Kelly Oliver (2) (1982–)

Having read some of this series out of sequence I felt compelled to start from the beginning and see how Fiona got into the spying business and how she managed to get tangled up with Fredrick Fredricks.
In 'Betrayal at Ravenswick' we learn about Fiona's marital strife, divorce and her work with the War Office. We also see Fiona don a disguise for the first time to pass herself off as male and a famous doctor with a speciality in poisons. This speciality is soon to prove invaluable when a murder occurs at Ravenswick and Fiona suspects poisoning.
Fredrick Fredricks is also a master of disguise, clever and charming. There is a great air of mystery surrounding him as he seems to blend into all kinds of social situations but no one knows his background intimately beyond his reputation as a huntsman and a journalist.
Archie, Fiona's love interest in the series is introduced in this book and it was interesting to experience their first meeting and the beginning of their friendship.
The murder mystery here is complex as there are so many possible suspects with motive and opportunity. The author does a great job of tying all the threads together whilst keeping the reader in suspense.
This was a great start to the series and I will be sure to dive into the next book very soon.… (mehr)

I very much wanted to enjoy this book -- a music-centric cozy mystery with a fun heroine seemed just my speed, so I enjoyed this freebie on Kindle. Unfortunately, Fiona Figg is not Phryne Fischer (which was what I was hoping for) and at least for me, was a truly unlikeable character--fickle, judgmental, prudish, and a bore. She can't decide if she admires her fellow women ("I would be spending the night in jail with the best and brightest female minds in America") or whether her prudish sensibilities will rule the day ("I was glad when the luncheon was over. Mrs. (Dorothy) Parker's flamboyance was giving me indigestion.")

The book suffers from a lack of editing...how many times do we need to see cigars referred to as "foul"? How many times must Eliza be a little minx, or does she have "some cheek"? How many times do we hear that Eliza is not all she seems? When we are told for the umpteenth time, "But I suspected there was more to the girl than met the eye" it has already been revealed what that "more" is, at least in part. There are two references to Sherlock Holmes used as a quipped observation of two different characters in a matter of pages. The ending seemed a rather fantastical turn of events and I found myself rather sore at the protagonist.

There are moments of humor and the cast of historical figures lends some fun, when Fiona isn't busy judging them (outside of her murder investigation): Margaret Sanger, Dorothy Parker, Thomas Edison, etc. Eliza's character is fun, as is her little puppy, but I found myself wishing that she was the main protagonist. Sometimes the "Odd Couple" routine was a bit tiresome.

I realize this is the first book in the series, so I might try another since I feel the character(s) have a lot of potential to grow.… (mehr)

Arsenic at Ascot by Kelly Oliver is the fourth book in Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery Series. The plot is focused on a lady spy who is a master or should I say mistress of disguise. Fiona Figg is interesting, confident and talented. I loved her presence throughout the story. She represents all those women who are trying to establish themselves in a man's world. The story picked up fast absorbing me into the story. There were also some funny moments that definitely perks up a reader's interest. The thrill and mystery is perfectly woven. Characters were coming and going from time to time making the book an adventurous journey. The climax was definitely good. But, some readers are going to feel the setting of a spy in a cozy mystery a little bit off. Still the book is worth a one time read. The book deserves 4 stars for its fast paced adventure.… (mehr)