ashley has ever written a book I disliked but I'm happy to say this one was GREAT. I really really enjoyed seeing Kat (finally) make steps forward in her personal and professional life. CANNOT WAIT for book #9.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Below the Stairs Mystery series & novellas by Jennifer Ashley are one of my favorites. A Silence in Belgrave Square is the eighth full-length novel, and Kat Holloway, our below the stairs cook & sleuth, looks for a blackmailer and worries about her beau Daniel McAdam, as he takes on a dangerous undercover case.

While each of the novels and novellas in the Below the Stairs Mystery contains a fresh mystery, I recommend reading the series in order for the slow-burn romance, character relationships and familiarity one enjoys in a series like this.

Kat Holloway is the cook in a wealthy Victorian London home. She has a daughter named Grace, who lives with her best friend’s family. Kat is visited after dinner by her beau, Daniel McAdam. He visits to tell her he will go undercover locally in a viscount’s home. Kat is immediately worried since Monaghan had told Daniel previously he needed to complete one more mission to be free of the debt he feels Daniel owes for a mission that cost their friend’s life.

Daniel warns Kat not to get involved, and not to acknowledge him should they pass on the street. I knew immediately that our Kat wouldn’t be able to resist looking out for Daniel. Lady Cynthia is distressed when her aunt receives a nasty blackmail letter. She asks Kat to look into it, and soon they discover some of Cynthia’s friends are receiving letters as well.

This was another fantastic mystery with plenty of twists and turns, the Irish mob, political intrigue and danger. I loved meeting Kat’s friend, and seeing how her and Daniel’s friends rally around them to give aid and protection.

While we didn’t get as much page time on our slow-burning romance, the time we did offered movement in the relationship and has me both giddy and sad as I wonder if Ashley is winding down the series.

Even though the mysteries are a pleasure, I think the characters—from Kat’s workplace to Daniel, Lady Cynthia, and Kat’s circle—are what truly make this series. I laughed at Kat’s meddling and admired how clever she was, but not so clever that she didn’t seek help when needed.

For fans of historical mysteries, foodie novels and slow-burning romances highly recommend this series and all of its novellas, which I devour as soon as they publish.

This novel really had a sense of urgency because Kat spent a good majority of her time worrying over Daniel’s safety. Of course, being an investigator herself, she couldn’t stand by with Daniel in possible danger, she was going to do everything possible to keep him safe. When her own investigation begins to parallel Daniel’s the reader realizes that Kat too, may be in danger. The pace and tension in the story build until I was literally on the edge of my seat.

With Daniel’s life in possible danger, Kat must face her feelings for him, and there are some very tender scenes (finally!). I was afraid this meant the series was over, but low and behold, a 9th book is on pre-order already so never fear, or intrepid amateur sleuth and her beau will be back in action solving mysteries again in the near future. I can’t wait!

Kat Holloway’s job as head cook to a family in 1877 Victorian London comes with a lot of responsibilities including working for a very fussy lady of the house, shepherding those who work under her, and long hours of toil. Her second secret job in each story is working with Daniel MacAdams, who is her beau and partner in solving and averting crimes usually to do with the wealthy ton. Daniel has long a held job under duress working in secret for Scotland Yard.

In this installment, Daniel is once again forced to take a very dangerous job posing as a secretary to a viscount, who though is in precarious health, appears to be part of a conspiracy against the government as well as for Ireland Home Rule in a violent way. Ancillary to Daniel’s assignment which keeps him away from for a good portion of the story, Kat hears that several wealthy women, who are friends of Kat despite the class differences, are being blackmailed for a political agenda as well.

Though given strict instructions from Daniel and his boss to not interfere, Kat finds several work arounds through her and Daniel’s various backstreet contacts and allies; they help ferret out the felons and save many lives. Kat puts herself at quite a serious risk to protect the man she has come to care for deeply as well as endangering their friends. This book is number eight in the Below Stairs Mystery series. Readers will be pleased to see a progression in Kat and Daniel’s relationship and a possible new direction in Daniel’s work.

Cook Kat Holloway learns from Daniel McAdam, the man she is romantically involved with, that he will be on a mission for Scotland Yard and will not be around. Kat being the industrious and clever woman that she is, figures out pretty quickly where he is and keeps an eye on him, something that is made easier when she has her own mystery to solve.

I made a mistake by jumping into this series blind, I was lost from page one, not knowing anything about the characters and the fact that it is written in the first person made it hard to get into the story. I have read all of Ms. Ashley’s previous books and loved them, so when the opportunity for me to read one of her mysteries came my way, I jumped at the chance. But unfortunately, I was not able to appreciate this book to the fullest because I have not read the previous books. I think if you have been reading this series from the start, you will love it, but not having done so, this book just didn’t hit right for me.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

One of my favorite aspects of this series is its focus on characters from below stairs. While aristocrats appear, they remain secondary—allowing the real spotlight to shine on the clever, resilient, and resourceful Kat Holloway, a cook with a sharp mind and keen eye for detail. Alongside her is the ever-enigmatic Daniel McAdam—a charming and wily operative with a hidden connection to a secretive branch of Scotland Yard.

Daniel longs to escape the grip of his manipulative superior, Monaghan, who’s had it out for him for years. Monaghan finally offers Daniel a deal: complete this one last mission—his most dangerous yet—and he’ll be free. The case? Infiltrate the household of Viscount Peyton, suspected of conspiring with the Fenians, a radical group willing to commit mass murder in the name of Irish independence.

Meanwhile, Kat takes on a troubling mystery of her own. Several of Lady Cynthia’s friends have received vile blackmail letters, with promises of further instructions to come. When the second letter arrives, the demands take an unexpected turn—leading Kat down a much darker and more complex path.

Although working separately, both Kat and Daniel find themselves navigating escalating dangers. The risks they face also serve to deepen their personal bond, hinting at exciting developments to come in their relationship and lives.

The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and the dual investigations are expertly interwoven. I especially appreciate how the author continues to build on the characters’ growth while laying intriguing groundwork for future installments.

Will Kat finally open her long-dreamed-of tea shop? Will Daniel uncover the truth about his past—and break free from Monaghan’s grasp? So many tantalizing threads left to explore!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The beginning did start a little slow but the later half made up. I just enjoy reading Kat's adventures and her cooking and how nefarious she can get. Crossing fingers there's one more book (possibly another novella also) to wrap up this wonderful series.