Victorian Countess Amelia Amesbury’s secret hobby, writing an advice column for a London penny paper, has gotten her into hot water before. After all, Amelia will do whatever it takes to help a reader in need. But now, handsome marquis Simon Bainbridge desperately requires her assistance. His beloved younger sister, Marielle, has written Amelia’s Lady Agony column seeking advice on her plans to elope with a man her family does not approve of. Determined to save his sister from a scoundrel and the family from scandal, Simon asks Amelia to dissuade Marielle from the ill-advised gambit.
But when the scoundrel makes an untimely exit after a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto, Amelia realizes there’s much more at stake than saving a young woman’s reputation from ruin. It’s going to take more than her letter-writing skills to help the dashing marquis, mend the familial bond, and find the murderer. Luckily, solving problems is her specialty!
Release Date: Feb 20, 2024
Series:Â Lady of Letters
Book:Â 2
Publisher:Â Penguin Group
Imprint:Â BerkleyÂ
Price: $12.99
Lady Amelia Amesbury is a young widow living with her aunt by marriage and raising her late husband’s niece. Amelia has a friend who is a newspaper editor, and he gave Amelia the job of responding to letters written to the paper’s advice column. However, “society” would not approve of someone of her social standing responding to these “Lady Agony” letters, so she must keep her involvement a secret. Things get complicated when one of the people asking for help is the younger sister of Amelia’s friend, Marquis Simon Bainbridge. Marielle is falling for an inappropriate man, but when the potential gold-digger is murdered, Amelia and Simon are on the case to find the killer.
This is the second book in the Lady of Letter series and although the case stands on its own, I think reading the first book will help you to really get to know and love the main characters. The book takes place in London in the year 1860. Amelia is definitely ahead of her time when it comes to what women should and shouldn’t do. She is rarely hesitant to express her opinions, especially in the responses to her readers that begin each chapter. The letters are definitely the highlight of the book. The subject of the letters is usually related to the events happening in that chapter. They give the reader a look at the customs during this period and how Amelia’s advice is often contrary to how most “ladies” would behave.
As Amelia and Simon investigate the murder and try to protect Marielle, the intelligence and the personality of both characters shine through. What is also apparent is the chemistry between Simon and Amelia. One of them makes a surprising move, but it’s too soon to tell if they will be able to overcome the obstacles in their way to actually begin a relationship. Except for a couple of missteps, they work well together in the investigation as they weed out the suspects in the murder of a man who made several enemies. Although I didn’t find this book as engaging as the first one, this is still a charming series with a unique premise that I recommend to cozy mystery and historical mystery fans.
~ Christine
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