Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

by Catherine Lloyd

Set against the timelessly intriguing backdrop of 1830s high-society London, this delightful historical mystery series features Miss Caroline Morton, daughter of a disgraced earl, now gainfully employed as a lady’s companion—along with a sideline in sleuthing . . .

Lady Caroline is happy to be back amid the swirl of London society, guiding her employer’s daughter, Dorothy Frogerton, through her first Season. Dorothy has been declared “an original” by a patron of the exclusive social club, Almack’s, and is sifting through potential suitors. Mrs. Frogerton, meanwhile, finds her own diversions, including spiritualist gatherings at the home of Madam Lavinia, and begs Caroline to come along.

Caroline is skeptical of Madam’s antics and faux French accent—until she slips a note into Caroline’s hand, which contains intimate family knowledge. Even as Caroline tries to discern whether the spiritualist’s powers are real, a much darker mystery presents itself. Madam Lavinia is found lifeless in her chair, a half-empty glass of port at her elbow. In her desk is a note addressed to Caroline, entreating her to find her murderer.

Caroline needs no psychic abilities to determine a motive, for it seems that Madam was blackmailing some of her clients and has left a trail of aggrieved aristocrats behind. But as Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton investigate further, they find other suspects, and a litany of deceptions, some very close to home. Now Caroline will need to keep all her wits about her if she is to stop others from joining Madam Lavinia in the afterlife . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Historical Mystery

304 pages, Hardcover

Published August 22, 2023

About the author

Catherine Lloyd was born just outside London, England, into a large family of dreamers, artists, and history lovers. She completed her education with a master’s degree in history at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and uses the skills she gained there to research and write her historical mysteries. Catherine currently lives in Hawaii with her husband and youngest daughter..

Please note only the Kurland St. Mary mysteries are written by this Catherine Lloyd, not the romances.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in this series and one I was really looking forward to as I really enjoyed the first. I was not disappointed.

It is now 1838 in London and Lady Caroline is helping Dorothy Frogerton navigate the hazardous waters of the London Season. Dorothy has her heart set on marrying a Duke and she appears to be determined enough to do so. Caroline also attends to the day-to-day affairs of Dorothy's mother, Mrs. Frogerton, a wealthy widow.

Mrs. Frogerton becomes interested in a spiritualist, Madam Lavinia, and hopes to make contact with her dead husband. Instead another murder occurs, a friend is the accused, and Caroline and Mrs F. are off and away in their own investigation.

The mystery is involved, the suspects many and varied, and the actual murderer is a clever surprise.
Beautifully written, with an excellent Regency atmosphere, I recommend this to anyone who enjoys the genre.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld is the second volume in the Miss Morton Mysteries series by Catherine Lloyd and it is one fun, fast cozy historical mystery. Set in 1838, Mrs Frogerton has asked Caroline to accompany her to a seance.. Caroline is skeptical but the medium seems to know things abt her family. She decides to return and asks her friend, Dr Harris, to accompany her. This time, the medium says something that seems to anger Harris. When the medium is later found dead, Dr Harris becomes the main suspect. Miss Morton is convinced he is innocent and, with the aid of her employer, she is determined to prove it no matter the danger.

I have enjoyed both books in the series. The characters, both old and new, are, fir the mist part very likeable. There are plenty of twists and turns and red herrings to keep the story moving at a brisk pace and keep the reader guessing. Definitely an entertaining read for fans of historical cozies with interesting and stron female protagonists.

I received an arc of this book from Netgalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara’s rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Miss Morton Mystery #2
Publication Date: 8/22/23
Period: Victorian – 1838 London
Number of Pages: 304

It is 1838 and Miss Caroline Morton along with her employer Mrs. Frogerton and Mrs. Frogerton’s daughter Dorothy have settled into their rented London home to attend Dorothy’s first season. Dealing with the ton will be a cakewalk compared to the harrowing times they lived through in Miss Morton and the English Houseparty Murder, the first book in the series.

Dorothy is busy setting the ton on its ear with her forthright, headstrong, and very engaging manner. Yes, they sit up and take notice even though her wealth comes from – gulp - gasp – trade. Meanwhile, Mrs. Frogerton has taken an interest in spiritualism and has attended a few sessions with Madam Lavinia. She even takes Caroline with her to a session to see what she thinks about it. Very doubtful and very skeptical, Caroline wants to bring Dr. Harris to one of the sessions for his opinion. Why? Well, Madam Lavinia passed along something that no one else could have known – and she did the same with Dr. Harris. Could she genuinely have a gift? We’ll never know because Caroline and Dr. Harris found her body – and Dr. Harris was soon charged with murder.

It was so much fun watching Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton set Scotland Yard on its ear with their staunch belief in Dr. Harris and their flat-out refusal to let him be railroaded. Since Sergeant Dawson wasn’t really interested in finding the real murderer – he only wanted to close the case as quickly as possible – Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton decided they’d solve it to save their friend.

I think you’ll be genuinely surprised by the identity of the villain. You will probably wonder – what if – but you won’t be sure. There are plenty of red herrings to keep you and our erstwhile sleuths off on tangents and plenty of wit to keep you smiling and shaking your head.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can recommend it. The characters are delightful – especially Mrs. Frogerton, because, for me, she steals the show. So far, there isn’t a romance of any sort – and I really need one of those to totally enjoy the series. There is, of course, Dr. Harris from the last book. I never warmed to him in that book and the same was true of this one. Then, there is a new character, Mr. DeBloom, who is a bit intriguing. Not only could he be an excellent romantic interest, but there are some other hints of things to come for Caroline’s future as well. Cool – mystery within a mystery.

So, if you decide to read this book – I hope you love it as much as I did! Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one a little more than the first book. This one had more of Mrs. Froggerton investigating than I think the first one did. I really like her, so maybe that’s why I enjoyed this one more.

[Heather Moll · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1838, Lady Caroline Morton is guiding her employer’s daughter through her first Season while Mrs. Frogerton gets involved in spiritualist gatherings. Caroline is skeptical of Madam Lavinia until she slips a note into Caroline’s hand containing intimate family knowledge. But then Madam Lavinia is found dead with a note addressed to Caroline, entreating her to find her murderer.
 
Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton team up to investigate, although Mrs. Frogerton takes the active role. After book 1, I thought this series would solely be a duo solving mysteries. I’m more hopeful with the return of Dr. Harris that there will be a romance element eventually. The culprit was clear to me as soon as they were introduced, but I was entertained in finding out the why and the how.

I can’t say I like this as much as the Kurland St. Mary’s series yet, but the pacing was better in this book than the first one. I’m eager to for book 3!

3.5 stars I received an arc from NetGalley

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the Miss Morton series, and it was a very good and compelling mystery.

Caroline Morton is still situated in her role as companion to Mrs Frogerton, while her daughter Dorothy is enjoying her first London season.
Mrs Frogerton visits a spiritualist named Madam Lavinia, who claims to have spoken to her late husband. Caroline accompanies her the next time she visits and then goes again with Dr. Harris.
Later, she and Dr. Harris go to Madam Lavinia's house for a private meeting, and they find the spiritualist dead.
Now, Dr. Harris is accused of murder and Caroline and Mrs Frogerton will do everything in their power to find the true culprit.

This mystery was great and kept me guessing until the end. I really love all the characters in this series and can't wait to read more about them.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew. I really enjoyed Lloyd's Kurland St. Mary mysteries and was extremely disappointed in the first Miss Morton mystery. This second book is much better and more like the Kurland St. Mary books.

There's nothing new or original here, but I love having comfort reads and Lloyd's books fall into that category. No graphic violence, just a little murder and characters you get to know better with each book in the series, far removed from issues today.

Looking forward to book three.

[A Tiny Reader | Sharfin Islam · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are so much more complicated than cosy crimes generally are

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, compelling whodunnit, with an engaging host of characters that have the potential to feel like family!
My first encounter with Lloyd's Miss Morton, Lady Caroline, in this fun whodunnit that really absorbed, intrigued and kept me continually doubting my instincts as she cleverly wrapped me up in the unravelling of the murder mystery afoot.
The main characters oozed chemistry, they bounced off each other in a wonderfully engaging yet believable way, both comically and of deep affection. I particularly enjoyed the force to be reckoned with that is Mrs. Frogerton. She rather stole the show for me, with her joy at playing sleuth, her straight talking zeal dipped in polite, disguised setdowns with a heady dose of I'll-not-be-provoked-by-your-judgemental-rudeness-because-I-smell-of-the-shop, way in manner that highlighted her core of steel clad intelligence, selfworth, generosity and devotion to those she loves. Which makes her such a great spring board for our practical, struggling with the resentment and conflicting emotions her father's untimely death two years ago represents and the difficulties it has slapped our heroine with, Caroline... they just sang with intelligence and a smooth heartwarming synchronicity.
Then we add the accused murderer and friend, Dr Harris, there is clearly an undercurrent of irritation meets subtle sexual tension between Caroline and Dr Harris that at the minute is buried deep but interwoven with a wealth of history - some I am not fully aware of, with not having read book 1 - yet even I can see the conflict residing between the pair, as it crackles with a hidden deep affection, Caroline has yet to uncover but Dr Harris is clearly on the path to realising for himself.
In addition, the premise of a touch of paranormal in the mix, in the murderer being a spiritualist, drew me. There was this eeriness to the precision of the intimacies, and remarkably specific details exposed in Madam Lavinia's séances that sparked a believability in her abilities that blurred the skeptism and added another layer to my enjoyment of the tale. While I found joy in hunting out clues, piecing together suspicions, puzzling out plausible scenarios and theories, that lingered even when I had to put the book down.
Despite, suspecting the culprit early on, the full motive did elude me as I was bamboozled by the many red herrings that cleverly made me doubt by suspicions until the big reveal. Taking me off the scent many a time and clouded by head with many a well placed distraction. All combining so entertainingly to produce a well paced mystery I loved becoming absorbed in and has encouraged me not only to look forward to my next encounter with these intriguingly wonderful characters but to hunt out what came before, to find out where it all began and understand the past histories more clearly so I can enjoy their relationship developments to a greater degree.
Ultimately, a great read on its own but I recommend you read in order, as I wish I had in many ways, to get a richer understanding of the dynamics between the many key and well defined players involved.

~I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own~

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable installment in the Miss Morton series.

Like the first book, this is a solidly plotted, compelling historical mystery. Though the focus in this series is less on setting than in many successful books in the subgenre, the books still feel rich and immersive, making up in feel and atmosphere what they lack in charming historical detail.

The characters are fairly standard to the subgenre, but they’re likable enough and function well within the framework of the plot.

The story is slightly better in the first book of the series than in this one, though I appreciated that this one was a bit lighter and more in line with what I expect to get in terms of tone for this type of book.

In all, an enjoyable read and one that compels me to look forward to the next in the series.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange in exchange for an honest review.*

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars Rounded up

I loved this!
This was also a but dark for a cozy mystery but the mystery is much more mysterious than usual for a cozy mystery.
I have to try this authors other books.

[Jerilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hated the first book, but decided to read this one because... I don't know... maybe because I saw potential in the series? Or maybe to watch the train wreck? Definitely the latter.

Because despite very good writing, this series is an absolute trainwreck.

Oh, this one is leagues better than the first, at least the mystery itself isn't boring, but it still fails because Miss Morton is an absolute energy suck of a heroine.

I think the absolute ridiculousness of having a bland, no personality heroine who doesn't have any particular sleuthing ability is astounding to me. I cannot get over it. Does the author know that she can just... write whatever she wants? She doesn't have to write Caroline Morton this way? She can just... have her do or say interesting things? Lloyd has the ability to write characters who do and say interesting things, so she could just... make Miss Morton do something? Anything?

It's confounding. It's so rare the main character, much less the eponymous character in a mystery series, is so starkly bland. I feel like Mrs. Frogerton not only has more personality, but she also does most of the sleuthing and has the better ideas. Perhaps the dynamic would work if the two were together more and had more chemistry, but Miss Morton just kind of exists to narrate to the reader what Mrs. Frogerton does and says and then whenever she takes a nap (which is often), we have to sit inside Miss Morton's dull brain and wait until Frogerton wakes up again so we can get back to solving the mystery.

The only thing I know about Miss Morton, other than her tragic past, which is discussed at length in every chapter at every opportunity, is that she is beautiful. She's so beautiful, you guys. Every man stares at her and winks at her and every single male is instantly besotted. But she doesn't return their affections because she doesn't have a dowry because of that tragic past yadda yadda yadda.

I did enjoy the bit of chemistry between Miss Morton and Dr. Harris in the forst book, and that was one of the reasons I wanted to read this one, but there wasn't much development between them and the chemistry fizzled. I like the idea of Dr. Harris, usually in regency settings the love interest has to be a Duke or something, so a grumpy and frazzled Dr. is a welcome change. However this is the second time in so many books that Harris is a suspect and he isn't around for enough of the action to make the reader care about him, nor does Miss Morton seem to have any feelings for him. In fact, what she does feel is inconsistent. One minute she says she trusts him, the next minute she thinks he's lying. She says he could never kill someone, but then that's not what she thought in the last book. She cares enough about him to not want him to go to prison for a crime he didn't commit, but we don't get any other reveal of her feelings. Not romantic or platonic.

You know, because she's an absolute snoozefest.

The mystery itself is interesting, but wraps up weirdly. It's true, I didn't see the end coming, but in this case I don't think it's a good thing. Instead of breadcrumbs I feel like there were random slices of bread and then the whole dang loaf shoved at me at the end. And some things were never wrapped up.

For example, there is a lockbox. And it seems like the lockbox is important. The problem? Spoiler Alert, but we NEVER FIND OUT WHAT Is IN IT! How is that OK? Why? I just... what?

Really. Trainwreck. All of it.

And it seems there is an ongoing mystery about Miss Morton's dad which has got to be the most boring mystery ever because I absolutely do not care about Miss Morton regaining her fortune and becoming Lady Caroline again.

I will actually read the other series by this author that seems to be beloved and honestly? I might try this series again as a hate read.

[Kiaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in this series ,Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld in a fun whodunnit set in 1830’s London. Lady Caroline Morton’s Earl father squandered his money and took is own life…leaving his tow daughter’s disgraced by association and at the mercy of uncaring relatives. Unwilling to simply fade away when her fiancé breaks off their engagement and the “ton” shuns her, Caroline now goes by Miss Morton and works as a companion to the irrepressible widow, Mrs. Frogerton. Helping her employer to guide her bratty daughter thru her first Season on the marriage market is a full time job but Miss Morton and Mrs. Frogerton also end up investigating the murder of a Spiritualist Madam Lavinia and arrest of their friend Dr. Harris. Miss Morton doesn’t believe in Madam Lavinia’s ability to connect to those in the afterlife, but she can’t completely discount Madam’s power to cancel the words of the dead when she tells Miss Morton something about her father that few, if any would know. Miss Morton’s skepticism is further challenged when she and Dr. Harris find Madam’s dead body and a note left for Caroline b Madam asks her to find out who is her killer. The police inquiry is bungled, accusations and clues are assessed and once again, Miss Morton and Mrs. Frogerton are working on their own investigation while Miss Frogerton waltzes thru the Season. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars
Lady Caroline is happy to be back amid the swirl of London society, guiding her employer’s daughter, Dorothy Frogerton, through her first Season. Dorothy has been declared “an original” by a patron of the exclusive social club, Almack’s, and is sifting through potential suitors. Mrs. Frogerton, meanwhile, finds her own diversions, including spiritualist gatherings at the home of Madam Lavinia, and begs Caroline to come along. Caroline is skeptical of Madam’s antics and faux French accent—until she slips a note into Caroline’s hand, which contains intimate family knowledge. Even as Caroline tries to discern whether the spiritualist’s powers are real, a much darker mystery presents itself. Madam Lavinia is found lifeless in her chair, a half-empty glass of port at her elbow. In her desk is a note addressed to Caroline, entreating her to find her murderer.
The second book in the series & another well written page turner. I loved both Caroline & Mrs Frogerton & how they ere determined to find the murderer & clear Dr Harris. There are twists turns & of course red herrings. I didn’t guess the villain, which is always a bonus. The characters have depth & were well portrayed. I look forward to more books in the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Lavins · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

What a delightful book!! I love Catherine Lloyd style of writing and creating a story. It is funny, interesting, heartwarming and intriguing in the same time. I love how she is able to recreate exactly the regency times. The dialogs, the interactions, even the house descriptions, everything completely submerges the reader in this beautiful world.

Madam Lavinia, a spiritualist, succeeds to upset a fair share of people, but one is taking things to the next level and he/she kills her. The policemen, who are pressured to wrap up the case as soon as possible, are making an arrest that doesn't sit well with Lady Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton. So they decide to investigate the crime and reveal Madam's Lavinia real murderer.

I can hardly wait for the next instalment in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for allowing me to read this great book!!!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Caroline Morton has been impoverished and disgraced. She now calls herself Miss Morton and thinks she is lucky to be the companion to the wealthy Mrs. Frogerton, who may be in trade and vulgar, but who is also kind, generous and intelligent. She even agrees to go to a seance with Mrs. Frogerton, and returns the next day with her friend Dr. Harris, only to find Madame Lavinia murdered. The police set upon Dr. Harris as the murderer, and Mrs. Frogerton is determined to help clear his name, in her spare time from marrying off her self-willed daughter Dorothy, who wants to hold out for a duke. One of Dorothy's suitors seems to be interested in Caroline, who wonders if his sister may be the murderer of Madame. I'd really rather have another of the St. Mary Kurland series, also by Lloyd, but this is the second enjoyable entry in the Miss Morton series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1838 Lady Caroline Morton due to a perilous financial situation is the companion to trade woman Mrs Frogerton and is guiding her daughter Dorothy through her first season in town. When spritualist Lavinua Dubois is killed, Mrs Frogerton and Caroline investigate to prove the innocence of their friend Dr. Harris.
An entertaining cozy historical mystery with its likeable main characters. A good addition to this series set in early Victorian England.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, quick read. It feels like a 'condensed cozy', yet I still found Lady Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton to be very likable characters and well developed. The supporting cast is rather less defined and the stakes of the mystery feel quite low, thus the 'condensed' feeling. That said, it was an enjoyable read with two interesting and relatable intrepid women.

[Big Otter Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Intriguing mystery with Lady Caroline and the intrepid Mrs. Frogerton enmeshed in a twisty tale of a medium and a murder (or two or…) Fast paced, well plotted and an ending you won't see coming! Very good book; I'm enjoying the series and can't wait for more to be released. I did receive a copy of the book (thank you Kensington Publishing) and this is my own opinion.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the series and still enjoying it. As was the same in the first, I never suspected who the murderer was. Mind you, I didn’t really actively try to figure it out, but it was obvious to me either. A lovely little series.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about spiritualism. I listened to the audio book but that’s not listed as an edition.

[Sarah Matchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through book two of the Miss Morton series! The mystery made much more sense this time around, and it was compelling and fast-paced. I’m excited for book 3!

[Carol Dimitriou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, and I never guessed the murderer! Miss Morton is a great character, and I want to read more of her books.

[Janereads10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

To begin the story of Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld, the author sets the tone of mystery by introducing the main characters in a compelling way. The first scene establishes the dynamic between the key players. This is particularly helpful for readers new to the series, as they can quickly grasp who is who and how they fit into the story. It also provides a catalyst that drives the narrative forward. Ms. Lloyd's creative approach sets the stage for an engaging and intriguing read.

Characters

Ms. Lloyd portrays Miss Morton as an upper-class member who has fallen from high societal status. She is depicted as a companion to Mrs. Frogerton, and the two share a friendly and respectful relationship. Miss Morton assumes the responsibility of supporting her younger sister and displays her intelligence by advising Miss Frogerton on navigating her way into London's upper-class society.

Mrs. Frogerton, on the other hand, is a representation of new money in London society. Despite being snubbed by the upper echelons, she remains steadfast and holds her own. She also takes on the role of an adviser and a motherly figure in the story. 

Dr. Harris, portrayed as part of the working class, devotes countless hours to his work at the hospital, often sacrificing sleep. He is passionate about his work but has little regard for the upper class.


The tale's setting was London in 1838, and it remains faithful to the allure of seances, promenades, and balls that come hand in hand with the London season. This provides a fascinating backdrop for the novel.

Plot

Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld begins with the murder of Madam Lavinia, which proves to be a complex case due to the unreliability of witnesses. Some withhold information, while others try to clear their names from suspicion. Miss Morton and Mrs. Frogerton gather all the evidence they can, but there seems to be a missing piece to the puzzle. Readers are left to make their own guesses as to who the culprit may be, but they will find themselves stumped. True to the genre, this novel leaves one final mystery unexplained, adding to its intriguing nature.

The mystery is unraveled by a clever blend of physical and verbal evidence. Miss Morton and Mrs. Frogerton lead the readers on a thrilling journey of gathering evidence. However, the path to solving the mystery is not without obstacles. It is only when the readers pay close attention to the statements of other characters in the story that the clues start coming together.

To keep the suspense alive until the big reveal, a clever diversion is used to prevent readers from arriving at a definitive conclusion regarding the identity of the killer. The story cleverly shifts focus onto various characters, distracting the readers.

Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld portrays the societal norms of that era. The book highlights the fact that people who inherited their fortunes did not accept those who earned their wealth through hard work. However, they were willing to overlook this fact and marry them to gain access to their riches. Additionally, the novel sheds light on the contrast between honest hard work and corrupt practices for making a living.

Favorite quote:
“If we agreed about everything, life would be very dull indeed.” - Mrs. Frogerton


Reading Enjoyment

The novel Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld kept a consistent pace and had me constantly questioning each character's intentions. It definitely lived up to my expectations for a cozy mystery read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kristin Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld is a delightful second installment in the Miss Morton series.

After the harrowing events of Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder, Caroline Morton has gratefully settled back into her life with her employer Mrs. Frogerton in London as they guide Dorothy Frogerton through her first London social season. While Dorothy rubs elbows with some of London's finest, Mrs. Frogerton seeks her own diversions and becomes.a patron of a spiritualist known as Madam Lavinia.

Caroline, a skeptic, nonetheless accompanies Mrs. Frogerton to one of Madam Lavinia's seances. As the evening progresses, Madam's seance does nothing to assuage Caroline's skepticism... until she slips a note into Caroline's hand which contains information of an intimate nature that would have been impossible for someone else to know.

Intrigued and wanting to determine whether or not Madam's talents are genuine, Caroline returns only to find herself immersed into an even deeper mystery: Madam Lavinia has been murdered... and has left a note for Caroline asking her to bring the culprit to justice.

As Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton begin to investigate, the motive for murder becomes quickly clear: blackmail. Which of Madam's targets could have wanted her dead? Can they find the culprit before it is too late?

I very much enjoyed reading this novel. Ms. Lloyd has made a strong addition to her Miss Morton series. The pacing of this novel, in my opinion, was much better than the first. The information that Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton discover as they go about the execution of their investigation seemed very natural. There was never a moment where I felt like a piece of information came out of the blue or seemed forced.

I also enjoyed getting to know Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton better. Honestly the two make a very formidable pair and could certainly give the London law enforcement in the novel a run for their money. The actions of the characters throughout the novel seemed to be a natural progression from their actions in the first novel. Caroline continues to be a woman of independence and integrity. Mrs. Frogerton continues to be a force of nature - perhaps even more so as she is clearly in her element here in London. While still entitled and spoiled, Dorothy has softened a bit towards Caroline. At the very least she respects and listens to her advice - even if she has no intention of heeding it.

As far as the plot is concerned, I found myself guessing until the very end. There were a number of plausible suspects and Ms. Lloyd did a marvelous job of keeping the weight of suspicion from settling until she was good and ready to reveal the true killer.

I cannot wait to read more in this series.

[Tales Untangled · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books. All opinions are my own, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Mystery, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction, Regency Fiction
Gore Level: Surprisingly low. ;)

I read MISS MORTON AND THE SPIRITS OF THE UNDERWORLD in one day. It was honestly so enjoyable, and I kept trying to puzzle out whodunnit so I had to keep reading.

Miss Morton is fabulous! She is unruffled, has depth, and carries on with tea and biscuits in the face of murder. Somehow, I missed the first in this new series and will go back to read *Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder* because I loved #2 so much.

Mrs. Frogerton is so fun because she doesn't care about society snubbing her while wanting her fortune through her daughter, Dorothy. And Dorothy is shallow and entitled—I can't wait to see if she grows and changes in the next book.

Why did I love it?
- Regency era
- Out-of-sorts peeler (policeman)
- Miss Morton
- I didn't guess the identity of the murderer until one page before the reveal! (That's a big deal!)
- The spiritualist
- So many potential suspects!
- Letty, the servant
- Mrs. Frogerton (say her name 3x as quickly as possible)
- Suitors and balls during the season
- Potential romance
- London

Rush out to get this one! I highly recommend it!

Happy sleuthing!

Merged review:

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books. All opinions are my own, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Mystery, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction, Regency Fiction
Gore Level: Surprisingly low. ;)

I read MISS MORTON AND THE SPIRITS OF THE UNDERWORLD in one day. It was honestly so enjoyable, and I kept trying to puzzle out whodunnit so I had to keep reading.

Miss Morton is fabulous! She is unruffled, has depth, and carries on with tea and biscuits in the face of murder. Somehow, I missed the first in this new series and will go back to read *Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder* because I loved #2 so much.

Mrs. Frogerton is so fun because she doesn't care about society snubbing her while wanting her fortune through her daughter, Dorothy. And Dorothy is shallow and entitled—I can't wait to see if she grows and changes in the next book.

Why did I love it?
- Regency era
- Out-of-sorts peeler (policeman)
- Miss Morton
- I didn't guess the identity of the murderer until one page before the reveal! (That's a big deal!)
- The spiritualist
- So many potential suspects!
- Letty, the servant
- Mrs. Frogerton (say her name 3x as quickly as possible)
- Suitors and balls during the season
- Potential romance
- London

Rush out to get this one! I highly recommend it!

Happy sleuthing!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld. All opinions and comments are my own.

Lady Caroline Morton -- but she won’t use her title -- is still penniless, still working as a paid companion to Mrs. Frogerton and still assisting with seeing that the Frogerton daughter Dorothy makes her proper entrance into Regency society. And although the Frogertons were in “trade,” that won’t really matter -- because the Frogerton money will ensure a good marriage.

Mrs. Frogerton has decided to visit a popular medium, Madame Lavinia, for news of her late husband. Carolina thinks there is a very bad idea. So does Dr. Harris (a comrade-in-arms from the first book, (Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder). And so does a Professor Brown, who is there making a study of such things. But the séance reveals “facts known only to a few,” and Mrs. Frogerton wants to go back the next day. That won’t be easy - for Madame Lavinia is soon murdered, gone to the great crystal ball in the sky.

What do the letters found in Madame’s desk mean? Madame knew she would be killed and wants Caroline to find the culprit? And then, there’s this: “When you accomplish this task, you will discover the riches you deserve.” Oh, no pressure, then.

There’s a myriad of suspects in this one, and lots of reasons that Madame had to die, when secrets are involved. Lots of secrets. Blackmail, anyone? Who is hiding the truth? And of course, as often happens, the police investigation is no investigation at all, which means Caroline has to keep up her dogged pursuit of what’s really going on. And she proves quite good at it, by coming up with a plan that draws a bad’un out, whereby the police can arrest the culprit and all will be revealed.

In reading the book, one mustn’t forget the other stories unfolding on the pages. Author Catherine Lloyd reminds us of the disparity between “old money” and the world that Mrs. Frogerton and her daughter represent. But a pretty girl with a huge dowry sets aside a lot of objections.

From the grave, Madame offers up some curious words for Caroline’s future. More fodder for future story lines, always a good thing. Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld is a fast-paced, enjoyable mystery with likeable characters (well, Dorothy -- “Dotty” - may test your patience, but she’s memorable for all that) that has its setting and language down pat. Speaking of characters; Mrs. Frogerton is definitely a strong one, a real help for Caroline, “… secure in her sense of self,” as the book has it. It’s a pleasure to read about her.

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Catherine Lloyd for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld, coming out August 22, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Lady Caroline is happy to be back amid the hustle and bustle of London society, guiding her employer’s daughter, Dorothy Frogerton, through her first Season. Dorothy has been declared “an original” by a patron of the exclusive social club, Almack’s, and is going through potential suitors. Mrs. Frogerton finds her own social happenings, including spiritualist gatherings at the home of Madam Lavinia, and asks Caroline to come along.

Caroline is skeptical of Madam’s antics and faux French accent—until she secretly gives Caroline a note that contains intimate family information. Even as Caroline tries to discern whether the spiritualist’s powers are real, a much darker mystery comes about. Madam Lavinia is found lifeless in her chair, a half-full glass of port near her. In her desk is a note addressed to Caroline, asking her to find her killer.

Caroline needs no psychic abilities to realize the motive, for it seems that Madam was blackmailing some of her clients. But as Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton investigate further, they find new suspects, and a lot of deceptions, some very close to them. Now Caroline will need to keep her wits about her if she is to stop others from joining Madam Lavinia in the life beyond.

I love this series! I received the first book from NetGalley and definitely wanted to check out the second one. Regency mysteries are one of my favorite genres. Caroline is an awesome character and I love reading about her journey. One thing I would’ve liked was for the mystery to be solved a little sooner with more time for a wrap up. It all seemed to go down in the last two chapters so it felt slightly rushed. But I definitely love the topic of spiritualism and connecting with ghosts. I also loved that things might be changing for Caroline’s status. Hopefully there are more books in the series.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys cozy historical mysteries!

[Caitlin Gonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Lloyd’s 2nd novel in her Miss Morton series was wonderful. Lady Caroline Morton continues on as the companion to Mrs Frogerton as her daughter Dorothy is experiencing her first London Season. Mrs. Frogerton is the widow of a wealthy tradesman so the “ton” tend to look down on her, but Caroline knows that they won’t look down on her money. When Mrs. Frogerton meets a spiritualist, Madam Lavinia, who claims to have spoken with her belated husband, Mrs. Frogerton insists that Caroline attended a meeting with her. After that meeting, Caroline and Dr. Harris attend another, where Madam is accosted by one of her guest’s son. Later Dr. Harris and Caroline go to Madam’s house for a private meeting with Madam, only to find her deceased. Despite Caroline’s insistence that Dr. Harris could not be the murderer, he is arrested anyway. Now Mrs. Frogerton and Caroline must discover the true killer in order to save their friend.

I love these characters! Though I will say that I thought, after the first novel, that Caroline and Dr. Harris were becoming more than friends. In this novel, there was no mention or indication of the chemistry they showed in the first novel. It was more of a best friends vibe than a possibility vibe. However, there does appear to be new paths for Caroline. I honestly would like to see how Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton’s son, Samuel, interact together. The potential cliffhanger at the end makes it seem as if there are 2 paths, but I am secretly hoping for a third. I can’t wait for the third book.

The mystery was very good. I didn’t suspect the killer at all. I did suspect one person of being more than they were, but I had another person in mind for the murderer. Obviously, there were plenty of red herrings and motives to keep the secret until the end.

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

[Stephanie Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

[This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review]

3.5 stars

The follow-up to Catherine Lloyd’s first Miss Morton book is better than the first, more tightly woven and better paced. The murder mystery is fun and the stakes high enough to be juicy without losing the sense of fun inherent to this amateur sleuthing.

My favorite character in the previous novel was Mrs. Frogerton, who I found much more engaging than the titular Miss Morton. Thankfully, Miss Morton was more invested this go-around, but Mrs. Frogerton still steals the show and is my preferred of the two tandem sleuths. This book also saw Mrs. Frogerton’s daughter, Dorothy, come into her own: Dorothy goes after what she wants and is unashamed of her desires, and I love seeing these traits in a female side character.

Speaking of side characters: Susan, Miss Morton’s sister, was mostly absent from this book, but I get the impression that Lloyd is building up for her to play a greater part in a later title in the series. Dr. Harris has returned as a once-again suspect and reluctant third sleuth in the party, which was a disappointment. I don’t care for Dr. Harris as a character and I really hope that the series isn’t going to push for a slow-burn romance between him and Caroline Morton, but I am afraid that that’s where it seems to be going.

As a heroine, Caroline still hasn’t quite found her feet, though she’s better than she was in the first book. She continues to be wishy-washy on whether she cares about justice or not, which is partially why the confidently idealistic (and slightly naïve) Mrs. Frogerton charms me more between the two. I hope Miss Morton finds more of a sense of herself and her values in future titles.