A Death of No Importance: A Novel (A Jane Prescott Novel, 1)

Product Description

“A taut, suspenseful, and complex murder mystery with gorgeous period detail.”―Susan Elia MacNealThrough her exquisite prose, sharp observation and deft plotting, Mariah Fredericks invites us into the heart of a changing New York in her remarkable debut adult novel, A Death of No Importance.NEW YORK CITY, 1910. Invisible until she’s needed, Jane Prescott has perfected the art of serving as a lady’s maid to the city’s upper echelons. She works for the Benchley family, who are dismissed by the elite as “new money,” and who cause outrage when their daughter Charlotte becomes engaged to notorious eminent playboy Norrie Newsome. But when Norrie is found murdered at a party, Jane discovers she is uniquely positioned to find the killer―she’s a woman no one sees, but who witnesses everything; who possesses no social power but that of fierce intellect. Jane also knows that in both high society and the city’s underbelly, morals can become cheap in the wrong hands; scandal and violence simmer just beneath the surface―and can break out at any time.*BONUS CONTENT: This edition of A Death of No Importance includes a new introduction from the author and a discussion guide

Review

A Library Journal Best Book of 2018!“Murder in the ranks of high society provides heady entertainment for the servants who toil in obscurity in A Death of No Importance, a lively upstairs/downstairs mystery by Mariah Fredericks set in New York City in 1910.”―New York Times Book Review“A sparkling mystery . . . The novel’s voice, plotting, pace, characterization, and historical background are all expertly crafted, while the resolution―which feels both surprising and convincing―will leave readers hungry for more.”―Publishers Weekly (starred)“Jane is an appealing amateur sleuth . . . With its vivid depiction of contrasting worlds this series debut should appeal to readers of Alyssa Maxwell’s ‘Gilded Age’ historical mysteries.”―Library Journal (starred)”Deftly woven…[An] intricate historical mystery and pointed commentary on human nature.”―Booklist”The prewar world of New York City in 1910 comes to life through the colorful social settings and real historical events…[a] debut adult novel with period details and strong characterizations.”―BookPage”A deliciously intriguing peek at 1910 New York. A well-plotted mystery with a plucky amateur sleuth―and an ending that could promise more cases for Jane to solve in the future!”―RT Book Reviews”A wonderfully vivid debut…a well-told and memorable story, impossible to put down.”―Mystery Scene Magazine”A really good read for fans of historical fiction―the character had a great voice that sucked me in immediately.”―Book Riot”A highly engaging read…satisfying.”―BookBrowse”Another deftly crafted novel by an author with a genuine flair for originality and a total master of the mystery genre, A Death of No Importance by Mariah Fredericks is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections.”―The Midwest Book Review“A Death of No Importance has such rich historic detail that you feel as if you’ve been transported to early twentieth century New York. Mariah Fredericks is the best at creating compulsively addictive, fresh, twisty reads.”―Meg Cabot”Mariah Fredericks’ A Death of No Importance is told by a young and reticent―but gimlet-eyed―ladies’ maid. She’s employed by an Edith Wharton-esque New York City family, but after the murder of a young cad who was engaged to her mistress, she’s drawn into the police investigation. Crossing social class lines and making tart observations, she succeeds at both finding the murderer and keeping secrets. Fredericks has written a taut, suspenseful, and complex murder mystery with gorgeous period detail.”―Susan Elia MacNeal“A sharp, engaging, and intimate treat of a historical mystery. Jane Prescott is a smart detective and a keen observer of both the upper crust and the dark underbelly of early twentieth century