Speculations in Sin - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads: Speculations in Sin (A Below Stairs Mystery #7) by Jennifer Ashley

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  To save an innocent man’s life, amateur sleuth and cook Kat Holloway must expose a financial scam that could ruin the most powerful aristocrats in Victorian-era London, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Secret of Bow Lane.

Kat Holloway is distressed to learn that Samuel Millburn, husband of the woman who looks after her daughter, has been accused of embezzling funds from the bank where he works as a clerk. The accusation is absurd, and Samuel’s wife fears that her husband will not only lose his post but be imprisoned. Kat vows to uncover the truth.

When she discovers the bank is involved in shockingly murky business dealings, Kat realizes she’s treading in dangerous waters. She turns to her confidante and handsome suitor, Daniel McAdam, for help. To exonerate Samuel, Kat and Daniel may have to expose the unseemly financial dealings of prominent aristocrats and government officials, and even those working to bring down the royal family. Kat will risk everything to protect the man who has sacrificed so much for her daughter, even if it means endangering herself and the friends she has come to love.

Genre:  Mystery - Historical 

Why I Picked This Book:  I have enjoyed every book in this series so of course I had to pick up this newest book.

My Impression: I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and I was super excited to have a book that focused a bit on the family where Kat's daughter, Grace, has lived since the beginning of the series.  I really enjoyed seeing what life in what is essentially the time's version of a middle class home as well as getting to know Joanna and her family better.  

Kat was very personally involved in this mystery as both the fate of her daughter and a family she cares deeply about.  She's also tackling a very different area than her previous investigations as she delves into an established financial institution that is very much not open to women.  Nor is it a world that Daniel McAdam is particularly comfortable in which made for an interesting change.  I enjoyed the mystery though my heart did break for Joanna through the majority of the book.  I wasn't quite sure how it would work out until close to the end.  

My only complaint is the will they/won't they aspect of Kat and Daniel's relationship.  I get why Kat would be hesitant giving her history but I wish the situation would be resolved.

This is a great historical mystery series with lots of upstairs/downstairs atmosphere.  This is the seventh book in the series and I think I've enjoyed every single book.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would!  I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and I would pick up any mystery they write.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy historical mysteries this is a fantastic series though best read in order.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *