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First Date: A Lord & Lady Hetheridge Short Story
First A Lord & Lady Hetheridge Short Story
Before the wedding. Before the cases that would bind them together forever. After Ice Blue but before Blue Murder …
There was a first date.
On a quiet London evening, Chief Superintendent Tony Hetheridge and Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield step tentatively beyond the boundaries of rank and protocol. But when two strong-willed detectives try to navigate dinner, danger, and undeniable attraction, nothing goes quite as planned.
Charming, witty, and tender, First Date invites readers into a moment they've longed to know more about. Pick up your copy today!
Before the wedding. Before the cases that would bind them together forever. After Ice Blue but before Blue Murder …
There was a first date.
On a quiet London evening, Chief Superintendent Tony Hetheridge and Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield step tentatively beyond the boundaries of rank and protocol. But when two strong-willed detectives try to navigate dinner, danger, and undeniable attraction, nothing goes quite as planned.
Charming, witty, and tender, First Date invites readers into a moment they've longed to know more about. Pick up your copy today!
25 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2026
About the author
Emma Jameson
33 books512 followersEmma Jameson writes the kind of mysteries readers devour—smart, romantic, sharply funny, and impossible to put down. It’s why her books have sold over one million copies worldwide and built a fiercely loyal international readership.
A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Emma is best known for her beloved Lord & Lady Hetheridge series, where sharp wit meets murder in elegant British settings. Her character-driven stories blend suspense, romance, and a touch of humor—creating mysteries that feel as immersive as they are addictive. Her novel London Blue was recently named a Gold Medal Finalist in the Crime Fiction Indie Gold Awards.
A lifelong Anglophile (though not actually British), Emma brings England vividly to life on the page. When she’s not writing, she serves three demanding cats who believe they are in charge—and are probably right.
A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Emma is best known for her beloved Lord & Lady Hetheridge series, where sharp wit meets murder in elegant British settings. Her character-driven stories blend suspense, romance, and a touch of humor—creating mysteries that feel as immersive as they are addictive. Her novel London Blue was recently named a Gold Medal Finalist in the Crime Fiction Indie Gold Awards.
A lifelong Anglophile (though not actually British), Emma brings England vividly to life on the page. When she’s not writing, she serves three demanding cats who believe they are in charge—and are probably right.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 26, 2026
First Date: a Lord and Lady Hetheridge Short Story is written by Emma Jameson.
It is a prequel, of sorts, to the mystery series of the same name.
This was a free download to my Kindle and was appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed.
Ms. Jameson is the author of 3 very popular, well-established and well-written series:
Dr. Benjamin Bones series; Jemima Jago Mystery series and the Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery series.
“On a quiet London evening, Chief Superintendent Tony Hetheridge and Detective
Sargeant Kate Wakefield step tentatively beyond the boundaries of rank and protocol.”
I liked the story - it was charming, humorous at times and clever.
*****
It is a prequel, of sorts, to the mystery series of the same name.
This was a free download to my Kindle and was appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed.
Ms. Jameson is the author of 3 very popular, well-established and well-written series:
Dr. Benjamin Bones series; Jemima Jago Mystery series and the Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery series.
“On a quiet London evening, Chief Superintendent Tony Hetheridge and Detective
Sargeant Kate Wakefield step tentatively beyond the boundaries of rank and protocol.”
I liked the story - it was charming, humorous at times and clever.
*****
March 1, 2026
Too Much Romance Not Enough Detection
As always Emma Jameson writes very well, her style is head and shoulders above any other cozy mystery write, however, I guess I should have figured from the title that this would be more romance slanted. Her books that I’ve enjoyed most were more tilted toward the mystery side, so this was a bit of a disappoint to me. The saving graces are her humor and her wonderful writing style.
As always Emma Jameson writes very well, her style is head and shoulders above any other cozy mystery write, however, I guess I should have figured from the title that this would be more romance slanted. Her books that I’ve enjoyed most were more tilted toward the mystery side, so this was a bit of a disappoint to me. The saving graces are her humor and her wonderful writing style.
March 3, 2026
Not worth 99 cents!
This is so disappointing. These pages of a look at Lord & Lady supposed first date is just crazy, not at all in keeping with the books in this series. What a total waste of time and money.
I think the author thought this would appease the readers in this series who have been waiting patiently for book 9 in series. It does not!
This is so disappointing. These pages of a look at Lord & Lady supposed first date is just crazy, not at all in keeping with the books in this series. What a total waste of time and money.
I think the author thought this would appease the readers in this series who have been waiting patiently for book 9 in series. It does not!
February 27, 2026
gobbled it up and left wanting for more
This is such a fun series, I couldn’t pass up a short story even though I knew it would leave me pining for more and I’ve already read every thing this brilliant woman has written. Start at book 1 and catch up. You’re welcome.
This is such a fun series, I couldn’t pass up a short story even though I knew it would leave me pining for more and I’ve already read every thing this brilliant woman has written. Start at book 1 and catch up. You’re welcome.
March 3, 2026
A quick and insightful read as a first date goes wrong in many ways - or did it? Lord and Lady Heatheridge murder mysteries always keep me interested as does this story of their maybe romantic beginnings. Quite enjoyable.
March 13, 2026
A Closer Look
Wonderful story with details about Kate and Tony's first date, with Henry and Ritchie in tow. Tony probably had to use some skills he learned along the way, not included in baronial school. As usual, Emma Jameson creates with everything you as a reader need.
Wonderful story with details about Kate and Tony's first date, with Henry and Ritchie in tow. Tony probably had to use some skills he learned along the way, not included in baronial school. As usual, Emma Jameson creates with everything you as a reader need.
March 25, 2026
It's a lot for a first date!
Truthfully I have read a lot of these books and love them. When I saw this little "in between " story, I had to read it! She wins on all counts for her true self, He wins, for what he has accepted. Cops and robbers vs. family mayhem!
Truthfully I have read a lot of these books and love them. When I saw this little "in between " story, I had to read it! She wins on all counts for her true self, He wins, for what he has accepted. Cops and robbers vs. family mayhem!
June 24, 2026
On kobo (EPub3 DRM-Free) 1230009736535; 19 pages - variant cover (line drawing)
Set after the first novel, Ice Blue. No need to have read that - but intriguing enough to lead to buying the first three 9omnibus) in the series
Set after the first novel, Ice Blue. No need to have read that - but intriguing enough to lead to buying the first three 9omnibus) in the series
February 25, 2026
First Date Nightmare
The first date proved to be a nightmare as both kids had to be included for dinner in a posh restaurant. But it proved that Lord Hetheridge was a keeper.
The first date proved to be a nightmare as both kids had to be included for dinner in a posh restaurant. But it proved that Lord Hetheridge was a keeper.
February 27, 2026
FIRST DATE
This was a cute story. It was put together well considering how short the story was. Ready for the next one.
This was a cute story. It was put together well considering how short the story was. Ready for the next one.
March 1, 2026
Delightful
This charming story made my day. Hard to wait in between books generated by hard-working novelists... Thank you for this!
This charming story made my day. Hard to wait in between books generated by hard-working novelists... Thank you for this!
March 1, 2026
A charming return to the beginning
As always, Emma Jameson hits all the right notes with her most well known series. Kate and Tony revisited is a delight.
As always, Emma Jameson hits all the right notes with her most well known series. Kate and Tony revisited is a delight.
March 2, 2026
Fun to know how disastrous and hilarious the first date between Tony and Kate went.
March 9, 2026
Funny Hetheridges
A cute family style date with a happy ending, despite mishaps. If you like these cops and relatives, you'll enjoy this short story.
A cute family style date with a happy ending, despite mishaps. If you like these cops and relatives, you'll enjoy this short story.
March 14, 2026
Sweet look at their early meeting
April 5, 2026
Short but sweet. Good early days book for the series
March 3, 2026
Nicely done.
Not your usual but then, these are very not usual people. This series continues to work very well for me. I will look forward to more, little fill in the blank’s, squibs like this.
Not your usual but then, these are very not usual people. This series continues to work very well for me. I will look forward to more, little fill in the blank’s, squibs like this.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews