A Crowned Heart from InD’ Tale Magazine“A wonderful mystery tale in the vein of Agatha Christie. Ms. Bolen does a masterful job creating suspects, then cleverly entwining their motives to keep her readers guessing whodunit. . .A lovingly crafted historical novel with a deeply satisfying mystery!” — InD’ Tale“An exquisitely written historical romantic suspense with very appealing characters” — … characters” — Fresh Fiction
“This book really ticked all the boxes for me and it gripped me from start to finish. ” — Dragonrose Books Galore
“Cheryl Bolen spins a delightful tale of mystery, politics, and (of course) romance ” — IN PRINT
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As the third son of the Duke of Fordham, Alex never thought he’d become a duke. But he’s suddenly catapulted to the lofty title after his slightly older brother dies in his sleep. Now Alex has the onerous task of announcing the death to the woman his brother was to wed.
Ever pragmatic, Lady Georgiana Fenton insists on seeing the late duke’s body, and when she does, she’s convinced he was smothered as he slept. She and the new duke decide to secretly work together to uncover the murderer. But the longer they’re together, the harder it becomes to resist the duke’s scorching kisses–and even harder to dismiss him from the list of suspects. No one had more to gain by her fiancé’s death. . .
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I love a great romance!
Another captivating book from Cheryl Bolen, and a worthy successor to the other two Lords of Eton books.
Fine
I loved this book. I read the whole series.
Great read
01/08/2021 I was riveted by “Last Duke Standing” (nook) and could not put it down until the last word. The story is very well-written. Many kudos to Ms. Bolen for her wonderful books. Alex and Georgiana are excellent characters who encounter a suprise murder with unexpected motives.
Alex, the new Duke of Fordham never thought he’d inherit the title, but when his older brother seemingly dies in his sleep, Alex is thrust into the title. When his deceased brother’s betrothed Georgianna Fenton wants to see his body to say goodbye, she discovers that Freddie didn’t die of natural causes, but was murdered in his sleep. Alex and Georgianna share the responsibility of going through Freddie’s papers and they are on the hunt for a killer. The more time they spend together, the more they realize that are perfect for each other. Can Georgianna finally admit her feelings for Alex before it’s too late?
I didn’t read the first 2 books about Alex’s two friends, but I was able to read this book without too much trouble. The plot moved along nicely and I enjoyed the lively banter between Alex and Georgianna. I had guessed the killer’s identity about 1/2 way through the book, but certainly not all the particulars behind the motive. This was a most enjoyable story and fans of regency romance will certainly like this one.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review and was not obligated to leave a review.
Alex Haversham is a soldier, recently returned from the Peninsular War. As a third son, he never expected nor wanted to hold the family title. But when his brother, Freddie, suddenly dies in his sleep, Alex becomes the ninth Duke of Fordham. His first ducal responsibility is to inform his brother’s fiancée, Lady Georgiana, of his death. Georgiana truly liked Freddie, even though theirs was not a love match. When her suspicions of foul play are confirmed by the family doctor, Alex and Georgiana must work together to find the murderer.
Alex is a Whig. Georgiana’s family have always been Tories. Georgiana deduces that of those present the day Freddie died, Alex has the most to gain from his brother’s death, but she finds it hard to believe he’s guilty. Despite suspicions and political differences, their mutual attraction grows.
This story has it all: mystery, intrigue, and romance, as well as an excellent representation of the social and political standards of the time. Cheryl Bolen is one of my favorite historical authors. This was a great final installment of the stories of three good friends who met and bonded at Eton, and who were always there for each other as adults. The Lords of Eton was a most enjoyable series.
The Last Duke Standing by Cheryl Bolen is the story of Georgiana who had been informally betrothed to Freddie, who was the Duke of Fordham before his untimely death. The death was initially determined to be of natural causes: he died during the night. Only when Georgiana arrived at Gosingham Hall to verify for herself the death was evidence revealed that suggested murder. Alex, the Duke’s younger brother and now the new Duke and Lady Georgiana decided to keep this information to themselves while trying to determine the murderer. There had been a hunting party that week so apparently one of those men had done the deed, but which one? Why?
This was a fairly well-written Regency novel/romance. The language was good which always lends credence to its setting. Georgiana and Alex are both interesting characters as are Georgiana’s mother, who kind of provides the comic relief. The mystery is a good one with roots in the past. The subplots are entertaining and real. The rules of society in Regency England are many and varied, not always sensible. We see this again and again in this novel. It was a good read, clever and light-hearted. I recommend it for aficionados of this genre. Kudos to Bolen for a pleasant book!
I received a free ARC of The Last Duke Standing in exchange for a fair and honest review. #netgalley #thelastdukestanding
This is an exciting who-done-it story full of suspects but not reasons. When Alex’s brother Freddie is found dead in his bed, all conceded that it was of natural causes. When Freddie’s fiancée Georgiana viewed Freddie’s body, she knew that he was suffocated in his sleep. There were signs to confirm this. Alex and Georgiana embark on a deadly mission to uncover the murderer. During that time Georgiana fights her growing attraction to Alex. Alex does not hide his attraction to Georgiana. There is a fly in the ointment, a former suitor of Georgiana seems bound to renew their acquaintance. Georgiana’s character is admirable. She takes care of those she loves. She has a forthright attitude and has no problems sharing her thoughts. She and her family’s political affiliations are with the Tory. Alex’s family is also Tory. But Alex has converted to the Whig position. Alex is level headed and observant. He was a military officer in the war. He is used to discipline, deprivation and harsh conditions. He is for the common man and wants to better society by teaching them to read and write. He also wants all men to be able to vote. Georgiana’s fears all these changes will cause the downfall of the aristocracy. Alex has hope that Georgiana will have an open mind to consider a different point of view. As the search for Freddie’s murderer proceeds, Alex begins to eliminate suspects one by one. Georgiana discusses with Alex that perhaps he may be next to die, but the reason escapes them. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a great blend of Regency and Mystery. This is number 3 in the series. I guess I have to go back and read the others. When an author keeps me from writing my own books, I have to say it’s a good one!
After losing both of his elder brothers in the span of a few short years, Alex Haversham suddenly finds himself thrust from the position of army officer into the role of Duke of Fordham. Alex also finds himself burdened with the task of informing Lady Georgiana, his late brother Freddie’s betrothed, of the late duke’s demise. A distraught Georgiana refuses to believe the dreadful news and insists upon seeing Freddie’s body herself. Alex obliges and brings Georgiana to the estate with him, butting heads with her on the way about their opposing political views. Upon viewing the body, Georgiana suspects Freddie was suffocated in his sleep and when the surgeon confirms her suspicions, she immediately suspects Alex since he technically benefits from his brother’s death, which of course makes Alex rather dislike her. But her concern and genuine grief over his brother show Alex a softer side of the lady he’d thought to be cold and aloof and the two begin working together to find the murderer. Spending all that time together makes the attraction between them obvious, but any relationship between them would be wholly inappropriate. Wouldn’t it?
There were some times Georgiana and her closed-mindedness got on my nerves and there was no steam to this book (which is usually a huge negative for me), but I liked Alex and the rest of the plot so much that it didn’t even bother me. I enjoyed this one and would recommend it as an enjoyable read.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I chose this book because a friend of mine is a huge fan of the author’s, and it was finally the right time. And what have I missed by not having read Cheryl Bolen before! The luminous prose, the appealing and complex characters, the solid mystery seamlessly woven into a lovely romance; it all charmed me from the very first page. And the cover is perfect! I am thrilled to have found a new historical romance author who writes books of such high quality!
While I found the story line interesting, I did not care for Lady Georgiana. It’s one thing for a 24-year old young lady to be bold and unafraid of expressing her opinion, it’s another to be downright nasty and rude, which I felt she was at times. I could not see how the attraction – aside from purely physical aspects – could develop between the H and h. Their cooperative efforts in trying to find the late duke’s murderer could have been improved as a tool to develop their relationship IMHO.
Georgiana’s repeatedly voicing and thinking of the (supposed) inappropriateness of a possible marriage between her and her late-fiancé’s brother annoyed me. She was supposed to be an intelligent woman; she should have known there would be nothing inappropriate in a such a marriage.
I received a free copy from netgalley and voluntarily post my review.
Cheryl Bolen is my “go-to” author for Regency Romance. She’s a master of the genre, and Last Duke Standing is no exception. If you love Regency, you’ll love this book.
The third book in the Lords of Eton series is a perplexing murder mystery. At least it is for Alex Haversham who has just become the Duke of Fordham and Lady Georgiana Fenton, his recently deceased brother’s betrothed. Once they discover that he did not die of natural causes, they work together to narrow the list of suspects, a list that includes Freddie’s former mistress, one of Georgiana’s former suitors, a neighbor, and to his dismay, Alex. It is a very well written classic ‘who done it’ with lots of clues and leads in many directions that keep the reader speculating. The love story is just as captivating and somewhat complicated. As they spend time together, Alex and Georgiana develop a strong attraction, but she was engaged to his brother, and they don’t agree on anything from the suspect list to politics. It might take more than solving the mystery to bring these two together.
Last Duke Standing is an exciting addition to the series. Alex and Georgiana are strong, independent, and intelligent. They are different in some ways, but these differences make them perfect complements. The other characters are terrific. Harry and SinJin and their wives, as well as Alex’s sisters are all here to help. Georgiana’s mother is delightful. The villain is callous and desperate. Murder, mystery, danger, friendship, romance, and the list goes on. It’s all here. I enjoyed and highly recommend the story and the series.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Superb Historical Romance
A mystery and romance made this engaging story a pageturner until the end. Alex unexpectedly inherited the Dukedom after his older brother was found dead. Of course he was the third son, so never expected that to happen! His duty was to tell his brother’s betrothed Georgiana, about his death and when she heard, she insisted on seeing the body. Foul play Mr Watson? Yes, I do believe he was murdered due to signs he was suffocated! Thus the mystery begins to track down the suspect and even Georgiana has left Alex on her list. Yes, he did have motive, did he not!
As the two work together, there begins a slow attraction and also many political conversations that keep them engaged. Will the two find love in the mist of sadness and feeling of betrayal to his brother
and if so will they act on it? Who killed his brother and why? There are many questions that will be answered and surprises to no end. Although part of a series this can be read as a standalone.
Last Duke Standing by Cheryl Bolen
Have enjoyed the series and this one starts out with Alex and Lord Slade and they are gathered in the library discussing the death of Alex oldest brother. Alex will now inherit everything but his intended fiancée must be told….
She upon seeing his body thinks he was suffocated and she and Alex will work together to find out who murdered Freddie.
They spend a lot of time together, actually getting to know one another and like each other a bit more… Georginna doesn’t want to spend a lot of time at her mother’s because her grandkids are hellions and not under control by their parents who also live there.
She has to show him the letters that point to another who could have killed his brother…there are other leads that Alex takes up.
Some clues lead to Alex but she knows in her heart it couldn’t have been him…
Like the politics and art mentioned in this book and land deals and what they could mean to others…
He knows who killed his brother because of the horse and he knows horses! They are coming after him next…love the trio and how they stand by one another.
Other works by the author and summarized at the end.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Last Duke Standing by Cheryl Bolen is book Three in The Lords of Eton Series. This is the story of Georgiana and Alex. I have read the previous books, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Alex is the third son of the Duke of Fordham, so he has no real concerns of taking over the title and has worked toward another goal. But when the oldest brother dies all is left to the second brother, Frederick ‘Freddie’. But when Freddie is found to have died in his ‘sleep’ he is now the new Duke. Alex goes forward to inform Freddie’s soon to be wife of his death. Georgiana feels that someone has actually killed him and goes forward to solve the mystery along with Alex. This puts them to working together and finding that their feelings are becoming more powerful each day.
Really enjoyed their story and would recommend it.