The Case of Kitty Ogilvie by Jean Stubbs
(Based on
a real Scottish Trial)
Genre:
Historical Fiction, Crime, Murder Mystery, True Crime
4.2 Stars
The book
starts with the wedding and moves on to show how Kitty’s youthful stupidity,
Thomas’s laidback approach, Patrick’s happy attitude, Lady Eastmiln’s actions
in the past and the present, and the hidden agenda of Anne Clarke end up
ruining and taking lives.
The atmosphere
on the cover picture and the little piece of news that the book is based on a
true crime made me request this book.
For
someone whose Scottish stories have been limited to historical romances with
the lairds, this book was a fresh and interesting take set in the same land.
The Ogilvies are not rich. But they are not poor. Their lives are the opposite
of what Kitty was used to. Her dreams of having a lovely marriage with her
husband don’t come true.
Away in
Edinburgh is Alexander, another member of the family who has never gotten the
love he deserved. Anna Clarke, a relative and a mistress, offers a simple
solution. Then begin the mind games and manipulations.
As
readers, we know every thought and action before the characters can even
comprehend them. We see what is happening and can guess what would happen (to
an extent). We know whether or not Kitty killed her husband. There is
injustice, and there is karmic justice. But ultimately, lives have been lost.
Is it only greed? No. Alexander’s motives and actions stem from something far
more personal.
What about
Anne Clarke? She is the key character in this book. It’s her brain that plots
and executes. Yet, underneath it, all lay emotions that never let her lead a
happy and contented life.
The actual
trial starts somewhere after 70% or 75% of the book. It doesn’t last long
either. But the focus of the book is not the trial. It is the people, the
characters, and their personalities that keep us engaged.
We could
say they have been stereotyped a little, but that only makes us want to roll
our eyes or smack them on their heads. The writing is steady. It starts slowly
and still hooks us. The observations about the settings, the characters, and
their actions are woven into the narrative with ease. Even when there was an
information dump at one place, it had subtle insights that would later make
sense.
I wouldn’t
call it a delightful book, but it sure was entertaining. The dry humor and
ironic undertones added to the narration.
Fans of
historical fiction and crime (without gore) will enjoy this book.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Sapere Books.
#TheCaseofKittyOgilvie #NetGalley
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