I have loved this series since the first book! I thought it was such a cute series especially with the Lady Agony parts at the beginning of each chapter. It has been a solid, well written, fun series so far. So naturally when this book came up for review it was an easy yes for me! This is a great series for fans of other ‘Lady Detective’ mysteries such as Veronica Speedwell, Lady Darby, or Lady Sherlock.
I know when the series came out, Bridgerton was super popular and I feel like every book that was historical fiction has the marketing pitch of ‘the next Bridgerton’, this book included! I was like how is a mystery novel going to be like Bridgerton? I anticipated this series being more about the romance than a mystery but I was pleasantly surprised that the book really was less about the romance and more about the mystery. The romance is cute and charming but nothing like Bridgerton. It really is more of a Lady Detective novel for me than romance at all!
If you enjoy historical mysteries and are looking for something new and fun, this is one you absolutely need on your radar! It is well written, funny, charming, and has a touch of romance. The mysteries are also equally engaging. Basically I am saying you don’t want to miss this one! I would say that the books should be read in order, while not wholly necessary, I felt like the story made more sense having read the other books first as well las the relationships between the characters as this book dives a bit more into the romantic interest. So reading the other books might be helpful!
Summary
Join Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury as she tries to juggle a new Season and a new murder in this charmingly deadly historical mystery.
“A beautiful debutante, a wealthy widow, and a dead would-be baron. What could be more exciting?”
Countess by day, secret advice columnist by night, Amelia Amesbury has life happily balanced on a quill’s edge . . . until her sister Margaret shows up in London under a blanket of scandal and Amelia is catapulted out of mourning and into the ton’s unforgiving Season.
However Madge’s Season debut is marred by a rather inconvenient death at the dining table as the infamous Mr Radcliffe takes ill and is later confirmed dead by poisoning. With Madge being the last person to have cross words with the soon-to-be baron, the ton’s gossip mill – and the police – are looking to pin the murder on her.
Adding to the ton’s troubles is a jewellery thief targeting the most lavish of Society’s houses. Is the murderer and the thief one in the same? It falls to Amelia once again to uncover the secrets buried deep within the pages before her sister goes down for the crimes.
Perfect for fans of witty historical mystery and Regency romances with a similar feel to Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey (summery from Goodreads)
Review
The one thing I was looking forward to in this book is the introduction of Amelia’s family. Up until now the focus has really been on Amelia and her life as a widow and navigating her ‘child’. Now in this book we get to really dive into her own family dynamics with the introduction of her sister. I really liked how Simon sort of took a back seat in this book with Amelia and her sister being the ones who really focus on solving the mystery. There was also another love interest introduced for Amelia which I loved how that dynamic moves the larger narrative forward. I have definitely felt frustrated by Simon’s reluctance to move forward with Amelia and I think this book helps move things along.
The mystery itself was enjoyable. I liked the jewel thief angle and I thought the mystery unfolded well with some twists along the way. The mystery wasn’t overly long or complicated but it held my interested and I loved watching Amelia and Madge work together to solve this. They are spunky, funny, and memorable which worked very well for two ‘lady detective’ in this mystery. It is a witty mystery and I think fans of those classic historical mysteries that are well written, smart, and quirky will enjoy this one.
The only criticism I had for this one was I wish it was a little longer. It’s only 240 pages, I would have liked to have seen a little more development either with the characters or a few more twists within the mystery to give readers a more complete reading. Most historical mysteries run about 320-350 pages so this one felt like it could have been a little longer to give us more of the things we love about this one! Overall though another enjoyable addition and probably my favorite in the series so far! Do not miss this series!
Book Info and Rating
Format 240 pages, Hardcover
Published December 3, 2024 by Severn House
ISBN 9781448314041 (ISBN10: 1448314046)
ASIN English 1448314046
Free review copy provided by publisher, Severn House in partnership with Austen Prose Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: historical fiction, detective novel, mystery, cozy mystery.
The Lit Bitch 