Narrated by Bella Lowe
Proper English is a prequel of sorts to KJ Charles’ popular Think of England, or perhaps it’s better to say it’s an origin story for two delightful side characters in that book, Patricia Merton and Fenella Carruth. During that murder mystery, Pat and Fen prove themselves to be full of good sense and very capable in a crisis, and this book shows us just how they honed their sleuthing skills.
Patricia Merton is at a crossroads in her life. Raised along with four older brothers by a widowed father, she was encouraged to be just as competent and capable as her siblings. She’s an avid outdoorswoman and a superior shot, having won the All England Ladies’s Championship in shooting. She’s never been interested in society and has, until recently, managed her oldest brother’s household. Recently married, his wife will obviously take over that responsibility, and Pat knows that she will step on toes if she continues to live there. While she’s contemplating her future, she accepts an invitation from the Earl of Witton to join a shooting party at Roddington Court. She’s pleased another brother, Bill, will also be attending, as will their childhood friend and heir to the earldom, Jimmy Yoxall. Pat is anticipating a shooting party only, and is dismayed to learn that Jimmy’s fiancée Fenella will be there, along with his sister Anna and her odious husband, and the Countess’ goddaughter, Victoria. Pat is there to shoot partridges, not to have to make conversation with people she doesn’t know.
Fenella has been raised to be just the type of lady Pat doesn’t have much use for – frivolous and vapid – but when Pat sees Fen, her first thought is that Fen’s the loveliest woman she’s ever laid eyes on. During a conversation where Pat offers to teach Victoria to shoot, Fen asks Pat to teach her instead when Victoria declines. As they spend time together it becomes apparent to Pat that Fen is more than pretty clothes and empty banter. Fen has been raised to play a part, to act and speak the way people expect of a well-bred young lady, even though those same people turn around and ridicule the young ladies for their ‘empty headedness’. Pat soon realizes that Fen has depth of character and an insightful mind along with a real desire to put people at ease. It’s not long before those observations about Fen turn into a growing admiration for Fen. Pat’s awkwardness in matters of romance is quite endearing, and Fen gets to show her strength as she gently takes charge of guiding their budding relationship.
Then, during a terrible storm no less, one of the party is murdered. Like any good Edwardian Country House mystery, everyone at Roddington Court seems to have a secret which gives them motive for the murder. When Pen realizes her brother Bill is one of those people, she and Fen decide to solve the mystery before the weather clears and the police arrive. Their questions ruffle feathers and expose some deeply personal matters, and may just put the pair in danger.
Bella Lowe is a new-to-me narrator and I am delighted with her performance. She voices a varied cast of characters including five men and five women with significant speaking parts, and the requisite maids, butlers, etc. needed to run the house. Ms. Lowe does excellent male voices and differentiates between all the male characters with ease. Her variety of female voices is equally strong. Pat has a no-nonsense voice to go with her personality, and Fen sounds delightfully air-headed when she’s playing the vapid English miss. The wide range of emotions are believably expressed in both dialog sections and narrative passages. I would definitely listen to Ms. Lowe again.
K.J. Charles wrote Proper English to give the backstory for two memorable side characters from Think of England, and writing it as a Christie-esque mystery was a brilliant idea. We experience the interesting characters and wonderful character development we expect from this author, along with a fun mystery plot that keeps readers on their toes. Being an avid mystery fan from my youngest days, this type of whodunit is definitely my cup of tea and with the lovely narration, I’m happy to recommend it on audio.
Note: Published in 2019
Carrie
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