The Pigeon Pie Mystery

by Julia Stuart

Before I discuss the plot of this mystery, I simply must complain about the pacing of this novel. It is SLOW. Readers do not encounter a dead body until about 1/3 of the way through the novel. I find this pace to be totally unacceptable. I almost gave up for this reason.

Anyway, the plot revolves around Princess Alexandrina (“Mink”), daughter of the recently deceased (and disgraced) Maharaja of Prindur. With her father’s recent (and scandalous) death, Mink finds herself penniless. Luckily, Queen Victoria saves Mink by offering her a grace-and-favour home in Hampton Court Palace. So, Mink and her faithful servant, Pooki, have a place to live. Problem solved.

When a less than popular resident of HCP is poisoned, the evidence points to Mink and Pooki. Major-General Bagshot ate the pigeon pie prepared by Pooki and subsequently died of arsenic poisoning.

It is up to Mink to save Pooki and find the true culprit of this crime.

It took me soooo long to read this. Far longer than it should have taken. Still, Mink and Pooki are charming, and I liked the setting of this mystery. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this to anyone used to reading mysteries. The pace is just too slow for this genre.

11/23/13