The Perilous Promise of Danger

The Ladies Society for Murder #3

by Blythe Baker

Augusta Lockwood is still wrestling with the dilemma of an anonymous corpse buried beneath her floorboards, when a new mystery arrives on her doorstep. A governess friend from the secret ladies society presses Augusta into helping to identify the culprit behind a series of deadly goings on in a great house under shadow.

Insinuating herself into the home, Augusta must navigate a tangled web of deceit and suspicion, leading everywhere from the downstairs servants to the strangely cold family that employs them. But can Augusta cope with two investigations at once, when a mysterious intruder from the past returns to finish a dastardly task?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2025

About the author

Blythe Baker is a thirty-something bottle redhead from the South Central part of the country. When she’s not slinging words and creating new worlds and characters, she’s acting as chauffeur to her children and head groomer to her household of beloved pets.

Blythe enjoys long walks with her dog on sweaty days, grubbing in her flower garden, cooking, and ruthlessly de-cluttering her overcrowded home. She also likes binge-watching mystery shows on TV and burying herself in books about murder.

Reviews

[Namrata Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4 out of 5)

The Perilous Promise of Danger (The Ladies Society for Murder, #3) by Blythe Baker

The Ladies Society for Murder series is really starting to find its rhythm with this third book. The Perilous Promise of Danger continues the adventures of Augusta Lockwood and her circle of amateur sleuths, and this time the mystery feels tighter, the tone more confident, and the pacing just right for a cozy afternoon read.

What worked:
This was easily my favorite of the first three books. The mystery itself felt more layered and engaging — it kept me curious without ever becoming confusing. There’s a growing sense of atmosphere and refinement that gives the book a distinct old-world charm. Some of the scenes, especially the more tense investigative ones, almost had a classic Agatha Christie feel — that same mix of civility, secrets, and suspicion simmering under polite society.

I also liked how the story moved quickly without losing focus. Even though the book is short, it still managed to create a believable setup and deliver a satisfying resolution.

What didn’t:
Because it’s so brief, there isn’t enough room for the story to fully breathe. The mystery wraps up neatly, but I sometimes wished for more emotional depth or side character development. A few moments that could’ve really hit harder felt slightly rushed.

Final thoughts:
Overall, The Perilous Promise of Danger is a delightful step forward for the series — sharper, more engaging, and a lot more fun than the earlier installments. It’s a quick read but one that lingers nicely afterward. If the series continues in this direction, it might just become one of my go-to cozy mystery favorites.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third adventure of the Ladies Society for Murder and this one is even more strange than the other two. One of the ladies in the society asked Augusta Lockwood to investigate the possibility of her Mistress being poisoned and arranged for Augusta to poise as a temporary servant for a party being planned at the home. After talking to a maid who had been let go for flirting with the man of the house, Augusta had a new lead to pursue and to the chagrin of Augusta's friend Augusta found the poisoner about to attack the lady of the house with a knife and was in danger of being killed herself. I most definitely recommend this book and look forward to the next one.

[Dora Suasnavar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good plot

I can't wait for the next book, I was surprised on the outcome of this story, I was so sure I knew who was doing it.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

While I did enjoy it, I found the pacing to be a bit off and there were a couple of issues with the timeline. That being said, I'm still continuing with the series.