Miss Morton and the Missing Heir: A Miss Morton Mystery, Book 4

Miss Morton Mysteries #4

by Catherine Lloyd

Social standing is everything in Regency England—and no one knows better than Miss Caroline Morton, a lady's companion from a disgraced line. But when she has a chance to claim what's rightfully hers, the one obstacle in her way is a dangerous murder mystery....

Miss Caroline has doubts when she receives an urgent invitation from a London law firm to discuss her late father's estate. After all, the dishonored Earl of Morton died without a pound sterling to pass on to his two daughters. But while immersing herself in helping Mrs. Frogerton's capricious daughter navigate the high social season, Caroline meets with a cagey lawyer, Mr. Smith, who shares life-altering news—the earl composed a second will, leaving behind an undisclosed fortune.

Mrs. Frogerton, however, is thoroughly unimpressed with the firm's conduct and suspicious of their true motives. Her instinct proves right when the two ladies find the office ransacked, staff in turmoil, and Mr. Smith missing. The full weight of the situation doesn't sink in until Mr. Smith dies following a brutal attack on the street—discovered with an empty envelope bearing Caroline's name in his pocket.

With a connection forming between two deaths at the firm, Caroline can't imagine why anyone would kill twice over the contents of a will. Further complicating matters is the amorous Mr. DeBloom—who claims his mother goaded the earl into making bad investments and promises to link Caroline to her inheritance—and the disappearance of Susan, her younger sister. As Caroline unwittingly becomes the center of both a criminal case and a sordid love triangle, she must tread with caution while seeking the truth...because someone is waiting to reduce her to nothing more than a signature on a dotted line.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Victorian, Historical Mystery, Fiction

Audible Audio

First published September 30, 2025

About the author

Catherine Lloyd was born just outside London, England, into a large family of dreamers, artists, and history lovers. She completed her education with a master’s degree in history at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and uses the skills she gained there to research and write her historical mysteries. Catherine currently lives in Hawaii with her husband and youngest daughter..

Please note only the Kurland St. Mary mysteries are written by this Catherine Lloyd, not the romances.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book four in the Miss Morton Mystery series and I seem to have managed to miss book three. I must fix that.

However book four stands on its own with the appearance of a claimant to the title of Caroline's fathers deceased estate. Thomas Scutton is very unlikeable with a very high opinion of himself based on very little. He has an equally unpleasant mother. Caroline is forced to defend her independence and she is aided in this by the very likeable Mrs. Frogerton, her employer.

I really enjoy the way this author writes and I think her depiction of the Regency period is spot on, Her MC, Caroline, always manages to behave with propriety while solving a crime at the same time. Four stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery and murder!

Wrapped up in Victorian times where the heroine is a lady fallen on hard times. Lady Caroline Morton has taken on the role of paid companion to Mrs. Frogerton. When Caroline’s spendthrift father died bankrupt and ruined, Caroline found that her and her sisters dowries had been spent, and any jewellery and effects not tied to the earldom sold to pay off debtors. Caroline and her sister were left destitute. Society turned their collective backs on them. Caroline was fourteen.
It’s 1840. Caroline’ s employer Mrs. Frogerton is an industrialist, a very competent woman of business. She recognised that her daughter would need guidance to take her place in society. Caroline was that guide. All eventually turned out well.
No sooner had Caroline and Mrs Frogerton returned to London from the wedding when Caroline is given news that the authorities have finally found a likely heir to her father’s title and any entailed property.
Mrs Frogerton, generous soul, invites probable heir Mr. Scutton, his mother and his sister to stay with her whilst Morton Hall is being made liveable, and as they wait for a decision from the College of Arms as to the validity of Scutton’s claim.
Then death strikes! Soon Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton are embroiled in investigations, ably supported by Dr. Harris and Inspector Ross (both very interesting men as far as Caroline is concerned!)
The solving of the murder puts Mrs. Frogerton in danger and Caroline responding in a rather decisive manner.

A Kensington ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Lavins · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

Of all the books in this series, this is my least favourite one. In the first half, Caroline is acting so different..so arrogant, pompous, superior, smug. I found her really annoying in more than one occations.

On the other hand the crime at hand, is quite brutal, especially when the culprit is uncovered (which was not too hard to figure out).

There was almost no heartfelt connections throughout the entire book. The characters were all insufferable. The dialogs were for the most part arguments. Very cold atmosphere. Hopefully the next one will be better.

[Heather Moll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing Caroline stand up for herself and be less of a secondary character to Mrs. Frogerton’s energy, who I still love. This was a good mystery that stands alone, but I’d still recommend it if you’ve read some previous books since Caroline’s family backstory is so key. I guessed the culprit, but had fun exploring the how and why.

I don’t miss Susan. And I don’t feel bad about that. I’m not a fan of love triangles, personally, and we’re still hovering in that direction. I’m voting that Inspector Ross takes the lead and Dr. Harris is friend zoned.

I really liked this installment and I’m already eager for what comes next!

I received an arc from NetGalley

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a charming cozy mystery with a delightful historical flair. I really enjoyed following Caroline, she’s intelligent, composed, and quietly determined, and I loved how she uses her wit and resilience to navigate both the mystery and her complicated social position. The setting felt authentically period without ever dragging, and the atmosphere had just the right touch of intrigue.

The mystery itself kept me engaged, layered with family tensions, hidden motives, and just enough danger to keep things interesting without veering from the cozy tone. I especially liked the dynamic between Caroline and her employer, there’s such an unexpected warmth and partnership there that added depth to the story.

I have not read the earlier books in this series. It’s a satisfying installment that stands well on its own, though I can see how reading the earlier books would add even more richness. Perfect for readers who enjoy historical cozies with smart heroines, engaging plots, and just a hint of personal stakes. I’ll definitely keep reading more in this series!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Distraught over her younger sister Susan’s decision to leave for America, Caroline is dealt another blow when her family solicitors indicate they may have found the lost heir to the Morton earldom. Possible heir Thomas, his mother Mrs. Scutton, and her widowed daughter Mary all descend on Mrs. Frogerton’s home on Half Moon Street. The air inside the house is soon thick with family tension and the near palpable presence of avarice. But things go from tense to tragic following the appearance of Mary’s dead husband—very much alive and recently released from debtors’ prison. Unseen by Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton, a fight breaks out upstairs, leaving Mary fatally stabbed and her mother wounded.
The fourth outing for Caroline & another riveting book. I really like both Caroline & Mrs Frogerton & thoroughly enjoyed the book pluses were Susan, who I dislike wasn’t featured & it looks like a resolution to the relationships between Caroline Inspector Ross & Dr Harris might be on the cards. The murder mystery as well as he title claim were intriguing. A well written book with strong characters & a well paced story
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has gotten steadily better as the author has gotten to know her two main characters. Miss Caroline Morton is actually Lady Morton, but her spendthrift Earl father left the estate bankrupted and Caroline and her sister penniless. Caroline now serves as companion to Mrs. Frogerton, a widow rich through trade.

In this entry, someone has come forward claiming to be the heir to the Morton earldom. The man, his mother, and his sister are awful people who are clearly keeping secrets and have hidden motives. It was nice that the main plot was closely connected to Caroline and her family.

I'm not a fan of the love triangle and wish the author would choose one of the two men for Caroline - or make it clear that she is not interested in either.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILERS HERE!
While I have enjoyed all the books by Catherine Lloyd, including this one overall, I was surprised that it took almost the whole book for Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton to discover that Mrs. Scutton was lying. She was the only "witness"to the murder, yet everyone, including the inspector, took her word for it, despite circumstances that made it seem unlikely. This bothered me through the whole reading, but I continued, thinking that maybe somehow it would turn out that through some crazy twists, she was telling the truth.

[Carol Dimitriou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good addition to the Miss Morton series. Both Miss Morton and Mrs. Frogerton are great characters, as well as Dr. Harris and Inspector Ross. Will Caroline eventually marry one of these men? This is a great series.

[H.R.H. Carpathia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caroline is an interesting heroine and Mrs. Frogerton (my favorite) is a great ally. Together these two women are a great force. This book is part of a series but can certainly be read alone, though a few characters may seem opaque; Susan for example. I imagine she was important in earlier books but she is just the absent sister here. The same with Mrs. Frogerton’s daughter. The characters that we did meet, Inspector Ross and Dr. Harris for example were developed enough to understand who they are and where they fit in the story in relation to Caroline. Both characters added something to the plot. The problemsome Scuttons were introduced well and I liked that the plot did not linger too long on their story. Neither did it rush to the murder. There was a fine balance. There is also a realistic depiction of what is appropriate for women to do at these times and it is not only the ‘bad’ characters that have these feelings. Caroline also fits the time which is something many miss the mark on with their heroines. She has aspirations, she speaks her mind, but she still has concerns for decorum. Also, I would like to add that the male leads are well behaved here. There is none of that ‘attracted to the rake’ or possessiveness shown as romantic. This writer has my personal approval for how she depicted relationships, including conflict of faiths. The suspect was easy for me to guess, because it just made sense. I did enjoy going along with the plot, though. Anne Harris.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Miss Morton Mysteries #4
Publication Date: 9/30/25
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 272

The delightful Miss Morton (Lady Caroline) and her energetic, inquisitive employer, Mrs. Frogerton, lead us through another mystery filled with red herrings, multiple suspects, and a shocking villain. Mrs. Frogerton’s daughter, Dotty, has finally married her Viscount, and Mrs. Frogerton is suffering from the let-down after all of the excitement. So, when the lawyer shows up with information about a potential heir to Caroline’s father’s title, Mrs. Frogerton immediately offers to host them in her home.

Things quickly go awry for everyone. Both Mrs. Frogerton and Caroline suspect something might be amiss with Mr. Scutton’s claim to the title, but since the lawyers and the College of Arms were investigating the claim, they decided to leave it alone. The Scutton family proves to be a disagreeable lot, which cements Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton’s suspicions. With the death (accidental?) of the Scutton’s servant and then the murder of Mary, the potential heir’s sister, things get very tense.

I loved all of the character updates and cannot wait to see what happens in future books. I’m happy that neither Susan nor Dotty made an appearance, as I don’t care for either of them. Also, I strongly dislike love triangles, and I’m ready to see the one between Caroline, Inspector Ross, and Dr. Harris resolved – since this is the 4th book in the series, it is time for resolution. I vote for Inspector Ross with Dr. Harris relegated to friend status. I can hardly wait for the next book to see what happens!

I recommend this interesting, fun book and the entire series. The writing is excellent with a well-plotted, well-paced mystery with characters that you will either love or hate – no indifference here.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advance reader copy of Miss Morton and the Missing Heir. All opinions and comments are my own.

Caroline Morton, daughter of a (penniless and disgraced) earl, works as the companion to Mrs. Matilda Forgerton, enjoying the security it gives her and ability to live her own life. So, when she receives a letter that a claimant has come forward with proof of his right to the Morton title, she’s wary, but willing to meet the fellow and his family. Thus begins Miss Morton and the Missing Heir, and little does Caroline know that such a situation will soon become a maelstrom of deceit, deception, and death.

In this, the fourth book in the series, author Catherine Lloyd once again offers readers a strong heroine in Caroline Morton, who asserts her independence and strength many times over. And she has to do so quite a bit, as she works to ferret out the truth of the deaths that occur in the book and the truth behind the claim to the Morton earldom. Kudos to the author for creating characters that stand out on every page, especially the smarmy fellow who would like very much to take over.

When one’s future is involved, Caroline and Mrs. F. do all they can to ensure a successful outcome, and their efforts are rewarded, even when a little personal danger is involved. There’s a bit of a twist to the family saga, not that it will do a certain someone any good.

Caroline learns that her financial circumstances are assured, which means making decisions as to the personal path she’ll be pursuing -- which may involve the two men that are pursuing her. We’ll have to find out more about that in future books. Recommended for those who like female protagonists who manage to operate within the confines of their times (this is 1840 England) while proving to be rather good detectives.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Miss Morton and the Missing Heir" is the fourth installment in Catherine Lloyd’s Miss Morton Murder series. This addition follows Lady Caroline and her employer, Mrs. Frogerton, as they navigate a complex mystery surrounding a potential heir to Caroline’s father’s title. The narrative introduces the Scutton family, particularly Mr. Scutton, who asserts his claim to the title. Despite their initial skepticism regarding the legitimacy of his assertion, Mrs. Frogerton extends an invitation for the Scutton family to stay until the claim can be thoroughly verified.

The situation becomes increasingly complicated with the mysterious death of a servant of the Scutton’s family, and the murder of Mary, Mr. Scutton’s sister, which casts suspicion on both her husband and brother. These developments heighten the intrigue and deepen the mystery surrounding the title claim. Inspector Ross is summoned to lead the investigation, while Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton embark on their own quest for the truth.

I look forward to every new Miss Morton mystery. The author displays a remarkable ability to craft historical mysteries that seamlessly integrate a wealth of historical detail without detracting from the compelling narrative. Numerous twists keep readers engaged. Overall, the writing is captivating, featuring a well-structured plot and strong, engaging characters. This is an enchanting historical mystery and a delightful addition to the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Cheryl Gilmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a great reading experience with this book! Let me set the scene for you: Me lying in bed on a rainy night, curled up in a blanket with just my book light to read by. A dog lying beside me, snoring away and twitching her legs every few minutes telling me she's having a fantastic dream about chasing a chipmunk. Me, reading "Miss Morton and the Missing Heir" and getting so into the book that I can't put it down.
I almost gave up on this series, to be perfectly honest with you, after the last book that was published, but I decided that I liked that one enough to give the author another chance. Boy, did she deliver!
The atmosphere in this book was outstanding and the characters so believable and fun to read about that they felt like real people from history. The mystery was fun to figure out with the amateur sleuth, and the message of a woman not needing to be married to be important was also a breath of fresh air to read about. I absolutely love this series and will continue to read this author's work in the future.
It was not a five stars read for me, but was very close, more like a 4.5. I would recommend it to any historical cozy mystery lover, particularly those who enjoy a witty, and confident amateur sleuth who doesn't need a man in her life...but still wants one if the right man comes along.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was, by far, the best book of the series!!

Even though I disliked ALL of the side characters except Mary [don't worry, you are not supposed to like them as they are truly awful],as well as Dr. Harris [WHAT was his issue?? I usually enjoy him, but ERGH!], I knew who the killer was V E R Y early [I read a ton of mysteries AND I watch detective TV, so I am not sure why I am always surprised when I DO guess correctly], something I spent the whole book trying to talk myself out of [I scared the crap out of my Mom when I yelled "I KNEW IT" at the reveal], the book, as a whole, was very good. The mystery was good, the search for the truth around the [stupid, snotty, audacious, pushy] Earl was very interesting [I learned some things I didn't know before], and that reveal? Outstanding [and also very ICK. IYKYK].

I really enjoyed this one and spending time with Caroline [who has really grown on me, especially now that she has grown a bit of a backbone] and Mrs. Froggerton [who is much more enjoyable now that her obnoxious daughter is married], and I can only hope we get many more like it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Catherine Lloyd, and Kensington Publishing/Kensington for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I forgot to note that I listened to the audiobook for this a few months ago (as I got ahold of the book in November) but after reading a bunch of people's reviews (including spoilers, lol, so much for the mystery!) I am starting to think I didn't read it. I have a bad memory, but I don't think it's so bad I'd forget most of the characters even existed. I think I actually skipped it because the description of the book here on Goodreads is identical to book #3, which someone should fix.

Therefore, I'm gonna listen to it (possibly again) and write my review after that.
**********
Okay I listened to this book, and yeah, I had NOT read it previously, I was just confused because the summary in the description is for the previous book. THIS book is about a man (and his mother) who show up claiming to be related to Caroline, and with a claim to the Earldom (which Caroline herself has no claim on, obviously, as she is female and therefore worthless). It also turns out that the land shares that her father left her were actually valuable, but before we start thinking maybe Caroline's dad wasn't so bad, we then learn he ALSO cheated on his wife by banging a maid, got her pregnant, and then gave the maid some of his wife's jewelry for whatever reason; to hide all this, the old Earl forced his disgraced Catholic son to marry the woman to hide her pregnancy [because the woman was also Catholic, so that at least was not meant as punishment]. Wow.

Also the love triangle between the inspector (now in line to become the next Marquess), the doctor, and Caroline is as unresolved as ever. She did kind of tell the doctor that she only thinks of him as a friend, and he's very upset about it, so I guess she kinda did make a decision, but it still feels unresolved. I feel bad for him because I really like the doctor despite his terrible personality, but since I also like the inspector, I couldn't say how this can possibly work out in a positive way where I, the reader, don't feel quite bad for at least one of these people.

How was the murder plot and so on? Same as usual. Mrs Frogerton is still the most interesting and likable character. I'd probably read a series that's just her adventures in high society (solving murder mysteries, no doubt).

[Kiaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Caroline Morton is a young woman greatly wronged by her greedy reprobate father who died leaving her and her little sister homeless, penniless and scorned by the nobility of Victorian London. Caroline has almost no choices other than living on the charity of her not great Aunt. So, Caroline decides to strike out on her own and take a paying job as a lady’s companion…nobly bred didn’t not sully themselves with work…horror of horrors! This TERRIFIC series follows Caroline’s journey as the companion of the fabulously wealthy industrialist and irascible Mrs. Frogerton who wants to marry her daughter into the nobility but doesn’t have the knowledge or connections to do it. Caroline can navigate the marriage mart and Mrs. M becomes much more than an employer. Along the way, they become tangled up in murder investigations that must be solved. Caroline has a few love interests but any romance is seriously “slow burn.” In this book, a possible heir to Morton title arrives in London with his sister and grasping, nasty mother in tow to make his claim. Intrigue, murder and secrets lead Caroline and Mrs. M. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 4th installment of Miss Morton's life and escapes was just as good as all the rest. Caroline is such an interesting character with a complex history, and it's nice to see her figuring out what she wants and is willing to stand up for herself to have it. I continue to love Mrs. Frogerton, even if she likes to bring the drama and can't say I missed sister Susan at all. Miss Morton's distant relations (the Scuttons) are the focus of the story and whether or not their claim to the Morton earlyship is genuine. Mrs. Frogerton invites them to stay as they wait for the decision to be made. None of them are likable and continually insult Caroline and/or try to control her. It was annoying but perhaps the push she needed to stand up for herself. Inspector Ross is in and out of the storyline as he is caring for his dying brother and preparing to become the new heir in his family, whether he wants it or not. The murder occurs early and has some twists and turns for Caroline & Mrs. Frogerton to investigate. An extremely enjoyable book that was hard to put down. I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read this advanced copy.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book from the first page till the last.
Young Lady Caroline Morton who, along with her sister, are left homeless on the death of her father the Earl Morton. The Earl had squandered their fortune and left them penniless.
Caroline finds herself expelled from high society and finds a job working for the feisty and empathetic Mrs Frogerton.

One day she receives word of a man (Mr Scutton, along with his mother and sister) who is laying claim to the earldom.
What follows is murders, theft, and intrigue while Caroline and Mrs Frogerton unravel the family secrets and truth about who the heir is and are his claims to be validated.

Mrs Frogerton is a great character. Mr Scutton you want to strangle. The story is supported by a dashing Inspector from Scotland Yard and a charming, lowly, young doctor. The later two have stories I feel will build and trickle into the next book.

I didn’t realise this was book four of a series before I started it, but you would never know and does perfectly well as a stand alone book.
Very much looking forward to the next in the series!

NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
I'm quite fond of this series about an impoverished gentlewoman who becomes a paid ladies companion (scandalous!) to the very wealthy widow of an industrialist (shocking!) who needs help navigating society while trying to marry off her somewhat annoying daughter to a duke or earl or someone like that. Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton make a delightful mystery-solving duo, and there is always a good sub-plot involving awful family members or possible romantic interests for Caroline.
The highlight of this series for me is the character interactions, as the mysteries are generally fairly 'cosy'. It would be helpful to have read at least one previous book in this series.
It does irk me that they are consistently promoted as 'Regency' books when they take place in the 1830s...although they are 'loosely' historical, rather than firmly anchored by historical events.
This book involves complications and murder that arise from a family that claims to be the heirs to Caroline's father's title and a possible hidden fortune, but they seem suspicious from the start, and of course it turns out to be a complicated con.

[M Steinbrink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Morton and the Missing Heir is the latest mystery in the Miss Morton mystery series by Catherine Lloyd. I really enjoyed this book and stayed up way too late to finish it and find out the outcome of the mystery. This time Miss Morton and her employer Mrs. Frogerton are visited by some possible relatives of Miss Morton and after a murder occurs right in their home Miss Morton and Mrs. Frogerton once again set out to solve it. This series seems to get better with each book and I now eagerly look forward to each mystery and seeing what is happening to Miss Morton now. Watching her grow and develop into a strong, capable woman in a time where women had very little power has been very enjoyable and I love Mrs. Frogerton as her mentor! The mystery was fun to figure out and the motives behind it were even harder to figure out. I recommend this series to anyone who loves historical mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

[Scilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Frogerton has finally seen her daughter married to a viscount. Caroline has a letter in the waiting post from her family solicitor. Mr. Potkins tells her someone has written to him claiming to be the next Earl of Morton. As the only living Morton in England he wants her to meet with the people. Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton agree to go look at Morton Hall. They realize the house is in very bad shape. Mr. Potkins shows up after they are home saying he had no idea the bank had allowed the property to fall into disrepair. She suggests they meet at Potkind office instead of Morton Hall. However, Mrs. Frogerton suggests they meet at her house. The family moves into Mrs. Frogerton's house, widowed mother Mrs Scutton, the son who is claiming the Earl position Mr. Thomas Scutton, and his married sister Mrs. Mary Brigham. The rest of the family doesn't seem to like her husband. There are a couple of murders early in the book.

Meantime we still see visits by the two men interested in Caroline, Dr. Harris and Inspector Ross whose older brother the Viscount is not in good health.

Caroline is worried that Mr. Scutton may be an even worse Earl than her father was. When he asks her to marry him, she rejects him immediately. It appears that Mrs. Scutton had been a maid and then married someone related to the Mortons. It seems that the Scutton family may not be what they are claiming.

This is a good addition to the series. I thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC so that I could read the book before publication.

[CV · Rating 2 out of 5]

No preview edition here; I waited for the release, read it, and was left disappointed.

As with all Ms. Lloyd’s books, the writing style is entertaining, the characters are interesting, and the reader is left hoping for another story. However, this installment was wholly lackluster compared to the other stories in this series, and ultimately, was very frustrating. Our heroine, Caroline, her feisty employer, her erstwhile (irksome) sister, and her intriguing admirers do not move forward, at all. Yes, it could be argued, that the state of the Earldom is now settled, but is it? And more to the point, does that even matter? This story line was mildly engaging, the nefarious crew was irritating, but not in a “good” way, and I found myself skipping ahead to see what would finally come of it. The first three installments were just so much more enticing. Having read the Kurland St. Mary’s series I am certainly a fan of Ms. Lloyd, but this book was a true disappointment. I hope Caroline has another story in her future, but I will be moving this series to the back burner.

[FULVIA BELLINATO · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems that finally an heir to the Morton title has been found, a distant cousin of Miss Morton whose grandfather was the fourth son of one of the previous earls. At first Miss Morton doesn’t want anything to do with it, a constant reminder of all the wrongdoings of her father but she’s entangled in the succession process alongside her employer nonetheless. Their sharp wit and curious nature will uncover the unpleasant truth behind the claim.
I love Miss Morton so much, I get sucked into her world every time, to a time where women couldn’t inherit even if they proved to be much more competent and level-headed than their male counterpart.
Inspector Ross and Doctor Harris are constant presences in every book, both vying for her affection but for now she can’t afford to see them more than just friends for they are also a reminder of social standings and class differences which were very strict at the time.
These books can be read as standalones but it would be better if read in order.
I’m so happy to know that there will be another book coming out next year.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful book in this series. I really love Caroline and she has wayyy more tenacity and patience and poise than I do. The way she treats everyone kindly despite how despicable they are to her, is really a credit and impressive. I love that she has made such great friends and how her relationship with her employer has become so strong, more like friends or confidents. The alleged family members that have popped up and are THE MOST SNOBISH and horrible made my blood boil, so kudos to the author for making such well-depicted characters. The mystery was very light and in my opinion, easy to figure out. But this book truly shines in the way Caroline is able to piece everything together without tipping her hand and by working with her friends (and possible suitors).

Note: I LOVE the audiobook narration of this series, keeping it sounding cozy and making Caroline sound very proper but also down to Earth

I cannot wait to see more of this series, especially after this ending.

Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.

[K McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always excited to get another installment of the Miss Morton mysteries. The author does a commendable job of writing 1840s-set mysteries that manage to provide lots of historical detail without detracting at all from compelling mystery plots. Miss Morton becomes embroiled in another murder investigation when an unpleasant family claiming to be the heirs to her father’s estate turn up in London. The usual characters offer assistance as Miss Morton tries to sort things out. As always in this series, the characters are a delight, especially-for me- Mrs Frogerton. The mystery is excellent and has plenty of twists that keep things moving quickly. My only quibble is a very slight one that does not detract from the book; namely, the very slow burn love triangle that has lingered for the last several books. Overall a hugely enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

[WeLoveBigBooksAndWeCannotLie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only now realized that I read, book 4 of 4 in the Miss Morton Missing series by Catherine Lloyd. This is my first book in this series and I adored it!🩷
This is a cozy mystery set in Regency England, and I know I’ll be picking up the rest of the series ASAP!
Lady Caroline is employed by Mrs. Frogerton who is energetic and lively older lady. They are quite the team as a sudden and disturbing murder happens right in their own house! They are determined to find out the truth and get right to sleuthing!
What I really enjoyed was learning about that period and what was expected of people in different classes. There are social rules but even beyond that actual laws that would never be applied today, depending on your religion, marital status or sex.
I hope you get a chance to check out this cute series!
Thank you @kensingtonbooks for this gifted copy!
Miss Morton and the Missing Heir will publish on 9/30/25 and is available on our Amazon storefront!

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading anything by Catherine Lloyd but I will say that I was very impressed with this story. The characters and the plot line were absolutely fantastic. I will have to look into reading the other books in this series in the near future because this book was wonderful.

We are introduced to Caroline Morton who is the daughter of a nobleman but was very greedy and had very little regard for his children. Not wanting to live under the thumb of her aunt she decides to strike it out on her own by becoming a ladies companion. Although that it is only the beginning. From there she was find herself investigating murder mysteries and hoping to uncover pieces of the past.

A special thank you to @kensingtonbooks for sending me a copy of this book. All opinions are of my own.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone has stepped up to claim Miss Morton’s family title. The Scuttons from Epping in Essex have applied to the earldom. Except, of the three there, Mrs. Scutton, the claimant’s mother, seems like the only one who is pushing the information. Thomas seems somewhat indifferent while his sister Mary downright doesn’t believe it.
But, before Caroline can pull out the information that Mary knows, the woman is killed. Mrs. Scutton is there and sees Mary's newly-freed-from-prison husband and his brother running away. We don't get to see the husband much, but everyone seems inclined to beleive Mrs. Scutton. Why would she lie?
If you've read the Miss Morton stories before, you can probably guess some of the twists. Still fairly light and I really wish we had gotten to see more of the husband, but a quick, mostly enjoyable read.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful Regency/early Victorian mystery. Caroline Morton, a lady but also a paid companion after her father left she and her sister destitute, has found a surprise talent for mystery solving with the strong encouragement of her employer. When a new heir comes to light for the Morton's earldom, Caroline is asked to meet with them. Family tensions run high in the Scutton family with plenty of secrets they don't want revealed but when one is killed and another wounded in an attack at Caroline's employer's house, Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton are determined to find out the truth.

A fun story with lots of historical detail and atmosphere. I have enjoyed all of Catherine Lloyd's series and hope there are more to come in this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.