Headmistress Henrietta Finch drops dead during a charity luncheon at Haverleigh, an elite school for girls. Her Madeira cake has been laced with cyanide. Miss Verity Sedgwick, assistant headmistress, is the obvious suspect since she made no secret of coveting the headmistress’ job. However, she is not the only suspect with motive and opportunity. Who killed Miss Finch, and why? Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her maid Eva are on the case.

This book is very childish and amateurish. I often felt like I was reading a pre-teen’s Edwardian romance fantasy fiction off of the Internet. It’s just that silly and awkwardly written.

There are a lot of tediously detailed descriptions of post-WWI artifacts—fashions, automobiles, foodstuffs, etc. However, the characters are decidedly written by a clumsy, judgmental, 21st century pen. It’s all so phony & contrived; it literally grates on the nerves.

The clumsy writing is a constant reminder that this is probably just some sad American housewife’s daydream of British aristocratic splendor. It is impossible for the reader to ever get lost in this book or to forget that the characters are anything but shallow caricatures. ( )

A pretty good mystery but not totally gripping. I'm not sure I will read the next book in the series. There's just something missing for me or the parts I want to read are coming out too slowly. The book and the mystery are written well but I don't feel motivated to read more of this author. ( )

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for an honest review. This is another one about Lady Phoebe and Eva (her lady's maid). This time there is a murder at her sister Amelia's school and her old school. Her Grandmother is on the board of the school. The murder of the current headmisster and the mystery surrounding it are handled very well. I was almost at the end before I figured it out. Also, one twist I was not expecting and that was not revealed until the end also. All in all, a good edition to the series and a very enjoyable read. I finished it in 4 days only because I had to work in between reading. ( )

Alyssa Maxwell always provides a fun read. It provided the perfect respite after finishing a book on the Holocaust.

I have read several of Maxwell's books, including her Newport series, and have enjoyed them all. This was my first "Lady & Lady's Maid Mystery" and I enjoyed my time spent with Lady Phoebe and her maid Eva. The writing and plot kept my attention and the dialog seemed true to the period. I look forward to sharing future adventures and sleuthing.

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance copy. ( )

A Pinch of Poison by Alyssa Maxwell is the second book in the A Lady & Lady’s Maid Mystery series. It is April in 1919 in Little Barlow. Lady Phoebe Renshaw is at a charity luncheon at Haverleigh School for Young Ladies. Phoebe has helped organize this event (along with the help of her lady’s maid, Eva Huntford) to help raise items and funds to help war veterans (Relief and Comfort for Veterans and their Families). The young ladies at the school helped collect the items, and they prepared the luncheon for today’s guests. The girls bring out the desserts and Zara Worthington presents the headmistress, Miss Henrietta Finch, with a Madeira cake. Several minutes later, Miss Finch starts choking and clutching at her throat. The nurse is called but Miss Finch collapses before Nurse Delacy can arrive. Chief Inspector Isaac Perkins and Constable Miles Brannock are called to scene. It is suspected that Miss Finch has been poisoned. Lady Phoebe assists with the questioning of the scholars while Eva helps with the staff. It turns out that Miss Finch was not well liked because of her progressive ideas (she was a suffragist and wanted the girls to learn mathematics as well as other unladylike subjects). Phoebe sets out to find the guilty party with help from Eva, Major Lord Owen Seabright, and Constable Brannock. The killer, though, does not wish to be caught and will go to great lengths to stay free. Will this investigation be Phoebe’s undoing?

A Pinch of Poison was an engaging book. I liked the characters as well as the setting (and time period). I liked Phoebe’s attitude, determination and inquisitive mind. I summarized the main storyline, but there are other situations happening as well (Julia, Phoebe’s sister, is being particularly secretive). I found A Pinch of Poison to be nicely written and had a good, steady pace. I give A Pinch of Poison 4.5 out of 5 stars (I enjoyed it, but I was able to solve the mystery). There is a good moral lesson contained within the storyline. The mystery was complicated, but it can be solved if the reader pays careful attention to the clues (one in particular). I think many people will be surprised by the culprit which is the sign of a well-crafted mystery. While this is the second book in the series, you can enjoy it as a stand-alone. The author provides the needed information for the reader (you will not be lost). I eagerly anticipate the next novel in the A Lady & Lady’s Maid Mystery series. ( )