Callie Hutton

I thoroughly enjoyed this first Victorian Book Club mystery set in 1890 Bath, England. Lady Amy stumbles upon the dead body of her her ex-fiance in the library of her own home. While she has modern views and even pens a mystery series, when she is accused of the murder, Lady Amy is still constrained by societal rules when she tries to solve the mystery.

This is a delightful historical mystery with a tremendous cast of terrific supporting characters, most notably, William, the Viscount show more Wethington.

I understand that the author has written a number of romances but this is her first cozy mystery. I'll have to look for some of the other books until her next, and hopefully many more, books come out in the Victorian Mystery series.

I would definitely recommend the first in this enjoyable mystery series.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.) show less

Series: Rose Room Rogues #3
Publication Date: 6/30/29
Period: Victorian London, May 1892

Once upon a time, there were three brothers who owned the best gaming establishment in London – maybe in all of England. Two brothers were legitimate and one was not, though he was raised right along with his two legitimate brothers. We’ve already been delighted with the stories of the two legitimate brothers – Hunt (A Scandalous Portrait) and Driscoll (A Lady’s Trust). Now, we have Dante (don’t show more you love the name) who is a rogue extraordinaire. He loves the ladies and they love him, so why should he ever wish to give that up and marry. He isn’t in line for a title and has no need to create an heir – let his legitimate brothers take care of that, he’ll just enjoy his life.

“Another reason to not get involved with a wife. They never stayed where you put them, never did what you told them, and when things didn’t go their way, they cried. Or threw things at your head.”

I loved this well-written and well-delivered story of two people who both vowed they’d never marry because they loved their lives just as they were. Seeing them fall in love for the first time (and forever) – all the while denying it – was a delight. That magical coming together of two hearts was truly sigh-worthy.

Aside from owning a gaming establishment, the Rose brothers also take on occasional assignments for the Home Office. When Dante is summoned to pay a visit to Sir Phillip DuBois-Gifford, their home office ‘handler’, he knew it was to be an assignment that would last quite some time. But that was ALL he knew. Imagine his total surprise when he arrived at the appointment and was introduced to his partner for the assignment – a frivolous, empty-headed, unmarried spinster, Lady Lydia Smythe, daughter of Viscount Sterling. Groooooan! Well, wasn’t that just what he needed. Just wait until both of them discover that reputations and appearances can definitely be deceiving.

“This woman had a spine of steel and for the first time in his life he was interested in a woman for reasons other than her body.”

Lydia is on the shelf, definitely by choice. She’s had dozens of proposals, but she has never met any who stirred her interest and since her widowed father doesn’t push her to marry, she’s very happy to leave things as they are. Her father leaves her free to make her own choices about social functions, friends, activities, etc., and at her advanced age, she doesn’t even require a chaperone. Yes, life is good for Lydia. Right? Lydia especially enjoys the occasional tasks she performs for the Home Office. Her main skill is language – she can speak and write seven including German which is the language needed for her current assignment. She’s happy enough with the assignment, but she’s not thrilled to be working with a rakish, gambling, womanizer like Dante Rose. Who, in their right mind, would believe that theirs is a real courtship as required by their assignment?

“See. There is always a solution to any problem.” Dante rested his hands on her shoulders. “Yes, but the solution to some problems tends to be worse than the problem itself.”

I absolutely loved watching these two come to realize the other has strengths they would never have imagined. I loved them learning to value – and to love – those strengths. Poor Dante fought it tooth and nail, but when Lydia was in danger and he realized he could lose her – well – that just brought it all home to him.

“She imagined a little boy with Dante’s features and his charming personality. He would have all the female staff wrapped around his little finger. Perhaps they would have a daughter with the same traits. She frowned. They would have to keep an eye on that one.”

I hope you’ll read and enjoy this book as much as I have. Now, I can hardly wait for the fourth, and final, book in the series – A Rose for Laura – which will feature a previously unidentified illegitimate brother. We’ve met the brother, but we didn’t KNOW he was a brother, so that is something to anticipate for September 30th.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

Laird Haydon Sutherland is a man who is large and in charge! He brooks no argument; his decisions are final; he needs no advice; he knows a woman’s role is to provide bairns and keep the castle. Aren’t you already looking forward to him meeting the woman who will take him down a notch or two? If not, you certainly should be because Lady Ainslee Johnstone doesn’t take well to direction. Oil and water you say? Well, perhaps, but a lesser woman would soon become lost in the show more background.

With the hint of war in the air and a castle keep that needs a good mistress, Haydon decides it is time for him to wed. He doesn’t want love and affection. No, he wants a meek, mild, totally biddable wife who will do as she is ordered when she is ordered. He travels to Laird Johnstone’s to meet and arrange a betrothal with one of his twin daughters. Upon meeting them, he quickly determines that while they may look alike, that is where the similarities end. So, his choice is made almost as soon as they are introduced – it is Lady Isobel for him. She is quiet and biddable – just what he is looking for.

Lady Isobel and Lady Ainslee are very close – even for twins. They have never spent any time apart and even still share the same room though they are adults. When their father tells them of Laird Sutherland’s imminent arrival and a betrothal for one of them, they do not take it well. Typically, they each deal with the announcement in different ways. Isobel with quiet, shy, reluctant dread and Ainslee with loud, vocal, argumentative objections. When the Laird quickly chooses Isobel, Ainslee knows she has to do something to save her sister. Isobel could never withstand marriage to and life with such an arrogant oaf. The solution is simple – they are twins – they’ll just change places and Ainslee will marry Haydon. He'll never know the difference - right?

Can they get away with it? Can Ainslee tame the savage beast? Well, you’ll just have to read the story to find out. I really liked Ainslee from the first, but I think it was Haydon who really kept me interested and reading because I couldn’t wait to see him get his comeuppance. I hope you’ll read the story 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. show less

I always love each new installment of this entertaining cozy mystery series. The talented, intelligent, gracious, kind, and often a bit scattered Lady Amy is delightfully entertaining. Then, the equally intelligent, talented, kind, and not at all scattered William is just as entertaining – especially as he tries to manage Amy and keep her in matching shoes. They are so well-suited to each other, their banter delights, and being doting parents to Charles is just perfect.

William had looked show more forward to moving his wife and newborn son to his quiet, tranquil country estate for several reasons. It is the perfect place to raise a child and in a quiet country village, surely his wife won’t be constantly tripping over dead bodies as seemed to be her habit in Bath. Too bad that dream of peaceful tranquility is quickly smashed.

Luckily the estate has a very large home on it because soon William, Amy, and Charles are joined by all manner of house guests who are also entertaining. Amy and William find their mouths constantly dropping open at the radical changes in each of their visiting relatives – they cannot believe the fastidious Aunt Margaret has become prone to crying, emotions, and less than fastidious appearance. Then, there is William’s mother and new step-father – who would believe what his mother is now very happily doing. Amy’s austere, by-the-book, staid, proper father’s change is as drastic as her Aunt Margaret’s. Yes, those jaw-droppingly changed individuals have descended upon William and Amy for the duration, plus they are joined by a myriad of others as the book progresses.

Poor William, so much for peace and solitude in which to enjoy his new family. Then, to add insult to injury, there is a murder – and then another. The magistrate in Reading is an incompetent, doddering octogenarian who offers no help and tells them they’ll have to solve it themselves – but he does send an equally doddering, inept old man to act as coroner. Yes, another house guest to add to the mix.

They know the murders have to be linked, but cannot find a link between the two victims. One was much beloved and the other was reviled. What could they possibly have in common? Amy and William know they are missing something but they have no clue what that could be – until Amy and Charles are in danger. William is desperate to protect them – but will he arrive in time?

This was an entertaining story filled with a mystery that is seamlessly interwoven with the everyday life of a small English village. The characters are all delightful and you will love seeing them and what they get up to. The only thing I was left wondering about was the state of the marriage of Amy’s father and Mrs. Elliot – it wasn’t mentioned at all. Maybe that will resolve itself in the next book – or between books.

I recommend this book and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. show less