Murder in Westminster: A Riveting Regency Historical Mystery
Aug 2022 · The Lady Worthing Mysteries Book 1 · Kensington Books
4.5star
2 reviewsreport
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320
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About this ebook
Perfect for readers looking for a darker twist on Bridgerton, this first in a vibrant, inclusive historical mystery series from an acclaimed author Vanessa Riley portrays the true diversity of the Regency-era, as an aristocrat whose skin color and notorious family history have left her with few friends she can rely on is named as the prime suspect in a murder case…
“A great read to add to your current must-read lists.” —Essence Magazine
“Riley’s storytelling gift is strong and her prose is lovely and evocative…particularly clever.” – Mystery Scene Magazine
“Snappy dialogue, abundant intrigue, and Abbie and Stapleton’s increasingly flirtatious antagonism keep the tension high and the narrative drive strong. Smart, fun, and full of moxie.”—Kirkus Reviews
A BiblioLifestyle Most Anticipated Mystery
Discovering a body on her property presents Lady Abigail Worthing with more than one pressing problem. The victim is Juliet, the wife of her neighbor, Stapleton Henderson. Although Abigail has little connection with the lady in question, she expects to be under suspicion. Abigail’s skin color and her mother’s notorious past have earned her a certain reputation among the ton, and no amount of wealth or status will eclipse it.
Abigail can’t divulge that she was attending a secret pro-abolition meeting at the time of the murder. To her surprise, Henderson offers her an alibi. Though he and Juliet were long estranged, he feels a certain loyalty to his late wife. Perhaps together, he and Abigail can learn the truth. . . . Abigail, whose marriage was not a love match, knows well how appearances can deceive—and how treacherous London’s high society can be. Yet who would have killed Juliet, and why? Taking the reins of her life in a way she never has before, Abby intends to find out—but she may uncover more danger than she ever imagined . . .
“A great read to add to your current must-read lists.” —Essence Magazine
“Riley’s storytelling gift is strong and her prose is lovely and evocative…particularly clever.” – Mystery Scene Magazine
“Snappy dialogue, abundant intrigue, and Abbie and Stapleton’s increasingly flirtatious antagonism keep the tension high and the narrative drive strong. Smart, fun, and full of moxie.”—Kirkus Reviews
A BiblioLifestyle Most Anticipated Mystery
Discovering a body on her property presents Lady Abigail Worthing with more than one pressing problem. The victim is Juliet, the wife of her neighbor, Stapleton Henderson. Although Abigail has little connection with the lady in question, she expects to be under suspicion. Abigail’s skin color and her mother’s notorious past have earned her a certain reputation among the ton, and no amount of wealth or status will eclipse it.
Abigail can’t divulge that she was attending a secret pro-abolition meeting at the time of the murder. To her surprise, Henderson offers her an alibi. Though he and Juliet were long estranged, he feels a certain loyalty to his late wife. Perhaps together, he and Abigail can learn the truth. . . . Abigail, whose marriage was not a love match, knows well how appearances can deceive—and how treacherous London’s high society can be. Yet who would have killed Juliet, and why? Taking the reins of her life in a way she never has before, Abby intends to find out—but she may uncover more danger than she ever imagined . . .
Ratings and reviews
4.5
2 reviews
Janice Tangen
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April 2, 2022
Jamaican, abolitionist, 1806, class-consciousness, London, historical-novel, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, murder, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, prescient-dreams, scandal, servants**** Good start to a new series of historical mysteries. Abigail and her neighbor have a somewhat contentious relationship, mainly because of her terrier (yappy nipper) and their hounds (digging in her flower beds). Abigail has a vested interest in the abolitionist movement, and it is her clandestine involvement that leads to her being in the joined property with the victim's husband and finding the body. This is a very busy story. All of the characters are interesting, but some seem to need more development, which I think we'll see in the next books. I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Mary
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September 1, 2022
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) through a Goodreads giveaway. I am not a murder mystery reader, not even a cozy murder mystery. However, Ms. Riley has a new fan for her murder mystery series. The only reason I put this book down is that I did not want to rush the reading and I had to go to work. This murder mystery was so intriguing. The chemistry between Stapleton and Abigail was so thick, that
About the author
Vanessa Riley is an acclaimed author known for captivating novels like Island Queen and Queen of Exiles, honored as the 2023 Georgia Literary Fiction Author of the Year. Her works spotlight hidden narratives of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods, diverse communities, and power across historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres. With a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, Vanessa brings a research-oriented approach to highlight inclusivity in her storytelling about Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency eras, resulting in over 25 published titles. As a member of various literary organizations, she advocates for diverse voices and storytelling. Visit her online at VanessaRiley.com.
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