Kathy Lynn Emerson, Face Down Below the Banqueting House

Kathy Lynn Emerson, Face Down Below the Banqueting House - Sarah pickpockets a jewel from Jeronyyme Hole as housekeeper Jennet Jeffries watches. Sarah explains that Jeronyme steals things from members of the court that Sarah tries to quietly return. This jewel belongs to Elizabeth I and Sarah is stymied as to how stealthily to return it. Sarah dumps the jewel on Jennet and she gives it to the queen with an explantion. She tells her who she works for and shortly thereafter the queen decides to makes a summer pilgrimage and plans to stay at Susanna's manor as one of her stops.

Susanna is less than thrilled with the regal visit as she must get her estate ready which entails plenty of hard work and incredible costs. She also hates working with Brian Tymber, who insures that the Queen is comfortable at any of her respites. Brian and his servant Miles threaten to reveal information that locals want kept secret. However, instead of extortion money, someone kills Miles, though most people, including Susanna's magistrate lover Nick, says it is an accident. When Nick's servant dies, he and Susanna conclude murder and search for a killer.

Although it has been way too long between Lady Appleton novels, this is one of the best of the long-running, enthralling Elizabethan mystery series. The audience obtains a firsthand seat into a meticulously researched tale in which blackmail and murder occur, but who the killer is remains just out of sight until the climax. Kelly Lynn Emerson's historical descriptions surface throughout the tale, but especially when watching the manor prepare for a royal visit (reminds me of when my beloved late mother-in-law would be arriving to see her grandson). Amateur sleuth history fans will appreciate this fine tale.

Harriet Klausner