Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Lady of Letters Mystery #4
Publication Date: 10/7/25
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 240

Lady Amelia Amesbury hardly has a minute to spare in this fast-paced, brilliantly written historical mystery! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each installment in the series, but this might just be the best one yet.

With her sister’s wedding to plan, a blackmailer on her trail, multiple murders to solve, and her Lady Agony column to manage, Amelia is nearly at her wits’ end. She’s so busy, in fact, that there’s barely time to explore her growing feelings for Simon Bainbridge—until a dire situation forces her to confront them.

Since the death of her husband, Amelia has leaned on the local vicar, Mr. Cross, as both a spiritual guide and a close friend. When she goes to the church to ask him to officiate her sister’s wedding, all seems well. But the next morning brings shocking news: Mr. Cross has been murdered. Even more unsettling, he’d sent Amelia a cryptic message hinting at another suspicious death. Were both victims murdered? And how are their deaths connected?

As if that weren’t enough, someone is threatening to expose Amelia’s secret identity as the voice behind Lady Agony—unless she reveals the identity of the elusive Mayfair Marauder. But Amelia refuses to be manipulated, and she’ll need all her wits to unmask the blackmailer.

Whew! Are you tired yet? I know Amelia is! Despite the whirlwind of plotlines, the author keeps the narrative tightly woven and easy to follow, with clever pacing and satisfying twists. The familiar cast returns—Kitty and Oliver, Simon, Aunt Tabitha, and a maturing Winifred—to lend continuity and warmth to the mystery.

This book has everything I love in the series: wit, heart, mystery, and a heroine you can root for. And there’s a delightful surprise at the end that fans will especially appreciate.

Highly recommended—happy reading!

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

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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.