In Milady's Chamber

A good start to what could be an interesting series. John Pickett, a Bow Street "Runner" who is a Regency version of Columbo with his seemingly naive questions and bad haberdashery is assigned to investigate the murder of Lord Fieldhurst. A further complication is the lovely widow and a prime suspect. Julia is, fortunately, a bright capable Lady who pairs up with John to solve the crime.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though I guessed the murderer early into the story. The inexperienced Police "runner" John Pickett is called to the home of the Viscount Fieldhurst to find him murdered with his lovely wife Lady Julia Fieldhurst standing over his body with her friend Lord Rupert. Pickett is quite taken with the beautiful Julia and is determined to find her innocent. He makes some mistakes along the way but does figure out who the murderer is while learning how to deal with society, interrogations, and evidence before he catches the murderer.

historical-fiction, cosy-mystery, murder-investigation, London *****

Having started this series on a later book, I have to tell you that while I really enjoyed this one they just keep getting better! John Pickett is rather young for a Bow Street Runner but is a great investigator who looks past the obvious even though he is totally blindsided by the lovely widow. The characters certainly are and the plot is full of twists and red herrings, but there is no need for spoilers. Just enjoy!

Two very diverse characters team to solve her husband’s murder. A good start for this promising series.

It's 1800s and Bow Street Runner, John Pickett is called in when a body is discovered at the home of Viscount Fieldhurst, by Lady Fieldhurst and her soon to be lover Lord Rupert Latham. It seems that there are plenty of suspects for Pickett to clear or not.
A good start to the series, I look forward to see how the characters develop.