Rating: 
Summary: A well-constructed and fascinating mystery
Review: After their mother died from cholera and their father ran off with another woman, the three Sweeney children are sent to the Barnstable County Poor House where the youngest died from diphtheria. Nell fell in love with her brother's thieving friend Duncan, but he turned out to be an abusive person who hurt her so badly that she needed extensive medical care proved by Dr. Greaves. In time, she became his mistress and apprentice until the day they delivered the baby of a Hewitt servant.Viola Hewitt adopts the child and hires Nell to be the baby's governess. Viola sweeps Nell into the world of the Boston Brahmin. After working there for four years, word arrives that the eldest son, thought to have died in a confederate prison camp, awaits trial for cold-blooded murder. Viola asks Nell to find evidence that will set her oldest son free since his father doesn't care if he hangs. Nell risks everything to clear Will because she believes he is innocent despite all the evidence to the contrary. Post-Civil War Boston is an interesting place to be as the scars from the fighting though distant from the city still linger in unexpected places. Nell is a woman of mystery who hides secrets that she hasn't revealed which should be disclosed in future books. The heroine is a spunky woman who climbed out of a poverty-stricken and crime infested area to make something of herself. Readers will admire her and won't be able to resist her many charms. STILL LIFE WITH MURDER is a well-constructed and fascinating mystery in what looks to be a great series. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Still Life with Murder
Review: As has been said previously, this mystery was very well thought out, and the characters beautifully written, and I would have thoroughly enjoyed the book but for two things: 1) I was hurt and offended by the misuse of the names of God and Jesus Christ. Apparently it's permitted to take Their names in vain provided one is angry, frustrated, disgusted, amused, bored or just can't think of anything else to say. 2) It bothered me that it seems to be OK to commit adultery provided it's done for the right reasons: pity, loneliness or to express gratitude. I realize that most people will think these reasons archaic and silly, but they are very important to me, which is why I only gave the book 3 stars rather than 5.
Rating:
Summary: Still Life With Murder is an excellent read!
Review: At page one I was enchanted. At page two I was drawn in for the night. PB Ryan creates intelligent, engaging characters and a compelling story as Nell explores her way throught the mysterious adventure of her surprising life. This well-written book transports you into Nell's world so cleanly that you will believe you are there. I will be looking for the next book for sure. Ms.Grimes
Rating:
Summary: The best mystery novel I've come across in years
Review: Excellent, excellent novel. A hopeless lover of mysteries, I will be the first to admit that 95% of the mystery novels out there are badly written and poorly conceived. "Still Life With Murder" is a true exception to that rule. I so enjoyed this world -- I am so glad that I picked this up at the bookstore. I am so devastated that I have finished it and that no sequel has been published yet. The sleuth is no shrinking violet: born to a delicate age, she is anything but fragile and no where near naive. (Jane Austen would be shocked out of her little white bonnet.) The handsome, damaged, wildly charismatic and most-likely murderous William Hewitt had me swooning in my chair as if he were standing right in front of me -- cooly mocking and deadly enticing. Her characters are that well-drawn. And the setting, 1860's Boston, was marvelously vibrant. As a current-day resident of Boston, I learned so much about my adopted city's history. I will never be able to stroll trough the Public Gardens again without thinking of this book and hoping to find Nell and Dr. Hewitt engaged in furtive conversation on a bench nearby. WORD TO THE WISE -- don't read the 1st review down there written by a highlighted reviewer -- they give WAY too much of the story away. The most enchanting part of this mystery is the mysterious sleuth herself -- the author knows what she is doing will let you know what she wants you to know WHEN she wants you to know it. Nell's history is meant to unfold slowly and tentatively throughout the novel.
Rating:
Summary: The best mystery novel I've come across in years
Review: Excellent, excellent novel. A hopeless lover of mysteries, I will be the first to admit that 95% of the mystery novels out there are badly written and poorly conceived. "Still Life With Murder" is a true exception to that rule. I so enjoyed this world -- I am so glad that I picked this up at the bookstore. I am so devastated that I have finished it and that no sequel has been published yet. The sleuth is no shrinking violet: born to a delicate age, she is anything but fragile and no where near naive. (Jane Austen would be shocked out of her little white bonnet.) The handsome, damaged, wildly charismatic and most-likely murderous William Hewitt had me swooning in my chair as if he were standing right in front of me -- cooly mocking and deadly enticing. Her characters are that well-drawn. And the setting, 1860's Boston, was marvelously vibrant. As a current-day resident of Boston, I learned so much about my adopted city's history. I will never be able to stroll trough the Public Gardens again without thinking of this book and hoping to find Nell and Dr. Hewitt engaged in furtive conversation on a bench nearby. WORD TO THE WISE -- don't read the 1st review down there written by a highlighted reviewer -- they give WAY too much of the story away. The most enchanting part of this mystery is the mysterious sleuth herself -- the author knows what she is doing will let you know what she wants you to know WHEN she wants you to know it. Nell's history is meant to unfold slowly and tentatively throughout the novel.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful surprise
Review: I happened on this book at the library, and it's one of the best mysteries I have read in a long time. The plot has many surprises, but the characters of Nell and William are the force that keeps the book enthralling. I can't wait to read the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Too good to be a paperback
Review: I picked this up on a whim, looking for a diverting historical mystery to entertain me for a few nights before bedtime. Hours later, I found I had stayed up too late and finished the book, wanting more, more, more. The book is well-written, well-plotted, and completely engrossing. In 1868 Boston, Nell Sweeney, a governess, tries to help a man accused of murder by learning if he really committed the crime or is only covering up for someone else. To tell you anymore would deprive you of a wonderful journey. I was kept guessing along with Nell Sweeney as the investigation progressed. Usually paperback mystery series start out fine and either improve over several volumes and/or eventually fade away. This book is stunning and I hope the series continues. I have to know what and who will enter Nell's life next. I highly recommend this book. Buy it. Own it. Before it goes out of print. This is a wonderful book and you will want to share it with your friends and even reread it yourself.
Rating:
Summary: You will love following Nell around 19th century Boston!
Review: I was up until 7am this morning reading this book and its sequel, Murder In a Milltown. Not since Owen Parry's Abel Jones series have I been so excited about a mystery series.
Nell Sweeney is a young woman with a dark past struggling to make a new life for herself assisting a physician when she is given the oppurtunity of a lifetime. Out of the blue, she's offered a position as governess to the wealthy Hewitt family's new ward, Grace. She knows that her scandalous past would disqualify her for the position but decideds to hide her past and take the job, hoping that this will bring the safety and security she's always wanted.
For a time all goes well, but Nell's carefully maintained new identity as straight-laced governess is put in jeapordy when her mentor and employer, Viola Hewitt, begs her to help save the eldest Hewitt son, Will, from hanging for murder. Unable to disappoint the woman who took such a chance on her, a poor unconnected Irish girl, Nell agrees to ivestigate the case. Suddenly, Nell is plunged back into a world of crime and poverty as she investigates the murder Will has been arrested for. Will, rich boy, martyr and rake, dominates every scene he is in. While his innocence is questionable, his charisma and the tragedy of his story soon have Nell determined to do everything she can to help him. While Will might be a bit of a cliche, the way he wears his frailties on his sleeve making him a worhty counterbalance to Nell's self concious propriety and righteousness. Their scenes together are some of the best in the book.
Still Life With Murder is teeming with fascinating characters. Nell's remarkable empathy with each of them, from Detective Cook to the prostitute Pearl to self-destructing Will Hewitt, make her not only a great amateur sleuth but the perfect guide through the posh parlors and rank opium dens of 19th century Boston.
An entertaining and satisfying read and a very promising series.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing!!
Review: Patricia Ryan has captivated me. This book is simply outstanding! I had to force myself to put it down each night, so as not to rush through and miss any points. The characters are made flesh and rise from the page. The plot is captivating and the attention to historical detail is wondorous. I can not recommend this book enough. I have passed it on to all my friends, and we all anxiously await the second installment. If you love historical mysteries you can not go wrong!
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing!!
Review: Patricia Ryan has captivated me. This book is simply outstanding! I had to force myself to put it down each night, so as not to rush through and miss any points. The characters are made flesh and rise from the page. The plot is captivating and the attention to historical detail is wondorous. I can not recommend this book enough. I have passed it on to all my friends, and we all anxiously await the second installment. If you love historical mysteries you can not go wrong!
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