Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: A Lady of Letters Mystery #1
Publication Date: 3/28/23
Period: Victorian London (1860)
Number of Pages: 320

This is the first book I’ve read by Mary Winters and it definitely won’t be the last. The mystery was excellently done and the protagonists were likable and relatable. The story was also blessed with a number of excellent supporting characters that I hope we’ll get to spend time with in future books. The premise of the series is unique, interesting, and well thought out. Who better to learn the secrets of the people of London than someone who is anonymous and gives free advice?

Lady Amelia Amesbury guards her secret ferociously. As a widowed countess and guardian of Winifred, a lovely ten-year-old girl, she cannot afford for others to become aware that she is Lady Agony. She doesn’t care about her own reputation, but she has to think of Winifred’s future, and the ton would punish Winifred to get back at Amelia.

Amelia receives a letter telling Lady Agony that the writer has witnessed her employer being murdered and asking Lady Agony to meet in the park. Amelia decides to meet the person because if the claim is true, they need help. Except, when Amelia arrives, the letter writer is dead – murdered. Amelia knows she must uncover the murderer because she couldn’t be the one to report it to the police as they would quickly uncover her Lady Agony identity.

Simon Bainbridge, a marquess and heir to a duke, quickly becomes ensnared in the investigation – and perhaps becomes ensnared by Amelia as well. Simon is tall, handsome, and intelligent, and quickly comes to believe and trust Amelia.

Simon and Amelia know they must be getting close to identifying the murderer when Amelia begins getting threatening letters. Can they keep Amelia safe and still find the murderer? Should she just give up the investigation?

There are many suspects and many red herrings dropped along the path to the murderer’s identity. You will probably suspect who the murderer is (I did), but you won’t be sure until the very end when all is revealed.

I recommend this book because it is well-written, has an excellent mystery, and has the potential for an excellent romantic sleuthing team. I did find myself puzzled by a number of things, but I’m not as familiar with the Victorian period norms as I am with Regency. One thing that puzzled me is what happened to Amelia’s husband’s title. There is no mention of the title dying with her husband – and there is no mention of the new title holder. Maybe it will be cleared up in future books. Should you choose to read this book, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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