Author: Nicola Upson
Published: June 2014
Publisher: Bourbon Street Books
Pages: 368
Source: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher and TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
An unexpected inheritance plunges beloved British mystery author Josephine Tey into a disturbing puzzle of dark secrets connecting the present and the past in this intriguing historical mystery brimming with psychological tension.
When Josephine Tey unexpectedly inherits Red Barn Cottage from a godmother she barely knows, the will stipulates that she must personally claim the house in the Suffolk countryside. But Josephine is not the only benefactor—a woman named Lucy Kyte is also in Hester’s will. Sorting through the artifacts of her godmother’s life, Josephine is intrigued by an infamous murder committed on the cottage’s grounds a century before. This old crime—dubbed the Red Barn murder—still haunts the tight-knit village and its remote inhabitants. Is it superstition, or is there a very real threat that is frightening the locals? And is the truth related to the mysterious Lucy Kyte, whom no one in the village admits to knowing? Surrounded by the shadows of obsession, abuse, and deceit, with a palpable sense of evil thickening around her, Josephine must untangle historic tragedy from present danger to prevent a deadly cycle from beginning once again.
My Thoughts:
The Death of Lucy Kyte takes place in the early half of the century in a cute town whose inhabitants bear grudges and judgments for generations. When she inherits her godmother's cottage home, Josephine takes on the task of clearing out the old home and in doing so learns the tale of the death of a local village girl; a tale that had mesmerized her godmother so much she had written a journal of her story.
While Josephine inherited the home, a mysterious Lucy Kyte inherited any contents within that she might choose. But how to find this mystery lady and what was the significance of her role in her godmother's life? Later, when Josephine discovers the death of Lucy Kyte, she determines to solve the mysteries surrounding her godmother and the two deaths.
Set in the Suffolk countryside of the UK, The Death of Lucy Kyte explores how a village can influence, a grudge can linger, and how forbidden relationships can have enduring consequences. The Death of Lucy Kyte is a descriptive narrative of another era written in descriptive style that illustrates the nuances of village life, for good and bad, unveiled with the investigating prowess of the seasoned mystery author Josephine Tey. It's a bit slow reading but worth the time for the build up towards a suspenseful climax.
Meet the Author:
Nicola Upson is the author of five Josephine Tey mysteries, including An Expert in Murder, Angel with Two Faces, Two for Sorrow, Fear in the Sunlight, and The Death of Lucy Kyte, as well as two works of nonfiction. She has worked in theater and as a freelance journalist. A recipient of an Escalator Award from the Arts Council England, she splits her time between Cambridge and Cornwall. Visit Nicola at her website, www.nicolaupson.com, and on Facebook.
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