I enjoyed this Victorian crime novel set in the 1870s in the Welsh borders. It centred around Eliza, 16 year old young lady striving for her independence within a dysfunctional family. Her father goes missing and Eliza is determined to find out what has happened to him despite her mother’s determination to thwart her.

She links up with the new PC Pritchard and soon realises how many enemies her father had made. She is forced to question what she knows about her own family and in investigating family secrets are unearthed which will change her life.

I enjoyed this more than I expected particularly seeing Eliza exert her independence.

There were interesting debates on justice and it’s differing stance depending on your social position.

I really struggled to read this one. I started but unfortunately didn’t enjoy it and didn’t connect with the characters.

Eliza Mace, by Sarah Burton and Jem Poster
Rating: 3/5
Published: NOW
Set in the 1870s on the Welsh border, Eliza Mace is a fantastic tale of a young woman fighting to unearth her family’s deadly secrets. When her cash-strapped father goes missing, Eliza reluctantly joins forces with Dafydd Pritchard, the new police constable who is responsible for solving the mystery of her father’s disappearance. There are plenty of people that would like to see her father dead, but Eliza does not wish to believe that he is deceased. She is determined to find him, despite her mother’s obvious disapproval and her uncle’s concerns. I loved following Eliza Mace on her adventures, and despite it being slightly predictable at times, the novel is great fun and captures the essence of this time period perfectly. The dialogue is slick, and Eliza is a strong character, full of fight and fire!

*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher; the review is my own.*

I've had this book since last November (oops, sorry!), when I must have requested it because it because the description boasted "Enola Holmes meets the novels of Laura Purcell." I have no idea who Lauren Purcell is, but I absolutely love Enola Holmes. (Confession: I've only seen the movies, though I do own the first book and look forward to reading it.)

But the truth is that I felt this book was rather bland, and I never got attached to any of the characters. The plot just kind of toddled along until the book ended. Eliza's father went missing, and I didn't particularly care. I think I prefer Elizabeth Bennett's mother to Eliza Mace's. Eliza herself was somewhat of a Mary Sue (I don't think I've ever actually used that term before). Somehow she was able to find clues that even a skilled constable has overlooked. Why? Because she went on nature walks with her uncle? She did care about truth and real justice (not just legal), which are both wonderful, important traits. But she didn't seem to place much value on her own personal safety, and unlike Enola Holmes, there's no reason that she should have some of the skills she apparently has.

I was bothered by the impropriety of the relationship between Eliza (16) and Dafydd (25), despite there being no overt romantic leanings towards them. I thought initially there might be (ick--nine years apart, and she's a teenager). Although Eliza's mother and uncle repeatedly expressed their concern regarding that very subject, and occasionally it almost seemed like there were hints of feelings or looks, there was nothing. Which is especially good since Dafydd is married. But it still bothered me that the two of them spent so much time together and would send notes to arrange meetings. It was just rather . . . I dunno. It just came off wrong to me.

The most I felt in this book was for the murderer, which is strange to say. I was more sad about his fate than Robert Mace's.

It appears this book is the first in a series, but I'm content to walk away. It wasn't bad, but it was rather meh for me.

Note: A little mild swearing. A couple of LGB characters.

Eliza isn't at the top for a favorite character. I found her rather whiny for the time period this story is based within. I read it part way and really did want to give up on it, but being it was given to me for review I felt compelled to continue. I am happy I did since it did improve further in, not the whininess but I got over it. The story beyond murder was about family, pettiness, holding grudges, budding romance, control and a teenagers tantrums and frustrations. The father would win no rewards as best parent but then neither would the mother. The uncle to me is suspect in his clinginess to the sister-in-law, the whole village is on a war path with Robert who is a conniving thief at best. I would attempt to read another if this continues in a series, I'm not sure I'd rush to buy a copy but I would be interested at some point.

An enjoyable mystery with a few twists that kept me guessing. It is a great start to a new series and I look forward to the next installment. I really liked Eliza as the mc.
Many thanks to Duckworth Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A fun and interesting read with an historical aspect and great and quirky characters. Easy to read and follow and the mystery and story are good but there just needs to be a bit of tweaking to make it a better book. It is a little slow and the build up is slow and long to get into.

With a bit stronger and quicker build up and a bit more tension and suspense this would be a great book. I most certainly will look out for more books by these two authors to see how they progress.

Thank you NetGalley and Duckworth Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

An enjoyable historical mystery, with a feisty teenage girl as the central character and amateur detective. Together with an unconventional police constable who takes a very analytical approach they make a great detecting duo. Feels like the first of a series.

This has some really promising elements and some enjoyable parts, although it didn’t quite come together for me in the end. It seems to be the first in a series, though, so I’m optimistic for future installments. The Victorian-set mystery has Eliza working with the police to find her father. Her somewhat unhappy upbringing makes her unconventional enough to pursue the leads and try to uncover the deeper mystery. Some of the historical elements didn’t seem quite right, and some of the story moved a little slowly. Still, a promising start to what could be a very enjoyable series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own.

Well, I didn't like this book, and I'm quite disappointed about it, because I was hoping a dark cosy mystery with the "Enola Holmes" vibe—there was none of these.

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The characters felt really off, and couldn't being myself to even appreciate any of them. The main character, Eliza, didn't hook me at all, and the detective whose name I have forgotten didn't either. The characters, be it the main or secondary ones, were all pretty blank in my opinion.

Still on a character note, I felt like the relationship between Eliza (16 years old) and the detective (28 or more? I don't remember) was just… weird? Also, they didn't know each other, but the detective just tells Eliza absolutely all his life when they first met, which, again, felt off.

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As for the mystery part, it came pretty late in the book (which didn't bother me that much). It was good and well-thought. Some of the clues found by both Eliza and the detective were a little out of place, but overall there no incoherences.

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It was an okay book in my opinion. I would like to be able to feel anything for any of the characters, which I didn't.

But the murder and then looking for clues parts were fine, with some twists.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc copy of this book for an honest review.

I was soo excited to get my hands on this Arc. The cover had me absolutely captivated and I am a sucker for a good historical fiction.. Add some mystery and I'm hooked.

The writing was easy to follow. And if you just want an simple story to enjoy. I would recommend.

So Eliza( Elizabeth) is seen as a bit of a wild child to her family. Disobeying them when all she trying to do is find answers to her father death. I liked the research done. Being from Cardiff the reference to Butetown was a great reference. It's a but slow to start. Nothing really happens till about half way, then it just slowly drifts. I wanted to like it but found myself hating most of the characters bad Daffyd.

A new historical mystery, a strong heroine, a plot with echo of gothic and feminism. The plot is tightly knitted and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I enjoyed the plot and can't wait to read the next story
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Didn’t love how we were thrust into the story straight away with no context for what was going on or who anyone was.

In this complex Victorian mystery, readers follow Eliza Mace as she tries to unravel the secrets surrounding her family and the disappearance and murder of her father. Struggling with growing up, the death of her father, and the difficult relationships with her mother, along with several secrets, readers try to solve Eliza’s father’s murder with her and Constable Pritchard. As things grow more complicated and more secrets are revealed, Eliza has to come to terms with her new reality and the challenges that solving this murder will create for her family and for the community. Eliza is a flawed and realistic protagonist, trying to hold onto her childhood while chafing at her mother’s rules and society’s restrictions, and her attempts to take control of her life create further challenges for her. The rest of the cast, from Eliza’s family to Constable Pritchard, the community, and the household staff, are decently complex side and background characters, and Burton and Poster have done an excellent job creating the background community for their readers. Both a strong standalone novel and the potential start to a new series, Burton and Poster bring the challenges of young womanhood in 1870s Wales to life in this immersive, easy to read, historical mystery.

In the first of a thrilling new Victorian detective series, Eliza Mace, on the cusp of adulthood, is battling for her independence. Stuck in a crumbling manor house in the Welsh borders in the 1870s, she is thwarted by powers that conspire to protect, control and deceive her. But when her father goes missing in mysterious circumstances, Eliza’s determination to uncover the truth is unstoppable.

Joining forces with the charismatic new police constable, Dafydd Pritchard, she sets out to solve the case, but that’s no easy task. Her father has run up debts in town and beyond, and there are many who bear him a grudge. As she searches for evidence, Eliza exposes dark secrets that threaten to tear her world apart...

Eliza Mace is about a teenager-turned-sleuth. When Eliza's father disappears and the police are called to investigate, Eliza will not sit back and wait. Instead, she actively engages in investigating what might have happened to him.

As a mystery, it's a very enjoyable read. Well plotted and well paced. We follow Eliza's investigation and her growing friendship with Davydd, the detective charge with investigating her father's disappearance.

As a historical novel, well, it's atmospheric and quite immersive. No, you won't for a moment feel like you're reading a novel actually written in the 19th century. It is indeed too 'democratic'. The detective is rather too posh and Eliza not quite posh enough (and far too familiar with him). The whole pacing, tone and language are 21st century (even if the dialogue is more or less appropriate for the period). But what the hell... it seems petty to niggle. This is 'historical mystery' genre fiction -- i.e., a contemporary mystery format in a historical setting -- and it succeeds very well in what it sets out to do. And Eliza is absolutely charming. It's a pleasure spending time with her!

Eliza Mace is an entertaining read and I enjoyed it. And I do hope that Eliza will be back in another mystery to solve with her detective friend one of these days!

I haven't read many historical mysteries so that is why this one intrigued me. I think the author did a great job with this one! I liked the main character and following her journey to get to the bottom of her dad's disappearance. I also enjoyed the relationship with her uncle. The author did a good job making the book very cozy and mysterious-I did not guess the ending! It was a bit slow at times but that is really my only complaint.

The first in a new series of books featuring Eliza Mace, we meet her aged 16 suffering as the mediator between her father and mother in their frequent arguments. Eliza's father has been borrowing money left right and centre, always hoping to make it big on the next gamble, or drinking away the funds in the pub. He's thoroughly disliked by most of the town, so when he disappears there aren't too many people that care, aside from Eliza and her family, along with Detective Pritchard who is assigned to the case. He and Eliza are a great team and despite her mother and uncle worrying about the time they spend together they strike up a great friendship and after solving her father's mystery it seems she might have developed a taste for being a sleuth, and found her niche. I look forward to the next installment!

Eliza Mace is the first book in the Eliza Mace Mysteries series and I happy to report that I'll definitely be picking up more when they come out.

Eliza is our fmc. She's sixteen and stuck between her fighting parents. Luckily she has her uncle and she spends most of her time with him, wandering the grounds and discussing things that a normal sixteen year old lady wouldn't normally be discussing. I mention this as I think it is the catalyst to how things move forward for Eliza. I have to say, she came off as a much older character to me - both in her interactions with those around her and the way she spoke.

As the story kicks off, Eliza's parents are arguing about money and resources again and when her father leaves on the family horse and doesn't return as expected, no one knows what to think but they call in the police to help figure out where he is. Enter Dafydd Pritchard, the new police constable. Dafydd has a story and I appreciated how it was revealed but he is determined to figure out what happened, no matter who he annoys along the way.

As Eliza and Dafydd partner to solve the mystery of her father's whereabouts, secrets are uncovered and they have a big impact on everyone in the book. As there is a mystery here, I'm not going to say a lot here about what happens and who is involved but I thought the reveal was done well. I also appreciated how Burton and Poster included the post-reveal impact.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a fairly quick read and all of the secrets kept me interested in the story. As I mentioned, I kind of wanted Eliza to be a bit older, if only so that her partnership with Dafydd didn't feel weird but otherwise I thought it was done well. I'll definitely pick up more by these authors in the future.