The Secrets of Wishtide

Laetitia Rodd is the widow of an Archdeacon and now living quietly in Hampstead. She undertakes confidential investigations, usually brought to her by her brother Fred who is a criminal barrister. She is asked to look into the background of a Mrs Helen Orme by Sir James Calderstone as his son, Charles wants to marry her and Sir James believes her to be an unsuitable wife for him.Laetitia travels to the frozen wastes of Lincolnshire ostensibly to be a governess to Sir James' tow daughters and she quickly discovers that the Calderstones have secrets they want kept hidden which are every bit as damaging as those of Mrs Orme. Letty will need to use all her intelligence and powers of observation after a murder takes place and she and Fred have their work cut out to rescue their clients.I really enjoyed this entertaining Victorian mystery with its evocative pictures of many aspects of Victorian life and its strong minded and intelligent heroine. I also liked Inspector Blackbeard of Scotland Yard and Letty's brother Fred who is a larger than life character. I liked the combination of humour - Letty and Fred often find themselves in funny situations. I also liked Mrs Bentley - Letty's sensible landlady.If you enjoy historical crime mysteries then you may enjoy this one. It is well written with string characters and an interesting plot and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series when it is published.

Set in 1850, this novel introduces us to Laetitia Rodd a widow who lives in ‘reduced circumstances’ with Mrs Mary Bentley (her previous tenants included Keats). Laetitia Rodd has moved out from her beloved brother, Frederick Tyson’s house. Fred is one of London’s most celebrated criminal barristers, but he is also the father of ten children, with another on the way, and childless, widowed sisters are too often expected to act as nurse or governess for Laetitia’s liking…One way in which Laetitia does help her brother, is in the ‘management and prevention of scandal.’ So, when a note arrives saying, “Dear Letty, a matter has arisen…” she wastes no time in jumping in his coach and heading to his house. Sir James Calderstone, head of the Calderstone family of Wishtide in Lincolnshire, has a problem and needs someone discreet to investigate. His son, Charles, wants to make a bad marriage and Sir James wishes it to be prevented at all costs. Charles is independently wealthy, so does not need his father’s approval, but the lady in question will not marry him without his family’s consent.The woman that Charles has fallen for, Helen Orme, had arrived at Wishtide to teach the two daughters of the family to speak Italian. Now Laetitia heads to Lincolnshire to go undercover as a new governess to ‘finish’ the girls before they go into society. She determines to discover the truth, but manages to uncover far more than she anticipated before the end of this delightful novel. I loved Laetitia and all of the characters in this book. Although it is the first in a series, it is obvious that we meet Laetitia after she has already taken place in more than one investigation and so we meet Inspector Thomas Blackbeard, for example, who is already known to Fred and his sister.This is a really excellent historical mystery. I liked the setting, the characters and the storyline. Although much of the story takes place in the genteel settings of dining rooms and great houses, we are also taken to dangerous backstreet London inns and the depths of Newgate prison. With blackmail, murder and more to deal with, Laetitia needs her wits about her to solve the mystery of what is really going on at Wishtide. Hopefully, this will become a series and I really look forward to reading on. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

This is a very appealing story, albeit mirroring many Dickensian plot features, but very much more digestible. On reading it, I kept wondering had there been an earlier book? but no, and although it it is titled "A Laetitia Rodd Mystery" there seemed to be little chance of more in a series (unless retrospectively to this book). I was encouraged to look at other works by the writer, but none of them appeal to me. I could only give this book 4 stars because it was scattered with too many modern touches both in dialogue ("gaff"? really?) and detail, and I found they interrupted the flow uncomfortably. For example, half a crown in the 1850s would have been equivalent to a year's pay for some souls, but the writer dishes them out with abandon, and even in the 1950s so many at one time would have been pretty extravagant. Still, on the whole as a cosy Dickensian mystery this worked well, and I enjoyed it a lot.

I loved this Victorian detective story. It is not a chilly-hearted puzzle but a multi-layered account of deeply believable characters and how they are affected by their past histories and new events, murder among them. Widowed Mrs Rodd is acute, perceptive and kind - and operates effectively in a world in which women have little formal power. It was a pleasure to spend time with her. I look forward to reading Book 2 in the series.

The characters are engaging and realistic except perhaps the dastardly villain ( but I would not like to give away too much). The social mores of the time are delineated well. The plot kept me guessing for most of the book, but perhaps I was just slow on the uptake. Altogether, an enjoyable read, but not really a 5 star one. I reserve that for only the very best, but I will read more by this author, which is a pretty good recommendation.

Very intriguing narrative, a very clever female-detective as a heroine, wonderful little details of the Victorian era everywhere and a powerful mystery, where (almost) no one is definitely good or bad... Overall a very satisfying reading.

Well written and kept me interested right to the end - will be interested in her other books now

Nach den ersten Seiten schon dachte ich, wie langweilig. Nur, ich lese stets zu Ende. Dem Buch fehlt Saft und Würze. zu viel gottesfürchtige Einstellungen. Es ist ein Krimi, oder?! Einige Tote und viele liebessüchtige verklärte Damen, die es dem Bösewicht sehr einfach machen, am Ende hat man fast!!! Sympathie für den Mörder. Falls noch ein Buch folgt, ohne mich

This story was a refreshing twist on the detective novel. It was as if we were set down in the middle of her life and I went looking for other titles by this author, thinking that I had missed the previous episodes. I liked the main character, her support group, and the way she handled her investigation and the characters she ran into along the way.Everything I read in reviews (including the one in the Wall Street Journal) enticed me into the book, and proved to be true about my experience reading it.Looking forward to more by this author about this group of characters!

I loved this book, it left me wanting to read some more! I am sorely disappointed that there are currently no more Laetitia Rodd mysteries at this time. I hope they're on their way! I loved how the conventions of the era are introduced, and weren't altered to match our modern sensibilities. A great read, I hope there are many more to come. I you love the No, 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, you'll love this, too....

This was an enjoyable novel, especially because of the heroine. She's no young ingenue in distress, but an older, competent widow who helps her brother, a defense barrister, in solving crimes. It's a pleasure to read about older women as protagonist in these Victorian era mysteries. Her husband's death left her in need, but she refused to become the unpaid governess of her nephews and nieces, and instead uses her intelligence to augment what little resources she does have in solving mysteries (even though she has to assume the role of governess to carry out her investigations). Since she is the widow of an archdeacon, she has the experience and fortitude that only churchwomen might have.This mystery appears to be fairly simple at first.......to discover the past of a young widow with whom a young man from a wealthy family has fallen in love to the chagrin of his parents. Mrs. Rodd finds out, but then brutal murders begin to occur. Who is the murderer and why? The reader begins to suspect, as does Mrs. Todd, but how is it possible and how will she be able to convince the detective in charge? In addition to Mrs. Rodd, there are also other likable characters rounding out the plot. The social context is also realistic, especially regarding the roles of women and the hypocritical limitations placed on them

After recently wading through some of the second- and third-rate books that pass for mysteries in the Prime Reading catalog, what a pleasure it was to read The Secrets of Wishtide. Here at last is what I expect from a worthwhile historical mystery--high quality writing, a well-established historical milieu, engaging and developed characters and a plot that zips along with reasonable credibility. Connoisseurs of the works of Dickens will enjoy an extra richness in the parallels that they discover in this book. I had a ball joining intrepid widow Letitia Rodd in her crime solving adventures and I'm sure other discerning fans of historical mystery writing will too.

I loved it, so nice to read a story without being "spiced up" ad nauseum. I think that a writer cheapens their work with throwing that kind of thing in and have run out of true talent. Stick to the story and imagination like this one did. I think everyone would love it if they loved Agatha Christie.

I so enjoyed this book, mainly because of the characters. The heroine is smart, sane and likeable. Her friends and family are well presented, and the descriptions of England in the 1850s vivid without becoming tedious. I am looking forward to a sequel!

A very entertaining and enjoyable mystery. Looking forward to more in the series. A minister's widow is the main character--I can't believe that it was good, but it was! Similar to a Miss Marple. I will buy the next one as soon as it is published!

A lot of charm in this Dickensian tribute with engaging characters and a solid plot. Too much exposition on historical details (clearly the author had done her research) sometimes jolted me out of the story. For me a slightly harder edit would have made it a four star read. Really enjoyed the relationships between Laetetia, Mrs Briggs and Fred, that's where the story really shines.

Enjoyed that the main character was 50 something! She had spunk, drive and determination. Yet still felt her age. The pace of the book was steady and there were lots of twists and turns and some unexpected happenings. This would make a good series. I could have went right into reading the next one if there had been a second in a series.

I really enjoyed The Secrets of Wishtide" by Kate Saunders. It was the first in the Laetitia Rodd series that I have read. Although it is advertised as a cozy mystery, it had much more substance than I expected. It was extremely well written.I do recommend it to those who love British mysteries.

This author was a pleasant surprise and I hope she has more Laetitia Rodd stories in the works. The heroine is intelligent, believable and personable. The writing is a breath of fresh air in a category that is filled with female protagonists who make you want to slap them silly or pull your hair. Thank you Ms Saunders.

More please.Finally a heroine who is not a "woman in peril" or swooning into the arms of the big, brave man who saves her. A gown-up, practical, competent woman that we can root for.Please, write quickly but write well. We need more Laetitia