As I noted recently, I’m always reading something gentle these days. I especially love a good series, since it allows me to dip into the same fictional world over and over. I also love a mystery, and the latest series I’ve fallen for – which fits into both categories – is the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series by Carola Dunn.
The Honourable Daisy Dalrymple is a young aristocratic Englishwoman, trying to make her way in the world after World War I has wreaked its havoc on her nation and her loved ones. (Her brother and her sweetheart were both killed in action.) Daisy is cheerful, spunky and determined to earn her own way, which she does as a writer for Town & Country and other magazines. Lots of people – including her mother, the fretful Dowager Duchess – are horrified at the thought of a noblewoman working for a living, but Daisy keeps pounding away at her typewriter.
The series begins when Daisy travels to stately Wentwater Court write an article about it, and stumbles into a murder. Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, assigned to the case, realizes that Daisy has a nose for clues – and that people of all stripes tend to confide in her. Irritated though he is at Daisy’s meddling, he accepts her help on the case. (I’m sure you can tell where this relationship is going – but it’s a lot of fun to watch it develop.)
Like Rhys Bowen’s Her Royal Spyness series, which I also love, these books are Maisie Dobbs lite. They’re set in the same era – between the wars in England – and some of the plots explore the aftereffects of war and the social changes sweeping the nation, but always with a light touch.
The series boasts an entertaining cast of supporting characters, including Alec’s sergeant, Tom Tring (he of the walrus moustache and witty asides) and Constable Ernie Piper (a math whiz who always has a pencil to hand). Daisy’s flatmate Lucy and her old friend Phillip, as well as Alec’s daughter Belinda, make regular appearances. And, of course, the mystery always wraps up neatly by the end of the book.
I’ve already read seven of Daisy’s adventures, but fortunately there are 21 books in the series so far – enough to last me a while. Perfect comfort reading.
Are you acquainted with Daisy and Alec? (Or do you have any other mystery recs for me?)
Mystery Monday is an occasional blog series about my favorite mysteries. Read past Mystery Monday posts here.
cakes, tea and dreams 