Barbara’s rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Rosalynd and Steele Mysteries
Publication Date: 5/31/25
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 266

Although this author has published several books, this is the first one I’ve read, making her a new-to-me author. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, the pacing, the writing, and the characters. In fact, I have already read the second book in the series because I wanted to see whether the female main character continued exhibiting a particular trait I noticed in this installment. She did, and I’ll discuss that below.

I should also mention that this is a very slow-burn romance. Having read the first two books and the blurbs for the third and fourth, I haven’t seen any indication of a wedding on the horizon. Personally, three books is about my limit for a slow-burn romance, so after the fourth book I’ll decide whether I want to continue the series.

The story follows the Duke of Steele and Lady Rosalynd as they investigate the murder of Rosalynd’s cousin-in-law. No one is particularly saddened by the victim’s demise—he was a thoroughly unpleasant man—but when Rosalynd’s cousin and Steele’s brother become not only suspects, but the primary targets of an inept Scotland Yard inspector, Rosalynd and Steele know they must uncover the truth themselves.

The mystery is filled with red herrings, potential suspects, and unexpected twists. While I suspected the culprit and motive fairly early on, I still thoroughly enjoyed watching the story unfold to see whether my suspicions were correct.

Now, about Lady Rosalynd. I absolutely adore her family. She is the second oldest of nine children, and they are all precocious, boisterous, well-loved, and genuinely happy. Following the deaths of her parents, Rosalynd decided she would never marry because she believed her younger siblings needed her care and guidance. No one asked her to make that sacrifice—she simply assumed the responsibility herself. She is also deeply committed to social reform, and her older brother grants her the freedom to pursue the causes she believes in. Her devotion to both her family and her principles is admirable.

What I find less admirable is her tendency to be foolhardy. It seems to be a trait many authors assign to female characters intended to be perceived as “strong.” Rosalynd repeatedly places herself in obviously dangerous situations and then resents being rescued by the hero. To me, true strength includes recognizing genuine danger and taking sensible precautions. Instead, Rosalynd often acts recklessly and then berates the very person who saves her. I had hoped this tendency would diminish in later books, but it appears to continue. It isn’t enough to stop me from reading the series, but it does leave me wondering why authors rely on this particular character trope so often.

The Duke of Steele is a compelling hero. Handsome, intelligent, and influential, he takes his responsibilities in Parliament very seriously and understands how to wield his power effectively. A widower who lost both his wife and child in childbirth years ago, he has sworn never to marry again. He has two brothers: Philip, the youngest, who takes center stage in the next book, and Nicholas, the middle brother, who plays a significant role in this one. I’m looking forward to seeing how the family dynamics evolve as the series progresses.

I enjoyed this book both in print and audio format. The narrator has a wonderfully smooth, mellow voice, and her delivery is well-paced and highly expressive. She does an excellent job bringing the story and characters to life.

Overall, this was an enjoyable introduction to a new author, and I’m eager to continue with the series to see where both the mysteries and relationships lead.

Happy Reading!

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