Featuring all the suspense and historical atmosphere of Anne Perry’s Victorian mysteries, Karen Odden’s enthralling debut plunges a headstrong young Englishwoman into a conspiracy that reaches the highest corridors of power. Following a humiliating fourth Season in London, Lady Elizabeth Fraser is on her way back to her ancestral country estate when her train careens off the rails and bursts … rails and bursts into flames. Though she is injured, she manages to drag herself and her unconscious mother out of the wreckage, and amid the chaos that ensues, a brilliant young railway surgeon saves her mother’s life. Elizabeth feels an immediate connection with Paul Wilcox—though society would never deem a medical man eligible for the daughter of an earl.
After Paul reveals that the train wreck was no accident, and the inspector who tried to prevent it dies under mysterious circumstances, Elizabeth undertakes a dangerous investigation of her own that leads back to her family’s buried secrets. Not only are her dowry and her reputation at stake; Paul’s very life hangs in the balance when he is arrested for manslaughter. Now Elizabeth must risk everything for the man who has found a place in her heart. As the trial draws near, and Parliament prepares for a vote that will change the course of the nation, she uncovers a conspiracy that has been years in the making. But time is running out to see justice done.
Praise for A Lady in the Smoke
“This riveting historical debut is chock-full of details about Victorian England, spun into a masterful tale of romance, railroads, and mystery. Propelled by an engaging heroine and a deftly plotted conspiracy, it’s a great read!”—Stefanie Pintoff, Edgar Award–winning author of Hostage Taker
“Pretty much everything I want in a historical novel: trains, historical detail, secrets, family drama, two lovers separated by society, conspiracy, crusading journalists, women sneaking out of the house, lawyering, and a pickpocket who could give Artful Dodger a run for his money. . . . I was a very satisfied reader by the time I finished this book.”—Book Riot
“Readers of Anne Perry will enjoy this mystery set in Victorian England. . . . The characters are interesting and the story is fast-paced and engaging.”—The Book Stop
“Filled with all sorts of twists and turns and all sorts of secret, and not-so-secret, relationships . . . Fans of historical mysteries will enjoy this excellent mystery and romance.”—Inside of a Dog
“Elizabeth was no shrinking violet and had a fire to her. . . . I would definitely recommend this to any fan of the Victorian era or who just wants a good little mystery to keep them busy for awhile.”—Is This Book for Me
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Lady Elizabeth and her mother are traveling by train back to their estate from London when the train careens off its tracks. Elizabeth wakes up to her mother unconscious with a broken ankle and Elizabeth herself has a gash on her forehead. They somehow make it off the train and a gentleman doctor helps them by the name of Paul Wilcox.
Over the next few days, while her mother is recovering, she helps the young doctor who saved her and her mother’s life. There’s an immediate attraction between the two even though they come from different social circles. Elizabeth doesn’t tell Paul her title because she enjoys being treated like a normal woman and she knows Paul will withdraw if he found out. But like everything in Victorian England, the truth eventually comes out.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth discovers the train accident she endured was on purpose. In fact, there’s quite a few train derailments and it’s politically driven. The more Elizabeth and her new-found acquaintance reporter (a friend of Paul’s) unearth, the more long-buried family secrets emerge. When Paul is arrested for manslaughter, Elizabeth must risk her reputation and life as she knows it to save the man she loves.
A Lady in the Smoke is filled with suspense, twists and turns, not to mention a sweet romance between Paul and Elizabeth. Karen Odden draws you into Elizabeth’s world. The supporting cast of characters add such richness to this story and the mystery held my mind captive. Who is behind the railroad sabotage and murders? The courtroom scenes left me breathless and the ending was satisfying. Totally fed my love of trains and the Victorian era.
If you like historical fiction, especially Victorian, with dashes of mystery and romance, this book is for you! I look forward to more from Karen Odden.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from Penguin Random House Publishing Group – Alibi via Netgalley in the hopes I’d review it.
My Rating: 5 stars
Enjoyable reading
Lady Elizabeth Fraser is traveling with her mother when their train crashes and a young railroad surgeon saves her mother’s life. And that is just the beginning. “A Lady in the Smoke,” Odden’s first novel, draws on her academic knowledge of trains and train wrecks in England during that period. Before long, you follow Fraser on a dangerous journey to the dark streets of Victorian London, uncover family secrets, discover financial fraud and illegal schemes, and consider the way class differences at that time affect her characters. It is a wonderful first novel, and Odden puts you there in the 1870s so you see the sights, smell the smells, and hear the noise of a huge city full of various classes. Also, London at night is a dangerous place. It’s a wonderful mystery with careful attention to historical detail, and one you’ll remember long after you close the book on the last page.
After a humiliating end to yet another season, Lady Elizabeth’s train goes off the track. She is grateful when the railway surgeon helps her and her mother. Attraction flares but things are not all they seem and she will risk her reputation to learn the truth.
This was a fantastic mystery, and kept me guessing often. We follow Lady Elizabeth and the story is told from her point of view. From the start, she is a sympathetic character. She has been humiliated and her mother’s rage has beaten her down.
Mr. Paul Wilcox, honorable, kind and hardworking, is the perfect person for her to be attracted to. Together, they made a wonderful couple. It was a bit cliched to have the drama of the class divide, but not overly so.
The plot moved at a good pace, a bit slow to start but interesting enough to keep me reading. Granted, there were instances of a lot of talking, but it took that talking for them to work through the mystery. The secondary characters were also a lot of fun. And the details of the time were very enjoyable!
For anyone looking for a Victorian mystery with romance, I would definitely recommend this one.
Following a humiliating fourth Season in London, Lady Elizabeth Fraser is on her way back to her ancestral country estate when her train careens off the rails and bursts into flames. Though she is injured, she manages to drag herself and her unconscious mother out of the wreckage, and amid the chaos that ensues, a brilliant young railway surgeon saves her mother’s life. Elizabeth feels an immediate connection with Paul Wilcox—though society would never deem a medical man eligible for the daughter of an earl.
After Paul reveals that the train wreck was no accident, and the inspector who tried to prevent it dies under mysterious circumstances, Elizabeth undertakes a dangerous investigation of her own.
This book was fascinating. It had a lot of information regarding the time period and train travel. Plus, not only did I want the reasons behi9nd the train accident solved, but I also was rooting for Elizabeth and Paul to find their ‘happily ever after’.
The romance takes a backseat in this first person historical mystery and more attention is paid to the railroad mystery and elements of the trial. That said, I felt the romance was sweet and beautifully handled. I especially liked the moments when the heroine was assisting the hero in his treatment of the victims of the crash.
“I nodded anf met his gaze. The light was brighter now, and I could see his eyes were;t brown as thought, but hazel. For a moment, neither of us moved.”
I love Victorian novel with backgrounds that are true. This book is one of those. It also a lve story that leaves you wanting a sequel.
Excellent first book. Loved it.
Exciting edge of your seat reading with great characters and suspenseful plot. Looking forward to her new book available in November 2018.
I’m hoping there will be a book 2 following these characters on their journey.
I don’t normally read romance books but I really enjoyed this one.
Creates an interesting of the time period and class system in Victorian England, but also an intriguing look at business, politics, and deceit for the period. Easy to follow characters and relationships.
I enjoyed this one! Maybe a bit slow in spots, but well-plotted and contained some interesting historical info on Victorian England’s railway surgeons (they were news to me) and specific injuries sustained during crashes and how they were treated. Especially impressed as this was a debut novel. Would definitely read her again.
Enjoyed very much will look for more by this author
I like historical books lined this one that take me back in time and make me feel as though I am there. I identified with the main character and liked the that there was just enough romance along with a pretty good mystery.
I enjoyed this book very much and didn’t want it to end. I look forward with great anticipation to this author’s next book.
Thought the research on building railroads, and the money behind it was a good sub-plot. Thanks for a good read.
A bit wordy, but a good read.
This author made a huge error in telling her story: She kept the two main characters apart for most of the book. It was rather different, but I had to make myself finish it.
Good read but nothing really outstanding. Predictable.