The Unforgiving Eye
By Beth Andrews
Ulverscroft Large Print, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-84782-664-0
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Reviewed by Auggie Moore - July 2, 2009
Be careful what you wish for! Returning from their honeymoon, Lydia Savidge remarks to her new husband that the only thing needed to make their honeymoon perfect is that, "...a nice little murder would have been just the thing to make it absolutely perfect." Her wish is soon granted, as Lydia and her husband John find themselves tasked with the job of discovering just who really killed Sir Benedict Stanbury. To make matters even more complicated, they only have three days in which to do it! The potential suspects are numerous and unique, as Stanbury was not a well-liked man. Perhaps one of the strangest suspects appears to be Stanbury's own sister-in-law, who also happened to be his mistress. Lydia and John will have to keep their wits about them if they are to solve this complicated crime found within the pages of The Unforgiving Eye, by Beth Andrews.
Lydia Bramwell and John Savidge met and fell in love while investigating a murder that occurred in Diddlignton, Sussex, so it is surprising that they would choose to spend part of their honeymoon solving another case, before getting down to the task of married life. (You can read about their courtship and first case, in Hidden in the Heart). Before returning home, the Savidge's are duty bound to make a courtesy visit to Mrs. Wardle-Penfield of Fallowfield, a visit that neither is overly eager to make. Upon arriving, they discover that Sir Stanbury has recently been murdered, within the very confines of the house. They also find that their previous success in solving a murder has gone before them. They are therefore beseeched by Portia Leverett, the goddaughter of Mrs. Wardle-Penfield, to discover just who really killed Sir Stanbury. Common theory has it that the killer was none other than James Bromley, a stable hand, for whom Miss Leverett seems to have more than just a passing interest. If they don't find the real killer, her James might find himself at the wrong end of a rope in three days time - hence the speedy deadline for solving the case.
Set during the reign of King George III, The Unforgiving Eye is a fine example of amateur detectives at their best. They stand on equal footings with the likes of Anne Perry's married detectives, Charlotte and Thomas Pitt and Latterly and William Monk, this story is sure to resonate with Perry's fans, as well as with anyone who enjoys amateur detective stories or cozy mysteries, set in the past. Most important, Lydia and John are well pared and they compliment each other on both a personal level and in regard to their crime solving skills. Both are likeable characters and they bring a sense of humor to the story. In addition, Andrews' writing is well-paced and the mystery filled with a nice assortment of twists and turns, and eccentric characters which will keep you glued to the page until the very end. The Unforgiving Eye is a great historical mystery, and I'm eagerly looking forward to Andrews' next mystery featuring Lydia and John Savidge!
Other books by Beth Andrews include:
St. George and the Dragon
A Scandalous Secret
Stolen Waters
The Marplot Marriage
Hidden in the Heart
The Unforgiving Eye can be purchased online, directly from Ulverscroft.
Related Reviews:
Hidden in the Heart, by Beth Andrews.
When Lydia Bramwell is sent to Sussex to stay with her aunt, little does she know the adventure, and the romance, that is waiting for her when she becomes involved in helping solve a mysterious murder in this Regency era tale of suspense. (Large Print)
A Scandalous Secret
, by Beth Andrews.
In this Regency romance, when the widowed Countess of Dansmere arrives at her sister's home, she finds two men vying for her attention, the arrogant marriage-minded Viscount Maples and Mr. Markham, a wealthy merchant who knows a terrible secret about the Countess. Markham is bent upon revenge, and if he reveals her secret, she may well be ruined, along with her young son! (Large Print)
