Murder in Masquerade - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

MURDER IN MASQUERADE by Mary Winters
The Second Lady of Letters Mystery 

 

Concerned that his sister is encouraging the affections of a rogue and scoundrel Simon Bainbridge persuades Amelia, Lady Amesbury, to accompany him to the opera in order to keep an eye on Marielle. Upon meeting the man in question, Amelia finds him charming, although with an apparent eye for the ladies, and not just Marielle. Walking to their carriage after the performance Amelia stumbles upon a body, literally. George Davies has been stabbed to death! Amelia is keen to solve another murder as well as mend the rift between the siblings, but will she be successful?

Amelia is the most delightful protagonist. She's caring, funny, and oh so competitive! She and Lady Tabitha had me chuckling at their competitive nature and skill at various sports. I will never challenge these ladies at croquet! But the laughs, of which there are many, are only a part of this wonderful book and series. 

 

I love how Amelia is coming to grips with her new found status. Now that her mourning period is over, she's able to rejoin society, learn to be a mum to a tween daughter, and perhaps pursue a new love. One of her favorite tasks, and mine, is her secret job as Lady Agony. I particularly love how the letters she receives mirror the action of the mystery and her life. I enjoy how a letter proceeds each chapter.

 

The mystery was exhilarating, as were the scrapes Amelia found herself in. Running into a tree? The twists and turns kept me enthralled and even when Amelia knew killer, I was sure it was someone else! And the romance. The teases and forays into something more. I can't wait to see where things lead!

The Lady of Letters is a historical mystery series and the female characters are bound by the societal rules of Victorian England. That being said, I love how almost all of the female characters push those boundaries of propriety. Even Lady Tabitha, the woman with a strict code to follow the demands of propriety has a willingness to bend at times.

In a series that has it all MURDER IN MASQUERADE brings the best of historical drama with witty repartee, fantastic characterization, and a thrilling mystery. 

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 Murder in Masquerade (A Lady of Letters Mystery) by Mary Winters

About Murder in Masquerade

Murder in Masquerade (A Lady of Letters Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - London, 1860
Publisher: ‎ Berkley (February 20, 2024)
Paperback: ‎ 336 pages

Extra, extra, read all about it! Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury finds herself playing the role of sleuth when a night at the theatre turns deadly.

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!

About Mary Winters

] © Julie Prairie Pho

Mary Winters is the author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series. She also writes cozy mysteries under the name Mary Angela. A longtime reader and fan of historical fiction, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she’s been busily planning her next mystery—and another trip! Find out more about Mary and her writing, reading, and teaching at marywintersauthor.com.

Author Links: 

Website http://www.Marywintersauthor.com  

Blog http://www.Marywintersauthor.com/blog  

Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/marywintersauthor  

Instagram http://www.Instagram.com/marywintersauthor  

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157979415-murder-in-masquerade  

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