A Mortal Curiosity

By: Ann Granger

Narrated by: Laurence Kennedy, Maggie Mash

Lizzie Martin, lady's companion, has been sent from London to the New Forest to comfort a young woman whose baby has tragically died. A sad enough task, but things take an even darker turn when a rat-catcher is found murdered, and the young woman is discovered beside the body, crying and covered in blood. Not knowing where else to turn, Lizzie calls upon her friend Inspector Ben Ross to solve the horrific crime.

©2008 Ann Granger (P)2011 W F Howes Ltd

Amazing Story

F irst time reading this author, I think but it was so enjoyable I will be looking for her next book. The story moved fast and was very curious in its telling. It is hard to explain, but she kept me guessing all the time as to what might happen next. So much fun. Looking forwardl

Sweet historical mystery

Very nice engaging story. Fun to read with believable characters and a good plot to boot

A classic Victorian mystery, in a country setting.

I’m reading these out of order and it doesn’t seem to matter, Ms. Granger’s ability as a writer gives you a concise over view of what you have missed without bashing you over the head with it.

Miss Lizzie Martin has taken up a position as a companion to a young woman who has suffered the loss of her baby. An unhappy Ben doesn’t want her to leave London just as things are getting serious between them. But Lizzie isn’t certain she wants to marry, and wants time to sort things out, so she accepts the position. Besides Ben's position as police Inspector for Scotland Yard seems to leave little or no time for courting.

On the edge of The New Forest lies Shore House, home to Mrs. Lucy Craven and her two maiden aunts. Lizzie is nobody’s fool, and in that in between world described in the book as; “you are neither fish nor fowl.” She manages to gain Lucy's trust and to not let Lucy's Aunts ride roughshod over her, I knew who the likely culprit was, and I knew the motive fairly early on.

What I find I like about Ms. Grangers work is that there is an effortless flow of information. Her writing is even and smooth as silk. In my opinion Ms. Granger’s work it is about the journey not the destination. I give it a solid 4 stars.

The narrators are good enough not great I give Mr. Laurence Kennedy a higher 4 star rating, than I do Ms. Maggie Mash I give her 3 stars, as I found some of her characterizations somewhat stilted. I am not certain that it is fair I lay this at Ms. Mash feet however, it might have been the direction she was given. But it didn’t stop my enjoyment of the story.

Animal abuse

This is not my favorite Granger novel. let's just say that the treatment of animals is too historically accurate and graphic for me. Also, abundant. It was not enjoyable for me. I had a very sweet, feral born pet rat, do the description of the rats' demise....very sad. Add to that the cat's death, and I just didn't want nor need the details. I was not feeling it for the main characters, as well. The story felt disturbing, and I felt the ending was abrupt.

Couldn't finish it

I really enjoyed "A Better Quality of Murder" which is the 2nd book. I decided to listen to this, the prequel since I enjoyed the 2nd so much. "Better Quality..." gets into the story right away, this one, drags... talks too much about scenery, history of this place... I was so bored. I tried to stay with it but after about 2 or 3 hrs I gave up.