Murder at the Serpentine Bridge: A Wrexford & Sloane Historical Mystery (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery) by Andrea Penrose


Murder at the Serpentine Bridge: A Wrexford & Sloane Historical Mystery (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery)
Title : Murder at the Serpentine Bridge: A Wrexford & Sloane Historical Mystery (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery)
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1496732545
ISBN-10 : 9781496732545
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 384
Publication : First published September 27, 2022

USA Today bestselling author Andrea Penrose’s atmospheric mystery series sends newlywed sleuths, Lady Charlotte and the Earl of Wrexford, beyond the glittering ballrooms and salons of Regency London to untangle a web of international intrigue...

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 . . .


Murder at the Serpentine Bridge: A Wrexford & Sloane Historical Mystery (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery) Reviews


  • Merry

    I sometimes think I march to the beat of a different drummer. I found the first half of the book slow and had little action. I guessed who the culprit was (my reasoning was off as to the why). The second half of the book was fast paced and enjoyable, but it never regained the tension needed for an enjoyable mystery. A lot of ballroom and social settings took away from the action for me. I was tepid on the last book but am willing to try the next one. I know faint praise. I give it 3.25*

  • Neehaa

    kit and lady cordelia need to get their shit together, they deserve happiness 🥺


    edit:

  • eyes.2c

    Another intriguing mystery from Penrose.

    Prototypes and plans for multi shot long guns, and the threat of nations outjockeying each other in their pursuit for dominance, dog the steps in this latest tale of Wrexford and Charlotte. Threads throughout the investigation all point to a treasonous government insider being part of a plot of stolen prototypes, and a secret bidding war being conducted for interested parties. The ruthless Lord Grentham sits at the center of it all trying to curtail the reach of friends who might be enemies. He demands Wrexham’s assistance, using the tactics of blackmail, with veiled references hinting at exposing Charlotte’s activities as A.J. Quill, one of London’s most famous satirical artists. But is it smoke and mirrors? Charlotte and Wrexford can’t take the chance.
    The man who invented the gun action, Jeremiah Wilson has been found dead, fallen into the Serpentine. Murder or an accident?
    Coincidentally, they are attend a family house party at the Belmont estate. The Belmonts’s are relatives by marriage to Charlotte’s brother.
    The weasels have a new friend Peregrine, or Falcon as they call him. In reality he’s Lord Lampson, a title he’s inherited much to his uncle’s disgust. The uncle, Thurston Belmont, a diplomat, sees a tainted line. Charlotte sees a young talented boy whose becoming fast friends with her peculiar lot.
    Wrexford has been strong armed by Pierson into assisting with the Governement inquiry. What he doesn’t reckon on is how this will effect all members of his vey different family.
    A twisted tale of acceptance, diversity and state secrets gone awry.

    A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
    Many thanks to the author and publisher.

  • Morgan

    I have enjoyed this series from book #1.
    H/ever, each book has become more and more complicated.

    This time events are taking place when all heads of state are present for the Peace Celebrations in London 1814.

    Trouble begins with the murder of the inventor of a multi-shot pistol, the search for the drawings and the search for the killer.

    This is the kind of weapon that every country would kill for and Wrexford has been asked to assist the British in locating the drawings & the murderer.

    The whole matter becomes very complicated involving a secret auction, the details of which made my head spin.

    Charlotte has acquired a relative with a nephew of mixed race and the boy is being treated badly so she invites him to stay with her family which turns out to be a happy event for the Weasels who take him under their wings and name him Falcon. It also happens that the boy’s uncle was the inventor of the much desired weapon.

    In this instalment it was the Weasels – Raven and Hawk and Falcon that made the book enjoyable. Also (finally) it would seem that Kit and Cordelia are going to get together.

  • Teresa

    I have been reading and enjoying this series since the first book. The last one wasn't the best so I was wondering how this one would pan out. I'm delighted to say the author is well back on track. It was an excellent read. The research done is staggering.
    The back drop to the story of the Gala and celebrations in England after the defeat of Napoleon was fantastically depicted. I learned so much about all this from the novel. The writer's descriptive writing has blown me away from the start.
    I was keen to see how the dynamic would change with Wrexford and Sloane now being married. It actually made it better. I love their relationship. This is not a love story. It's a murder mystery with a love story running through it. Their unconventional family is still going strong and there is a new addition to it in this book.
    Sheffield is back and it was great to have him in the circle again. Cordelia not so much but I think she will feature in the next one more.
    There is a large cast of characters and you need to concentrate to follow the story. The last few chapters are thrilling and the wind up exciting.
    So looking forward to the next in the series. I'd just like to add that the covers for these books are simply gorgeous.

    Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an early copy of this book to read.


  • Barbara Rogers

    Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
    Series: Wrexford & Sloane #6
    Publication Date: 9/27/22
    Period: Regency London
    Number of Pages: 304

    Andrea Penrose has certainly come up with a winning series! The characters, both main and supporting, are likable, fully formed, and someone you’d want to call friends if you met them in real life. The writing is excellent and the solution to the mystery leads you through a labyrinth of clues and red herrings until the villain is finally revealed. Excellently done!

    Charlotte Sloane and the Earl of Wrexford have only just recently married and they are looking forward to some quiet time to get accustomed to their combined household and to living together. That, of course, isn’t going to happen because Wrex and the ‘weasels’ (two street urchins Charlotte and Wrex have taken guardianship of) have found a body in the Serpentine. Wrex has absolutely no intention of getting involved in the investigation and reports finding the body to the constabulary. After all, they are all leaving to attend a house party and there is no time for such inquiries.

    Ah! The best of intentions often go awry. After arriving at the house party, they learn the identity of the victim – and his relationship to the people who are hosting the party. Still – it is best to leave it to Bow Street. At least, it is best until they return home to find a summons for Wrex to meet with a high-ranking government official who is asking for his help. It seems the victim was a gifted engineer who was developing a revolutionary new weapon for the government. Now, the engineer is dead and the prototype along with the plans are missing. The government thinks the perpetrator might be someone within the higher ranks of government and they can't trust themselves to investigate.

    As Charlotte, Wrex, and their myriad mix of friends and informants spread out through all of London, the clues begin to pour in. Some they eliminate, some they have to investigate further until the exciting climax at a naval re-enactment held where it all began – on the Serpentine.

    With danger around every corner, and more bodies showing up, Charlotte and Wrex are more and more determined to find the culprit and protect those they love.

    I loved this latest addition to the series and I enjoyed seeing how Charlotte (a reformer through and through) is settling into her new, more constrained role as the Countess of Wrexford. I also loved meeting a new character, Peregrine (Lord Lampson) who is the young nephew of the first victim. It is going to be fun to watch how Peregrine blossoms under the love, care, and acceptance he receives from those in the Wrexford household.

    All in all, it is a great read and a great series. I hope you will read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

    I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

  • Jeannine

    What a delight these characters are. I have loved seeing Charlotte and Wrex’s little family evolve over the course of the series.

    This book takes place during the peace celebrations after Napoleon is exiled. The design for a new weapon is up for auction and our little team has to find out who is behind the auction and find the designs while keeping the nephew of the murdered inventor safe.

    As usually, Raven and Hawk steal the show and initiate the nephew into their flock as Falcon.

    Charlotte is still frustrated by the constraints placed on her now that she’s back in the role of an aristocrat, but she gets to take on her alter persona, Magpie, once at the end.

    One bonus for readers of Andrea Penrose’s other series is that Wrentham plays a part in this story, though he never actually appears in person. There’s a book with Ariana and Sandro that take place during this same celebration…I kind of want to read it again to see if I can spot any other crossover material.

  • Cara Putman

    I continue to really enjoy this series.

  • Lucinda

    I loved this one! This series keeps getting better and better!

    Wrexford and Charlotte, of course, are the best, but so are all their friends and family, the ones we've come to know and love by now. Watching Raven and Hawk grow is a special treat, and I love how they've added Falcon to their family.

    This was an especially embroiled mystery, full of politics and devious people with really nefarious purposes. I enjoyed reading the author's notes on the real history of this time period and where she got the inspiration.
    I would have loved to see more moments between Wrex and Charlotte.

    Looking forward to the the next one in this series!

    I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

  • Kathy

    I was offered this book at 3.99 vs the $14 regular price, so I was happy to jump on board for my sixth Wrexford & Sloane book. The couple's family grows by one, adding another young man to their number due to protection they felt he needed and they could provide when his father was killed over a new design for artillery. Russia and others wanted to obtain this new device, a bidding war was rumbling in the background whilst all the major players lined up as other major cultural events were being planned. In the end it was a very "explosive" climax with non-stop action for Lord Wrexford and his friends.
    I find this Regency era series entertaining and quite different from any other Regency book series. I have read them all in order and would recommend that be done rather than as a stand alone.

  • Lorraine

    Regency Era. London, England. June 1814. Peace Celebrations. Andrea Penrose’s Murder at the Serpentine Bridge (Wrexford & Sloane #6) begins when the Peace Celebrations of Napoleon’s defeat are about to begin in London. Prinny (Prince George) has invited the Allied Coalition which included Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia. The Prince Regent had invited Tsar Alexander of Russia, the King of Prussia, the King of Austria, Allied generals, and key ‘international’ dignitaries for a month long “series of lavish balls, concerts, entertainments, and fireworks.” Of course, the Duke of Wellington would be present. The Earl of Wrexford, Raven, Hawk, and their dog, Harper, enter Hyde Park, and with permission Hawk releases Harper from his leash. “Nooooo!” Wrex runs, and then he sees Harper
    pulling a “dark shape” through the water towards shore. As Wrex thought, Harper brings a body to Wrex. Thus, it starts! The author makes dynamic use of actual events to create her mystery. Her fictional characters and some of their actions fit perfectly into this new historical puzzle and time period.
    “There was, reflected Wrexford, a certain lethal beauty to the implements of death.” This thought crosses Wrex’s mind as he enters a gunsmith’s shop. The author’s prose also pinpoints a topic that is as prevalent today as it was in 1814.
    ”There are all-too-many people who feel that those of African descent are inferior simply by the virtue of their skin color.” A finely crafted mystery among actual historical events. The reader, at least this reader, feels as though she is present and a part of ‘the team’with the historical descriptions so vivid! Loved this. Excellent!! 5 stars.

  • Patricia Rice

    Another brilliant historical mystery in the Wrexford and Sloane series. . . Conducted against the pageantry of the 1814 Peace Celebrations in London, the intrepid earl and his artist countess unwind a treasonous plot involving the plans for a revolving pistol every nation wants to lay hands on. So much for celebrating peace! In the process of investigating the murder of the pistol’s inventor, the pair acquire the inventor’s brilliant nephew, Peregrine, as a companion for their own wards Hawk and Raven. I love the ongoing family sagas the continue despite the murder and mayhem in the world beyond their safe walls. The history is impeccable and one can truly imagine the scheming that probably did take place with so many powerful men in one place. Highly recommended!

  • Barb in Maryland

    Another marvelous entry in this historical mystery series. I wasn't expecting Charlotte and Wrexford to settle into hum-drum domesticity once they married, and I was right.
    The story opens with Wrexford, accompanied by young Raven, Hawk, and wolfhound Harper, on an early morning walk in Hyde Park. Harper drags a body from the water near the Serpentine Bridge, and the game is afoot! The dead man is Jeremiah Willis, a brilliant engineer and inventor, employed at the Royal Arsenal. It seems Willis was working on a new weapon and now the prototype and plans are missing--rumored to be in the hands of parties unknown who want to auction them off to the highest bidder. With representatives of several Allied powers in London for the victory celebrations, the possibility exists for these items to end up in foreign hands.
    Wrexford has his arm twisted by British government 'higher ups' to join their investigation. Soon all of our regulars are in the hunt for the baddies. There are lots of lovely twists and turns, one of which introduces a young companion for Raven and Hawk into the Wrexford household. It does get rather grim at times. However, we have Kit Sheffield's fraught courtship of Cordelia Woodbridge to lighten the mood.
    All ends well, of course--the baddies vanquished, and our friends ready to face whatever else life has in store for them. I have hopes that there will be more adventures. I'll be waiting to read about them.

  • Sophia

    The war is over and the victorious coalition of countries are come to London to celebrate. Then a brilliant inventor is murdered and the race is on to get their hands on his innovative weapon plans. Newlyweds, Wrexford and Charlotte get dragged into the intrigue and danger when England’s top spy pleas upon their sense of justice for the dead man.

    Murder at the Serpentine Bridge is sixth in a closely connected series of historical mysteries set in Regency England.

    Adjusting to marriage and sharing a household, Charlotte is still finding her place back in aristocratic society even while she determines to stay true to herself with her persona as AJ Quill and mothering their two wards who are learning to be gentlemen after growing up in London’s poorest streets. Wrex is fitting in well with her and the boys and his support and respect give her stability during this time.

    Meeting her brother’s family brings their young, lonely and grieving ward, Peregrine into close friendship with the weasels. My heart went out to Peregrine. His guardians can’t get past the color of his skin and treat him with coldness and resentment because he inherited his father’s title and wealth. I loved seeing Raven and Hawk include him in their escapades and he learned acceptance and care from his time with Wrexford and Charlotte.

    The latest murder case has doubled down on the danger. Several governments including the English want those weapon plans and someone is ruthlessly killing to get them. Meanwhile, thieves have the plans up for a secret auction. Wrexford races against the clock to get answers before those plans end up in enemy hands. No one can be trusted it seems and he is chilled to think the English spymaster is aware of Charlotte’s alter ego as a satirist and plans to pressure them with the secret. Everyone must help on this one even though they all busily try to hold back and protect each other.

    The action and suspense was stellar and I ripped through this one so quickly. Just when I think this series can’t get any better, Andrea Penrose takes it up another notch. Fab historical mystery series that are must-reads.



    My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy July 27th.

  • Grisette


    2.5 stars

    Until the very last chapter, I was bent on rounding this up. Just shows how every last sentence needs to be read to give a proper review!

    The good:

    🤺 The writing style was elegant and seemed period appropriate. And AP's research and attention to history details were apparent and should be lauded. It all added to the atmosphere.

    🤺 The action scenes with the boys were well done and added so much to the story! I am glad that Peregrine joined the cast.


    The less good:

    💣 The pace and tone of the book felt so stiff! Though with impeccable prose, it all lacked passion and life. I was on the edge of tediousness for 95% of the book as a result.

    💣 The on purpose delays to reveal certain things the protagonists heard/ read were very aggravating. It was an irritating and inefficient use of suspense towards the reader. Just as I found the many bits about the characters recounting what they learnt to other characters so awkwardly written. Btw their sacred 'inner circle' (privy to Charlotte's oh so secretive secret) seemed so huge that it's more like a 'the more the merrier the crowd' 🤣 And the lack of secrecy and reserve on discussing casually highly secretive matters in front of children, foreigners, outsiders etc was also laughable 🤨😅

    💣 The too frequent intertwining of domestic and social concerns did not mesh well with the detective plot.

    💣 The puzzle: the reveals in the last chapter showed so many plot holes! Esp. the bit about - the investigation was interesting enough to follow (though with huge pacing flaws as mentioned) but the so weak reveals at the end killed off any of my enjoyment I had left.

    This book is actually Book 6 of the series but the first I am reading of AP's works (I no longer have any complex about reading out of order lol). My experience with similar series (re:
    Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell series and
    Jennifer Ashley's Kat Holloway series) have shown me that newer books in the series usually get better and better. So I am surprised that this series' Book 6 is of so mid-quality. This makes me fear how Books 1 to 5 are. However, just because I like to read thriller/detective books as a palate cleanser in between bigger angst books, and more or less decently written thriller/ detective books are not that common, I think I will try to read the earlier books. I will give them a chance.

  • ☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer)

    ll of London is preparing for the grand Peace Celebrations to honor victory over Napoleon. The family is settling in and developing a routine. But alas, that quiet ends when Wrexford and the weasels, Raven and Hawk, discover a body floating in Hyde Park’s lake. The tale that unfolded was suspenseful with twist, plenty of danger as Wrexford & Charlotte expand their circle.

    Jeremiah Willis is the body that was discovered in the lake. He was developing a top-secret weapon. With the prototype missing and a familiar connection, our duo soon is caught up in the investigation.

    Family obligations have the family visiting the countryside. We spent some time with Raven and Hawk as they made friends with the dead man’s nephew. All of which leads to a clever mystery. Perfectly paced with plenty of twists and high stakes danger.

    Although this is indeed a mystery series, the slow-burning romance, family and friends woven throughout have endeared me to the series. Each book sheds more light on our characters while we deal with cunning murderers, plots against the crown, and more. It truly is a brilliant series. Now that I am all caught up, I am counting down the days until Murder at the Merton Library releases in September. A shout out to Sophia Rose for introducing me to the series, via her review on the Reading Frenzy.

    James Cameron Stewart continues to narrate and perfectly capture the characters and tone of the story. It’s addictive to listen to, and he truly enhances the experience.
    This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

  • Paulette

    I really like this series.

  • Heather Moll

    I love this series. Wrexford and Sloan are auto-reads for me; I don’t even have to read the description. I’d recommend reading these in order, or at least read the first in the series. The characters and relationships are quickly established, but you’ll enjoy it more if you can appreciate how we got to where we are.

    Charlotte, who is secretly a well-known satirist, is now the Countess of Wrexford and has settled with her stern scientist husband and found family Raven and Hawk. Celebrations are unfolding to honor victory over Napoleon when Wrexford and the boys discover a body in Hyde Park’s lake. The late Jeremiah Willis was the genius behind 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.

    These are always well-plotted and well-researched, a mix of science and feeling, and rich with historical detail that doesn’t overwhelm the story. This one is heavily plot driven, and the plot is intricate. It was a bit of a slow start for me but, as always, the ending as things come together is clever and fast-paced.

    I was disappointed to see a person of color’s skin described with a coffee comparison. Are we really still doing that in 2022??

    I wish we had just a few more moments between Sloan and Wrexford, especially since this is the first book since they got married. There were some, but their interactions are the soul of these books, and we need more of their strong connection to carry us through the dark mysteries they solve, especially now that the romantic tension is gone.

    I’m already eager for the next installment. And Kit and Cordelia need to get together asap.

    I received an arc from NetGalley

  • Rachel

    Did I worry that, when the two main characters of the Wrexford and Sloane Historical Mystery series got married, the books might take a, shall we say, salacious turn? I did. But, they didn't! Yes, there are a few on-page kisses, and a brief mention of enjoying the pleasures of the marital bed, but that's it. Whew. This series continues to be a delight! My only sorrow regarding it is that my library doesn't have the next couple of books in the series! Boo! But, honestly, I have been considering buying copies of the series for myself. I know I'm going to want to reread them! And I don't want to trust the library not to get rid of them when they decide they aren't popular enough to keep on their shelves, as that has happened several times with mystery series I enjoy :-(

    In Murder at the Serpentine Bridge, a brilliant inventor is murdered, his body dumped in the river. He was working on a secret, dangerous project, and his plans for it are nowhere to be found. The inventor uncle was half black, but highly respected by most in England's scientific circles.

    The inventor's murder is not race-related, but greed-related, as unscrupulous bad guys want to sell off his plans for his dangerous invention to the highest bidder, no matter whether or not the highest bidder is an enemy of England's. But the varying attitudes of Regency England toward black people do come into play. As usual, Penrose includes actual historical events in her book, and there is a note at the back explaining which events are real, and which characters are inspired by or based on real people. Because I love learning about history, I always appreciate that aspect of these books very much.

  • Kay

    Always great to be with Wrexford and Sloane and especially the Weasels...I think I've finally figured out why Penrose's series is starting to drag.

    Read more over at Miss Bates Reads Romance:


    https://missbatesreadsromance.com/202...

    Please note Kensington Books provided an e-ARC for the purpose of this review, via Netgalley.

  • Sarah-Hope

    For historical mystery fans, Wrexford & Sloane, provide all kinds of delight. What I love about this series Andrea Penrose set early in the 19th Century:

    • The cross-gender, cross-class, cross-age relationships among the main characters. Would such alliances have been likely in the real world 19th Century. Almost certainly not, but fiction can give us pleasures history can't.
    • The consistent mix of interesting puzzles and character development.
    • The emphasis on teamwork: nothing is ever solved by a single person.
    • They're just plain fun.
    • The good end happily and the bad end unhappily, which can be a comfort.
    • The inclusion of specific political and social events from the time.
    • A respect for science.

    What I love about this volume in the series:
    • A new character I look forward to seeing more of. Really. This individual is an excellent addition.
    • A climax that is an honest-to-goodness page-turner. I got that if-only-I-could-read-faster-because-I-must know-what-happens-next feeling.
    • A built-to-scale reenactment of the Battle of Trafalgar staged on the Serpentine River.

    If this series isn't yet on your historical mystery radar, trust me—it should be.

    I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

  • The Lit Bitch

    I have really enjoyed this series from the very beginning. It has great characters that while perhaps not unique in their description (wealthy titled man turned detective), when you get right down to their characters they distinguish themselves for readers. Charlotte is the character who has changed the most throughout the series. Wrexford has remained fairly constant in his persona, but Charlotte’s changes have been exciting to watch.

    Naturally when this come came up for review, I couldn’t pass it up. I am fully invested in watching the series continue to grow and am excited to see that more books will be forthcoming! If you are a fan of historical fiction novels, no doubt this series is on your radar and you have seen this stunning cover around the blog-o-verse or social media. The cover is truly stunning and the story inside is pretty good too!

    This is a great series for fans of Anna Lee Huber, Deanna Raybourn, and Tasha Alexander. Smart heroine, broody male love interest, and of course a solid cozy historical mystery. While there was lots to love about this one, I am going to be curious to see how some of the plot lines are going to be addressed going forward. This book adds in an unexpected character that I am wondering how he will figure into the larger narrative down the road.

    Without giving away too many spoilers, fans of the series will know that Raven and Hawk have been Charlotte’s wards for much of the series. Early on they are much younger and needed a mother figure but now that they are getting older they need her less and less. Now that Charlotte and Wrexford are married it’s only a matter of time before we readers Charlotte finds herself ‘in the family way’. I am wondering how that is going to impact Raven and Hawk and their relationship with Charlotte and Wrexford. Will it change? Does it need to? And now that the new character introduced in this series, Falcon, is growing closer to the unconventional family, I will be curious to see what that means for some of those plot lines and if it will impact anything for the main characters.

    For me personally I could have done without the addition of Falcon. The Wrexford family dynamics are already complex enough and I don’t know what his character is going to add to the larger narrative. I think there is plenty to mine from Rave and Hawk’s characters without complicating things. Now that’s not to say that I didn’t like his character—-I did—-I just don’t know how or what purpose his addition served in the series but perhaps we will see in future books. As a secondary character in this book it worked but as it seems like he will play a larger role in the upcoming books, I did have to wonder what that’s going to look like.

    Overall though, this was another fun installment. I liked the exploration and historical background on the use of weaponry within the story and I think history fans will find a lot of historical bits to enjoy. The mystery had some twists and turns and each clue left me wondering who the villain could be and what motives they might have. Penrose always crafts a well researched and thought out mystery with interesting characters! I have loved watching Charlotte and Wrexford evolve throughout the series and see how their relationship has changed. It’s been a slow burn but one I have enjoyed so much. I am certainly looking forward to future books!

  • Christina

    I had been eagerly looking forward to book six in this series and I wasn’t disappointed – it’s absolutely wonderful! The author manages to come up with the most ingenious plots that fit in so well with the time period – the Regency – and I’m in awe of her skill at weaving it all together. The series is going from strength to strength and the cast of characters is expanding and becoming an amazing, tight-knit group of friends and allies that you can’t help but want to spend time with. I loved the addition of Falcon and really felt for him – no spoilers but I can’t wait to see more of him in future books. Set against the backdrop of the (premature) Peace Celebrations in London in 1814, when the European leaders congregated for a month to honour their victory against Napoleon (who had been imprisoned on the island of Elba), the story once again involves murder and intrigue. Wrexford and Charlotte are newly married and hoping for some peace and quiet, but instead they are drawn into a dark web where it’s hard to know who is friend and who is foe. Loved ones are threatened and there is even more at stake as their investigation could have huge international ramifications. It’s lucky they have sharp intellects and each other, plus their stalwart friends, as they race to solve the mystery. I honestly couldn’t put this down and yet again can’t wait for the next book in the series – just fabulous!

  • Ami

    4.25 stars

    This is my favorite Wrexford and Sloane book to date!!

    My loving this book comes from the wonderful expansion of the 'raggle-taggle family' (Wrex's own words) of Wrex and Charlotte. In this book, they manage to add another boy to the family, a ward from Charlotte's sister-in-law's family (which is somehow involved in the main mystery of the book). Peregrine (lovingly dubbed Falcon, by Raven and Hawk) will be a great friend to the Weasels, and I can already imagine them running havoc on their own while helping the adults solving cases.

    Oh, and I think that Kit FINALLY gets out of his own dumb head, and proposes to Cordelia (too bad THAT scene is not written on page).

    IN terms of the mystery, my head was spinning with the talks of wars and invention of arms; but nonetheless, it was ANOTHER exciting mystery and intrigue! Especially since the government, probably already know about A.J. Quill's identity!! That will be exciting to read next because how would Wrex and Charlotte deal with requests after requests to help the government?!

    I love reading Penrose's note at the end of the book.

  • Meagan

    Pretty good book, I entered this in the Goodreads giveaways because it looked interesting and I wanted to get into more historical mysteries. Even though this was the sixth book in the series it was not hard to follow at all and didn't take long to figure out all the characters.

    This was also one of the few mystery books that kept me guessing. I did figure out a few parts of it but not all of it. The last 100 pages or so I wanted to devouring because I needed to know how everything was going to end up. Dunno if I'm going to start the series now, or just continue on (if I do) but still great book. Awesome characters. A bit repetitive but can't tell if that'll be fixed since I did receive a galley copy so can't really take off for that.

  • Tracy

    This was a lot of fun. Hawk and Raven have had an addition to their little flock which I could see coming but enjoyed immensely.

  • Kate

    Another enjoyable book in this series- all the main characters from previous books are back and the mystery they find themselves investigating is well told, with plenty of intrigue.

    I enjoyed the plot- one of the best of the series to date I think- but I was disappointed at the lack of character moments, especially given that this was the first book since Wrexford and Charlotte (the two main characters) were married. There is mention of how Charlotte is still getting used to her new life, but there's really not much else in the way of reference to this change. It's very plot driven, dialogue heavy, and I would have liked to see a bit more in terms of personal interaction with the characters, and character development. But an enjoyable read, and I look forward to the next one!

    I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review- thanks to them and the publisher.