Val and Roddy Devere are back! This time it's the spring of 1899 and the Devere’s have been invited to Roddy’s family friend’s ( the Kidd’s) estate in Hudson Valley for the season. Roddy insists on going if only to solve a problem with the water flow at Kiddwood that could have to do with a tract on his father’s neighboring property. But before they can even leave a telegram arrives informing them there has been a dead body found on his father’s grounds.
With a vast array of characters that you find in the country house setting is a nice change from the city variety. As the story unfolds they discover a sketchy health camp and a brothel with a deep dark secret. The historical aspect of the health camp interested me as well as the information on the beginnings of Kellogg’s cereal.
This was a wonderful plot with puzzling clues and suspects that really made me think. The overall theme of old friends that feel like family was very true to life. As always Roddy has some new drink recipes that hit the spot. This is a wonderful book club read with lots to discuss including the social classes presented so beautifully in this one.
This is the 5th installment of the Val and Roddy “Gilded” series and I can't wait to see what trouble Val and Roddy get themselves into next!