I'd been hoping for a mind-blowingly wonderful reading experience with The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne. I'm not sure why that was. Partly just the book cover and the image used for the promos. And a period mystery novel built around cabinets of curiosity, just seems like such a promising premise. That said, my mind wasn't blown. Barnaby Mayne was a good read, the kind of historical mystery I always enjoy, but it didn't float to the top like cream, so to speak.

Barnaby Mayne has two strong, central female characters who are really the heart of the book. Though they come from different class backgrounds, they were playmates for a time as children. Meeting again as adults, they are balancing a mix of pleasure at an old friend rediscovered with the trepidation that the other may not turn out to be the friend she seems to be. The various "collector" characters serve well enough, but the feel a bit interchangeable, with a few exceptions.

If you like historical mysteries, pick up this title. It will make for an enjoyable few days of summer reading. If historical mysteries aren't one of your preferred genres, Barnaby Mayne is probably not a title that will prove gratifying.

I received a free copy of this title from the publisher via Net Galley. The opinions are my own.

What an interesting pearl!

I got quite caught up in this twisting historical mystery. It was a wonderful mystery to curl up with a cup of tea and a curious mind. I loved it!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC in exchange for my opinion.

I'll watch for more from this author.

It's not often that I find a new approach to murder mysteries, but The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne was a definitely unique offering. Set in London in 1703, the book centers on the untimely death of a renowned collector. In perhaps the forerunner of "citizen science," the collectors accumulated and cataloged specimens from around the world in curiosity cabinets. Lady Cecily Kay, a woman possessed of a most "unfeminine" interest in questions, has been sent home from Smyrna after expressing too much interest in her husband's business affairs; she has traveled to Sir Barnaby's home to identify her plant samples and is on the scene when he is murdered shortly after leading a tour of his collection.

Lady Kay joins forces with a childhood friend--a gifted illustrator who happens to also be staying at Sir Barnaby's--and the two women track down lead after lead in an attempt to save an innocent man from the gallows. This is a nice addition to the historical mystery genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for access to a digital ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed snooping through Barnaby Mayne’s collections and his life with the author’s main characters. Very much in the tradition of a classic British mystery, Hart’s characters have interesting heart and depth, and I had fun with the twists and turns of the plot. Definitely looking forward to the second in the series!

I confess I was sad that Hart's newest mystery didn't take us back to the China of her Li Du series. That disappointment soon evaporated as once again she transported me to another time and place, this time, London in the early 1700s. The murder mystery was intriguing, with many red herrings leading the main character, Cecily Kay, (and the reader) to travel down many wrong paths. The door was left open for a sequel, for which I am eagerly waiting. Recommended for those who like their mysteries with a dash of well-researched history.
Review based on an ARC through NetGalley.

A lovely historical mystery that is set in the early 1700's which features Cecily and Me a can, two intelligent, forward thinking young women that are trying to discover who killed Sir Barnaby Mayne. A friend? His widoe, perhaps? Does the murderer hope to gain all the treasures/discoveries/novelties that are to be found in the cabinets of Sir Barnaby?

This felt like a wonderful golden age whodunnit to me. It being to mind Hercule Poor, Miss Marple and Lord Peter Wimsey. I loved it. It is wonderfully written, with the author doing a lovely job detailing the characters and plot. A fantastic curl up with a cup of coffee or tea book. I hope that the author writes another book and makes this a series.

I would like to thank the author, publisher, and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you Elsa Hart for taking me on the another of your journeys and investigations. I was spellbound by chapter one with my reading experience enriched with events, information, characters, and history,

In 1703 London, Sir Barnaby Mayne is discovered murdered in his home where he displays his vast collections of literally 'everything'.'. Lady Cecily Kay is a guest at the house where she is matching plant specimens from her travels with items in Sir Barnaby's collections. From the start, Cecily believes the police have arrested the wrong person. Along with a childhood friend with connections, talents, and spunk, she investigates just who is the true murderer.

The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne is wonderful and ends with the hint of a new mystery for book 2 in the series. I discovered Elsa Hart and the Li Du series through author (and another personal favourite) Louise Penny I love the history, depth, vocabulary, facts, and journeys of Elsa Hart's works. Thank you again, Elsa, for a wonderful work to devour and enjoy.