A complimentary review copy was provided to me.
I have always been a fan of mysteries and of period fiction, so when I stumbled upon the Lady of Letters Mystery series, I knew it was from me. I read the first two books last year, after discovering the series through a reading group. The third book in the series was recently released and I was very excited to receive a copy to read. The books are all able to be read independently, but why not start at the beginning and read all three.
I really have enjoyed getting to know Amelia, Winnifred, Aunt Tabitha, Simon and Grady in these stories. The author does a great job developing them against the back drop of London in the 1860s. One of the things that intrigues me about that time is all of the dresses, the formalities, the propriety, the 'season' and such that was part of the upper class life during that time. Amelia, in spite of propriety, writes an anonymous advice column in a local paper and I love how the author mixes in those letters and responses at the opening of each chapter. They give the reader some perspective on concerns and perspectives of the times, as well as bit of humor too.
In this book, Amelia's sister has arrived in London to participate in the season. As such, Amelia and Aunt Tabitha plan and put on a ball. Of course, that is where the mysterious death of a guest occurs and forms the foundation for the sluething in the book. Amelia finds herself in places she shouldn't be and finds trouble for herself and others too. I thought I knew who-dun-it early on but with the continued sluething, found that my guess was not correct. I have enjoyed watching the obvious flirtations and the way that Amelia and Simon partner on figuring out what happened.
About the Book:
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.
About the Author:
Mary Winters is the Edgar-nominated author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series. She also pens cozy mysteries under the name Mary Angela. A longtime reader and fan of historical fiction, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she’s been busily planning her next mystery—and another trip! Find out more about Mary and her writing, reading, and teaching at marywintersauthor.com.
No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.
