Dangerous to Know

September 20, 2010
Set in 1892, Alexander's less than memorable fifth novel of suspense featuring Lady Emily Hargreaves finds Emily recovering from the emotional and physical scars suffered in her previous outing, Tears of Pearl. Emily's well-intentioned husband, Colin, persuades her to recuperate at his family's estate in Normandy, where she's under the disapproving eye of her fearsome mother-in-law. While out riding, Emily happens on the butchered corpse of a woman, later identified as an escaped inmate from an insane asylum outside Rouen. The nature of the victim's wounds suggests that Jack the Ripper has crossed the Channel to France. Alexander throws in a gentleman-burglar carrying a torch for Emily as well as author Maurice Leblanc and painter Claude Monet, but fails to breathe much life into any of them. More a damsel in distress than an independent woman, Emily comes across as a less capable sleuth than, say, Laurie King's Mary Russell or Charles Todd's Bess Crawford.

October 15, 2010

After losing their unborn child and nearly losing her life as well in Tears of Pearl, Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves are visiting his mother in Normandy. It's meant to provide Emily time to regain her mental and physical strength, but a somewhat unfriendly mother-in-law and a ghost story she can't dismiss as untrue leave Emily feeling tense. Finding the horribly mutilated body of a young woman and working to discover how the victim made it so far from anyone or anyplace familiar bring new dangers and return old friends to Emily's life. Will this investigation offer a fresh start or a tragic end for the Hargreaveses? The novel begins slowly, effectively mimicking Emily's mind-set with its slower pace and meandering progression. As Emily begins to reengage with the world around her, the story also flows better, and the ending provides great satisfaction for the protagonists and readers. VERDICT This is still a strong series for fans of historical mysteries featuring independent young ladies. However, Alexander's latest entry doesn't stand as well on its own; newbies should start with the earlier books (And Only To Deceive; A Fatal Waltz).--Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH

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