Review: Murder in Season by Mary Winters

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Murder in Season (A Lady of Letters Mystery, #3)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Lady of Letters Mystery #3
Publication Date: 12/3/24
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 240

It was wonderful to have another visit with Amelia and Simon in this entertaining third book in the series. Amelia, Countess Amesbury, has a secret life as an Agony Aunt (advice columnist) and each chapter begins with the content of one of the letters and Amelia’s pithy reply. The book would be entertaining if it contained nothing but the letters and answers, but when you add a couple of engrossing mysteries along with likable and relatable characters, you have a sure winner.

Amelia is delighting in her life as it is at the moment. Although she is widowed, her husband left her with a title, plenty of money, a ward that she adores, and an aunt-in-law who is both formidable and lovable. Her life could hardly get better! Then, to add to her delight, her mother and sister (Madge) come for a visit.

Madge is in London because she caused a tad-bit of a scandal at home. Not the lascivious kind of scandal, but – still. . . Madge is irrepressible! You will love her and despair of her. She has no filter and whatever she thinks seems to come out of her mouth and that isn’t a good way to endear one’s self to the ton. Therefore, when the would-be baron she had loud words with ends up dead, who is the logical suspect? Madge, of course. Proving Madge’s innocence won’t be easy – especially when the policeman investigating the murder has a grudge against the Amesbury’s.

There are hundreds of suspects since the murder happened at a ball. How will they narrow the list? Everyone speaks highly of the deceased, but Madge thinks he was a cad. Amelia and Simon have to scrape away at the layers of veneer on the deceased to get down to the real man. It seems Madge is correct and he wasn’t who he seemed to be. Now that they know his true nature, how will they find the real murderer and clear Madge’s name?

I enjoyed reading this story and getting to see further developments in Amelia and Simon’s relationship. The Epilogue is great! There were also two mysteries, but I have mentioned only one because the secondary mystery is more superfluous and easily solved for Amelia. If you are looking for a quick, entertaining mystery with delightful characters and a nice mystery, then you should give this book (and series) a try.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Knight’s Bride Prize by Ella Matthews

On By TracyIn Medieval (1066-1540), Medieval - Early (410 - 1066), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Knight's Bride Prize (The Knights' Missions Book 2)The Knight’s Bride Prize by Ella Matthews

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Knights’ Missions, #2

Release Date: November 26, 2024

After an incident at the castle of his mentor, Lord Ormond, Sir Hugh de Veilleux and his two brother Knights Leo and Tristian are tasked with proving their loyalty to his liege lord by each performing a mission. Hugh’s assignment is to infiltrate Ceinwen Castle, the Welsh holding of Lord Geraint and investigate suspected treason. He will infiltrate the castle under the guise of taking part in the tournament that Lord Geraint is holding to find a husband for his only daughter, Lady Bronwen. Hugh is not happy about the deceit, but he will do anything to clear his and his friends’ names, so they can pursue their dream of joining Sir Benedictus’s King’s Knights. Hugh believes this will be a simple mission, but that was before he met Lady Bronwen and found himself doing the one thing, he swore he would never do by falling in love with her.

Lady Bronwen was impressed by Sir Hugh from the moment she laid eyes on him, but once she learned that he was the third son of his family and had no hope of inheriting, she had to set her mind against him as a potential spouse. Not because she was mercenary, but because Hugh has no home of his own to take her to and she desperately wants to leave her father’s house. Her father was once a kind and benevolent lord, but in recent years he has become a drunk, more interested in drinking and feasting than his wife or daughter. But as much as she tries to ignore Hugh, it proves to be impossible. Will they give into the attraction simmering between them or will Hugh’s secrets and lies destroy any chance of a HEA?

This was a well-written, nicely paced story with very likable characters who both fight the call of their hearts. This book has intrigue, secrets, more than one villain, treason, lies, steamyish loves scenes, a bit of angst, a little heartache and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. My only qualm with the story is how the traitor was handled, but aside from that, it was a great read with a really, wonderful ending, that I am happy to recommend. This is the second book in the series, but could easily be read as a standalone title, although, after reading this book, I purchased the first book because I just have to know what happened with Leo!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *