Lady Helena Investigates: Book One of the Scott-De Quincy Mysteries

By: Jane Steen

Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

A reluctant lady sleuth finds she's investigating her own family.

Step into Lady Helena Whitcombe's world with the first novel in a series that will blend family saga and mystery-driven action with a slow-burn romance in seven pause-resisting investigations.

Sussex, 1881. Lady Helena Scott-De Quincy's marriage to Sir Justin Whitcombe, three years before, gave new purpose to a life almost destroyed by the death of Lady Helena's first love. After all, shouldn't the preoccupations of a wife and hostess be sufficient to fulfill any aristocratic female's dreams? Such a shame their union wasn't blessed by children...but Lady Helena is content with her quiet country life until Sir Justin is found dead in the river overlooked by their grand baroque mansion.

The intrusion of attractive, mysterious French physician Armand Fortier, with his meddling theory of murder, into Lady Helena's first weeks of mourning is bad enough. But with her initial ineffective efforts at investigation and her attempts to revive her long-abandoned interest in herbalism comes the realization that she may have been mistaken about her own family's past. Every family has its secrets - but, as this absorbing series will reveal, the Scott-De Quincy family has more than most.

Can Lady Helena survive bereavement the second time around? Can she stand up to her six siblings' assumption of the right to control her new life as a widow? And what role will Fortier - who, as a physician, is a most unsuitable companion for an earl's daughter - play in her investigations?

A new series by Jane Steen, author of the House of Closed Doors series that has delighted thousands of fans. If you're looking for a pause-resisting Victorian mystery saga, here's where you start!

©2018 Jane Steen (P)2018 Jane Steen

spoiler alert!

Not a true mystery as a problem isn't known until it's confessed. Not a romance novel, no "thriller" aspect
It's a different sort of story. A good read, even if it's lacking in luster.

NOT A MYSTERY I TELL YOU, NOT A MYSTERY AT ALL!!!

After listening to this"MYSTERY NOVEL" IN ITS ENTIRETY, I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!
after the main mystery being solved with three hours left in the book I knew that I had chosen it this really should be more of a book under the genre Romance! I do not want to give anything away just take my word for it I have over 400 books from audible 95% of the Mysteries!!!!!

Slow start but good as it developed

Elisabeth Klett is the best narrator and I picked this up because of her reading. It was slow developing and the lead character was frustrating at times but the story developed nicely.

Interesting first book in this series

Good story, sympathetic heroine, excellent narration. I’m looking forward to the next book in order to follow the life and investigations of Lady Helena and her family members.
Thanks Jane Steen and Elizabeth Klett.

Interesting story

I did enjoy most of the story. The mystery of her husband’s death and the result was revealing. It took too long for Helena to finally stand up for herself however in the end she does.

Disgusting revelations

I have just finished listening for the second time, thinking I should give this book a second chance, but nothing can erase that stain of going too far. I would appreciate warning of unsavory subjects such as incest prior to buying a book. There is good character development and interesting plot building but I draw the line at deviant sexual behavior. It’s the author’s prerogative, of course, but mine to choose if I want to listen. Elizabeth Klett, on the other hand is an excellent narrator

Well written, and interesting.

This is no cookie cutter "widow delving into the suspicious death of her beloved husband." It's a story of dementia slowing taking away your mother her history, and of stories never told. Of dealing with a large family, in such times. I feel I really got to know the Scott-DeQuincys' . I can't wait for the next installment.

Great Escape

This was a charming story with not too much drama which I do appreciate right now. I like to escape into a novel with my head phones on while I am cleaning or when I need a rest. I didn't start out thinking that this book would have a lot of substance but it grew on me as the story became more complex. I gave it a five because it took me peacefully away from worries about family and friends who are alone in this solitary time. So I am grateful to the author for that and I really do hope we will see more of Lady Helena as she grows into her real self.

Loved!

This series got me through my second round of COVID. I’m so hooked. I generally won’t turn away a historical mystery and rarely write reviews. But this series has been so captivating. I love the nicknames within the family, the adventures and intrigue. I always love a strong female sleuth but this book does a great job of acknowledging the difficulties in class differences a woman faces when trying to be independent. I love how the narrator portrays the oldest brother. I love the complexities revealed in the romantic relationships. So many unpredictable twists and turns. Please continue this series!

False advertising

This is not really a mystery and Lady Helena doesn’t do much “investigating.” Its disappointing as a romance as there is very little interaction between the couple. It is something of a “coming into her own” story as told in a series of loosely related incidents that are sometimes interesting on their own merit and as summed up in the last speeches. It is way too long and didn’t keep me interested. I kept waiting for everything to come together into a solid story but it didn’t happen. The narration was OK but a little forced. Seemed to take forever for the book to end.