Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: The Lord Julian Mysteries #6
Publication Date: 9/11/24
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 288

It is NOT a good time for Lord Julian to receive a summons to solve a mystery. His only surviving brother’s imminent departure for the continent means he wants/needs to spend that time with him. What if he decides not to return to England? While his brother is away, Julian has to run all Waltham ducal matters and Julian needs to be learning that – not solving mysteries. Except, it is his mother who has summoned him – the mother who doesn’t like him – but still, his mother, so he goes.

When he arrived he learned his mother was missing several old love letters – that were not from his father. He also learned that several other items of sentimental value are missing from other ladies attending the house party. These are all items the ladies received after they were widows, but each was from an inappropriate partner and thus could cause a scandal or gossip for the ladies. Julian immediately assumes the items will be used for blackmail – but when no demands are received, he has to reevaluate. What could anyone other than a blackmailer want with those items?

Julian has a house full of suspects – guests, servants, merchants – anyone with access to the house. Julian, and his stalwart companions – Lady Ophelia, Lady Hyperia, and the ever-delightful Atticus – will interview, search, evaluate, and finally figure out the villain. You will think you know it all as you read – but do you? Can any of them be trusted?

I was glad to see some reconciliation between Julian and his mother, but I was no closer to understanding the rift. However, I wondered if most of it wasn’t due to Juian’s insecurities. One of his thoughts lends credence to that. “I decided that my mother held me in low esteem and then found every piece of evidence necessary to support my conclusion and ignored evidence that did not.” I look forward to future developments with Julian’s mother, Leander (Julian’s nephew), and dukely brother.

I look forward to each new Lord Julian book and was delighted to learn that we will be getting a Christmas book that Julian informed the author she must write. YAY!