A Broken Vessel

A Broken Vessel (1994) Kate Ross

The second Julian Kestrel mystery. Which means I’m now halfway through the series.

Julian Kestrel is once again pulled into mystery and murder when his manservant Dipper runs into his sister, and she inadvertently brings a mystery to them.

This book takes a deep and unpleasant look at prostitution in Regency London.

patient. He was told she had not been seriously ill, but merely weak and in low spirits— perhaps a debilitating effect of the depraved life she had led before she came to the refuge.

Of course why women end up prostitutes was as complex then as it is today.

“Self-respect’s a fine thing, sir, but you can’t eat it, nor drink it, nor put a red feather on it and tie it under the chin.”

Mr. Harcourt then questioned her closely about how she fell from grace. She was hard put to answer. She could not remember a moment when she fell. She had been born about as low as a girl could get, and simply went on from there.

But it’s not all darkness. There is plenty of wit to amuse.

“It’s been a herculean effort of self-denial, but you see, I hear you have a Pomeranian dog.”
“What, you’re not afraid of a little dog, surely?”
“No, but on the advice of my tailor, I’m allergic to anything that sheds.”

A persistent clergyman asked him what should be done about the evils of excessive drinking. Julian recommended soda water and a cold, damp cloth around the head.

I love this series so very much. The mysteries are good, the history is fascinating, and the dialog is marvelous.
Rating: 10/10

Published by Felony & Mayhem Press

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