Wrexford and Sloane must unravel secrets within secrets—including a few that entangle their own hearts—when they reunite to solve a string of shocking murders that have horrified Regency London . . . Though Charlotte Sloane’s secret identity as the controversial cartoonist A.J. Quill is safe with the Earl of Wrexford, she’s ill prepared for the rippling effects sharing the truth about her … sharing the truth about her background has cast over their relationship. She thought a bit of space might improve the situation. But when her cousin is murdered and his twin brother is accused of the gruesome crime, Charlotte immediately turns to Wrexford for help in proving the young man’s innocence. Though she finds the brooding scientist just as enigmatic and intense as ever, their partnership is now marked by an unfamiliar tension that seems to complicate every encounter.
Despite this newfound complexity, Wrexford and Charlotte are determined to track down the real killer. Their investigation leads them on a dangerous chase through Mayfair’s glittering ballrooms and opulent drawing rooms, where gossip and rumors swirl to confuse the facts. The more Charlotte and Wrexford try to unknot the truth, the more tangled it becomes. But they must solve the case soon, before the killer’s madness seizes another victim . . .
Praise for the Wrexford & Sloane Historical Mysteries
“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
“Its complex story line and authentic historical details bring the early days of the Industrial Revolution vividly to life. Bound to fascinate readers of C.S. Harris and even fans of Victorian mysteries.”
—Library Journal, Starred Review
more
I truly enjoy Wrexford and Sloan. These two main characters have a completely original approach to the Regency period. Wrexford, a gentleman and a scientist, and Charlotte Sloan, a society lady in hiding as she secretly pens the satirical caricatures of high society with acerbic wit, you get a unique take on their world that goes far beyond most Regency period novels. With glimpses into the seamy side of London streets as well as high society, then into the constantly moving world of science at that time, it’s a total joy to read. LOVE the series!
Early studies of electricity provide a fascinating and suitably eerie subject for the latest in this excellent mystery series set in Regency England.
Another wonderful addition to one of my favorite series. This one finds Wrexford and Charlotte racing against time to save the life of the accused killer, and this one is very personal for Charlotte. While some of the subject matter surrounding the murders is gruesome, it is also interesting and well-researched by the author.
I also liked this one for two other reasons: Wrexford and Charlotte grow ever closer to admitting their feelings for one another and Charlotte struggles to make a very important, life-changing decision that involves stepping out of her comfort zone. I’m excited (and a little apprehensive) to see what the ramifications of her decision will be in the next installment.
Well-written, wonderfully drawn characters (both main and secondary) and inventive and intriguing plot lines keep me coming back for more.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
Charlotte decides to “come out” into polite society as Lady Charlotte in order to better investigate a murder and save her cousin from the gallows. The weasels, as usual, provide comedy as well as emotional touchstones for both Charlotte and her partner in investigation, Lord Wrexford.
Charlotte Sloane and the Earl of Wrexford, Wrex for short, team up again for this complicated and dangerous case. Their relationship is tense at times and the reader is in the middle of it. The two street urchins Charlotte has officially adopted, Raven and Hawk, are being tutored while still maintaining some of their street habits. They are a joy to watch blossoming. This story also provides more of Charlotte’s background story.
The setting of Regency London provides great atmosphere and is one of the strong aspects of the series. I enjoy how the scientific advances of the era are spotlighted. Add a vicious serial killer, the Bloody Butcher, to the foggy mists of London and you have Gothic gold. The plot and subplots immediately grabbed hold of me and didn’t let go though a few twists and turns. Ms. Penrose’s writing style also contributed to create a page-turning suspenseful tale.
The killer reveal lived up to the standard set by the two previous books with nail biting tension and harrowing danger. Excellent! The wrap up left me wishing for the next book.
I enjoy the sharp dialog between Wrexford and Charlotte and how she is respectable yet has a network of street people who feed her information. Her character is complex and layered. Wrexford isn’t so much brooding as disinterested with the typical superficial interests of the nobility and grouchy. The two play off each other believably and with wry humor. The era of scientific exploration adds realism along with the visceral descriptions of everything from Newgate prison to the ball rooms. To sum it up, this novel is another gem in the series crown. If you enjoy historical mysteries, this isn’t to be missed.
Rating: Near Perfect – Couldn’t Put it down. Buy two copies, one for you and one for a friend.
This latest in the series is another grand addition! Immensely enjoyable, with engaging characters. There are historical events included with a bit of romance thrown in and a knotty, intriguing murder mystery. This story gives more background about Charlotte Sloan. The rest of the crew are all here as well, Tyler – Lord Wrexford’s redoubtable butler & lab assistant, Sheffield – Wrex’s close friend who feigns being a rake but is simply a bored 2nd son with a low allowance from his miser father. He assists Wrex & Charlotte with solving murders. There is also Raven & Hawk – the two wild, insightful, fiercely loyal wards of Charlotte and a new character, McClellan – the tough lady’s maid, housekeeper, cook, etc. whom Lord Wrexford lent to Charlotte to keep up appearances but who will most likely stay in Charlotte’s household indefinitely.
‘So the facts are these – I was born Charlotte Sophia Anna Mallory, the only daughter of the Earl of Wolcott.Even as a child, I chafed against the rigid rules governing a lady’s behavior. I was constantly rebelling…which infuriated my parents. It made life very difficult for all of us. The more they ought to force me to conform, the more I was determined not to allow my spirit to be crushed. However gilded, I simply couldn’t bear to live withing a cage.’
After reading the first two books in this series (Wexford & Sloane historical mystery), I greatly anticipated the release of Murder at Kensington Palace. Each book in the series just gets better. As with the other books, the story revolves around a murder. Only this time both the victim and the alleged murderer are persons who were close to Charlotte in her past. She enlists Wexford to help find the real killer since she knows the accused could not have possibly done it. From there the tale takes off, a blend of scientific study and evil. All the things I enjoy in a read are present, mystery, danger, intrigue, and a villain or two. As with the other books there is an underlying, undeclared romance between Charlotte and Wexford. Hopefully there will be more books. This author is a talented historical mystery writer who really needs to continue if not with these characters, then with new ones, but I hope we will see more of Charlotte and Wexford.
My favorite mystery genre is just about anything historical. If it’s British historical, even better. This series is in my top ten for them. Regency England is the period and the mysteries revolve around Charlotte Sloane, a young widow and the Earl of Wrexford. In this mystery Charlotte turns to Wrexford to help her clear her cousin Nicholas of murdering his twin brother Cedric, Lord Chittenden. With the help of the weasles – the two street urchins Charlotte has taken in, Aunt Alison and McClellan and various others in her circle, They investigate all levels of Regency London to find the killer.
There isn’t a thing I don’t enjoy about this series. It has everything from art to science to romance added to a very well crafted puzzle. There are enough twists, turns and red herrings to keep me saying ‘just one more chapter’ when I should have gone to bed. The relationship between Sloane and Wrexford is more than a bit slow to develop but all the more reason to look forward to more books.
If you are new to the series, no worries, it can be read as a stand alone but, if you enjoy this one as much as I did, you better have the previous two books at hand to binge read. It will be reading time well spent.
murder-investigation, historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research
Applying the scientific method to murder investigation is simply a slight twist on due diligence for the Regency era. It begins with the second murder that resembles the work of the Ripper except that the victims are males of the peerage. The Bow Street Runner is intelligent but, like today, he is bound by what stands up to legal scrutiny. However several scientific minded individuals of varying social status and gender have good reason to do their very best to prove that the man in Newgate accused of being the murderer is not only innocent, but was set up. Very well done tricky plot with extremely interesting characters! Great read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Another page turner in the series! Like how the characters continue to grow in each book. It kept me guessing to the end! Looking forward to their next adventure. Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy
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.
Murder at Kensington Palace
A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery Book 3
Andrea Penrose
https://www.facebook.com/andreapenrose.author/
Release Date 09/24/2019
Publisher Kensington Books
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MP5C22G/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_awdo_6QAD7NZD3YBBT4W8YFF3
Wrexford and Sloane must unravel secrets within secrets—including a few that entangle their own hearts—when they reunite to solve a string of shocking murders that have horrified Regency London . . .
Though Charlotte Sloane’s secret identity as the controversial cartoonist A.J. Quill is safe with the Earl of Wrexford, she’s ill prepared for the rippling effects sharing the truth about her background has cast over their relationship. She thought a bit of space might improve the situation. But when her cousin is murdered and his twin brother is accused of the gruesome crime, Charlotte immediately turns to Wrexford for help in proving the young man’s innocence. Though she finds the brooding scientist just as enigmatic and intense as ever, their partnership is now marked by an unfamiliar tension that seems to complicate every encounter.
Despite this newfound complexity, Wrexford and Charlotte are determined to track down the real killer. Their investigation leads them on a dangerous chase through Mayfair’s glittering ballrooms and opulent drawing rooms, where gossip and rumors swirl to confuse the facts. The more Charlotte and Wrexford try to unknot the truth, the more tangled it becomes. But they must solve the case soon, before the killer’s madness seizes another victim . . .
I basically thought I could just read the first book in this series then jump to the upcoming release, but alas one was not enough. I wanted to see more of the characters, not only Sloan and Wrexford but the weasels, Sheffield and the others. But I have a schedule to respect, So I left aside the second book to go the nexts. So my weekend is globally mapped out with this series.
My bad but I read the last two chapters from the previous one to catch up with what revelation is implied at the beginning of this one.
So now I am up to date with some the heroes’ « secrets ».
So Charlotte is turning a new leaf, not ready but to save a life dear to her heart, she will go back to the garbs she wore prior to her marriage. Yet, she is still AJ Quill, and wants to continue to explore the different worlds she knows.
She is also bit more emotional as she has reached a new turn into her life, and wonders the price she might have to pay. But a Phoenix she is, and a Phoenix she will be.
Plus she has Wrexford at her side to atone her first forays into society.
Wrexford is still the hair-trigger hot tempered lord he is known to be, but thanks to Charlotte he has in some way find a softer side in himself to care for others, he is kind to the weasels, protective of Charlotte and he is now reflecting about his attitude with others, his relationship with his friend Sheffield, in some way he is becoming more approachable, well mostly for Charlotte and his close circle. He knows his friendship with her is at a turn.
Their relationship has evolved, into more than a colleague sleuth like friendship, they are kindred spirits as they complete the other, her empathy for his rationality. But underneath their well oiled working friendship, something deeper is burgeoning if they are willing to acknowledge it.
The Weasels Hawk and Raven are still the breath of fresh air in this story, they too are growing up, revealing each their own knacks and future talents. They are a cornerstone in every adventure they share with their elders.
Outside McClellan, the feminine counterpart of Tyler, Wrexford’s valet and Jack-of-all trades, who appeared in the previous book, there are two new figures I hope we will see again as both bring their own array of spice and cleverness.
The case once more takes us for a quite ride from the streets of City to sumptuous homes or laboratories. It was such a pleasure to wander from one suspect to another with this group of friends.
5 stars
lingering touches
https://www.instagram.com/p/CT9HM1bgoJg/?utm_medium=copy_link
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/926534631269042/?d=n
#bookstagram #historicalfiction #suspense #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #historicalmystery #bookblogger #2021read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
Another wonderful mystery solved. While struggling with long buried emotions and secrets, Charlotte and Wrex must unravel secret after secret to solve the murder of Charlotte’s cousin and the charge of fratricide against his twin. Well done. Love these characters more with each new book.
What a great read! I love the historical facts and descriptions of the clothing, scenery and houses. Fun series!
“The air had taken on a chill, the dampness forming serpentine swirls of mist. Stirred by the breeze, the ghostly pale vapor floated through the leafy shadows of the topiary trees lining the graveled walkways.” (quote from the book)
This was another wonderfully atmospheric and chilling Regency murder/mystery novel. This time it is not Lord Wrexford who knows the victim but Charlotte Sloan. It is her very close childhood cousin; and his twin brother has been arrested for his murder. But Charlotte is sure he did not do it. She just has to find the proof!
“The laws of Nature do have a natural cycle for our life and death…It’s we ourselves who muck it up with our unholy attraction to the Seven Deadly sins.” (quote from the book)
After the end of Book #2, ‘Murder at Half Moon Gate’, the chemistry between Wrexford and Sloan sizzled. By the end of this one, you could feel the tension and electricity pulsing between them. Each are dancing around the other trying not to upset the pattern they have established between themselves.
‘Steel and silk. Hard and soft. Charlotte had the infuriating ability to keep him off balance.” (quote from the book)
But let’s not forget the scientific side of these novels. The villains were definitely experimenting and ‘this will all be for the greater good.’ The greater good for what/who?
“Evil was like acid – it could all too quickly and silently corrode one’s soul.” (quote from the book)
However, in this novel, Charlotte has to face her past in order to help solve this mystery. How that will impact her friends and little family certainly has her concerned. And how do Raven and Hawk react? Oh, these two are just a wonder to behold and you can’t help but love them!
“She must face her fears. Cowardice was crippling. It would slowly grind her into dust.” (quote from the book)
I do highly recommend this well written and intriguing series. There is a new character in this book that I hope we see more of in the future!
Andrea Penrose’s elegant style, as much as the complex threads she weaves together, captures the reader’s attention. Wrexford and Charlotte are both strong and intelligent characters. Their banter is a pleasure. A thoroughly satisfying Regency mystery.
This is a great series.
The characters are complex and engaging.
The mystery quite puzzling.
This time we also get multiple very intelligent women intimately involved.
And we almost get a kiss, twice!
When Charlotte Sloane’s cousin is murdered, and her other cousin accused of the terrible crime, she turns to Lord Wrexford for help. She also makes the decision to come out of the shadows, to take her place in society. Together, they follow the clues into the glittering ballrooms of society. Can they find the killer before more men are found dead?
Oh, how I love this pair! Their attraction to each other does not overshadow the mystery. They both bring something to the investigation that the other lacks. Together, they are stronger and I love whenever they have scenes together!
As always, the accompanying cast is a delight. From “the weasels”, Hawk and Raven (who are finding their own skills and talents) to Tyler, Wrexford’s valet/assistant, each one brings something to the story. I would have a hard time to pick a favorite from among them.
So I rated it only four stars for one specific reason: I didn’t much care for the ending. Oh, the villain made sense and was well-written. I just didn’t like how she went out. Just a personal disappointment.
I received a free copy from NetGalley for reviewing purposes, and all opinions expressed are my own.
I love this series by Andrea Penrose. The characters are intelligent, courageous, and interesting. Will keep reading.
There is interesting information in this book about the two polar extremes of English society however I found it to be slow moving and too gruesome in places.