As the Industrial Revolution roils London, “a daring pair of Regency sleuths tackle a series of coldblooded murders” in this historical mystery (Kirkus Reviews). When the eminent scientist Lord Wrexford discovers the body of a gifted inventor in a dark London alley, he promptly alerts the authorities. But Wrexford soon finds himself drawn into the murder investigation when the inventor’s widow … when the inventor’s widow tells him that the crime was no random robbery. Her husband’s designs for a new steam-powered engine went missing the night of his death. The plans could be worth a fortune . . .and very dangerous in the wrong hands.
Joining Wrexford in his investigation is Charlotte Sloane, who publishes scathing political cartoons under the pseudonym A. J. Quill. Her extensive network of informants is critical for her work—and for tracking down the occasional killer. The suspects include ambitious assistants, greedy investors, and even the inventor’s widow. And when another victim falls, Wrexford and Sloane know they are on the trail of a cunning and deadly foe.
“Penrose deftly combines a Regency romance with a tricky mystery that delves into social unrest and the darker side of this storied period.” —Kirkus Reviews
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The second in the Wrexford and Sloane Regency Mystery series stands alone just fine, but it’s fun to watch the growing relationship between the two protagonists. Wrexford is a bored, cynical aristocrat who dabbles in science. Charlotte Sloane is a political cartoonist with a tribe of street boys to keep her attuned to London’s underworld. When a scientist on the brink of patenting a brilliant invention is brutally murdered and left with a symbol cut into him of a group of laborers fighting against technology, both Wrexford and Sloane have reason to be interested. They tread their disparate paths with humor, intelligence, and bravery. Top notch mystery, history, and characterization!
So many really great twists in this novel. I inhaled it in a day and enjoyed it more than the first in the series. Great development of the characters. Racing into the third.
Andrea Penrose spins an elegant mystery that appeals to the intellect, with a dollop of simmering romance to make the story that much more interesting. Wrexford and Charlotte are an intriguing and sophisticated sleuthing team. Raven and Hawk also are delightful, as is Kit Sheffield, Wrexford’s friend. Mystery lovers will savor this book.
This book appealed to me as an Anne Perry fan. I plan to read every book in this series as soon as they are released.
Penrose’s second book in the Wrexford and Sloane series provides intriguing insights into the main characters pasts and their relationship as well as a mystery that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. The book is fast-paced and very well written. It can certainly be read as a stand-alone book, but you’ll miss all of those formative interactions among all of the characters and their relationships with each other. I’ve now read both books in the series and they are both outstanding!
The Regency period sees the very early beginning and the burgeoning of social and technological changes within England. Science and technological innovation were changing the way people lived and worked. Social order was beginning to change as well and was constantly challenged by satirical cartoonists who were actually quite powerful in molding public opinion. I think that the fact that our author chose Sloane as a very gifted and influential satirical cartoonist and Wrexford as an earl who is a gifted scientist is a big part of what makes this series very appealing to me. The characters are wonderful, fully-developed, humorous, brave and intelligent and when you add in an excellent dose of great history and an excellent mystery, you just can’t go wrong.
Wrexford is a bored, pragmatic, cynical, emotionless man who is also a gifted scientist. He governs his life by scientific principles. No emotions, only empirical evidence, and the step-by-step scientific process need apply! That is – unless Charlotte is involved and then – well maybe it is a little harder to be pragmatic and emotionless.
Charlotte Sloane has secrets – many secrets. Wrexford knows some of her secrets, but not all of them. One of Charlotte’s secrets is that she is the political satirist known as A. J. Quill. It is very important that she keep that secret, though Wrexford knows it, because it is how she earns her living. Were it to become known that A. J. Quill was a woman, nobody would publish her work and she would starve. Charlotte also has a large network of street urchins (boys and girls) as well as other important contacts that keep her up-to-date on what is going on. She always seems to be one step ahead of everyone else when it comes to her cartoons. Charlotte is also a pragmatic lady who always strives to control her emotions.
The prologue begins with a heart-pumping chase through the worst part of London. A thick mist from the river is covering the area and the wind is howling (I love the word the author used – skirled – isn’t that perfect it). Our victim is new to London and is hopelessly lost – and finally – he is brutally attacked and killed. Elihu Anthony is an inventor who is on the cusp of patenting a brilliant ground-breaking new technology that will increase the power of steam engines. The patent is worth a fortune for whoever manages to file for it first. Now – what will happen to the patent? Is it the Luddites who are trying to prevent the patent? Is it a greedy investor? Is it family?
Wrexford and his friend Christopher Sheffield are returning home from a gaming hell and take a route through the more unsavory parts of town and discover a lifeless and mutilated body at Half Moon Gate. Not only is the body mutilated, but his clothes are cut and ripped at the seams. Wrexford and Sheffield notify Bow Street, give their account and then go on home. Later, Wrexford is visited by Isobel, the wife of Mr. Anthony and she asks him to solve the case because Bow Street isn’t taking it seriously. That sets us off on a chase that leads to places and events you wouldn’t imagine. There are so many suspects and all of them are very viable – but you won’t guess who the real culprit is until almost the very end (unless you peek).
Raven and Hawk are featured again in this book and they are delightful. They are the street urchins that Charlotte taken into her life and is trying to encourage them to actually live with her and give up their street ways. They are leery of doing that, but she’s winning them over.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed Andrea Penrose’s book, *Murder at the Half Moon Gate.*
I picked out this book because I am reading murder mysteries this month. From the book blurb, it definitely fits that description. The other reason I picked was because of the cover. Doesn’t it just draw you in? It promises to be suspenseful and mysterious!
This is the second book in the Wrexford and Sloane series. I did not read the first book, and I didn’t feel like I was lost.
The author writes a wonderful tale with many unexpected twists and turns. The story flowed well and was suspenseful. It reminded me of Sherlock Holmes as it definitely had similar elements throughout story. And I do love Sherlock Holmes and Watson!
The characters are well fleshed out and easy to like. I was rooting for Charolette Sloane to find the murderer throughout the book.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I would definitely pick up the next in the series.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netagalley for this ARC.
This second entry in the Wrexford & Sloane mystery series is another winner! And yes, I would recommend starting with the first in series (Murder at Black Swan Lane) for the full effect. Enjoyed learning more about these two characters and watching their relationship develop. Greed, jealousy and the thirst for power all played a part in this plot involving the cutthroat business of securing patents on steam engine innovations. Very nicely done, and I’m hoping this adventure will continue. 4/5
Reminded me of Anne Perry books love them too
I enjoyed this book a lot and will purchase more by this author. I liked the characters and the story drew me in. I most especially appreciated the fact that I didn’t have to climb over misspellings and grammatical errors. People who leave such things in their manuscripts shouldn’t be published. This writer is a great relief.
The first in this series was a little dark but I enjoy the time period they are set in and each subsequent book gets better
Love this whole series and eagerly await the next installment!
I thoroughly enjoy this series. Great character backstories and relationship development combined with interesting mysteries.
My Rating: 4.5*
“Logic, he murmured. There’s no conundrum that can’t be solved by logic.” (quote from the book)
After a night of gambling with his good friend, the Honorable Christopher Sheffield, the Earl of Wrexford comes upon a dead body very recently murdered. He is not amused and has no interest in becoming involved. That is until the man’s wife appears requesting his help. He can’t refuse, for he has provided help to this man in his scientific quest to improve the steam engine. Now he is dead and his drawings are missing.
“I really don’t fancy finding yet another dead body.” (quote from the book)
In the meantime, Mrs. Charlotte Sloane is packing up and moving to a better area now that her income has improved. A.J. Quill has kept up a steady supply of political cartoons for there is much fodder to be had, not only from the Regent, but the ‘man versus machinery’ that has captured the nation due to the recent unrest in the mills up north.
“Through art, she had the confidence to express her thoughts and observations with a cutting clarity.” (quote from the book)
But all is not what it seems. With a list provided by the widow of possible people who may have wanted these drawings, the trail has many twists and turns. Secrets upon secrets, connections upon connections are slowly discovered but finding the actual proof is even harder. Bodies are piling up and individuals are going missing.
“Empty, save for a lingering aura of evil. The sensation was palpable, sharp as a knife point prickling against the back of his neck.” (quote from the book)
Through it all, Raven and Hawk are as sharp as ever. I love these two young boys and their interactions with Wrexford and Sloane. They are both like sponges and when given the opportunity, they excel.
“But there were moments when she thought she detected a half-wild gleam in the depths of their eyes. A fierce independence, an elemental wariness that refused to be tamed.” (quote from the book)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did have a minor qualm over one of Charlotte’s actions not quite hitting the mark with me. However, it was minor and not enough to take away my enjoyment with the overall mystery. This time, I did have my suspicions proven correct. I do look forward to the next mystery in the series, and the further development of Wrexford and Sloane’s relationship!
Murder, mayhem, Sloane and Wrexford brangling, more murder, steam engines, Weasels, even more murder, patents – what more can you ask!?!
Another fine read by Penrose. Can’t wait to read the next one. I really enjoy historical reads of Quill and Lord Wexford–Regency England included. Thanks
After discovering the body of a dead inventor, Lord Wrexford is content to allow the authorities to handle the matter. He is drawn into the case when the dead man’s widow appeals to him for help. With the aid of Mrs. Sloane and more murders around every corner, Lord Wrexford finds himself once more in the dark side of Regency London.
I have been looking forward to this book since I finished reading the first book of the series last year. I absolutely adore Lord Wrexford, who approaches everything with logic and science. He is balanced by Mrs. Sloane, who looks at problems from a more creative side. Together, they are stronger, and I loved that their relationship was allowed to grow in this second book.
Once again, this duo faces a murder. More than one as they follow their leads. The suspect list grew with almost every page until it became obvious who the villain really was.
This is without a doubt my favorite new series. I’m excited to see where the author takes Lord Wrexford and Mrs. Sloane in the future, and I hope Raven and Hawk continue to delight.
I always enjoy this series and this book does not disappoint.
grabs your attention – great series
The second Wrexford and Sloane mystery takes you on the next step in their lives. Charlotte is moving house with her 2 weasels to a more respectable part of town. She is worried her past is coming ever closer and how that will change her relationship with Wrexford. The forward motion of steam and a new patent is the backdrop of more murders and how far a father will go for his sons. There are the same lively characters around which help you immerse yourself in Regency London.
Loved the characters and the growth of them thru the series.