An Audacious Woman

Tabitha & Wolf Historical Mystery #5

by Sarah F. Noel

Step into 1897 Victorian Unravel Love and Intrigue with The Tabitha & Wolf Historical Mystery Series, where Mystery meets Romance with a splash of Humour.

The Dowager Countess of Pembroke is missing!

While Wolf is contemplating whether or not he wishes to continue taking on investigations, it seems that the dowager has taken the matter into her own hands and is investigating a case independently. But why has she gone missing from her home for two nights and what mischief has she got herself into? Tracking down the elderly woman takes Tabitha and Wolf into some of the darkest, most dangerous corners of the city.

What on earth is the exasperating dowager caught up in that she seems to have become entangled with London’s prostitutes?

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

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 29, 2024

Reviews

[Laura Lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

plot is okay but otherwise disappointed.

The plot of this book is alright, however, I find the Dowager Countess of Pembroke to be the most irritating character I have ever read in my 50+ years of reading. So I was disappointed to have her get her own story. She is mean spirited, overbearing, unkind, delusional and has an over inflated sense of her own intelligence and importance. I also have trouble with the other adult characters in this series and their inability to stand up for themselves against her intrusive behavior and how they allow her to boss them around. I’m thinking it would be a good time to have her succumb to old age or illness and write her out of this series altogether. I think Tabitha and Wolf can carry this series on their own with the cast of friends and minor characters. I hope the author will see fit to relieve us of her onerous presence. I know she makes it in to the next book but if she continues as a major character beyond that I certainly won’t continue to read this series.

[Carol McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read, but highly improbable

The characters in this series of books are fun to read about, especially as their relationships grow in weird and unexpected ways. They are highly entertaining. However, so many plots happen that strain credulity that I can't begin to think of very much of the murder investigations as being historically accurate. Just enjoy the books for the entertainment factor.

[Ka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually got a few more books in this series sooner than I expected. Apparently, there's also now a spinoff series featuring Mary Sue Melody as the main character. Sigh. Why do I continue with this series? I guess over time I've become mildly interested in what will happen to these people, and listening to these books is zero mental or emotional investment, so I guess there's that. In general, they are stress-free... even when the characters are in danger or something, I know that this is a romance novel and nothing really bad will actually happen to any main cast member, because that would be a downer!

SUMMARY AND THOUGHTS ON THE PLOT, FOR MY MEMORY WHEN I READ THE NEXT BOOK:
The book is written in alternating chapters from the DC's POV, and chapters from Tabitha and Wolf's POV. Thus, after we find out that the DC has gone missing, the story backs up a few days to show us what she was doing.

Via a long string of various meetings and conversations, the following events are laid out:
- The DC, who is bored with her fancy life, is actively searching for another investigation to take on... Tabitha and Wolf aren't interested in rustling up more crimes to solve, so the DC strikes out on her own.
- The society ladies don't have much, so after a very awkward conversation with Rat about syphilis (if you'll recall, he is only around 9 years old >_> sigh), the DC ends up chatting with a brothel owner named Madame Sharp (please forgive any misspelled names, I listened to the audiobook), who then enlists the DC to investigate the disappearance of her twin sister (who we'll refer to as Sharp2), who runs a different brothel across town and has not been seen for several days.
- The DC and M. Sharp decide that clearly, the DC should pretend to be their cousin and go undercover at the other brothel to try to get information. (What.) She moves in there for the night and meets Sharp2's assistant, an ex-prostitute named Lou, and a guy called the Rascal, who is in charge of the OTHER business on the premises, which is a gambling den. The Rascal works for the mysterious "guvnor" who actually owns the house as well as the gambling business. Seems M.Sharp2 made a deal with this person to share a building so both businesses can benefit from sharing their clientele.
- MEANWHILE, because the DC left her house and didn't come home for 2 days, her butler gets worried and asks Tabitha and Wolf to look for her. After a bunch of nonsense they hunt down the DC at the brothel and convince her to let them help. They find M.Sharp2's body at the city morgue fairly quickly, and the case changes from missing-person to murder investigation.
- Somewhere in all this, Tabitha and Wolf dress up as slightly less rich people and make out, and the DC makes friends with a local group of madams called "the Ladies of KB" who meet once a month to gossip and drink wine during the day.
- After a bunch more nonsense they find out that M.Sharp2 was murdered by Lou, because she was angry about not getting a promotion or something. Also maybe because M.Sharp2 found out the true business of the gambling area, which is actually distributing/laundering counterfeit money, but mainly the other thing. It turns out that the Rascal is Lou's brother and he was helping her to cover it up. The "Guvnor" turns out to be a female Jewish gang leader who was unaware of the murder... while everyone is at her home confronting her about all this, Lou and the Rascal take the gang leader's aged Jewish granny hostage at gunpoint. Wolf gets himself shot saving her, and thus becomes super best buds with the Jewish gang leader lady, and the DC also befriends both the gang leader and the granny, because why wouldn't she.

Sigh. On to the next book I guess! At least Tabitha and Wolf finally admitted they like one another. Thank god.

[Dee Gee · Rating 1 out of 5]

My one ongoing problem with this otherwise mostly likeable series is that I simply cannot stomach the dowager so to have an entire book centered around her is not an experience I enjoyed reading about. I find her being in the lives of Tabitha and Wolf utterly unrealistic. If she were a delight I could suspend disbelief, but NOPE. She is no relation to Tabitha. She had never met Wolf. If he were in fact responsible for her care given that he is the Earl, then his secretary would be assigned the task of paying her bills and living expenses. It is completely improbable that he would have ANYTHING to do with a distant family member he hasn't ever met...never mind let her dominate his life and yield to her constant unreasonable demands! He was a supposed tough guy practically living on the streets with Bear (more Bear please!!) before becoming Earl and we're to believe he'd let her force herself and her commands on him. It's preposterous to me. I've enjoyed the previous books as an easy read and a nice distraction, but honestly every time the dowager comes onto the page I flip flip, turn turn, skim skim until I don't see her name anymore and then get on with the story when she isn't part of the dialogue any longer. I just cannot understand what the author thinks the stories gain from this continued awful presence in the books. It's time for her to GO...maybe discover she has a long lost relative in Australia and off she goes so we never have to subjected to her awfulness ever again!!

[Jaclyn Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

The focus on the most insufferable character (the dowager countess (DC)) in the series was disappointing. I let this audiobook play to the end overnight while I slept. The incredulity of the characters and plots just lend to entertainment factors, there’s no historical accuracy or integrity in the series. Everything is a stretch as far as these characters behaviors and decisions within societal norms. It’s definitely fiction that presents an alternative London polite society. The rag tag bunch are never really in danger per se. I was already annoyed with the invasive DC and the immediate addition of children right off the bat in book 1. But this book in particular was really outlandish. The DC freely moving about WC? Overnighting at Brothels? Partnerships with gang leaders? Come on lol. I caught the gist of it but at this point I don’t know if I want to continue the series. I’m not interested in the focus moving away from our MMC and MFC POV. From my understanding the POVs change going forward to even one from the child’s? I don’t care about the characters I like enough to keep enduring this obnoxious woman or the spineless people around her that just let her run their lives.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the continuing story of an extraordinary group of people, Two very accomplished thief catchers. one who is now the Earl of Pembroke (Wolf) Tabitha, the widowed wife of the late Earl, the Dowager Countess, mother of the late Earl, and two precious children; a boy of nine and his sister, 4 saved from the poverty of Whitehall, plus the aristocrats loyal servants. They are all growing with each story and quite endearing to this reader. This time the Dowager Countess has decided to investigate on her own and despite her beliefs had gotten herself into a real mess. The plot although winding and twisty, is easily followed and straightforward. The premise is finding out what happened to the Madam twin sister of another Madam. Justice was met and lives were saved and another story ended properly. I most certainly recommend this book and the rest of the series.

[Colette Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book truly surprised me in the best way, it’s the one I’ve enjoyed the most so far in the series. I especially loved how the focus shifted to the Dowager, a character who is both fascinating and funny.

What made the story stand out was the way the author handled themes such as brothels, gambling, and the darker corners of London’s underworld. These are places the Dowager would normally never set foot in, yet her curiosity and reactions made the story all the more engaging. The contrast between her aristocratic world and the realities she encounters was both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The mystery itself was well written, with the usual mix of humor and intrigue.

[Debra Ranck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dowager Strikes Out

Book five of Tabitha &Wolf finds the crew chasing the Dowager as she strikes out as an hap hazard independent investigator; however she finds that it is not as easy as it seems when the group works together. Wrapped up with ladies of the evening, a Madame whose twin sister is missing, gangsters from both Irish and Jewish groups, the Dowager Countless is embroiled in murder, prostitution and phony money. Yes it keeps your interest till the conclusion. Don't miss this one. Enjoy!

[Carôle Ceres · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the exception of book 1, this has been the most enjoyable story and plot line thus far!

This time, it’s quite hard to decide who the titular woman is, it could be any or all of them!

We meet some interesting new characters and get taken to some “interesting” places!

To be fair, Tabatha is starting to get on my nerves a bit (from the last episode as well as this one), but she no longer takes the centre stage in my opinion: that’s left to the Dowager Countess!

I listened to the audiobook version of this title, Vicki-Jo is an excellent narrator.

[Doris Brase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Duchess and the Doxies

The Dowager Duchess decides that Society is too dull and sets out to be a PI, all by herself. Her fiest case involves syphyllis and the second, a brothel. Our impervious duchess sees a side of life far removed from her parlor. Humor, excitement and adventure swarm Wolfe and Tabitha as they try to rescue the duchess.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

a sliding timeline with multiple pov

I enjoyed these characters. The dowager’s perspective was new and interesting. The new set of characters introduced in the end are great and I hope we see more of them

[Stephanie Curran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!

I have read all five books, and each one is filled with new and wonderful surprises. This mystery is my favorite one yet. The setting, characters and period detail were fascinating. I could hardly put it down!

[Nancy T Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Missing Person/Or Two/An Investigation

Tabitha & Wolf go undercover to investigate the whereabouts of the
Dowager as she’s missing - they think, but as it Turns out she is investigating a mysterious disappearance herself. And trouble is not far behind !!!

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not good.

This book in the series featured around the Dowager Duchess taking on her own case which was very slow and dull next to the previous books in this series.

I think I will probably be leaving this as the last that I will read in this series.

[Betsy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting!

Tabitha and Wolf are pulled into a missing person case because of the Dowage Countess' over enthusiastic pursuit of a case of her own. This mystery takes place in a wholly unexpected venue, with several surprises popping up!

[Martha Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dowager investigates

A very enjoyable and interesting read. Love all the characters and their interactions. I would recommend this series to any mystery lover.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not enjoy spending so much time with the dowager.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pleased with this clean, more-emphasis-on-mystery, engaging series.

[Stacie Lorenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great!

This was the best one in the series so far! The focus on the dowager was great. The twists were fun and the resolution was perfect 👍

[Stephanie Pâquet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tabitha and Wolf... FINALLY 😍

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun

[Dre Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one may have been my favorite so far in the series.

[Cynthia Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audacious Women

I am thoroughly enjoying this series. This book was very good. The dowager countess is very entertaining. I was pleasantly surprised with the twist in this book

[Lisa Grush]

This is a fun and engaging series, that develops characters well.

[Alexandra Ciardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce tome ce concentre essentiellement sur la comtesse douairière, qui s’ennuie et se lance dans une carrière solo de détective. Comme je n’aime pas beaucoup ce personnage, ce tome m’a moins plu. Mais, c’est subjectif !
Toujours bien écrit et, bien documenté.