From the back cover of the paperback edition (copyright (c) 2003 Berkley Prime Crime, an division of Penguin Group, Inc.):
Boston, 1868: The wealthy are enjoying the height of the Gilded Age, a time of opulence for many...but not all. Nell Sweeney, a young Irish immigrant, knows what it is to have nothing. But when she earns a coveted position as governess to the wealthy Hewitts, Nell discovers that deadly secrets often lurk beneath society's gilded surface.
The two eldest Hewitt boys were thought to have been killed in the Civil War some three years ago. But one winter's day, the family hears word that their William is, in fact, alive and in jail for having killed a man...
Enraged at his son's deception and convinced of his guilt, August Hewitt is determined to see William hang and thus forbids his wife from aiding Will in any way. But Viola Hewitt believes her son is innocent and begs Nell to help her exonerate him. With few leads and even less time, Nell must rely on her wits and her knowledge of the city's dark underbelly to uncover the truth...before the hangman's noose tightens around William Hewitt's throat...
"This is the first book in the acclaimed Gilded Age Mysteries series, and has many things to recommend it. 1860's Boston comes to vibrant life in Ms Ryan's capable hands, and the vast gulf between rich and poor is well-delineated. Nell makes a sensible and plucky heroine, and I didn't guess the denouement of this teasing plot. But the thing that stays in the memory is the author's tactile descriptions of the recent war and the experiences of soldiers. The period immediately after the conflict is not often described, and Ms Ryan paints a memorable picture of a surface calm, the "still life" of the title, while underneath passions roil. Her descriptions of opium addiction are certainly enough to deter readers from drug taking, and this alone is an extra bonus to a tidy package of well-drawn characters, lively story and historical verisimilitude." MyShelf.com
"P.B. Ryan makes a stunning debut with Still Life With Murder...I can't wait for the next installment." Bestselling author Victoria Thompson
"A beautiful combination of entertaining characters, minute historical research, and a powerful evocation of time and place. I'm very glad there will be more to come." New York Times bestselling author Barbara Hambly
"If you like fast moving, accurately drawn, historical mysteries, you won't go wrong by trying Still Life With Murder."Reviewing the Evidence
"Still Life With Murder is sheer perfection...gripping...powerful...unforgettable...You'll know you've read one hell of a story after you turn the last page!" Reader to Reader Reviews
"...a highly entertaining book with a well-drawn pair of characters who have both sparkling chemistry and conversation. I'm looking forward to more Nell Sweeney mysteries." All About Romance
"With its rich sense of place and time and a crisp, intelligent plot, readers will speed through this tale and be clamoring for more." Bestselling author Earlene Fowler
"Utterly absorbing. Vividly alive characters in a setting so clearly portrayed that one could step right into it. A very clever plot in which each clue is clearly offered and yet the identity of the murderer is a complete surprise." Roberta Gellis
"This debut mystery is a winner, with a feisty heroine, a colorful historical backdrop and a strong mystery rife with complexities. An ideal blend of history and mystery." Romantic Times BookReviews
"The atmosphere is that of The Alienist, but feisty Irish [governess] Nell Sweeney is a more likeable protagonist. I look forward to seeing her in action again." Rhys Bowen
"A well-plotted mystery, with a memorable character in the person of Nell Sweeney."
I Love a Mystery
"Readers will admire [Nell] and won't be able to resist her many charms. Still Life With Murder is a well-constructed and fascinating mystery in what looks to be a great series." Midwest Book Reviews
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