"Jane observes matters with a knowing eye, from the minutely personal to the tragically public. Ms. Fredericks sets Jane's investigation neatly within a larger social context of the suffrage movement, and the results are unexpectedly thrilling."—The Wall Street Journal
"Wonderfully moving...Fredericks has a sharp eye for the complexities of human nature and how even good people are capable of committing terrible deeds to protect the ones they love. This is a touching portrait of early-20th-century New York in all its glory and ugliness."—Publishers Weekly (Starred and Boxed)
"With an astute amateur sleuth whose evaluation of the roles and positions of women is a crucial element, and a topical story line that emphasizes the immigrant experience and women's lives, this title comes highly recommended."—Library Journal (Starred, Pick of the Month)
"This fast-moving, second entry in the series builds an immersive account of life in the early twentieth century/ Readers will await more adventures with the plucky, wise Jane. Try this with patrons who enjoyed Jessica Fellowes' The Mitford Murders (2018) and with fans of mysteries that have solid historical-fiction underpinnings."—Booklist
"An engrossing page turner with an engaging sleuth, an in depth study of human nature across social lines, and a fearless exploration of Gilded Age New York with its underbelly of poverty, crime, and ruthless politics. I'm loving this series!"—Alyssa Maxwell, author of the Gilded Newport Mysteries
“Unforgettable...Readers will enjoy the authentic period dialogue as they step back in time with this well-paced, intuitive page-turner that proves that good-old days aren’t so different from the present.”—Mystery Scene Magazine
Praise for A Death of No Importance:
"Murder in the ranks of high society provides heady entertainment for the servants who toil in obscurity in A Death of No Importance, a lively upstairs/downstairs mystery by Mariah Fredericks set in New York City in 1910."—New York Times Book Review
“A sparkling mystery . . . The novel's voice, plotting, pace, characterization, and historical background are all expertly crafted, while the resolution—which feels both surprising and convincing—will leave readers hungry for more.”—Publishers Weekly (starred)
“Jane is an appealing amateur sleuth . . . With its vivid depiction of contrasting worlds this series debut should appeal to readers of Alyssa Maxwell’s ‘Gilded Age’ historical mysteries.”—Library Journal (starred)
"Deftly woven...[An] intricate historical mystery and pointed commentary on human nature."—Booklist
"The prewar world of New York City in 1910 comes to life through the colorful social settings and real historical events...[a] debut adult novel with period details and strong characterizations."—BookPage
"A deliciously intriguing peek at 1910 New York. A well-plotted mystery with a plucky amateur sleuth—and an ending that could promise more cases for Jane to solve in the future!"—RT Book Reviews
"A really good read for fans of historical fiction—the character had a great voice that sucked me in immediately."—Book Riot
"A highly engaging read...satisfying."—BookBrowse
"Another deftly crafted novel by an author with a genuine flair for originality and a total master of the mystery genre, A Death of No Importance by Mariah Fredericks is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections."—The Midwest Book Review
“A Death of No Importance has such rich historic detail that you feel as if you’ve been transported to early twentieth century New York. Mariah Fredericks is the best at creating compulsively addictive, fresh, twisty reads.”—Meg Cabot
"Mariah Fredericks’ A Death of No Importance is told by a young and reticent—but gimlet-eyed—ladies’ maid. She’s employed by an Edith Wharton-esque New York City family, but after the murder of a young cad who was engaged to her mistress, she’s drawn into the police investigation. Crossing social class lines and making tart observations, she succeeds at both finding the murderer and keeping secrets. Fredericks has written a taut, suspenseful, and complex murder mystery with gorgeous period detail."—Susan Elia MacNeal
“A sharp, engaging, and intimate treat of a historical mystery. Jane Prescott is a smart detective and a keen observer of both the upper crust and the dark underbelly of early twentieth century New York society.”—Laura Joh Rowland
“The simmering tensions among New York City's wealthiest families—the rivalries, lies, and even the criminal acts—come to a boil in A Death of No Importance, and Jane, a highly intelligent young maid, is the one who sees more than she should the night that someone from the smart set is viciously murdered. A suspenseful, moving, sharply observed mystery that illuminates a fascinating time in America's history, when there was indeed ugliness beneath the beauty of the Gilded Age.”—Nancy Bilyeau
"A compelling story of a maid in 910 New York City. A murder in the Gilded Age circle reverberates in ways no one could have imagined."—The Big Thrill
"Honed by years of service to the wealthy, Jane [Prescott] has a talent for staying unnoticed while noticing everything. This appealing series debut is the first adult mystery by the Edgar-nominated Young Adult author."—Stop You're Killing Me
"Told with exquisite details of the city and life among the rich and their hired help. I heartily recommend this book."—Historical Novel Society
★ 01/28/2019
Fredericks’s wonderfully moving sequel to 2018’s A Death of No Importance opens in 1912 with lady’s maid Jane Prescott helping Louise Benchley, the shy daughter of an upper-class New York family, prepare for her society wedding to William Tyler. The wedding is to take place at the Long Island estate of William’s uncle, Charles Tyler, an anti-gang activist famous for his ongoing crusade against the Italian Mafia. There Jane befriends Sofia Bernardi, who’s nanny to the Tylers’ youngest child, Frederick. Late one night, Jane is roused by Frederick’s screams to find Sofia murdered in the nursery. The police believe that Sofia thwarted an attempted kidnapping—a warning to Charles from the Mafia—and paid with her life, but Jane soon discovers that Sofia’s death may be much more personal. Fredericks has a sharp eye for the complexities of human nature and how even good people are capable of committing terrible deeds to protect the ones they love. This is a touching portrait of early-20th-century New York in all its glory and ugliness. Agent: Victoria Skurnick, Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary. (Apr.)
2019-01-21
When ladies' maid Jane Prescott goes with the Benchley family to a Long Island estate to oversee the approaching wedding of daughter Louise Benchley, she expects the usual domestic dramas—but is shocked when a nanny at the estate is murdered.
Jane is an astute and shrewd observer, and the news of 1912, especially the sinking of the Titanic, is on everyone's mind. But the press is also filled with news of the so-called Black Hand, the Italian crime syndicate. Leading the fight against this group is Deputy Police Commissioner Charles Tyler, who, with his glamorous wife, Alva, was already a press darling for his glamorous worldwide travels. Now Alva is a mother and oversees life at their Long Island estate, where their nephew, William, is to marry Louise. Once there, Jane befriends the Tylers' young Italian nanny, Sofia, but soon after their meeting, Sofia is found murdered. Was this retribution from the Black Hand? As Jane discusses the case with her journalist friend, Michael Behan, she begins to have doubts as to the killer and the motive behind the murder. Fredericks, who introduced Prescott in A Death of No Importance (2018), has obviously done her research about the period but sometimes seems to create scenes just to prove this. Otherwise, the plot moves along at a dull but leisurely pace to its unsurprising conclusion.
Fredericks' heroine has an acerbic wit that occasionally flashes, but it's hard to sustain interest in this effort stocked with mainly stock characters.
