DESCRIPTION:
Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series
Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love.But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.
Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spies. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention the nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner, who suspects her of a daring theft.
Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission?
Best-selling author Erica Vetsch is back with a rollicking, exciting new series destined to be a hit with Regency readers who enjoy a touch of mystery in their love stories. Fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, and Anne Perry will love the wit, action, and romance.
MY THOUGHTS:
Author: Erica Vetsch
Series: Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries #1
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 320
Date of Publication: December 7, 2021
My Rating: 5 Stars
Unknowingly trained in the art of spying, had the time come for Lady Juliette Thorndike to step into her predetermined role? Having completed finishing school, Juliette should now be preparing for her debut. Excited to see her parents again after several years, imagine Juliette's disappointment to find them gone and her uncle there in their stead. He is her Uncle Bertie and his reasons for their absence are very unclear to her.
Juliette begins to settle in, but strange things begin happening. There are a series of thefts that begin to occur and the detective handling things, Daniel Swann, has a lot of questions. One of them is why it seems more than coincidental that the thefts occur whenever Juliette or Bertie are present. Of course, they are innocent and what better way for them to prove that by looking for clues on their own. Not only will they maintain their innocence, but they will find answers that appear to be deluding Daniel.
It doesn't take Daniel very long to realize that Juliette just might be an excellent ally, despite the danger that begins to escalate for everyone involved. Meanwhile, Juliette still pines for her parents and pieces of a puzzle slowly begin to come together, possibly connecting their absence with current events.
One exciting thing about this delightful book is the way Juliette started looking for answers and that had to do with the way her father communicated with her in letters while she was away at school. Bertie led her to a set of clues that were similar wo what she read in those letters. I loved how the pair of them solved clue after clue - and avoided Daniel Swann when necessary - to solve the thefts.
Mystery, intrigue and a slow-brewing romance all came together in another wonderful book by Erica Vetsch. I loved the pacing of this book and really enjoyed how everything came together in the end. I smiled from ear to ear as this happened, leaving me more than eager for the next book in a series that I cannot wait to continue.
Many thanks to Kregel Publications and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Vetsch is the author of many novellas and novels, including the popular SFerendipity & Secrets Regency series and the new Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery series
Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.
Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).
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