Book Reviews: Silence in the Library by Katharine Schellman

 

Set in 1815, the historical mystery finds Lily Adler having regained control over her life and her grief following the death of her husband. Then her good mood turns sour by the sudden arrival of her father who is recovering from an illness. The two of them don't exactly see eye-to-eye. Lily struggles to maintain her independence under the disapproving eye of her father who doesn't approve of her decisions. When she befriends Lady Wyatt - the new wife of a family friend - Lily is drawn into another mystery when Lady Wyatt awakens one morning to find her husband Sir Charles' body. The constable soon declares foul play and evidence soon presents itself that proves the man was murdered. Lily works alongside Captain Jack Hartley to uncover the motives and secrets of Sir Charles' family which convinces her to accept an invitation from one of Lady Wyatt's maids - only to find the woman dead when she arrives. Constable Page trusts Lily's instincts to investigate and believes that Sir Charles' family knows more than they claim.

The second book in the Lily Adler Mystery series can be found here on Amazon. Check out the full series here. 

Check out Katharine Schellman's website for more information. You can also read a free short story about Lily Adler. 

The third book Death at the Manor will be available this year while the start of a new series will also be available this year. The first of which is entitled Last Call at the Nightingale.

REVIEW

The perfect treat for those that enjoy historical mysteries, Katharine Schellman perfectly encompasses the era and takes you directly into the year 1815. The mystery comes to life through the norms of the time period with Lily Adler breaking every rule of society through her independence and spirit. She breaks the stereotypes of women in the century by being a single (widowed) woman that lives on her own and investigates murders. A voice like hers brings the genre of historical fiction to life and adds a brazen quality to the lighthearted tone of a cozy. Schellman captures the essence of both historical mysteries and cozies with such ease that it makes for a compelling and addicting read.

Lily encounters various characters throughout the story that have different impacts on her character. Several threads of the plot focus on the relationships in Lily's life such as the respect she receives from Constable Page, the partnership she has with Captain Jack Hartley, and the strained dynamic with her father. Set against the backdrop of the time period, Lily lives among a society of principles and expectations that are expected of her with everyone (especially her father) dictating how she (as a woman) should behave. Her father represents the typical attitude (and man) of the time and is often criticizing her or disapproving of her behavior (even her green riding outfit). Despite the time and the pressure from her father and society, Lily is a brazen character whose strong qualities are encouraged by various characters in her life such as Constable Page and Captain Jack. They each encourage her to investigate the murder and help her step outside of the "appropriate" attitude. Schellman strikes the ideal balance of cozy mystery, historical fiction, and strong female lead with Silence in the Library.