Book Review: Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen

Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman
Author: Tessa Arlen
Series: Lady Montfort Mystery Series (Book 1)
Publication: Minotaur Books (January 6, 2015)

Description: Lady Montfort has been planning her annual summer costume ball for months, and with scrupulous care. Pulling together the food, flowers and a thousand other details for one of the most significant social occasions of the year is her happily accepted responsibility. But when her husband’s degenerate nephew is found murdered, it’s more than the ball that is ruined. In fact, Lady Montfort fears that the official police enquiry, driven by petty snobbery and class prejudice, is pointing towards her son as a potential suspect.

Taking matters into her own hands, the rather over-imaginative countess enlists the help of her pragmatic housekeeper, Mrs. Jackson, to investigate the case, track down the women that vanished the night of the murder, and clear her son’s name. As the two women search for a runaway housemaid and a headstrong young woman, they unearth the hidden lives of Lady Montfort’s close friends, servants and family and discover the identity of a murderer hiding in plain sight.

In this enchanting debut sure to appeal to fans of Downton Abbey, Tessa Arlen draws readers into a world exclusively enjoyed by the rich, privileged classes and suffered by the men and women who serve them. Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman is an elegant mystery filled with intriguing characters and fascinating descriptions of Edwardian life—a superb treat for those who love British novels.

My Thoughts: This historical mystery concerns the death of young man at a weekend house party. The hostess, Lady Montfort, enlists her housekeeper, Mrs. Jackson, to help her solve the crime. 

Teddy Mallory was not a nice young man. Many people at the party, including Lady Montfort's son, had reasons to want him dead. The more Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson look into things, the more they learn about all the dishonorable and illegal things Teddy was into.

At the same time someone is murdering Teddy, two young women also disappear from the house party. One is the daughter of a wealthy man, and the other is a housemaid. An unsuccessful search doesn't discover either of the young women which only adds to the mystery. 

The story set after the sinking of the Titanic and before the start of World War I was a detailed picture of a time that has gone. The rigid separation of classes was already breaking down, but it was Mrs. Jackson who was most disturbed by this. The traditional roles of the aristocracy develop cracks as the heir is more interested in the new flying machines than he is in managing the family estates. 

I enjoyed this slow-paced mystery and the glimpse into Edwardian life.

I bought this one January 25, 2025. You can buy your copy here.