Maids of Misfortune: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery - M. Louisa Locke

Maids of Misfortune: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery

By M. Louisa Locke

  • Release Date: 2014-12-06
  • Genre: Historical Mysteries
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 1,313 Ratings

Description

First book in the USA Today bestselling Victorian San Francisco Mystery series.

It's the summer of 1879, and Annie Fuller, a young San Francisco widow, is in trouble. Annie's husband squandered her fortune before committing suicide five years earlier, and one of his creditors is now threatening to take the boardinghouse she owns to pay off a debt.

Annie Fuller also possesses a secret. She supplements her income by giving domestic and business advice as Madam Sibyl, one of San Francisco's most exclusive clairvoyants, and one of Madam Sibyl's clients, Matthew Voss, has died. The police believe his death was suicide brought upon by bankruptcy, but Annie believes Voss has been murdered and that his assets have been stolen.

Nate Dawson wrestles with a difficult decision. As the Voss family lawyer, he would love to prove that Matthew Voss didn't leave his grieving family destitute. But that would mean working with Annie Fuller, a woman who alternatively attracts and infuriates him as she shatters every notion he ever had of proper ladylike behavior.

Sparks fly as Anne and Nate pursue the truth about the murder of Matthew Voss in this light-hearted, cozy historical mystery set in the foggy, gas-lit world of Victorian San Francisco. 

Maids of Misfortune is the first book in M. Louisa Locke's USA Today bestselling Victorian San Francisco mystery series, followed by Uneasy Spirits, Bloody Lessons, Deadly Proof, Pilfered Promises, Scholarly Pursuits, Lethal Remedies and Entangled Threads.. Locke's shorter works, collected in Victorian San Francisco Stories: Vols 1 and 2, and Victorian San Francisco Novellas, feature beloved minor characters from the series. There are also two boxed sets of the novels, Victorian San Francisco Mysteries: Books 1-4 and Victorian San Francisco Mysteries: Books 5-7.

Reviews

  • Turn the tables

    5
    By IwannaBme
    A new perspective on history. A great read
  • San Francisco delight

    5
    By Mcv50
    A wonderful story of San Francisco in the early years. Great characters and intriguing plot including twists and turn throughout. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
  • Engaging and Descriptive

    4
    By Steve Rogers 1978ii
    I normally read SciFi and Fantasy, but this Historical Fiction novel kept me reading chapter after chapter. The characters and situations are engaging, and the descriptions of what life was like in the late 1800s San Francisco is interesting. Already on the third book in the series.
  • Interesting

    4
    By Mary Ward Taylor
    In an era of underestimating the intelligence and business acumen of women, the protagonist finds a clever way to dispense her wise advice, but gets caught up in a murder mystery.
  • Loved it

    5
    By slapstickgum
    Great writing, wonderful story and characters. Recommend highly!
  • Maids of Misfortune

    5
    By Ralphnun1
    Such a great story!!! Great mystery.
  • Well planned and executed

    5
    By CaKris
    This novel is packed full of many delightful characters, a strong storyline and is evenly paced. There is appropriate humor, heart warming respect and prolonged mild suspense. A feel good novel. A cosy to wile away a weekend. Bought the series based on this first book.
  • A fine, clever book

    5
    By Avid Reader QC
    This is a very fine, clever book. Except for ignoring the fact that no one on a warm San Francisco August morning would expect anything except a cool windy afternoon, the author did an excellent job with the facts of Victorian San Francisco.
  • Maids of misfortune

    4
    By gweneeth
    Interesting plot with realistic characters. Thanks, g
  • Aids of missfortune

    5
    By JSSIndy
    I truly enjoyed this book! I thought it was a little longer than it needed to be. I also loved that it was a stand a lone. History, mystery, and romance! My favorite ingredients for a good read. Loved it!