A Proposal to Die For

A Lady Alkmene Callender Mystery (1)

The first book in the new Lady Alkmene Callender Mystery series

by Vivian Conroy

Carina UK

Women's Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 19 Sep 2016 

Review 

If you like the Miss Fisher mysteries, you will definitely enjoy Vivian Conroy's debut Lady Alkmene mystery - A Proposal to Die For.  The mystery is fresh and exciting with just enough suspense and romantic tension.  The story is straightforward, but Lady Alkmene's charm, and the chemistry between her and journalist Jake Dubois keep readers fascinated.  There are a few unexpected surprises but for the most part readers simply relax and follow their adventures.  Vivian Conroy makes escaping into 1920s Britain a pleasure.  

Reading of the death of Silas Norich, a wealthy financier, brings to mind a conversation Lady Alkmene overheard a few days earlier.  An American, Evelyn Steinbeck was discussing marriage with an unknown man, mentioning that she would have both her freedom and an immense inheritance when her uncle (none other than Silas Norich) died.  Taken together, the two events suggest murder.  Lady Alkmene's desire to investigate leads to her being introduced to Jake Dubois, a journalist skilled at uncovering truth.  But the chip on his shoulder and her  lead the duo into conflict before they realize the benefits of cooperation.  Despite frequently butting heads, the pair swiftly make progress.

The story moves forward at a fast pace, leading to a satisfying if expected end.  The only part I have mixed feelings about is the blackmail subplot that was left unfinished.  On the whole, however, I found A Proposal to Die For a refreshing escape from the everyday.  I am definitely looking forward to Lady Alkmene's next adventure.

4/5

I received a copy of A Proposal to Die For from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom 

Description

A murderous beginning

With her father away in India, Lady Alkmene Callender finds being left to her own devices in London intolerably dull, until the glamorous Broadway star Evelyn Steinbeck arrives in town! Gossip abounds about the New York socialite, but when Ms Steinbeck’s wealthy uncle, Silas Norwhich, is found dead Lady Alkmene finds her interest is piqued. Because this death sounds a lot to her like murder…

Desperate to uncover the truth, Lady Alkmene begins to look into Ms Steinbeck’s past – only to be hampered by the arrival of journalist, Jake Dubois – who believes she is merely an amateur lady-detective meddling in matters she knows nothing about!

But Lady Alkmene refuses to be deterred from the case and together they dig deeper, only to discover that some secrets should never come to light…

The twenties have never been so dangerous