This is the first book of this ongoing series that I have read. You really don't need to read the others to keep up with this engaging period mystery. When Mrs. Holloway runs into a Chinese gentleman in the street and he brings her a basket of tea it seems like a nice gesture. When the next door neighbor Mr. Jacob is murdered Mr. Li is a suspect since he was in the neighborhood and due to his being Chinese in England at that time foreigners were all suspect. Mrs. Holloway along with Lady Cynthia find themselves in the thick of a murder investigation. Mrs. Holloway also dealing with a new housekeeper that seems to be intent on causing more friction with the downstairs staff has a great deal on her plate already but she's an excellent cook so so's going to get those plates out on time. Very period, but fun, engaging and makes very interesting point about the acquisition of tea and what that meant to the Chinese there's a very good book on it actually. Great read.

Jennifer Ashley has written a fun mystery that includes with asian history. When a neighbor who collects Chinese artifacts is murdered, Mrs Holloway and friends follow the clues to find the killer and make new friends.

The third book in the Below Stairs Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley, finds Mrs. Holloway dealing with a new housekeeper and trying to solve the murder of the master of the house next door. Sir Jacob, who made his money in China, has been stabbed in his bedroom but other than an open window there is no sign of a break in. The day before the attack Mrs. Holloway knocked over a very nice middle aged Chinese man in Mayfair. Could this be a coincidence or are the two connected.

Daniel McAdams , the man of many jobs and identities, arrives on the scene whenever Kat Holloway has a mystery going on. Hopefully they can find the murderer and get rid of the pecky new housekeeper who is making the staff miserable.

A delightful read as always, full of fun characters and a well paced plot and zippy dialogue.

Another satisfying historical mystery featuring cook Kat Holloway. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Another fun and fast read in the Kat Holloway series. I loved getting to know more of the downstairs staff better in this book, but there was certainly a large number of characters to keep track of with this mystery. Nonetheless, it was engaging and I was eager to keep reading to find out the solution.

Kat Holloway is busy enough as a cook in an affluent household in Victorian England. However, she spends as much time as possible investigating crimes. In this case she discovers that a neighbor in the house she works in has been murdered. Kat has just met an unusual but elegant man from China named Li Bai Chang.

The murder victim was said to be an expert in the language and customs of China, and Mr. Chang has been accused of the crime. Kat can hardly believe it and does what she can to remove any suspicion of Mr. Chang. In so doing, she gets the help of her good friend Daniel McAdam, whom we met in the previous stories of the Kat Holloway Mysteries.

When ensues is a dark foray into a world of secrets that surround the palatial homes as well as Kew Gardens. All the while the gentle romance between Kat and Daniel continues to progress at a slow boil.

As I read the first stories in the series, Death Above Stairs and Scandal Above Stairs in quick succession before reading this one, I was very drawn into the characters and storylines. I loved Kat's relationship with Daniel, her bond with her daughter Grace, and her unlikely friendship with Lady Cynthia. However, there is definitely one unlikable character in this book, thus striking a fine balance.

This story was definitely intriguing and in some ways quite sensitive, especially when it came to race and class distinctions during that time frame. All the while, Daniel remains pretty much a mystery, and I do love that the author is keeping that storyline intact.

Although part of a terrific series, the stories do well on their own. However, they are so good that if you enjoy light mystery stories no doubt you will not only devour all three as I have, but will be definitely looking forward to future offerings.

Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Full review to be published online in mid June.

I like this series. These books are not at all my usual type of read. They're historical, the mystery/suspense is light, and the romance tepid (or very much appropriate for the time period). I do, however, love the characters... plucky Kat, mysterious Daniel, sassy Tess, eccentric Lady Cynthia, and the ever helpful James. It's a mild-mannered series about a young cook in a Victorian household who gets herself involved in mysteries, usually with the above stairs folk. The plotline of this one is about the murder of the next door neighbor of Kat's employers, and the intrepid Kat's investigation (with Daniel's help).

The real fun, though, is the subplot in this book of the new housekeeper making everyone below stairs life hell, and her continued machinations to get Kat fired. It was so much fun to hate a character like that. The fact that some of the interactions between Mrs. Daley and Kat made me so mad I wanted to throw my kindle is a testament to just how attached I am to Kat and her world.

This is without a doubt my favorite of Jennifer Ashley's series. I am so anxious for Daniel's layers and secrets to be peeled back more, and for the romance to progress. If I have one small complaint, it would be that the story took a bit too long to wrap up. I didn't really mind, though, it was more time spent with beloved characters. And as always, there is another tidbit at the ending to tantalize the reader about the enigma that is Daniel McAdam.

This was a extraordinarily entertaining read. Books 1 and 2 in the series (Death Below Stairs and Scandal Above Stairs) were increasingly compelling reads with characters the reader cared about and a plot that kept one reading.

Ashley's third title, Death in Kew Gardens, topped them both. By the time I reached this stage in the series, I was deeply engaged with Kat Holloway and Daniel McAdam and all their gang of friends and associates. A large part of the charm of the series is the ongoing back story that creates such compelling characters, and each of the three releases has been built on and continues the story line.

This series (especially this third book) is a wonderful read: cleverly-designed murder and mystery plots where danger and suspense exist alongside the homey and familiar day-to-day lives of the authentically-written Victorian setting. You will learn as well as enjoy the read.

Each title can stand on its own merits, but why would anyone limit themselves to just one of the books? My advice is to start immediately at the beginning and enjoy the full ride. I just fear book four won't be available quickly enough.

This is an enjoyable mystery series. The characters are well-drawn, but their backstories are still a mystery. Kat and Daniel make a great pair and Lady Cynthia is a woman ahead of the times. The international intrigue regarding tea was most interesting.

Kat is back with a great new mystery. A neighbor has been found murdered in his bed. Kat has befriended Mr. Li, the man initially accused of the crime. During the course of this book the reader learns about London's historic Kew Gardens, the history of tea, and about the Chinese community in 1880’s London.

Jennifer Ashley’s Kat Holloway Mysteries has story elements all readers can enjoy.

There is the single mystery that is concluded at the end of the book along with overarching mysteries that carry throughout the series. (What is Daniel McAdams backstory? What was Kat husband’s real name?)

There are great characters that are further developed in each book. (Lady Cynthia, Mr. Thanos, and Tess the cook’s assistant, just to name a few)

There is domestic drama within the household staff. (The new housekeeper is causing lots of upheaval and dabbling in blackmail)

And there is romance between the main characters but also secondary characters as well. (Kat and Daniel, Cynthia and Elgin, Tess and the constable)

Great addition to this series. Looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC