This book is based on the real, unsolved murder of Caroline Luard in 1908, and it was an interesting read. Full of actual letters and news reports about the case, Minette Walters created likeable characters, both read and imaginary. Although she didn't solve the crime, it did leave wondering who actually did kill Caroline. ( )

This is the fictionalized story of the murder of Caroline Luard who was shot and killed on August 25, 1908 at an isolated summerhouse in Kent. She and her husband, Charles Luard, were pillars of late-Victorian society. A vitriolic letter-writing and whispering campaign suggested Charles was the murderer: “As if a close-knit family had turned on itself because no one believed the victim had been killed by an outsider. Instead of peace, there was war. Instead of mutual support, there was suspicion.” Officially, however, the case was unsolved.

The book is a walk-through of the case. It seems to follow closely real events as outlined in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Mary_Luard, the site recommended at the end of the book. Walters, however, uses fiction techniques to bring the story to life, including imagining some characters.

The novel includes some social commentary about class divisions and the inequality of the sexes at the turn of the twentieth century. It also sheds light on crime investigation at that time.

This is one of the Quick Reads series of books intended for reluctant adult readers or those who struggle with reading. For those readers, I think it’s a good choice. The tale might encourage further reading/research into the actual case.

Please check out my reader's blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski). ( )

This is a true crime 'Quick Read', I must admit I was left a little underawed by this one. I wanted more and felt at the end it left me hanging. ( )

A fictional view of a real life event. A very well told short story with a moving ending.

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An OK Quick Read. The author speculates on the true murderers of a real life violent death in 1900s Kent. ( )