Murder At Queen’s Landing by Andrea Penrose

Murder at Queen's Landing (Wrexford & Sloane, #4)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Wrexford & Sloane #4
Publication Date: 9/29/20
Number of Pages: 304

OOOOOOOOOH – an excellent addition to the series. We have a much less acerbic and more emotional Wrexford along with a softer Charlotte Sloane. Who would have thought it! I like it very well – as long as they don’t lose their edge. As always, the writing is excellent, the story is fast-paced, and the characters are fun, interesting, and fully developed. This case takes the whole cast of characters to keep each other safe.

A murder happens at the docks – Queens Landing – but it isn’t something in which Wrexford and Charlotte would normally become involved. They didn’t know the man, but his death was gruesome. Then, when Bow Street starts asking questions about Sheffield and two of their friends disappear … Is it all related? Was one (or more) of their friends involved in the death? If so, why would that be?

As they quietly begin to investigate, Wrexford and Charlotte realize just how dangerous this investigation might become – not just to them, but to their friends and family as well. They soon come to understand that the solution to this crime might shake the very foundations of the British economy and their foe is very, very powerful with far-reaching tentacles. Can they unmask this villain before he closes in on them?

Of course, I require a bit of romance along with my mysteries – and this story just made me smile. If you’ve read the previous books, you have long known that Wrexford and Charlotte love each other – they were just too stubborn to realize it themselves. Wrexford was thinking he was too cold and analytical for such frivolous feelings as love and Charlotte was terrified of love because of her previous experiences. It was wonderful to see them start to realize that love might not be such a bad thing.

I always love the Author’s Notes at the back of the book. She always tells us the historical facts about the tale she’s just told and the real circumstances upon which the details of the story are based. This author does intensive research and those Author’s Notes are almost as interesting as the book itself.

This is a wonderful adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed the read. The Weasels (Charlotte’s wards) are their normal delightful selves, Sheffield grows and matures, and we have a wonderful dog added to the story. I mean – it was a great read and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

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

Murder At Kensington Palace by Andrea Penrose

Murder at Kensington Palace (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery Book 3)Murder at Kensington Palace by Andrea Penrose

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery #3
Publication Date: 9/24/19
Number of Pages: 304

Yet another book in the Wrexford & Soane series that I couldn’t put down once I’d started reading. I mean, really, when you have science, art, murder, and romance all in one lively, compelling, intricately woven story you just absolutely cannot put it down. You COULD read this as a stand-alone, but I wouldn’t recommend it simply because the first two books lay the groundwork for the relationship between the main characters and the secondary characters – besides, they are just darned good reads!

Charlotte’s life is about to change – totally – not from her desire, but from a need to save the life of her closest childhood friend, her cousin Nicholas. Charlotte will sacrifice most anything, even her hard-won independence, to free her cousin, but the decision fills her with trepidations. Can she do it? What if she makes the sacrifice and she’s still not successful?

The romance between Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane is a tenuous one. Well – perhaps tenuous isn’t the right word – they are each denying it to themselves, but it comes out in the actions they take, in their thoughts and their terror when the other is in danger. They are about to get on my last nerve! They need to get on with it already! I’m ready for them to be a real team – living and working together.

The weasels (Hawk and Raven) are as entertaining as ever – and dressing them up in fancy clothes doesn’t change them one whit. They have been my favorite secondary characters (shux – they are almost primary characters) from the beginning. We also get to spend time with Kit Sheffield and Basil Henning and I love that. Maybe we have a love interest for Sheffield – I’d really like that. Aunt Alison, the Dowager Marchioness of Peake, was a delightful addition to the cast and I hope we see more of her in future books.

Most of the villains get their just desserts, but one was left standing. Granted, he wasn’t hands-on, but he definitely knew what was going on and enabled its happening – so – I wanted to see him go down in some way or another.

The gist of the story – and it is a really good one – is that Cedric and Nicholas were Charlotte’s best friends (and cousins) as they were growing up and she loved them like brothers. They encouraged her to be the independent, strong woman that she is. However, she hasn’t seen them for several years and when she finally hears something about them, it is to learn that Cedric has been murdered and Nicholas has been arrested for it. Charlotte knows, in her heart, that there is no way Nicholas would murder his twin brother. However, knowing something in your heart and being able to find evidence to prove it are two entirely different things. Charlotte and Wrexford are up against some very sly and devious murderers – with not a hint of who they might be or why they did it. Charlotte and the weasels engage their extensive network of informants, but information is still scarce. Time is running out. Can Charlotte and Wrexford save the day? Can Wrexford save Charlotte?

I absolutely love how the author weaves details of the science of the times into these tales. That time was such an important one for the science and achievements we have today and all of that is seamlessly woven into the story.

This author is a master storyteller and I highly recommend this story and this series in total.

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