Book Blurb:
During the Twelve Days of Christmas, librarian and new mother Tiffany Lathrop accompanies her employer, the Duchess of Beaufort, to visit the dying Marquess of Harwood—her son’s secret father. But when they arrive at the decaying Rosedean Abbey, they find the marquess alive and his valet dead. As Tiffany juggles motherhood with mystery-solving, she must uncover who’s behind the murder and whether the marquess’s illness is real or poetic revenge.
Let’s talk about the book:
I really tried with this one. I made it to 50% hoping the story would finally draw me in. But at that point, I realized I was forcing myself to keep going. This book just didn’t work for me.
There was so much cribbing: about motherhood, about the staff at the manor, about the situation in general. The conversations between Tiffany (our Lady Librarian and the new mom turned detective) and the house staff were especially grating, oddly rude, unnecessarily dramatic, and just not engaging. I understand that early motherhood can come with identity shifts. It can also bring exhaustion and feelings of being overlooked. However, hearing the same frustrations repeated over and over became less like character development and more like background noise.
I didn’t connect to the story. The mystery, while it should have been compelling (a dying marquess, a murder, a secret paternity), just didn’t have the spark I was looking for. Instead, it felt like I was trudging through endless feedings, diaper changes, and passive-aggressive exchanges.
By the halfway point, I couldn’t help but think about all the other books I could be reading instead. Ones that I might actually love. This one, sadly, isn’t a gem I’ll be holding onto.
That said, it does have solid reviews on Goodreads and NetGalley, so clearly there’s a reader base for it. I’m just not it.
Would I recommend it?
Not for me, but maybe for you. If you enjoy slower-paced historical cozies that focus heavily on domestic life and inner reflection, you might find something to love here. The mystery premise is intriguing and the setting has potential. But if you’re looking for a more engaging, plot-driven read with sharper dialogue and quicker pacing, this one might feel like a slog. I’d recommend sampling a few chapters to see if the tone fits your taste.
What did you think?
📚 Have you read this one? Did it work for you better than it did for me?
Let’s talk in the comments section below. I’ll change my mind if you convince me about it.
Where to find the book?
Purchase A Poetic Pox by Samantha Larsen on Amazon CA
View A Poetic Pox by Samantha Larsen on Goodreads
Discover more from Views She Writes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
