Andrea Penrose - Murder at Somerset House

Beyond the gilded ballrooms and salons of Regency London lurks a sinister web of intrigue and deception, and when a murder occurs during a scientific meeting at the Royal Society's stately headquarters at Somerset House, Lord Wrexford and Charlotte are the perfect pair to unravel it. But it aoon becomes clear that things are not what they seem . . .
A welcome interlude of calm has descended on Wrexford and Charlotte, though with three lively young boys in their care and an unconventional circle of friends and allies, quiet rarely lasts long. And sure enough, in the dead of night, an old acquaintance appears and asks for help. His brother-in-law has been accused of murdering a fellow member of the prestigious Royal Society at their London headquarters in Somerset House.
Wrexford agrees to investigate, and with a little unexpected help from their young charges, discovers that what seemed a simple crime of passion may be part of a far darker and dangerous plot, where science, money, and politics collide. A mysterious new technical innovation threatens to ignite a crisis throughout Europe, with frightening consequences for London’s financial world.
There is also personal upheaval for Wrexford and Charlotte, when a shocking secret from the past brings a profound change to their family, testing the bonds of loyalty and trust as never before . . .

Comment: This is the 9th installment in the Wrexford & Sloane series by author Andrea Penrose, which I have been buddy reading for some months now, with a friend. All books have been great, not perfect, but this one ends up being the one I liked less.

In this new adventure, everyone has been going on with their lives, when a new threat from the french side shakes up the peace which had been gained. This is why that when someone who defended some french scientific innovation is found murdered, the police is quick to find a culprit. However, this person is not the real murdered and Wrexford is once again asked to help in the investigation. At the same time, a surprise is introduced to the family and everyone is both marveled and apprehensive for what this will mean for their future dynamics. Can Wrexford and Charlotte divide their attention, and that of their friends, to so many subjects requiring their dedication to help the country and their personal happiness?

I will say it right away that this book disappointed me because it was way too predictable and didn't focus on elements I wish could have been used, even allowing for the fact that there is a huge surprise introduced in this story. It's funny, actually, because in the end the author added a note, as she often does, and what I remember is something hinting at the fact she wishes her stories to not be formulaic.... well, sadly to me, they kind of are.

However, to be fair, this doesn't have to be an issue and I actually like the fact I know what to expect from these books. Nevertheless, in this book, I just could not focus on the positive aspects that much and the things I didn't like that much somehow took over my general appreciation. I wonder if I'm becoming tired of the series or of how it is presented... something to consider after reading the next book, which I will read when/if it comes out, at least to make a more conscious decision. I will wait to see what my buddy read friend thinks of this one.

Wrexford is back to his science investigations and experiments, Charlotte is doing her art thing, the boys are studying and everything is fine with the central and secondary characters. This peace is again interrupted with a new case,r elated to some french espionage and inventions, because the setting of this book happens around the time Napoleon becomes a threat again. I do like the historical details, I usually like learning and seeing how much research the author did to develop a believable plot, but I will have to also say this plot was boring to me. 

There is a lot on finances and stocks and things related to this that I felt my brain disconnect. It didn't help that I have been distracted by other things, but some of the subjects discussed just passed me by and I feel I wasn't really enjoying what the story had to offer. Regarding the invention content and the search for the killer and all that, nothing to say for it follows the formula of the other books. In a way, perhaps, this would not mean as much to my uncertain opinion if other elements had been stronger but, sadly, that was what happened.

I'm specifically thinking about the domestic part of the characters' lives. Wrex and Charlotte married some books ago, there are constant references to their blissful lives but I wanted more. I started reading this for the romantic mystery and to me, there isn't much romance anymore.Knowing their love their family and the love within their family is great and that the kids have them as parents-figure who cherish them is great too but I want more romantic elements. This element feels stagnated to me and made the rest seem repetitive and, again, formulaic.

There is a sudden and surprising novelty introduced here, though. One that should change many things in their lives, in the eyes of society around them (no, not a pregnancy if someone is wondering) but this situation was dealt with such ease, such.... normalcy that I wonder why. Just so something new happens and the story feels richer? Feels more complex? I didn't think it was neither of these things. I can see how interesting it might become if the story continues into more installments, but deep down,nothing changed for the main plot and story lines.

All things considered, this book was only average looking to me, I was not particularly charmed/impressed and the surprise introduced failed to make much of a difference. Let's see if the next book is better. Or not.

Grade: 6/10

Andrea Penrose - Murder at King's Crossing

Celebration is in the air at Wrexford and Charlotte’s country estate as they host the nuptials of their friends, Christopher Sheffield and Lady Cordelia Mansfield. But on the afternoon of the wedding, the festivities are interrupted when the local authorities arrive with news that a murdered man has been discovered at the bridge over King’s Crossing, his only identification an invitation to the wedding. Lady Cordelia is horrified when the victim is identified as Jasper Milton, her childhood friend and a brilliant engineer who is rumored to have discovered a revolutionary technological innovation in bridge design. That he had the invitation meant for her cousin Oliver, who never showed up for the wedding, stirs a number of unsettling questions.
Both men were involved in the Revolutions-Per-Minute Society, a scientific group dedicated to making radical improvements in the speed and cost of transportation throughout Britain. Is someone plotting to steal Milton’s designs? And why has her cousin disappeared?
Wrexford and Charlotte were looking forward to spending a peaceful interlude in the country, but when Lady Cordelia resolves to solve the mystery, they offer their help, along with that of the Weasels and their unconventional inner circle of friends. The investigation turns tangled and soon all of them are caught up in a treacherous web of greed, ambition, and dangerous secrets. And when the trail takes a shocking turn, Wrexford and Charlotte must decide what risks they are willing to take with their family to bring the villains to justice . . .

Comment: This is the 8th installment in the Wrexford and Sloane series by author Andrea Penrose, featuring a couple who is often involved in solving mysteries surrounding the death of someone that they might be familiar with.

In this story Charlotte and Wrexford are hosting the wedding of their friends Christopher "Kit" Sheffield and Cordelia Manfield, and all seemed to go well except one cousin of the bride could not arrive on time. Then, news of a body washed up after a storm reaches them and the police shows up asking questions and everyone fears the dead man might be Cordelia's cousin Oliver but an information about the dead man's body is enough to prove that no, the deceased is Jasper Milton, a friend of Cordelia and of her missing cousin. Wrexford and Charlotte decide to investigate when sudden new clues point out to the possibility of a plan by a french group of radicals wanting to get their hands on revolutionary plans Milton had for bridges in his possession so they could sell them and pay for the rescue of Napoleon. At the same time the investigation is ongoing, other people are killed in what seems suspicious circumstances. What might be going on and is Cordelia's cousin the actual culprit?

The installments in this series are sequential and a lot of what happens when it comes to the lives of the protagonists and their friends and family members develops in a way which assumes the reader does have that knowledge already. The mysteries being investigated, however, are presented and solved book by book, which means that, technically, one could read them randomly. I still think it's better to read in order, but that is not a deal breaker for a new reader, for instance.

I liked this story because it's part of yet another series I'm following and that has now reached comfort status for me. The characters are familiar, their relationships more or less established, and the main couple is married and happy. If there is one thing I could complain about is that while the domesticity among all the characters (Wrex and Charlotte, their adopted wards, their friends and so on) is appealing and allows the reader to appreciate things from time to time about how lucky their lives have evolved until the current point, I still feel this element of the story is rather bland at times. 

I'm especially thinking about the romance, to be honest. Wrex and Sloane trust each other, they suit each other and in the first books, when they were still getting to the point where they would be comfortable with one another at a personal level before they became a couple, this was fine. Now that they are married and from what we see, in love, I kind of wanted more demonstrations. I'm not saying the intimacy should be graphic, but more than sweet thoughts and proper behaviors.. yes. More passion in an obvious way, I'd say.

The plot wasn't the most engaging one, but I always feel curious to see how things will go and, more importantly, how they think about the clues until they unravel the mystery. It's also a huge plus to see them all plan things together and which steps each person will take, so it's all a team effort. I suppose the wards (kids, in fact) have bigger roles than what might be necessary, but that is overlooked by their personalities and obvious cleverness.

Mrs Penrose is a good writer and clearly likes to investigate all the themes she uses in her books, even more so to adapt facts correctly to her fictional stories. I didn't know much about how one went on to invent techniques about the math needed to build bridges. This is all fascinating and the author's notes at the end are interesting too. Perhaps, the stories have a bit too much emphasis on correctly use the theme to the point some information is a bit boring, a bit too technical for the type of story we are reading. It's great the characters are smart and focused on investigating and in understanding the whole situation by having technical data but... not always very fictionally alluring.

If I overlook these little things, the story is appealing and I do like spending time with the characters and see what is next for them. But I think a few changes might elevate the books...

Grade: 8/10

Andrea Penrose - Murder at the Merton Library

Responding to an urgent plea from a troubled family friend, the Earl of Wrexford journeys to Oxford only to find the reclusive university librarian has been murdered and a rare manuscript has gone missing. The only clue is that someone overheard an argument in which Wrexford’s name was mentioned.

At the same time, Charlotte—working under her pen name, A. J. Quill—must determine whether a laboratory fire was arson and if it’s connected to the race between competing consortiums to build a new type of ship—one that can cross the ocean powered by steam rather than sails—with the potential to revolutionize military power and world commerce. That the race involves new innovations in finance and entrepreneurship only adds to the high stakes—especially as their good friend Kit Sheffield may be an investor in one of the competitors.
As they delve deeper into the baffling clues, Wrexford and Charlotte begin to realize that things are not what they seem. An evil conspiracy is lurking in the shadows and threatens all they hold dear—unless they can tie the loose threads together before it’s too late . . .

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the Wrexford and Sloane series by author Andrea Penrose, which follows the adventures and investigations of the earl of Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane, now Wrexford's countess.

In this 7th book, life has been pretty stable and happy for Wrex and Charlotte, as well for their close family and friends. They still go on about their respective responsibilities but domestically all seems to go well. Suddenly, though, Wrex receives a note from a friend of his late brother, who now works at Merton library, but before he can travel, the man is murdered. Since he had a solitary life and his last known words were asking for Wrexford to visit him, it seems logical he must have wanted to tell Wrex something important. At the same time, a sibling duo is in town doing presentations of a fantastic project to invest in, and it all seems amazing but something about the family isn't socially flawless, which makes some people have doubts. Is there a connection between these events or Wrex and everyone is just wanting to see things where they might not exist?

This is, by now, one of those series that feels extremely competent and in which familiarity and sequence help a lot in appreciating reading about the same characters doing pretty much repetitive actions. I say this because while each book has a different plot and investigation, the characters are the same and the formula behind how things progress is very predictable. This said, for new readers it might not be very fulfilling, and I advise reading this series in order.

I've been reading and enjoying the series but I must confess that sometimes, certain details just feel too repetitive and predictable and while I don't mind this as it is, I do wish something new would come with it, mostly more domestic scenes or a stronger hint at romance. The main couple meets in the first book and they are now married. We are told and we do have a few scenes where thy express their feelings but... it's all so automated, so very much like a patterned expectation that I feel like the author is just going through the motions with these scenes. I wish we actually could be part of the lives of the characters.

As for the plot, this is where the author really shines. She is known for her research into inventions and novelties in the 1800s, which she can use for the same time period of her stories, and often her notes at the end of the books are as interesting as the novel. She goes through a lot of effort to include and even use the result of that research into each novel, into a way that the plot would be realistic to include something in a close scenario to real life possibilities.

I do like this sense of competence and efficiency in her novels, which in turn make the character feel clever and competent in their skills. Then, of course, when Wrexford and Charlotte and the others seem themselves in the middle of things, all these new details and information make the story feel richer and I read with this notion things are progressing in a realistic way. All this is great, but it does get to such a point that all this amazing network of details seems a bit too much, more fitting to other types of novel, not as much an historical mystery. I guess what I mean to say is that there seems to exist more elements of one thing (technical stuff) than a balanced mix of everything.

The series has been very appealing and some books, namely the first, seemed very well done and there was tension and and the suggestion of what could happen. I think it was encouraging to want to read what came next, but now it seems the books are only a way to keep adding new proof of the author's research abilities... even the title, there wasn't much about the library actually, and I would have loved more scenes set in there instead... 

I guess that as soon as some threads - mostly the ones related to the characters' personal lives - were kind of solved, why bother with that, et s just focus on investigating technical stuff. I can understand this choice by the author, but I think it's not making the stories as spellbinding as they could be.

Grade: 7/10

Andrea Penrose - Murder at the Serpentine Bridge

Charlotte, now the Countess of Wrexford, would like nothing more than a summer of peace and quiet with her new husband and their unconventional family and friends. Still, some social obligations must be honored, especially with the grand Peace Celebrations unfolding throughout London to honor victory over Napoleon.
But when Wrexford and their two young wards, Raven and Hawk, discover a body floating in Hyde Park’s famous lake, that newfound peace looks to be at risk. The late Jeremiah Willis was the engineering genius behind a new design for a top-secret weapon, and the prototype is missing from the Royal Armory’s laboratory. Wrexford is tasked with retrieving it before it falls into the wrong hands. But there are unsettling complications to the case—including a family connection.
Soon, old secrets are tangling with new betrayals, and as Charlotte and Wrexford spin through a web of international intrigue and sumptuous parties, they must race against time to save their loved ones from harm—and keep the weapon from igniting a new war . . .

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the Wrexford and Sloane series, released last month and one I agreed to read with a friend. If not, I probably would only get to it a bit later...

In this new story, Charlotte and Wrexford are now married and their relationship seems to be as stable as they planned, their connection pretty much at the same page. However, it seems the reasons why they met each other remain as necessary as ever, for they can't escape being in the middle of yet another murder investigation. This time, they feel they have to, for there are some hinted threats - even if slightly disguised - regarding Charlotte's pen work, as well as small connection to Charlotte's sister in law. Her sister is now in charge of a young boy, the new lord, but he isn't well received by many due to the color of his skin. Everything takes a turn when an uncle of that boy is murdered, perhaps because of an invention which could make someone very rich... but how can they know for certain all this is linked somehow?

I think this was a very predictable story in the series. It's true the nuances of the crime investigation change from story to story and the characters can be more or less important here and there, but at its base, this isn't a huge difference from the previous books. I suppose this can be seen as good, it's nice to know what one will get, but I also think now that most details are a given, the overall arc might be a little repetitive. 

I thought the change in the main protagonist's relationship would be much more important to the overall effect but I can see that the author is definitely focusing on the mystery side of things and not as much on the personal, which seemed to have had a bigger impact in the first and second book, when we were internally debating how far would the obvious closeness between them go. I can't tell if this means that, since this part of the series is accomplished, they will only remain a happy couple who share POVs and opinions, so the focus will always be on what case they deal with, being the rest superficial but... I kind of wish we could still have more importance given to their domestic life besides the obvious.

The secondary characters are still as lively as one would want and we see glimpses of where things are at with them, namely Cordelia and Sheffield, whom fans have come to like and want to see together. I think a good step has been taken in this book but we are only going to see how much in the next installment, so... some things are clearly happening only off page and while this wouldn't necessarily bother me, I kind of wish, again, that we could have a better ratio between action situations and domestic ones.

The murder investigation is a very obvious good vs bad thing. The murdered man is a beloved uncle to a by who inherited a title. The boy will be raised by family members until he becomes of age since his parents are deceased, and now this uncle as well. The uncle has contributed to a special invention, which will help many if well used, but the main use will likely be for war efforts and everyone knows this might be less than ideal on the wrong hands. I think the whole investigation was good enough, the step by step path and how many loose information becomes important when put together properly.

Nevertheless, I must say that while this was done well enough to make the story intriguing in general, there was still a lot I sort of read without much attention... I was more interested in the little things about the characters, their personal actions and thoughts, rather than paying enough attention to everything plot related. I knew this would all be explained anyway and some clues and how they were pursued meant scenes I wasn't always fascinated by, so I confess I wasn't too keen on who did what and why some things were that necessary to happen. 

I think fans will like this regardless of what feels better done or what could have been improved. I did like spending time with the characters and in this world, but my dedication certainly doesn't feel as urgent now as it was while I was going through the first one...

Grade: 7/10

Andrea Penrose - Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens

One advantage of being caught up in a whirl of dress fittings and decisions about flower arrangements and breakfast menus is that Charlotte Sloane has little time for any pre-wedding qualms. Her love for Wrexford isn’t in question. But will being a wife—and a Countess—make it difficult for her to maintain her independence—not to mention, her secret identity as famed satirical artist A.J. Quill?
Despite those concerns, there are soon even more urgent matters to attend to during Charlotte and Wrexford’s first public outing as an engaged couple. At a symposium at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a visiting botanist suffers a fatal collapse. The traces of white powder near his mouth reveal the dark truth—he was murdered. Drawn into the investigation, Charlotte and the Earl learn of the victim’s involvement in a momentous medical discovery. With fame and immense fortune at stake, there’s no shortage of suspects, including some whose ruthlessness is already known. But neither Charlotte nor her husband-to-be can realize how close the danger is about to get—or to what lengths this villain is prepared to go...

Comment: This is the 5th installment in the Wrexford and Sloane series by Andrea Penrose. It's one of those series where it is best to read in order, as the events from past books keep being mentioned here and there and the overall arc related to the main characters is sequential.

In this story our protagonists are making plans for their wedding but suddenly there is a new murder and they feel they have to investigate, considering the murdered man was a botanist who had plans to share a novelty with the world, regarding a plant which could be used for medicine and he planned on it being available for everyone but someone clearly thought differently and killed him. Although this doesn't concern them directly, they feel the truth should come out instead of someone benefiting from this murder passing as an accident... but while they investigate, will it be safe for their loved ones or are they putting everyone in risk by doing the right thing?

I think this was a very engaging story for me. I liked the investigation being done and all the dynamics that called for, mostly how the characters we've come to like were often working together for the same purposes. They work as team members and are genuinely good people, so it is a pleasure to read about them or to read scenes where they are doing things.

The plot is well done, I think, with some danger thrown into it to make every step more important and every situation more urgent. I can see why this would seem be a little too frustrating for some readers, though, because a lot of pages are used to explain or contextualize certain information and technical aspects which would have been special or novelties at that time (like the ideas people had on disease, on botany, etc) and this took out too much out of what most would want, which is advance on the characters' relationships.

I confess I did like the secondary aspects related to the plot but I also agree that I hoped there would be a bit more romantic content. We are aware Charlotte and Wrexford are happy with getting married, they often do things for one another we can see it's because they care (a look, a touch, being worried, calling one another love sometimes, etc.) but they never talk about their feelings in an obvious way and although this isn't clearly the intention - this is not erotica after all - more romance between them would have been good, but there's no physical demonstrations except for a kiss or a hug or something bland. 

It's not that I mind the author doesn't go there, but if their relationship developed in such a strong manner, it would have been suitable to have more evidence of that. During this whole book we have mention of wedding preparations but apart from bridal jitters I rarely saw much evidence of how actually important this was, how society would see it, even though Charlotte sometimes mentioned something about it, we don't see things happen on the page and the wedding day is mentioned at the end but we don't really see it. I admit: I felt annoyed this was kept from the story, especially since they were so stoic when they met!

As for the plot, there were some twists coming at the later part of the book, some situations were a little rushed I think, if one thinks about how long it takes to set things up, but I feel the lives of these characters are still fascinating and it's their moral code, their need to do the right thing that makes it so appealing to read. The secondary characters, like the kids and those Charlotte and Wrexford think of as family too are wonderful and make for a very tight cast.

All in all, a good story but I do think it's more than time that the lives of the characters should have been more obviously changed by the occurrences surrounding them and we are told a lot but we don't see enough.

Grade: 7/10

Andrea Penrose - Murder at Queen's Landing

When Lady Cordelia, a brilliant mathematician, and her brother, Lord Woodbridge, disappear from London, rumors swirl concerning fraudulent bank loans and a secret consortium engaged in an illicit—and highly profitable—trading scheme that threatens the entire British economy. The incriminating evidence mounts, but for Charlotte and Wrexford, it’s a question of loyalty and friendship. And so they begin a new investigation to clear the siblings’ names, uncover their whereabouts, and unravel the truth behind the whispers.
As they delve into the murky world of banking and international arbitrage, Charlotte and Wrexford also struggle to navigate their increasingly complex feelings for each other. But the clock is ticking—a cunning mastermind has emerged . . . along with some unexpected allies—and Charlotte and Wrexford must race to prevent disasters both economic and personal as they are forced into a dangerous match of wits in an attempt to beat the enemy at his own game.

Comment: This is the 4th installment in the Wrexford and Sloane series, which I've been following lately, featuring a scientist aristocrat and a female cartoonist as they solve some crimes taking place in an historical setting.

In this story, the crime they will investigate is somewhat related to their friend lady Cordelia and her brother lord Woodbridge. Everything seems to be well when a sudden piece of news worries lady Cordelia and soon she and her brother seem to have left London. Since there is an investigation ongoing, our protagonists quickly discover something is amiss in some businesses of the East India Company, and one of them is linked to lord Woodbridge. Since they know lady Cordelia is to be trusted, they decide to investigate and find proof she and her brother cannot be guilty, thus starting a very complicated challenge. At the same time, it seems the changes in her life have made Charlotte think more and more about where she is at in her life and what it could mean to also have feelings for Wrexford...

I can't say if it was the fact I could not give as much constant attention to this book or that its plot is simply less captivating, but this is an installment I wasn't as marveled by as with the others. Even the second one didn't amaze me but I feel this must be the weakest of the series, for now.

The story follows the same pattern of the others: Wrexford and Sloane join forces to investigate a crime and in the process deepen their relationship and that with those around them. This time, the crime is found to have some connection to their friends lady Cordelia and lord Woodbridge. These characters have been recurrent in the series and it does seem lady Cordelia will be or could be a match to their other friend Sheffield (but this could me seeing romance everywhere), and we also know she is a very intelligent woman who likes mathematics.

Based on this and on the characters being naturally good citizens, of course they are investigation the matter and the more they discover, the more complicated everything seems to be. It is even more dire because it's all somehow related to the East India Company, which has resources to keep things quiet or whomever digs into it, could find even more problems and not solutions. In a way, I think the fact the investigation is going wider than just a few people was a good idea but at the same time, as some readers have said, the more personal connection is a little lost and I didn't feel as invested.

As for lady Cordelia and her brother, these are characters we've come to realize are friends of our protagonists but it can be said they have not been as well fleshed and this means we don't really know what's on their minds. I suppose part of it was because the author had planned on further developing them after this installment or she wanted to keep the reader guessing in regards to their motivations and personalities, but I confess this was also something not as engrossing to me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm invested in the series and I've come to really like the protagonists and the secondary characters, so any story with them will be one I want to read, but... it is true this one wasn't as easy to feel motivated to read. Besides the plot issues, I also found the final explanations from the villain as being a bit too unreasonable, considering the amount of effort which went into concealing everything. This element was a little weak, I'd say.

To counterbalance this all, we obviously have the personal lives of the protagonists and their friends to be happy with. We do get to understand their choices and thought processes and it can be very lovely to imagine them as real people going on about their days and how likable they are, especially morally. They can be cynic and such but they all have a heart of gold. Some advance between Charlotte and Wrexford is made in this installment, which is great! However, I must be really picky because I wish there would be something more urgent, more glaring in how they express themselves or how others see them as a couple, because while some things were cute indeed, they could have been even better.

I liked the book, not as much as others, but considering all things, it was certainly still more engaging than other books, so... I suppose I'm just very picky.

Grade: 7/10

Andrea Penrose - Murder at Kensington Palace

Though Charlotte Sloane’s secret identity as the controversial satirical 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. Was her cousin murdered over a romantic rivalry . . . or staggering gambling debts? Or could the motive be far darker and involve the clandestine scientific society that claimed both brothers as members? 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...

Comment: This is the third installment in the Wrexford and Sloane series, which I've been enjoying lately, and this story is certainly one of the best so far, in my opinion.

In this story, there is another crime to be investigated and while both Charlotte and Wrexford don't plan on investigating these cases on purpose, the reality is that they - along with their friends - are a good team and this time the victim murdered is someone close to Charlotte, a cousin. His twin is considered guilty and taken to prison and it's up to Charlotte to clear his name. However, to do so, she must once again be brave and tell her friends who she really is, meaning others will know she is back to London as well...

I liked this book a lot better than the previous one, which seemed a little more disjointed. I liked this one seemed to offer more content, and it felt as if the characters were evolving and becoming a closer and more united group of friends, indeed a family. I think the true value of the series and to let us follow the protagonists and those they have close and see what happens to their lives, even when they are busy investigating and solving crimes.

The case in this story is interesting simply because it is about someone close to Charlotte. It is clear the author intended the series to add complexity as the characters get to know each other better, as their lives become more interwoven and as the more complex emotions and situations, happen, they have murders to solve, which adds reason for them all to be together and reinforce their bonds - both the protagonists and of their friends - and to me this reads as spending time with people I want to see being happy or reaching for it.

Charlotte started of as a very intriguing character and as the books move along, we learn more things from her past and what kind of character it took to leave a life of apparently easy days to something that would enrich her own perspective and dreams. things didn't go as smooth as she would have liked and now she is returning, step by step, to a little of her old life. While her personality isn't changing and she is as headstrong and ethically strong as in the first book, I can already see she is adapting, and I wonder if part of the fascination is to see her change enough or to not change that much...

Wrexford remains a bit more secretive, both in personality and attitude but it's obvious he has feelings for her. I think we had advance in this subject here, there were some moments they shared which give hope to what will likely be their relationship in the future but sometimes I can't help but think I would have preferred them to want to not be so obvious in their regard, because while they are clever people and give indications of that, it's subtle and I fear perhaps when they admit their feelings it would be less intense than what I would like.. let's wait and see.

I really liked the way we see them interact with secondary characters and how important some things seem to be. In this book, we see the evolution of the kids and their easiness with the adults, how they start to trust they will be well treated...I suppose the future will stat in a more obvious way how Charlotte sees Raven and Hawk as sons and this will certainly be another cute situation to anticipate. I also the addition of another character who, perhaps, could join their investigation team...

In relation to the murder, it was due someone's crazy mind, but at the same time I liked how the author so clearly used a lot of the investigation she did on electricity and inventions of the time so that the plot would make sense and why certain steps were important at all. I wouldn't say this is pure crime investigation, as several things happen rather too easily for explanation sake, but overall, I was entertained and learned a thing or two, without the content being too boring.

I liked this book, I had a good time reading and wanting to know what happened next, so now I'm quite eager to read the next and see what new situation will be given to us.

Grade: 8/10

Mini - Comments

One more smaller post with just a few words on two of my most recent reads.

I liked both books, one slightly more than the other, but I'd rather leave just a small note on them instead of a bigger post.

Comment: This book is written by a Portuguese author known for his poetic writing style, both beautiful and mesmerizing. I've read something by him before but now I will be more attentive to other titles at the library and in the following months I might try something else.

In this book, he writes a fictionalized and poetic summary of the kind of thoughts the mother of Lucia had while her daughter and her cousins were at the center of attention when the Fatima manifestations happened in 1917. Considering the time when things happened, there isn't a lot of verified information and somehow part of it is already at myth level, part of our country's history. In this book, we have a simple but profound point of view of what it meant for this mother to see her daughter facing such fame, at a time where it was not easy to see it as only something positive. Subject aside, the words are meant to be reflective, to make one feel what it would be like to deal with unwanted people and situations, especially since religion was heavily instilled in people. I liked the book as work of art, although there could be a lot more action. The author wanted to keep his opinion impartial, of course, but I think using real documents to back some things just wasn't enough, even more so when what he included was very, very little.

Grade: 7/10

Comment: This is the second installment in the Wrexford and Sloane series by Andrea Penrose. I've liked the first book quite a lot and it was no wonder I'd follow the series, although this second book felt a little less balanced for me. 

In this new story, there is a new murder to be investigated and somehow Charlotte and the earl join forces again to help the widow and friends of the murdered man. I think the background of the crime was interesting enough but the process of investigation, I confess, wasn't as exciting to read about as I felt towards the first book. At some point it became a little more obvious who likely was the culprit.

The most captivating element here was, for me, the evolution of the protagonist's relationship. We learn a few more tidbits about them, mostly about Charlotte, and that happens because they give hints about how much deeper their feelings were becoming for one another. This is good because part of the appeal of the series was also how long it would take for the earl and Charlotte to fall in love but I think it felt something happened between books which we weren't privy to. I think i would have preferred to see, to actually follow each step in their mutual falling instead of just having them think about it and admitting. Nothing happened until the very end, so I hope the next book will be a bit more balanced in this regard as well.

Grade: 7/10

Andrea Penrose - Murder on Black Swan Lane

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, 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 . . .

Comment: This title caught my attention while looking for something else. However, the possibility of this story was intriguing enough to make me want to try it and I successfully convinced a friend to read it as well and it turned out we both liked it.

In this historical fiction mystery we meet the earl of Wexford, a former military officer who has a reputation for not being the nicest person and because he isn't concerned about society's frivolity, preferring to dedicate his time to science and chemistry. Since he can't be bothered with silly people, he sees himself exchanging insults with reverend Josiah Holworthy, who accused Wexford of debauchery. Society is having a laugh at them, especially because a famous but anonymous cartoonist is using their "fight" as fodder for newspaper comedy but everything changes in tone when the reverend is found murdered and everyone assumes Wexford might have done it.

This is how Wexford decides to discover who the cartoonist is, even more so when he depicts things that should have been a secret. Wexford is surprised when he finds out the cartoonist is actually mrs Charlotte Sloane, a widow with talent for drawing, but, as their partnership continues so they can liberate Wexford from being the killer, also with secrets of her own. Will they find who killed the reverend before everyone demands Wexford's prison?

My first impression of this story was how well thought it was and how seemingly precise the plot choices by the author. It's the first book by her I try and while the writing style could have some more energy at times, I was a fan of the steadiness and rigor with which things were being imparted. With this I mean the characters don't go into meaningless monologues or superfluous musings; everything seemed to have a place, has proper development and I was quite curious to see where the plot would go.

The main subject of the book is the investigation of the murder, so that the earl of Wexford is cleared of any possible doubts he is the killer. We obviously know he isn't but during the Regency, it wasn't as easy to obtain proof or search for evidence. The author offers a very likely course of action, many things do seem to happen a little too quickly for the time (for instance, obtaining information, dealing with it, putting a plan into action) but I was glad this wasn't populated with too many coincidences, which would remove some seriousness from the plot.

I will be very honest: the murder investigation is the focus, is well done withing the possibilities and I was certainly interested in discovering who did it, but I wasn't that worried about it. Two reasons why this was so for me, I would think: I was more interested in the character's development and I was confident the aim here wasn't to cause stress or turn this into a thriller. I'd say this is more of a clever and not complex plot, so I expected the solution would be found anyway. As I've said, there are some moments where it feels like things are just too simple one can wonder why would they matter so I think a bit more urgency in some scenes might have helped.

The main characters, Wexford and Charlotte, are easy to read in the sense we clearly know they are "good" people. Yes, flawed, but with an inner sense of duty and moral ethics which means even if they say or do things we might say should happen, we know they have a strong moral core. Of course I was rooting for them to discover the truth and to prove Wexford's innocence. Although the tone here isn't one for or of romance, my romance reader self obviously started creating scenarios. Reading the following book's blurbs proves me right and even though we only have very superficial hints about their pasts and some ideas about their personalities, I'm eager to learn more because this certainly means a more romantic aspect will be developed then.

I think this was a good mix of the kind of elements I like in books. The author investigated Regency times, real examples of things at the time (such as how cartoonists would work, for instance) and this gave some resemblance of likeliness to the story. Of course, for some readers some aspects weren't as accurate and for some this is even an example of anachronism or wrong use of British cultural facts. I can't speak on those but from the POV of a fiction reader, this work sounded well enough for me and i will most definitely read the following books.

Grade: 8/10