A delightfully feminist Regency mystery from Celeste Connally!
This well-written feminist mystery has an intriguing premise, compelling characters, humor, and a touch of romance. Lady Petra investigates the mysterious death of a friend. She uncovers a disturbing plot, one that highlights some of the frightening issues women faced during this period of history.
Petra is an unconventional and fantastic FMC who consistently outwits the men who hold power. Her character is well-developed, gutsy, intelligent, caring, self-assured, and resourceful. She's brave enough to defy conventions and stay true to herself, living life as she wishes at a time when women had so little control over their lives. The secondary characters were also vivid, from the charming to the infuriating to the sinister. And street-wise Teddy was an endearing stand-out.
The historical detail is excellent, as is the dialogue, and this has definite Bridgerton vibes, although it's focused more on the mystery than the romance. And the mystery is layered and interesting. With a fair amount of world-building, it takes a bit for the action to build up. But once it does, things become very suspenseful, and toward the end, it is hard to put down! This is a series to keep an eye on and one I look forward to continuing.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review this ARC.
Pub Day is November 14, 2023
My steep was Black Currant Black Tea from Simpson Vail Tea. Tart and sweet! www.svtea.com
PUBLISHER'S SYNOPSIS:
Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a terrific new Regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin.
When Lady Petra Forsyth's fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation—in front of London's loosest lips—that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.
But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of "melancholia" while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper—uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy.
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