Petty Treason

Petty Treason (2004) Madeline E. Robins

The second Miss Sarah Tolerance mystery, Petty Treason takes place several months after the events of Point of Honor. Although her courtroom testimony following her last case has made her name known in London, she is continuing to work as an Agent of Inquiry, taking cases primarily from women who want to know what their husbands are doing, However, the brother-in-law of the murdered Chevalier d’Aubigny, who wants to protect his sister during the investigation of the brutal murder of her husband.

Initially, I was slightly annoyed at Sarah Tolerance, because how the dead Chevalier got his money was quite obvious to me, and I was frustrated she couldn’t see it. But she figured it out, and it wasn’t much more than a third of the way into the story, so I decided that she probably wasn’t slow, I was just being impatient. And although I figured out who the killer was before Sarah Tolerance did, I didn’t mind.

As with the previous book, Point of Honor what I particularly like is how Madeline E. Robins has created a character who has reasonable and believable reasons for what makes her stand out from the society around her. I also liked how the relationship between Sarah Tolerance and Sir Walter Mandif has developed. A good detective always needs to have at least one policeman on her side, and although Bow Street magistrates weren’t the same as police, Mandif functions in a similar manner–and again, the reasons for the friendship are reasonable.

Also as with the previous book, I very much enjoyed the writing.

It is one thing, and quite a considerable thing, to be a lady. A true lady is a person of virtue and beauty, of accomplishment and talent, of gentle birth and rigorous upbringing. She inspires love in her suitors and obedience in her servants, and knows how to hold housekeeping and bully the butcher and chandler so cleverly that those persons feel it their privilege to serve her. The suggestion of strife oppresses her, and her pleasures are the mildest and most delicate. Her honor is a possession prized above rubies, and even the gentles breath of scandal damanges it forever. If adventures offers itself she understands that her reputation is at stake, and wisely settles for tedium. Or so the theory goes.

A gentleman, however, is not constrained by prudishness. His sex licenses him, even encourages him, to see out adventure and prove himself.

Thus we have a succinct description of society at the time, and how men and women are supposed to behave.

The characters are also well done, especially the changing relationship between Sarah Tolerance and her aunt. Mr. Heddison was also well done. Sarah Tolerance’s experience with the magistrate and his officers are a reminder that no matter what problems we we currently have, our justice system is still far better than that which existed two hundred years ago in England. Yet Heddison wasn’t bad or evil, he was simply a product of his time and situation.

If you enjoy historical mysteries (this one is set during the Regency period) then you should enjoy Petty Treason, although I recommend starting with Point of Honor, since I always prefer to watch characters develop over time, and because some of the events in the previous book are mentioned.

Rating: 8/10

• Browse the archives:
  
• What Angels Fear » »
• « « Kitty Takes a Holiday