Maids of Misfortune: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery

Name: Maids of Misfortune: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery
Rating: 4.40170955657959 (351 reviews)

M. Louisa Locke

Nov 2009 · A Victorian San Francisco Mystery Series Book 1 · M. Louisa Locke

4.4

351 reviews

Ebook

344

Pages

Eligible

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About this ebook

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, and Lethal Remedies. 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.

Ratings and reviews

4.4

351 reviews

Sara Allen

May 16, 2023

Good mystery. Each character's personality made me think of paths that ended up not necessarily going down the road they ended up on. Made me stay listening to try to figure out the truth behind it all.

jerame

June 26, 2020

I must confess, the first chapter I thought it was going to be a little whiny feminist take on Victorian culture, but I was happy to note that although it is heavily influenced with feminist themes and plot lines the characters are well laid out and likable so as it really doesn't go overboard. I'll probably read the rest of the series here soon. Overall well written and a pretty good take on Victorian style novels and characters. I wouldn't put it right next to Wells, but on the same shelf happily. I laughed out loud at a few of the one liners and I was very glad that the ending was not transparent during the rest of the book. I wanted there to be one more page at the end which is always the sign of a good ending In my opinion especially in a series.

2 people found this review helpful

JulieY

December 3, 2021

Exciting series starter! In the 1880's, a woman had no place in business and was given no credit for intelligence. Annie Fuller was raised differently by her father but even her financial skills can not save her or her boarding house. If she cannot come up with the money to pay off the money her wastrel husband borrowed before his death, she will lose everything. The income from her boarders along with the money she earns as Madam Sybil, a financial medium, is barely enough to make ends meet. One of the men who comes to her for advice, who is also a dear friend, is found dead; an apparent suicide. Annie is certain he was murdered and is determined to uncover the truth. Nate Dawson, the Voss family lawyer shows up at her door demanding to see Sybil. He is convinced she is a woman of ill-repute who has stolen Mr. Voss’ assets and is astounded when he discovers the truth. An infuriating and contentious partnership soon develops between Annie and Nate as they try to uncover the truth. This well-written story follows the period nicely and portrays a real sense of life during the late 1800s. I enjoyed reading the story as M. Louisa Locke builds the plot of this excellent mystery using a strong female protagonist.

About the author

M. Louisa Locke is a retired U.S and Women's history professor who has embarked on a new career with the publication of her best-selling Victorian San Francisco Mystery series. Writing as Louisa Locke she is a founder and writes in the Paradisi Chronicles, an open source science fiction series by multiple authors. For information about both of these series go to https://mlouisalocke.com

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