"Fun amateur sleuth historical mystery"

During World War II in England, the villagers have seen too much change in too short a time to want any further disruptions in their way of life. Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton of the Manor House subtly soothes ruffled feathers of the locals, tired by food rationing, the invasion of the Americans quartered in British homes, and the curfews. Even Elizabeth the great cannot get the residents to accept the new munitions factory run by Douglas McNally.

At the opening ceremony, Elizabeth has the honor of cutting the ribbon, but is taken aback when Douglas informs her that he is receiving death threats in the mail. Shortly thereafter, a fire breaks out at the factory killing Douglas and a charwoman. Following a rather quick inquiry, the fire marshal declares an accident occurred, but Elizabeth wonders in light of the letters whether murder happened. She learns that the victims were locked inside an office unable to get out. Totally connived that murder took place, Elizabeth intends to prove that and uncover the identity of the culprit.

FIRE WHEN READY is a fun to read amateur sleuth historical mystery that pays attention to period detail so that the readers can taste the real frustrations, fears, sacrifices, and hardships of villagers in England during the Great War. The heroine is a plucky strong willed character who watches over her villagers like a mother hen; thus investigating arson and murder in Elizabeth's mind is part of protecting her "children". Kate Kingsbury treats her readers with a charming tale that will send her satisfied audience seeking previous novels in this fine series.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 29, 2004

When the local munitions factory blows up, leaving two people dead, Lady Elizabeth suspects murder is afoot. Since her beloved major has gone back to America, she keeps her mind busy with ferreting out the truth. Luckily for her, Major Monroe returns, just in time to save her from a dastardly criminal intent on murder number three.

Summary

There's no evidence that Sitting Marsh's munitions factory was bombed by the Luftwaffe, so it's up to Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton to discern who in the sleepy little community sabotaged the plant and killed the owner.