Lady Ambition's Dilemma

Scott-De Quincy Mysteries #3

by Jane Steen

Cupid's arrows fly in all directions as Helena copes with some more than usually onerous demands from her sister Blanche, new friends and a new enemy, and a secret that may change the course of history. Scheduled for release in mid-March, this third installment of the Scott-De Quincy Mysteries will keep you guessing as you join Helena in learning more than she perhaps wants to know . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Cozy

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2024

About the author

Dear Reader,

Welcome to my page. Now, I could talk to you about myself in the third person, as if my author-self were someone else, but instead let me give you the Most Important Fact:

I was named after Jane Eyre.

I swear that this decision of my mother's influenced my entire life. I've always felt that I lead only half my existence here (here being wherever I happen to be) while the much more interesting stuff goes on in my head.

It also doomed me to spend most of that head-time in the nineteenth century, hence my books. My aim is to write entertaining fiction that hovers somewhere in the PG range (no graphic sex or nasty stuff unless the plot totally demands it) and is neither dumbed-down nor pretentiously intellectual. In short, it's the type of fiction I like to read when I just need to RELAX.

You can get to know me a lot better by subscribing to my newsletter.

The short biography is that I've lived in England, Belgium, the United States and England. The problem with moving around is that you end up torn between different countries and cultures; the advantage is that you get to speak more languages (my second language is French).

I've had an interestingly varied employment history (editor in a law firm, translating a Belgian aerospace magazine into English and real estate marketing spring to mind, but there were others), and have absorbed more education than is good for me. I'm married to a nice American, and have two adult daughters.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is third in the Lady Helena Investigates series.

Lots of family drama in this installment with Helena trying to help her nephew out of a scandalous situation as well as a potential death sentence for murder. Helena also is surprised by a visit from her first love’s brother while she is wondering about her tenuous future relationship with Armand Fortier who has his own obstacles to overcome.

I had a couple of issues with this book. First, the mystery felt like it was almost completely forgotten in the middle of the story to exclusively focus on introducing new characters and working out personal relationships (both romantic and familial). My other pet peeve, that has run throughout the series, is Helena’s relationship with her siblings which feature prominently in the stories. While on one hand, she seems like a strong, take-charge heroine, she invariably lets her family run roughshod over her, especially her overbearing older sisters. It‘s very irritating and contradictory to the rest of her character, and while, yes, it does provide some conflicts to resolve and hurdles to overcome, it just seems too much.

However, the ending left some cliffhanger moments that I‘m sure will provide some future drama to Helena‘s life, so I plan to be along to see where that drama takes her.

[Mrs LIR Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a proof uncorrected copy, and this is my honest review.
I have really enjoyed the first books in this series.
Set in England, Lady Helena is a wealthy widow whose family often use her status and wealth to keep them 'solvent'. When Lady Helena's eldest sister asks her to help her son (Lady Helena's nephew) find a rich wife - Helena does so - she soon finds out that Deddy her nephew had a homosexual liaison as a youth and is being held to it by his former lover. Lord Arthur, the lover is murdered and this is the account of how Lady Helen investigates to try and save her nephew from the gallows.
I really like the way that Jane Steen talks about various types of sexuality in what was then a crime. This then taboo subject is treated very well and gives us the reader a feeling of how the past was. The author also tackles how people on the spectrum also had very difficult lives, even if they were of the privileged class.
I find that Jane Steen really does send us back in time and engrosses us in an entangled mystery.

[Tina Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the Scott De Quincy historical mystery/romance series. I reread the first 2 books before reading this one to ensure I remembered all the storyline. It’s not necessary to do that really but I enjoy doing so.

Steen is a very accomplished writer, her plot is interesting, her characters are multi-layered and she is historically accurate. I love how Steen balances romance, mystery, a family saga and history in perfect harmony.

This book focuses quite a lot on Blanche (Lady Ambition) and her son, Dederick (what an odd name!). There is, of course, a murder early in the book and Dederick is under suspicion for it. Helena, Guttridge and Fortier along with Ned and a new character, Jonathan, investigate. It was fun to see so much more of Guttridge and her young man, Silas, who comes in for a piece of the action.

I so enjoyed meeting the Americans that Gaby introduces Helena to. Sadly I cannot say I was thrilled to meet Louise, Armand’s fake wife, who is a real ‘piece of work’. She’s nasty and selfish and is going to cause a lot of trouble in the next book.

I am dying to know what happens next in the love story of Helena and Armand. I’m hoping that they will be able to take custody of Jacques instead of Louise. He deserves loving parents.

I disliked Dederick and Blanche quite a lot but by the end I found myself surprisingly sympathetic to them. I actually hope that Dederick does end up with one of the Walfort sisters and that Thomas ends up with the other. Wouldn’t that be lovely?!

A couple of minor notes….I’d love it if Steen would include a list of characters in her books. The Scott-De Quincy family is huge and I lose track of all of them, particularly the less mentioned ones like Maryanne (I still can’t remember who she is!). Also there are many secondary characters other than the family, like Silas, Guttridge, Mrs Eason, etc., etc. that a reader needs to keep track of. Secondly around 50-60% of the way through I realized I hadn’t heard much about Lord Hastings (?) murder investigation recently. It seemed as if that got lost in all the family drama and the introduction of the Americans. Steen does pick the thread back up around 65% and the book rockets towards a very action-packed and exciting conclusion.

Steen has left us a bit of a cliff hanger….what is Louise going to do, what is Princess Eugénie going to do, what will happen to the American girls, what will happen to Jacques and most importantly will Helena and Armand get married.

I love how Steen effortlessly incorporates neurodiversity (Michael is autistic) and Thomas’ disability into the story. She treats those subjects with care and realistically for the times. It adds another layer of depth to the plot and characters.

The mystery was good and it touches on a very sensitive topic for the times. Steen does seem to pick these very interesting situations to base her stories on. (Incest, mistresses, homosexuality).

I found this to be a very interesting book…actually more than the first two. I really enjoyed this book, probably because there was so much romance between Helena and Armand. I also think the introduction of the Americans made the book more interesting as well. I’m excited to see what happens in the next book.

[Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently, I received an advanced copy of Lady Ambition’s Dilemma, the third book in the Scott-De Quincy Mysteries by Jane Steen in exchange for my honest review.

I have to say that I was truly captivated by this story! The main character is Lady Helena Whitcombe, an aristocratic yet very approachable young widow living on her country estate in Sussex during the 1880s. With the aid of her lady’s maid, Guttridge, Lady Helena unravels a scandalous mystery involving her nephew Dederick while not only navigating her own new love story, but also coming to the aid of her enchanting new American friends. Lady Helena is a busy lady, and I have loved getting to know her in this series. On top of that, I’ve learned a tremendous amount about Victorian England. Jane Steen is deeply knowledgeable about this time period and a marvelous writer. Her characters are real in both their positive and negative attributes and the plot is thoughtful and agreably challenging. I couldn't put the book down, and I can't wait to read more!

[Christina Baehr]

This series is definitely a family drama with mysteries rather than the other way around, so I have to be in the right mood to enjoy it.

Loved the French history in this one!

My favourite thing about this instalment was the relationship between Lady Helena and Fortier. It’s really fun to see a romance develop with plenty of drama but without jealousy or miscommunication and honestly I find him a walking green flag. I do like a really decent man as a romantic lead! And this guy is a Frenchman and dashing, to boot.

I’m not sure I completely bought the portrayal of closeted homosexuals in this story, but these kinds of subjects must be incredibly hard to write as a historical fiction author today, and hats off to Steen for trying to get inside the minds of people at the time, and for writing complex characters who aren’t just black or white.

There were some very nasty people and nasty conversations in this one, but also some lovely people and the whole Scot-de Quincy family dynamic is very believable, with the portrayals of disabled and ND people in the upper classes very subtly done.

Looking forward to future instalments! I want more Thomas and the American girl!

[Carrie ✨ The Blinging Bibliophile✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lady Ambition's Dilemma jumped the shark for me.

The Scott-De Quincy Mysteries (not really a mystery series imo, more a family drama of quirky aristos with a mystery sub-plot) has been a nice little side drive when I still want a bit of mystery but also a meandering but entertaining historical drama. The audio books are well performed and while the stories can be a bit on the longer side, I've enjoyed following Helena as she has navigated her life as a widow, being the youngest sibling of an enormous family with massive age differences, caring for her senior mother with dementia and learning what she wants in life and how she intends to go forward.

In the two previous books, there was always a hint at a future romance with the elusive and mysterious French doctor, Armand Fortier. Due to Helena's 2 yr mourning period and Fortier's mysterious status, that has moved at a glacial pace which totally fit the narrative.

In Lady Ambition's Dilemma, the terribly stuck-up 2nd oldest sister Blanche, demands Helena help her lease a house and move to the country. In addition, she also requires Helena to help her wastrel of a son, the Marquess of Something, find a wife. Events ensue and the Marquess is brought up on murder charges amongst a cloud of the scandal of homosexuality. eta: It was clunky and sensationalized and grossly done. I really feel like this is where the author went wrong in the story. I've read many books where the authors handled the subject accurate to the period without brutalization or making the doubly marginalized the scapegoat The way the investigation (there was hardly any and it felt, dumb) was handled did not feel authentic. A Marquess in 1883 is not treated the way the "police", who had limited power over the aristocracy, treated him in the book. I was so annoyed I almost DNF'd at 75%.

Then the rapid acceleration of Helena's and Fortier's relationship was the final straw for me. I hate when an author takes characters completely out of characterization because they need to move the plot forward. It was totally inconsistent and ruined the book for me. I wasn't expecting this to turn into a historical romance and frankly, they icked me out. And I am active reader of the spicey stories but this did not fit.

Obviously, I'm try to mini-rant without spoiling but I'm glad the next one won't be out for awhile so I might forget how annoyed I am.

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked was the couple's romance, public acceptance and the small reveal into her maid's private life. But I lost interest in the heavy handed plot devices. The oh so obvious male lovers and gleeful police waiting to catch them, long night time chases were not exciting and I struggled to finish it.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series. Loved book one, a bit less fond of book two and I liked this one somewhere in the middle.

I like Lady Helena for the most part. She's kind, smart, determined and mostly spunky. She lets her relatives take more advantage that I'd like her to, especially since she's a widow with lots of money.

The plot here was good. Not great, but good. This kept my interest and I enjoyed watching Helena help with the investigation and resolution of the mystery.

[Katie Vogelpohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what it is about these books. They are the slowest, coziest, most charming of mysteries. Nothing exciting. At all. And that's just the way I like it.

[Luca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.43⭐
More!

[BookAddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the characters in this series - this one IMHO had a kind of weird plot and took forever to get to the point so for me with was a so-so 2.5 if I'd had the choice

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started the third book before I read the second, so I have stopped to read the second novel in this series. Will be back when I finish the second one!

I really enjoyed this novel. Lady Helena Investigates on behalf of her older sister's son. He was accused of some not very nice things (for the time of the novel). We also see a growing openness between Helena and Fortier's relationship and the complications that are arising.

This was a great story and I always looked forward to reading time so that I could find out what was going to happen. A pretty chaste story, and a fun way to spend time.

[John A Broughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction at it's best

Believable characters and beautifully written. Can't wait for book four in the series. Murder mystery with historical details that delight.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an uncorrected digital review copy of this book from the author. What follows is my honest and voluntary review.

I admit that I love Jane Steen’s books. She has a way of writing that puts the reader in the setting and time period, no matter what they are. From the House of Closed Doors series to this series, The Scott-De Quincy Mysteries, her stories move easily in 1800s United States Midwest or late 1800s English countryside aristocracy. Lady Ambition in this novel’s title must refer to Lady Helena’s demanding, judgmental and self-centered sister Blanche, who (like Helena) is a widow with a title but not the wealth that Lady Helena has inherited from her late husband. Blanche wants help leasing a country house near Helena’s and finding her son Dederick a suitable (and preferably wealthy) wife. Helena is a kind and generous person and agrees to help. She soon finds herself drawn into a possible scandal with Dederick that she works tirelessly to prevent. Along the way we find secrets, deaths that may be accidental (or not), and the return of Dr. Fortier into Helena’s life. Dr. Fortier also brings back secrets from France as Helena learns more about him and his past. There are twists and turns and complications galore which make for a book that you will not want to put down until you find out how it all gets sorted out. Get sorted out it does as once again Ms. Steen wraps up the story in a satisfying manner. I even found Blanche more likeable by the end, something I didn’t think possible.

As with the first two books in the series, I am drawn to Lady Helena’s intelligence, strength in the face of the adversity of being a young widow at a time in England and indeed most of the world when women had few legal rights, and her courage to stand up for herself and her family. There are strong female characters throughout, even among the servants. I could use a Guttridge (Helena’s lady’s maid) myself! Guttridge not only helps Helena with choosing dresses and other lady’s maid duties, but also with her investigations into the mysteries that seem to follow the Scott-De Quincy family. Ms. Steen manages to write these strong female characters while not diminishing the male characters. She portrays the lives of both the aristocracy and the regular folks realistically for the times, which in this case is 1883. This is accomplished through extensive research on her part, and if there are author’s notes at the end of the final published version of this book, please read them.

Another quality of Ms. Steen’s books that I appreciate is the way Helena, Guttridge, Fortier, and others in Helena’s circle work with the police in solving crimes, rather than against or around them. I’ve read too many cozy mysteries where the lead character (usually female) thinks she knows better than the police how to handle things, and too many where the police are incompetent. With Jane Steen’s stories, you get neither. Helena and her family cooperate with the police and while they do their own investigating, they share what they find out with the police in order to bring about justice. This is just one more reason that Lady Ambition’s Dilemma is a page turner of a story.

I can’t think of anything the author can do to make this book better – I didn’t find a typo or any other correction needed, the writing and editing already being superb. Lady Helena has become a favorite character and I look forward to her next adventure!

[Andree · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is likely an unpopular opinion, but this is by far my least favourite in the series. I was perfectly fine with the mystery elements. I liked how Blanche was humanized, and that her son turned out to be more sensible than he initially appeared. However, there isn't a lot of mystery in this. This is a lot of day to day goings on, and perhaps some of the romance. Which would have been fine, but the romance has also been oddly paced. I didn't mention it in my review, but I thought the timing of the declaration rushed in earlier books.

Also, I was never going to like this entirely. I tend to prefer my melodrama to be more focused on the mystery of the book, not the romance in these sorts of books. I expect there to be some degree of romantic drama, but the drama in this one felt over the top and absurd. I felt like rolling my eyes when the whole of it was described. Debating about reading the next one if it ever comes out. I suppose it may depend on the mystery, and the degree to which the ridiculously dramatic romantic obstacle takes over the plot.

The thing is, Helena and Fortier work as a couple, and are fun to read about as they work together to solve mysteries. The mysteries themselves feel real. They're dramatic, but they work in context because Helena's family is dramatic. She isn't. The plotline around her romance with Fortier doesn't feel real to me... even within the context of what is a fairly dramatic series it feels contrived, it feels like drama for drama's sake, and I really have no interest in reading how it resolves. I would much prefer if it would just go away. Perhaps it could be magically resolved off-page. But then, part of that is preference.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this third in the Lady Helena series more appealing than the second, which had way too many unpleasant characters. I was prepared to not like this one as it opens with Helena being browbeaten by her sister Blanche and forced to spend her time and money helping Blanche and her odious nephew Dederick. Then we get to know Blanche and Dederick better, they’re gradually portrayed sympathetically, and the story becomes more palatable.

This is a bit heavy-handed in dealing with homosexuality and how people are all different and we shouldn’t judge. I’m guessing it would have to have been an especially open-minded individual who could hold that opinion in the 1880s.

As always, I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of homes, fashions, houses, and landscapes. The introduction of wealthy Americans adds some fun, too. The author has created a world I want to see for myself and I appreciate all her research that has created this late Victorian England.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been enjoying this series a lot. The author does a quite good job of bringing this period of British history to life. I liked the short author's note at the end. I found the mystery to be interesting, but not surprising in the end. There were a lot of new characters introduced in this third installment and I look forward to finding out how their stories pan out in book 4. I'm assuming that there has to be a book 4 since the ending left a few threads hanging. The continuing romance between Lady Helena and Dr. Armand Fortier is passionate, but not as yet physical. I like this series for its ingenious plotting, its use of historical fact, and its complex characters. The explanations of differences between American and British ways of life were informative. I have to admit, though, that I was left a bit disappointed at the cliffhanger ending. I hope there isn't too long a wait for the fourth installment.

[Avis Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storyline in this edition is one that was not discussed or even legal during this particular time in history. A dilemma indeed when a mother is trying to keep her son in top society and finds he is accused of murder and “unnatural” tendencies. Once again Lady Helena has to deal with another sister’s plight and navigate a way to avoid a scandal and find the real culprit.

I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this plot, and the eventual sharing of information between the police and Lady Helena’s family. We even get another glimpse into the life of Dr. Fortier who has returned from France with a companion. How will Lady Helena deal with that?

Thank you to Jane Steen for the ARC. Your books are well researched, well written and, as always, an interesting and informative read.

[Inishowen Cailín · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another compelling mystery for Lady Helena to investigate. This time it is her nephew who is in dire straits having been arrested for the murder of his former lover, Lord Arthur. Avoiding another scandal is also high on everyone's priority list.
I had my suspicions as to who the murderer was and I enjoyed going along for the adventure with Helena and finding out whether I was right.
Dr Fortier returns to the area and brings his cousin, Louisa, complicating matters for his and Helena's romance. The path to matrimony is going to be a bumpy road. Luckily, neither is put off by Louisa's schemes and threats and I'm excited to see how things work out after her final devious attempt to waylay their plans.
Lady Ambition's Dilemma is an enjoyable third instalment to a series that continues to entertain and intrigue.

[Rebecca Gregory-Chifos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3 & 3/4 Stars

Well, drat. I missed the second installment in this series, which is sad, because this third novel contains a huge spoiler, giving away half the plot of the second book.

While the book is beautifully written and superbly researched, I can't say I liked it nearly as much as the first novel. I do wonder why Helena lets her family members push her around so much! She doesn't seem to be growing as a character. I did enjoy the hint of threat to her relationship with Fortier, making the continuance of their relationship precarious despite its having moved forward. The long night chase scene was so boring, though, that I skimmed through most of it.

All in all, I can't say I liked this third book nearly as much as the first, and now I'm reluctant to read the second novel, since the spoiler has ruined it for me.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little torn on this book. The choice of a gay plot line in historical fiction aiming generally for accuracy makes for a tough line to walk with characters - anachronistically accepting and sympathetic versus unpleasantly judgemental and intolerant. Throw in the fact that Steen's main cast are all aristocrats while the criminals all tend to be of the lower classes, and you end up with a series that by default feels like it has it out for the most vulnerable in English Victorian society. In its own way, it's accurate, since the aristos have the money and influence, but I guess my problem is the stories don't have quite enough tension where this imbalance is concerned. (The historical note tempted me to give this book 2 stars, but I decided that was me being too much of an old woman yelling at kids to get off her lawn.)

[Kashelia B. Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it....

Except for the 21st Century social issues being included. I finished this book because I like the characters. I wanted to see how things would unfold for Helena and Armand. But I didn't care about Dederick and his sinful lifestyle choices. I really hate it when writers of historical works incorporate modern social agendas. It's a distraction and very off putting for this reader. I will read the next book in this series because I want to see what Louise will do once Helena and Armand announce their engagement. But I sincerely hope the author doesn't include any more irrelevant and distasteful 21st century agendas.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the third installment about Lady Helena and the Scott DeQuincey family dramas. This time Helena is called upon to assist her overbearing sister Blanche and spoiled nephew Dederick when he is suspected of murder and other scandalous things. All the while trying to navigate her own complicated romance with Dr Fortier who has returned from France with his cousin Louise who is determine to throw a spanner in the works. I was a little frustrated both by how Helena's family treat her (and that she lets them) and by drawn out things are between Helena & Armand and am anxious that yet more roadblocks will be thrown in their way next book.

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in the series was less a mystery than a rather sweet romance. While it's as charming as the previous two books, I did not find the story as compelling. A number of new characters are introduced, including an American family, but the main focus of the book is a major shift in Helena's relationship with Fortier. There are exciting moments and a murder investigation, but it felt a bit shoehorned in among visits and social gatherings and a slowly developing love story.
The author's note at the end suggests there will be a fourth book in which startling developments occur. Perhaps this one was intended as a prelude to it.

[Robyn Balmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great author Jane Steen is. I have followed Lady Helena’s story from the beginning, and I flew through the third book in the series, “Lady Ambition’s Dilemma”. I couldn’t put it down.
Ms Steen is accurate in her research, and this story refers to homosexuality and how those people in the late 1980s distinguished it as unlawful. There was a murder and mention about the lives and foibles of the lady’s relatives. I love the romance with Lady Helena’s favourite doctor, Armand Fortier, and problems with his horrendous cousin.
I give this book a five-star rating, and I am looking forward to the next one to see what the terrible cousin does to try and separate Helena and Armand.

[Chelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since this was the last book out, I assumed this was the end of the series. Wrong! There's more to come and I'm dying to read it! More murder mysteries and intriguing crumbs of information are completely captivating. Helena and Fortier's relationship grows as do those of Helena and her family. Touching on some tougher issues of scandal, you can't help but love Helena more and more as her kind heart and search for truth helps those she cares about, even if they seem undeserving of her love. Can't wait to see what is next for these characters!

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters are fully developed and quite interesting. The plot is straightforward and easily followed, and the premise is helping Lady Helena's nephew out a spot of trouble, and finding out who killed the lord on the train, the same lord who was giving her nephew so much trouble. The answers were varied and consequential. I will never understand how this world struggled through it all with one gender having so much power over the other. I admire the characters like Lady Helena did so much good during such an era. I most assuredly recommend this book.

[Janice Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Helena, she's the baby of the family but richer that the others; so she must rescue them all. This time is Blanche and her son. Of course there is a murder and family drama along with trying to keep her personal life on track.
For those who love Bridgerton and the time period around it, this is a must. I love the way Steen pulls in history and happenings in the story. It makes the book all the more real. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[Sarah Matchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tore through Book 3 of this series! It’s really interesting to see how each book so far is examining one of Helena’s siblings- as the youngest daughter, her perspective ultimately changes as she gets to know her older sisters more through these different trials and mysteries. I’m assuming Book 4 will look more into her eldest sister Gerry, and I’m excited to also see what happens with her engagement to Armand.

[Rhonda Vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! I'm more in love with this series now than after the first two books and I loved them as well. I personally love the attention to details that bring you into the moment. I also am enthusiastic about the depth of the characters and emotions especially because of the time period.
Please read the first 2 books before this. You won't regret it. Jane Steen is a brilliant writer.