Publishers Weekly
07/15/2024
Lloyd’s genteel third historical mystery for down-at-the-heels aristocrat Miss Caroline Morton (after Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld), sees her uncovering dangerous family secrets. In 1838 London, Miss Morton receives a letter from Mr. Smith, a lawyer with the firm that represented her father, the late Earl of Morton, informing her that a new will has been uncovered that might alter her prospects. The following day, Mr. Smith is fatally assaulted, and authorities find in his pocket an empty envelope addressed to Miss Morton. Once again, Miss Morton’s energetic and forthright employer, Mrs. Frogerton, spearheads their investigation into the matter. While the two look into Mr. Smith’s murder, as well as a second death at the same law firm, Miss Morton keeps a bevy of suitors on the hook—including the son of her father’s former associate—and inquires about her younger sister Susan’s disappearance from school. Lloyd gives the plot’s multiple mysteries satisfying-enough resolutions, but the real pleasure is in her beautifully realized Regency setting and empowered heroines. Series fans will enjoy themselves. Agent: Deirdre Knight, Knight Agency. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Praise For the Miss Morton Mystery Series By Catherine Lloyd:
"[A] lively historical cozy...Numerous plausible suspects and perceptive observations on the period’s social mores make this an entertaining entry in the series. More Morton mysteries would be welcome.” —Publishers Weekly on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld
“A charming combination of mystery, Regency romance, and social mores.” —Kirkus Reviews on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld
“A thoroughly captivating Victorian whodunit.” —Historical Novel Society on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld
“A fast paced, well-written walk through London’s high society in 1838.” —New York Journal of Books on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld
“Social injustices, prejudices, and all things Regency, including the appropriate flowery narrative, may be hard pills for present-day readers to swallow, but are era appropriate and well researched in this superb series debut. Caroline is an absolute gem of a heroine, whom readers will surely come to love as she bravely maneuvers through polite society to gather evidence and determine whodunit. Regardless of the unresolved ending, fans of historical mysteries and uncompromising women protagonists will find Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder impossible to put down.” —Mystery Scene Magazine
“A charming cross between a Regency romance and a well-constructed detective story with a surprising denouement.” —Kirkus Reviews on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder
“[A] smart and colorful sleuthing trio.” —Publishers Weekly on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder
“Utterly engrossing.” —Historical Novel Society on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder
“Lloyd’s story has myriad twists and turns—enough to keep the reader entranced—all the while thinking they have solved the crime and discovering that they have not. Lloyd’s imagination takes us on a roller coaster ride through the murders, romances, illicit affairs, and secrets of Regency England, enough so it is hard to put the book down.” —New York Journal of Books on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder
Kirkus Reviews
2024-06-15
A penniless aristocrat in Regency England becomes quite the detective.
Lady Caroline Morton is lucky in her employer. Mrs. Frogerton, for whom she works as a companion, may have gotten her money from trade, but she’s both shrewd and kind. Caroline’s father, the Earl of Morton, had left her and her sister, Susan, in a perilous position, and although Mrs. Frogerton generously pays Susan’s school fees, Susan is furious with Caroline for sending her away to school. One morning, Caroline is surprised to receive a letter from her father’s solicitors regarding his will, and even more surprised when an aunt leaves her and Susan each 500 pounds. A few days after a visit to the law firm that hints there’s something odd about her father’s newly discovered will, Mr. Smith, the solicitor, vanishes and his office is ransacked. Well-born Inspector Ross, who’s investigating the case, has feelings for Caroline based on their work on earlier cases. Because the will is now missing and Mr. Smith, found in a hospital, is later murdered, Mrs. Frogerton insists that they investigate, in case money is actually due Caroline. Caroline soon hears stories about valuable South African mines owned by the DeBloom family, whose mother was involved with her father and whose son has a romantic interest in Caroline. Susan, not to be outdone by all the ructions in London, runs away from school, encouraged by her cousin Mabel, who threatens to carry Susan off to America unless Caroline shares her new inheritance. Caroline ends up putting her life in peril for her ungrateful sister.
A complex case with plenty of dead ends, surprises, and romantic interludes.
