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Lovely Digits

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When two murders strike the sleepy Victorian town of Clun, England, an unlikely partnership forms. But can the killer be found before there is a third?

Lovely Digits is the town oddity…

But quirky spinster Lucy Wycliffe prefers to ignore gossip and embrace her position as the town’s layer out of the dead, despite how her parents’ deaths thrust her into such unlikely work. Lovely Digits, as she’s known to the local townspeople, no longer dreams of marriage, but takes pride in providing dignity to the dead. Desperate to hold on to her family’s cottage and support her widowed sister and young niece, an unexpected offer of employment as assistant to the constable arrives at the perfect time.

Former sailor John Brodie is the mysterious new constable…

But John Brodie is far from a stranger to Clun or the events of its past. Accepting the position as constable in the small town is a double edged sword meant to heal his past and redeem his future, but falling for the beautiful and intelligent Lucy Wycliffe was never part of his plan. As the killer closes in, will John reveal his secret and risk losing everything to save Lucy’s life?

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2019

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About the author

Jeanine Englert

25 books242 followers
Jeanine Englert is a double VIVIAN ® FINALIST, Golden Heart ® Finalist, Daphne du Maurier Award winner, and Silver Falchion Award Winner in historical romantic suspense. After years of writing in secret, she joined Romance Writers of America and Georgia Romance Writers in 2013 and has been an active member ever since. She writes Scottish Highland historicals and historical romantic suspense novels.

When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved pups, and of course mysteries with other readers on Twitter @JeanineWrites, Facebook, or at her website www.jeaninewrites.com.

Her debut novel, Lovely Digits, by Soul Mate Publishing, is a Victorian romantic suspense that is a double VIVIAN ® FINALIST as well as a Daphne du Maurier finalist and won the 2020 Silver Falchion Award for Best Mystery as well as the Maggie Award for Best Romantic Suspense.

Her latest book, The Highlander's Secret Son, is a Georgian Highlander Romance published by Harlequin Historical/Mills & Boon.

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5 stars
131 (53%)
4 stars
62 (25%)
3 stars
39 (15%)
2 stars
11 (4%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Julie.
4,135 reviews38.2k followers
August 23, 2021
Lovely Digits by Jeanine Englert is a 2019 Soul Mate Publishing publication.

Two girls are murdered in Clun, both of whom were friends of Lucy Wycliffe. Lucy is a non-conformist, in that she has never married after the brutal murder of her parents- and she attends to the dead- a job that has earned her a reputation as an eccentric.

All she has left is her cottage which, if she doesn’t come up with a payment soon, will be repossessed. In desperate need of more funds, she accepts a job offer from the new town constable, John Brodie.

As the two pair up to investigate the deaths of Lucy’s friends, they find themselves in grave peril- but their hearts could be in even more jeopardy as they begin falling in love, because John is harboring a deep, dark secret that will most assuredly turn Lucy against him…

This is a book I took a chance on from the KU library- and my gamble paid off with dividends. This is a terrific combination of mystery, suspense, and romance. Lucy and John have a great chemistry between them, both as work partners and as a romantic couple. The mystery is compelling and full of Victorian era forensics, utilizing unconventional methods of detection.

I thought the author did a great job on this book- she measures the mystery with the romance perfectly, adds great details, and creates atmosphere, while drawing out the character’s emotions.

Overall, this was a terrific find- and I hope to hear from this author again!

4 stars
Profile Image for "Avonna.
1,271 reviews510 followers
July 25, 2019
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

LOVELY DIGITS by Jeanine Englert is a historical romantic suspense that I feel is perfect in every way. The romance and suspense/mystery were both perfectly balanced and intriguing. This book has a heroine with a unique occupation, a constable hero trying to right a past wrong while both work together to solve a series of murders in 1849 Clun, England.

Miss Lucy Wycliffe is a spinster, who has for the last ten years been Clun’s layer out of the dead. She ignores the gossip from the town people who feel she is unnatural for she has to support herself and help her sister who is a widow and her niece since the death of their parents. Lucy takes pride in the job she does for the dead even as she knows no man will be interested in her.

John Brodie is the new constable. He is no stranger to Clun and his acceptance of this position is meant to correct old wrongs and help him move on in the future. He wishes to help Lucy by paying her to be his assistant as they work to find the killer of Lucy’s childhood friends. He never thought he would fall in love with the beautiful and intelligent “Lovely Digits”.

The killer knows secrets from the past and has come back to not only reveal truths that could end Lucy and John’s relationship, but also their lives.

I loved this book! This historical romantic suspense focuses on a small town in England of regular people and there are no princes or dukes in sight. The clothes, language and interactions are era appropriate. Lucy’s occupation is unique, but it is also plausible. I love that Lucy is also an intelligent, strong heroine who is as heroic as John. No sex. Hand holding and a few kisses only. The murders are investigated with old-fashioned leg work, clues obtained from the bodies and clues left by the killer.

Set time aside because I know once you start this book you will not be able to put it down! There is no cliffhanger and the story is complete, but there does seem to be a possibility of more books following John and Lucy in the future and I can only say to Ms. Englert, “Yes, please”!

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
Profile Image for Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany).
2,419 reviews4,030 followers
August 14, 2021
I really liked the premise of Lovely Digits. We frequently get historical romance focused on the gentry, but in this historical romantic suspense we follow a layer out of the dead and a disabled inspector as they work together to uncover the identity of a serial killer. This is a solid first book. I wanted more from the romantic chemistry, and at times the narrative felt a tad repetitive, but overall I liked the story and found it to be satisfying.
Profile Image for JoAn.
2,203 reviews1 follower
August 17, 2020
Lovely Digits by Jeanine Englert is a historical mystery set during the Victorian period in a small town in England. Lucy is a spinster who provides the small town with the service of laying out the dead. John is the newly appointed constable for the town. A smoothly paced plot with mysterious clues and plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the dramatic reveal.
Profile Image for Barbara Rogers.
1,617 reviews176 followers
April 10, 2020
Series: None Listed, but I think it is meant to be
Publication Date: 6/12/19
Number of Pages: 210

** Maybe 4.5 **

This was one of the best debut novels I’ve read in a long time. The writing is excellent the plot is complex and well-executed, and the characters are fully-fleshed and very relatable. I was particularly pleased to find that there was both a romance and a mystery and both were really well done. Besides, what could be better than a wonderful story that didn’t have a single aristocrat in it? Well, John might be related to a title of some sort since his family crest was mentioned – but since he’s been disowned, that wouldn’t count even if it were true.

Lucy Wycliffe is a layer-out of the dead, a path she embarked upon after her parents were murdered. Some in her village, Clun, consider her unnatural because of her occupation, but it has supported herself and her sister – barely. It has been ten years and she still feels the guilt for her parent's deaths – not that she should, it is just survivor's guilt, but she feels it strongly. Now, she’s beginning to feel a bit desperate with the banker, Fiske, demanding payment of the note on their home by the end of the month or she will be put out in the snow. So, when an offer to act as an assistant to the new constable is made, she quickly accepts.

John Brodie is a haunted man who is filled with secrets. His goal in Clun is forgiveness and redemption. While he’s not sure how that is going to happen, it is still his goal. Many things have happened in John’s life during the last ten years and few, if any, were good. Now, after being a successful detective in London’s police force, he is assigned to this sleepy Victorian village that currently has two vicious murders of beautiful, beloved young women and it is up to John to find the murderer.

As John and Lucy work together, they come to know, respect, and finally, to love each other. Although there was an instant attraction, the love came as respect for each other grew. I loved that John cared for ALL of Lucy – even her chosen profession.

Can John, an outsider, gain the trust of the people of Clun and solve the murders? Not without Lucy’s help. As the investigation continues and the clues to the murderer become more and more perplexing, John and Lucy find themselves in danger as well. Can they find the murderer and save themselves at the same time?

This excellently well-written novel will lead you on a merry chase from beginning to end. The resolution is exciting and may surprise you – or not. While this novel is listed as a standalone, I believe the author means it to be part of a series. There is an excellent set-up for it to be a series and I definitely hope that will be the case. That said, this book was published almost a year ago and I don’t see any mention of further books, so I guess the jury is still out on whether it will be part of a series.
Profile Image for Elodie’s Reading Corner.
2,527 reviews133 followers
September 16, 2019
Lovely Digits
Jeanine Englert
https://www.facebook.com/JeanineWrites/
Release date 6/12/2019
Publisher Soul Mate Publishing

Blurb :

When two murders strike the sleepy Victorian town of Clun, England, an unlikely partnership forms. But can the killer be found before there is a third?

Lovely Digits is the town oddity . . .
Quirky spinster Lucy Wycliffe prefers to ignore gossip and embrace her position as the town’s layer out of the dead, despite how her parents’ deaths thrust her into such unlikely work. Lovely Digits, as she’s known to the local townspeople, no longer dreams of marriage, but takes pride in providing dignity to the dead. Desperate to hold on to her family’s cottage and support her widowed sister and young niece, an unexpected offer of employment as assistant to the constable arrives at the perfect time.

Former sailor John Brodie is the mysterious new constable . . .
John Brodie is far from a stranger to Clun or the events of its past. Accepting the position as constable in the small town is a double-edged sword meant to heal his past and redeem his future. Falling for the beautiful and intelligent Lucy Wycliffe was never part of his plan.

As the killer closes in, will John reveal his secret and risk losing everything to save Lucy’s life?

My review :

What will they do as secrets to be revealed and dangerous shadows are lurking in the dark, ready to pounce on them ...

I discovered this author along a Facebook event in an historical romance group. Sure it is more a suspense story with a romantic side than a romance but it is the interactions between the two main characters that sew the mystery and romance parts together.

And Wow, just wow!
The opening scene just did it, it glued me to the story!
The heroine was such an unusual woman, from the profession she embraced to her straightforward personality, she is decidedly one of a kind. Mrs Jeanine Englert did an amazing job to move her from ink to blood and flesh, Lucy is strong and resilient, she tried to not let the past haunts her, still it shaped her in a formidable woman with a rare acuity for details and analysis.
It makes her the perfect candidate for a constable’s assistant.
John Brodie made my heart ache for him, he bore his guilt tattooed in his soul for ten long years, trying in every way to redeem himself for what he sees as his past failures.
Who can throw stones to him when in his young mind he was protecting his kin, he was aware of his sin, and he paid dearly when he tried to right the wrong done.
Now he is there, with only in his mind, to find a way to atone for his faults.
He never expected to fall for Lucy, the one woman who hold his future in her lovely digits.

Of course, I suspected quite rapidly who was the culprit, but as the clues pieced together, I was at loss of the why.
Here was the talent of Mrs Englert, like an episode of Columbo with missing hints, how would she mend the past with the present then offer a future when betrayal brings a rift between them.
The romance part is light in this read but still, the emotions grow quite soon in the story, it then lingers everywhere in a gaze, a light touch, a thought, the confidence in one another, the unsaid ...

This first tale by Mrs Jeanine Englert is a wondrous enigmatic story of two peoples who long for normalcy in spite of their peculiar occupation or past guilt or shame. It is their go for a brighter or a darker avenir.
5 stars.

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Profile Image for Cyrene Olson.
1,252 reviews16 followers
September 2, 2019
This book is such a nice surprise, and for a debut novel, I can only imagine this author getting better and better. The descriptions have you stepping in the snow with Lucy and John, and taking in the stars. This is such an original concept – Lucy is a “layer-out” or a mortician of the past. Giving the families and the victims the care and respect before they are laid to rest. John comes in as the new constable, and approaches Lucy for her to help solve some recent murders – and for more than one reason.

I am not a suspense person per say, but this historical is a sweet romance that builds with trust, and add in the mystery of a killer, and the different ways they find their clues in this time long gone and the author did a fantastic job making me believe it. Great beginning.
4.5 Stars
Profile Image for Bridget Love to read Lewis.
1,805 reviews11 followers
May 27, 2020
Murder past and present

John is the new constable and Lucy is the layer outer or undertaker of dead bodies! Lucy barely survives in this small town! Her nasty fat landlord is determined to squeeze rent or marriage out of her! John has secrets and has his own reasons for coming to town! Lucy is fascinated and instantly smitten by this man! He's intelligent, handsome and a war hero! Someone is murdering innocent young women two of Lucy's closest friends! The killer leaves clues and John realizes his past is putting Lucy and her sister in grave danger! Will Lucy ever forgive him? Is the killer known to them and can John solve the mystery before the killer finds Lovely Digits?
Profile Image for Jana Oliver.
Author 36 books2,022 followers
June 16, 2019
A Strong New Voice in Historical Romance

I enjoy stories that have strong emotional arcs as well as a compelling mystery. Lovely Digits has all those elements. The relationship between the hero and heroine was spot on as each twist and turn plays out to its dangerous conclusion. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Katherine Olson.
Author 3 books43 followers
June 22, 2019
A fresh voice for historical romance! I loved the premise of this story, the heroine’s unusual vocation (so nice to see something outside the peerage for HR), the dense atmospheric setting in Clun, and the hero who proved himself worthy of our admiration at every turn.
Profile Image for Marlie May.
Author 17 books72 followers
July 22, 2019
This mystery grabbed me on page one and didn't let go until I finished. An awesome read, suspenseful and enthralling. I can't wait to see what this author writes next.
Profile Image for Melissa Sellers.
76 reviews
July 19, 2020
A sweet read

This is a mystery and it's a good one but the relationship between John and Lucie is what I loved the most. I will say that if you are a stickler for historic accuracy you may get irritated by some of the expressions that the characters use. I think the speech is really modernized probably for ease of reading. This didn't bother me in the least as I read for pure enjoyment. I really liked this book and found myself looking forward to getting back to it.
Profile Image for Meghan.
688 reviews81 followers
September 12, 2019
A spooky book written in a way that mesmerizes the reader and draws you into the small village of Clun, England, a place where secrets abound and your silence may be what keeps you alive. I love romance written into mysteries, particularly murder mysteries, and Jeanine Englert did an amazing job of incorporating both elements into Lovely Digits. It was very unique - this is the first time I have read a book where the heroine is a 19th century mortician. It's the last thing I would find to be interesting, at least at first glance, but Englert wrote the heroine in such a relatable way. I loved her perspective on the job of preparing bodies for funerals and burial, and it shed a whole new light on the profession. Very enlightening, to say the least!

Lucy Wycliffe is known as Lovely Digits to the locals of Clun, England, and while she doesn't find it the loveliest of nicknames, she takes pride in preparing bodies for burial as a living. Having done so for ten years, ever since the death of her parents at the age of 17, she has kept the household afloat with the money she brings in. However, she becomes alarmed when the bodies of her childhood friends begin to be brought to her, found murdered with no reason or suspect. The new constable, John Brodie, is determined to find the culprit, and he enlists Lucy's help in determining what happened, who did it, and why. As clues begin to pile up and strange occurrences happen in the small village, Lucy and John realize that the murderer might be someone they know...or knew.

I loved the mystery of this story so much! When I can't figure out whodunnit, and then when it's revealed, I am shocked, you know it's a great murder mystery. Lucy is an odd bird, but I liked how she approached life. Having lost her sense of smell as a child, it certainly made her job easier, but I think it also made her seem very odd to friends and neighbors. Who would choose such a vocation? I enjoyed learning more about her motivation, besides the obvious income factor, and it was interesting to read about how John handled it so well. He was very accepting of Lucy, and granted, it was partially driven by past guilt, but I thought they made a very understanding couple. Both truly appreciated each other, and I found myself comfortably settling into the idea of them as a couple early on.

As Jeanine's debut novel, I say she did a splendid job! I can't wait to read what she writes next.

**I received a free copy from the author, and this is my honest review.**
November 14, 2019
This book certainly started off with shock value that captured my interest. I can honestly say the suspense/mystery had me riveted and turning the pages until the very end. The plot was rather unique and the cast of characters were well established. The romance was well written, sweet and endearing.

The suspenseful plot had me flipping the pages perhaps too fast because I do believe I might have missed something. The title of the book is what the townsfolk called the heroine, Lucy. I don’t know why she was called that. I tried to google “Lovely Digits” to see if it was a well known phrase or cliche but I was unable to find any meaning to the words. Therefore I conclude that I missed something. Although, I re-read page twelve and two hundred and twenty four where she was referred to as “Lovely Digits” and I didn’t see an explanation. I share all this to give a full disclosure that I was slightly distracted during my reading trying to understand why she was called that. It’s my OCD to details that makes this worth mentioning for I truly wonder why she was called “Lovely Digits”.

Having said that, I must state how much I enjoyed the unpredictability provided by the surprised plot twists. The hero, John, could hardly keep up with the turn of events. I know I was out of breath reading each new development.

John and Lucy made a great couple but better partners in solving the mystery. I’m glad things all worked out in the end. I appreciate how the ending provided a solid closure. I’d recommend this book if you are interested in a sweet romance with relatable characters and a suspenseful mystery.
Profile Image for Brenda Nichols.
Author 5 books23 followers
July 3, 2019
Historicals are not normally my cup of tea, but I'm glad I picked this one up.

I loved that the heroine, Lucy Wycliffe had an unusual profession as a layer-out of the dead, a precursor to the modern-day mortician and later on to have her intelligence and forthrightness put to use by the new constable, John Brodie.

I enjoyed the flawed hero (John Brodie) very much as he saw more worth in Lucy than just a pretty face and was not disgusted by her work. He lifted her up and gave her new purpose at a time when she needed it.

It was wonderful to see their budding relationship while going around solving crime with old fashioned leg work and keen observation. An old-timey procedural, if you will. Those interviewed and the secondary characters were interesting or even endearing at times. I never lost the feeling of a small village who rallied around their own. And we do get a taste of bigotry and despotism also, a nice mixture of realism.

The journey through dark secrets, lies by omission, and an ever-present threat made this book well worth the read. There is no cliffhanger but does leave room for more stories, perhaps even a series. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a touch of romance wrapped in a shawl of suspense.
Profile Image for Jillian.
768 reviews27 followers
July 20, 2019
Quite the murder adventure!

This was a real interesting book! I enjoyed the intrigue and mystery. Two murders in Victorian England and an unlikely pair comes together to solve it. There is some romance but the entire story centers on two woman who turn up dead. A washed up sailor investigator and female mortician are on the case. Early examples of crime fighting with deduction and forensic science. Kept my attention all the way thru. The book wasn’t too dark, nor did it give any gory details. Good read! 4.5 stars
Rating: PG
Profile Image for Didi Ps.
725 reviews
April 15, 2020
This story is about Lucy & John, set in the early 1800s... She's a layer-out person (who prepares dead bodies for burials) & John is a city man who has come to her small town to try to solve the murder of some of Lucy's friends. This, and at the same time, John has a secret to Lucy's past that could destroy any possibility of a relationship... This was an interesting story for sure, which was quite original compared to other stories set in this time.

I got this book as an ARC, free as part of New England Readers' Choice Awards.
Profile Image for Melanie Falconer.
827 reviews26 followers
April 3, 2020
This is a gem of a book- it’s a Victorian era romantic suspense. Lovely Digits is the nickname the townspeople of Clun, England give Lucy Wycliffe, the layer out of the dead. Suddenly there is a death in the sleepy town and the new constable John Brodie solicits Ms. Wycliffe’s help. John Brodie has a past that he’s not yet ready to reveal to her. Can these two work together to catch a killer?
75 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2019
I didn’t want to put the book down. I really enjoyed it. The mystery was well thought out and the characters were strong engaging. I wish this was a series I would love to read more about John and Lucy.
Profile Image for Tyra Burton.
Author 3 books8 followers
August 7, 2019
Delightful read

With both an intriguing hero and heroine, Lovely Digits delivers a wonderful period mystery with twists and turns and romance. An excellent and well-written debut novel.
Profile Image for Gwamsa.
214 reviews
August 11, 2019
Lucy and John

This book is a nice surprise and different path to romance. The characters are unique and the gothic darkness just right for a few tingles. I recommend and will be seeking more by this author.
684 reviews2 followers
December 19, 2019
Great read

This is the first book I have read from this author and I was unable to put the book down. It was well written. It will have you to glued to the pages wanting to solve the mystery right along with the Hero and Heroine.
Profile Image for Brenda Lowder.
Author 13 books765 followers
July 9, 2019
Suspenseful and engaging, this book kept me rapidly turning pages until I reached the satisfying conclusion!
380 reviews
December 29, 2019
Victorian mystery

Very good mystery set in a small English village. Two women have been murdered. I would have preferred a little less romance but otherwise good.
Profile Image for Eclectic Review.
1,451 reviews5 followers
May 20, 2021
Yes, I do read clean, wholesome romances and Lovely Digits has a great plot as well. Set in the mid-1800s, the story takes on a mission of redemption and forgiveness for the coverup of a past murder while trying to solve a string of new ones.

Miss Lucy Wycliffe is a spinster with an unusual job as a layer out of the dead. As one can guess it's not the kind of job young women have so she is considered odd and nicknamed Lovely Digits. With her slimly landlord breathing down her neck to pay off her murdered parents' loan and her responsibility to take care of her widowed sister and her niece, Constable John Brodie's offer of a paid job to assist him in a murder investigation is something she cannot turn down. Let alone turn down such a handsome man who has confidence and trust in her as a woman to do the job.  Sadly, the victim is Lucy's close friend and the second murder in her small town of Clun, England.  The first murder is on her table being prepped for a funeral and is another close friend.  Can they find the killer before he strikes again?

Constable John Brodie is hiding a damaging secret that involves the murder of Lucy's parents. Fate has returned him to Clun to atone for his sins and to solve a case with multiple victims. When the murders become entwined with his past, time is running out on keeping everything a secret. His job is to find the killer while protecting the woman he cares for, but when she finds out about his duplicity, he will lose her for sure.

John and Lucy have instant chemistry with the ability to read each other's expressions. Important traits to have when bouncing ideas off of each other while working a murder case. The collection of clues and evidence is interesting considering the era they are in. John is a very smart detective with great attention to detail and Lucy's knowledge of the victims is a great help to the investigation. I loved both Lucy and John. They are both kind and caring people who think they don't deserve the happiness they want. Lucy's profession is one of the things that made me pick up this book because it is so unique in that time period. John's self-flagellation and love for Lucy are so sad to watch. When he finally tells her his shameful past, it goes as I expected, but the thrilling self-sacrifice at the end leads to forgiveness and a HEA ending.

The slow build of this intriguing mystery is engaging. Add to it a lovely forbidden romance and you get an enthralling story that you can't put down. The unknowns are many in this tale with a compelling plot and strong, yet vulnerable, characters who desperately want peace and acceptance in their lives.  Recommend highly.
Profile Image for Dee Jay Blaylock.
240 reviews5 followers
August 20, 2020
Secrets

The new constable has secrets that he wishes to keep from the lovely Lucy Wycliffe. Lucy and her sister were orphaned ten years earlier and the murder of her parents never solved.
The new constable has come to oversee the village of Clun. What he finds is two murders of Lucy’s good friends.
John Brodie, the new constable, asks for Lucy’s assistance as she is the one who lays out the dead so she has some experience at looking for clues to their demise.
What they find is a bigger mystery and leaves them both in danger from the murderer as well as from the secrets.
Profile Image for Vonne.
519 reviews16 followers
June 16, 2021
I love finding these kind of gems among the randomness of taking a chance on an unknown quantity.

Not only is the Title fascinating but the gist of what the Summary gives out, then starting to read the story, itself... my gawd, this is why I love Reading [any genre] so much.

I don't normally suss out books with this kind of storyline. This is a Mystery/Thriller/Suspense, in Victorian Era. AND I AM HERE. FOR. IT.

The best set-up out of this whole story is the fact that the MCs both need one another in a different sense to then lend to the next-level of "need", in the Romantic sense.

Lovely Digits [as she is known in town] or Lucy is one of those heroines that only comes around in these rare finds--like a once in a lifetime treasure. And John, the hero is simply a male counterpart that "compliments" who Lucy is. There couldn't be a more perfect pairing of MCs.

I almost want to say that Lucy is akin to a Sherlock Holmes-esque, in a mild sense. 10yrs ago began her macabre employment of laying-out the dead bodies of people from town she knew. We would almost call her in Today's World a Mortician. She works out of her family's cottage in the chilled basement, allowing family, loved ones and friends to get a final last-look at the deceased, making sure The Dead look their best--clothes, make-up, hair, what-have-you--once they are laid to rest for their funeral. Lucy is there to make certain those who have died leave this mortal coil with dignity.

I adore the fact Englert gave Lucy no sense of smell. Hehehe, it makes her job a helluva lot easier when she cannot smell The Dead.

John Brodie is a marvel. I ADORE Heroes likes this, where they have purpose and meaning, never simply moving about the story to "get the girl". Well, he is an Ex-Royal Naval officer who is working as a Detective; he comes from London, but on "loan" to this small town of Clun, where he once used to holiday as a child. Here, in this novel, he is the Town's Constable, hired to solve a young woman's murder. Only... uhm, while John arrives at Lucy's cottage to "hire" her... little does he realize she is in the midst of preparing yet another young woman who had been murdered in the same capacity. Both women were best friends of Lucy's since childhood.

What I loved about John is that he had no misgivings about hiring Lucy to help him investigate. In fact, he almost never enjoys working alone, so having her help him find clues and figure the crime scenes out helps him more than Lucy even knows. The best thing about Lucy is she knows and knew everyone, having grown up in Clun since she was a babe. Also, Lucy knows everything she could possibly know about the two dead women...as she was best friends with them for so many years.

I loved Lucy for her tenacity, and unfettered courage from deep within-just a "drive" to be whomever she wants to be...that in the face of being scorned by many townfolk because of her "weird career choice" she still holds her head high. I think when John informs her people refer to her as "Lovely Digits" she was more shocked they attached "lovely" to her nickname, because it could have been so much worse.

Darkness has followed Lucy since 10yrs prior when a random home intruder killed her parents. Lucy almost accidentally fell into the role of laying-out The Dead because she was fascinated with her own parents' senseless murder. Little does she realize that John Brodie, her new Boss and the new Town Constable, has more of a connection to her and her Parent's murder than she fathoms.

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I was so wrapped up in the mystery... and listening to Lucy and John figure out clues, step by step. I actually tried hard NOT to figure out who the Killer was... because I wanted to see if the situations were so formulaic and standard that it was easy to KNOW... and wow, it was tough to know WHO DID IT.

Praise to Englert for managing to truly work out a suspenseful mystery that kept me on my toes and talking myself in-and-out of WHO HAD DONE IT. This is one of those signs of a great writer and now I can put my trust in the MCs and the story to carry me along to the eventual ending.

This is a highly original Plot where the heroine takes lead, as Lucy deserves and John and the Readers are joyfully willing to come along with her.

What an amazing and stunning find I had not expected to rate as high as I did, since I don't normally seek out this genre of Historical Romance. I won't ever forget a lot of what Lucy introduced me to...and also some words out of John's mouth that hit straight to my heart, causing me to lose breath at the impact...
His lips quirked into a smile. "Your sister is lucky to have you."
"As I am sure your siblings are to have you, sir."
"Not quite. We never had the affection for one another as you and your sister seem to share. My remaining brother has no interest in me, nor I him."
What did one say to such a statement? "I'm sorry," she murmured.
"It's for the best for both of us. It took me a long time, but after being at sea and then wounded I realized some people are meant to live in my heart rather than in my life."


AMEN, JOHN BRODIE... Preach! Thank you, Jeanine Englert for such a lovely and wonderful book I won't soon forget. And an even more unforgettable heroine in Lucy...
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