In
1814, Atlas Catesby is in England, recovering from a foot
injury. He’s a world traveler and is not thrilled to
have his explorations on hold while he heals. He and his friend,
Gabriel Young, the Earl of Charlton, have retired to a pub
for a much-needed drink when a commotion arises outside. It
seems that a rather vile man is selling his wife to the highest
bidder!
Atlas
has a fondness for rescuing damsels in distress, and he purchases
the wife to save her from a dastardly fate. Lilliana Warwick
is distraught despite her rescue, because her husband is keeping
their sons and she knows he won’t be kind to them. When
Lilliana’s husband, Godfrey Warwick, is murdered, both
Lillian and Atlas become suspects. They both had reason to
kill the man. Atlas is determined to clear their names and,
since he is particularly good at solving problems, he sets
about to question anyone and everyone who knew the man.
Author
D. M. Quincy has done a good job of setting the atmosphere
of the English Regency period, and it is clear that she did
a great deal of research The characters are well-drawn and
fully developed, and the mystery is detailed and well-plotted.
I found
the book to be entertaining and intriguing, and I did not
solve the mystery of who the killer was before the author
chose to reveal the truth. That is always a big plus for a
reader who absorbs many mystery books each year.
If you
are a fan of historical mysteries, you won’t want to
miss this debut of a new series, which promises a bright future
with the possibility of several more books.
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