The Death of Colonel Mann: A Beacon Hill Mystery

By Cynthia Peale

Book Overview

Victorian Boston is the splendid setting for a deliciously scandalous murder in this seductive historical mystery. When Colonel William D'Arcy Mann is found shot dead in his Boston hotel suite, there are few to mourn him but many who will feel the repercussions of his untimely demise. Mann was the publisher of a scurrilous gossip rag in which he exposed the indiscretions, great and small, of Boston's highest caste--unless they paid the hush money he demanded. By discovering the body, Addington Ames, a resident of Louisburg Square, Beacon Hill, has violated at least two tenets of the Boston Brahmin code of behavior to which he was born--his name has appeared in the newspapers, and he has been questioned by the police. But it's his reason for visiting Colonel Mann in the first place that is by far Ames's greatest concern. His orphaned young cousin, Valentine, has made a most desirable match, but she has unfortunately been indiscreet, and the love letters she wrote during a failed summer romance have somehow fallen into Colonel Mann's hands. If her fianc? were to discover her indiscretion, he would break their engagement, so Ames must recover the letters to save Val from social ostracism. But the missives in question are not to be found in the inconveniently dead blackmailer's hotel room. Only by finding the killer will he be able to prevent Val's heartbreak and disgrace. Cynthia Peale, in this first book of her new mystery series, deftly evokes a richly textured portrait of Victorian Boston's high and low society. And she has created a memorable cast of characters. In addition to the dastardly colonel himself, there is the perfectly matched team of amateur sleuths--Addington Ames and his endearing strong-willed sister, Caroline--who are joined by their boarder and friend, Dr. John MacKenzie, an amiable and sharp-witted outsider (with a secret yearning for Caroline) who acts as Addington's Watson. The Death of Colonel Mannis a tale of passion and terror, a blend of charm, mystery, and suspense in a setting readers will want to return to again and again. Cynthia Peale, in this first book of her new mystery series, deftly evokes the atmosphere, both physical and social, of Victorian Boston's high and low society--the clatter of carriage traffic on fog-shrouded cobblestone streets, the venerable town houses of Beacon Hill, the conviviality and exclusivity of the private clubs, the strict codes of proper behavior. And she has created a perfectly matched team of amateur sleuths--Addington and his sister, Caroline Ames, whose impeccable pedigree allows them to live in reduced circumstances in their parents' Beacon Hill house without losing a bit of their social acceptance, and Dr. John MacKenzie, an amiable and sharp-witted outsider, who sees far more than he lets on and acts as Addington's Watson. -->

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385496362
• ISBN13: 9780385496360
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.9" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Up all night !!

Living in an area where you cannot get many good books, I picked this one up as a last resort, thinking at least its something. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN !! I was up all night a few days in a row trying to finish this book between home and work. The plot was well developed and I didn't already know who did it half way thru, I literally had to read to the end to find out !! And the characters where real and beleivable and very likable. I am such a fan of this author I cannot WAIT until she writes more ! I highly highly recomend this book. its great historically and suspensfully. I usually read Steven Saylor (since I live in Italy, his books are amazing) and Kate Ross, but she only had a few books. From now on I am Beaconphile !!!

The Death of Colonel Mann

I couldn't put the book down! It was a wonderful mystery, I didn't know who the murderer was until the last page. I'm going to give it to my mom for Mother's day--she loves mysteries.

The Death of Colonel Mann: A great read!

I loved this book - couldn't put it down. The description of 19th century foggy, fishy Boston is wonderful. The cast of characters and their secret troubles lead to a great mystery.

Great historical mystery

Addington and Caroline Ames are part of Victorian Boston's social elite even though they do not have the money to keep up their lifestyle. To supplement their income, they accept a boarder, Dr. John MacKenzie, who is recovering from a bullet wound. Although he pays rent, the Ames treat John as a member of the family.Although newspaper publisher Colonel William D'Arcy Mann does not travel among Boston's Brahmin circles, he knows the upper echelon's most private indiscretions. William blackmails many of the upper class. His latest victim is a cousin to the Ames, who pleads with Addington to retrieve her stolen letters that contains information she cannot afford go public. Accompanied by Dr. MacKenzie, Addington visits Mann's hotel suite where they find the Colonel dead and the letters missing. Addington and MacKenzie begin sleuthing in order to protect their family from scandal.Judging from the high quality of the story line and the sharply defined cast, although this is the first "Beacon Hill" mystery, this series will have a long run. The action-packed story line provides insight into Victorian Boston's upper class through the myriad of characters. Surprisingly, the novel is Cynthia Peale's first mystery, though she has written several novels as Nancy Zaroulis (see CALL THE DARKNESS LIGHT and THE LAST WALTZ). Reminding readers of Dianne Day's Fremont Jones tales, THE DEATH OF COLONEL MANN will appeal to fans of Americana historical mysteries.Harriet Klausner

The Death of Colonel Mann: A Beacon Hill Mystery

A great read! The characters are well developed, the setting is perfect, and Peale makes Boston come alive. The best part is, I had no idea who did it until the very end! I would highly recommend this book to people who love a good mystery. Can't wait for the next installment.