The Pigeon Pie Mystery, by Julia Stuart

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I'm not sure how author Julia Stuart is spending her time these days, but I sincerely hope it involves working on another Princess Mink and Pooki book. The Pigeon Pie Mystery is whimsical and cozy and lovely and I didn't want it to end. I mean, just look at the cover. It's FULL OF WHIMSY.

Princess Alexandria--aka Mink--is an Indian princess and daughter of the late Maharaja of Prindur who finds herself in dire straits after her father's death in 1897. Luckily she and her trusty Indian maid, Pooki, are invited to move into the grace-and-favour housing of the Hampton Court Palace. After dispatching with her father's menagerie of exotic pets--including porcupines, flamingos that have turned yellow from eating goldfish, and a red-trousered monkey named Albert--the pair move into their new home, surrounded by other down-and-out aristocrats. Before long they find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery (involving, yes, a pigeon pie) that threatens to land Pooki in hot water. Fortunately, Mink is on the case and is determined to find the real culprit.

I can't say for certain how historically accurate the world of The Pigeon Pie Mystery is.

The author's note assures us that grace-and-favour housing continued to be granted by the British Crown up until 1980 and Hampton Court still has a small number of residents and palace staff to this day. On the other hand, she anachronistically uses the word "teenager" throughout the book when describing young people, even though the story takes place several decades before that word (or concept) even existed.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter. The whole novel is, as I've said, deliberately whimsical, borrowing and exaggerating elements of Victorian life into a delightful tapestry. There are competing professional mourning companies. There is a bicycling instructor who fretfully warns against fancy riding. There is a homeopath who also performs magic tricks, with a rabbit and everything. There's a one-legged dance instructor who cautions against ever attempting the Lancers because "no one knows how to do that."

If Julia Stuart decides to make this a series (DO IT! DO IT!) I will definitely be lining up to get each instalment!

Disclaimer: I received a digital galley of this book free from Edelweiss (Above the Tree Line). I was asked to write an honest review, though not necessarily a favourable one. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.