Review by Cynthia Chow
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
The ladies of WISE Enquiries Agency are looking forward to celebrating the winter holidays at the home of one of their first clients, the Duke and Duchess of Chellingworth. The agents have become a part of the family of Henry Devereaux Twist and his wife Stephanie, which is growing even more as they expect their first child to arrive just around the time of the New Year. The introverted 18th Duke of Chellingworth is not looking forward to a visit by his in-laws, despite there being 268 rooms in his family’s historic hall.Image Source Four Tails Publishing |
If the Welsh, Irish, Scottish, and English detectives of the agency had expected much needed downtime to spend with their families, they will be disappointed when they land two cases needing their services. One of these is, unfortunately, not with a paid client, though, as the Case of the Ghastly Gift-Giver has them tracking down whoever is leaving glued-down boxes on local residents’ porches with rather ominous and unappealing “gifts” inside. At least the Case of the Absent Heirs has a legitimate client, and they will be tracking down missing triplet heirs who are due to inherit their father’s estate. That the niece of the deceased happens to be married to the son of the attorney who wrote the will is a complication for their client, and the hiring law firm would prefer that this be resolved quickly and quietly.
Along with the usual holiday stress, each of the women of the agency is dealing with her own complications and challenges. The usually blunt and acerbic Annie Parker is struggling with PTSD from a recent traumatic confrontation, and she would prefer that her coworkers and friends not coddle her in what they see as a fragile state. Carol is feeling a bit homebound raising an infant, Mavis MacDonald is very much NOT giving advice to her son as his marriage crumbles, and Christine Wilson-Smythe is learning that perhaps she’s not so different from her criminal-ish boyfriend. As viewpoints shift from each of these very different but very likable characters, the multiple investigations are all eventually wrapped up, often as a direct result of the array of experiences they bring to the table.
This sixth in the series excels at depicting each of the women’s struggles and growth as characters. By now they have accepted one another’s quirks and differences, to the point when not teasing one another is seen as a sign of something wrong. Henry continues to be a delight by his bafflement over the strong-willed women in his life, and his fear-driven attempts to coddle his very pregnant wife are hilarious. The English countryside comes alive through the descriptions of the Anwen-by-Wye village, as do the residents when they unite against a common threat. The dry humor of the women and their banter keeps the tone light even when serious danger looms over them, making this a treat for fans of classic and cozy mysteries. Settle in by the fire for another rewarding appearance by the women of WISE Enquires in this charming contemporary British mystery series.
To enter to win a signed copy of The Case of the Absent Heirs, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "absent,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 11, 2023. US and Canadian residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up next week.
You can use this link to purchase the book or click here. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).
Sounds interesting! Count me in!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you like the sound of it!
DeleteThis sounds like a fun read especially Henry coddling his very pregnant wife. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeletePoor thing doesn;t know what to do for the best! Thanks
Deletethis is a good series. Thoroughly enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading this issue.
thanks. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm so pleased you enjoy the series - best of luck
DeleteThrilled that there is another adventure for this group - feels like I’m catching up with old friends jcrombie(at)look(dot)ca
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you feel that way - because I enjoy spending time with them too!
DeleteGreat setting and an interesting mystery. I like that there's multiple POVs.
ReplyDeletekozo8989@hotmail.com
New series to me. Sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
New author and series for me! tWarner419@aol.com
ReplyDeleteMy interest is piqued. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of The Absent Heirs.
ReplyDeleteThe Case of the Absent Heirs by Cathy Ace sounds like a fascinating book. The setting in Wales is unique.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
We have a winner!
ReplyDeleteLorie Ham
We have a winner!
ReplyDeleteLorie Ham