ARC Review: The Secret of Bow Lane by Jennifer Ashley

The Secret of Bow Lane
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: Below Stairs (Book 6)
Publication: Berkley (August 2, 2022)

Description: In Victorian-era London, amateur sleuth and cook Kat Holloway must solve a murder to claim an inheritance she didn’t know she had in a riveting new historical mystery from the bestselling author of Death at the Crystal Palace.

A stranger who appears on Kat's doorstep turns out to be one Charlotte Bristow, legal wife of Joe Bristow, the man Kat once believed herself married to—who she thought died at sea twelve years ago. Kat is jolted by Charlotte’s claims that not only was Joe murdered, but he had amassed a small fortune before he died. Charlotte makes the cook an offer she cannot refuse—if Kat can discover the identity of Joe's murderer, Charlotte will give her a share of the fortune Joe left behind.

With the help of Daniel McAdam, her attractive and charismatic confidante, Kat plunges into her own past to investigate. When it becomes apparent that the case of Joe’s death goes far deeper than simple, opportunistic theft, Kat and Daniel's relationship is put to the test, and Kat herself comes under scrutiny as her connection to Joe is uncovered. She must race to catch the real killer before she loses her job and possibly her life.

My Thoughts: In this fifth episode in the Below Stairs series, Kat Holloway takes on a case very close to home. When Charlotte Bristow appears on her doorstep begging her to help locate her husband Joe's supposed fortune, Kat is reluctant. After all, she was part of a bigamous marriage with the departed Joe and can't believe that he ever had a fortune. 

Kat gets involved because she is hoping to finally find some answers about Joe Bristow before her soon-to-be twelve-year-old daughter Grace begins to seriously ask questions about him. The case requires her to go back to Bow Lane where she was raised and where she lived with Joe. 

She's not alone in investigating. Her friend Daniel McAdam is willing to help. Their relationship has been growing closer, but Daniel is a man with secrets and Kat is afraid to enter into another relationship with a man who is keeping secrets from her. She also has help from Lady Cynthia and fellow kitchen maid Tess.

Their investigation leads them to a theft of gold coins from the Goldsmith's Hall a short time before Joe was believed to have been lost at sea. The case has not been solved in the twelve years since Joe was found dead on a London Dock. 

This was an engaging episode in an excellent series. I like the historical detail of the 1880s and like Kat who is content with her place among the working class in London. Fans of the series won't want to miss this latest episode.

Favorite Quote:

"I am always happy to help a beneficent society." Miss Townsend's shapely nose wrinkled. "Perhaps I can keep them from quashing the girls into spiritless automatons."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.