Murder. Scandal. Secrets. Lord & Lady Hetheridge are back in a thrilling new novel by New York Times Bestselling Author Emma Jameson.
When a hated instructor at England’s last ladies’ finishing school is found murdered, two things are missing—the dazzling London blue ring she always wore and the very finger it adorned.
Lady Hetheridge is back, and she's shaking up the high society scene! In Emma Jameson’s latest cozy mystery, DI Kate Hetheridge throws herself into a case that shatters the pristine image of a top English socialite.
When aging “Femininity for Our Time” guru Cathleen Maitland-Palmer is found dead, the scandalous truth behind her sparkling life is exposed: secret trysts, blackmail, and explosive betrayals hiding behind the polished door of her Kensington home.
Her fabulous career at Annabelle Carter, Britain’s last ladies’ finishing school, is also fiction. Her students hated her, the headmistress wanted her gone, and one of her colleagues poured hot tea on her lap during a faculty row. But this isn’t death by Darjeeling—the murder weapon is a powerful magnet.
Meanwhile, new dad Tony Hetheridge, determined to let his sixty-second birthday pass quietly as he recovers from a knee replacement, is pulled into a baffling cold case. Investigating the dark world of a fallen rock star and her brutalized bandmates leads him straight to Annabelle Carter—the very school under his wife’s scrutiny.
With a surprise party in the works, a worried DI Paul Bhar, and the ever-volatile Maura threatening young Henry’s newfound stability, the Hetheridges have their hands full. But one thing is certain—before this case is closed, London’s high society will never be the same.
London Blue is the thrilling eighth installment in Emma Jameson’s beloved Lord & Lady Hetheridge series. Murder, intrigue, and high-stakes secrets await—dive in today!
“The story holds true, and the characters are terrific.” –Reader Review
“What a great book! A worthy addition to the series.” –Reader Review
I read the first book in this series back in 2021 and loved it so much I rushed to read the following books as they came out. This was great until number seven was published in 2021 and then nothing. So when I suddenly discovered #8 had been published earlier this year and I had somehow missed it I had to remedy that immediately.
So I have just finished book eight and I loved every bit of it. The author writes beautifully and her characters are all delightful. The dialogue is beautifully entertaining especially between Lord and Lady Hetheridge. I found their plans for raising their son Henry to be fiendishly clever if rather outrageous in today's eyes. The book offered two equally balanced mysteries which ran parallel until the end.
All these things put together made for a really pleasurable and absorbing read. Loved it. Now let's hope the author has plans for book nine already underway. Five stars.
What a wonderful treat it was to get to read about this delightful couple again! I have waited and waited and checked over and over for a new book to come out in the series. I adore the interplay between Kate and Tony! I love the subtlety portrayed love, affection and humor of their relationship. I love reading about Henry...and catching up with all the other fascinating and interesting characters from the other books.... It was like saying "hello" to old friends. I own all the books in the series and have read each one of them over and over...Emma is a wonderful storyteller and once again she has kept me entertained and riveted to this latest installment. The two mysteries were superb! They were woven together in such a clever and thought provoking way. I have never been able to put down one of Emma Jameson's stories once I read the first page and remember what an amazingly talented author she is and this book was the just the same as always. As we worked our way through the suspense, the intriguingly positioned clues, the friendships, and the myriad of characters, she kept us guessing until near the end on both crimes. If I could I would give this book 10 stars...I highly recommend it... It is just the kind of book that a mystery book lover likes, and searches for, with a solid story, loads of fabulous characters, lots of red herrings, and two really unique, clever mysteries woven into one winner of a book!!!😇
I am in love with these wonderful characters. Well rounded, quirky, they talk and breath in endearing and interesting ways. You can't go spending time solving crimes with this bunch,
I am really glad I discovered BookBub, which sends me a daily list of books chosen for sale at very low prices (e.g., $1.99). These lists have been a major source of new books, authors, and series and have provided dozens of new reading choices I would probably not have found on my own. The "Blue" series by Emma Jameson is one such, with every one of the eight titles published so far having "blue" in its title. Of course, starting with the latest book in the series may not be the wisest move because the explanations for how things got to be the way they are for the leading characters are in previous books in the series, but my enjoyment of this novel was not really dependent on having read the previous 7.
This series is another British one, and I find that the quality of writing is better, in general, in many British books. The lead characters in London Blue are Lord and Lady Hetheridge. The Lord is really a member of the nobility (shades of Inspector Lynley?) but is also a retired Scotland Yard detective who now takes on private cases if they are sufficiently interesting. The Lady is, of course, his wife, who is still an active SY detective but is much younger than her husband and from a much lower social class. (I assume that the origins of this novel coupling are in earlier books.) Class distinctions are much more of a deal in Britain than they are in the U.S., but Jameson uses them well to add interest and even a bit of comedy to the story as the Lady can play the role of the lower-class cop or the titled Lady when switching roles suits her needs and desires. The plot revolves around tow cases: one involving the survivors of an all-woman rock band several of whose members have been murdered for the Lord, while his spouse deals with determining who killed an eccentric older woman who has spent her career mainly as a faculty member in London's last "finishing school." The characters in both cases are very 21st century in their rather bizarre, or at least quirky, personalities, etc., which is part of the fun of the novel.
This is certainly not the greatest mystery I have ever read, but it was fun and engaging. I recommend it.
I love Emma Jameson’s writing skills. She is a “classic” extremely educated writer, and her books are amazing with excellent plots, fast-paced writing and interesting characters. Her prose is crisp and provides an engaging narrative with well-crafted sentences. Her stories as easily read, fascinating, and hard to put down. I have read all the series of books about Lord and Lady Hetheridge and I purchased the last one, “London Blue”, immediately. I am glad I started with the first book of the series as the characters have developed nicely and I feel they are now “old friends”. This book is up to the high standard of the previous ones, and it was a pleasure to read. I would like to give it more than five stars. The BookBub firm has, now, offered the first three stories of this series, for a very cheap price, for anyone who has not purchased the series. This is a terrific bargain. The characters are: The wealthy Lord, Tony Hetheridge, a retired Police Superintendent and now a Private Investigator. He is older than his wife, Kate, who is a Scotland Yard Detective Inspector, and from a lower social class. Kate has just had a baby son. D.I. Paul Bhar is a colleague of Kate. Henry, Tony’s adopted son, is a young genius, and Richard is Kate’s disability-impaired brother. This is two stories in one book. Kate is on a case involving the murders of a rock band and Tony is investigating the murder of a faculty member of a top-drawer finishing school. The book was a fun, suspenseful read, and I cannot wait until the next one in the series. Highly recommended.
Tony, having had a knee replacement and grumbling about his recovery, takes on a case for a member of a former girl rock group. First, their manager is killed years earlier, and now each girl has been targeted, one of them kidnapped and killed recently.
Kate and Paul take on a murder of a teacher at the last finishing school in existence, and learn she was not a model teacher and was despised by staff and students alike. She also blackmailed her male lovers with help from her cleaner/prostitute, who filmed herself with her employer’s discards.
The cases overlap, as Tony’s client went to that school, as did a number of other suspects. Paul and Kate follow the threads, but though it looks like the cleaner or a female politician could be guilty, it’s neither of them.
The killer is someone who hated the victim, but knew about her blackmail scheme and decided to follow the same path, of sorts. They also take the valuable ring, and the finger it went on, from the victim.
For Tony, the crumbs lead to a realization that the murderer is someone who hatched a good plan, but was amateurish enough to make dumb mistakes. He also lost his mind and felt he could get rid of the band and become famous himself.
Lots of interesting suspects and scenarios, I like Tony’s storyline with the girl group, and his time as a new Dad. Kate is brilliant, and Paul cuts through a lot of crap too. These books are just the best!
I’ve been hooked on this series from book one. I love the characters, though I wish Tony weren’t quite so old. Only because I worry he’ll have a heart attack and leave Kate widowed. Or have a stroke. As it is he had a necessary knee replacement and is suffering with it.
I’m fascinated by Henry. But while I admit it may add a bit of spice to the mix, I REALLY don’t want his existence ruined by that junkie mother of his. Ironically, Maura is the most vivid character for me because she’s so malevolent. Anytime she’s in the mix, I can see her so clearly and she won’t be happy until she destroys the lives of both Kate and Henry. My mother had a younger alcoholic sister who used to show up to our respectable middle class home drunk and yelling out to everyone who could hear her, that she was my mother’s sister. She was a Maura and I did not shed a tear when she shuffled off this mortal coil.
I enjoyed the plot and was stunned by the revelation of the bad guy. Which is great, because I usually guess it, but not this time. Well done!
London Blue is Book #8 in Emma Jameson’s Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery series. “When a hated instructor at England’s last ladies’ finishing school is found murdered, two things are missing - the dazzling London blue ring she always wears and the very finger it adorned.” DI Kate Hetheridge throws herself into a case that shatters the pristine image of a top English socialite. Meanwhile (new father) Tony Hetheridge is investigating the dark (very dark) world of a fallen rock star and her brutalized bandmates. (I like the twist in this cold case.)
I have enjoyed reading all 8 books in this series. The characters are very personable and well thought out. The stories move at a fast pace and are tense and well-written. London is a great location. ‘Excellent readability.’ I would recommend this title and series. ****
London Blue, the 8th book in the Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series, is a great character driven police procedural, and I LOVED it. I kind of think of this series as the British version of my favorite In Death series. The female lead comes from a less than great background and by this point is married to a peer, an amazing guy 20 years her senior. It if fun watching Tony with their new baby while he works on his most recent private investigation case. Kate doesn't feel completely confident taking over as head of his old "toff's" department, but she is sliding in there well. It is a blast to hear her thoughts about the wealthy, influential people she and DI Pharr are investigating and to hear their banter A finishing school, a rocker, a missing finger, and a load of liars keep the action moving from beginning to end. Author Emma Jameson's outstanding writing keeps me coming back.
Loved reading each of these (so far 8) books! Being allowed to come to a conclusion of "Who Dun It." right along with the detectives is great. The descriptions of London are clear and well expressed and finding yourself fully immersed in a drive down a dark back street loaded with graffiti or, standing in the posh home of an English aristocrat is an eye opener. Allowing Fully packed conversations of police activity, sharing in home life of an extraordinary family, and the actions of victims and thoughts of bad guys draws you in. The books in the BLUE series show a distinct growth of each character and their place in the time of the story. I love their personalities! I enjoy the tongue in cheek humor, and maybe a bit of slightly grisly badness. Awaiting the next read!
An absolutely delightful read! Lord and Lady Hetheridge each have complicated cases. How the cases are entwined evolves is very skillful and enhances the plot. Jameson’s characters continue to grow and evolve through each book. The relationships between the main characters and the supporting cast grow in kindness and deepen through the care the give to each other.
If you’re just starting the series you have 8 delightful mysteries to read. If you’ve read them in order and were waiting for this next installment of the Hetheridge’s adventures, you won’t be disappointed!
Sooo glad Ms. Jameson came out with "London Blue." As I read book 7, "Untrue Blue," in 2021, I was somewhat despairing of another book being published. Happy surprise with the 8th book. Excellent as always and kept this USA person on her toes with London slang and copper talk. Plot was just as twisty as I expected, and although I continued to suspect the murderer (no spoilers here), I managed to doubt my suspected criminal time and again due to Ms. Jameson's dastardly red herrings. Adding in a subplot crime and catching up with Henry, Paul, infant son, and Tony simply added whipped cream and a cherry to an ice cream sundae. Great adventure.
Terrific! Wonderful! Exciting! The eighth book in this series is outstanding! Addition of babies for Paul and Tony and their wives adds a lot of different things to consider. The murder is unusual and well written. Lots of suspects, interesting and awful, lots of liars, lots of past history, and a scary ending ! Love this series! It is my second time to read the first 7 and delight to read the most recent entry! Great characters, outstanding story and an author who writes , has great dialogue , humor as well as adventure, and provides a wonderful literary escape!
I very much enjoy this series. Always a good mystery, humor, great characters. This one has two mysteries. The first, who killed a woman who had been a hated teacher at a finishing school. This is Kate's to solve with help from her colleagues at Scotland Yard. Tony is now retired from the Yard. He is investigating a cold case tied to a fallen rock star and her two bandmates. You don't need to read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one, but I think it makes it more fun.
Emma Jameson has created the perfect crime fighting couple who have respect for one another while navigating their police careers. Age and rank make no difference as they come together throughout this series. Now married, with a baby, their differing skills are called upon to solve a series of murders. I love how they care for and support each other. Plus, the continuing stories of their colleagues bring a smile to my face. Well done and well worth diving in, though I recommend starting with book 1, Ice Blue.
A wonderful new episode of the Lord and Lady Hetheridge series. I was happy to read a book in which a woman continues to live a full life after having a baby. It's great that all the characters remain who they are. They are not static. They continue to develop. There is a realistic understanding of life in Emma Jameson's characters. No miracle cures, no perfect lives, just humans. Admittedly, not average for the lead characters. But who wants an average hero or heroine?
With multiple cases being conducted by Lord Hetheridge on the private front, along with Kate and Paul on the official side, the intertwining stories got convoluted at times. In the end, of course, they all came together.
What’s in the mix?
Three murders. A woman’s finishing school. Illicit love. Blackmail. Politics. Rock stars. Rapper wannabes. And general life for our three favorite detectives and their respective families.
Keep your thinking cap on. You’re going to need it.
I was missing the Lord and Lady Hetheridge books and then this one came. So good! I liked it so much. I only hope this is not the last one. Emma Jamison has created a group of characters and plots that are a joy to read. It has twists and surprises all through the book. Kate on the field and Tony at his desk recovering from his surgery still work as a perfectly oiled machine. I want more!
Compared to previous books, Book 8 is calm. There's no explosions or disastrous villains. Rather there's a finishing school filled with the upper classes and a murder of course. We have Tony recovering from knee surgery and being an attentive Dad to his newborn son Nicholas. We find out more about his personal life and the family's. It's not the nail biter that past books have been but it's OK.
I had not known this book had been published until this morning. I purchased it immediately in a e- version and have just completed it. Just as great as the previous ones. Characters grow in development as real people do in life. I will definitely be waiting and watching for another in the future. Thank you for providing so many hours of reading pleasure especially in this Lord And Lady Heteridge series.
Do so love this series, and in particular, this book!
Round of applause for Emma Jameson who has hit it out of the park with this book. The characters feel like good friends, or at least friends I would like to have. The story is intriguing and, unfortunately, I couldn't stop reading. Now its over and I must wait impatiently for the next one.
Love this series .always eager for the next book.characters keep growing and keep my interest .can't wait for the next book .going to go back and read from the beginning
Love this series going to go back to the beginning while I wait for the next book.characters keep developing With each new book
I had binge read the Blue series when Covid first hit and was happy to see a new one. Jameson says there is another one in the works and I will look for it. I liked reading about Tony and Kate and their children and Kate's colleagues. There were two stories that were interlinked somewhat. There was lot of ugliness and sordidness. Time to lay off mysteries for a while again!
Jealousy, rivalries and a tissue of lies lead to blackmail and murder that have links to a prestigious finishing school and a rock band. It's wonderful to see private detective Lord Tony Hetheridge, his wife DI Kate Hetheridge, and DI Paul Bharr back in action in this latest installment of a great series.
I've read all of the series, this was the last, and I'm bummed. Oh, well, I have them in paper book, digital and audio, so I have them for the future and will DEFINITELY read and/ or listen to them again. Great, great series. Hopefully, we'll see more of DI Kate and Tony Hethering and Paul and Henry, etc. Get busy, Emma!!
Complicated and interesting case, well managed by Lady Hetheridge.... Side personal story about comparing babies' developmental milestones. I found that a little silly with the baby being only 7 months old and they're worried she doesn't play enough with toys. I did like the side story about Henry, though.