This detective story often reminded me of those of Ann Perry, with a touch of Patricia Wentworth for the "romantic" side of the story. Here is an endearing heroine, Elizabeth Martin, Lizzie, for short, proud in the right direction, daughter of a humanist doctor who taught him the value of things and showed her, at a young age, the human misery Victorian England (here coal mines). This young woman, destitute on the death of his father, finds himself in London as a lady companion of the widow of his godfather. His sharp tongue and his disgust of injustice often go to be exercised within a rich bourgeoisie, well-meaning but not clean as soon as you scratch. This sharp tongue will also ask him some worries by putting it in danger in that house, the previous lady companion was found murdered and it seems that the murderer is someone in his entourage. Very quickly, in the reader's mind, stand out three potential culprits, as in the minds of the young Ross inspector of the investigation which is none other than a former child mines supported by the father of Lizzie. Between reunions and investigations (the chapters are written from the perspective of Lizzie or Ross), it will be another culprit is possible ... This novel is really nice. I think if you are fans of Ann Perry, this is the book for you. The plot holds water, but especially allows to portray England at the time, with its incredible injustices and misfortunes, a rich population, idle, sometimes frivolous and depraved as the perfect gentlemen out alongside abject poverty and people whose life expectancy is more than limited. Heroin is endearing, young Ross is just as well as other characters such as check or young maid Bessie. A small world that I hope it quickly in the second volume!
