
A timeless villainy, a growing love, and the couple who battles them both . . .
Miss Marianne Beaumont, a spinster, and her younger sister are on their way home from a night at the theater when they come upon a townhouse fire. They stop to help the victims, including Mr. James Harcourt, a confirmed bachelor, and his parents Sir and Lady Harcourt. Although Mr. Harcourt distrusts the beau monde, he accepts Marianne’s ministrations. That should have been the end of their association, but then a folded piece of paper shaped like a chameleon slips out of his mother’s sleeve. It’s an ornament Marianne has come across only one time before—next to her father’s dead body.
Recognizing that ornament—an orikata—might at last help her catch her father’s killer, Marianne joins forces with Mr. Harcourt. He has a penchant for solving mysteries and has been searching for the elusive criminal who uses that identifier.
Together—with a chaperone, of course—their investigations take them from one baffling clue to another. But the closer they get to finding their answers, the more they discover that all isn’t as it seems, and the dangers are more sinister—and personal—than they’d realized.
A gripping Regency cozy mystery packed with romance and secrets.
My Review:
I’m patting myself on the back over this gem of a find! Not even sure how I stumbled onto it — Good Reads or Audible browsing, I’m guessing. The cover intrigued me enough to dig deeper and, voila, new-to-me author turns into must-read author after spending a few hours in the company of Marianne and the enigmatic Mr. Harcourt.
A Regency Mystery with swoon factor — can a reader ask for anything more? Well, yes, if that includes a secret society seeking justice. And an illusive foe who threatens their very existence. Eeeeep!!! And this is just the first book in the Relentless Society Mystery series which has me all discombobulated in anticipation of the next instalment!
While there is closure on some aspects of the mystery by the end of this first book, it’s clear that Marianne and James have more work to do! Their alliance started out rocky, developed into friendship and is at the brink of becoming something much deeper which makes the anticipation for book two all the more excruciating!
A brilliant mix of Regency, mystery and romance.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com (US) Kindle account
US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice
Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon) or audible (.ca)
If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Murderous Charade, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 23, 2023
Yes the cover is intriguing and the story sounds inviting. Thanks for sharing this novel. Thanks once again for introducing me to a new author.
Nora Finding Hope
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The cover carries a hint of mystery, doesn’t it? Good luck, Nora!
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New-to-me author.
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
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Isn’t fun discovering new-to-me authors?! Good luck, Caryl!
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Wow – what a gorgeous cover on “A Murderous Charade”! No wonder you were drawn to find out what was under that cover. I, too, love finding a new to me author. Especially when it’s the at the beginning of a new series. This series definitely sounds like one that I could get lost in. Can’t wait for the opportunity to explore right along side Marianne and James in this book as well as those to come.
Thank you for the fabulous chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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I have to admit to being a bit of a cover snob…but then it is a great way to lure a reader into learning more about the book. Good luck, Kay!
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Ooh!!!
manderley23 at gmail dot com
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It’s a book worthy of exclaiming over. 🙂 Good luck, Kimmy!
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thanks for sharing this one today. and thanks for your review. this is a new to me author and this book sounds so exciting. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
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You’re welcome, Lori. Good luck!
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A Regency cozy mystery, I am most definitely intrigued!! That cover just draws you in from the first glance and the plot sounds like one to get lost in 😉
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
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It’s a fantastic combination. Good luck, Trixi!
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Another new author find for me too. Sounds like an interesting story to read.
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I’ve been finding lots of new-to-me authors lately..now to keep up with them all. Good luck, Becky!
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Never heard of her but the blurb had me! It sounds so intriguing!! Thnx Kav😊 sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom
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You’re welcome, Sarah. Good luck!
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Sounds really good. Thank you for sharing. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
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Good luck, Lucy!
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This sounds good, though I haven’t heard of this author. It’s always fun to get a recommendation for someone new to me.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
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And there are so many authors out there for us to yet discover! Good luck, Pam!
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Great review, Kav! This sounds like a must read!!
mauback55 at gmail dot com
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Thanks, Melanie. Good luck!
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