Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “Ask Me No Questions” “A Lady Dunbridge Mystery” by Shelley Noble

Shelley Noble, Author of “Ask Me no Questions”, ” A Lady Dunbridge Mystery” has written a witty, intriguing. entertaining, and suspenseful novel. The Genres for this Novel are Mystery, Fiction and Historical Fiction. The time line for this novel is the turn of the twentieth century. The author describes her quirky and colorful characters as complex, complicated and suspect.

Lady Philomena Dunbridge (Phil) arrives in the United States as a widow who has been mourning and grieving for her deceased husband for two years in England. Phil is with her loyal butler Preswick, and her newly hired maid Lily. They are headed to visit with Bev Reynolds, an old friend.

Hearing gunshots coming from Bev’s husband’s car, Phil and Bev run to find Bev’s husband shot and bleeding in his mistress’s areas. There is no driver in the car. Phil guides Bev away, and soon a detective comes to question them. Bev as well as the mistress seen to be suspects.

Phil feels it is her obligation to play detective and find who did this. Bev’s husband Reggie Reynolds, owed everyone money. He has a stable of horses, and one that everyone was counting on running and making a fortune. It looks like there is corruption within the law. Reggie Reynolds had some very suspect friends, and very angry friends. Even Bev’s father has been angry with him.

There are twists and turns, and highs and lows, There are characters who are loyal, and some have betrayed Bev. Who can be trusted? I would recommend this captivating and entertaining novel for those readers who love a great mystery. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Rating : 3.5 stars
Dowager Countess Dunbridge, on a mission to start a whole new life for herself, disembarks off a ship on the American shores to be greeted with a bloodied corpse instead of the more conventional flowers and welcome band. Most other Countess’ would think this is a matter of severe breach of etiquette on the part of the murdered party, but not so the redoubtable Phil. Not only is she not a dowager in the traditional sense, being only 26 years of age, but she is also given to a propensity towards solving crimes. Also, in this case, the murdered man’s wife is one of her oldest friends and was supposed to also be her hosts.

The cover of this title was what attracted me to this book at first. It is very modernistic and yet very evocative of journeys and adventures. Also, uncannily like the ones on the Jacqueline Winspear series. Well, both convey to the reader from the get go that your protagonist is going to be a female sometime in the early 1900’s.

The author dives into the story from the very first sentence of the book. It establishes the back story to the Countess in a few pages and her reasons for travelling to America. We come to know that she has already solved a murder in England, which did not sit well with her father, that she loves to have flirtations with good-looking men, that she has acquired a lady’s maid at the beginning of the trip in an unusual manner, that she is accompanied by her trusted butler as a chaperone, that she is incredibly loyal to those who matter to her no matter their station in life.

The story revolves around gambling losses, blackmail, horse racing and, of course, love intrigues. In short, the story has almost everything. Just when you have pinned down which way the story is progressing, it takes a new turn. Although I did have my suspicions about a particular character about the murder, it turned out I was not right about it at all. Always a plus point for a mystery story.

The characters that the author has etched are obviously part of a much longer story arc. For example, we know almost nothing about Phil’s new maid, Lily. A mystery that begs to be solved as soon as possible. Also, there are constant references to a mystery man in the story whose identity is not revealed at all. In the beginning of the book the constant references to Phil’s propensity for just looking around for any man of the correct status for a flirtation of the serious kind made her seem a bit too shallow and irresponsible for her age. But as the book progresses you are introduced to the many other qualities that she possesses. She is fun and sharp and quick on the uptake. With her team of Preswick, the butler, and Lily, her maid, she seems up to crossing almost any hurdle that comes her way.

The character of Lady Dunbrige is also very similar to a new series that I just started watching on Netflix - Miss Fisher's Mystery Stories, or something to that effect. It may also be that the way Western women's lives were changing in the early 1900's were reflected in their openness to living life as they pleased - to an extent whether it was clothing, travel or even sexual partners. There are constant references in the book to the conditions for high society women in America being better than those in England at that time. As far as I know, their conditions were much the same in both continents, if not more strict in America. Must check.

All in all, great book for historical fiction fans that combines mystery with a pert heroine and some great characters. A story that is shaping up to be something worth looking forward to. The past month has been good for books that I have read. More than half were ones that turned out to be fun reads.

Ask Me No Questions is the first book in the A Lady Dunbridge Mystery series.

Lady Philomena Dunbridge has just finished a suitable period of mourning for her husband an article in the newspaper refers to her as Lady Dowager. At twenty-six years old, she feels that she is too young to be called a dowager. Philomena(Phil) decides that she will head for America and start a new life. She writes Bev Reynolds, they had attended the same finishing school, asking if she could stay with the Reynolds until she could get settled in. Once the ship docks and the passengers are descending the gangway, spots Bev in the crowd and they wave to each and then starts to run away. Phil follows her to a car and in the car is Reggie Reynolds dead from a gunshot and a female who later identified as his mistress, Mimi LaPonte. Quite naturally Bev becomes the #1 person of interest in the death of her husband.

Phil, along with her lady’s maid, Lily, and her butler, Preswick, set out to identify who the murderer is. Phil soon learns that Reggie has two very expensive hobbies, gambling, and his horse racing stable. Also, he has gotten money from his father-in-law for a manuscript that no one knows about. She soon discovers that some of the most powerful members of society may have wanted him dead. Also, some of these same members of society are also involved with Reggie in his horse breeding and racing. The book concludes with a very exciting showdown at the race track

I thought this was a well-told and plotted story with an interesting cast of characters. I’m looking forward to more of the “stiff upper lip” Preswick, Phil’s wonderful butler. Also, I am hoping to learn more about Lily’s backstory. I thought she was quite an interesting young lady.

I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in this enjoyable new series.

This was a fun mystery with a charming and likable protagonist. I was reminded of the Miss Fisher murder mysteries mixed with Elizabeth Peter’s books about archaeologist and sleuth, Amelia Peabody.

Lady Dunbridge travels to New York City to escape a potential scandal and to be free of her father. The moment she arrives, chaos ensues. Her friend’s husband is shot, his mistress disappears, and Lady Dunbridge has no choice but to solve the mystery before her friend’s reputation is tarnished.

This was a fun, quick read. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy a courageous female protagonist, mystery, and rich historical details.

4 ⭐️

"From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Noble, Ask Me No Questions is the first in the Lady Dunbridge Mystery series featuring a widow turned sleuth in turn-of-the-twentieth century New York City.

A modern woman in 1907, Lady Dunbridge is not about to let a little thing like the death of her husband ruin her social life. She’s ready to take the dazzling world of Gilded Age Manhattan by storm.

From the decadence of high society balls to the underbelly of Belmont horse racing, romance, murder, and scandals abound. Someone simply must do something. And Lady Dunbridge is happy to oblige."

The Gilded Age? A female detective? Yes please!

If you like the 1920's historicals that are popping up, you'll like this one from a slightly earlier period. Lady Dunbridge is only 26 but she's already a dowager. When her father gives her two untenable options, she decides to make her own, third option and heads across the Atlantic to stay with her friend Bev. Too bad Bev's husband is murdered at the pickup and die in the lap of his mistress. What the heck is going on? It seems that the man had a lot of shady dealings so there are a lot of people who become suspects.

It's a nice start to some world building and I think further books will be even better.



Three and a half stars

This book comes out October 16

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A fun and light mystery read. Not my usual genre/style of writing but an entertaining break. Definitely an audience for this among some library patrons. I understand this is the first in the series but more info on Lily's background would have been nice.
Really disliked the scene where Mr X breaks into lady dunbridges room. He threatens to physically harm her and she still goes gaga for him..ugh.

ASK ME NO QUESTIONS by Shelley Noble is the first novel in the Lady Dunbridge Mystery Series, and it is due out October 16th 2018 by Forge Books.

Lady Philomena “Phil” Dunbridge is just out of mourning for her not-so-dearly departed husband, and she is ready for a fresh start in New York. Phil has just barely stepped off the ocean liner when her friend’s husband is shot to death while waiting to give them a ride. Phil’s friend, Beverly, quickly becomes the police’s number one suspect. And it doesn’t help matters when a second dead body is discovered in Bev’s townhouse. With the police investigating them and unknown people threatening them, it is up to Phil to find the real killer before her friend is arrested for a crime that Phil’s fairly certain Bev didn’t commit.

I’m a big fan of historical mysteries – especially ones set in the early 1900s – and I was excited to read ASK ME NO QUESTIONS. My excitement didn’t last very long. While the mystery itself was interesting – especially the parts about the horse racing and fixing the races – I found the writing to be bland and there were certain aspects of the two murders made no sense to me. One victim is shot to death in a crowded, well-populated area in broad daylight yet no one sees anything? And the wife and her friend become suspects despite arriving on scene AFTER the shot has been fired and then man is dead. Then the second victim is found shot to death in a house that is full of servants yet none of them heard the gunshot? I also had problems with the end of the novel when two characters commit arson to destroy some evidence. How they manage not to set the entire house on fire is the real mystery to me. Also, I just couldn’t bring myself to really care about any of the characters. I just didn’t think any of them were likable. And there was a lack of character development for all of the main characters. Phil came off as vapid and annoying. Bev wasn’t much better. The only character I actually liked was Phil’s maid, Lily. She has potential to be a fun, interesting character in later books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Fun and entertaining, Noble's whodunit, Ask Me No Questions, features the amateur sleuth, Lady Philomena Dunbridge, who, widowed at a young age, asks her friends and acquaintances to drop the title, "Lady" because she insists it "clutters the conversation." Simply known as Phil, she travels to New York City for an introduction to the city's turn-of-the-century high society. Two homicides and the assault on a show girl do not detour Phil from investigating the high stakes world of horse racing and gambling, both of which Phil suspects contributed to the murders. Witty dialogue, intrigue, and period descriptions of fashion, notably Paul Poiret's designs, kept me interested, and were showcased in my mind's eye like a movie. One drawback was the book's slow start--Phil and other witnesses incredibly left the scene of one murder. Although the title of the book is Ask Me No Questions, I ask the identity of the mysterious stranger who left Phil's bedroom one dark night with a kiss. For that answer and others, I am eager to read the next installment in what promises to be a series about the intrepid and delightful Philomena Dunbridge.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for this honest review.

I almost gave up on this book - I don't particularly like the time period , and the characters were quite stilted in their conversation. I was ready to quit but since I have loved everything else that Shelley Noble has written I kept going. I am so glad I did. What a delight of a book. The mystery was well thought out and the moments of humor - whether intentional or not, made me laugh out loud. A most enjoyable book. Ms. Noble has outdone herself.

Lady Dunbridge arrives in New York to make a new start after the death of her husband. She is meet by her friend Beverly Reynolds when a shot is heard, and they find her husband Reggie Reynolds dead in his car. But this is only the first murder.
Unfortunately I just didn't take to any of the characters. I didn't find them likeable which is a disadvantage for me when reading a book.

Arriving in New York after a mourning period for her husband Countess Lady Philomena Dunbridge finds herself involved in a murder or two. In Ask Me No Questions by Shelley Noble Phil's friend Beverly is suspected of the murders. An entertaining look at New York and the horse racing scene in 1907.

I tired really hard to read this book but there was a scene at 15% that made me put down my Kindle and take walk. The main character is a horrible snob. Her snobiness towards the police is infuriating. She constantly acts above them.

The scene that made me quit reading was when she started to touch a crime scene and refused to listen to the detective telling her to stop. She was like do you know who I am?

Also dowagers can't be considered spinsters. Dowagers are widows. Spinsters have never been married.

In the wake of her elderly husband's death, Lady Philomena Dunbridge is determined to make a new life across the Atlantic. But just as she arrives in Manhattan, her best friend Bev's husband is murdered. To make matters worse, Bev is a prime suspect in the case. Unless the matter is solved, Phil(omena) will never be able to get out into American society and make her mark.

For a lady of Philomena's spirit, this will not do at all. Aided by her loyal butler Preswick and exotic lady's maid Lily, Phil dives straight into the investigation, exploring the shady world of horse racing, gambling, and racketeering. Along the way, she encounters the handsome Detective Atkins, a suave Austrian diplomat, and the mysterious Mr. X. A few tips from a Sherlock Holmes story point her in the right direction, and will Phil's wits and vivacity be enough to foil a villainous plot and put the right people in jail?

This book is the first of a new series that has been compared by some reviewers to Downton Abbey. The breezy style took a while to capture my attention, but the lives of the dissolute upper class did have a certain air of D.A. about it. Lady Dunbridge, her butler, and her lady's maid all had dozens of hints dropped about their backstories that were never fully fleshed out, which made me wonder if I was in fact in a later book of a series, not the first one. About two-thirds of the way through, the story picked up steam, and I found myself racing to the end to find the solution to the mystery, and hoping even more fervently, to find out the identity of the mysterious Mr. X. While not extremely deep  in character development nor overwhelmingly suspenseful with its clues, this book was a fun read, and I would happily read more titles in this series.

From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Noble, Ask Me No Questions is the first in the Lady Dunbridge Mystery series featuring a widow turned sleuth in turn-of-the-twentieth century New York City.
An enjoyable mystery novel with a fun set of characters. Looking forward to the next one in the series. I found it to a very enjoyable read.

This is one of those books that I can't figure out an audience for. The main character is superficial and unlikeable and the writing appears to be on a middle school reading level. I suppose there is market for this, but not among sophisticated readers.

Shelley Noble's series debut presents a very engaging cast of characters that promise to mature in to a formidable amateur detective team. Her protagonist, Lady Dunbridge, is a familiar type for fans of light, historical mysteries: strong-willed, sharp-tongued, beautifully attired and determined to enjoy interfering in police investigations. What sets this novel apart is her somewhat mysterious side-kick, a maid acquired at the last-minute prior to sailing to America. The reader (and Lady Dunbridge) have no idea of the maid's background or experience and she is full of surprises.

Her partnership with Lady Dunbridge's aging butler is great fun and should add some spice to future books in the series.

Ms. Noble's plot was well executed, but, even making allowances for the fact that this is light fiction, not serious literature, I found the writing rather lack-lustre and the dialogue a bit cartoonish. That said, the series has promise for those of us who enjoy a period setting and a formidable female protagonist.