Overview

Embracing the true diversity of the Regency era, award-winning author Vanessa Riley brings readers a vibrant historical mystery starring an engaging heroine with an independent streak, a notorious past, and a decided talent for sleuthing in Murder in Berkley Square the latest novel in her Lady Worthing Mystery series. Embracing the true diversity of the Regency era, award-winning author Vanessa Riley brings readers a vibrant historical mystery starring an engaging heroine with an independent streak, a notorious past, and a decided talent for sleuthing in Murder in Berkley Square the latest novel in her Lady Worthing Mystery series. A marriage of convenience saved Lady Abigail Worthing's family from disgrace, but she's finding her absent husband's endless conditions increasingly repressive. Unable to stay at their London home during the oncoming winter, she accepts a ride to the country from her neighbor, Stapleton Henderson. However, she's less than delighted that she's his excuse to avoid a dinner held by Lord Charles Duncan, one of London's most powerful-and relentless-magistrates. More irritating, women are decidedly unwelcome at the evening's prestigious discussion of criminality-even though Abigail and Stapleton have solved several cases together . . . Then an unexpected blizzard strands them at Lord Duncan's with his now-houseguests. Suddenly, an evening of fine dining, fine brandy, and insightful debate becomes an inescapable-and deadly-ordeal. The ultimate test for Abigial's skill. One of the dinner guests is found dead in front of the Berkley Square mansion. And when another party is murdered, Abigail discovers each had received a taunting, prophetic nursery rhyme . . . coincidence, or clues left by a killer on the loose? Through deft interrogation, she learns everyone present is connected to Lord Duncan's greatest failure in the courts- the conviction of a Martinique plantation informant for a murder he didn't commit. But as Abigail races to find who was really responsible for the miscarriage of justice, she'll be forced to put her own and Stapleton's lives at risk in a gambit that will alter their fates forever-or end them permanently.

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9781496738684

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Reviews

"Praise for Murder in Drury Lane:   ""In a time when Black and mixed-race people were marginalized and overlooked, the author brings these voices to the forefront through vibrant and well-developed characters. Readers will enjoy the Bridgerton-esque setting and dialogue and will keep working to uncover the clues. Combining elements of an Agatha Christie-style whodunit with the vivid portrayal of a more encompassing view of Regency-era England, the second Lady Worthing mystery does not disappoint."" —Library Journal ""Riley's Regency Era thriller diverges from most period mysteries in two respects: The heroine's first-person narrative is brisk and economical, and the whodunit plot is woven into Abigail's story of survival in a judgmental society. As if her abandonment by her husband were not challenge enough, Abigail faces bigotry and sexism as a Black woman as well. It's her empathy for Danielson's widow that compels her to solve the crime, though the revelation of the killer might endanger the pending abolition bill in parliament. An Author's Note provides much interesting background information on people, places, and history. Not your grandma's period mystery."" —Kirkus Reviews ""With impeccable attention to period details, a vividly evoked setting, a cast of richly nuanced characters, and a captivating plot that fully embraces the challenges and oft-overlooked diversity of the Regency era, Riley's second stunning addition to her Lady Worthing series, following Murder in Westminster (2022), is a delight."" —Booklist   “It’s a promising theme, and Riley sets her sights on a pivotal, fascinating period in British history.” —Publishers Weekly   “Riley skillfully puts race into historical context. She takes the reader through all the twists and turns, although where Lady Worthing’s heart lies remains a mystery. —Tampa Bay Times   Praise for Murder in Westminster:   “Riley’s inclusive, keenly drawn cast shines a light on the role of people of color in the Regency era…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   “Riley’s storytelling gift is strong and her prose is lovely and evocative.  She made me see 1806 London in an entirely new way I’m a fan of Jane Austen as well as Dianne Freeman and many others – but she gave me the gift of an expanded perspective, along with a really well told mystery.  The denouement is particularly clever and includes both grim irony and a dandy twist.  I’m hoping this will be a long-lived series and I can visit with Lady Abigail again soon.” —Mystery Scene Magazine   “Murder in Westminster (historical mystery) is sure to be a great read to add to your current must-read lists.” —Essence Magazine   “Riley’s prose is unique, nestling a lush, lavish image next to a swift, chopping realization…The book is an absorbing experience, a complicated mystery rooted in the compelling historical struggle for abolition that navigates the nuances of race and class with a heroine the reader can’t help but love. Highly recommended.” —Historical Novel Society   “Fans of Regency-era historical mysteries featuring intelligent heroines (such as Andrea Penrose’s Lady Arianna or Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily) will find this series a welcome addition to the genre.” —Library Journal   “Riley offers a vibrant picture of the roles Black and mixed-race people played in Regency life. Fans of Bridgerton will enjoy this one.” —Publishers Weekly   “Murder in Westminster is a fresh, unique take on the Regency, deftly weaving historical fact with dastardly intrigue. Lady Worthing is an intrepid and unforgettable heroine and I can’t wait for the next adventure! Clever and engaging.” —New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn, author of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries   ""You don't want to miss this invigorating take on the Regency lady sleuth. Vanessa Riley breathes new life into the genre and offers a unique perspective in Murder in Westminster."" —Sherry Thomas, USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Sherlock series"

"Praise for the Lady Worthing Mysteries “The Lady Worthing Books combine the posh settings, witty banter and steamy flirtations of romances like Bridgerton with the too-close-for-comfort mysteries of series like Murder She Wrote… Riley skillfully puts race in historical context…[and] takes the reader through all the twists and turns, although where Lady Worthing’s heart remains is a mystery.” – The Tampa Bay Times on Murder in Drury Lane “A wildly suspenseful ride.” – AARP (Sisters Newsletter) on Murder in Drury Lane “With impeccable attention to period details, a vividly evoked setting, a cast of richly nuanced characters, and a captivating plot that fully embraces the challenges and oft-overlooked diversity of the Regency era, Riley’s second stunning addition to her Lady Worthing series.” —Booklist on Murder in Drury Lane “In a time when Black and mixed-race people were marginalized and overlooked, the author brings these voices to the forefront through vibrant and well-developed characters. Readers will enjoy the Bridgerton-esque setting and dialogue and will keep working to uncover the clues. Combining elements of an Agatha Christie–style whodunit with the vivid portrayal of a more encompassing view of Regency-era England, the second Lady Worthing mystery does not disappoint.” —Library Journal on Murder in Drury Lane   “Riley’s Regency Era thriller diverges from most period mysteries in two respects: The heroine’s first-person narrative is brisk and economical, and the whodunit plot is woven into Abigail’s story of survival in a judgmental society.” – Kirkus Reviews on Murder in Drury Lane   “Riley sets her sights on a pivotal, fascinating period in British history.” – Publishers Weekly on Murder in Drury Lane   “Riley’s inclusive, keenly drawn cast shines a light on the role of people of color in the Regency era…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 on Murder in Westminster “Riley’s storytelling gift is strong and her prose is lovely and evocative.  She made me see 1806 London in an entirely new way I’m a fan of Jane Austen as well as Dianne Freeman and many others – but she gave me the gift of an expanded perspective, along with a really well told mystery.  The denouement is particularly clever and includes both grim irony and a dandy twist.  I’m hoping this will be a long-lived series and I can visit with Lady Abigail again soon.” —Mystery Scene Magazine on Murder in Westminster   “Murder in Westminster (historical mystery) is sure to be a great read to add to your current must-read lists.” —Essence Magazine on Murder in Westminster   “Riley’s prose is unique, nestling a lush, lavish image next to a swift, chopping realization….The book is an absorbing experience, a complicated mystery rooted in the compelling historical struggle for abolition that navigates the nuances of race and class with a heroine the reader can’t help but love. Highly recommended.” —Historical Novel Society on Murder in Westminster “Fans of Regency-era historical mysteries featuring intelligent heroines (such as Andrea Penrose’s Lady Arianna or Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily) will find this series a welcome addition to the genre.” —Library Journal on Murder in Westminster   “Riley offers a vibrant picture of the roles Black and mixed-race people played in Regency life. Fans of Bridgerton will enjoy this one.” —Publishers Weekly on Murder in Westminster    “Murder in Westminster is a fresh, unique take on the Regency, deftly weaving historical fact with dastardly intrigue. Lady Worthing is an intrepid and unforgettable heroine and I can’t wait for the next adventure! Clever and engaging.” —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries on Murder in Westminster   ""You don't want to miss this invigorating take on the Regency lady sleuth. Vanessa Riley breathes new life into the genre and offers a unique perspective in Murder in Westminster."" —Sherry Thomas, USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Sherlock series"

Author Information

Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of historical romance, mystery, and fiction novels featuring realistic multicultural communities and powerful persons of color. To fuel her interest in the Regency and early-Victorian eras, she made time for attending renaissance fairs and consuming period novels and films while obtaining her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and a master's in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University, as well as a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. A frequent speaker at literary, women's, and STEM events, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her military husband and teenage kid. Visit her online at VanessaRiley.com.

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