The mystery in this storyline involves Nell’s long lost brother. The questions are: is the burned body really her brother? And, if so, was he involved in the murder of a woman? Hopefully the conclusion of this mystery helps Nell to move on.

Nell is portrayed as a strong protagonist - a model governess with a superior mind-set. She had a difficult upraising and lost many of her loved ones. She chooses intelligent men with weaknesses. Now her neglect to protect herself could be her undoing. Fans are looking for a happy ending.

A Bucket of Ashes is an interesting read. It’s the conclusion of a series, so there are spoilers involved. If you haven’t read the first titles in series, I recommend you do. Bryan’s historical atmosphere is spot on. It’s a memorable look into the Gilded Age. I can’t help but recommend this series to those who enjoy cozy type historical mystery series.