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Miss Morton Mysteries #5
Miss Morton Takes the Waters
In Victorian England, Bath is the destination to restore a lady’s health. But after accompanying Mrs. Frogerton to the spa town, a poison-pen campaign and a locked-room murder lead lady’s companion Caroline Morton into troubled waters…
On the advice of her doctor, Mrs. Frogerton has arranged a visit to Bath to take the waters and regain her health and good spirits. While she reflects on her own next steps in light of her changing circumstances, Caroline goes with her to ensure the good lady’s well-being. Daily life in Bath takes on a routine of its own, with visits to the spa interspersed with social occasions and new acquaintances, including a group of women who live on Queen Square and gather to drink tea, play cards, and gossip.
When it comes to light that some of the ladies are recipients of poison pen letters, a rejuvenated Mrs. Frogerton offers to help. Sorting through the social dynamics of the group for motive and opportunity, she talks with the ladies while Caroline questions their companions.
The situation becomes more grave when Lady Greatmere, the oldest and most unpleasant of the ladies, is discovered strangled in her own locked drawing room, a half-finished epistle on her dressing table suggesting she might be the author of the poison pen letters. As Lady Greatmere’s companion falls under the suspicion of the Bath constabulary, Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton attempt to read between the lines to force the killer to come clean . . .
On the advice of her doctor, Mrs. Frogerton has arranged a visit to Bath to take the waters and regain her health and good spirits. While she reflects on her own next steps in light of her changing circumstances, Caroline goes with her to ensure the good lady’s well-being. Daily life in Bath takes on a routine of its own, with visits to the spa interspersed with social occasions and new acquaintances, including a group of women who live on Queen Square and gather to drink tea, play cards, and gossip.
When it comes to light that some of the ladies are recipients of poison pen letters, a rejuvenated Mrs. Frogerton offers to help. Sorting through the social dynamics of the group for motive and opportunity, she talks with the ladies while Caroline questions their companions.
The situation becomes more grave when Lady Greatmere, the oldest and most unpleasant of the ladies, is discovered strangled in her own locked drawing room, a half-finished epistle on her dressing table suggesting she might be the author of the poison pen letters. As Lady Greatmere’s companion falls under the suspicion of the Bath constabulary, Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton attempt to read between the lines to force the killer to come clean . . .
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 25, 2026
About the author
Catherine Lloyd
19 books583 followersCatherine Lloyd was born just outside London, England, into a large family of dreamers, artists, and history lovers. She completed her education with a master’s degree in history at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and uses the skills she gained there to research and write her historical mysteries. Catherine currently lives in Hawaii with her husband and youngest daughter..
Please note only the Kurland St. Mary mysteries are written by this Catherine Lloyd, not the romances.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please note only the Kurland St. Mary mysteries are written by this Catherine Lloyd, not the romances.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mrs. Frogerton went to Bath because her doctor said she needed rest, and apparently what he should have prescribed was one anonymous letter campaign and a strangled aristocrat. This woman arrives depleted, listless, and in desperate need of restoration, then hears that several ladies have been receiving poison-pen letters and suddenly her circulation improves. By the time Lady Greatmere is found dead in a locked drawing room, Mrs. Frogerton has basically thrown away the spa schedule and said, “Finally, something for ME.”
And yes, I started the Miss Morton series with book five because chronology is a prison and I am apparently committed to entering every historical mystery through a side door. Caroline used to be part of society until her father ruined the family, and now she works as Mrs. Frogerton’s companion while trying to decide what her own life is supposed to look like. Mrs. Frogerton has money, nerve, and the exact amount of respect for police boundaries you would expect from a woman who PICKS THE LOCK to a murder room because waiting for assistance felt inefficient.
Bath is supposed to be restorative. You take the waters. You see the doctor. You stroll around looking pale and financially secure. Instead, Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton fall in with a Queen Square group of women who drink tea, play cards, and have apparently spent years collecting grievances like commemorative spoons. Then the poison letters start circulating, exposing secrets and accusing people of all kinds of social crimes. Victorian subtweeting required stationery, postage, and upper-body commitment.
Lady Greatmere is the oldest and nastiest woman in the group, so naturally she ends up strangled at her desk with a half-finished letter suggesting she may have been the poison pen herself. Which would tie everything up beautifully if not for the locked door and the irritating question of who killed her. Also, the fact that one unpleasant woman dies and everybody immediately thinks, “Well, yes, obviously several people wanted that,” tells you everything about the social environment.
Mrs. Frogerton handles the ladies while Caroline questions their companions, and together they build the most efficient gossip-based intelligence service Bath has ever seen. Lady Brompton believes she runs the square. Mrs. Bethany has secrets. Miss Addison has information. Miss Markham and her brother are floating around being potentially relevant. Mr. Pettigrew exists in the way men in mysteries do, which is enough to put him on a list. Every person knows half of something and has decided the other half should only be revealed after a second murder.
Inspector Wells keeps trying to conduct an official investigation while Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton arrive with observations he did not request but absolutely needs. He says their help is unnecessary. They hear, “Please continue independently and bring me the answer later.” Mrs. Frogerton has been feeling ill for weeks, but the second the police tell her not to interfere, she becomes physically capable of solving three motives before lunch.
And Caroline is more restrained, but let us not pretend she minds her business. She has the personality of someone who notices a companion hesitated before answering and quietly restructures her entire afternoon around finding out why. She is also juggling questions about money, independence, and romantic possibilities from earlier books that I know nothing about because I showed up in Bath without nineteen pages of emotional paperwork. Still, I got the basic issue. Caroline finally has choices, which turns out to be more frightening than having none.
That part got me. For years, Caroline’s life was dictated by scandal and necessity. Now she has to decide whether the life she built under pressure is still the life she wants when the pressure starts lifting. There is no funny version of realizing survival made decisions for you, and now you have to meet yourself afterward. Moving on before Mrs. Frogerton finds me being sincere and assigns me a suspect.
The suspect list is gloriously unreasonable. I distrusted every woman with access to ink, every companion with a private grievance, every servant who moved quietly, and several people whose only crime was attending tea too confidently. The letters expose so many overlapping secrets that every cleared accusation reveals a completely different reason someone might kill Lady Greatmere. By the end, Queen Square felt less like respectable lodging and more like a group chat where everyone had accidentally hit “reply all” with evidence.
I’m at 3.5 stars for Miss Morton Takes the Waters. I occasionally needed a seating chart, a suspect board, and a kindly librarian to explain the romantic carryover from books one through four. But Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton won me over, the locked-room setup kept changing shape, and I adored watching an allegedly convalescent woman recover through sheer investigative interference. Mrs. Frogerton did not need mineral baths. She needed access to confidential correspondence and a constable willing to underestimate her.
Whodunity Award: For Proving the Most Restorative Treatment in Bath Is Solving the Murder of a Woman Nobody Particularly Misses
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, and for letting me begin Miss Morton at book five like a tourist who wandered into the wrong drawing room, found a body, and decided leaving would be socially awkward. I came for the waters and left with a locked door, anonymous threats, and several Victorian women who should never be allowed unsupervised access to stationery.
And yes, I started the Miss Morton series with book five because chronology is a prison and I am apparently committed to entering every historical mystery through a side door. Caroline used to be part of society until her father ruined the family, and now she works as Mrs. Frogerton’s companion while trying to decide what her own life is supposed to look like. Mrs. Frogerton has money, nerve, and the exact amount of respect for police boundaries you would expect from a woman who PICKS THE LOCK to a murder room because waiting for assistance felt inefficient.
Bath is supposed to be restorative. You take the waters. You see the doctor. You stroll around looking pale and financially secure. Instead, Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton fall in with a Queen Square group of women who drink tea, play cards, and have apparently spent years collecting grievances like commemorative spoons. Then the poison letters start circulating, exposing secrets and accusing people of all kinds of social crimes. Victorian subtweeting required stationery, postage, and upper-body commitment.
Lady Greatmere is the oldest and nastiest woman in the group, so naturally she ends up strangled at her desk with a half-finished letter suggesting she may have been the poison pen herself. Which would tie everything up beautifully if not for the locked door and the irritating question of who killed her. Also, the fact that one unpleasant woman dies and everybody immediately thinks, “Well, yes, obviously several people wanted that,” tells you everything about the social environment.
Mrs. Frogerton handles the ladies while Caroline questions their companions, and together they build the most efficient gossip-based intelligence service Bath has ever seen. Lady Brompton believes she runs the square. Mrs. Bethany has secrets. Miss Addison has information. Miss Markham and her brother are floating around being potentially relevant. Mr. Pettigrew exists in the way men in mysteries do, which is enough to put him on a list. Every person knows half of something and has decided the other half should only be revealed after a second murder.
Inspector Wells keeps trying to conduct an official investigation while Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton arrive with observations he did not request but absolutely needs. He says their help is unnecessary. They hear, “Please continue independently and bring me the answer later.” Mrs. Frogerton has been feeling ill for weeks, but the second the police tell her not to interfere, she becomes physically capable of solving three motives before lunch.
And Caroline is more restrained, but let us not pretend she minds her business. She has the personality of someone who notices a companion hesitated before answering and quietly restructures her entire afternoon around finding out why. She is also juggling questions about money, independence, and romantic possibilities from earlier books that I know nothing about because I showed up in Bath without nineteen pages of emotional paperwork. Still, I got the basic issue. Caroline finally has choices, which turns out to be more frightening than having none.
That part got me. For years, Caroline’s life was dictated by scandal and necessity. Now she has to decide whether the life she built under pressure is still the life she wants when the pressure starts lifting. There is no funny version of realizing survival made decisions for you, and now you have to meet yourself afterward. Moving on before Mrs. Frogerton finds me being sincere and assigns me a suspect.
The suspect list is gloriously unreasonable. I distrusted every woman with access to ink, every companion with a private grievance, every servant who moved quietly, and several people whose only crime was attending tea too confidently. The letters expose so many overlapping secrets that every cleared accusation reveals a completely different reason someone might kill Lady Greatmere. By the end, Queen Square felt less like respectable lodging and more like a group chat where everyone had accidentally hit “reply all” with evidence.
I’m at 3.5 stars for Miss Morton Takes the Waters. I occasionally needed a seating chart, a suspect board, and a kindly librarian to explain the romantic carryover from books one through four. But Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton won me over, the locked-room setup kept changing shape, and I adored watching an allegedly convalescent woman recover through sheer investigative interference. Mrs. Frogerton did not need mineral baths. She needed access to confidential correspondence and a constable willing to underestimate her.
Whodunity Award: For Proving the Most Restorative Treatment in Bath Is Solving the Murder of a Woman Nobody Particularly Misses
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, and for letting me begin Miss Morton at book five like a tourist who wandered into the wrong drawing room, found a body, and decided leaving would be socially awkward. I came for the waters and left with a locked door, anonymous threats, and several Victorian women who should never be allowed unsupervised access to stationery.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Catherine Lloyd’s Miss Morton Takes the Waters was one I’d been so excited to pick up because I’ve really grown attached to Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton over this series. A huge thank you to Kensington Books for the gifted advance copy. Do you ever get several books into a series and realize the characters have quietly become old friends?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve really loved the Miss Morton Mysteries, so sending Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton off to Bath for a little rest and recuperation sounded lovely. Of course, these two apparently cannot go anywhere without stumbling directly into other people’s secrets and a murder.
Mrs. Frogerton is supposed to be taking the waters and recovering her health, while Caroline has some big decisions to consider about her own future. Instead, they meet a group of women living around Queen Square who gather for tea, cards, and gossip—and someone has been sending some particularly nasty poison-pen letters.
Then one of the women is found strangled inside her locked drawing room.
Well. So much for a relaxing trip to Bath.
Mrs. Frogerton continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series. Give that woman a mystery and suddenly she’s rejuvenated. I love her relationship with Caroline because there’s genuine affection between them, but Mrs. Frogerton is also perfectly willing to charge straight into an investigation while Caroline tries to keep things somewhat sensible.
The Bath setting was such a fun change too. The baths, social rules, gatherings, and little historical details made me feel like I’d tagged along for the trip—minus the murder, thankfully.
At only 266 pages, this was definitely a quick one, and I would have happily stayed longer. There were plenty of suspects and enough secrets floating around Queen Square that I kept changing my mind about who was responsible. I didn’t have everything figured out, which made the final stretch even more fun.
Mostly, I just enjoyed spending time with Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton again. Five books in and I’m still invested in these two, Caroline’s changing circumstances, and whatever trouble manages to find them next.
If you were sent to Bath to rest and immediately discovered a murder, would you investigate or mind your business and head straight back to the spa?
#MissMortonTakesTheWaters #CatherineLloyd #MissMortonMysteries #HistoricalMystery #CozyMystery #KensingtonBooks #Bookstagram #MysteryBooks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve really loved the Miss Morton Mysteries, so sending Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton off to Bath for a little rest and recuperation sounded lovely. Of course, these two apparently cannot go anywhere without stumbling directly into other people’s secrets and a murder.
Mrs. Frogerton is supposed to be taking the waters and recovering her health, while Caroline has some big decisions to consider about her own future. Instead, they meet a group of women living around Queen Square who gather for tea, cards, and gossip—and someone has been sending some particularly nasty poison-pen letters.
Then one of the women is found strangled inside her locked drawing room.
Well. So much for a relaxing trip to Bath.
Mrs. Frogerton continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series. Give that woman a mystery and suddenly she’s rejuvenated. I love her relationship with Caroline because there’s genuine affection between them, but Mrs. Frogerton is also perfectly willing to charge straight into an investigation while Caroline tries to keep things somewhat sensible.
The Bath setting was such a fun change too. The baths, social rules, gatherings, and little historical details made me feel like I’d tagged along for the trip—minus the murder, thankfully.
At only 266 pages, this was definitely a quick one, and I would have happily stayed longer. There were plenty of suspects and enough secrets floating around Queen Square that I kept changing my mind about who was responsible. I didn’t have everything figured out, which made the final stretch even more fun.
Mostly, I just enjoyed spending time with Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton again. Five books in and I’m still invested in these two, Caroline’s changing circumstances, and whatever trouble manages to find them next.
If you were sent to Bath to rest and immediately discovered a murder, would you investigate or mind your business and head straight back to the spa?
#MissMortonTakesTheWaters #CatherineLloyd #MissMortonMysteries #HistoricalMystery #CozyMystery #KensingtonBooks #Bookstagram #MysteryBooks
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance reader copy of Miss Morton Takes the Waters. All opinions and comments are my own.
If there’s anything guaranteed to raise Mrs. Frogerton’s spirits (she’s been rather down in the dumps), it’s the chance to investigate (unofficially, of course), a mystery, and in Miss Morton Takes the Waters, there’s a doozy.
One wouldn’t think that going to Bath to ‘take the waters’ would be anything but relaxing, but for Mrs. Frogerton and Miss (Lady) Caroline Morton, her companion, nothing proves further from the truth. It begins with the residents and neighbors they meet at the townhouse taken for the season (all creatively described by author Catherine Lloyd). Especially Lady Greatmere, who, when she isn’t looking down her scrawny aristocratic nose at all and sundry, is berating her own attendant and everyone else in the general vicinity. And all this talk of poison pen letters! So, is it any surprise when said Lady ends up deader than the proverbial doornail? With one of those letters under her bony, clawlike fingers? The game’s afoot!
Caroline, no longer penniless, will soon be leaving Mrs. Frogerton’s employ, and there’s the handsome Inspector Ross, or the Earl of Craigmore as he is now, to think about. In the meantime, Mrs. Frogerton, being the efficient amateur sleuth she is (our talented author has seen to that), sets forth, with elegant Victorian polish and panache, to reveal a murderer and while she’s at it, expose the poison pen writer. Then, when blackmail rears its ugly end, so much the better. Never mind the local constabulary in the guise of Inspector Wells and Constable Bowen (with the usual ‘ladies shouldn’t meddle’ spiel). With these two ladies on the case, no evil-doer remains undiscovered for long. And so, it proves.
Entertaining, and in its way an enlightening glance at how the social classes of Victorian England were regarded, Miss Morton Takes the Waters makes for a delightful mystery read. And with many changes coming, Carolyn Lloyd has given her readers much to think about.
If there’s anything guaranteed to raise Mrs. Frogerton’s spirits (she’s been rather down in the dumps), it’s the chance to investigate (unofficially, of course), a mystery, and in Miss Morton Takes the Waters, there’s a doozy.
One wouldn’t think that going to Bath to ‘take the waters’ would be anything but relaxing, but for Mrs. Frogerton and Miss (Lady) Caroline Morton, her companion, nothing proves further from the truth. It begins with the residents and neighbors they meet at the townhouse taken for the season (all creatively described by author Catherine Lloyd). Especially Lady Greatmere, who, when she isn’t looking down her scrawny aristocratic nose at all and sundry, is berating her own attendant and everyone else in the general vicinity. And all this talk of poison pen letters! So, is it any surprise when said Lady ends up deader than the proverbial doornail? With one of those letters under her bony, clawlike fingers? The game’s afoot!
Caroline, no longer penniless, will soon be leaving Mrs. Frogerton’s employ, and there’s the handsome Inspector Ross, or the Earl of Craigmore as he is now, to think about. In the meantime, Mrs. Frogerton, being the efficient amateur sleuth she is (our talented author has seen to that), sets forth, with elegant Victorian polish and panache, to reveal a murderer and while she’s at it, expose the poison pen writer. Then, when blackmail rears its ugly end, so much the better. Never mind the local constabulary in the guise of Inspector Wells and Constable Bowen (with the usual ‘ladies shouldn’t meddle’ spiel). With these two ladies on the case, no evil-doer remains undiscovered for long. And so, it proves.
Entertaining, and in its way an enlightening glance at how the social classes of Victorian England were regarded, Miss Morton Takes the Waters makes for a delightful mystery read. And with many changes coming, Carolyn Lloyd has given her readers much to think about.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Miss Morton Mysteries #5
Publication Date: 8/25/26
Period: Early Victorian, 1841
Number of Pages: 272
Miss Morton has been quite concerned about her employer, Mrs. Frogerton, since Mrs. Frogerton was seriously injured during their last adventure. Mrs. Frogerton’s wound has healed, but her spirits have not. When the doctor agrees that a season in Bath might be just the thing to restore Mrs. Frogerton to her normal spritely self, they head out almost immediately.
Mrs. Frogerton wasn’t enamored of the baths and refused to try them a second time. Miss Morton despaired of Bath providing any help at all. However, they soon met their neighbors, and things began to perk up – especially after a murder, and then another. It wasn’t long before Mrs. Frogerton was up to her mischievous self while ‘helping’ the local police Inspector. With lots of suspects and motives, they had their work cut out for them.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the irrepressible Mrs. Frogerton return in full force and bowl right through both the police and the suspects while the more level-headed Miss Morton tried to keep her steered in the correct direction. There was a nice selection of new characters in this book, and I wonder if we’ll have another book set in Bath before they return to London. If we are not going to have another book in Bath, there are a few loose ends I would have liked to see finished. What happened to Mrs. Walsh? What happened with Mr. and Miss Markham? Did Miss Markham and Mr. Pettigrew get together? I hate hanging chads 😊.
I would suggest that while this book can be read as a standalone, you would find far more enjoyment if you read the series from the beginning. The character growth and backgrounds throughout the series definitely enhance your reading pleasure.
This is a book I recommend and hope you will enjoy as much as I did. Happy Reading!!!
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Miss Morton Mysteries #5
Publication Date: 8/25/26
Period: Early Victorian, 1841
Number of Pages: 272
Miss Morton has been quite concerned about her employer, Mrs. Frogerton, since Mrs. Frogerton was seriously injured during their last adventure. Mrs. Frogerton’s wound has healed, but her spirits have not. When the doctor agrees that a season in Bath might be just the thing to restore Mrs. Frogerton to her normal spritely self, they head out almost immediately.
Mrs. Frogerton wasn’t enamored of the baths and refused to try them a second time. Miss Morton despaired of Bath providing any help at all. However, they soon met their neighbors, and things began to perk up – especially after a murder, and then another. It wasn’t long before Mrs. Frogerton was up to her mischievous self while ‘helping’ the local police Inspector. With lots of suspects and motives, they had their work cut out for them.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the irrepressible Mrs. Frogerton return in full force and bowl right through both the police and the suspects while the more level-headed Miss Morton tried to keep her steered in the correct direction. There was a nice selection of new characters in this book, and I wonder if we’ll have another book set in Bath before they return to London. If we are not going to have another book in Bath, there are a few loose ends I would have liked to see finished. What happened to Mrs. Walsh? What happened with Mr. and Miss Markham? Did Miss Markham and Mr. Pettigrew get together? I hate hanging chads 😊.
I would suggest that while this book can be read as a standalone, you would find far more enjoyment if you read the series from the beginning. The character growth and backgrounds throughout the series definitely enhance your reading pleasure.
This is a book I recommend and hope you will enjoy as much as I did. Happy Reading!!!
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Kensington Publishing, Between the Chapters Book Club and Catherine Lloyd for an ARC of Miss MOrton Takes the Waters. It is being released for sale on August 25th.
This is the first book of Catherine Lloyd's A Miss Morton Mystery Series that I have read and she is a new to me author. I love reading about historical eras and especially love books in any genre about strong, independent women. This book has both.
Miss Caroline Morton aka as Lady Caroline Morton, found herself cheated out of her family's inheritance and dowry and chose to work as a companion rather than depend on a relative's support. Caroline prefers going by Miss Morton. Her employer is Mrs. Frogerton, an elderly woman who treats Caroline as a friend as well as a companion. The two have obviously teamed up to help solve other crimes in previous books as it is mentioned a few times in this book.
Mrs. Frogerton is advised to go to Bath for the healing waters and Caroline accompanies her. I loved the experience in the pool but don't give away spoilers. The Bath setting, the society rules such as the master of ceremonies at the bath, the bathing outfits, and the language of that day all added so much to this book. I love historical settings and Bath was a fun one to learn about.
Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton discover a murdered guest in the home building they are renting in and set about trying to solve it. The other neighbors/suspects were quirky and full of details. I was not able to figure out who the murderer was and that is always a good sign of a good mystery to me.
I am excited to go back and read the rest of this series and hope Ms. Lloyd continues it. I want to know what happens next.
This is the first book of Catherine Lloyd's A Miss Morton Mystery Series that I have read and she is a new to me author. I love reading about historical eras and especially love books in any genre about strong, independent women. This book has both.
Miss Caroline Morton aka as Lady Caroline Morton, found herself cheated out of her family's inheritance and dowry and chose to work as a companion rather than depend on a relative's support. Caroline prefers going by Miss Morton. Her employer is Mrs. Frogerton, an elderly woman who treats Caroline as a friend as well as a companion. The two have obviously teamed up to help solve other crimes in previous books as it is mentioned a few times in this book.
Mrs. Frogerton is advised to go to Bath for the healing waters and Caroline accompanies her. I loved the experience in the pool but don't give away spoilers. The Bath setting, the society rules such as the master of ceremonies at the bath, the bathing outfits, and the language of that day all added so much to this book. I love historical settings and Bath was a fun one to learn about.
Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton discover a murdered guest in the home building they are renting in and set about trying to solve it. The other neighbors/suspects were quirky and full of details. I was not able to figure out who the murderer was and that is always a good sign of a good mystery to me.
I am excited to go back and read the rest of this series and hope Ms. Lloyd continues it. I want to know what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Kensington Books for the gifted physical ARC!
This was a really cute little mystery, it is super short, I think it was only a little over 260 pages. Which as I've said before is the perfect length for me and a cozy/low stakes book, so that was a huge selling point. I was sent this by the publisher for review-I have not read the first four books, and I know these are interconnected standalones, but I definitely felt like I was missing a connection to the characters and their personalities. Yes, this can absolutely be read by itself, but I do think it would be more enjoyable if you've read the previous installments.
The characters were interesting. I enjoyed Caroline a lot as the strong and independent FMC/sleuth, and I could see myself getting super attached to Mrs. Frogerton if I had all the background of her. This is set in historical England and I loved that, you get really immersed into the dialogue and how they all interact and behave with one another. The mystery itself was satisfying, it kept me guessing and wanting to unravel it. Overall this was a good short story, I could see myself grabbing the first four to get the "real" feel of the characters and their adventures. This releases August 25th!
*This ARC was given by Kensington Books, all opinions are my own.*
This was a really cute little mystery, it is super short, I think it was only a little over 260 pages. Which as I've said before is the perfect length for me and a cozy/low stakes book, so that was a huge selling point. I was sent this by the publisher for review-I have not read the first four books, and I know these are interconnected standalones, but I definitely felt like I was missing a connection to the characters and their personalities. Yes, this can absolutely be read by itself, but I do think it would be more enjoyable if you've read the previous installments.
The characters were interesting. I enjoyed Caroline a lot as the strong and independent FMC/sleuth, and I could see myself getting super attached to Mrs. Frogerton if I had all the background of her. This is set in historical England and I loved that, you get really immersed into the dialogue and how they all interact and behave with one another. The mystery itself was satisfying, it kept me guessing and wanting to unravel it. Overall this was a good short story, I could see myself grabbing the first four to get the "real" feel of the characters and their adventures. This releases August 25th!
*This ARC was given by Kensington Books, all opinions are my own.*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am a big fan of this series that features a female sleuth who is intelligent, resourceful, and moral. Caroline Morton was part of the ton until her n'ver-do-well father ruined the family, and she was forced to seek employment. Luckily, that employment came in the form of the wealthy but not not aristocratic Mrs. Frogerton. Caroline is aided and abetted (or many times led) in her investigations by her free-thinking employer.
The duo finds themselves in Bath, where the cure for Mrs. Frogerton's blues is not the healing waters but an investigation into a murder tied to a series of poison pen letters sent to a wide circle of potential suspects in this locked room mystery. As usual, Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton offer their services to the local police and even provide their insights when unsolicited.
The reader is kept guessing amid a group of many potential killers--so many, in fact, at times it is difficult to keep them all straight. Nevertheless, this complex mystery is a fine entry in this well-written series.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
The duo finds themselves in Bath, where the cure for Mrs. Frogerton's blues is not the healing waters but an investigation into a murder tied to a series of poison pen letters sent to a wide circle of potential suspects in this locked room mystery. As usual, Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton offer their services to the local police and even provide their insights when unsolicited.
The reader is kept guessing amid a group of many potential killers--so many, in fact, at times it is difficult to keep them all straight. Nevertheless, this complex mystery is a fine entry in this well-written series.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review is for the ebook rather than audiobook; only the latter appears to be on this site. Miss Morton again finds herself looking into a murder with her employer in the latest in this very well-written Regency series. Mrs Frogerton has moved to Bath to see if a change of scenery will help her recover from an attack that formed part of the last book in the series, and of course Miss Morton is there when murder and mayhem are afoot at their rented lodging. Events center on the lodging and its inhabitants, and Mrs Frogerton and Caroline soon have plenty of suspects, a number of false starts, and a police inspector who is perhaps as interested in Caroline as in solving the case. As always, the Regency setting is beautifully done, and the relationship between Mrs Frogerton and Caroline continues to grow. There is not much on Caroline’s suitors in this one, apart from the new entry onto the scene, but it’s a really enjoyable read. I’m already looking forward to the next one. 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
Mrs Frogerton is lethargic, and the doctor suggests that they go to Bath. Caroline arranges things and they go with the two dogs. They have a very nice apartment which fills the entire ground floor. There is a nice garden outside. They first meet Lady Brompton who seems to think she's in charge of everyone. They are next invited to Lady Greatmere's. There are others there Miss Markham and her brother, Mr. Pettigrew, Mrs Bethany and her companion Miss Addison. Several of them have received nasty letters. The next day they go to the pump room with Mrs. Bethany and Miss Andrews and later to the recommended Doctor Harris. He suggests that Mrs.Frogerton take a daily bath in the hot springs. When they get back they find that the door to Mrs. Greatmere's apartment is locked, and the other usual visiters are waiting outside the door. Mrs. Frogerton picks the lock. Mrs. Greatmere is sitting at her desk dead. Mrs. Frogerton and Caroline now need to help the local police Inspector Wells to solve a locked room mystery.
This is a fun cozy mystery. I thank Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC so that I could read the book before publication.
This is a fun cozy mystery. I thank Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC so that I could read the book before publication.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Poor Mrs. Frogerton needs a change to get her vitality back after going through trauma. She is often my favorite character in these books because of her independence and lack of care for what others think of her. Caroline accompanies her to Bath per the doctor's orders and they find themselves renting a flat where the occupants are all part of a poison pen situation where someone has sent them letters claiming to know about their secrets and/or gossip. When one of them is found dead, the police seem to look to the easiest suspects. Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton get involved to solve the mystery despite being told their help is not needed. While some characters are innocent of the poison-pen accusations, others are not, and still more have even darker secrets. Caroline spends parts of the book mulling over what she wants for her future as she waits for answers about whether her financial situation will turn around and if she wants a change in her romantic future. While she is looking for some time to contemplate, Mrs. Frogerton is rejuvenated by the mysteries.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved Catherine Lloyd’s Kurland St. Mary Mystery series. The Miss Morton books have had their ups and downs.
In Miss Morton Takes the Waters, I liked the time period (Regency? Victorian? I've seen the series described as both) and the Bath setting. The author is moving Miss Morton’s circumstances forward in a satisfactory and believable way. The interactions between the characters are good, especially Miss Morton and her employer Mrs. Frogerton. The author has a very likable writing style for my tastes.
But the plot was very boring and moved ploddingly along. Although not resolved in a previous entry in the series, the author seems to have settled on which of her suitors Caroline will end up with. Unfortunately, however, the Viscount inspector had no reason to be in Bath, and his presence was sorely sorely missed by me. I with the author had found an excuse to bring him to Bath.
I will keep reading this series, but I hope book six is a little more engaging than book five. I read an advance reader copy of Miss Morton Takes the Waters from Netgalley.
In Miss Morton Takes the Waters, I liked the time period (Regency? Victorian? I've seen the series described as both) and the Bath setting. The author is moving Miss Morton’s circumstances forward in a satisfactory and believable way. The interactions between the characters are good, especially Miss Morton and her employer Mrs. Frogerton. The author has a very likable writing style for my tastes.
But the plot was very boring and moved ploddingly along. Although not resolved in a previous entry in the series, the author seems to have settled on which of her suitors Caroline will end up with. Unfortunately, however, the Viscount inspector had no reason to be in Bath, and his presence was sorely sorely missed by me. I with the author had found an excuse to bring him to Bath.
I will keep reading this series, but I hope book six is a little more engaging than book five. I read an advance reader copy of Miss Morton Takes the Waters from Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
On the advice of her doctor, Mrs. Frogerton has arranged a visit to Bath to take the waters and regain her health and good spirits. While she reflects on her own next steps in light of her changing circumstances, Caroline goes with her to ensure the good lady’s well-being. When it comes to light that some of the ladies are recipients of poison pen letters, a rejuvenated Mrs. Frogerton offers to help. The situation becomes more grave when Lady Greatmere, the oldest and most unpleasant of the ladies, is discovered strangled in her own locked drawing room, a half-finished epistle on her dressing table suggesting she might be the author of the poison pen letters.
The fifth book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own I have to read from the start to get the best experience. I love Caroline & really like Mrs Frogerton. The mystery is just what’s ended to revive Mrs Frogerton. I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy murder mystery & read it in two sittings, there are twists & turns as well as the usual red herrings. Strong characters, well paced & some romance made me a happy reader
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
The fifth book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own I have to read from the start to get the best experience. I love Caroline & really like Mrs Frogerton. The mystery is just what’s ended to revive Mrs Frogerton. I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy murder mystery & read it in two sittings, there are twists & turns as well as the usual red herrings. Strong characters, well paced & some romance made me a happy reader
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
July 9, 2026
Mrs. Frogerton continues to bring the main character energy even as we see the story through Caroline’s eyes. Caroline always has her moments and insights, but it’s Mrs. Frogerton who pushes the investigations forward. The series should be named for her. I’d still read it, and then maybe I wouldn’t be as invested in Caroline’s relationships and feelings, of which I wish we had more development.
It had its plodding moments, but a good locked door mystery. This book and the mystery stands alone better than some others in the series, but I always like to read in order.
Who is Caroline ending up with and why? We might never know the depths of Caroline’s feelings. She seems to want the recently elevated Inspector Ross—who I was really hoping would appear at the end, but who knows how things will pan out. I’m starting to miss the grumpy major from Kurland St Mary. At least we knew where things were headed.
I received an arc from NetGalley
It had its plodding moments, but a good locked door mystery. This book and the mystery stands alone better than some others in the series, but I always like to read in order.
Who is Caroline ending up with and why? We might never know the depths of Caroline’s feelings. She seems to want the recently elevated Inspector Ross—who I was really hoping would appear at the end, but who knows how things will pan out. I’m starting to miss the grumpy major from Kurland St Mary. At least we knew where things were headed.
I received an arc from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the latest book in the Miss Morton series by Catherine Lloyd. Although I enjoyed this book, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous books in this series. In this book Miss Morton and her employer go to visit Bath and get caught up in a mystery when a neighbor is murdered and no one, including the police, seem to have any idea how to solve it. I did not enjoy the setting of this book because it eliminated most of the characters we are familiar with and the usual comfortable setting of the books. There were lots of new characters, but none were very likable and I missed Miss Morton’s familiar “helpers”. I also hoped to learn how Miss Morton would move forward in her life, but all of that seemed to be just in a holding pattern for this book. I will definitely read the next book in this series, but I hope they are back in London and much more is going on.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A delightful, cosy historical mystery. This is my first experience of the Miss Morton series, and I enjoyed the sense of atmosphere and the gentle pace. I liked Miss Morton, but I absolutely loved her employer, Mrs Frogerton. She's spirited, straight-talking and completely unashamed of her "common" origins, even in so genteel a place as nineteenth-century Bath. She gives as good as she gets from the snobbish upper class ladies who are taking the waters for their health. The secondary characters are well-drawn and feel like more than cardboard cutouts, which is sometimes an issue with cosy mysteries. Social issues are also explored, some very serious, although the book keeps a light touch throughout. The mystery itself is clever and well-plotted, and the solution satisfying. I also appreciated that the touches of romance were just that: touches, and not a major focus of the story. I will be dipping back into this series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton are on their way to Bath. Caroline's mysterious "inheritance," still hasn't come through and Mrs. Frogerton is in the doldrums so it seems like the best idea. Once there, they start meeting people. Of course, many of the people look down on Mrs. Frogerton for coming from trade. But she doesn't mind any of them, even the eternally grumpy Lady Brompton. She is not the one who is murdered, however.
Even so, there are a number of suspects in the murder. The ending came a little bit out of nowhere and was a little more chaotic than I remember the Miss Morton series being.
We have two familiar characters but in a new setting and a new supporting cast, including another inspector who is very much intrigued by Caroline. I am generally enjoying this series but hope that Caroline's personal arc gets some movement soon.
Even so, there are a number of suspects in the murder. The ending came a little bit out of nowhere and was a little more chaotic than I remember the Miss Morton series being.
We have two familiar characters but in a new setting and a new supporting cast, including another inspector who is very much intrigued by Caroline. I am generally enjoying this series but hope that Caroline's personal arc gets some movement soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The fifth book in the Miss Morton Mysteries brings on a change of scenery as the story takes place in Bath, where we get to know a new batch of people, seemingly pleasant but that could hide a troublesome past.
When tragedy strikes, Mrs. Frogerton is as usual ready for action and Caroline ready to follow suit.
The story is well crafted and the identity of the culprit well hidden, I have liked the characters as usual and I cannot wait to see what will happen when our favorite duo will return to London.
I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.
When tragedy strikes, Mrs. Frogerton is as usual ready for action and Caroline ready to follow suit.
The story is well crafted and the identity of the culprit well hidden, I have liked the characters as usual and I cannot wait to see what will happen when our favorite duo will return to London.
I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another well-written, enjoyable read. I love how these stories have so many twists and turns but are still easy to follow. This one had me guessing with so many suspects. I did guess the murderer, but it was still a surprise. The characters are wonderful and full of personality, and the mystery is well thought out and written. The change in location to Bath was interesting. This series is always a pleasure to read, and I look forward to the next one. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.
August 25, 2026
Rating 4.5
This is the fifth book in A Miss Morton Mystery series. I have really enjoyed this series and this book not only is written well, but takes us to a new setting for the book, which was fun. I love the relationship that has developed between the main characters Mrs. Frogerton & Miss Morton. The book has a wonderful mystery, that I must admit I did not figure out who the murderer was until the author revealed it to me. The characters are wonderful and the pace kept my interest. I can’t wait to see what adventures these two will encounter next.
This is the fifth book in A Miss Morton Mystery series. I have really enjoyed this series and this book not only is written well, but takes us to a new setting for the book, which was fun. I love the relationship that has developed between the main characters Mrs. Frogerton & Miss Morton. The book has a wonderful mystery, that I must admit I did not figure out who the murderer was until the author revealed it to me. The characters are wonderful and the pace kept my interest. I can’t wait to see what adventures these two will encounter next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1841 Bath. Mrs. Frogerton and his companion Lady Caroline Morton become embroiled in a poison-pen scheme, and a locked-room death in the Queen Square buildings where they are residing. While Inspector Wells investigates they unofficially help.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have thoroughly enjoyed the entire Miss Morton series. While Caroline Morton's prospects may have changed, she remains steadfast in carrying out her commitment to her employer. In Miss Morton Takes the Waters, Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton have removed to Bath, so that Mrs. Frogerton may recover from the shocks of their last investigation. Of course, Mrs. Frogerton quickly finds another unpleasant situation (poisoned pen letters) that she feels compelled to investigate. When an unpleasant neighbor is found strangled, Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton once again get to the bottom of the matter. This is a pleasant cozy mystery series with engaging characters. While it would be possible to enjoy Miss Morton Takes the Waters as a stand-alone novel, reading the series lends so much more to the characters and story line. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another wonderful cozy mystery in the Miss Morton series. See my complete review at Reading World
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Catherine Lloyd for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Miss Morton Takes the Waters coming out August 25, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I’ve really loved this series! I was so excited to get it. This was definitely a short one but really good. I loved the development. I’ll definitely read more books in the series!
I’ve really loved this series! I was so excited to get it. This was definitely a short one but really good. I loved the development. I’ll definitely read more books in the series!
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