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Cleopatra Fox #5
Murder at the Debutante Ball
In this 5th installment of the bestselling mystery series, Cleopatra Fox gets entangled in a web of betrayal and blackmail that leaves the high society matchmakers scandalized.
When a notorious cad is bludgeoned to death with a candlestick in the library at the most important ball of the London social season, Cleo finds herself in the prime position to solve the crime. After all, she stumbled across the body soon after the victim’s demise and is a witness to the evening’s events.
But when a footman is arrested with a stolen painting in his possession, she finds her services are not required. Yet several things don’t add up, and the lead detective is convinced the man he was forced to arrest isn’t guilty.
With the aid of Harry Armitage and her friends from the Mayfair Hotel, Cleo sets out to uncover the truth. They’re soon neck-deep in the scandalous secrets the victim unearthed about members of society. Secrets that could ruin marriages, reputations and futures if exposed.
But which secret is worth killing for? And which suspect is hiding the most explosive secret of all?
When a notorious cad is bludgeoned to death with a candlestick in the library at the most important ball of the London social season, Cleo finds herself in the prime position to solve the crime. After all, she stumbled across the body soon after the victim’s demise and is a witness to the evening’s events.
But when a footman is arrested with a stolen painting in his possession, she finds her services are not required. Yet several things don’t add up, and the lead detective is convinced the man he was forced to arrest isn’t guilty.
With the aid of Harry Armitage and her friends from the Mayfair Hotel, Cleo sets out to uncover the truth. They’re soon neck-deep in the scandalous secrets the victim unearthed about members of society. Secrets that could ruin marriages, reputations and futures if exposed.
But which secret is worth killing for? And which suspect is hiding the most explosive secret of all?
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published December 4, 2022
411 people are currently reading
1210 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Archer
100 books5,683 followersC.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.
She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
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She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
You can follow her on social media to get the latest updates on her books:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CJArcherAuthorPage
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
July 15, 2023
The fifth book in this well written series.
Cleo and Harry are still working together to solve crimes, this time a murder which takes place at a ball which Cleo is attending. There follows an interesting mystery, some clever detective work and occasional hints of the attraction between Cleo and Harry.
All the usual characters take part, and Floyd and Jonathan have prominent roles. I found the ending to be a little deflating - it is a cliff hanger of sorts but not the kind I wanted. I hope things go in a better direction in the next book.
Still a pleasant, entertaining read and I will be picking up book 6 very soon.
Cleo and Harry are still working together to solve crimes, this time a murder which takes place at a ball which Cleo is attending. There follows an interesting mystery, some clever detective work and occasional hints of the attraction between Cleo and Harry.
All the usual characters take part, and Floyd and Jonathan have prominent roles. I found the ending to be a little deflating - it is a cliff hanger of sorts but not the kind I wanted. I hope things go in a better direction in the next book.
Still a pleasant, entertaining read and I will be picking up book 6 very soon.
January 12, 2023
I still love this wholesome little series, but girl. It’s book 5. Can we get a little more spice?! I mean come on…
December 10, 2022
This one dragged somehow.... The mystery was not as interesting as the ones in the previpus books and the ongoing relationship problems are starting to get childish...
January 25, 2023
Loved the story and the mystery. However the maybe they will maybe they wont romance is getting old as heck. Come on already either they have character development or not.
November 8, 2025
Not notes. love this series.
December 16, 2022
My first Cloak and Dagger Christmas 2022 read! I had a blast reading this book. I have read several books recently involving artists, so it was fun to have the mystery hinge on art forgery. This book also had a really nice balance between Harry and Cleo solving the mystery with their hotel buddies, romantic developments (of a sort), and Cleo’s relationship with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. We see Cleo at more Society events this time. Miss Hessing from the previous book appears again. I really like Miss Hessing even though she’s a minor character. I hope we get to see her again in the next book.
Each book seems to focus more on one of Cleo’s relatives. We get a lot of Floyd and his friend Jonathon in this book. Even though they’re both pampered, lazy, rich boys, somehow I still like them. Floyd had an interesting dilemma in this book involving a gambling debt. I think this may have been my favorite plot point because Floyd becomes a more well-rounded character. He and Cleo have a nice relationship, very brother and sister like. Lots of teasing, candor, etc.
The romance ended on a high note in Book 4. It definitely regresses in this book. Somehow that didn’t bother me though. Both Harry and Cleo get an admirer, so there are two love triangles: Harry, Cleo, and Jonathon and Cleo, Harry, and Miss Morris. I am definitely rooting for Harry, but somehow I find Jonathon an attractive character as well. I enjoyed seeing how Cleo managed his more forthright attraction. Miss Morris definitely came out of left field, as did Cleo’s encouragement of her.
I was confused by Cleo’s attitude towards Harry as the book progressed. She starts off trying to ignore what happened at the end of Book 4. That makes sense to me given the obstacles facing her and Harry. But then she decides she wants to be a spinster and consistently tells everyone that she and Harry are just associates. They’re not even friends… 🤨 I really enjoy these audiobooks, so I think I’ll go back and listen to the book again to see if I missed something. Perhaps her declaration of spinsterhood is just a way to justify her investigating and get it into Jonathon’s head that she is really Not Interested. Even though I found Cleo’s romantic progression odd, I have no doubt how it will end, so it doesn’t really bother me. There are still some lovely moments of connection between her and Harry, and I’m willing to wait.
Each book seems to focus more on one of Cleo’s relatives. We get a lot of Floyd and his friend Jonathon in this book. Even though they’re both pampered, lazy, rich boys, somehow I still like them. Floyd had an interesting dilemma in this book involving a gambling debt. I think this may have been my favorite plot point because Floyd becomes a more well-rounded character. He and Cleo have a nice relationship, very brother and sister like. Lots of teasing, candor, etc.
The romance ended on a high note in Book 4. It definitely regresses in this book. Somehow that didn’t bother me though. Both Harry and Cleo get an admirer, so there are two love triangles: Harry, Cleo, and Jonathon and Cleo, Harry, and Miss Morris. I am definitely rooting for Harry, but somehow I find Jonathon an attractive character as well. I enjoyed seeing how Cleo managed his more forthright attraction. Miss Morris definitely came out of left field, as did Cleo’s encouragement of her.
I was confused by Cleo’s attitude towards Harry as the book progressed. She starts off trying to ignore what happened at the end of Book 4. That makes sense to me given the obstacles facing her and Harry. But then she decides she wants to be a spinster and consistently tells everyone that she and Harry are just associates. They’re not even friends… 🤨 I really enjoy these audiobooks, so I think I’ll go back and listen to the book again to see if I missed something. Perhaps her declaration of spinsterhood is just a way to justify her investigating and get it into Jonathon’s head that she is really Not Interested. Even though I found Cleo’s romantic progression odd, I have no doubt how it will end, so it doesn’t really bother me. There are still some lovely moments of connection between her and Harry, and I’m willing to wait.
December 26, 2022
Rating: 4.5 / 5
I'm not in the mood to give a full and detailed review right now, so I'll just leave it at this:
The mystery was superb was always,
...but .5 stars off for the frustratingly slow pace of Cleo and Armitage's romance. I was honestly expecting MUCH more from the author on that front for this book, and I just kept waiting and waiting for it and yet nothing happened.
Listen, I know that in cozy mysteries, the romance takes a snail's pace to develop and whatnot, but even so, this is STILL too much, and for what?
No good reason that I can think of, honestly.
My advice to the author is this: If you want to keep readers interested, you need more than just a good whodunnit to keep a series going, even if its main genre is mystery. You also need great characters, and great characters means great development AND relationship development.
I'm just saying: Cleo and Armitage need to realistically move forward, otherwise, great mystery or not, you'll find readers hard-pressed to care about what happens next.
Here's hoping the next book turns out much better on that front.
I'm not in the mood to give a full and detailed review right now, so I'll just leave it at this:
The mystery was superb was always,
...but .5 stars off for the frustratingly slow pace of Cleo and Armitage's romance. I was honestly expecting MUCH more from the author on that front for this book, and I just kept waiting and waiting for it and yet nothing happened.
Listen, I know that in cozy mysteries, the romance takes a snail's pace to develop and whatnot, but even so, this is STILL too much, and for what?
No good reason that I can think of, honestly.
My advice to the author is this: If you want to keep readers interested, you need more than just a good whodunnit to keep a series going, even if its main genre is mystery. You also need great characters, and great characters means great development AND relationship development.
I'm just saying: Cleo and Armitage need to realistically move forward, otherwise, great mystery or not, you'll find readers hard-pressed to care about what happens next.
Here's hoping the next book turns out much better on that front.
July 28, 2024
Entertaining enough, simple, and adorable. Lacked some of the panache of others in this series. Will take a break and return to something with a bit of gravitas next.
January 6, 2023
This series has quickly moved to my “must read right away” list but this one fell a little short for me. Though the mystery was interesting, I found my mind wandering a few times because it seemed to drag on. Add in the slowly progressing, if at all, relationship between Cleo and Harry, and the unnecessary gambling issue and I could only give this three stars. I will still continue with the series but the developing love triangle needs to be resolved soon.
January 10, 2023
Oh gosh. I usually adore these! But almost nothing happened in this one. Cleo kept having almost identical conversations over and over with everyone? How many times can she reject her cousin’s friend, how many times can she note her aunt’s use of tonic, how many times can she describe what Harmony takes from her breakfast tray? I’m not sure if the series itself has gotten repetitive or if this specific book just didn’t have enough meat.
dnf
May 4, 2023DNFd at 24%
Every book since the second one is feeling the same and always with sexual activity being basically every investigation development and always seems to include M/M lovers….
It would’ve been so nice to have some variety in this series as I really enjoyed the first 2 books
Every book since the second one is feeling the same and always with sexual activity being basically every investigation development and always seems to include M/M lovers….
It would’ve been so nice to have some variety in this series as I really enjoyed the first 2 books
December 12, 2022
Wow! So it ended like that …. Hmm… ok! but can we get some romance going it’s being 5 books already. In glass and steel was a lot faster ! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
February 28, 2023
I've come too far in this series to give up now, but I am truly irritated in how she is taking forever on Cleo and Harry. I want to reach through the pages and smack Cleo up side the head for ignoring the kiss, being so adamant that she will never marry (for reasons we are never even told about), for telling another women that Harry is available, and then having the audacity to be jealous when she comes across them going out for tea. Which leads me to want to shake Harry for being so dense and "self-sacrificing" that he isn't good enough or proper for Cleo. This is also the first time the author has left us with a minor cliffhanger. I know it's about a side character, but it's annoying nonetheless. Hopefully, Cleo has set up Miss Hessing and Floyd for tea.
December 11, 2022
3.5... Cleo is starting to get on my nerves.
This mystery was also a bit disjointed. I hope the next is a bit better.
This mystery was also a bit disjointed. I hope the next is a bit better.
January 16, 2023
Cleopatra Fox is a delightful late-Victorian heroine, with detective skills that make her immensely fun. I also enjoy the way she interacts with everyone around her, from titled nobility to servants and street urchins. The slow-burn romantic plot going on in the background of this series keeps me coming back for more, too. If you want a good mystery set in 1900 London, this is the place to find it. C.J. Archer is a masterful storyteller!
January 7, 2023
Love this series but this one wasn’t my favourite. Hope the relationship issues are sorted in the next one and there isn’t going to be an annoying love triangle.
July 31, 2024
Listen. I love this series... BUT this book didn't hold up like the others. 🙅🏽♀️ It seemed to drag on and I'm not gonna lie, the slow burn ain't burning. 😒 Come on now! Let's get this thing going, author!
October 2, 2025
Enjoyed this one lots of mystery can’t wait for next this one kept me glued
July 10, 2024
3.5 stars
Cleopatra Fox is out of mourning for her grandparents and thrust into the social whirl. Having bested Lady Bunbury, Aunt Lillian is eager to push Cleo and Flossy to attend all the balls of the season. In spite of Cleo's protests she does not ever plan to marry, she goes along with her family's plans to attend a ball at Lady Bunbury's, if only to support Flossy who has stiff competition from Lady Bunbury's chosen debutante, Amelia Livingstone. Cleo is shocked to discover the dead body of a man in the library, bludgeoned over the head with a candle stick. The police quickly arrest a footman who was caught stealing a painting from the house but DCI Hobart isn't sure they have the right man. He enlists the aid of Cleo and Harry Armitage to look into the matter. Weeks ago, a precious painting was stolen from Lord and Lady Quorne's home and now a footman is caught stealing another painting. Are the two events connected? How do they connect to the murder? Meanwhile, Cleo's cousin Floyd is acting strangely and good detective that she is, Cleo is determined to find out why. Floyd's friend Jonathon indicates he'd like to be more than friends with Cleo! How can she convince him she will NEVER marry ANYONE and if she did, it wouldn't be Jonathon, why they simply wouldn't suit! Can Cleo solve the murder? Can she convince everyone she means never to marry? When someone starts spreading rumors Cleo is a bluestocking, her wish may just come true.
I listened to this on audio book and mostly got the gist of it. It got more complicated than I expected in the second half and I had to go back and read the e-book to fully understand what was going on. The mystery kept me guessing and I never got whodunit! That was a big surprise. I don't think the mystery was as complex as the previous ones but it deals with some mature issues I don't think Flossy would understand and Cleo may have read about but I don't think she would understand either. I also took exception to Aunt Lillian's rejoinder that the girls were old enough to know where babies came from. Really? In the Victorian era? Would she even say that out loud. The romantic subplot is a nice slow burn romance but it can never be so where is this going? I don't like the romance to drag on forever or star-crossed lovers.
Cleo is not such a clever sleuth or as liberal as she thinks she is. She's rude, badgering suspects, barging in where she doesn't belong and snooping in people's personal belongings. Cleo is not all that nice to the servants either. She thinks they're her friends and when Harmony reveals she'd betray her employer for money if she needed to, Cleo is shocked but I wasn't. Cleo is dismissive of her so-called friends. She doesn't understand what it means to have to work as a servant and takes them away from their jobs just because she wants to snoop. She is remarkable tolerant and understanding of the gay men in the story. She doesn't bat an eyelash and just wonders out loud that there are clubs for that sort of thing? Isn't that illegal? When she encounters a man in women's clothing, she does blink but doesn't judge - so long as he isn't a murderer.
When someone spreads rumors Cleo is a bluestocking, it doesn't bother her at all. Dear, sweet Flossy worries it will ruin her prospects but Cleo IS a bluestocking. That's not a bad thing, only in the eyes of men who want to control women. An educated woman is a thinking woman and one who won't let a man control her but demand equal rights! GASP! Some of Flossy's friends are pro-female education and curious about Cleo while the pretty debutantes with no brains in their heads are jealous and rude. I think Cleo protests too much about her lack of interest in marriage and her relationship with Harry. They're more than friends! They have good chemistry when they're exchanging banter while investigating. Quiet moments are awkward because neither can address their true feelings. This relationship can not be and Harry knows it, Cleo knows he knows it and she knows it too, even if part of her hopes for more. In spite of their chemistry, I don't think they're suited. Harry is a good man but he's stubborn and hot-headed sometimes. He still doesn't quite see Cleo as an equal because of her gender and class. He treats her like an annoying little sister sometimes, someone he has to humor because she's spoiled and not as an equal - quite yet.
Jonathon isn't right for Cleo either. He's a typical spoiled young man of his time. He sees a challenge in Cleo and seems to like the challenge. Most women fall at his feet because of his future title and good looks. He isn't as wealthy as he appears. Harry hints the family is in some minor financial difficulty. Cleo is not an heiress and not the way to fortune. Jonathon is insufferably rude to Harry. Partly because he's a snob and partly because he's jealous. I think he's a bad influence on Floyd, even if he claims to be trying to get Floyd out of trouble.
This author seems to be a fan of Regency romances. Cleo quotes Elizabeth Bennet upon seeing Jonathon's family home and no Regency romance is complete without a gambling brother subplot. In this case, a gambling cousin. Cleo is incredibly naïve to think she can help Floyd out of this. She needs Mr. Darcy and of course she has one, he just has to be motivated to try to help.
Aunt Lillian is becoming more addicted to her tonic. When she takes it, she's bright eyed, vivacious and engaged but only for a limited time. She's a little too "gay" (to use a period term that has nothing to do with the men who sleep with other men) when she's on her tonic and too low when she's not on it. Cleo can see it and even Flossy realizes her mother is becoming addicted but there's nothing they can do about it. I believe Aunt Lillian does have Cleo's best interests at heart but she doesn't understand what Cleo wants because she chose a different path from her sister. She didn't understand her sister's choices and so she'll never understand Cleo. Plus she's from a different generation when women were brought up to be ornaments to society and not independent.
The debutante of the season, Amelia Livingstone, is the spoiled only daughter of a wealthy, new money man. She's vapid and silly and truly believes she's prettier and more accomplished than everyone else. Lady Bunbury has chosen to give all her awards (accolades) to this one girl which feeds her ego. However, now there's a rumor going around that Amelia gave up her virtue and therefore, she's now a social pariah. Amelia is obtuse and like Cleo, I would almost feel bad for her but she is so awful, she deserves her social ostracism. Her father's money can't save her reputation but did he commit murder for her? He certainly makes a case for it one drunken evening. I do believe he killed Mr. McDonald for spreading rumors (which may be true) about his baby girl and ruining her future.
Ambrose McDonald certainly deserved what he got. It was a matter of time before SOMONE killed him. He was truly beyond a cad - something way worse. McDonald was a man who relished power and control and used information as a weapon against others. He had affairs with women and men and proceeded to blackmail everyone he had dirt on or ruin them. Did he have dirt on Mr. Livingstone or was Amelia really THAT dumb? She'll probably end up with a social disease and that will be the end of her. Mr. McDonald was truly nasty.
The police arrested a footman, one Reggie Smith, for stealing a painting. They assume Mr. McDonald caught Mr. Smith in the act and was killed in retaliation. The situation is complicated. Smith and McDonald were friends or lovers, depending on who you ask, at one point. Is this a case of a wronged lover killing his former love for dumping him? Mr. Smith was an artist. Was he also a forger and the painting he stole a forgery he was replacing in exchange for the original or an existing forgery? What about the painting stolen from Lord and Lady Quorne's on March 30th? Mr. Underwood is Mr. Smith's neighbor and friend. He's snippy and unhelpful when questioned but is not match for Cleo and Harry. They ferret out his secrets. The landlady likes both Smith and Underwood. She's very sweet and nurturing so they must be charming and/or friendly towards her. Chapman, the Mayfair Hotel's Steward also attends the Portland Club. What does he know about McDonald and Reggie Smith? He's snippy and snobby towards Cleo and not very friendly. He is entitled to his secrets though and Cleo's snooping is very much not appreciated or OK in anyone's book! She confirmed what she already knew, which is private, personal information. She should have left him to Harry.
Lady Bunbury is catty. She's desperate to keep her social position and will stop at nothing in order to do so. Aunt Lillian got the best of her once and she's determined not to let it happen again. Lady Bunbury has a lot of skeletons in her closet. Could she have murdered McDonald for trying to blackmail her? She doesn't have any money but was there something else he was after? Lord and Lady Bunbury will lie in court to save face and happily watch another man hang for a crime he didn't commit. They're shallow, cruel and very typical of their time and place. Lady Quorne is massively vapid. She values her painting and her cat, her social status but not much else. Is there a connection between her painting and the Bunburys'? Who is she? Where did she come from? Is there someone from her past who stole the painting? Lady Trelor is a widow and businesswoman. She owns an art gallery that caters to the elite. Good for her! Yet I don't like her. She's a little too eager to plop clues and alibis in Cleo and Harry's faces. Is she hiding something? Is she behind the art thefts? She knew the victim and together they were last seen studying the Bunburys' painting. What were they up to?
Who is Jane Eyre, the maid hired by the catering firm to help at the Bunburys' party? She was last seen with the victim, he passed something to her. Why did she give a false name? Where is she? The Bunburys' maid, Annie, may hold the key to the mystery. First, Cleo has to get Annie away from the Bunburys', which isn't so hard to do since they are broke. Annie is shy and needs some coaxing to gossip about her betters.
I really like Cleo's new friend, Miss Hessing. She's not so much shy as she is dominated by her horrible mother who won't let her daughter speak for herself. Miss Hessing is kind and helpful. I hope her romance works out! I think her choice is a little too immature right now but hopefully he'll grow up and everyone can live happily ever after- with MRS. Hessing in America far far away. Cassandra Morris, a secretary at Searcy's catering could also be a friend for Cleo. She's educated and works for a living which is admirable and seems kind. However, Cleo is jealous when she realizes Miss Morris is attracted to Harry. He could do worse. I don't see her being friends with Cleo if Harry chooses to court her. Obviously I do not like Dutch, the gaming hell man who holds Floyd's debts. He's charming but in a sleazy way and I think Cleo is playing with fire!
I like the narrator for the audiobooks. Her voice is pleasing, although too old to be Cleo, and she does a good job pitching her voice for the male characters and an excellent job with the accents.
This series gets better as it goes along. I'm invested in the romantic subplot more than the main mysteries. I'll probably read on soon!
Content:
LGBTQ+ characters
a debutante who is not pure
adultery
Cleopatra Fox is out of mourning for her grandparents and thrust into the social whirl. Having bested Lady Bunbury, Aunt Lillian is eager to push Cleo and Flossy to attend all the balls of the season. In spite of Cleo's protests she does not ever plan to marry, she goes along with her family's plans to attend a ball at Lady Bunbury's, if only to support Flossy who has stiff competition from Lady Bunbury's chosen debutante, Amelia Livingstone. Cleo is shocked to discover the dead body of a man in the library, bludgeoned over the head with a candle stick. The police quickly arrest a footman who was caught stealing a painting from the house but DCI Hobart isn't sure they have the right man. He enlists the aid of Cleo and Harry Armitage to look into the matter. Weeks ago, a precious painting was stolen from Lord and Lady Quorne's home and now a footman is caught stealing another painting. Are the two events connected? How do they connect to the murder? Meanwhile, Cleo's cousin Floyd is acting strangely and good detective that she is, Cleo is determined to find out why. Floyd's friend Jonathon indicates he'd like to be more than friends with Cleo! How can she convince him she will NEVER marry ANYONE and if she did, it wouldn't be Jonathon, why they simply wouldn't suit! Can Cleo solve the murder? Can she convince everyone she means never to marry? When someone starts spreading rumors Cleo is a bluestocking, her wish may just come true.
I listened to this on audio book and mostly got the gist of it. It got more complicated than I expected in the second half and I had to go back and read the e-book to fully understand what was going on. The mystery kept me guessing and I never got whodunit! That was a big surprise. I don't think the mystery was as complex as the previous ones but it deals with some mature issues I don't think Flossy would understand and Cleo may have read about but I don't think she would understand either. I also took exception to Aunt Lillian's rejoinder that the girls were old enough to know where babies came from. Really? In the Victorian era? Would she even say that out loud. The romantic subplot is a nice slow burn romance but it can never be so where is this going? I don't like the romance to drag on forever or star-crossed lovers.
Cleo is not such a clever sleuth or as liberal as she thinks she is. She's rude, badgering suspects, barging in where she doesn't belong and snooping in people's personal belongings. Cleo is not all that nice to the servants either. She thinks they're her friends and when Harmony reveals she'd betray her employer for money if she needed to, Cleo is shocked but I wasn't. Cleo is dismissive of her so-called friends. She doesn't understand what it means to have to work as a servant and takes them away from their jobs just because she wants to snoop. She is remarkable tolerant and understanding of the gay men in the story. She doesn't bat an eyelash and just wonders out loud that there are clubs for that sort of thing? Isn't that illegal? When she encounters a man in women's clothing, she does blink but doesn't judge - so long as he isn't a murderer.
When someone spreads rumors Cleo is a bluestocking, it doesn't bother her at all. Dear, sweet Flossy worries it will ruin her prospects but Cleo IS a bluestocking. That's not a bad thing, only in the eyes of men who want to control women. An educated woman is a thinking woman and one who won't let a man control her but demand equal rights! GASP! Some of Flossy's friends are pro-female education and curious about Cleo while the pretty debutantes with no brains in their heads are jealous and rude. I think Cleo protests too much about her lack of interest in marriage and her relationship with Harry. They're more than friends! They have good chemistry when they're exchanging banter while investigating. Quiet moments are awkward because neither can address their true feelings. This relationship can not be and Harry knows it, Cleo knows he knows it and she knows it too, even if part of her hopes for more. In spite of their chemistry, I don't think they're suited. Harry is a good man but he's stubborn and hot-headed sometimes. He still doesn't quite see Cleo as an equal because of her gender and class. He treats her like an annoying little sister sometimes, someone he has to humor because she's spoiled and not as an equal - quite yet.
Jonathon isn't right for Cleo either. He's a typical spoiled young man of his time. He sees a challenge in Cleo and seems to like the challenge. Most women fall at his feet because of his future title and good looks. He isn't as wealthy as he appears. Harry hints the family is in some minor financial difficulty. Cleo is not an heiress and not the way to fortune. Jonathon is insufferably rude to Harry. Partly because he's a snob and partly because he's jealous. I think he's a bad influence on Floyd, even if he claims to be trying to get Floyd out of trouble.
This author seems to be a fan of Regency romances. Cleo quotes Elizabeth Bennet upon seeing Jonathon's family home and no Regency romance is complete without a gambling brother subplot. In this case, a gambling cousin. Cleo is incredibly naïve to think she can help Floyd out of this. She needs Mr. Darcy and of course she has one, he just has to be motivated to try to help.
Aunt Lillian is becoming more addicted to her tonic. When she takes it, she's bright eyed, vivacious and engaged but only for a limited time. She's a little too "gay" (to use a period term that has nothing to do with the men who sleep with other men) when she's on her tonic and too low when she's not on it. Cleo can see it and even Flossy realizes her mother is becoming addicted but there's nothing they can do about it. I believe Aunt Lillian does have Cleo's best interests at heart but she doesn't understand what Cleo wants because she chose a different path from her sister. She didn't understand her sister's choices and so she'll never understand Cleo. Plus she's from a different generation when women were brought up to be ornaments to society and not independent.
The debutante of the season, Amelia Livingstone, is the spoiled only daughter of a wealthy, new money man. She's vapid and silly and truly believes she's prettier and more accomplished than everyone else. Lady Bunbury has chosen to give all her awards (accolades) to this one girl which feeds her ego. However, now there's a rumor going around that Amelia gave up her virtue and therefore, she's now a social pariah. Amelia is obtuse and like Cleo, I would almost feel bad for her but she is so awful, she deserves her social ostracism. Her father's money can't save her reputation but did he commit murder for her? He certainly makes a case for it one drunken evening. I do believe he killed Mr. McDonald for spreading rumors (which may be true) about his baby girl and ruining her future.
Ambrose McDonald certainly deserved what he got. It was a matter of time before SOMONE killed him. He was truly beyond a cad - something way worse. McDonald was a man who relished power and control and used information as a weapon against others. He had affairs with women and men and proceeded to blackmail everyone he had dirt on or ruin them. Did he have dirt on Mr. Livingstone or was Amelia really THAT dumb? She'll probably end up with a social disease and that will be the end of her. Mr. McDonald was truly nasty.
The police arrested a footman, one Reggie Smith, for stealing a painting. They assume Mr. McDonald caught Mr. Smith in the act and was killed in retaliation. The situation is complicated. Smith and McDonald were friends or lovers, depending on who you ask, at one point. Is this a case of a wronged lover killing his former love for dumping him? Mr. Smith was an artist. Was he also a forger and the painting he stole a forgery he was replacing in exchange for the original or an existing forgery? What about the painting stolen from Lord and Lady Quorne's on March 30th? Mr. Underwood is Mr. Smith's neighbor and friend. He's snippy and unhelpful when questioned but is not match for Cleo and Harry. They ferret out his secrets. The landlady likes both Smith and Underwood. She's very sweet and nurturing so they must be charming and/or friendly towards her. Chapman, the Mayfair Hotel's Steward also attends the Portland Club. What does he know about McDonald and Reggie Smith? He's snippy and snobby towards Cleo and not very friendly. He is entitled to his secrets though and Cleo's snooping is very much not appreciated or OK in anyone's book! She confirmed what she already knew, which is private, personal information. She should have left him to Harry.
Lady Bunbury is catty. She's desperate to keep her social position and will stop at nothing in order to do so. Aunt Lillian got the best of her once and she's determined not to let it happen again. Lady Bunbury has a lot of skeletons in her closet. Could she have murdered McDonald for trying to blackmail her? She doesn't have any money but was there something else he was after? Lord and Lady Bunbury will lie in court to save face and happily watch another man hang for a crime he didn't commit. They're shallow, cruel and very typical of their time and place. Lady Quorne is massively vapid. She values her painting and her cat, her social status but not much else. Is there a connection between her painting and the Bunburys'? Who is she? Where did she come from? Is there someone from her past who stole the painting? Lady Trelor is a widow and businesswoman. She owns an art gallery that caters to the elite. Good for her! Yet I don't like her. She's a little too eager to plop clues and alibis in Cleo and Harry's faces. Is she hiding something? Is she behind the art thefts? She knew the victim and together they were last seen studying the Bunburys' painting. What were they up to?
Who is Jane Eyre, the maid hired by the catering firm to help at the Bunburys' party? She was last seen with the victim, he passed something to her. Why did she give a false name? Where is she? The Bunburys' maid, Annie, may hold the key to the mystery. First, Cleo has to get Annie away from the Bunburys', which isn't so hard to do since they are broke. Annie is shy and needs some coaxing to gossip about her betters.
I really like Cleo's new friend, Miss Hessing. She's not so much shy as she is dominated by her horrible mother who won't let her daughter speak for herself. Miss Hessing is kind and helpful. I hope her romance works out! I think her choice is a little too immature right now but hopefully he'll grow up and everyone can live happily ever after- with MRS. Hessing in America far far away. Cassandra Morris, a secretary at Searcy's catering could also be a friend for Cleo. She's educated and works for a living which is admirable and seems kind. However, Cleo is jealous when she realizes Miss Morris is attracted to Harry. He could do worse. I don't see her being friends with Cleo if Harry chooses to court her. Obviously I do not like Dutch, the gaming hell man who holds Floyd's debts. He's charming but in a sleazy way and I think Cleo is playing with fire!
I like the narrator for the audiobooks. Her voice is pleasing, although too old to be Cleo, and she does a good job pitching her voice for the male characters and an excellent job with the accents.
This series gets better as it goes along. I'm invested in the romantic subplot more than the main mysteries. I'll probably read on soon!
Content:
LGBTQ+ characters
a debutante who is not pure
adultery
June 28, 2024
Este también me ha encantado, aunque no precisamente por el caso principal (aunque también está muy bien, como es habitual en la saga), sino por todo lo secundario que ocurre. Todo lo que pasa con Floyd y Harry... Y te dejan el final más abierto que en otros libros, dándote ganas de leer el siguiente.
September 8, 2023
Just more of the same from previous books. The only thing that change is that we are getting more insight of Cleo’s family than previous books. I just still don’t understand how can she escape every time and her uncle or aunt never notices. Cleo inner dialogue was very repetitive, and I’m really starting to dislike Harry’s character like he shows no emotion, I don’t understand why Cleo likes him he is so dry and is always pushing her away. I felt betrayed by the ending. I hope the author stop dragging the love story and finally do something about it in the next book. I feel that by the time they get together I’ll be an old lady.😆
December 26, 2024
A book you shouldn't look too deeply into or you will see it's many flaws. 3/5 stars.
I have read many of the author's books and for the most part they have been enjoyable. This is certainly similar, but, I have to come to realize these fall very much on the cozy side. I think when I picked this up the first time I was looking for something with romance as a main plot thread along with the mystery. While that is definitely prevalent, it also has many of it's own issues. If you go into this with the mindset of a quick and cozy read, I think you'll find plenty to like here. But if you start looking beyond the surface, you'll find much to dislike. That's not to say it's bad, as it's still a well written novel. More so that it's full of tropes, illogical plot points and not much depth.
As I just mentioned, the writing is good and so is the narration. The prose isn't going to knock your socks off of course, but, you won't dislike it either. The pace moves pretty quickly, and you're able to breeze through this. The narration was really enjoyable, and I didn't have too many issues differentiating between the different characters and their voices. I would definitely read and listen to something by this combo again.
The plot of this books starts off pretty interesting. We have a murder in a public place with many potential suspects. I liked how some of the previous plot threads were pulled into this novel too, rewarding fans of the previous entries. However, as the plot goes on, it becomes so cliche and ridiculous that it looses any believability. We have the motivations becoming very one note when it could have been something much more meaningful, and then we have revelations that just don't make sense. For example, (vague but marking as spoiler), Now could I believe that to be true with much more exploration? Sure, especially if the characters need to find and expert or something else. But all of that happening in the same exact scene is so beyond ridiculous I couldn't take it. Keep in mind our main characters are a debutante and a former hotel manager. Really?
The characters are very mixed. I like the main duo, as well as the extended family. But the rest of the characters are just caricatures with no depth whatsoever. They're all the stereotypical historical fiction archetypes and that's it. The subplots are so blatantly obvious and drawn out it's ridiculous. We have characters who refuse to take no for an answer, and who have every problem known to man. The way those are resolved are pretty easy to guess too (and ridiculous, see the gambling scene). Like many other reviewers have also pointed out, the romance is really drawn out. The amount of times we listen to Cleo in this book refer to her feelings of Harry but then say well I don't want to get married is so silly. In typical fashion we know they'll end up together and we're just drawing out the inevitable, and her proceeding to get jealous over any woman's attention (of course) is also just eye roll worthy. I've heard even in like book nine they're still not together. That's NUTS.
As you can tell, a very mixed experience. I didn't hate the book, and I enjoyed the writing and audiobook narration. But there was enough grievances throughout the book that frustrated me and made me look deeper. And the more I did that, the more I realized the problems. I think Archer is a good writer but it's good to go in with the right expectations and I'll do that in the future.
Quick hits:
+ The writing is good, and really easy to understand.
+ The audiobook performance was great.
+/- The romance was not good in my opinion. Too YA teen drama than anything realistic separating the two. Some will disagree with this though.
- The mystery became cliche and had too many cheap resolutions.
- The characters are pretty stereotypical overall and don't have much variety or depth. Their resolutions (the gambling!) are so silly.
I have read many of the author's books and for the most part they have been enjoyable. This is certainly similar, but, I have to come to realize these fall very much on the cozy side. I think when I picked this up the first time I was looking for something with romance as a main plot thread along with the mystery. While that is definitely prevalent, it also has many of it's own issues. If you go into this with the mindset of a quick and cozy read, I think you'll find plenty to like here. But if you start looking beyond the surface, you'll find much to dislike. That's not to say it's bad, as it's still a well written novel. More so that it's full of tropes, illogical plot points and not much depth.
As I just mentioned, the writing is good and so is the narration. The prose isn't going to knock your socks off of course, but, you won't dislike it either. The pace moves pretty quickly, and you're able to breeze through this. The narration was really enjoyable, and I didn't have too many issues differentiating between the different characters and their voices. I would definitely read and listen to something by this combo again.
The plot of this books starts off pretty interesting. We have a murder in a public place with many potential suspects. I liked how some of the previous plot threads were pulled into this novel too, rewarding fans of the previous entries. However, as the plot goes on, it becomes so cliche and ridiculous that it looses any believability. We have the motivations becoming very one note when it could have been something much more meaningful, and then we have revelations that just don't make sense. For example, (vague but marking as spoiler), Now could I believe that to be true with much more exploration? Sure, especially if the characters need to find and expert or something else. But all of that happening in the same exact scene is so beyond ridiculous I couldn't take it. Keep in mind our main characters are a debutante and a former hotel manager. Really?
The characters are very mixed. I like the main duo, as well as the extended family. But the rest of the characters are just caricatures with no depth whatsoever. They're all the stereotypical historical fiction archetypes and that's it. The subplots are so blatantly obvious and drawn out it's ridiculous. We have characters who refuse to take no for an answer, and who have every problem known to man. The way those are resolved are pretty easy to guess too (and ridiculous, see the gambling scene). Like many other reviewers have also pointed out, the romance is really drawn out. The amount of times we listen to Cleo in this book refer to her feelings of Harry but then say well I don't want to get married is so silly. In typical fashion we know they'll end up together and we're just drawing out the inevitable, and her proceeding to get jealous over any woman's attention (of course) is also just eye roll worthy. I've heard even in like book nine they're still not together. That's NUTS.
As you can tell, a very mixed experience. I didn't hate the book, and I enjoyed the writing and audiobook narration. But there was enough grievances throughout the book that frustrated me and made me look deeper. And the more I did that, the more I realized the problems. I think Archer is a good writer but it's good to go in with the right expectations and I'll do that in the future.
Quick hits:
+ The writing is good, and really easy to understand.
+ The audiobook performance was great.
+/- The romance was not good in my opinion. Too YA teen drama than anything realistic separating the two. Some will disagree with this though.
- The mystery became cliche and had too many cheap resolutions.
- The characters are pretty stereotypical overall and don't have much variety or depth. Their resolutions (the gambling!) are so silly.
June 2, 2023
3.5 stars.
I love listening to the series on audio and I don’t think I would enjoy it as much if I were reading it. It has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mystery series.
The art forgery and theft at the center of the mystery here was interesting to me. I also like the development of side characters which she spent some time on.
Many reviewers have expressed frustration at the seeming lack of development in Cleo and Harry’s relationship. I’m still enjoying that aspect and think it is just brewing quite slowly, so I’m looking forward to what comes in book 6 (as soon as my library gets it, lol).
I love listening to the series on audio and I don’t think I would enjoy it as much if I were reading it. It has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mystery series.
The art forgery and theft at the center of the mystery here was interesting to me. I also like the development of side characters which she spent some time on.
Many reviewers have expressed frustration at the seeming lack of development in Cleo and Harry’s relationship. I’m still enjoying that aspect and think it is just brewing quite slowly, so I’m looking forward to what comes in book 6 (as soon as my library gets it, lol).
April 19, 2023
Very sad I’m up to date on this delightful series. I really enjoyed the fast pace, the longing glances (watching Mr. Armitage roll up his shirt sleeves *swoon*), and the fierce independence in this series.
The audiobook narrator is delightful and I look forward to more in the series.
This has been my favorite so far going into more family dynamics and class issues.
The audiobook narrator is delightful and I look forward to more in the series.
This has been my favorite so far going into more family dynamics and class issues.
January 11, 2023
This one was okay. After the ending of the last one, I had high hopes for this book. But alas, I suppose I'll have to wait for the next one. The ending of this book was also pretty abrupt. Or it felt like it was to me. Definitely not as enjoyable as the others in the series.
January 20, 2025
I’m so addicted to this series it’s not even funny. I cant put it down I read while I’m eating, walking doing anything really.
These characters i love them so much
This series has me on a chokehold
These characters i love them so much
This series has me on a chokehold
May 31, 2025
Absolutely obsessed with this!! I so wish Cleo would give Jonathon a real chance—he’s trying! Meanwhile, Harry?? What are you even doing?? Do you like her or not?! They kissed and then just… never talked about it?! I was losing my mind. Don’t get me wrong, the mystery was great as always, but it’s the romantic tension that owns me every single time!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2022
I’m writing this review in hopes that C.J. will please fix this love triangle mess and put Cleo and Harry together (where they belong) effective immediately. All that to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am excited for the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2023
Another enjoyable cozy mystery.
March 9, 2023
4.5 I love her books! I guessed the murderer this time. For the first time! That’s why 4.5 instead of 5 🤣
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