Rules of Murder (Drew Farthering Series #1)

by Julianna Deering

Overview

Downton Abbey Meets Agatha Christie in This Sparkling Mystery

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels.

Soon, financial irregularities at Drew's stepfather's company come to light and it's clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer—and trying harder to impress Madeline—Drew must decide how far to take this game.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764210952
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2013
Series:	Drew Farthering Series , #1
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	740,787
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Julianna Deering has always loved British history and literature and is particularly a fan of the classic mysteries written by Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas and now works for an attorney specializing in wills and estate planning. She lives outside Dallas, Texas, where she loves to quilt, cross-stitch, and watch hockey. Learn more at www.juliannadeering.com.

Editorial Reviews

Deering’s historical mystery, set in 1930s England, has all the elements of a good story, but they don’t sum up to a fresh whole. Andrew “Drew” Farthering and his friend Nick—son of Farthering Place’s intrepid butler, Dennison—team up in Hardy Boys–esque intrigue with their era-appropriate Nancy Drew, Madeline, to uncover the perpetrator of a series of heinous crimes. Blatant clues are showered on the reader like annoying confetti as the rather predictable plot meanders to its obvious conclusion. Lovingly detailed period couture description and cultural references provide some relief from stilted, repetitive dialogue and unlikable characters. When not coming off as utterly patronizing and as a caricature of British gentility, Drew wears his affected mannerisms like a badge of honor. While Madeline has the makings of a sympathetic female lead, she appears simpering and weak. Matters of faith are given lip service before being relegated to the literary cupboard in favor of imagined mysteries, gratuitous murders, and flirting. This is Downton Abbey meets Saturday Night Live. Agent: Wendy Lawton, Books & Such Literary Agency. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

This clever country-house mystery is set in 1930s England. Narrator Simon Vance sparkles as the wide range of Brits who attend a grand house party and the visiting American relatives in their midst. Drew Farthering, son of the household, and his lifelong friend Nick Dennison enjoy solving mysteries. But they have mixed emotions when a murder occurs on their doorstep. Vance’s best and liveliest creation is the doddering gent who may be quite different from the person his quavering voice suggests. As the police and the Farthering entourage work to identify the killer, listeners will be treated to details of business and village life in an earlier era. A fun puzzler in the Christie tradition. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

SEPTEMBER 2013 - AudioFile