A Death of No Importance

A Mystery

By: Mariah Fredericks

Narrated by: Stephanie Willis

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Through her exquisite prose, sharp observation and deft plotting, Mariah Fredericks invites listeners into the heart of a changing New York in her remarkable debut adult audiobook.

New York City, 1910. Invisible until she’s needed, Jane Prescott has perfected the art of serving as a ladies’ maid to the city’s upper echelons. When she takes up a position with the Benchley family, dismissed by the city’s elite as “new money”, Jane realizes that while she may not have financial privilege, she has a power they do not - she understands the rules of high society. The Benchleys cause further outrage when their daughter Charlotte becomes engaged to notorious playboy Norrie, the son of the eminent Newsome family.

But when Norrie is found murdered at a party, Jane discovers she is uniquely positioned - she’s a woman no one sees, but who witnesses everything; who possesses no social power, but that of fierce intellect - and therefore has the tools to solve his murder. There are many with grudges to bear: from the family Norrie was supposed to marry into, to the survivors of a tragic accident in a mine owned by the Newsomes, to the rising anarchists who are sick of those born into wealth getting away with anything they want. Jane also knows that in both high society and the city’s underbelly, morals can become cheap in the wrong hands: scandal and violence simmer just beneath the surface - and can break out at any time.

“A Death of No Importance has such rich historic detail that you feel as if you’ve been transported to early 20th century New York. Mariah Fredericks is the best at creating compulsively addictive, fresh, twisty reads.” (Meg Cabot)

©2018 Mariah Fredericks (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

A well-crafted historical mystery

A well-crafted and suspenseful mystery. I liked Jane Prescott from the opening of the novel. She is a most engaging narrator and amateur sleuth. The story hooked me immediately as well, and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. The historical details were woven into the novel seamlessly. I can't wait to read (or listen) to more Jane Prescott mysteries.

Wonderful story, expertly delivered

One of the most well done, entertaining readings of an audio book. Great job bringing the story to life. I wish Stephanie Willis could narrate every book.

Also it’s a very well written, satisfying murder mystery that captures the period so well.

Definitely worth a credit!

I listen to historical mysteries almost exclusively, but I haven’t read many in the Gilded Age of New York. This was well written and enjoyable. It concerned not only the “upstairs-downstairs” of the day, but the social injustices that were going on as well.

I really liked the main character, Jane, who had her presence in both and a murder, besides. Not a sappy love story, but an intriguing love/marriage/money story to follow.

Already purchased book 2 and I’m looking forward to getting started!

Involving upstairs downstairs mystery

Are there more of these? I really would love to know what happens next. Well narrated, dark but with a lighter moments, this was a good one.

Really enjoyed this book!

I didn't really know what to expect (despite the many good reviews) when I started listening, but lately there have been so many similar books written that all seem variations on the same ideas, that I was pleasantly surprised to find that listening to this book was grabbing my attention in very unexpected positive ways. I was worried it would wind up being another book with insipid rich people doing insipid things and someone finally solving a mystery. Something I could run in background, but not get engaged with. This book was not that--in fact, it was all that I might wish for--very definitely had character as a story--with interesting historical social issues that drove the entire plot of the story. The author did not just allude to them in passing--they became the substance of the whole book. Excellent writing, narration and I liked that it was not just written to "formula," as so many seem to be. Looking forward to next in series.

Outstanding.

History so often repeats its self. I can't wait to read/hear the next one of the series.

Enjoyable

A cozy mystery that deals with some serious matters. I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved the narrative.

Solid

This was my first experience reading/listening to a book by Mariah Fredericks, and I’m impressed. Ms. Fredericks avoids the pitfalls common in this genre: rudimentary or overwrought characters, foolish plot lines, and inaccurate period detail.
She has written a story with an almost perfect balance between main character and secondary character development; none of the characters feel superfluous. The plot is well paced, and the historical details do not weigh down the story.
The narrator also performed well. The best narrators create seamless transitions between characters, and Stephanie Willis manages this through almost the entire story.
I will certainly listen to the next in the series.

A Great Read!

Very descriptive and, as a history buff, I enjoyed the weaving of New York historical facts into the narrative.

Average

Average in every respect. There was nothing that stood out in either the story, characters, or narration. It wasn't bad, but I kept thinking that there were so many others books to listen to instead.