A solid entry in this always reliable series, made particularly interesting by the Chinatown angle, which I really enjoyed.

This was a fascinating addition to the series. The murder was one that really only could have occurred amid the people of Chinatown, and its was an eye opening history lesson. I love solving mysteries along side Prudence and Geoffrey, and can’t wait to read more.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Hunter and MacKenzie are plunged into a tragedy that leads them to Chinatown and a culture with which they are totally unfamiliar. When visiting dignitary Lord Peng arrives at the opening of a Chinese artifacts exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he is accompanied by his wife, son and two daughters. Suddenly someone accosts Lord Peng and plunges a knife into his body. Before anyone can act, the killer disappears. Worried it might be a diplomatic execution, Hunter and MacKenzie hurry to hid the family. The search through Chinatown leads Geoffrey and Prudence into jeopardy every time they walk the streets. Another excellent, exciting entry in this wonderful series.

First time reading this author and I love reading stories from the late 1800’s. New York is very fascinating in that time period. So many changes and new ideas. This is the latest in the series and I recommend reading it in order. It helps with the characters.

When a Chinese attaché is assassinated in front of all in attendance at an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, his widow and son hire Prudence and Geoffrey to investigate the killing. Witnesses to the murder themselves, they agree to take the case. But it is complicated by the intricacies of Chinese governmental policies, even to foreign diplomats, and the grim future of disgrace and even death awaiting the Peng family if they comply and return to their homeland.

When an unexpected figure from their past materializes, the family is spirited away to an enclave in Chinatown, the owner of which is the leader of a dangerous Tong. In an attempt to conceal their real reason for being in the warrens of Chinatown, Geoffrey, Prudence and Josiah go undercover as Christian missionaries ministering to the Chinese community.

Set in the aftermath of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, this book does a great job of portraying the impact on the Chinese in America at the time, as well as the often desperate lives they led in the cramped tenements of Chinatown. It also casts light on what life was like for Chinese women of upper class birth, subjected to the brutality of foot binding and used as bargaining chips in marriage arrangements. Rosemary Simpson often has me doing research on historical topics while reading her books, and this was no exception.

So, the mystery: it was ok overall, but no big surprises in the end. And while I enjoyed a glimpse into a culture I’m not very familiar with, I have to say it didn’t hold my interest in parts.

And if you’re expecting any advancement in Geoffrey and Prudence’s “will they, won’t they?” storyline, you’ll be disappointed as I was. They didn’t interact as much in this one and I’m having a hard time really buying into any chemistry. It feels lackluster.

All in all, an enjoyable eighth addition to this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another outstanding book by Rosemary Simpson! This is the eighth book in her series, A Gilded Age Mystery, and I have read and loved every single one of them. No matter what I am reading, if one of her books is released, I stop to read before anything else.

Geoffrey and Prudence are attending the opening of a Chinese art exhibition at the MET when Lord Peng, an upper class diplomat is publicly killed. They are soon hired to find the murderer before the rest of his family are killed as well. In the course of their investigation, they go undercover in Chinatown where they meet the leaders of the Chinese tongs that were just beginning at that time. I had no knowledge, and shamefully, no interest in the subject matter before I read this, but she made it compelling and exciting.

In the authors notes, RS explains, “When I set out to write the series, I had a list of social issues and historical events into which I wanted to plunge my protagonists. The setting for each book would become another character.” And this is precisely what she does. In this book, Chinese history (during this time period), their traditions, and culture are as important as the characters in the book. In each book in the series RS has made the historical events absolutely fascinating.

Rosemary Sampson’s writing is spectacular. Her word choice, the flow of events, the cliff hangers at the end of some chapters, the descriptions! Every word is perfect. I not only love the characters, settings, and plots in her novels, I also love the parts where Prudence or Geoffrey comment on some aspect of society that is brilliantly expressed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own, but I would highly recommend this to everyone.

#MurderWearsAHiddenFace #NetGalley

I found this book to be a little difficult to get into. I hadn't realized this was a series when I started, and found some of the background review on the characters in the first few chapters to be a little tedious for my taste. I began to enjoy it more as the story developed, and generally enjoyed the mystery. I did find that the author seemed to glamourize the tong development in china town at the turn of the 20th century, making them seem more like societies invested in the welfare of the working class, when in reality they were much more invested in organized crime and required shopkeepers to pay bribes to maintain their protection.

I also struggled to like the main characters. I found Prudence especially to spend a lot of time grumbling, which given her status in life makes her seem spoiled. Both the Geoffrey and Prudence seem to complain a lot when they are required to go under cover as missionaries, which gives off a distinct anti-Christian vibe, and also seems to be strange given that they are investigators and should be willing to do what needs to be done.

After reading this book, I am not inclined to go back and read the previous books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington books for providing this ARC, all opinions are my own.

I love this series and really enjoyed this latest installment. The point of view switches frequently among various characters, but it keeps the story moving quickly. The plot was intriguing and the Chinatown setting/politics fascinating. I was, however, very disappointed in the Prudence's character development. I enjoyed the previous installment because Prudence seemed more human and vulnerable, but in this book she was very difficult to like. She came across as spoiled and ill-tempered, and by the end I wondered why I would be rooting for her and Geoffrey when she seems so unlikable. The ending was also quite abrupt on that front.

There were also rather strong anti-Christian overtones during discussions of missionaries, and this may put off some readers. The comments did nothing to advance the plot but likely belied the author's own perspective on the subject.

I would rate it three stars based on the poor showing of the main character, but the story was great and kept my interest, so I am rating it four stars and will look forward to the next book in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to review this ARC!

Prudence and Geoffrey, private inquiry agents, have been invited to the opening of a Chinese exhibit when a Chinese diplomate is killed. To find the killer they must gain an understanding of Chinese culture and a family disinclined to tell it's secrets. Excellent!

The latest case undertaken by the investigators Prudence MacKenzie and Geoffrey Hunter involves the murder of a Chinese diplomat during the opening of a special 1891 exhibit highlighting Chinese art and culture at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of the Art.

During the opening night, Lord Peng is murdered by a knife-wielding attacker-- a man whom other attendees assume is one of the diplomat’s servants. The dead diplomat’s family – his wife, Lady Peng; his two daughters, An Bao and Mai Sha (May); and his son Fa Cho (Johnny) – all witness the murder, along with Prudence, Geoffrey and dozens of others from New York’s high society families.

While Hunter and MacKenzie work to determine the killer’s identity and motive, the Peng family learns that disaster awaits them if they return to their homeland as the Chinese authorities are insisting. To avoid this fate, the Pengs, assisted by Prudence and Geoffrey, plan to secretly disappear from their hotel in the middle of the night before the authorities can force them to board a ship to China. The family finds shelter in the home of Lord Peng’s younger brother, Wei Fu Jian, (previously thought dead), a powerful businessman in New York’s Chinatown.

Attacks against the remaining Pengs continue after their father’s murder, leading to the conclusion that murderer’s motive is a personal one. Prudence, Geoffrey and their team must dig deep to determine the reason behind the killer’s attacks and identify who is behind the ongoing attempts to eliminate the remaining Pengs.

#MurderWearsaHiddenFace has a puzzling mystery set in an interesting time and place. Prudence and Geoffrey and their associates are appealing characters. Unfortunately, as the series has progressed, despite the fact that Hunter and MacKenzie are supposed be equal partners, there is less and less interaction between the two characters. This story has very few conversations between the pair, even though there continue to be hints of deeper relationship developing between the two. Although the mystery is well developed, the lack of character growth is frustrating for those who have read the earlier books in the series.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensington for the advance copy.

Chinese-culture, Chinese-customs, suspense, trauma, investigations, investigators, ex-Pinkerton, heiress, secrets, private-investigators, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, lawyers, family, family-drama, family-dynamics, friendship, inheritance, murder, murder-investigation, NYC, law-enforcement, diplomat, Chinatown, history-and-culture, 1890s, riveting, immigration-law, assassins*****

Who murdered the Chinese diplomat in the Met with hundreds in attendance?
What will happen to the man's family in view of the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Tongs in Chinatown?
Prudence, the daughter of a judge and newly admitted to The Bar in New York state, and Geoffrey, a former Pinkerton man, are Private Investigators (along with their secretary, an ex-NYPD cop, and others) are on the job.
The publisher's blurb is very well done. All of the characters are clear and engaging, the tense atmosphere and suspense feel real, the plot twists are unexpected and the red herrings sneaky. Very well done, indeed!
I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Prudence MacKenzie and her investigative partner Geoffrey Hunter are attending the grand opening of a Chinese art exhibit at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art when the guest of honor, Chinese cultural attaché Lord Peng, is stabbed to death in front of his family and the other grandiose guests. Prudence and Geoffrey immediately offer up their investigative services to help the Peng family find Lord Peng’s murderer. While their cases have taken them all over the city, this is the first time Prudence and Geoffrey have ventured into Chinatown. They are faced with cultural differences and are forced to work with the leader of the newly established Tong that is about to take control of Chinatown as they search for the assassin who is looking to murder the rest of the Peng family in revenge for something that happened years ago back in China.

MURDER WEARS A HIDDEN FACE is a solid addition to the Gilded Age Mystery series. I’ve followed the series since WHAT THE DEAD LEAVE BEHIND, and have followed Prudence’s personal and professional growth. She is now a competent—though still a bit rash—private investigator. Geoffrey’s experience as a Pinkerton helps balance her out. It was interesting to see both of them so out of their element in Chinatown. The cultural differences between the investigators and their clients causes some extra drama in the case. And their secretary, Josiah, really has to adjust to their new circumstances as they go undercover as missionaries in Chinatown. Overall, I thoroughly adored MURDER WEARS A HIDDEN FACE. The various points of view gives the reader a well-rounded look at the story through the minds of many characters. My one complaint is that Prudence and Geoffrey are still dancing around their feelings for each other. The novel is left on a cliffhanger that makes it appear their personal relationship might be moving forward. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next novel.