Today we’re pairing the perfect drink with the perfect
historical mystery. Read on to see what
drink Kerry Hammond paired with Tessa Arlen’s Death Sits Down to Dinner.
Death Sits Down to Dinner is the second book in Tessa Arlen’s Edwardian mystery series. Her first in the series, Death of a Dishonorable
Gentleman, was nominated this year for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel. The
first book in the series introduces the reader to Lady Montfort and her
housekeeper Mrs. Jackson. Lady Montfort has a knack for sleuthing but finds that getting information below stairs is just
as important as her observations above. Much to Mrs. Jackson’s chagrin, she
enlists her to help solve murders.
In this latest installment, Lady Montfort is in London, at a
dinner party thrown by the well-known and charitable Hermione Kingsley. The
guest list is a veritable who’s who of
society because they are celebrating Winston Churchill’s birthday. This makes
things extremely sticky when one of the guests is murdered. Jackson is sent for
and Lady Montfort, with her help, sets out to solve the murder before someone
else gets killed.
I liked this book even better than the first. Most likely
because I’d gotten to know the characters and fallen for their charms. I was
drawn into the mystery and had no idea
whodunit until it was revealed to me at the end. This made it so much more
enjoyable and I found myself drawn into the many possibilities.
These books are suggested reads for Downton Abbey fans, and
I couldn’t agree more. I did listen to a podcast interview with the author and
found it interesting that the first novel had been written before Downton Abbey
aired. Another fun fact: In Death Sits Down to Dinner, Arlen uses many historical figures as characters, obviously including
Winston Churchill. She draws from real life to lend her mysteries a more authentic
feel and it really adds to the fun. The author provides short biographies of
the historical figures used at the end of the book.
I am pairing this book with a Ginger Death Snap, a gin drink
because gin reminds me of the early part of the 20th Century (even
though the English have been drinking it for hundreds of years). The drink was
created and named by my friend Dean, who is an amateur Alchemist and
Mixologist. Note: a shrub is a mix of fruit, sugar,
and vinegar. You can make them yourself if you google instructions, or you can
purchase them. Shrub & Co is one online store.
Ingredients:
2 oz Gin
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Blood Orange Liquor
2 Tbsp Ginger Liquor or Ginger Shrub
½ cup Lemonade
¼ cup Crushed Ice
Basil Leaves for garnish
Instructions:
Put all ingredients except the basil into a cocktail shaker
& shake. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with “smacked” basil leaves.
(Simply put the basil leaf in one palm and clap your hands together once or
twice, smacking the leaf between your palms. This will release the flavor and
scent.)
You can follow Kerry on Twitter @kerryhammond88 and Mystery
Playground @mysteryplaygrnd, or find us on Facebook.
What are your favorite Downton Abbey type mysteries?
I'm not really a Downtown Abbey fan, however this book and drink but sound great.
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