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Daisy Dalrymple #23
The Corpse at the Crystal Palace
A casual outing to the Crystal Palace in London takes a mysterious and murderous turn in The Corpse at the Crystal Palace, the latest mystery in Carola Dunn’s beloved Daisy Dalrymple series.
April 1928: Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher is visited in London by her young cousins. On the list of must-see sites is the Crystal Palace. Discovering that her children's nanny, Nanny Gilpin, has never seen the Palace, Daisy decides to make a day of it—bringing her cousins, her 3-year-old twins, her step-daughter Belinda, the nurserymaid, and Nanny Gilpin. Yet this ordinary outing goes wrong when Mrs. Gilpin goes off to the ladies’ room and fails to return. When Daisy goes to look for her, she doesn't find her nanny but instead the body of another woman dressed in a nanny's uniform.
Meanwhile, Belinda and the cousins spot Mrs. Gilpin chasing after yet another nanny. Intrigued, they trail the two through the vast Crystal Palace and into the park. After briefly losing sight of their quarry, they stumble across Mrs. Gilpin lying unconscious in a small lake inhabited by huge concrete dinosaurs.
When she comes to, Mrs. Gilpin can't remember what happened after leaving the twins in the nurserymaid's care. Daisy's husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, finds himself embroiled in the investigation of the murdered nanny. Worried about her children's own injured nanny, Daisy is determined to help. First she has to discover the identity of the third nanny, the presumed murderer, and to do so, Daisy must uncover why the amnesic Mrs. Gilpin deserted her charges to follow the missing third nanny.
April 1928: Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher is visited in London by her young cousins. On the list of must-see sites is the Crystal Palace. Discovering that her children's nanny, Nanny Gilpin, has never seen the Palace, Daisy decides to make a day of it—bringing her cousins, her 3-year-old twins, her step-daughter Belinda, the nurserymaid, and Nanny Gilpin. Yet this ordinary outing goes wrong when Mrs. Gilpin goes off to the ladies’ room and fails to return. When Daisy goes to look for her, she doesn't find her nanny but instead the body of another woman dressed in a nanny's uniform.
Meanwhile, Belinda and the cousins spot Mrs. Gilpin chasing after yet another nanny. Intrigued, they trail the two through the vast Crystal Palace and into the park. After briefly losing sight of their quarry, they stumble across Mrs. Gilpin lying unconscious in a small lake inhabited by huge concrete dinosaurs.
When she comes to, Mrs. Gilpin can't remember what happened after leaving the twins in the nurserymaid's care. Daisy's husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, finds himself embroiled in the investigation of the murdered nanny. Worried about her children's own injured nanny, Daisy is determined to help. First she has to discover the identity of the third nanny, the presumed murderer, and to do so, Daisy must uncover why the amnesic Mrs. Gilpin deserted her charges to follow the missing third nanny.
277 pages, Hardcover
First published August 27, 2019
About the author
Carola Dunn
101 books866 followersCarola Dunn is the author of more than 30 Regency romances, as well as 16 mysteries (the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series is set in England in the 1920s). Ms. Dunn was born and grew up in England, where she got a B.A. in Russian and French from Manchester University. She travelled as far as Fiji before returning to settle in California. After 30 years in the US, she says she still sounds as if she arrived a month ago.
Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)
Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
June 5, 2022
So sad this series is done!!
October 3, 2018
I know why I love this series. Recently, I haven’t been able to read mysteries. Most cozy mysteries nowadays have a similar plotline. An amateur sleuth, usually a woman, reluctantly starts to investigate a crime, usually a murder, while the canny and terrifying murderer tags her as his next victim. So instead of a clear investigation, the heroine is fighting for her life.
Not so in Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple series. Daisy, the protagonist, is never in danger. She usually stumbles on a murder by accident and proceeds to investigate because she cares about the people involved. She wants to help everyone: the victim’s family, her friends, the police, and even the innocent bystanders. Her kind heart and inquisitive nature lead her into trouble, and then out of it, while she goes about her daily life: husband, children, friends, etc.
I love Daisy. I don’t want her hurt. I don’t want her suffering. And because the author never makes her heroine suffer, never makes her struggle for her life, I love all Daisy’s gentle and faintly humorous investigative stories.
The series is already over 20 volumes, quite a respectable age for a murder mystery series, and still is not tired, because Daisy is going about her life with unmitigated enthusiasm. The murder investigation is just a strange pastime for her: a happy housewife and mother in the 1920s England.
The beginning of this book is a bit awkward, as the author rushes to reintroduce the multitude of characters the reader knows from the previous books. Then Daisy finds a corpse in a women’s restroom in a mall, and the story rolls, as quiet and charming as most Dunn’s books.
One of the aspects of this novel is Russian. Some of the murder suspects are Russian emigres living in London. Unlike many other writers, Dunn didn’t make any mistakes in the Russian names or other words pronunciation, and I, who grew up in Russia, respect her for her extensive research and attention to the Russian linguistic quirks. Only one thing puzzled me. Here is a quote, when one of the characters, a Russian man, entered a Russian orthodox church together with Daisy.
Otherwise, the novel was almost perfect. There are nannies, artsy types, children, and policemen enmeshed in the plot. And of course, Daisy.
Enjoyable and fun.
As always, I savored the author’s amazing vocabulary. She used some uncommon words in this book I didn’t encounter often (if ever) in my reading before.
Snabble – grab (some food)
Hoi polloi – masses, proletariat
Glengarry – a traditional Scots cap
Aigrette – a type of hat decorated with egret’s feathers and gems
Filicide – killing one’s child
Tommyrot – nonsense, rubbish (Love this one! So British!)
Not so in Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple series. Daisy, the protagonist, is never in danger. She usually stumbles on a murder by accident and proceeds to investigate because she cares about the people involved. She wants to help everyone: the victim’s family, her friends, the police, and even the innocent bystanders. Her kind heart and inquisitive nature lead her into trouble, and then out of it, while she goes about her daily life: husband, children, friends, etc.
I love Daisy. I don’t want her hurt. I don’t want her suffering. And because the author never makes her heroine suffer, never makes her struggle for her life, I love all Daisy’s gentle and faintly humorous investigative stories.
The series is already over 20 volumes, quite a respectable age for a murder mystery series, and still is not tired, because Daisy is going about her life with unmitigated enthusiasm. The murder investigation is just a strange pastime for her: a happy housewife and mother in the 1920s England.
The beginning of this book is a bit awkward, as the author rushes to reintroduce the multitude of characters the reader knows from the previous books. Then Daisy finds a corpse in a women’s restroom in a mall, and the story rolls, as quiet and charming as most Dunn’s books.
One of the aspects of this novel is Russian. Some of the murder suspects are Russian emigres living in London. Unlike many other writers, Dunn didn’t make any mistakes in the Russian names or other words pronunciation, and I, who grew up in Russia, respect her for her extensive research and attention to the Russian linguistic quirks. Only one thing puzzled me. Here is a quote, when one of the characters, a Russian man, entered a Russian orthodox church together with Daisy.
In the vestibule, Vasya said gravely, “You will wait here, please. Only baptized in orthodox faith are allowed inside.”As far as I know, that’s not true. As a tourist, I visited a number of Russian orthodox churches while I lived in Russia. I have never been baptized – I’m an agnostic – but I never had trouble entering a church. Isn’t it the purpose of any church of any faith to welcome everyone?
Otherwise, the novel was almost perfect. There are nannies, artsy types, children, and policemen enmeshed in the plot. And of course, Daisy.
Enjoyable and fun.
As always, I savored the author’s amazing vocabulary. She used some uncommon words in this book I didn’t encounter often (if ever) in my reading before.
Snabble – grab (some food)
Hoi polloi – masses, proletariat
Glengarry – a traditional Scots cap
Aigrette – a type of hat decorated with egret’s feathers and gems
Filicide – killing one’s child
Tommyrot – nonsense, rubbish (Love this one! So British!)
May 30, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books for a digital galley of this novel.
Daisy Dalrymple #23 and what a crowded character list there is. I was a little concerned when I saw how young some of the children are who would be involved in the investigation but they were kept away from the action surrounding the dead body so it all worked out fine. Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard and Daisy have been married nearly five years when this story takes place and Alec knows he will have no luck keeping Daisy completely away from the crime. After all, the victim is someone from Daisy's social class so she has sources of investigation which would be harder for him to pursue. As unlikeable as this murder victim is it's no wonder so many people had a motive for murder.
This was another enjoyable read in the Daisy Dalrymple series. Even though a lot of history and backstory has taken place in the previous books someone new to the series could read this story and pick up the general ideas of what had come before. The series has worked it's way into 1928 so there is information about this time period with several references to Daisy exercising her newly won right for women to vote. These stories tend to be more character driven than focusing on historical events so the domestic situations are covered quite naturally. Recommended for readers who have an interest in historical settings for crime solving.
Daisy Dalrymple #23 and what a crowded character list there is. I was a little concerned when I saw how young some of the children are who would be involved in the investigation but they were kept away from the action surrounding the dead body so it all worked out fine. Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard and Daisy have been married nearly five years when this story takes place and Alec knows he will have no luck keeping Daisy completely away from the crime. After all, the victim is someone from Daisy's social class so she has sources of investigation which would be harder for him to pursue. As unlikeable as this murder victim is it's no wonder so many people had a motive for murder.
This was another enjoyable read in the Daisy Dalrymple series. Even though a lot of history and backstory has taken place in the previous books someone new to the series could read this story and pick up the general ideas of what had come before. The series has worked it's way into 1928 so there is information about this time period with several references to Daisy exercising her newly won right for women to vote. These stories tend to be more character driven than focusing on historical events so the domestic situations are covered quite naturally. Recommended for readers who have an interest in historical settings for crime solving.
June 29, 2018
I first discovered this series when I joined my local elibrary and was looking for a series to get my teeth into. I read all the available books pretty much back to back, in order, until I caught up. Silly really as then I had to start playing the waiting game for the next one! Not too painful until this book which it seems I have been waiting on for ages! Anyway, my patience was rewarded as I once again immersed myself into Daisy's world.
The action here mostly takes place at the Crystal Palace where Daisy is taking a party of family and friends for a day out. The children discover their Nanny knocked unconscious. Meanwhile, another Nanny is found dead in a toilet cubicle. Obviously Daisy is on hand to shepherd people around in Detective-husband Alec's absence, swiftly aided by Tom Tring. Not one to shy away from such matters, Daisy continues her investigations, within and without her husband's knowledge and approval. But has she met her match this time as she soon uncovers all sorts of shenanigans and goings on surrounding the corpse?
This being the 23rd book in the series, it is helpful to have read all the others first, especially with respect to the characters, which there are quite a lot of. Most of the connections between family and friends are explained satisfactorily however in this book so, at a push, if could be read standalone as the main story is self contained.
One of the things I really love about this author and indeed this series is the attention to detail she gives the time and place in which she sets the books. But, not only that, she also sets the atmosphere well, incorporating all the values and politics of the era perfectly. It's almost like stepping back in time when I start reading one of her books.
I already said that I've been waiting for this book for ages and I have lost count of the books I have read in the mean time but I found it so easy to jump back into Daisy's world and, by the end of the book, I felt like I had reconnected with some really good friends and I was quite sorry to have to say goodbye to them at the end. The gang is all here in this book and there were so many familiar faces that I was so happy to see that I was actually quite bereft at the end. Not that the story wasn't satisfying, on the contrary, it was of equal standard to those that had gone before and the main thread was tidies up very well indeed. But, things go on and people evolve and, with how the book ended, I really can't wait to see what the author has in store for them all next time.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
The action here mostly takes place at the Crystal Palace where Daisy is taking a party of family and friends for a day out. The children discover their Nanny knocked unconscious. Meanwhile, another Nanny is found dead in a toilet cubicle. Obviously Daisy is on hand to shepherd people around in Detective-husband Alec's absence, swiftly aided by Tom Tring. Not one to shy away from such matters, Daisy continues her investigations, within and without her husband's knowledge and approval. But has she met her match this time as she soon uncovers all sorts of shenanigans and goings on surrounding the corpse?
This being the 23rd book in the series, it is helpful to have read all the others first, especially with respect to the characters, which there are quite a lot of. Most of the connections between family and friends are explained satisfactorily however in this book so, at a push, if could be read standalone as the main story is self contained.
One of the things I really love about this author and indeed this series is the attention to detail she gives the time and place in which she sets the books. But, not only that, she also sets the atmosphere well, incorporating all the values and politics of the era perfectly. It's almost like stepping back in time when I start reading one of her books.
I already said that I've been waiting for this book for ages and I have lost count of the books I have read in the mean time but I found it so easy to jump back into Daisy's world and, by the end of the book, I felt like I had reconnected with some really good friends and I was quite sorry to have to say goodbye to them at the end. The gang is all here in this book and there were so many familiar faces that I was so happy to see that I was actually quite bereft at the end. Not that the story wasn't satisfying, on the contrary, it was of equal standard to those that had gone before and the main thread was tidies up very well indeed. But, things go on and people evolve and, with how the book ended, I really can't wait to see what the author has in store for them all next time.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
March 1, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group for an advance copy of The Corpse at the Crystal Palace, the twenty third novel to feature amateur sleuth Daisy Fletcher, née Dalrymple set in 1928 London.
Daisy has her two schoolboy cousins staying with her so she arranges a trip to the Crystal Palace to keep them and her brood amused. When Nanny Gilpin doesn’t return from the toilet Daisy goes to investigate and finds the dead body of another nanny. In the meantime Daisy’s stepdaughter, Belinda and her cousins, Ben and Charlie, are following Nanny Gilpin who is following a third nanny and arrive just in time to save Nanny Gilpin’s life. Daisy is intent on finding the killer and avenging the assault on Nanny Gilpin, much to the exasperation of her husband DCI Alec Fletcher who ends up leading the investigation.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Corpse at the Crystal Palace which is a pleasant, light read with some interesting characters and a good plot. It is a while since I spent time with Daisy so it was nice to revisit old friends and to be reminded of how entertaining the series is. It is fair to say that the novels, and this no exception, follow a fairly standard formula but, after time away, I have a fresh perspective and a greater understanding of how well it works. Basically Daisy finds a body and then makes use of her aristocratic and journalistic contacts to conduct her own investigation and ferret out useful information before her husband and his team. The plot synopsis seems complicated but it’s actually very easy to follow as much of the novel is taken up in looking for the third nanny. Who that is is difficult to determine as the victim was nasty and spiteful, upsetting everyone in their orbit.
I like Daisy who is a nicely judged character. She is smart, loyal, incurably nosy and very well connected but above all she is nice. Her escapades are amusing and keep the reader interested throughout.
The Corpse at the Crystal Palace is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Daisy has her two schoolboy cousins staying with her so she arranges a trip to the Crystal Palace to keep them and her brood amused. When Nanny Gilpin doesn’t return from the toilet Daisy goes to investigate and finds the dead body of another nanny. In the meantime Daisy’s stepdaughter, Belinda and her cousins, Ben and Charlie, are following Nanny Gilpin who is following a third nanny and arrive just in time to save Nanny Gilpin’s life. Daisy is intent on finding the killer and avenging the assault on Nanny Gilpin, much to the exasperation of her husband DCI Alec Fletcher who ends up leading the investigation.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Corpse at the Crystal Palace which is a pleasant, light read with some interesting characters and a good plot. It is a while since I spent time with Daisy so it was nice to revisit old friends and to be reminded of how entertaining the series is. It is fair to say that the novels, and this no exception, follow a fairly standard formula but, after time away, I have a fresh perspective and a greater understanding of how well it works. Basically Daisy finds a body and then makes use of her aristocratic and journalistic contacts to conduct her own investigation and ferret out useful information before her husband and his team. The plot synopsis seems complicated but it’s actually very easy to follow as much of the novel is taken up in looking for the third nanny. Who that is is difficult to determine as the victim was nasty and spiteful, upsetting everyone in their orbit.
I like Daisy who is a nicely judged character. She is smart, loyal, incurably nosy and very well connected but above all she is nice. Her escapades are amusing and keep the reader interested throughout.
The Corpse at the Crystal Palace is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 29, 2018
Daisy Dalrymple is back for the 23rd book April 1928: Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher is being visited in London by her young cousins who are desperate to see the Crystal Palace. On discovering that her children's nanny, Nanny Gilpin, has never seen the Palace, Daisy decides to make a day of it with the family. Yet what should be an ordinary outing starts going wrong when Nanny Gilpin goes to the ladies' room and fails to return. When Daisy goes looking for her, she doesn't find her nanny but instead the dead body of another woman dressed in a nanny's uniform.
Meanwhile, the rest of Daisy's party spot Nanny Gilpin chasing after yet another nanny. Intrigued, they trail the two into the park and, after briefly losing sight of their quarry, stumble across Mrs Gilpin lying unconscious. When she comes to, she has no recollection of what happened after leaving the twins in the nurserymaid's care.
Daisy's husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, soon finds himself embroiled in the murder investigation. Worried about her children's own injured nanny, There are suspects everywhere and Alec is certainly busy with his investigation into the murder, while Daisy is doing her own sleuthing and caring for a busy household.
I haven’t read all 22 previous books but whenever I read a new book I want to go & read the series from the beginning. This was a fun read which I thoroughly enjoyed, there were lots of children & I though I’d never recall their names. The characters were well fleshed & the story flowed seamlessly. I hope there are more books to come as Daisy & Alec are so likeable & I enjoy their antics
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Meanwhile, the rest of Daisy's party spot Nanny Gilpin chasing after yet another nanny. Intrigued, they trail the two into the park and, after briefly losing sight of their quarry, stumble across Mrs Gilpin lying unconscious. When she comes to, she has no recollection of what happened after leaving the twins in the nurserymaid's care.
Daisy's husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, soon finds himself embroiled in the murder investigation. Worried about her children's own injured nanny, There are suspects everywhere and Alec is certainly busy with his investigation into the murder, while Daisy is doing her own sleuthing and caring for a busy household.
I haven’t read all 22 previous books but whenever I read a new book I want to go & read the series from the beginning. This was a fun read which I thoroughly enjoyed, there were lots of children & I though I’d never recall their names. The characters were well fleshed & the story flowed seamlessly. I hope there are more books to come as Daisy & Alec are so likeable & I enjoy their antics
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
September 28, 2018
I really like Daisy's independence, and how willing she is to say no -- to her kids, to her husband, to her friends, to strangers. She's very kind and helpful, but she has no problem establishing boundaries.
Also she finds stuff out!
Also she finds stuff out!
May 1, 2018
Time for another Daisy fix! We join Daisy and (whats seems to me like) a crazy amount of people out on a day trip to the Crystal Palace. If you have never seen a photograph of this famous London building, stop right now and search the internet. It really was an amazing building, but burned down in 1936... What a great setting for the first part of the mystery.
Daisy and a ton of family and friends venture out to spend the day among the marvels housed in and around the Crystal Palace. By 'a ton', I mean Belinda, Miranda, Oliver, Ben, Charlie, Nurse Gilpin, Nurse Bertha, Sakari, Kesin, Tom Tring, Mrs. Tring and Truscott. Daisy stumbles upon a corpse, as she does. Even worse, Nurse Gilpin was seen racing across the grounds after another nurse, pursued by the older children, and was knocked unconscious into one of the ponds on the grounds.
In typical Daisy fashion, and to Chief Inspector Husband Alec's dismay, she attempts to ferret out as much information as possible. There are cabaret performers, bohemian artists, a Russian Prince and Princess, and a devoted dog rescuer. Phillip Petrie pops over from the USA to make an appearance, and Lucy fashionably lounges around London.
This was an enjoyable, fluffy and cozy read. Daisy's life is constantly changing, and she is so likable.
She does seem a bit exasperated at times, but there is a lot going on in this story. I felt like Dunn was going to address racism in 1920s Britain, but just gave it up after the first few chapters. There has always been a strong flavour of tolerance in Daisy's personality, and I think it would be interesting to hear more about how she interacts with society regarding race discrimination. The mystery is ... oops! well forget about that, no spoilers here!
I have grown very attached to Daisy over the years, and while this was not quite as stellar as Death at Wentwater Court or The Bloody Tower, it was lovely to visit with her again.
*eARC Netgalley*
Daisy and a ton of family and friends venture out to spend the day among the marvels housed in and around the Crystal Palace. By 'a ton', I mean Belinda, Miranda, Oliver, Ben, Charlie, Nurse Gilpin, Nurse Bertha, Sakari, Kesin, Tom Tring, Mrs. Tring and Truscott. Daisy stumbles upon a corpse, as she does. Even worse, Nurse Gilpin was seen racing across the grounds after another nurse, pursued by the older children, and was knocked unconscious into one of the ponds on the grounds.
In typical Daisy fashion, and to Chief Inspector Husband Alec's dismay, she attempts to ferret out as much information as possible. There are cabaret performers, bohemian artists, a Russian Prince and Princess, and a devoted dog rescuer. Phillip Petrie pops over from the USA to make an appearance, and Lucy fashionably lounges around London.
This was an enjoyable, fluffy and cozy read. Daisy's life is constantly changing, and she is so likable.
She does seem a bit exasperated at times, but there is a lot going on in this story. I felt like Dunn was going to address racism in 1920s Britain, but just gave it up after the first few chapters. There has always been a strong flavour of tolerance in Daisy's personality, and I think it would be interesting to hear more about how she interacts with society regarding race discrimination. The mystery is ... oops! well forget about that, no spoilers here!
I have grown very attached to Daisy over the years, and while this was not quite as stellar as Death at Wentwater Court or The Bloody Tower, it was lovely to visit with her again.
*eARC Netgalley*
April 15, 2019
Cozy mystery set at the Crystal Palace, South LONDON
3.75*
It is Spring 1928 and Daisy Dalrymple is looking after some young relatives. It is only a car ride away from Hampstead, where she lives to The Crystal Palace, a fine monument that no longer exists in present day. It was originally a cast iron and glass structure built to house the great exhibition of 1851, transported from Hyde Park to Penge Common/Sydenham Hill, which is now called Crystal Palace. The whole edifice burned down in November 1936, and the flames could, it is said, be seen from miles away. Dinosaur creatures built for the exhibition can still be seen dotted amongst the foundations of the ruined structure.
It is an area I know quite well, as I grew up nearby, so I was intrigued to read The Corpse At The Crystal Palace. Daisy sets off with her large party of family and friends and as they split up to explore, one group suddenly spots their nanny (Gilpin) in pursuit of another nanny. A body is discovered in the lavatory and turns out to be dressed as a nanny. Daisy’s own family nanny is found upended in a water feature but survives.
Daisy’s husband – who happens to be DCI Fletcher of Scotland Yard – takes over the case, but of course the real sleuthing is done by Daisy. Suspects come and go until the final reveal.
Time and place are really quite delightful, the manner of parlance (as it were) seems well researched. It is no. 23 in this hugely popular series. For me I found there was a scatter gun of characters, all lined up early on that made it a little chaotic at the beginning and there is a lot of rushing around, with a nod in theme and style to the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. The author does have a very loyal following and this would be a choice read for those who like cozy mysteries. One for fans of the Agatha Raisin mystery series by M C Beaton, set in the Cotswolds.
3.75*
It is Spring 1928 and Daisy Dalrymple is looking after some young relatives. It is only a car ride away from Hampstead, where she lives to The Crystal Palace, a fine monument that no longer exists in present day. It was originally a cast iron and glass structure built to house the great exhibition of 1851, transported from Hyde Park to Penge Common/Sydenham Hill, which is now called Crystal Palace. The whole edifice burned down in November 1936, and the flames could, it is said, be seen from miles away. Dinosaur creatures built for the exhibition can still be seen dotted amongst the foundations of the ruined structure.
It is an area I know quite well, as I grew up nearby, so I was intrigued to read The Corpse At The Crystal Palace. Daisy sets off with her large party of family and friends and as they split up to explore, one group suddenly spots their nanny (Gilpin) in pursuit of another nanny. A body is discovered in the lavatory and turns out to be dressed as a nanny. Daisy’s own family nanny is found upended in a water feature but survives.
Daisy’s husband – who happens to be DCI Fletcher of Scotland Yard – takes over the case, but of course the real sleuthing is done by Daisy. Suspects come and go until the final reveal.
Time and place are really quite delightful, the manner of parlance (as it were) seems well researched. It is no. 23 in this hugely popular series. For me I found there was a scatter gun of characters, all lined up early on that made it a little chaotic at the beginning and there is a lot of rushing around, with a nod in theme and style to the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. The author does have a very loyal following and this would be a choice read for those who like cozy mysteries. One for fans of the Agatha Raisin mystery series by M C Beaton, set in the Cotswolds.
September 11, 2018
If I ever met Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher in real life, I’d stay a good, long distance away from her. An ocean might be just about enough space.
Don’t get me wrong; I like Daisy very much. She’s kind, compassionate, forthright, and curious. She’s also a magnet for murder. Dead bodies seem to crop up with alarming frequency any time she’s in the vicinity. Yet so far, neither motherhood nor the loving injunctions of Alec, her Scotland-Yard-inspector husband, have yet put a damper on Daisy’s predilection for a spot of detecting.
And this murder is no exception. Daisy’s twins’ nanny has been injured, and Daisy herself discovered the body of a second nanny in a Crystal Palace loo. Not only is Daisy right in the thick of things again, this time she feels an obligation to find out how Nanny Gilpin became involved.
Most of the series regulars put in an appearance, from Alec’s former sergeant, Tom Tring (now retired) to daughter Belinda and Daisy’s friends Lucy and Sakari. Add in a cast of suspects ranging from high society to a trio of Russian émigrés and a victim with more enemies than friends, stir in a puzzling plot, and the result is a satisfying and entertaining mystery that goes a long way toward explaining why the Daisy Dalrymple series remains so popular. After a three-year hiatus, I’m glad to see Daisy is still in fine fettle.
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.
Don’t get me wrong; I like Daisy very much. She’s kind, compassionate, forthright, and curious. She’s also a magnet for murder. Dead bodies seem to crop up with alarming frequency any time she’s in the vicinity. Yet so far, neither motherhood nor the loving injunctions of Alec, her Scotland-Yard-inspector husband, have yet put a damper on Daisy’s predilection for a spot of detecting.
And this murder is no exception. Daisy’s twins’ nanny has been injured, and Daisy herself discovered the body of a second nanny in a Crystal Palace loo. Not only is Daisy right in the thick of things again, this time she feels an obligation to find out how Nanny Gilpin became involved.
Most of the series regulars put in an appearance, from Alec’s former sergeant, Tom Tring (now retired) to daughter Belinda and Daisy’s friends Lucy and Sakari. Add in a cast of suspects ranging from high society to a trio of Russian émigrés and a victim with more enemies than friends, stir in a puzzling plot, and the result is a satisfying and entertaining mystery that goes a long way toward explaining why the Daisy Dalrymple series remains so popular. After a three-year hiatus, I’m glad to see Daisy is still in fine fettle.
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.
June 27, 2018
“The Corpse at the Crystal Palace” by Carola Dunn is the 23rd book in the Daisy Dalrymple series; it does not seem possible, but it is. I have not read all twenty-three books, but a reader does not have to have read them to enjoy this one. It is entertaining to read about Daisy, her family, and her friends from close by and far away, and new readers are bound to become “addicted” to Daisy and go back to read the previous books.
Readers now find Daisy in April 1928, in London with her young cousins. The group plans an outing to visit the Crystal Palace. Of course, this is a mystery after all, so something goes wrong. The nanny does not return from the restroom, and when Daisy goes to look for her, she does not find the nanny but does find the body of another woman dressed in a nanny's uniform.
Daisy is a pleasant and enjoyable character, and the supporting cast adds dimension and entertainment. There is a mystery to keep readers engaged but without nail-biting drama or blood and guts everywhere. Little historical references help develop a strong sense of place and add dimension to the character-driven story.
I received a copy of “The Corpse at the Crystal Palace” from Carola Dunn, St Martin’s Press, and NetGalley. I loved reading this fun, casual, but mysterious book. It was a quick, enjoyable book, and a perfect pause from reading thrillers.
Readers now find Daisy in April 1928, in London with her young cousins. The group plans an outing to visit the Crystal Palace. Of course, this is a mystery after all, so something goes wrong. The nanny does not return from the restroom, and when Daisy goes to look for her, she does not find the nanny but does find the body of another woman dressed in a nanny's uniform.
Daisy is a pleasant and enjoyable character, and the supporting cast adds dimension and entertainment. There is a mystery to keep readers engaged but without nail-biting drama or blood and guts everywhere. Little historical references help develop a strong sense of place and add dimension to the character-driven story.
I received a copy of “The Corpse at the Crystal Palace” from Carola Dunn, St Martin’s Press, and NetGalley. I loved reading this fun, casual, but mysterious book. It was a quick, enjoyable book, and a perfect pause from reading thrillers.
July 5, 2018
This is my third Carola Dunn historical mystery and I am afraid it is my last.
I love a light historical novel,, but Dunn's books promise but don't deliver for me. They purport to be historical novels, but the period detail is so light that with minimal editing the books could be set in almost any era. And, for me, a big part of any mystery is the character of the protagonist---and Ms Dunn's amateur detective is not a particularly compelling character in my estimation.
The other irritant for me in this book was the very extensive cast of red herrings. Some elements of the plot felt very contrived, and in the end I felt cheated that the "teasers" were really just filler. I am an avid mystery reader, but one who reads for character, not plot. I don't try to solve the mystery as I read, I just let it unfold. So, it takes quite a bit for a plotting device to capture my attention enough to annoy me.
I love a light historical novel,, but Dunn's books promise but don't deliver for me. They purport to be historical novels, but the period detail is so light that with minimal editing the books could be set in almost any era. And, for me, a big part of any mystery is the character of the protagonist---and Ms Dunn's amateur detective is not a particularly compelling character in my estimation.
The other irritant for me in this book was the very extensive cast of red herrings. Some elements of the plot felt very contrived, and in the end I felt cheated that the "teasers" were really just filler. I am an avid mystery reader, but one who reads for character, not plot. I don't try to solve the mystery as I read, I just let it unfold. So, it takes quite a bit for a plotting device to capture my attention enough to annoy me.
February 22, 2019
This is the 23rd in a series which I have read in sequence since the first in 1994. i thought it did not compare favourably with most of the others. The plot stretched incredulity rather far, and, especially in the early chapters, the writing brought echoes of Enid Blyton to my mind.
There were lots of false leads, mostly rather uninteresting, and far too much, fairly pointless, conversation. For the first time ever with this series I was tempted to skip to the end. It is not possible, except in a very general way, to work out the identity of the killer until fairly close to the very melodramatic ending.
This may be a blip, or it could be that the series has run its course, and that it is time for Daisy Fletcher to retire from detection and allow Alec to enjoy his promotion in peace!
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the digital review copy.
There were lots of false leads, mostly rather uninteresting, and far too much, fairly pointless, conversation. For the first time ever with this series I was tempted to skip to the end. It is not possible, except in a very general way, to work out the identity of the killer until fairly close to the very melodramatic ending.
This may be a blip, or it could be that the series has run its course, and that it is time for Daisy Fletcher to retire from detection and allow Alec to enjoy his promotion in peace!
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the digital review copy.
September 7, 2018
Although this is one of my favorite series, the plot at the center doesn't really hold up that well. Daisy Fletcher takes her children, their visiting cousins, and the nanny and nursery maid, along with a few friends, to the Crystal Palace, where their nanny is attacked and Daisy finds a dead nanny in the ladies' room. Naturally she wants to help husband Alec investigate, especially since he's on the brink of a promotion. Naturally, too, she gets her friends involved. She provides clues, Scotland Yard provides legwork and manpower, and Alec gets the culprit at the end. It should be as delightful as usual, but perhaps the fact that we never feel too sorry for the corpse or get involved at all with the murderer makes the whole thing rather flat.
April 4, 2020
While this had Daisy's newly-discovered distant young cousins Ben and Charlie (who will inherit after Edgar dies) visiting her and Bel in London, which was an added source of fun, there were bits of the mystery that were never quite adequately dealt with, imnsho. Alec spent a great deal of time checking out the suspects who might have wanted to kill the victim (who was an obnoxious and nasty person), the actual reasons why the murderer did kill him were rather glossed over.
So, now we wait, until the 24th book comes out..... Please?
So, now we wait, until the 24th book comes out..... Please?
September 14, 2018
I haven't read a Daisy story for a while so it took me a while to catch up and remember who everyone was. Once I was reoriented to the series I found I enjoyed the story. This time around Daisy welcomes her distant cousins adopted sons Ben and Charlie. Along with daughter Belinda she is left finding something to keep them busy. A trip to the Crystal Palace is on the list. While on their outing Belinda and the boys spot the twins nanny Mrs. Gilpin chasing after another nanny and decide to pursue her through the palace and the gardens surrounding it only to discover the nanny knocked out face first in the lake. Meanwhile a trip to the washroom unearths yet another nanny who is unfortunately dead. With three nannies one dead, one missing and their own without any memory of what happened to her. As the mystery unfolds Daisy finds herself embroiled in a story of Russian immigrants, spoiled obnoxious English aristocrats and things not being what they seem. It was a good addition to the series but there were times as I find with this series Daisy was on the annoying side, that plus a few errors in the printing names were wrong, and words double printed but mostly I enjoyed the story.
June 11, 2019
Daisy takes Nanny Gilpin, the twins, Belinda & two cousins to the Crystal Palace...
While Nanny Gilpin is leaving the "Ladies Convenience" (the first ever public loo for women) she notices another Nanny leaving her pram & walking off in the other direction. Nanny Gilpin quickly goes after her, which leads to a chase... with the children tagging behind. The kids find Nanny Gilpin face down in the fountain & pull her out.
Wondering what is taking Nanny Gilpin so long in the loo, Daisy goes to the Ladies Convenience looking for Nanny Gilpin and instead finds another Nanny, who looks quite familiar, dead in a stall.
It turns out that the dead nanny is Lucy's disreputable & much-widely loathed cousin, who never ceased to harm or play malicious practical jokes.
Meanwhile, upon investigating Lucy's Cousin, daisy & Alec are led to a family of Russian jewelers who seem to be hiding a secret.
Interesting history about the Crystal Palace and its offerings.
While Nanny Gilpin is leaving the "Ladies Convenience" (the first ever public loo for women) she notices another Nanny leaving her pram & walking off in the other direction. Nanny Gilpin quickly goes after her, which leads to a chase... with the children tagging behind. The kids find Nanny Gilpin face down in the fountain & pull her out.
Wondering what is taking Nanny Gilpin so long in the loo, Daisy goes to the Ladies Convenience looking for Nanny Gilpin and instead finds another Nanny, who looks quite familiar, dead in a stall.
It turns out that the dead nanny is Lucy's disreputable & much-widely loathed cousin, who never ceased to harm or play malicious practical jokes.
Meanwhile, upon investigating Lucy's Cousin, daisy & Alec are led to a family of Russian jewelers who seem to be hiding a secret.
Interesting history about the Crystal Palace and its offerings.
May 21, 2021
I'm not sure why it took me so long to get to this book! It was my first Carola Dunn book and it seems that it was the final in the series. But, I didn't feel lost even though I hadn't read the previous novels. This story was a nice standalone, even with some references to previous incidents. As is often the case with me, I quite enjoyed the London setting and the 1920s timeframe was fun. The mystery didn't take itself too seriously. It was a just enough to keep me guessing, but not too hard.
My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2021
It has been awhile since reading a Daisy Dalrymple story, so it took a bit to get into it. It was wonderful and very interesting. Great mystery. Really enjoyed the children, especially Charlie. Daisy is as curious as ever about Alec's cases, and she is good at it. Alec is great, I have always loved him. And Tom Tring and Ernie Piper. Lots of catching up with all the previous characters. The writing is smooth, typical of Carola Dunn. Not a stand-alone. Highly reccommended.
September 13, 2022
According to the internet, Carola Dunn won't be writing any more Daisy books. I'll miss this series. It was so much fun. It felt like she was wrapping things up with some changes but maybe I read into it because I'd read she was moving away from this series to work on her other series. I'll miss these characters.
As for this book itself, there were a few things I didn't see coming. It was fun. I always try and figure it out before the end but this one I didn't get until they did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2018
The twins are older, and Daisy's taking a more active role in child-rearing. As a reward for her stepdaughter and nephews, a day trip to the crystal palace is arranged. And that's where the action begins. An unlikable murder victim and some charming side characters. Another wonderful period cozy from Ms. Dunn.
July 18, 2018
Always prefer the country setting novels to those in town. I usually love this series and this was ok but I couldn’t get as excited about the plot or characters as usual
March 18, 2021
Another enjoyable cozy mystery. But the best part is reuniting with Daisy and Alec!
July 30, 2021
I am very sad to have come to the end of this series. It has been a wonderful escape to the past.
September 9, 2022
I loved this series and I am sad that it has come to a close, but it was a lovely arc and I may start at the beginning and reread them sometime
October 1, 2019
I actually met the author, Carola Dunn, when she was working at the Barnes and Noble store in Springfield, Oregon. A quiet and unassuming woman who writes delightful stories about Daisy Dalrymple. This story was excellent and well worth reading.
August 13, 2022
Very disappointing. Troubling racism content. Mystery that gave us no insight into the murderer. Probably the last in the series. There hasn’t been a new one since 2018.
March 2, 2019
I love Carola Dunn's mysteries but I never read any Daisy Dalrymple mystery before and I'm happy I got this one because it was a very good book.
It was fun to read, entertaining and engaging.
I loved the cast of characters, well written and quirky, and I loved the well researched historical setting.
The mystery was good, full of twists and red herrings, and it kept me guessing till the end.
Even if this is the last book in a long series I think it can be read as a standalone and I had no problems in understanding the plot and the characters.
I look forward to reading the next Ms Dunn book.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.
It was fun to read, entertaining and engaging.
I loved the cast of characters, well written and quirky, and I loved the well researched historical setting.
The mystery was good, full of twists and red herrings, and it kept me guessing till the end.
Even if this is the last book in a long series I think it can be read as a standalone and I had no problems in understanding the plot and the characters.
I look forward to reading the next Ms Dunn book.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.
October 12, 2018
This was in the "Fortunate Finds" little section at my library, but it was an unfortunate read for me. Was hoping it would get better, but it didn't. I can't not finish a book I've started, so I stuck it out. Glad it's over!
January 17, 2019
The twins are three, and prone to asking 'Why Because?'. Belinda (Bel) is home from school, her Trinidadian cousins Ben and Charlie are coming to see London for the first time, and the boys are staying with Daisy and Alex. They go to see the Crystal Palace, with Uncle Tom, and their Nanny Gilpin leaves the lavatories in pursuit of another nanny (it turns out later, the nanny has barely washed hands, but the pursuit is because there's a pram with a lifelike baby doll left near the entrance, and she has assumed the nanny has forgotten her charge - which makes NO sense - why would she not take over care of the child herself, instead of haring after a stranger??).
So anyway, the kids see their nanny chasing after another nanny, and go in pursuit. Their nanny eventually ends up in the lake near the dinosaurs, having been attacked, and almost drowns. The two oldest go in to rescue her, and send the smaller boy for Tom Tring.
Meantime Daisy has gone looking for her Nanny, and discovers a stall door ajar, and someone on the seat - fully dressed - still warm, but with no pulse. Charlie eventually gets Tom's help, and Mrs Tring (who later nurses Nanny for at least one night - not sure she ever got paid?) stays with Daisy, who then goes off to call for help.
Alec is in Bristol for a bit, so Inspector McKinnon from Peckham takes on the case, and Alec is called in once he gets home. His Superintendent is retiring, and he thinks about whether to accept the job throughout the book (you find out at the end that he's been offered it, and apparently, has accepted but will have a week's leave first).
The boys do a marvellous job of tracing their route on a map at Scotland Yard, then heading off to the wax museum (having paid to ride elephants at the zoo the previous day - apparently these ran until 1960!).
Alec and his team are tracing the origins of their body, who turns out to be a wealthy man, with a really nasty streak. He knocked over a nearly completed bust, about to be bronzed, and delivered coal to a writer, then used a manuscript to light the fire. He is said to have had a breach of promise suit laid against him by a Russian Jeweller. Daisy and her Indian best friend Sakari? take Daisy's auqua-marines to be reset, and (at the finale) end up being witnesses when the woman elopes with the goldsmith who escaped with the family during the Russian Revolution (to China, France, and now London).
Daisy also drafts in Philip, who is in town without wife (who is pregnant back in America) and makes him take her to the KitKat night club, where she sees a woman who the victim was said to have an interest in. She turns out to have been a good girl, who lives with her parents, and has gone through several previous dance partners. One of whom was someone the victim introduced to her.
He turns out to be the younger brother of a sickly peer, Lord Ledborough, who has just moved to a nursing home in London. Ricky (Alaric) Rexham-Clarke (with or without an E) had originally been a medical student. He attempts (successfully) to make his brother believe that a hypodermic of potassium Chloride will help his condition. If he'd been reasonably well, and the solution diluted, it might have. Alec arrests him (as he's about to inject his brother, after leaving it VERY late) for practising medicine without a licence, and Nanny Gilpin sends a letter after she gets her memory back while staying at her sister's, so Ernie is sent down to get her statement , with several photos, but Alec is still unconvinced he has enough of a case for the CPS.
It's not mentioned, but that means that if the sickly lord dies, they will be attempting to prosecute a peer, and that means (I'm pretty sure) doing so through the house of Lords.
Daisy's previous flatmate - the one who identified Ricky's family - is pregnant, and will probably end up taking Nanny, when Daisy's twins go off to Montessori pre-school. And Daisy's mother is coming to town - and Daisy has done nothing about the list of jobs she was given by Alec's mother.
It is irritating that any time Daisy contacts Alec with useful information, she gets yelled at, and every time she doesn't, she gets yelled at.
So anyway, the kids see their nanny chasing after another nanny, and go in pursuit. Their nanny eventually ends up in the lake near the dinosaurs, having been attacked, and almost drowns. The two oldest go in to rescue her, and send the smaller boy for Tom Tring.
Meantime Daisy has gone looking for her Nanny, and discovers a stall door ajar, and someone on the seat - fully dressed - still warm, but with no pulse. Charlie eventually gets Tom's help, and Mrs Tring (who later nurses Nanny for at least one night - not sure she ever got paid?) stays with Daisy, who then goes off to call for help.
Alec is in Bristol for a bit, so Inspector McKinnon from Peckham takes on the case, and Alec is called in once he gets home. His Superintendent is retiring, and he thinks about whether to accept the job throughout the book (you find out at the end that he's been offered it, and apparently, has accepted but will have a week's leave first).
The boys do a marvellous job of tracing their route on a map at Scotland Yard, then heading off to the wax museum (having paid to ride elephants at the zoo the previous day - apparently these ran until 1960!).
Alec and his team are tracing the origins of their body, who turns out to be a wealthy man, with a really nasty streak. He knocked over a nearly completed bust, about to be bronzed, and delivered coal to a writer, then used a manuscript to light the fire. He is said to have had a breach of promise suit laid against him by a Russian Jeweller. Daisy and her Indian best friend Sakari? take Daisy's auqua-marines to be reset, and (at the finale) end up being witnesses when the woman elopes with the goldsmith who escaped with the family during the Russian Revolution (to China, France, and now London).
Daisy also drafts in Philip, who is in town without wife (who is pregnant back in America) and makes him take her to the KitKat night club, where she sees a woman who the victim was said to have an interest in. She turns out to have been a good girl, who lives with her parents, and has gone through several previous dance partners. One of whom was someone the victim introduced to her.
He turns out to be the younger brother of a sickly peer, Lord Ledborough, who has just moved to a nursing home in London. Ricky (Alaric) Rexham-Clarke (with or without an E) had originally been a medical student. He attempts (successfully) to make his brother believe that a hypodermic of potassium Chloride will help his condition. If he'd been reasonably well, and the solution diluted, it might have. Alec arrests him (as he's about to inject his brother, after leaving it VERY late) for practising medicine without a licence, and Nanny Gilpin sends a letter after she gets her memory back while staying at her sister's, so Ernie is sent down to get her statement , with several photos, but Alec is still unconvinced he has enough of a case for the CPS.
It's not mentioned, but that means that if the sickly lord dies, they will be attempting to prosecute a peer, and that means (I'm pretty sure) doing so through the house of Lords.
Daisy's previous flatmate - the one who identified Ricky's family - is pregnant, and will probably end up taking Nanny, when Daisy's twins go off to Montessori pre-school. And Daisy's mother is coming to town - and Daisy has done nothing about the list of jobs she was given by Alec's mother.
It is irritating that any time Daisy contacts Alec with useful information, she gets yelled at, and every time she doesn't, she gets yelled at.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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