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Lady Petra Inquires #4
Murder of a Merry Gentleman
Not yet published
Expected 10 Nov 26Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in this dazzling fourth installment to the captivating Regency-era Lady Petra Inquires mystery series.
London, December, 1815. It’s Christmastime, and Lady Petra Forsyth is concentrating on behaving herself. Thus, she’s volunteered to assist the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms with a series of bachelor-auction dances in the fortnight leading up to Christmas Eve. Over five nights, the families of unmarried ladies will each bid for their daughter to be the evening’s hostess and dance with the five eligible bachelors―called the Merry Gentlemen in a nod to the season.
However, after only the first evening, Petra discovers the dead body of one of the bachelors, splayed below the ballroom’s balcony. The death is declared an accident, but when another bachelor’s life is nearly ended a few days later, Petra fears something more sinister may be afoot. As tensions rise, the Patronesses ask Petra to investigate from within…by pretending to be one of the ladies vying for the bachelors’ attentions. Indeed, it’s enough to make an obstinate, headstrong girl scream.
As she begins to unravel the truth, all while pretending to flirt with the bachelors to keep her cover, Petra will need to act like a lady―a Lady Patroness, that is―think like an enterprising scientist, and use every lock pick and defensive move she has learned to ensure that her reputation―and her life―don’t become the next target.
London, December, 1815. It’s Christmastime, and Lady Petra Forsyth is concentrating on behaving herself. Thus, she’s volunteered to assist the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms with a series of bachelor-auction dances in the fortnight leading up to Christmas Eve. Over five nights, the families of unmarried ladies will each bid for their daughter to be the evening’s hostess and dance with the five eligible bachelors―called the Merry Gentlemen in a nod to the season.
However, after only the first evening, Petra discovers the dead body of one of the bachelors, splayed below the ballroom’s balcony. The death is declared an accident, but when another bachelor’s life is nearly ended a few days later, Petra fears something more sinister may be afoot. As tensions rise, the Patronesses ask Petra to investigate from within…by pretending to be one of the ladies vying for the bachelors’ attentions. Indeed, it’s enough to make an obstinate, headstrong girl scream.
As she begins to unravel the truth, all while pretending to flirt with the bachelors to keep her cover, Petra will need to act like a lady―a Lady Patroness, that is―think like an enterprising scientist, and use every lock pick and defensive move she has learned to ensure that her reputation―and her life―don’t become the next target.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 10, 2026
About the author
Celeste Connally
9 books482 followersCELESTE CONNALLY is the USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Petra Inquires series, an Agatha Award nominee, and a former freelance writer and editor. Her mysteries are set in Regency-era England and feature a headstrong heroine, a feminist spin, and as many equestrian scenes as her plots and editor will allow. She delights in giving her mysteries a good dose of romance, too, and a few research facts she hopes you’ll find as interesting as she does. Passionate about history and slightly obsessed with period dramas, what Celeste loves most is reading and writing about women who don’t always do as they are told.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally is the fourth installment in the Lady Petra Inquiries series, set in Regency London. While this is part of a series, I think it can easily be read as a standalone.
The story revolves around a local charity’s Christmas season fundraiser, which will feature four balls held in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The four eligible bachelors being showcased at these events are known as the “Merry Gentlemen”—and all four happen to be scientists. But there’s a problem. Four women belonging to the secret Minerva Society, an organization created to give female scientists a place to pursue their work, accuse the Merry Gentlemen of stealing their scientific discoveries.
When one of the Merry Gentlemen is found murdered at the first ball, Lady Petra begins investigating to uncover the killer. Naturally, the closer she gets to the truth, the more complicated the situation becomes.
I mostly enjoyed this mystery. I particularly liked the combination of Regency society, scientific intrigue, and a group of women determined to pursue their intellectual interests at a time when women had very few opportunities to do so. The Christmas setting and series of festive balls also gave the story a fun seasonal atmosphere.
My biggest problem was the sheer number of characters. There were so many scientists, society members, suspects, and assorted connections to keep track of that the mystery sometimes felt overly complicated.
Overall, Murder of a Merry Gentleman was an entertaining Regency mystery with plenty of intrigue.
The story revolves around a local charity’s Christmas season fundraiser, which will feature four balls held in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The four eligible bachelors being showcased at these events are known as the “Merry Gentlemen”—and all four happen to be scientists. But there’s a problem. Four women belonging to the secret Minerva Society, an organization created to give female scientists a place to pursue their work, accuse the Merry Gentlemen of stealing their scientific discoveries.
When one of the Merry Gentlemen is found murdered at the first ball, Lady Petra begins investigating to uncover the killer. Naturally, the closer she gets to the truth, the more complicated the situation becomes.
I mostly enjoyed this mystery. I particularly liked the combination of Regency society, scientific intrigue, and a group of women determined to pursue their intellectual interests at a time when women had very few opportunities to do so. The Christmas setting and series of festive balls also gave the story a fun seasonal atmosphere.
My biggest problem was the sheer number of characters. There were so many scientists, society members, suspects, and assorted connections to keep track of that the mystery sometimes felt overly complicated.
Overall, Murder of a Merry Gentleman was an entertaining Regency mystery with plenty of intrigue.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Celeste Connally, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always eager to discover new-to-me authors, I enjoyed the first few novels in Celeste Connally’s Lady Petra Inquires series and felt I had enough backstory to begin this fourth instalment. Set in London in December 1815, Murder of a Merry Gentleman once again places Lady Petra Forsyth amid murder, mystery, and aristocratic intrigue.
At Christmastime, Petra volunteers to assist the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms with a series of bachelor-auction dances held during the fortnight before Christmas Eve. Over five nights, families of unmarried ladies bid for their daughters to become the evening’s hostess and dance with five eligible bachelors—the “Merry Gentlemen.”
The festivities take a darker turn when Petra discovers one of the bachelors sprawled dead below the ballroom balcony after the first evening. His death is deemed accidental, but when another bachelor nearly suffers the same fate days later, Petra suspects something more sinister. The Patronesses enlist her to investigate from within, requiring her to pose as one of the ladies competing for the bachelors’ attention. Indeed, it’s enough to make an obstinate, headstrong girl scream.
To uncover the truth while maintaining her cover, Petra must act like a lady—or, more specifically, a Lady Patroness—think like an enterprising scientist, and use every lock-picking and defensive skill she has learned. Her reputation may not be the only thing at risk.
I have little experience reading books set in the early nineteenth century, but Connally makes the Regency period surprisingly accessible. She balances Petra’s sleuthing with fascinating events and customs of the era, creating an enjoyable blend of entertainment and historical detail without slowing the story.
The descriptions of cakes, confections, and other delicacies occasionally made me wonder whether I had stumbled into a regal version of The Great British Bake Off. Naturally, I took note of every one. The author’s note may explain some of that culinary attention, adding another enjoyable layer to the experience.
Character development remains a strength, particularly in Petra herself. Returning readers will see her continue to evolve, while the supporting cast adds plenty of flavour. I especially enjoyed the balance between Petra’s sleuthing, scientific curiosity, and the unexpected role baking and confectionery play in the story.
Connally keeps the plot moving from the opening pages. The murder investigation provides the central intrigue, while the social manoeuvring, baking competition, and well-placed twists add variety without feeling like filler. The combination of mystery, history, and culinary indulgence makes this an easy series to settle into.
I’m delighted to see the Lady Petra Inquires series continue and am already curious about what Celeste Connally has planned next. This has become a guilty-pleasure series for me—an entertaining mix of murder, Regency society, history, and enough baked goods to make me hungry while reading.
I’ll gladly keep this series on my list of collections worth following.
Kudos, Madam Connally, for another strong mystery!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Always eager to discover new-to-me authors, I enjoyed the first few novels in Celeste Connally’s Lady Petra Inquires series and felt I had enough backstory to begin this fourth instalment. Set in London in December 1815, Murder of a Merry Gentleman once again places Lady Petra Forsyth amid murder, mystery, and aristocratic intrigue.
At Christmastime, Petra volunteers to assist the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms with a series of bachelor-auction dances held during the fortnight before Christmas Eve. Over five nights, families of unmarried ladies bid for their daughters to become the evening’s hostess and dance with five eligible bachelors—the “Merry Gentlemen.”
The festivities take a darker turn when Petra discovers one of the bachelors sprawled dead below the ballroom balcony after the first evening. His death is deemed accidental, but when another bachelor nearly suffers the same fate days later, Petra suspects something more sinister. The Patronesses enlist her to investigate from within, requiring her to pose as one of the ladies competing for the bachelors’ attention. Indeed, it’s enough to make an obstinate, headstrong girl scream.
To uncover the truth while maintaining her cover, Petra must act like a lady—or, more specifically, a Lady Patroness—think like an enterprising scientist, and use every lock-picking and defensive skill she has learned. Her reputation may not be the only thing at risk.
I have little experience reading books set in the early nineteenth century, but Connally makes the Regency period surprisingly accessible. She balances Petra’s sleuthing with fascinating events and customs of the era, creating an enjoyable blend of entertainment and historical detail without slowing the story.
The descriptions of cakes, confections, and other delicacies occasionally made me wonder whether I had stumbled into a regal version of The Great British Bake Off. Naturally, I took note of every one. The author’s note may explain some of that culinary attention, adding another enjoyable layer to the experience.
Character development remains a strength, particularly in Petra herself. Returning readers will see her continue to evolve, while the supporting cast adds plenty of flavour. I especially enjoyed the balance between Petra’s sleuthing, scientific curiosity, and the unexpected role baking and confectionery play in the story.
Connally keeps the plot moving from the opening pages. The murder investigation provides the central intrigue, while the social manoeuvring, baking competition, and well-placed twists add variety without feeling like filler. The combination of mystery, history, and culinary indulgence makes this an easy series to settle into.
I’m delighted to see the Lady Petra Inquires series continue and am already curious about what Celeste Connally has planned next. This has become a guilty-pleasure series for me—an entertaining mix of murder, Regency society, history, and enough baked goods to make me hungry while reading.
I’ll gladly keep this series on my list of collections worth following.
Kudos, Madam Connally, for another strong mystery!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lady Petra, you are a perfect leading heroine. I love how her love life is part of the story but not the focus. Seeing her with Teddy is heartfelt. How she views those with a harder lot in life is poignant. The story reads itself quickly. I cannot believe how modern it feels yet it takes place over 200 years ago. The lord/lady connections help keep readers feeling a bit of mystery and upper-crust drama, but the relationships across the large cast keep things interesting and common, all at the same time. Good mystery, tho I wasn't totally convinced in the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While I wasn't quite as into this one as I'd imagined I'd be, it was still an enjoyable read. Lady Petra Forsyth is an independent thinking woman at a time when such things were not just discouraged but looked down upon. She was fortunate to come from money and position, however, and was generally accepted. Set in London, it's December 1815. Christmas with all the expected festivities is drawing near. Lady Petra finds herself drafted into helping organize a sort of bachelor auction dance focusing on not just five unmarried ladies but scientifically minded ones. The bachelors in question are also scientifically minded. The ladies' families are to bid for the right for their daughter to choose the bachelor of their choice and act as that evening's hostess. Needless to say, the winner of the bid gets their choice of bachelor and is the only lady to dance with them that evening. The funds raised will go toward assisting the Lady Patronesses of Almack's Assembly Rooms. You'll learn about the ladies and Almack as the story begins. Lady Petra, who has sworn never to marry, reluctantly agrees to help, perhaps because one of the bachelors is an old, platonic friend, for the group dubbed the Merry Gentlemen. Her supposed beau, Duncan, is unfortunately out of town on assignment for the royals most of the time. Was glad to see him reappear at the end.
What could possibly go wrong under the strictly monitored eye of society during the nightly series of dances and festivities? As it turns out, murder. One of the bachelors is discovered dead before the first night is barely over. I won't detail the plot much further except to say social expectations, frustrations of the restrictions, and missed opportunities do play a role, plus more. The characters, especially the five ladies and Merry Gentlemen, were generally likable, well, most of them were. Tempers and cattiness flare and there are more "accidents" to deal with, some involving supposedly rare artifacts. Secrets? Oh, boy, lots and lots of secrets. The recurring assumption that women have no brains and are thus expected to marry and give up all ambitions runs throughout, obviously applied to Lady Petra herself, too.
Bottom line, while some of the events seemed a bit far fetched to my modern mind, I liked seeing how Petra's true friends worked with her. I just wished that Petra herself was a tad less rash, let's say, not needlessly putting herself in danger. That rubs elbows with the side story involving Teddy, the street urchin that Petra has befriended over the series, and his mother's imprisonment. Nope, not sharing more. You'll just have to read the book. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #Minotaur for introducing me to Petra and company and giving me this early peek at her Christmas of 1815. While I couldn't quite lose myself in the plot, I did enjoy the quite startling reveal and then satisfying surprise or two at the very end. And, no, I didn't guess whodunit. Grin.
What could possibly go wrong under the strictly monitored eye of society during the nightly series of dances and festivities? As it turns out, murder. One of the bachelors is discovered dead before the first night is barely over. I won't detail the plot much further except to say social expectations, frustrations of the restrictions, and missed opportunities do play a role, plus more. The characters, especially the five ladies and Merry Gentlemen, were generally likable, well, most of them were. Tempers and cattiness flare and there are more "accidents" to deal with, some involving supposedly rare artifacts. Secrets? Oh, boy, lots and lots of secrets. The recurring assumption that women have no brains and are thus expected to marry and give up all ambitions runs throughout, obviously applied to Lady Petra herself, too.
Bottom line, while some of the events seemed a bit far fetched to my modern mind, I liked seeing how Petra's true friends worked with her. I just wished that Petra herself was a tad less rash, let's say, not needlessly putting herself in danger. That rubs elbows with the side story involving Teddy, the street urchin that Petra has befriended over the series, and his mother's imprisonment. Nope, not sharing more. You'll just have to read the book. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #Minotaur for introducing me to Petra and company and giving me this early peek at her Christmas of 1815. While I couldn't quite lose myself in the plot, I did enjoy the quite startling reveal and then satisfying surprise or two at the very end. And, no, I didn't guess whodunit. Grin.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a treat to revisit Lady Petra's charming regency world. Celeste Connally has been making a nod to reality TV in recent books, which I have found delightfully entertaining. In this story, the ladies of Almack's are holding fundraiser dancers that modern readers will recognize as having elements of The Bachelorette woven into them. It wouldn't be a Lady Petra book without a dead body, so one of the bachelors winds up dead at the first days and Petra has to investigate.
This story also shows the love of science and discovery during this time period. Each of the young women who are choosing partners are involved in the sciences and each of the bachelors have coinciding interests. Of course, the men can easily pursue their interests while the women face more challenges to their studies.
I found the pace of the story quick and I was thoroughly entertained by the cast of secondary characters. Petra's partner, Duncan, is absent for most of the book, as he is away on an assignment. There are some lovely, satisfying scenes between Petra and Duncan that make me hope there is more to come. There is so much more story to tell!
This story also shows the love of science and discovery during this time period. Each of the young women who are choosing partners are involved in the sciences and each of the bachelors have coinciding interests. Of course, the men can easily pursue their interests while the women face more challenges to their studies.
I found the pace of the story quick and I was thoroughly entertained by the cast of secondary characters. Petra's partner, Duncan, is absent for most of the book, as he is away on an assignment. There are some lovely, satisfying scenes between Petra and Duncan that make me hope there is more to come. There is so much more story to tell!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As always, I was excited to see an email about this book coming out, and I took the offer to read it ahead of time. I love the time period the books take place in, and I enjoy the characters. The mystery was just okay this time, but I love the overall concept of a bachelor type contest for unmarried women to meet eligible men and potentially find a life partner over the course of four dances before Christmastime (hence their title of Merry Gentlemen). There is some cattiness from the eligible women, who are vying to be Christmas Roses and host the dances, gaining exclusive access to the bachelors during their dance. Of course, one of the Gentlemen is murdered, and there begins the real story.
There are multiple threads in the book that we know will come together and do. There is an interesting sidestory tied to the main one about women in the sciences who invented impressive things in various categories and who call themselves the Minervas after the goddess of wisdom. They are fascinating young women who dedicated themselves to science, technology, and discovery despite their society's views on intelligent women without marriage as their main goal. The Minervas have a townhouse with strict security and perform experiments and help and protect each other in their endeavors. Also, Teddy is a major character again, and Duncan comes in a bit (fortunately not that much!!) and of course, Lady Caroline, Lottie, and Frances make appearances. There are developments for each of their characters, which impact Lady Petra and her life choices moving forward as well.
The ending was okay for me--it made sense with the story and the characters. I probably will read the next one because I enjoy the Regency Era and the characters. I just felt like the whodunnit was so obvious in this book from pretty much the beginning--what I thought were red herrings weren't, and that took away from the enjoyment of the mystery part. There are also classic cozy tropes that get a bit old from reading so many cozy mysteries and watching a ton of Hallmark Mysteries, but that's to be expected in any super genre'd writing. Anyway, all in all, I still recommend this series to cozy mystery lovers, Regency lovers, and anybody who has already ready at least one Lady Petra Inquires story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this electronic ARC!
There are multiple threads in the book that we know will come together and do. There is an interesting sidestory tied to the main one about women in the sciences who invented impressive things in various categories and who call themselves the Minervas after the goddess of wisdom. They are fascinating young women who dedicated themselves to science, technology, and discovery despite their society's views on intelligent women without marriage as their main goal. The Minervas have a townhouse with strict security and perform experiments and help and protect each other in their endeavors. Also, Teddy is a major character again, and Duncan comes in a bit (fortunately not that much!!) and of course, Lady Caroline, Lottie, and Frances make appearances. There are developments for each of their characters, which impact Lady Petra and her life choices moving forward as well.
The ending was okay for me--it made sense with the story and the characters. I probably will read the next one because I enjoy the Regency Era and the characters. I just felt like the whodunnit was so obvious in this book from pretty much the beginning--what I thought were red herrings weren't, and that took away from the enjoyment of the mystery part. There are also classic cozy tropes that get a bit old from reading so many cozy mysteries and watching a ton of Hallmark Mysteries, but that's to be expected in any super genre'd writing. Anyway, all in all, I still recommend this series to cozy mystery lovers, Regency lovers, and anybody who has already ready at least one Lady Petra Inquires story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this electronic ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I can definitely see why fans of cozy historical mysteries would enjoy it, but it ultimately wasn't the right fit for me.
I think part of my struggle came from jumping into the series here. There were so many returning characters and interconnected storylines that I often felt like I was playing catch-up, making it difficult to stay invested in the mystery. I did enjoy Lady Petra as a heroine, though, and I loved the Regency-era setting. The Christmas atmosphere was also well done, woven naturally into the story through a series of elegant Christmas balls rather than feeling overly festive.
The premise is easily one of the book's strongest elements. A bachelor-style competition where unmarried women compete for the attention of eligible gentlemen over four holiday dances is such a fun concept, and it becomes even more intriguing when one of the bachelors is murdered. I also really enjoyed the introduction of the Minervas, a secretive group of brilliant women dedicated to science and discovery despite society's expectations. Their storyline added a unique layer to the novel and was one of the most interesting aspects of the book.
That said, the mystery itself didn't completely work for me. I found the culprit fairly obvious from early on, and many of the supposed red herrings ended up being exactly what they appeared to be. Combined with the large cast and multiple plot threads, I occasionally lost sight of the main investigation, which made the pacing feel slower than I would have liked.
Overall, this is more of a cozy Regency mystery than a tense thriller, with plenty of social politics, familiar characters, and holiday charm. While this installment wasn't a standout for me, I think readers who have been following the Lady Petra series, as well as fans of Bridgerton-inspired historical mysteries, will likely have a much better time with it than I did.
I think part of my struggle came from jumping into the series here. There were so many returning characters and interconnected storylines that I often felt like I was playing catch-up, making it difficult to stay invested in the mystery. I did enjoy Lady Petra as a heroine, though, and I loved the Regency-era setting. The Christmas atmosphere was also well done, woven naturally into the story through a series of elegant Christmas balls rather than feeling overly festive.
The premise is easily one of the book's strongest elements. A bachelor-style competition where unmarried women compete for the attention of eligible gentlemen over four holiday dances is such a fun concept, and it becomes even more intriguing when one of the bachelors is murdered. I also really enjoyed the introduction of the Minervas, a secretive group of brilliant women dedicated to science and discovery despite society's expectations. Their storyline added a unique layer to the novel and was one of the most interesting aspects of the book.
That said, the mystery itself didn't completely work for me. I found the culprit fairly obvious from early on, and many of the supposed red herrings ended up being exactly what they appeared to be. Combined with the large cast and multiple plot threads, I occasionally lost sight of the main investigation, which made the pacing feel slower than I would have liked.
Overall, this is more of a cozy Regency mystery than a tense thriller, with plenty of social politics, familiar characters, and holiday charm. While this installment wasn't a standout for me, I think readers who have been following the Lady Petra series, as well as fans of Bridgerton-inspired historical mysteries, will likely have a much better time with it than I did.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bridgerton meets The Bachelorette in this captivating Christmas whodunit wrapped in tinsel-bright prose and tied with a bloody red ribbon. Delightfully original and masterfully blended, this regency mashup, featuring four merry gentlemen (auctioned off for a night dancing) and a group of lovely Christmas roses eager to make their matches, is sure to entertain readers from start to finish.
Murder of a Merry Gentleman is the kind of book I crave in December – a dazzling Christmas ball, swishing dresses, witty quips, lady sleuthing, and one very dead bachelor. Yes, you heard me right. What could possibly make regency romance any better than it already is? A dash of murder and a sprinkle of sleuthing!
There’s so much to love about this book. Fussy, fortune hunter mamas who’ll stop at nothing to secure a wealthy match for their daughters. Dashing gentlemen harboring some unsavory secrets. A society of young women who choose brains over beauty and fight for their intellectual freedom. All the delicious trappings of the Ton dressed in holiday style. And a clever spinster-heroine determined to rise above pomp and frill and catch a cold-blooded killer.
Murder of a Merry Gentleman is an absolute treat and deserves 5 figgy puddings this Christmas season!
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Murder of a Merry Gentleman is the kind of book I crave in December – a dazzling Christmas ball, swishing dresses, witty quips, lady sleuthing, and one very dead bachelor. Yes, you heard me right. What could possibly make regency romance any better than it already is? A dash of murder and a sprinkle of sleuthing!
There’s so much to love about this book. Fussy, fortune hunter mamas who’ll stop at nothing to secure a wealthy match for their daughters. Dashing gentlemen harboring some unsavory secrets. A society of young women who choose brains over beauty and fight for their intellectual freedom. All the delicious trappings of the Ton dressed in holiday style. And a clever spinster-heroine determined to rise above pomp and frill and catch a cold-blooded killer.
Murder of a Merry Gentleman is an absolute treat and deserves 5 figgy puddings this Christmas season!
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder of a Merry Gentleman
By Celeste Connally
This is a Victorian era murder mystery. While I normally find this sort of book interesting, I was not able to get into this one. Too many names and titles, too much meaningless conversation. I just got bogged down and was never able to drum up much interest in the plot. After about 100 pages, I gave up.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
By Celeste Connally
This is a Victorian era murder mystery. While I normally find this sort of book interesting, I was not able to get into this one. Too many names and titles, too much meaningless conversation. I just got bogged down and was never able to drum up much interest in the plot. After about 100 pages, I gave up.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I liked this one but didn't love it, probably because Lady Petra's beau was absent for most of the book. I think that the books that feature the pair working together are more successful. This one focused on a series of dances to raise money for charity with the idea being that handsome bachelors dubbed the Merry Gentlemen would be auctioned off to eligible young ladies with each dance featuring one of the lucky lady bidders as hostess of the dance and the only one allowed to dance with the Merry Gentlemen that night. Lady Petra is roped into being on the committee by her friend Lady Iris. When one of the Merry Gentlemen dies at the first dance Lady Iris begs Lady Petra to investigate because she is worried about her brother Ash who is one of the remaining bachelors. Can Lady Petra solve the murder before another bachelor is killed? Although this is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a Christmas-themed regency-era mystery.
It was pretty obvious to me who the killer was so that took a lot of the wind out of the sails for me. What was interesting was that the four women who won the hosting bids were all repressed scientists who had to work in secret because society deemed it unladylike. Their individual areas of expertise each corresponded to one of the four Merry Gentlemen and they had proposed an alliance where they could work together and the men could present their joint ideas, thus making their work acceptable. But one of the men balked at the suggestion so the idea was squashed. The women bid on the dances specifically so that they could have some alone time while dancing to accuse the men of stealing their work which was taken when someone broke into their club and stole their papers. Not surprisingly, the man who didn't want to collaborate with the women was the one killed at the dance and the four women are suspects. But it was pretty obvious that Lady Iris was the guilty party based on the way that she kept inserting herself into the situation and making demands of Lady Petra that tried to misdirect her. Lady Iris is also a scientist and she was feeling pressure from her husband to quit. Now he is in America trying to sell his own inventions and she is planning charity dances. Lady Petra figures out that the dead Merry Gentleman was blackmailing Lady Iris because he knew that she killed her husband and buried him in the backyard so she murdered him and tried to pin the blame on the other ladies. In an unexpected twist, Teddy, the street urchin that Lady Petra uses for her cases and who she is fond of, is unwittingly involved because his mother was the one who stole the lady scientist's papers. She was a charwoman at their club and also at the bachelor's apartments and the Merry Gentleman hired her to steal the papers and then turned her into the police and threatened to hurt Teddy if she plead innocent. Lady Petra gets the lady scientists to drop the charges once they get their papers back and Ash arranges for the woman and Teddy to move to America. Except Teddy decides to stay in London and Lady Petra promises that she will look after him.
It was pretty obvious to me who the killer was so that took a lot of the wind out of the sails for me. What was interesting was that the four women who won the hosting bids were all repressed scientists who had to work in secret because society deemed it unladylike. Their individual areas of expertise each corresponded to one of the four Merry Gentlemen and they had proposed an alliance where they could work together and the men could present their joint ideas, thus making their work acceptable. But one of the men balked at the suggestion so the idea was squashed. The women bid on the dances specifically so that they could have some alone time while dancing to accuse the men of stealing their work which was taken when someone broke into their club and stole their papers. Not surprisingly, the man who didn't want to collaborate with the women was the one killed at the dance and the four women are suspects. But it was pretty obvious that Lady Iris was the guilty party based on the way that she kept inserting herself into the situation and making demands of Lady Petra that tried to misdirect her. Lady Iris is also a scientist and she was feeling pressure from her husband to quit. Now he is in America trying to sell his own inventions and she is planning charity dances. Lady Petra figures out that the dead Merry Gentleman was blackmailing Lady Iris because he knew that she killed her husband and buried him in the backyard so she murdered him and tried to pin the blame on the other ladies. In an unexpected twist, Teddy, the street urchin that Lady Petra uses for her cases and who she is fond of, is unwittingly involved because his mother was the one who stole the lady scientist's papers. She was a charwoman at their club and also at the bachelor's apartments and the Merry Gentleman hired her to steal the papers and then turned her into the police and threatened to hurt Teddy if she plead innocent. Lady Petra gets the lady scientists to drop the charges once they get their papers back and Ash arranges for the woman and Teddy to move to America. Except Teddy decides to stay in London and Lady Petra promises that she will look after him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2026
ARC Review: Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally
3 stars
This was a difficult one for me to rate, because the book is well written and there's nothing obviously bad about it. It continues the story and relationships built throughout the series, and the central mystery is intertwined with a more personal one involving Teddy and the questions surrounding his mother.
But I really struggled to engage with this one. In fact, it took me several months to finish, and I think I've finally realised that part of my difficulty is that I simply don't connect with Lady Petra as a protagonist. I don't need to have much in common with a character to care about them (after all I read lots of historical and fantasy fiction), but I do need some sense of vulnerability, messiness or imperfection that gives me an emotional way into their story. Petra increasingly feels as though she has everything in her favour: loyal friends, independence, resources and a fulfilling romantic relationship. I found myself wanting something that made me worry about her, or at least understand her on a more vulnerable level, rather than simply watching her investigate.
I was initially intrigued by the women of the Minerva Society and the idea of these highly intelligent women having to conceal their abilities and scientific research. Their reluctance to cooperate with Petra also provided plenty of potential suspicion. Unfortunately, they never completely came alive for me as individual characters. Even their relationships with their Merry Gentleman counterparts sometimes felt difficult to understand emotionally, and I would have liked more sense of what drew these people together beyond what the plot required.
The mystery itself held my interest to a point, although I had worked out the eventual reveal before it arrived. More frustrating for me was the resolution. Without giving anything away, I understood the reasoning behind what happened and can accept that justice, particularly in this kind of historical setting, isn't always straightforward. But after everything that had occurred, the way matters were ultimately dealt with left me deeply unsatisfied.
Perhaps that's part of why the book left me feeling more detached than I expected. The characters felt somewhat distant, the mystery didn't surprise me, and its resolution irked my sense of justice rather than giving me much emotional payoff.
Readers who already love Lady Petra and enjoy historical mysteries with more modern themes may have a very different experience. For me, though, I think this is probably where I part ways with the series. That's partly a matter of personal taste, but after several books I've realised that I'm just not emotionally invested enough in these characters to want to continue.
P.S. I am grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!
3 stars
This was a difficult one for me to rate, because the book is well written and there's nothing obviously bad about it. It continues the story and relationships built throughout the series, and the central mystery is intertwined with a more personal one involving Teddy and the questions surrounding his mother.
But I really struggled to engage with this one. In fact, it took me several months to finish, and I think I've finally realised that part of my difficulty is that I simply don't connect with Lady Petra as a protagonist. I don't need to have much in common with a character to care about them (after all I read lots of historical and fantasy fiction), but I do need some sense of vulnerability, messiness or imperfection that gives me an emotional way into their story. Petra increasingly feels as though she has everything in her favour: loyal friends, independence, resources and a fulfilling romantic relationship. I found myself wanting something that made me worry about her, or at least understand her on a more vulnerable level, rather than simply watching her investigate.
I was initially intrigued by the women of the Minerva Society and the idea of these highly intelligent women having to conceal their abilities and scientific research. Their reluctance to cooperate with Petra also provided plenty of potential suspicion. Unfortunately, they never completely came alive for me as individual characters. Even their relationships with their Merry Gentleman counterparts sometimes felt difficult to understand emotionally, and I would have liked more sense of what drew these people together beyond what the plot required.
The mystery itself held my interest to a point, although I had worked out the eventual reveal before it arrived. More frustrating for me was the resolution. Without giving anything away, I understood the reasoning behind what happened and can accept that justice, particularly in this kind of historical setting, isn't always straightforward. But after everything that had occurred, the way matters were ultimately dealt with left me deeply unsatisfied.
Perhaps that's part of why the book left me feeling more detached than I expected. The characters felt somewhat distant, the mystery didn't surprise me, and its resolution irked my sense of justice rather than giving me much emotional payoff.
Readers who already love Lady Petra and enjoy historical mysteries with more modern themes may have a very different experience. For me, though, I think this is probably where I part ways with the series. That's partly a matter of personal taste, but after several books I've realised that I'm just not emotionally invested enough in these characters to want to continue.
P.S. I am grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 / 5.0 Stars
This was yet another fine and delightful Regency era mystery from author Celeste Connally. With its chaste touch of romance and a troubling murder investigation thrown in for good measure, this was a spectacular and fun romp through a Regency era ballroom.
Regardless of being of upper British society, Lady Petra has been dealt a tough hand or not, depending on one's perspective. Her mother passed away a number of years back and her fiancé had suddenly perished. Yet thanks to her mother, she received an inheritance which permits her to remain an independent woman.
London, December 1815
The Lady Patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms are ardently raising funds in support of the city's poor. They're sponsoring four balls where the Ton have bid privately in order to win sponsorship of each of the balls. This, in turn, allows them to designate their marriageable daughter as "Rose of the Ball". The enticement is for the "Rose" to have exclusive rights to dance with the "Four Merry Gentlemen," (also of marriageable age). All is well until a body is discovered faced down on the ballroom's parquet floor. Lady Petra is soon called upon to quietly investigate and bring about justice without drawing it to the constabulary's attention.
Author Celeste Connally has crafted a wonderful mystery full of wit, charm and warmth. The book starts rather slowly as the reader is introduced to a myriad of players. It builds gradually and accelerates as the climax nears, adding tension and drama to the mix. The writing is lovely and highly descriptive. The mise en scène is exquisite and sets a beautiful stage. The theme of the story focuses on the many secrets one may hold about others and how deadly such knowledge can be. All in all, this was a rewarding and enjoyable diversion.
I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided an uncorrected digital galley of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: November 10, 2026
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 978-1250387424
This was yet another fine and delightful Regency era mystery from author Celeste Connally. With its chaste touch of romance and a troubling murder investigation thrown in for good measure, this was a spectacular and fun romp through a Regency era ballroom.
Regardless of being of upper British society, Lady Petra has been dealt a tough hand or not, depending on one's perspective. Her mother passed away a number of years back and her fiancé had suddenly perished. Yet thanks to her mother, she received an inheritance which permits her to remain an independent woman.
London, December 1815
The Lady Patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms are ardently raising funds in support of the city's poor. They're sponsoring four balls where the Ton have bid privately in order to win sponsorship of each of the balls. This, in turn, allows them to designate their marriageable daughter as "Rose of the Ball". The enticement is for the "Rose" to have exclusive rights to dance with the "Four Merry Gentlemen," (also of marriageable age). All is well until a body is discovered faced down on the ballroom's parquet floor. Lady Petra is soon called upon to quietly investigate and bring about justice without drawing it to the constabulary's attention.
Author Celeste Connally has crafted a wonderful mystery full of wit, charm and warmth. The book starts rather slowly as the reader is introduced to a myriad of players. It builds gradually and accelerates as the climax nears, adding tension and drama to the mix. The writing is lovely and highly descriptive. The mise en scène is exquisite and sets a beautiful stage. The theme of the story focuses on the many secrets one may hold about others and how deadly such knowledge can be. All in all, this was a rewarding and enjoyable diversion.
I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided an uncorrected digital galley of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: November 10, 2026
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 978-1250387424
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was so cute! Such a fun Christmas murder mystery, full of romance, humor, and drama. This honestly might be my favorite book in this Regency mystery-romance series! I loved the plot, enjoyed the characters, and was surprised by so many of the twists. Plus, I’ll always take more sweet moments between Petra and Duncan 🤭
🌶️ no on-page spice, but it is referenced
🎄 Releasing November 10th
⚠️ Spoilers ahead!
I loved learning more about Teddy’s family and seeing how these two major storylines came together. My absolute FAVORITE part (as I’m sure it will be for almost everyone) was Petra going undercover as a man 🤣🤣 It was hilarious, and the predicaments she found herself in were so stressful but entertaining hahah
There were a few things that frustrated me though. The girls tell Petra they think the men stole from them and hate women scientists, while the men tell Petra that isn’t true. But then neither Petra or the guys actually tell the women that it isn’t true! So the women just keep trying to attack and hate the men. If everyone just talked to each other, maybe they wouldn’t all be trying to attack each other! It was frustrating watching everyone keep so many secrets when a conversation could have solved half of the problems.
I also noticed some things with the writing that I don’t remember noticing in the previous books. Sometimes characters would answer questions before they were even asked or received a reply, like “I snuck into the room. How? Oh, I had a key.” And other times, the conversation would just skip over a response completely. It would be something like, “One of my friends passed away. Thank you, it was a tragedy.” 😂 Like, where are all the responses?! Now I’m wondering if the other books were written like this too and I just didn’t notice because I listened to them on audio instead of reading them.
P.S. I personally did not read book 3 before this one, and there weren’t any details needed from it to enjoy this book. I would definitely recommend reading books 1 & 2 first though!
—
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC!
🌶️ no on-page spice, but it is referenced
🎄 Releasing November 10th
⚠️ Spoilers ahead!
I loved learning more about Teddy’s family and seeing how these two major storylines came together. My absolute FAVORITE part (as I’m sure it will be for almost everyone) was Petra going undercover as a man 🤣🤣 It was hilarious, and the predicaments she found herself in were so stressful but entertaining hahah
There were a few things that frustrated me though. The girls tell Petra they think the men stole from them and hate women scientists, while the men tell Petra that isn’t true. But then neither Petra or the guys actually tell the women that it isn’t true! So the women just keep trying to attack and hate the men. If everyone just talked to each other, maybe they wouldn’t all be trying to attack each other! It was frustrating watching everyone keep so many secrets when a conversation could have solved half of the problems.
I also noticed some things with the writing that I don’t remember noticing in the previous books. Sometimes characters would answer questions before they were even asked or received a reply, like “I snuck into the room. How? Oh, I had a key.” And other times, the conversation would just skip over a response completely. It would be something like, “One of my friends passed away. Thank you, it was a tragedy.” 😂 Like, where are all the responses?! Now I’m wondering if the other books were written like this too and I just didn’t notice because I listened to them on audio instead of reading them.
P.S. I personally did not read book 3 before this one, and there weren’t any details needed from it to enjoy this book. I would definitely recommend reading books 1 & 2 first though!
—
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC!
May 21, 2026
4 1/2 ⭐️ I really enjoyed Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally. The writing is smart and witty, the characters are engaging, and the mystery is very well crafted. This was such an easy book to get pulled into, and I found myself genuinely looking forward to picking it back up each time.
I especially enjoyed the London season setting in December 1815. While the ballroom events are part of the backdrop, what really stood out to me was how seamlessly the social world is used to frame the mystery and character interactions rather than overpower them.
Lady Petra continues to be such a strong and enjoyable lead—clever, observant, and determined, and never quite content to stay within the expectations placed on her. I also really enjoyed seeing Petra and Duncan together again, even if only briefly in this installment. Their dynamic added a nice sense of continuity to the series.
The mystery itself is very well done. It’s carefully plotted, with enough twists and clues along the way that kept me second-guessing right up until the end.
One of my favorite parts was the inclusion of the lady scientists and how their intellect and contributions were highlighted within the story. I appreciated seeing women in science being encouraged and taken seriously in a time period where that wasn’t always the case. That thread added a thoughtful layer to the mystery and the world-building.
There were also some really tender character moments, including Petra’s care and compassion toward a young boy she encounters along the way, which added warmth to the story without taking away from the mystery.
This is a clean romance in tone, but not a fully clean-content read due to some mild profanity and suggestive/irreverent anatomical humor.
Murder of a Merry Gentleman releases November 10, 2026, from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts expressed are my own.
I especially enjoyed the London season setting in December 1815. While the ballroom events are part of the backdrop, what really stood out to me was how seamlessly the social world is used to frame the mystery and character interactions rather than overpower them.
Lady Petra continues to be such a strong and enjoyable lead—clever, observant, and determined, and never quite content to stay within the expectations placed on her. I also really enjoyed seeing Petra and Duncan together again, even if only briefly in this installment. Their dynamic added a nice sense of continuity to the series.
The mystery itself is very well done. It’s carefully plotted, with enough twists and clues along the way that kept me second-guessing right up until the end.
One of my favorite parts was the inclusion of the lady scientists and how their intellect and contributions were highlighted within the story. I appreciated seeing women in science being encouraged and taken seriously in a time period where that wasn’t always the case. That thread added a thoughtful layer to the mystery and the world-building.
There were also some really tender character moments, including Petra’s care and compassion toward a young boy she encounters along the way, which added warmth to the story without taking away from the mystery.
This is a clean romance in tone, but not a fully clean-content read due to some mild profanity and suggestive/irreverent anatomical humor.
Murder of a Merry Gentleman releases November 10, 2026, from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Celeste Connally delivers another entertaining historical mystery with Murder of a Merry Gentleman, blending sharp wit, engaging characters, and a cleverly constructed whodunit. Set against the backdrop of Regency England during the festive Christmas season, the novel captures both the charm of the era and the tension of a murder investigation, creating a story that is as cozy as it is suspenseful.
The protagonist continues to shine as an intelligent and resourceful amateur sleuth who refuses to let society’s expectations limit her. Connally balances the investigation with moments of humor, family dynamics, and subtle romance, making the characters feel well-rounded and easy to root for. The supporting cast is equally memorable, with enough eccentric personalities and hidden motives to keep readers guessing until the final reveal.
The holiday setting adds warmth and atmosphere without overshadowing the mystery. Snow-covered estates, festive celebrations, and Regency traditions provide a rich backdrop that enhances the story’s charm. At the same time, the murder investigation unfolds at a steady pace, with clues carefully woven throughout the narrative. While experienced mystery readers may identify a few hints before the ending, the resolution remains satisfying and well-earned.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is Connally’s ability to balance historical detail with accessible storytelling. The Regency setting feels authentic without becoming overwhelming, allowing readers to become immersed in the world while remaining focused on the mystery itself.
Overall, Murder of a Merry Gentleman is an enjoyable historical mystery that combines holiday ambiance, engaging characters, and an intriguing puzzle. Fans of cozy mysteries, Regency fiction, and character-driven detective stories will find plenty to appreciate. It is an ideal read for the winter season and a satisfying addition to Celeste Connally’s growing mystery series.
The protagonist continues to shine as an intelligent and resourceful amateur sleuth who refuses to let society’s expectations limit her. Connally balances the investigation with moments of humor, family dynamics, and subtle romance, making the characters feel well-rounded and easy to root for. The supporting cast is equally memorable, with enough eccentric personalities and hidden motives to keep readers guessing until the final reveal.
The holiday setting adds warmth and atmosphere without overshadowing the mystery. Snow-covered estates, festive celebrations, and Regency traditions provide a rich backdrop that enhances the story’s charm. At the same time, the murder investigation unfolds at a steady pace, with clues carefully woven throughout the narrative. While experienced mystery readers may identify a few hints before the ending, the resolution remains satisfying and well-earned.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is Connally’s ability to balance historical detail with accessible storytelling. The Regency setting feels authentic without becoming overwhelming, allowing readers to become immersed in the world while remaining focused on the mystery itself.
Overall, Murder of a Merry Gentleman is an enjoyable historical mystery that combines holiday ambiance, engaging characters, and an intriguing puzzle. Fans of cozy mysteries, Regency fiction, and character-driven detective stories will find plenty to appreciate. It is an ideal read for the winter season and a satisfying addition to Celeste Connally’s growing mystery series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*** I received an ARC of this book, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. ***
This is book 4 in the Lady Petra Inquiries series. Full disclosure: I have NOT read the first 3 books of the series. However, I didn’t feel like this was a terrible detriment. Most of the story is self-contained. There were occasional references to people/events from prior books, but they were fairly easy to fill in the blanks, or context clues were given to help keep this story moving along.
Lady Petra is an aristocrat and an independent minded woman of some intelligence. She has decided that she does not intend to marry so as to maintain her independence. However, societal expectations are that women must marry to remain respectable members. And while she does not wish to marry, she is in love with Duncan. Concurrently, she has taken a shine to a young street urchin and has become quite fond & protective of him. While trying to balance all these conflicting concerns, Lady Petra manages to get bulldozed into helping with a series of Christmas time balls where eligible bachelors are being presented.
Without going into spoilers (this is after all, a mystery) something happens at the very first ball & Petra is embroiled in investigating. These investigations are hampered by various parties trying to maintain their social standing or protecting others from being viewed poorly. People are suspected, then cleared of suspicion, only to be suspected again, but maybe of something else. Romances are revealed and not all of them are what you might expect! Red herrings abound. And various threads are eventually woven together. Ultimately, a very satisfying conclusion is reached.
The portrayal of society and the period are clear and pretty factual. The difficulties faced by women (in particular) and men (especially of a certain stature) are dealt with so that this isn’t JUST a cozy romance mystery but something just a bit deeper. Perfect for a holiday treat.
This is book 4 in the Lady Petra Inquiries series. Full disclosure: I have NOT read the first 3 books of the series. However, I didn’t feel like this was a terrible detriment. Most of the story is self-contained. There were occasional references to people/events from prior books, but they were fairly easy to fill in the blanks, or context clues were given to help keep this story moving along.
Lady Petra is an aristocrat and an independent minded woman of some intelligence. She has decided that she does not intend to marry so as to maintain her independence. However, societal expectations are that women must marry to remain respectable members. And while she does not wish to marry, she is in love with Duncan. Concurrently, she has taken a shine to a young street urchin and has become quite fond & protective of him. While trying to balance all these conflicting concerns, Lady Petra manages to get bulldozed into helping with a series of Christmas time balls where eligible bachelors are being presented.
Without going into spoilers (this is after all, a mystery) something happens at the very first ball & Petra is embroiled in investigating. These investigations are hampered by various parties trying to maintain their social standing or protecting others from being viewed poorly. People are suspected, then cleared of suspicion, only to be suspected again, but maybe of something else. Romances are revealed and not all of them are what you might expect! Red herrings abound. And various threads are eventually woven together. Ultimately, a very satisfying conclusion is reached.
The portrayal of society and the period are clear and pretty factual. The difficulties faced by women (in particular) and men (especially of a certain stature) are dealt with so that this isn’t JUST a cozy romance mystery but something just a bit deeper. Perfect for a holiday treat.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Over the course of Celeste Connally's four-book Lady Petra Inquires series, set in 1815 England, Lady Petra Forsyth matures and develops into a highly relatable protagonist, and the mysteries become even more entertaining.
Those familiar with the series know that Petra has declared publicly that she will never marry, and many are aware that she is carrying on a romantic relationship with a dashing unmarried man. Her situation is rare in the Regency era, when women were largely dominated and disrespected by men. Making a reluctant stab at improving her position in society while maintaining her own standards, Petra agrees to assist the Lady Patronesses of a prestigious men's club with planning and executing several Christmas-season balls to find suitable matches with well-to-do bachelors for a dozen young women. Parents of the women are invited to bid on the privilege of having their daughter as the hostess of one of the balls, affording them priority over interacting with four of the most eligible bachelors. The problem is that the four young women who win the bids are all scientists, who struggle to have their work appreciated or even acknowledged, making them the most difficult to match up.
When one of the four bachelors falls to his death at the first ball, the Lady Patronesses ask that Petra investigate before the tragedy becomes public. She knows how to use lock picks and hidden daggers and has participated in such investigations in earlier books. Another plot involves an appealing street urchin who has helped Petra in the past, and who pleads with her to get his mother out of jail for theft, although Petra has never even met her.
I don't want to spoil any of the plot, which is quite convoluted and features some very memorable characters. The ending is the most satisfying one of the series, leading me to wonder whether there will be more. Here's hoping!
My review is based on a complimentary pre=release copy of the book.
Those familiar with the series know that Petra has declared publicly that she will never marry, and many are aware that she is carrying on a romantic relationship with a dashing unmarried man. Her situation is rare in the Regency era, when women were largely dominated and disrespected by men. Making a reluctant stab at improving her position in society while maintaining her own standards, Petra agrees to assist the Lady Patronesses of a prestigious men's club with planning and executing several Christmas-season balls to find suitable matches with well-to-do bachelors for a dozen young women. Parents of the women are invited to bid on the privilege of having their daughter as the hostess of one of the balls, affording them priority over interacting with four of the most eligible bachelors. The problem is that the four young women who win the bids are all scientists, who struggle to have their work appreciated or even acknowledged, making them the most difficult to match up.
When one of the four bachelors falls to his death at the first ball, the Lady Patronesses ask that Petra investigate before the tragedy becomes public. She knows how to use lock picks and hidden daggers and has participated in such investigations in earlier books. Another plot involves an appealing street urchin who has helped Petra in the past, and who pleads with her to get his mother out of jail for theft, although Petra has never even met her.
I don't want to spoil any of the plot, which is quite convoluted and features some very memorable characters. The ending is the most satisfying one of the series, leading me to wonder whether there will be more. Here's hoping!
My review is based on a complimentary pre=release copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The 4th book in the Lady Petra series is as entertaining as the first. Petra is an unconventional member of the aristocracy in Regency England. She’s smart, headstrong and not deterred by the repressive and misogynistic norms that governed wealthy women’s lives at that time (it was even worse for poor women) and she has declared to never marry so that she may maintain her independence. Her Earl father is extraordinarily supportive of his daughter’s path and that gives her a familial and financial freedom that few women of the time enjoy. Petra has a talent for solving crimes and bringing murderers to justice. This time, one of the 4 most eligible bachelors (Merry Gentlemen) of the “marriage mart”, Christmas season is found dead and ruled an accident. Petra, however, believes that he was murdered and she suspects one of the Minervas….a group of young, unmarried women who are scientists and must keep the intellect and interests a secret even though they all chafe at their situation. The Minervas believe that the Merry Gentlemen stole their scientific discoveries and plan to publish the work under their own names. Women’s scientific papers would never have been published in 1815 because they were thought (by most men and maybe some brainwashed women) to have inferior brains and were incapable of intellectual pursuits. Petra wonders if the Minervas frustration about this unfairness may be motive enough for murder or is some other intrigue or person involved. Additionally, rumors about Petra’s ongoing love affair with Duncan Shawcross is beginning to impact her standing in society but she still doesn’t wish to marry. It’s a conundrum. Wonder what corpse Lady Petra will come across in the next book? Thanks to #netgalley for the arc of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In 1815 London, Lady Petra Forsyth is drawn into a scheme to match a group of bachelors labeled the Merry Gentlemen with a group of lady scientists who belong to the Minerva Society, where they practice their respective fields with study and experiments. When Lady Iris, Petra’s friend, asks her to get involved, Petra agrees to assist the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms with this charity bachelor auction. Set around Christmas, the series of balls sounds like fun. That is, until one of the Merry Gentlemen is found dead in the empty ballroom right before the first dance is about to start. At Lady Iris’s plea, Petra attempts to track down the man’s killer, since it appears someone must have pushed him over the balcony railing. A discovery nearby sets her mind on the trail of the Minervas, even as another mystery presents itself. A young lad, who she’d discovered living on the streets and has helped to care for, says his mother has been thrown in prison. Can Lady Petra help discover why she was arrested? As the two problems collide, twists and turns reveal a truth that not even Petra could have anticipated.
Murder of a Merry Gentleman is a fascinating mystery steeped in intrigue, murder, and restrictions of society that make people act in desperation. I like following Lady Petra’s intrepid search for the truth as well as her personal development. Although this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy of this story. This review is my unbiased and honest opinion.
Murder of a Merry Gentleman is a fascinating mystery steeped in intrigue, murder, and restrictions of society that make people act in desperation. I like following Lady Petra’s intrepid search for the truth as well as her personal development. Although this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy of this story. This review is my unbiased and honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love historical fiction about smart women doing smart things especially when society says otherwise.
In this fourth installment Petra tries to discover who has killed one of the Merry gentlemen and who is trying to hurt the others. It's during Christmas and in the 1800s there are a series of dances to try and pair up the men and women. In this case there are four young women scientists who have been paired up with men who compiment their knowledge in science. However since it is the 1800s the women can't publish their own work and when their research is stolen all signs point to the men. The problem is one of the men is murdered. The four women who are part of a club called the Minerva Society all claim innocence so who could have killed them? Plus Petra has befriended a street urchin and she finds out that his mother is in prison. Besides solving this murder she also tries to figure out why Teddy's mother is in prison and how she can further help Teddy. Everything comes together for a great historical mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series and this was a great addition. Petra is a great female detective but she also has a heart. I loved the side story about Teddy and her own romance with Duncan. Plus the main murder mystery was not one that I was able to figure out until it was revealed. I always love a mystery that can keep me guessing until the very end. I look forward to more of these books. If you love a great mystery, strong women, and some history I definitely recommend this series.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
In this fourth installment Petra tries to discover who has killed one of the Merry gentlemen and who is trying to hurt the others. It's during Christmas and in the 1800s there are a series of dances to try and pair up the men and women. In this case there are four young women scientists who have been paired up with men who compiment their knowledge in science. However since it is the 1800s the women can't publish their own work and when their research is stolen all signs point to the men. The problem is one of the men is murdered. The four women who are part of a club called the Minerva Society all claim innocence so who could have killed them? Plus Petra has befriended a street urchin and she finds out that his mother is in prison. Besides solving this murder she also tries to figure out why Teddy's mother is in prison and how she can further help Teddy. Everything comes together for a great historical mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series and this was a great addition. Petra is a great female detective but she also has a heart. I loved the side story about Teddy and her own romance with Duncan. Plus the main murder mystery was not one that I was able to figure out until it was revealed. I always love a mystery that can keep me guessing until the very end. I look forward to more of these books. If you love a great mystery, strong women, and some history I definitely recommend this series.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I recently read Murder of a Merry Gentleman: A Mystery by Celeste Connally. This is book four in a series, but I read it as a stand-alone. I typically read mainstream thrillers but occasionally like to try something a bit different for a break. This holiday murder mystery looked like the perfect thing for a story a little less intense and Christmas cheer all in one.
Let me start by saying, I usually read books fairly quickly. This novel took me forever to "get into." I don't know if it was the period of 1815 (I suspect not as I am a history lover) or the number of characters. The number of characters, frankly, was overwhelming. If that happens to you, stick with it. The number of characters is necessary and certainly enhance the story. Amidst other subplots, essentially Lady Petra is investigating a murder. Seems simple enough but becomes more difficult given the era with things like women's rights addressed.
Once I was able to become invested in the story, things stood out. Characters were well developed. Petra herself is pleasantly sassy, independent and a bit sarcastic. The book actually moved quickly to an end that had me surprised. What that took so long to become a priority for me, suddenly kept calling me, then I couldn't stop reading. By the end, I was teary eyed and smiling and so happy to have read Murder of a Merry Gentleman. Great fun here. I am such a fan of Lady Petra, I now want to read the whole series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the always generous St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy.
Let me start by saying, I usually read books fairly quickly. This novel took me forever to "get into." I don't know if it was the period of 1815 (I suspect not as I am a history lover) or the number of characters. The number of characters, frankly, was overwhelming. If that happens to you, stick with it. The number of characters is necessary and certainly enhance the story. Amidst other subplots, essentially Lady Petra is investigating a murder. Seems simple enough but becomes more difficult given the era with things like women's rights addressed.
Once I was able to become invested in the story, things stood out. Characters were well developed. Petra herself is pleasantly sassy, independent and a bit sarcastic. The book actually moved quickly to an end that had me surprised. What that took so long to become a priority for me, suddenly kept calling me, then I couldn't stop reading. By the end, I was teary eyed and smiling and so happy to have read Murder of a Merry Gentleman. Great fun here. I am such a fan of Lady Petra, I now want to read the whole series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the always generous St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Set in the Christmas season in the Regency-era, this mystery plays men against women and focuses on a group of four gentlemen and four young eligible ladies, all devoted to scientific lives. A sequence of four dances is set to allow eligible ladies to be introduced to the four gentlemen. Unfortunately, one is murdered at the first dance and Lady Petra is asked to quietly investigate the murder without interfering with the scheduled festivities. The author presents the background aptly, with a special emphasis on Lady Petra and the Minervas, those women pursuing science, most inappropriately in the context of the times. Willful Lady Petra is somewhat of an iconoclast herself, often talked about behind women’s fans.
As part of a series, there are relationships woven into the book that are introduced in earlier books, but the book certainly stands alone. Lady Petra sets out to solve a mystery that becomes more personal when she learns that Fenella, the mother of a street urchin, Teddy, is in prison and is somehow connected to whatever events caused the murder. With Fen set to be shipped to Australia, Petra tries both to help Teddy and to solve the murder. The author uses humor, history, a bit of scandalous behavior, and a touch of romance to keep the reader entertained.
Review of ARC from publisher. #bookmail #bookmailisthebestmail #GoodreadGiveaway
As part of a series, there are relationships woven into the book that are introduced in earlier books, but the book certainly stands alone. Lady Petra sets out to solve a mystery that becomes more personal when she learns that Fenella, the mother of a street urchin, Teddy, is in prison and is somehow connected to whatever events caused the murder. With Fen set to be shipped to Australia, Petra tries both to help Teddy and to solve the murder. The author uses humor, history, a bit of scandalous behavior, and a touch of romance to keep the reader entertained.
Review of ARC from publisher. #bookmail #bookmailisthebestmail #GoodreadGiveaway
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In this entertaining instalment in this historical mystery series, readers join Lady Petra in London for Christmas 1815 as she helps the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms host bachelor auction dances in the two weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. However, when one of the bachelors dies on the evening of the first ball and another nearly dies a few days later, she takes on a case and starts to investigate from within the attendees themselves. As she starts to unravel the truth, Petra must act the lady and think like a scientist as she tries to find the killer without becoming a target. Packed with details and complex social politics, readers will love the high stakes of this new case and the dangerously personal components of this investigation. The high society setting adds some new challenges for Lady Petra, and readers will love the mix of old and new characters in the latest book in this series. The depth of detail is absolutely fascinating, and readers will really enjoy the twists and turns of the investigation as the novel unfolds. A brilliant and entertaining new historical mystery from Celeste Connally, fans of the genre will love the new challenges ahead of Lady Petra Forsyth.
Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Lady Petra mysteries are pretty intricate despite the simpler time. The early 1800s were not supportive of clever women, but Lady Petra is well versed in acting proper, all while investigating crimes and standing up for women behind the scenes. The conversations are snappy, and her methods are at times comical. This book revolves around what we would call a bachelor auction done in a much milder form. The men are all friends, are financially set, and are all established in their professional fields -- as suitors, they are well sought after! When one is murdered, Lady Petra steps up to solve the crime. Between the competition for recognition in their respective fields, and the more heated competition of the women who want to win the hand of one of these men, the surviving bachelors need Lady Petra to work her magic. This is yet another mystery with twists and side-plots that keep you reading and guessing to the end. My only complaint about Lady Petra is that she jumps to conclusions too easily and then has to back-track her thought process; sometimes she seems so clever, while other times she seems so blonde. Thank you to LN of Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this jolly good time of a right proper mystery!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lady Petra Forsyth is back again with another murder mystery to solve. The eligible bachelors for the society Christmas season have been declared and all the young eligible ladies are excited to be able to bid to host one of the seasons dances. Unfortunately at the first dance, one of the bachelors is killed in what is deemed an accident, however when a second bachelor is seriously hurt at the next dance, Lady Petra knows there is more to the story. Who could possibly want to kill these men? Lady Petra goes to the extreme to try to solve the case. Not only is this case on her mind but her young friend Teddy, is in need of dire help. Will Lady Petra and her friends be able to set justice straight?
I do enjoy these mystery, I imagine Lady Petra to be quite a scandalous character especially for the time period. I do enjoy her wit and determination to solve the mystery. The other characters are just as engaging and add to the story. I did like the sub-plot of the dilemma with Teddy. The mystery was good, the characters are enjoyable, overall a good read. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press.
I do enjoy these mystery, I imagine Lady Petra to be quite a scandalous character especially for the time period. I do enjoy her wit and determination to solve the mystery. The other characters are just as engaging and add to the story. I did like the sub-plot of the dilemma with Teddy. The mystery was good, the characters are enjoyable, overall a good read. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder of a Merry Gentleman is the newest book in the Lady Petra mystery series. This is another series set in the early 1800’s in England and is one of the best! I love how Petra manages to be her own independent woman while dealing with the confines of a society that does not value women. That continues to be a trend in this book as she helps a group of women who are also scientists navigate a society that only wants them married and having children. It was a complicated mystery that I really enjoyed and the Christmas theme just added to the fun. The killer was unexpected as was the way two separate mysteries wound into one large mystery. I not only enjoyed the character of Petra in this book, but also her friends and employees and a few new friends along the way. Petra has the kind of strength that I wish I had and I love how she uses it to help those in need. I recommend this book and look forward to more of Lady Petra in the future.
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
4.5*
Oh Lady Petra, you're great. Petra is right up there with Amelia Peabody & Veronica Speedwell. I LOVE the pushing off of social norms to do your own thing. To be honest with you, Book 1 was not my favorite, but I am so glad I kept going with this series, because Petra is awesome, and add in some Christmas background and I'm all yours.
I do wish there was a smidge more of Duncan who slipped in and out of this case, I love their interactions and Duncan & Petra with Teddy is always enjoyable to read. Speaking of, Teddy gets quite the story this entry, and I wholeheartedly approve!
When this is released, I'd love to go back and see if there is a historical note regarding the lady scientists of the time, sometimes those notes are as interesting as the plot itself. And while I hope none of them came to quite the trouble our characters did in this book, I'm sure they didn't have an easy time of it.
If you're looking for a lightly mysterious murder set during Christmas time, you've found your next read!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for this book.
Oh Lady Petra, you're great. Petra is right up there with Amelia Peabody & Veronica Speedwell. I LOVE the pushing off of social norms to do your own thing. To be honest with you, Book 1 was not my favorite, but I am so glad I kept going with this series, because Petra is awesome, and add in some Christmas background and I'm all yours.
I do wish there was a smidge more of Duncan who slipped in and out of this case, I love their interactions and Duncan & Petra with Teddy is always enjoyable to read. Speaking of, Teddy gets quite the story this entry, and I wholeheartedly approve!
When this is released, I'd love to go back and see if there is a historical note regarding the lady scientists of the time, sometimes those notes are as interesting as the plot itself. And while I hope none of them came to quite the trouble our characters did in this book, I'm sure they didn't have an easy time of it.
If you're looking for a lightly mysterious murder set during Christmas time, you've found your next read!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder of a Merry Gentleman is the next book in the Lady Petra Inquires series, and it brings all the charm of the regency era with a festive Christmas twist. This time, the Lady Patronesses of the Almack Assembly Rooms are hosting five nights of holiday dances leading up to Christmas Eve. Everything seems set for a cheerful season until a bachelor suddenly dies on the very first night. Lady Petra is quickly pulled into the mystery, and she’s determined to figure out what really happened.
The mystery is nicely layered, with plenty of clues and surprises that kept me guessing the whole way through. Lady Petra continues to be such an enjoyable lead: clever, kind, observant, determined, and incredibly easy to root for. I also loved seeing other women in academic and scientific role play in important part in the story. It’s refreshing to see that kind of representation in a regency‑era story.
I’ve really fallen for this series and for Lady Petra herself. I’m already excited to pick up whatever comes next.
The mystery is nicely layered, with plenty of clues and surprises that kept me guessing the whole way through. Lady Petra continues to be such an enjoyable lead: clever, kind, observant, determined, and incredibly easy to root for. I also loved seeing other women in academic and scientific role play in important part in the story. It’s refreshing to see that kind of representation in a regency‑era story.
I’ve really fallen for this series and for Lady Petra herself. I’m already excited to pick up whatever comes next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Despite her best efforts to appear more respectable, Lady Petra once again finds herself called upon to find a murderer when the first in a series of fundraising balls is capped off by the discovery of a dead body.
This is an engaging read. There are plenty of potential suspects, and the reader is provided with several motives while Lady Petra tries to sort out the possibilities. I enjoyed the Regency setting, and the insight into the difficulties faced by women interested in pursuing the sciences in an era when this was unacceptable. There are definite parallels to Lady Petra's own efforts to maintain her independence while navigating the rules of a society that does not make this easy.
I highly recommend this one for fans of historical mysteries, especially those featuring strong female characters.
Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is an engaging read. There are plenty of potential suspects, and the reader is provided with several motives while Lady Petra tries to sort out the possibilities. I enjoyed the Regency setting, and the insight into the difficulties faced by women interested in pursuing the sciences in an era when this was unacceptable. There are definite parallels to Lady Petra's own efforts to maintain her independence while navigating the rules of a society that does not make this easy.
I highly recommend this one for fans of historical mysteries, especially those featuring strong female characters.
Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 4, 2026
Sometimes you just want a cozy Christmas mystery, and this one was exactly that.
Set during the Regency era, the story begins with a Christmas ball where the season’s unmarried ladies compete for the attention of the four “Merry Bachelors.” But the festivities take an unexpected turn when one of the bachelors is found dead.
With everyone becoming a suspect, it’s up to Lady Petra to uncover the truth before Christmas is completely ruined.
The Regency setting added plenty of charm, and the holiday atmosphere made it the perfect seasonal read. I did figure out the mystery before the reveal, which isn’t my favorite in a mystery—I enjoy being surprised. But if you like trying to solve the mystery alongside the characters, you may feel differently.
If you’re looking for a light Christmas read with a little murder, a little mystery, and plenty of festive cheer, this is a lovely one to add to your holiday TBR.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin Press for the ARC
Set during the Regency era, the story begins with a Christmas ball where the season’s unmarried ladies compete for the attention of the four “Merry Bachelors.” But the festivities take an unexpected turn when one of the bachelors is found dead.
With everyone becoming a suspect, it’s up to Lady Petra to uncover the truth before Christmas is completely ruined.
The Regency setting added plenty of charm, and the holiday atmosphere made it the perfect seasonal read. I did figure out the mystery before the reveal, which isn’t my favorite in a mystery—I enjoy being surprised. But if you like trying to solve the mystery alongside the characters, you may feel differently.
If you’re looking for a light Christmas read with a little murder, a little mystery, and plenty of festive cheer, this is a lovely one to add to your holiday TBR.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin Press for the ARC
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