The Secrets of Wishtide: A Novel (A Laetitia Rodd Mystery)

About this book

Mrs. Laetitia Rodd aged fifty-two is the widow of an archdeacon. Living in Hampstead with her confidante and landlady Mrs. Bentley who once let rooms to John Keats Laetitia makes her living as a highly discreet private investigator. Her brother Frederick Tyson is a criminal barrister living in the neighboring village of Highgate with his wife and ten children. Frederick finds the cases and Laetitia solves them using her arch intelligence her iron discretion and her immaculate cover as an unsuspecting widow. When Frederick brings to her attention a case involving the son of the well-respected highly connected Sir James Calderstone Laetitia sets off for Lincolnshire to take up a position as the familys new governess--quickly making herself indispensable.But the seemingly simple case--looking into young Charles Calderstones inappropriate love interest--soon takes a rather unpleasant turn. And as the familys secrets begin to unfold Laetitia discovers the Calderstones have more to hide than most. Dickensian in its scope and characters The Secrets of Wishtide brings nineteenth century society vividly to life and illuminates the effect of Victorian morality on womens lives. Introducing an irresistible new detective the first book in the Laetitia Rodd Mystery series will enthrall and delight.