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Minnie Harper #2
A Murder in Marylebone
Not yet published
Expected 28 Apr 26After over a decade away, widowed mother of two Minnie Harper has left sunny Greece and returned to her native England at the turn of the 20th century—just as a cloud of suspicion falls over her younger sister in this cozy historical mystery for fans of Jessica Fellowes, Tasha Alexander, Deanna Raybourn, Rhys Bowen, and the PBS series The Durrells in Corfu.
The world is changing at the dawn of the 20th century, but respectable English families still dread a public scandal. So Minnie agrees to accompany her reckless sister, Delia, for a night on the town with her Bohemian friends. The evening involves a raucous house party, a visit to a fortune-teller, and an encounter with a flirtatious baron, but none of that unsettles Minnie more than running into Stephen Dorian, her former employer in Corfu, who stirs in her a mix of resentment and attraction.
Soon after, Delia discovers the body of her rumored beau in his own home, and Minnie insists on playing by the rules and informing the police. After all, fleeing the scene could suggest Delia is guilty of more than an improper late-night rendezvous . . .
When the sisters return to the townhouse, their parents, dreading the threat of gossip, insist that Minnie help clear Delia’s name. Her discreet investigation will take her back into Delia’s decadent circle and have her crossing paths again with the baron—a collector of antiques—and the infuriating Stephen Dorian. But her new social life is soon overshadowed by dangerous intrigue that leads her to question even her own past . . .
The world is changing at the dawn of the 20th century, but respectable English families still dread a public scandal. So Minnie agrees to accompany her reckless sister, Delia, for a night on the town with her Bohemian friends. The evening involves a raucous house party, a visit to a fortune-teller, and an encounter with a flirtatious baron, but none of that unsettles Minnie more than running into Stephen Dorian, her former employer in Corfu, who stirs in her a mix of resentment and attraction.
Soon after, Delia discovers the body of her rumored beau in his own home, and Minnie insists on playing by the rules and informing the police. After all, fleeing the scene could suggest Delia is guilty of more than an improper late-night rendezvous . . .
When the sisters return to the townhouse, their parents, dreading the threat of gossip, insist that Minnie help clear Delia’s name. Her discreet investigation will take her back into Delia’s decadent circle and have her crossing paths again with the baron—a collector of antiques—and the infuriating Stephen Dorian. But her new social life is soon overshadowed by dangerous intrigue that leads her to question even her own past . . .
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 28, 2026
5 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Emily Sullivan
7 books337 followersEmily Sullivan is an award-winning author of historical romance and mysteries set in the late Victorian period. Her books have received multiple starred reviews from trade journals including Publishers Weekly and Booklist, and have been praised in publications such as Entertainment Weekly, Buzzfeed, Parade, Self, and Bookpage.
She lives in New England with her family, where she enjoys reading about history and writing about rebellious women.
She lives in New England with her family, where she enjoys reading about history and writing about rebellious women.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 1, 2025
I was a little sad that this one was set in London, bc I loved the Corfu setting of the first book in the series. But I really enjoyed it! Minnie is coming into her own, and it was great to find out more of the backstory of her family and her late husband Oliver’s family.
January 14, 2026
4.5 stars rounded down
(Spoilers through the end of this book!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sending me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t realize this was book 2 in a series when I requested it so I hurriedly read book 1, and I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed these books!
Sometimes, with cozy mysteries, you get enough info in each book that you can actually pick up anywhere in the series and be fine with plot and characters without having read the other books. I think you could probably get away with doing that here but honestly, they’re so good, why would you skip book 1??
I gave book 1 in the series a 4.5 as well but bumped it up to 5 stars because I loved the characters and setting so much. What deducted the half star was the fact that there weren’t a whole lot of clues for solving the mystery and the whodunnit reveal was kind of meh. But I enjoyed the book enough to round up the rating.
For this book, I loved the characters and setting even more BUT had to lower my 4.5 actual rating down to a 4 simply because the whodunnit reveal was just not written well. Minnie’s reasoning that Lord Linden was the killer made sense in that we weren’t given a lot of suspects to begin with but was rather flimsy overall because she immediately jumps to him as the killer solely because he lied about knowing her husband.
The set up to catch him and get him to confess would have good except that he immediately pulls a gun on Minnie as soon as Stephen Dorian reveals he’d been hiding in the closet. Minnie doesn’t even accuse him of killing Charles—all she’s done is turn down his advances—and Linden is already ready to kill the two of them!? And the Minnie tells him, Oh, Stephen’s here because we think you killed Charles, and then Linden just reveals absolutely everything in an almost comical villain monologue. Which is a shame that the big climax of the book is written so blah-ly because the rest of it is so good!
I think what you need to know about these books is that they’re not so much cozy mysteries as cozy character studies that happen to have a mystery in them. Which is also fine! And I’ll definitely be reading the rest of this series!
(Spoilers through the end of this book!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sending me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t realize this was book 2 in a series when I requested it so I hurriedly read book 1, and I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed these books!
Sometimes, with cozy mysteries, you get enough info in each book that you can actually pick up anywhere in the series and be fine with plot and characters without having read the other books. I think you could probably get away with doing that here but honestly, they’re so good, why would you skip book 1??
I gave book 1 in the series a 4.5 as well but bumped it up to 5 stars because I loved the characters and setting so much. What deducted the half star was the fact that there weren’t a whole lot of clues for solving the mystery and the whodunnit reveal was kind of meh. But I enjoyed the book enough to round up the rating.
For this book, I loved the characters and setting even more BUT had to lower my 4.5 actual rating down to a 4 simply because the whodunnit reveal was just not written well. Minnie’s reasoning that Lord Linden was the killer made sense in that we weren’t given a lot of suspects to begin with but was rather flimsy overall because she immediately jumps to him as the killer solely because he lied about knowing her husband.
The set up to catch him and get him to confess would have good except that he immediately pulls a gun on Minnie as soon as Stephen Dorian reveals he’d been hiding in the closet. Minnie doesn’t even accuse him of killing Charles—all she’s done is turn down his advances—and Linden is already ready to kill the two of them!? And the Minnie tells him, Oh, Stephen’s here because we think you killed Charles, and then Linden just reveals absolutely everything in an almost comical villain monologue. Which is a shame that the big climax of the book is written so blah-ly because the rest of it is so good!
I think what you need to know about these books is that they’re not so much cozy mysteries as cozy character studies that happen to have a mystery in them. Which is also fine! And I’ll definitely be reading the rest of this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2026
This is the first book I've read by this author and after reading this book, I'd really like to read the first book in this series. I do think however that it's not necessary to read the first book before this one. I don't feel like it hindered my understanding of the characters in anyway.
I enjoyed this book a lot however I wish it was a little faster paced at times. I enjoyed the characters and loved the tenacity and independence of Minnie as well as her gentle and thoughtful ways. I would have liked to see more romance blooming throughout the book between Minnie and Mr. Dorian but I feel like there will probably be a third addition to this series in the future as their story is not quite finished at the end of this book.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction and want a cozy mystery with a romantic subplot.
This was a clean regency mystery with minimal mild language appropriate for this time era.
No spice, kisses only (one in fact).
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed this book a lot however I wish it was a little faster paced at times. I enjoyed the characters and loved the tenacity and independence of Minnie as well as her gentle and thoughtful ways. I would have liked to see more romance blooming throughout the book between Minnie and Mr. Dorian but I feel like there will probably be a third addition to this series in the future as their story is not quite finished at the end of this book.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction and want a cozy mystery with a romantic subplot.
This was a clean regency mystery with minimal mild language appropriate for this time era.
No spice, kisses only (one in fact).
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Murder in Marylebone is the second book in the Minnie Harper mystery series. I was so excited to be able to read this book because I loved the first book in the series! This book did not disappoint! There was a fantastic mystery, a chance to meet Minnie’s family, a relocation to London and some wonderful moments between Minnie and Stephen Dorian, the author she worked for on Corfu. I loved learning more about Minnie’s background and meeting her family and it was fascinating to watch Minnie try to reconcile the people in her family now with the people they were 15 years ago when she left for Greece. Watching Minnie’s possible relationship with Stephen and the chance to watch them solve another mystery was an absolute joy! I hope this series will continue on in the future and I would love to read anything Ms. Sullivan writes. She has a wonderful writing style and once I started reading this book I could not put it down!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
Sullivan has done it again folks. This is an absolute banger of a sequel to the excellent Death on Corfu, this time with a murder in London that throws us right into the mix of Minnie’s family who she’s basically been semi-estranged from for 15 years. On top of that she’s still trying to figure out what her late husband’s deal was (and how it relates to this murder), AND her kids are growing up and she has some decisions to make about her living situation.
Oh and she’s running into Mr Dorian QUITE a lot and it’s freaking electric, baby. I’m absolutely buzzing at the chemistry between these two as they solve another mystery and try to repair their friendship after the high emotions of Corfu. The yearning is Yearning, the sexual tension is Tense, and the payoff is Spectacular!
I missed Cleo a bit in this but I was happy to see Tommy get his due and I’m already on pins and needles for the next one…are we gonna see some American action? Two months can be a long time in HR just sayin’.
Sullivan has done it again folks. This is an absolute banger of a sequel to the excellent Death on Corfu, this time with a murder in London that throws us right into the mix of Minnie’s family who she’s basically been semi-estranged from for 15 years. On top of that she’s still trying to figure out what her late husband’s deal was (and how it relates to this murder), AND her kids are growing up and she has some decisions to make about her living situation.
Oh and she’s running into Mr Dorian QUITE a lot and it’s freaking electric, baby. I’m absolutely buzzing at the chemistry between these two as they solve another mystery and try to repair their friendship after the high emotions of Corfu. The yearning is Yearning, the sexual tension is Tense, and the payoff is Spectacular!
I missed Cleo a bit in this but I was happy to see Tommy get his due and I’m already on pins and needles for the next one…are we gonna see some American action? Two months can be a long time in HR just sayin’.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first book by this author that I have read. I didn’t read the first book in the series, but now I wish I had. Although this can be read as a standalone, I so want to know about what happened on Corfu. There were hints all through the book, but now I will have to go back and read it. This book was a surprise for me. I kept turning the page. The characters were so engaging, the storyline flowed beautifully, and the mystery was well thought out and complex, but not confusing and kept me guessing till the end. The romance was sweet and mysterious, mainly because I hadn’t read the book before. There are a few books that I read that I want the book to finish to see what happens, but sad when it finishes because I enjoyed the characters so much. I will be looking at reading more books by this author and look forward to the next book in the series. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
1898. Minnie Harper comes back to England after being widowed in Corfu to further her children's education. One day, her sister Delia takes her to a soiree escorted by her beau but when he's found dead later that night, Minnie investigates to save her sister from suspicion, along with Dorian, a writer who's already left her without a warning once.
This was my first encounter with the series. I enjoyed the investigation and the artefact plot and Minnie's son Thomas is surprisingly charming, as are Delia and her sister-in-law but the rest of her family is so unpleasant and the romance is, I think, awful. A hero who keeps rejecting the heroine and shunning her is not something I personally enjoy and the reasons he gives at the end make a very poor showing in my opinion. On top of this, there are very few 19th century details. I personally enjoy my historical mysteries to be rich with atmosphere and have some part that's educational but there isn't anything of note here besides a passing reference to the Queen. I was disappointed in this but I still finished it, so three stars.
My endless thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC!
This was my first encounter with the series. I enjoyed the investigation and the artefact plot and Minnie's son Thomas is surprisingly charming, as are Delia and her sister-in-law but the rest of her family is so unpleasant and the romance is, I think, awful. A hero who keeps rejecting the heroine and shunning her is not something I personally enjoy and the reasons he gives at the end make a very poor showing in my opinion. On top of this, there are very few 19th century details. I personally enjoy my historical mysteries to be rich with atmosphere and have some part that's educational but there isn't anything of note here besides a passing reference to the Queen. I was disappointed in this but I still finished it, so three stars.
My endless thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love a historical mystery, especially one set in London, so was very excited to get an advance copy of this book. It didn’t disappoint between its fast-moving plot and some complex interpersonal dynamics. Our main character Minnie is back in London after years abroad and is quickly drawn into a murder investigation centered on illegally traded antiquities. That investigation happens to overlap with unresolved questions about her late husband’s role in the same trade. I enjoyed the book and can recommend it. I would suggest reading the first in the series, which I failed to do before starting this. I think having that background would make it easier to understand Minnie’s reactions in a few places, which otherwise seem a little harsh. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 Stars
I adore the first book in this series, so I couldn't wait to read this second novel, and it's as good as its predecessor. The MC leaves Corfu and returns to London crossing paths with her former employer that abruptly left at the end of Book 1. Minnie also becomes reacquainted with her extended family, while investigating another murder. This murder hits close to home. The story arc delves into Mrs. Harper's past as well as Mr. Dorian's while introducing many new loveable characters. I also liked how the search for her late husband's past was incorporated. Nice character development and the writing flowed so well that I finished reading well before I wanted the story to end. I'll be looking forward for the next one to continue this series. For historical cozy mystery fans.
Net Galley Feedback
I adore the first book in this series, so I couldn't wait to read this second novel, and it's as good as its predecessor. The MC leaves Corfu and returns to London crossing paths with her former employer that abruptly left at the end of Book 1. Minnie also becomes reacquainted with her extended family, while investigating another murder. This murder hits close to home. The story arc delves into Mrs. Harper's past as well as Mr. Dorian's while introducing many new loveable characters. I also liked how the search for her late husband's past was incorporated. Nice character development and the writing flowed so well that I finished reading well before I wanted the story to end. I'll be looking forward for the next one to continue this series. For historical cozy mystery fans.
Net Galley Feedback
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
Minnie has returned to England after ten years, now a widow with two children. She’s working on settling in and reconnecting with her family, especially her younger sister, Delia. After a social evening in London, Delia discovers her boyfriend’s dead body and turns to Minnie for help.
I really enjoyed this book! There is a wonderful richness to the story and characters that you don’t always find in cozy mysteries. I love the characters. The mystery was great. And the slow burn is delightful.
I look forward to more in this series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Minnie has returned to England after ten years, now a widow with two children. She’s working on settling in and reconnecting with her family, especially her younger sister, Delia. After a social evening in London, Delia discovers her boyfriend’s dead body and turns to Minnie for help.
I really enjoyed this book! There is a wonderful richness to the story and characters that you don’t always find in cozy mysteries. I love the characters. The mystery was great. And the slow burn is delightful.
I look forward to more in this series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
January 16, 2026
4.5
A love a good historical mystery with a touch of romance! I adore Minnie and her growth over the first and second book have been wonderful. She’s breaking out of her shell and realizing doesn’t just have to be a mom. Being back in England, I wasn’t sure how the story would go but I enjoyed learning more about Minnie and her family. When her sister needs her help, she puts her reputation and life on the line to help. Add Mr. Dorian in the picture and you get a fun mystery and a blossoming romance. I can’t wait for more books in this series. They’re so fun and after the ending, I want to know how and if Stephen and Minnie’s relationship will grow.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC!
A love a good historical mystery with a touch of romance! I adore Minnie and her growth over the first and second book have been wonderful. She’s breaking out of her shell and realizing doesn’t just have to be a mom. Being back in England, I wasn’t sure how the story would go but I enjoyed learning more about Minnie and her family. When her sister needs her help, she puts her reputation and life on the line to help. Add Mr. Dorian in the picture and you get a fun mystery and a blossoming romance. I can’t wait for more books in this series. They’re so fun and after the ending, I want to know how and if Stephen and Minnie’s relationship will grow.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved 'Death on Corfu' and, after waiting eagerly for the next book, I wasn't disappointed! I couldn't put this well-paced and plotted book down. I love the slow-burn chemistry between Minnie and Stephen. Ooh are these two are fire! They challenge each other, freely speaking as equals and Stephen admires Minnie's independent spirit, even if she puts herself in dangerous situations. I was dying to know what the big secret is about Minnie's late husband (something I guessed!) and how it tied into the murder and other London shenanigans. I also like the complex relationship Minnie has with her bossy politician brother.
I hope we get more Minnie (and Stephen!) soon (maybe back in Corfu? I missed that place!).
A historical mystery with a hint of romance featuring interesting, unconventional men and women against a backdrop of strict gender rules.
I hope we get more Minnie (and Stephen!) soon (maybe back in Corfu? I missed that place!).
A historical mystery with a hint of romance featuring interesting, unconventional men and women against a backdrop of strict gender rules.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a delightful sequel, lighthearted in tone, yet unafraid to tackle serious themes. It’s a highly enjoyable historical murder mystery with well-developed characters, an easy-to-read writing style, and a strong plot full of suspense. I can wholeheartedly recommend it and am already looking forward to discovering what happens next.
I received an advance review copy via Netgalley/Kensington Publishing and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy via Netgalley/Kensington Publishing and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lighthearted cozy set in London's high society in the late 1800's.
Sisters Delia and Minnie reconnect after Minnie has been living abroad for some years. During a night out they end up in a serious crime.
What follows is a slow paced investigation filled with quirky characters and family dynamics.
A well written, predictable but fun read.
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.
Sisters Delia and Minnie reconnect after Minnie has been living abroad for some years. During a night out they end up in a serious crime.
What follows is a slow paced investigation filled with quirky characters and family dynamics.
A well written, predictable but fun read.
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A good second entry in the series. The author did a good job fleshing out Minnie's family dynamics. The mystery focused on several possible motives, and the antiquities smuggling angle would have been better with more detail. The resolution was a bit abrupt with a character uncharacteristically panicking. Somewhere between three and four stars (three for plot, four for character development) so rounding up. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the eARC.
January 30, 2026
This is such a charming series, with just enough romance to keep me wanting more! When I learned this was book 2 I immediately went back to read A Death on Corfu first, and I’m so glad I did. Minnie’s feelings toward London and society make so much more sense after experiencing her life in Greece. There are big mysteries and little mysteries and I already cannot wait for book 3! Thanks to Kensington for the ARC.
February 6, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Emily Sullivan and the publisher for an advanced copy of A Murder in Marylbone in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed the first book in this series, and while I wished that this one also took place on Corfu, I still really liked it! I like how we got to know more about both Minnie and Mr. Dorian and their families. This was such a fun, quick historical mystery. I am already looking forward to the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found this follow-up to "A Death on Corfu" somewhat predictable but still an enjoyable cozy historical mystery. I did miss the Mediterranean setting of the first book. Since a mystery about Minnie's husband which was introduced in the first in the series is cleared up in this volume, readers will definitely want to start with book 1 in the series.
Review based on a DRC received through NetGalley.
Review based on a DRC received through NetGalley.
November 23, 2025
That gorgeous cover drew me and the intriguing cozy mystery with roots in Greece and England at the turn of the 20th century kept me pinned to the page. Histfic mystery fans will be entranced, as I was!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
fun murder mystery with a great main character and a unique murder, where the main suspect is our MC's sister. of course, she can't possibly have done it, so the search is on for who did! 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the chance to read this ARC! I absolutely love Emily Sullivan’s books and this is no exception! I adore Minnie Harper’s character and couldn’t put this book down. My only complaint is now I have to wait for the next one
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews