Entertaining Regency house party cozy mystery -- this is the beginning of what is meant to be a new series.
Socially shunned due to her father's disreputable behavior and death, Lady Caroline Morton has decided to make her own way in London as a paid lady's companion. When she's invited to her cousin's birthday party at the estate of her relatives, Caroline decides to return with her employer, Matilda Frogerton. Mrs. Frogerton is happy to be introduced to the ton so that she can position her daughter, Dorothy, as a wealthy entrant into her first season.
Their arrival at the Greenwood estate is a bit awkward since Caroline had left the house and the family's charity toward her and her sister, Susan, for her new position. It gets worse quite quickly when malfeasance and death make their appearances. Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton seem to be the only ones convinced that something really sinister is going on and they decide to get to the bottom of it. They find an unexpected ally in a local doctor who also has past connections to the estate.
This was quite enjoyable as an introduction to the era and the characters and I look forward to the next installment. I love period details and independent young women set in this time period. The narrative flows smoothly and though the plot was a bit complicated, the ending was not quite so neatly wrapped as I would have expected thus leaving things open for a follow up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.
This is the first in a new series.
Genre - historical fiction, cozy mystery, Regency era
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