I absolutely adored the first book in this series! I loved the idea of an advice column as a catalyst for a murder investigation (which is how the first book starts!) and while I didn’t think I would like reading the advice columns at the beginning of each chapter—it grew on my and now I love it! A cozy mystery with some romance was just what I needed going into the long winter months. I started this book in early January and was done with it in a matter of days and naturally I am anxious for the next book in the series to come out and sadly I am going to have to wait another year I bet!
I know the reading market is somewhat saturated with historical cozy mysteries/romances, but for me this one stood out for the advice column as a way to get readers ‘in the door’ as it were—it had a little overtones of Bridgerton with the advice column—but readers will stay for the charming characters and mystery! That’s how this series got me, I liked the idea of the story, but fell in love with Amelia and Simon and now I have a new favorite series on my list!
While this is only the second book in this series, I hope that it will be a long running one! This one can be read as a standalone, but there are some elements that readers won’t fully appreciate unless they read it in order. Since this is only book two you obviously don’t have to go back and read a ton of books. So if you are new to the series, sure read this one but also go back and read the first book. You wont’ regret it!
Summary
Extra, extra, read all about it! Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury finds herself playing the role of sleuth when a night at the theatre turns deadly.
Victorian Countess Amelia Amesbury’s secret hobby, writing an advice column for a London penny paper, has gotten her into hot water before. After all, Amelia will do whatever it takes to help a reader in need. But now, handsome marquis Simon Bainbridge desperately requires her assistance. His beloved younger sister, Marielle, has written Amelia’s Lady Agony column seeking advice on her plans to elope with a man her family does not approve of. Determined to save his sister from a scoundrel and the family from scandal, Simon asks Amelia to dissuade Marielle from the ill-advised gambit.
But when the scoundrel makes an untimely exit after a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto, Amelia realizes there’s much more at stake than saving a young woman’s reputation from ruin. It’s going to take more than her letter-writing skills to help the dashing marquis, mend the familial bond, and find the murderer. Luckily, solving problems is her specialty! (summary from Goodreads)
Review
I really love Amelia’s character. She is independent but not foolishly independent, she is plucky, and knows her own mind. I feel like she is older than she actually is and I love that she is basically a mother to her step daughter. It gives Amelia this maturity that I don’t always see in characters of this genre. Often the main characters feel overly stubborn and impetuous where as Amelia is stubborn in an understated and mature way so I really like that about her and this story. It makes it feel more about the mystery and less about Amelia trying to find out who she really is and where she fits in. In some ways she has already found her identity as a Countess, mother, and wife but having bene widowed early on in her marriage, she isn’t fully a ‘woman of the world’ though either. It makes for a compelling character that I just love seeing evolve.
For Simon, I love that he doesn’t try and change who Amelia is. He is protective sure, but he isn’t so overbearing that he becomes off putting. Sometimes I read these male love interests and I’m like ya sure I get it they want to protect their woman, but also like damn just let her do her thing and stop being in the way. In the books so far we see Simon being supportive and not stifling which I am really enjoying. The mystery in this book is also exciting and I think that there might be some cross over of characters in this book to future books. I have a feeling we haven’t heard the last from some of the supporting villains.
The wait for the next book is going to be tedious! While everything wrapped up nicely in this book, I can sense what the next book is going to focus on and I am eagerly awaiting for things to pick up between Simon and Amelia romantically. I enjoy a slow burn with the best of them but it’s clear what Simon’s intentions are toward Amelia and that she reciprocates, and this book certainly made sure we knew that. But I am ready for some stolen kisses and embraces for sure! This has been one of my favorite new historical mysteries to date and I cannot wait for more mysteries from our favorite advice columnist!
The Lit Bitch 