| Tweet |

Reviews of Dandy Gilver and the Proper Treatment of Bloodstains

The Times

“...there’s a lot of perceptive upstairs-downstairs stuff. It’s great fun, with obvious resemblances to the novels of the so-called golden age of the cosy whodunnit, though more skilfully written than most.”

Taken from The Times, 23 January 2010. Click here for a link to the whole review.

The Guardian

“McPherson's books are always strong on period detail, with nifty sleight-of-hand plotting and plenty of interesting secondary characters, but it's Dandy herself who makes them shine: witty, briskly humane and quietly subversive, she is a continuing delight.”

Taken from The Guardian, 19 December 2009. Click here for a link to the whole review.

The Independent

“...an acute sense of period, sharp observation of the mores of the day (both above and below stairs), a nicely-judged infusion of humour and a winning heroine.”

Taken from The Independent, 3 December 2009. Click here for a link to the whole review.

The FT

“That McPherson has an ear for mellifluous language is obvious from the name of her detective or, say, the long-case clock that “ticks away an endless bass lullaby”. The story bristles with clues, and the resolution — arrived at by agonised brain-racking on the part of our tenacious heroine rather than any brilliant leap — is un-guessable yet just the right side of ridiculous.”

Taken from The FT, 12 December 2009. Click here for a link to the whole review.

Library Journal

“Scottish aristocrat Dandy Gilver (The Winter Ground) is not one to twiddle her thumbs. Indeed, she’s lead partner in a private investigative firm, with friend Alec Osborne as her Watson. In this outing, Dandy has gone undercover as a maid to help Mrs. Balfour find out why her husband wants her dead. Within 24 hours, the husband is the murder victim. Clever Dandy is fully aware that she’s dealing with a closed-room case and madly uses her powers of observation to unravel a complex puzzle before more violence ensues. This splendid 1926 Edinburgh historical incorporates the ongoing labor strike and social nuances of the day.”

VERDICT: With witty dialog and low-key humor, McPherson’s series is a great choice for Jacqueline Winspear, Carola Dunn, and Amy Patricia Meade fans. A strong traditional offering with sly humor, a love of dogs, and not too much violence. A real contender for the Agathas!

Mystery Guild

Fans of Jacqueline Winspear will fall in love with Dandy Gilver and the Proper Treatment of Bloodstains by Catriona McPherson—a fun and refreshing cozy series set in 1920s Scotland, featuring a witty and spirited socialite sleuth.

Lollie Balfour thinks her husband of five years is going to kill her. He's having her followed, listening in on her phone conversations and steaming open her mail. Even worse are his whispered threats, hinting at how he’ll accomplish the deed.

Dandy Gilver is used to having a lady's maid, not being one. But to get the complete story, she must go undercover—costumed in grey serge and sensible shoes. Can she find out why Mr. Balfour has decided to get rid of his wife, before he gets rid of her maid?

Taken from The Mystery Guild website, mysterguild.com, 2011.