Review of A Deadly Truth by Kelli Keith

Book Review
Name:
Kelli Keith

Date:
October 21, 2017

Book Title:
A Deadly Truth (Book 1 in the Cady Delafield Series)

Book Author:
Joyce Proell

Date of Publication:
July 1, 2013

Number of Pages:
234

Main Characters:
Arcadia “Cady” Delafield is the newly appointed administrator for the Women’s Prepartory School. Her pursuit of a career ruffles the family matriarch’s, Ophelia Prentice, feathers and is considered a near-spinster at the age of 24.

Doyle Flanagan is a wealthy businessman cloaked in controversy. He was shunned from high society when his wife’s, Millicent, suicide was investigated as a murder—with him as the prime suspect. His mother-in-law, Constance Langford, had spared no expense to sully his reputation and seek revenge for the death of her daughter.

Other Important Characters:
Inspector Middendorf is the lead investigator of the strangling cases. His contempt toward Flanagan interferes with his objectivity. His only goal is to arrest Flanagan and put him behind bars, forever.

Edward Villard is in charge at the Bank of Chicago, he his ordinary in appearance—a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A childhood rival of Flanagan, Villard has held a grudge that will ultimately be his undoing.

Setting:
Chicago, Illinois; 1881.

Synopsis:
Victorian era Chicago, was no stranger to murderous deeds. When Cady Delafield discovered the body of her student in the home of Doyle Flanagan, they accuse each other of murder. Although Mr. Flanagan is no stranger to murder allegations, having been the prime suspect in his wife’s death three years prior, Cady reluctantly joins him to hunt for the killer. Putting her reputation, career, and life at stake, Cady will stop at nothing to bring justice to her students.

Key Points/Conflict:
Cady Delafield was informed that her student, Fiona, was missing. A little investigative work leads her to the door of Doyle Flanagan. No one is home at the elaborate townhome and the door is ajar. After calling out, Cady enters to find Fiona, strangled, in the parlor. Enter Mr. Flanagan; he is startled to find the women in his home, sending a cabby to fetch the police, and frantically begins searching for clues. Cady assumes Mr. Flanagan is the murderer and reveals that Fiona left behind a note stating she was to meet someone at this address. Mr. Flanagan is arrested by Inspector Middendorf, who feels that Flanagan got away with murder three years prior, and is determined to keep him in custody this time.

When Flanagan’s salacious alibi for the prior night is confirmed, Middendorf begrudgingly releases him from custody. Cady seeks out Flanagan to ask more questions about his relationship with Fiona. In this conversation it is revealed that another of Cady’s students, Mary “Velvet” O’Hara, was also murdered—and has a connection to Flanagan. With mounting suspicion, Flanagan becomes more determined to find the killer and clear his name.

Over the course of two weeks, Cady and Flanagan push the boundaries of propriety, forming a unique bond despite the societal hurdles placed before them. Flanagan’s reputation, and their (now public) association cause many hardships that force Cady to choose between what is right and what is proper. Defying her upbringing to find the truth could lead Cady to poverty and no marital prospects. The pair gather evidence and search for witnesses.

When Flanagan’s “salacious alibi” is murdered—bringing the body count to three—it seems there is no way to exonerate him from the crimes. Cady, puts herself in danger to bring the real killer to the authorities and to clear the name of the man, with which, she is falling in love. One close call after another leads the reader on an exciting chase to find the killer.


Analysis/Evaluation:

The reader is immediately thrust into the meat of the mystery; introducing the two main characters and setting the tone for the remainder of the book. The descriptions and dialogue are on par with the Victorian period, with very few anachronisms. The characters were well defined, interesting, and the dialogue adequately highlighted the brewing chemistry between them.

Throughout the book there were issues with continuity.

• When Cady was introduced, it alternated between “Arcadia” and Acadia” so the reader may be confused as to her accurate name. 

• Ophelia was described as “raising her silver eyebrow” upon her introduction to the character list. Later, she was described as “lifting her rose eyebrow”. 

• The very first time she dressed to attend a function, the gown was described as velvet and a page later, as satin. 

• Flanagan kissed Cady, stopping himself so he would “not remove the innocence that made her so appealing”. Yet, a page later, his inner dialogue stated that they had made love. This appeared multiple times throughout the remainder of the book. 

• The necklace and pendant, found on the third victim, is referred to a bracelet in a conversation with Constance. The next sentence calls it a necklace again. 

Some of the minor characters disappear throughout the book and significant questions remain regarding the main characters, however, this is a series, so it is safe to assume these issues will be resolved later. The love portion of the story was a bit too quick-paced but, it does not detract from the actual story line (and will still satisfy admirers of the romance genre).

Overall, the book was likeable. It is apparent the author put considerable amounts of time into research of the period (and probably the H.H. Holmes murders). Despite the continuity issues, it was a good Saturday afternoon read that will remove you from reality for a spell. 

A Deadly Truth is available at Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and the Champagne Bookstore.