The Secret of the Lady's Maid
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- €15.99
Publisher Description
The resourceful and intrepid Rosalind Thorne, a heroine after Jane Austen’s heart, has a scandalous mystery to solve within Regency-era high society, in the latest novel in this nationally bestselling historical series. Ideal for fans of Andrea Penrose, Lauren Willig, and Deanna Raybourn.
Rosalind Thorne’s quick wits and discretion have proved invaluable to London’s haut ton. Success has at last brought her financial stability and a new home, which she shares with her best friend, Alice Littlefield. But now trouble has infiltrated Rosalind’s sanctuary, and the reputations in danger include her own.
Alice has formed a tender attachment to Amelia, the maid in their employ, and her affection is returned. But before meeting Alice, Amelia was involved with Cate Levitton, daughter of a well-respected family. The scandalous liaison caused the Levittons to banish Cate to the house of her widowed cousin. Amelia has no expectation of seeing Cate again—until she stumbles upon her in the marketplace, looking deathly ill.
The women bring Cate to their home with the help of Bow Street officer Adam Harkness, who deduces that Cate’s sickness may in fact be arsenic poisoning. But who had motive, or means? As Rosalind and Adam work side by side, their suspicions grow—as does the bond between them. Rosalind knows that both her blossoming relationship with Adam and her increasing independence would be frowned upon by society. Poison, politics, jealousy and jewel thieves combine in Rosalind’s most complex case yet. But to solve this dangerous puzzle, Rosalind must also decide where her heart and her future lie . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Wilde follows up The Secret of the Lost Pearls with another lively, well-researched mystery centered on intrepid amateur sleuth Rosalind Thorne. In 1820 London, Rosalind and her dear friend Alice Littlefield have recently moved in together, and Alice has developed feelings for the pair's maid, Amelia. At Amelia's previous place of employment, she'd fallen in love with her employer's daughter, Cate Levitton. While fetching supplies for Rosalind and Alice at a local market one morning, Amelia stumbles into Cate, who appears to be on death's door, and brings her back to Rosalind and Alice. With the help of police officer Adam Harkness, Rosalind's love interest, the two friends determine Cate has been poisoned. As the group digs into potential foul play, Adam works to uncover a government spy instigating treason in Westminster, only to find out that the poisoning and the treason may be linked. The setting is immersive, with dim coffee shops, cows in Hyde Park, plenty of fog, and thorough explanations of London policing. A few moments of clunky and anachronistic dialogue aside, Wilde maintains steady momentum all the way to a satisfying conclusion. Fans of Andrea Penrose and Anna Lee Huber will be pleased.
