In Regency London, an unconventional scientist and a fearless female artist team up to trap a cold-hearted killer: “Thoroughly enjoyable” (Deanna Raybourn, New York Times–bestselling author). The Earl of Wrexford possesses a brilliant scientific mind, but boredom and pride lead him to reckless behavior. So when pompous, pious Reverend Josiah Holworthy publicly condemns him for debauchery, … him for debauchery, Wrexford unsheathes his rapier-sharp wit and strikes back. As their war of words escalates, London’s most popular satirical cartoonist, A.J. Quill, skewers them both. But then the clergyman is found slain in a church—his face burned by chemicals, his throat slashed ear to ear—and Wrexford finds himself the chief suspect.
An artist in her own right, Charlotte Sloane has secretly slipped into the persona of her late husband, using his nom de plume, A.J. Quill. When Wrexford discovers her true identity, she fears it will be her undoing. But he has a proposal—use her sources to unveil the clergyman’s clandestine involvement in questionable scientific practices, and unmask the real murderer. Soon Lord Wrexford and the mysterious Mrs. Sloane plunge into a dangerous shadow world hidden among London’s intellectual enclaves to trap a cunning adversary—before they fall victim to the next experiment in villainy . . .
“Sharp, engaging characters, rich period detail, and a compellingly twisty plot, Andrea Penrose delivers a winner.” —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times–bestselling author
“Fans of C.S. Harris take note! A riveting ride through Regency London, from the slums of St. Giles, to the mansions of Mayfair.” —Lauren Willig, New York Times–bestselling author
“Historical chemistry meets alchemy . . . A delight of a book.&rdquo
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Interesting original
I recently finished this one and will read the next one. It was a good mystery. Lord Wrexford was an interesting person as was Charlotte Sloane
I really enjoyed this story and immediately looked for the next in the series. unfortunately, the other books are very expensive for nook books so they will have to wait.
I really like the interplay between the two main characters. That plus the twists and turns of the story with two charming kids Makes this a great series!
Really liked the in-depth research that goes into the book.
I enjoyed the characters and their different social levels coming together for one good cause. Female was strong and willing to stand her ground with any of them.
Loved the book it was hard to put down!
Loved it!
After Lord Wrexford has a public disagreement with a clergymen, the scientist/nobleman immediately falls under suspicion by authorities when said clergyman is murdered. To prove his innocence in the matter, Lord Wrexford sets out to discover the truth, setting his sights on the satirical cartoonist ‘AJ Quill’ who has details of the crime no one else saw.
Right from the start, this is a fantastic story. The science side of the novel makes it stand out from the others based in the era. Lord Wrexford is an intriguing character, logical and focused on the facts. To compliment him, we have Charlotte, an artist who looks at things outside of the box.
The mystery is enjoyable and the reader is led along at a nice pace. At times, the alchemy terms are a bit confusing and bog things down just a bit. The minor characters are a delight and memorable in their own way.
All in all, I want to know more. I would love to follow Lord Wrexford and Charlotte as they solve more mysteries together.
This is a must read for any fan of historical mysteries.
A murder under mysterious circumstances, a female cartoonist highlighting what is happening, and an innocent reclusive peer of the ton desperate it to swing from the hangman’s lose noose.
This was a complex and interesting historical mystery set in the regency era. The characters were well crafted and engaging, complete with strengths and foibles. You become engrossed in their lives and their fates. The interaction between to the two main characters is witty and amazingly creative. The narrative is from both their points of view and provides insight into their emotions, past experiences, motivations and actions. In addition the author does a great job of creating great visual imagery bringing the reader into the regency era. The storylines flows along quickly and smoothly. The mystery is filled with great suspects, plenty of clues, dead ends, surprising twists, unexpected turns, danger and a steady buildup of suspense. This is a wonderfully written book that is a must read if you love regency mysteries.
A good first book in this series. It reminded me a little of the Amanda Quick books. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series
A stellar female lead character with guts and a heart.
She is rather fearless when necessary, yet clearly cares for the two brothers who do things for her.
The Earl works hard at being seen as an aristocratic ner’e do well while hiding from most (except his talented and loyal valet) his sharp mind and learning.
A puzzling mystery with interesting characters (as in curious types), bizarre deaths, and a great romp all over London.
This Regency Era mystery grabs you from the very first chapter and doesn’t let you go until the very end. I love a good mystery and it set in this era, all the better. Unique characters, puzzling intrigue, and more than enough villains and potential villains keep the reader immersed in a fascinating storyline. Fearing giving away too much, I don’t wish to go into story detail. I will say the Earl of Wrexford is a very usual member of society. He meets his match in Charlotte Sloane, a widow who is much more than what meets the common eye. What brings these two diverse characters together? This is the first Andrea Penrose book I have read. It definitely will not be the last. The next in series featuring these same characters is already loaded in my paperwhite. I can’t wait to see what direction these two take so I will be reading Murder at Half Moon Gate next.
Loving all of Andrea Penrose’s Wrexford and Sloan series.
An impeccably written, exciting, intriguing, engrossingly tangled and twisted regency mystery. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. The characters are fully developed and deep with flaws and secrets I’m sure we’ll learn more about as the series goes on. I am so very excited that this is a series and we will get to know them all better. If you are a fan of Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries, you will absolutely LOVE this one.
This is the first book I have read by Andrea Penrose or any of her other pen names — Cara Elliott for Grand Central and Andrea Pickens for NAL, but I can’t wait to read more of this series and to also check out her other Regency mystery series.
I have to admit that my two favorite characters in the book are the two street urchins – Raven and Hawk. They are intelligent and wise beyond their years and even though they have lived their lives, alone, in the stews of St. Giles, they still have sweet and innocent hearts. It will be interesting to see if, over time, they give up being street urchins and let Charlotte care for them.
Since the series is named Quill Mystery, I assume that the main character will be Charlotte Sloane, also known as A. J. Quill. She is the most popular satirical cartoonist in England, but she must guard her identity and gender. She is very intelligent, feisty and not afraid of anything – at least she thinks she isn’t. One of the facts that is uncovered in this mystery is the fact behind the death of her talented artist husband Anthony. She also has another, even bigger, secret in her past and it is hinted at, but not revealed in this book.
The Earl of Wrexford has a brilliant, logical scientific mind and thinks he is incapable of any of the softer feelings. He is also a brilliant chemist – although he keeps that part of his life well hidden. All is logic with Wrexford. So, when everyone thinks he’s the person who murdered a Reverend he’s been publicly feuding with, he decides that he must solve the murder in order to save himself. His first order of business is to uncover the identity of A. J. Quill who has been skewering him in cartoons. The drawings are absolutely too accurate and therefore the artist must know something. There is also some hinted mystery with the death of Wrexford’s brother and I came to feel as if that was what caused Wrexford to close himself off from the softer feelings in life.
Although there is no romance in this book between Charlotte and Wrexford, they do develop a friendship and I hope it will develop into a romance over the course of the series. We do see a bit of ‘softening’ in Wrexford over the course of the book.
The secondary characters in the book are also great and it will be fun to watch their growth over the course of the series. There is Wrexford’s valet cum lab assistant who is smart and sassy. Then, there is Wrexford’s friend who is always short of funds and isn’t thought to be particularly intelligent. We also have a Scot doctor who does the autopsies and is gifted at interpreting what he is finding – Oh shades of St. Cyr Mysteries with their Scot anatomist.
The mystery is full of twists and turns and people with intertwining plots. You’ll have a time figuring out who the murderer is and how all of the plots fit together.
“I requested and received this 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.”