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Wrexford & Sloane #2
Murder at Half Moon Gate
A wealthy lord who happens to be a brilliant scientist . . . an enigmatic young widow who secretly pens satirical cartoons . . . a violent killing disguised as a robbery . . . Nothing is as it seems in Regency London, especially when the Earl of Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane join forces to solve a shocking murder.
When Lord Wrexford discovers the body of a gifted inventor in a dark London alley, he promptly alerts the watchman and lets the authorities handle the matter. But Wrexford soon finds himself drawn into the murder investigation when the inventor's widow begs for his assistance, claiming the crime was not a random robbery. It seems her husband's designs for a revolutionary steam-powered engine went missing the night of his death. The plans could be worth a fortune . . . and very dangerous in the wrong hands.
Joining Wrexford in his investigation is Charlotte Sloane, who uses the pseudonym A. J. Quill to publish her scathing political cartoons. Her extensive network of informants is critical for her work, but she doesn't mind tapping that same web of spies to track down an elusive killer. Each suspect--from ambitious assistants to rich investors, and even the inventor's widow--is entwined in a maze of secrets and lies that leads Wrexford and Sloane down London's most perilous stews and darkest alleyways.
With danger lurking at every turn, the potent combination of Wrexford's analytical mind and Sloane's exacting intuition begins to unravel the twisted motivations behind the inventor's death. But they are up against a cunning and deadly foe--a killer ready to strike again before they can recover the inventor's priceless designs . . .
When Lord Wrexford discovers the body of a gifted inventor in a dark London alley, he promptly alerts the watchman and lets the authorities handle the matter. But Wrexford soon finds himself drawn into the murder investigation when the inventor's widow begs for his assistance, claiming the crime was not a random robbery. It seems her husband's designs for a revolutionary steam-powered engine went missing the night of his death. The plans could be worth a fortune . . . and very dangerous in the wrong hands.
Joining Wrexford in his investigation is Charlotte Sloane, who uses the pseudonym A. J. Quill to publish her scathing political cartoons. Her extensive network of informants is critical for her work, but she doesn't mind tapping that same web of spies to track down an elusive killer. Each suspect--from ambitious assistants to rich investors, and even the inventor's widow--is entwined in a maze of secrets and lies that leads Wrexford and Sloane down London's most perilous stews and darkest alleyways.
With danger lurking at every turn, the potent combination of Wrexford's analytical mind and Sloane's exacting intuition begins to unravel the twisted motivations behind the inventor's death. But they are up against a cunning and deadly foe--a killer ready to strike again before they can recover the inventor's priceless designs . . .
360 pages, Hardcover
First published March 27, 2018
1385 people are currently reading
3263 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Penrose
26 books1,998 followersAndrea Penrose is the USA Today bestselling author of Regency-era historical fiction, including the acclaimed Wrexford & Sloane mystery series, as well as Regency romances written under the names Cara Elliott and Andrea Pickens. Published internationally in ten languages, she is a three-time RITA Award finalist and the recipient of numerous writing awards, including two Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Historical Mystery and two Gold Leaf Awards.
A graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Art and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design, Andrea fell in love with Regency England after reading Pride and Prejudice and has maintained a fascination with the era’s swirling silks and radical new ideas throughout her writing career. She lives in Connecticut and blogs with a community of historical fiction authors at WordWenches.com. She also can be found at AndreaPenrose.com and on Instagram @AndreaPenroseBooks.
A graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Art and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design, Andrea fell in love with Regency England after reading Pride and Prejudice and has maintained a fascination with the era’s swirling silks and radical new ideas throughout her writing career. She lives in Connecticut and blogs with a community of historical fiction authors at WordWenches.com. She also can be found at AndreaPenrose.com and on Instagram @AndreaPenroseBooks.
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April 25, 2018
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars.
Murder at Half Moon Gate is the second book in Andrea Penrose’s series of historical mysteries featuring the scandalous but scientifically-minded Earl of Wrexford and Mrs. Charlotte Sloane, otherwise known as A.J. Quill, London’s premier satirical cartoonist. In Murder on Black Swan Lane, Wrexford was accused of the murder of the prominent clergyman with whom he had been carrying on a very public dispute. Further infuriated by A.J. Quill’s uncannily accurate drawings and scathing commentaries, Wrexford determined to find the man and get him to stop his lampooning – only to discover that he was a she, carrying on the work of her late husband. The earl and the satirist eventually teamed up to find the real murderer and exonerate Wrexford, and during the course of the book forged an unlikely but strong working partnership in which Charlotte’s intuition and observational skills proved the perfect complement to Wrexford’s highly logical scientific approach.
This book begins a few months after the previous one concluded, and although Wrexford and Charlotte have seen each other once or twice over that period, both expect their forged-from-necessity friendship to fade away given the fact that they move in very different social circles. Even so, neither of them is quite ready to let go of the unusual and strong connection that has developed between them – when the murder of a prominent inventor brings Wrexford back to Charlotte’s door.
On his way back from an evening’s carouse in the company of his friend, Kit Sheffield, Wrexford, who is somewhat the worse for wear, literally stumbles across a dead body in a dank alley. Closer inspection reveals the man was brutally attacked, his neck broken, his face cut – and unusually, his clothing slashed and rent as well. With nothing to suggest anything other than an attack by footpads, the earl is relieved to hand the investigation over to the authorities. But the next morning, he receives a visit from a beautiful woman who introduces herself as Mrs. Isobel Ashton and tells Wrexford that her husband was the murdered man he found the previous night. She proceeds to explain that Ashton had been an inventor on the verge of an important breakthrough – and Wrexford, a chemist of some renown, recalls that he had exchanged some correspondence with the man, who needed some assistance with the chemical composition of the iron he was using in his new steam engine.
When Mrs. Ashton tells Wrexford she believes her husband was murdered and asks him to investigate, he is reluctant at first, unable to see why anyone would want to kill an inventor. But as things begin to fall into place, he realises that whoever killed Ashton must have been looking for something – a suspicion confirmed when the widow tells him that her husband had been on the verge of a momentous breakthrough that would have made him a fortune, and suggests there were those who would stop at nothing in order to steal his ideas.
When Wrexford calls upon Charlotte – whose judgement, keen mind and observational skills he prizes highly – he tells her why he believes Ashton was murdered and asks her to see if her city-wide network of informants has heard any rumblings about the murder and who might be behind it. Very soon, Wrexford and Charlotte are embroiled in the search for a ruthless killer who always seems to be one step ahead of them and are confronted with an increasing body-count and an ever growing list of suspects – the Workers of Zion, a radical group advocating violence and destruction on a scale far more extensive than the Luddites, Ashton’s assistants and other associates – including Charlotte’s oldest friend, Jeremy, Lord Stirling, who was one of Ashton’s primary investors – and the dissolute Lord Kirkland, whose association with the widowed Mrs. Ashton places them both under suspicion.
Andrea Penrose has penned a complex mystery full of twists, turns and red-herrings that kept me guessing pretty much right up until the identity of the villain was revealed, while at the same time developing the relationship between her two principals that began in the previous book. It was clear in that story that both Wrexford and Charlotte were keeping secrets and there was more for them to learn about each other (and for readers to discover) and the author has indulged us – to a point – revealing a little more about each of them. I particularly liked seeing the cynical and unsentimental Wrexford’s interactions with the two street-urchins Charlotte has ‘adopted’, and his gradually dawning realisation that when it comes to Charlotte, it’s not so easy for him to remain detached and unemotional. He enjoys the fact that Charlotte challenges and provokes him and is surprised to realise that her passionate convictions are causing him to care more deeply than ever about things to which he has never really given much thought. And Charlotte, intelligent, stubborn and self-reliant, is a little disturbed to discover her thoughts increasingly preoccupied with a certain green-eyed, annoyingly sardonic earl who frustrates and infuriates in equal measure but whose friendship she has come to cherish.
Having a main character who is a scientist makes it natural that the author should focus on the scientific aspect of her stories, but in doing so she has also given them rather a unique slant. The early nineteenth century was a time of huge social change, political upheaval and technological advancement, and all these elements are skilfully incorporated as she takes a good look at the implications on the working poor of the huge strides being made in the development of mechanical processes and of the Industrial Revolution in general:
What place did people have in a world where machines made their efforts obsolete?
Ms. Penrose creates a very strong sense of time and place in the novel; the cartoonists of the day were instrumental in forming public opinion, but the fact that Charlotte is A.J. Quill must remain secret if she is to continue to make a living and retain any degree of respectability, as for a woman to engage in such a profession would have been ruinous. The author’s descriptions of her chosen locations are vivid and really help the reader to place themselves in the more tumble-down areas of London, and she has created a thoroughly engaging set of secondary characters. Kit Sheffield, Wrexford’s closest friend is clearly not so much a wastrel as he purports to be, the unflappable and enigmatic McLellan whom the earl assigns to act as Charlotte’s maid is someone I hope to see more of, and Raven and Hawk, the two boys Charlotte has taken under her wing, are a couple of winning lads who are perhaps a little too good to be true, but who are nonetheless a good addition to the larger cast.
Murder at Half Moon Gate is an enjoyably complex mystery that strikes a good balance between plot, character development and historical detail – and those of us who like a bit of romance thrown in will be satisfied with the direction things are taking. The book is sure to appeal to fans of Deanna Raybourn and Anna Lee Huber as well as those who enjoy a well-plotted historical mystery.
Murder at Half Moon Gate is the second book in Andrea Penrose’s series of historical mysteries featuring the scandalous but scientifically-minded Earl of Wrexford and Mrs. Charlotte Sloane, otherwise known as A.J. Quill, London’s premier satirical cartoonist. In Murder on Black Swan Lane, Wrexford was accused of the murder of the prominent clergyman with whom he had been carrying on a very public dispute. Further infuriated by A.J. Quill’s uncannily accurate drawings and scathing commentaries, Wrexford determined to find the man and get him to stop his lampooning – only to discover that he was a she, carrying on the work of her late husband. The earl and the satirist eventually teamed up to find the real murderer and exonerate Wrexford, and during the course of the book forged an unlikely but strong working partnership in which Charlotte’s intuition and observational skills proved the perfect complement to Wrexford’s highly logical scientific approach.
This book begins a few months after the previous one concluded, and although Wrexford and Charlotte have seen each other once or twice over that period, both expect their forged-from-necessity friendship to fade away given the fact that they move in very different social circles. Even so, neither of them is quite ready to let go of the unusual and strong connection that has developed between them – when the murder of a prominent inventor brings Wrexford back to Charlotte’s door.
On his way back from an evening’s carouse in the company of his friend, Kit Sheffield, Wrexford, who is somewhat the worse for wear, literally stumbles across a dead body in a dank alley. Closer inspection reveals the man was brutally attacked, his neck broken, his face cut – and unusually, his clothing slashed and rent as well. With nothing to suggest anything other than an attack by footpads, the earl is relieved to hand the investigation over to the authorities. But the next morning, he receives a visit from a beautiful woman who introduces herself as Mrs. Isobel Ashton and tells Wrexford that her husband was the murdered man he found the previous night. She proceeds to explain that Ashton had been an inventor on the verge of an important breakthrough – and Wrexford, a chemist of some renown, recalls that he had exchanged some correspondence with the man, who needed some assistance with the chemical composition of the iron he was using in his new steam engine.
When Mrs. Ashton tells Wrexford she believes her husband was murdered and asks him to investigate, he is reluctant at first, unable to see why anyone would want to kill an inventor. But as things begin to fall into place, he realises that whoever killed Ashton must have been looking for something – a suspicion confirmed when the widow tells him that her husband had been on the verge of a momentous breakthrough that would have made him a fortune, and suggests there were those who would stop at nothing in order to steal his ideas.
When Wrexford calls upon Charlotte – whose judgement, keen mind and observational skills he prizes highly – he tells her why he believes Ashton was murdered and asks her to see if her city-wide network of informants has heard any rumblings about the murder and who might be behind it. Very soon, Wrexford and Charlotte are embroiled in the search for a ruthless killer who always seems to be one step ahead of them and are confronted with an increasing body-count and an ever growing list of suspects – the Workers of Zion, a radical group advocating violence and destruction on a scale far more extensive than the Luddites, Ashton’s assistants and other associates – including Charlotte’s oldest friend, Jeremy, Lord Stirling, who was one of Ashton’s primary investors – and the dissolute Lord Kirkland, whose association with the widowed Mrs. Ashton places them both under suspicion.
Andrea Penrose has penned a complex mystery full of twists, turns and red-herrings that kept me guessing pretty much right up until the identity of the villain was revealed, while at the same time developing the relationship between her two principals that began in the previous book. It was clear in that story that both Wrexford and Charlotte were keeping secrets and there was more for them to learn about each other (and for readers to discover) and the author has indulged us – to a point – revealing a little more about each of them. I particularly liked seeing the cynical and unsentimental Wrexford’s interactions with the two street-urchins Charlotte has ‘adopted’, and his gradually dawning realisation that when it comes to Charlotte, it’s not so easy for him to remain detached and unemotional. He enjoys the fact that Charlotte challenges and provokes him and is surprised to realise that her passionate convictions are causing him to care more deeply than ever about things to which he has never really given much thought. And Charlotte, intelligent, stubborn and self-reliant, is a little disturbed to discover her thoughts increasingly preoccupied with a certain green-eyed, annoyingly sardonic earl who frustrates and infuriates in equal measure but whose friendship she has come to cherish.
Having a main character who is a scientist makes it natural that the author should focus on the scientific aspect of her stories, but in doing so she has also given them rather a unique slant. The early nineteenth century was a time of huge social change, political upheaval and technological advancement, and all these elements are skilfully incorporated as she takes a good look at the implications on the working poor of the huge strides being made in the development of mechanical processes and of the Industrial Revolution in general:
What place did people have in a world where machines made their efforts obsolete?
Ms. Penrose creates a very strong sense of time and place in the novel; the cartoonists of the day were instrumental in forming public opinion, but the fact that Charlotte is A.J. Quill must remain secret if she is to continue to make a living and retain any degree of respectability, as for a woman to engage in such a profession would have been ruinous. The author’s descriptions of her chosen locations are vivid and really help the reader to place themselves in the more tumble-down areas of London, and she has created a thoroughly engaging set of secondary characters. Kit Sheffield, Wrexford’s closest friend is clearly not so much a wastrel as he purports to be, the unflappable and enigmatic McLellan whom the earl assigns to act as Charlotte’s maid is someone I hope to see more of, and Raven and Hawk, the two boys Charlotte has taken under her wing, are a couple of winning lads who are perhaps a little too good to be true, but who are nonetheless a good addition to the larger cast.
Murder at Half Moon Gate is an enjoyably complex mystery that strikes a good balance between plot, character development and historical detail – and those of us who like a bit of romance thrown in will be satisfied with the direction things are taking. The book is sure to appeal to fans of Deanna Raybourn and Anna Lee Huber as well as those who enjoy a well-plotted historical mystery.
November 2, 2020
The second in the series. I enjoyed the growth of the plot for the main couple. The mystery was secondary and not that strong. It was still an enjoyable read as the author makes the story flow and keeps my interest. I have the next book n the series already and look forward to reading it.
August 28, 2024
I discovered this series a couple of months ago when it was one of the selections for a group read. Not sure which group it was, which is odd because I usually remember. I do remember that it wasn’t the one that was selected, but it was the one that I voted for, which is kind of typical. Anyway, I picked a good one, and while I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, I do enjoy a good one once in a while and I am now a big fan of the series. I especially enjoy the humor and banter between the MC’s and the storylines are interesting and really easy to read.
The gang is all back: Lord Wrexford, aka Wrex, and his hard-drinking, womanizing, gambler, buddy Sheffield. There is also the widow and artist, Charlotte Sloan, and the two hilarious and mischievous little street urchins, Raven and Hawk, that Charlotte has taken in and is now basically their unofficial guardian. The book summary pretty much lays out the whole primary storyline, so I’m not going to repeat any of that here other than to say, that it was a glimpse into the industrial revolution of that time in Regency London.
However, there is a secondary storyline and that is of Charlotte moving on from the death of her husband, as well as the house they lived in when he was alive, which brings a lot of change and conflicted feelings for Charlotte. There are also the changes to Raven and Hawk, who are encouraged to change their names. Loved how Wrex helped them choose their names and how they not look at it as abandoning who they are but rather becoming who they want to be. Sooo adorable!!! There are also the underlying feelings that Wrex and Charlotte are having for each other that they are both fighting to hide and quash.
The pace was steady to fast, with interesting storylines. While the primary storyline was wrapped up nicely, the secondary storylines are still open and I’m sure to be continued in future installments. There was some additional character development of the MC’s that was engaging and entertaining and the humor had me chuckling, especially when the “boys” (Raven & Hawk) were in the room. OMG!!! They are a hilarious addition to the story! One of the things that I enjoy about historical fiction stories, especially of the Regency period, is the way people spoke. I listened to the audiobook and the narration of James Cameron Stewart with his proper British accent was perfect for the different MC’s; Stewart is a master with voices and diction I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.2 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating.
The gang is all back: Lord Wrexford, aka Wrex, and his hard-drinking, womanizing, gambler, buddy Sheffield. There is also the widow and artist, Charlotte Sloan, and the two hilarious and mischievous little street urchins, Raven and Hawk, that Charlotte has taken in and is now basically their unofficial guardian. The book summary pretty much lays out the whole primary storyline, so I’m not going to repeat any of that here other than to say, that it was a glimpse into the industrial revolution of that time in Regency London.
However, there is a secondary storyline and that is of Charlotte moving on from the death of her husband, as well as the house they lived in when he was alive, which brings a lot of change and conflicted feelings for Charlotte. There are also the changes to Raven and Hawk, who are encouraged to change their names. Loved how Wrex helped them choose their names and how they not look at it as abandoning who they are but rather becoming who they want to be. Sooo adorable!!! There are also the underlying feelings that Wrex and Charlotte are having for each other that they are both fighting to hide and quash.
The pace was steady to fast, with interesting storylines. While the primary storyline was wrapped up nicely, the secondary storylines are still open and I’m sure to be continued in future installments. There was some additional character development of the MC’s that was engaging and entertaining and the humor had me chuckling, especially when the “boys” (Raven & Hawk) were in the room. OMG!!! They are a hilarious addition to the story! One of the things that I enjoy about historical fiction stories, especially of the Regency period, is the way people spoke. I listened to the audiobook and the narration of James Cameron Stewart with his proper British accent was perfect for the different MC’s; Stewart is a master with voices and diction I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.2 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating.
March 3, 2018
This is the second in the Wrexford and Sloane murder mysteries and I think it's even better than the first. The characters we met in the first book are now fully fleshed out and the mystery was intriguing. I don't like murders where you know who the murderer is early on and that's definitely not the case here. I love the surprise of it all. You're kept guessing all the time.
Wrexford and Charlotte evolve as two full characters in this novel. We find out a bit more about them and quite a lot by the end. If I have any fault with Caroline it's that her 'stiff pride' got a bit annoying I thought she carried it a bit too far at times. Thankfully she mellowed out as the book went on.
Raven and Hawk, the two urchins she takes on and cares for are every bit as interesting as last time. Hawk is such a trusting soul and has total faith in his big brother and now Charlotte. Raven is very different, fiercely protective of Hawk and loyal to Charlotte. He finds it harder to accept change and his ascendance from the brutal life of poverty he has come from.
There are a couple of characters that we met in the last book and a new one who, if she's a fixture in the Sloane household, will be very interesting I think.
This author's writing is beautifully descriptive and lyrical. I read the Prologue and 'wham' I was hooked. I read the passage, closed my eyes and I was IN the stews of London and could feel the swirling mist and fog closing in on me.
The end is satisfying and we're well and truly baited and hooked ready for number 3. I'm looking forward to the development of the relationship between Wrexham and Charlotte.
Wrexford and Charlotte evolve as two full characters in this novel. We find out a bit more about them and quite a lot by the end. If I have any fault with Caroline it's that her 'stiff pride' got a bit annoying I thought she carried it a bit too far at times. Thankfully she mellowed out as the book went on.
Raven and Hawk, the two urchins she takes on and cares for are every bit as interesting as last time. Hawk is such a trusting soul and has total faith in his big brother and now Charlotte. Raven is very different, fiercely protective of Hawk and loyal to Charlotte. He finds it harder to accept change and his ascendance from the brutal life of poverty he has come from.
There are a couple of characters that we met in the last book and a new one who, if she's a fixture in the Sloane household, will be very interesting I think.
This author's writing is beautifully descriptive and lyrical. I read the Prologue and 'wham' I was hooked. I read the passage, closed my eyes and I was IN the stews of London and could feel the swirling mist and fog closing in on me.
The end is satisfying and we're well and truly baited and hooked ready for number 3. I'm looking forward to the development of the relationship between Wrexham and Charlotte.
December 1, 2020
I'm so glad I discovered this series!!!
Wrex and Charlotte are so good together! Don't imagine anything sexual, even if there're signes of their attraction, but they're so subtle that I'm wanting it to happen all the more! LOL
I liked also all the secondary characters! The "weasels" are my favorit! But I also like Wrex's valet Tyler and McLellan, Charlotte's maid who's also Tyler's cousin! And how to forget Kit, the apparently indolent and stupid friend of Wrex's?
And the mystery with all the red-herrings the author throws during the story? Oh, I've enjoy it very much!
Wrex and Charlotte are so good together! Don't imagine anything sexual, even if there're signes of their attraction, but they're so subtle that I'm wanting it to happen all the more! LOL
I liked also all the secondary characters! The "weasels" are my favorit! But I also like Wrex's valet Tyler and McLellan, Charlotte's maid who's also Tyler's cousin! And how to forget Kit, the apparently indolent and stupid friend of Wrex's?
And the mystery with all the red-herrings the author throws during the story? Oh, I've enjoy it very much!
April 25, 2021
4.25 stars.
Getting better, I really like this series 😍.
On to book #3
❤️
Getting better, I really like this series 😍.
On to book #3
❤️
September 16, 2023
September 2023: I borrowed the audiobook this time around and didn’t really enjoy the book as much. I think the cadence of the narrator was unnatural and distracting. Still a wonderful book!
October 2021: Upon rereading, I found myself loving all of the characters even more. On to the next!
May 2021: This book is such a gem. From the small, sweet scenes that melt your heart (the weasels picking names, Jeremy showing Charlotte around her new home, the gift of the swords, Raven letting Charlotte snuggle him!) to the grand finale with sabotage and a few more added to them body count, this story was a great read.
October 2021: Upon rereading, I found myself loving all of the characters even more. On to the next!
May 2021: This book is such a gem. From the small, sweet scenes that melt your heart (the weasels picking names, Jeremy showing Charlotte around her new home, the gift of the swords, Raven letting Charlotte snuggle him!) to the grand finale with sabotage and a few more added to them body count, this story was a great read.
March 14, 2018
Series: Wrexford and Sloane #2
Publication Date: 3/27/18
Penrose’s second book in the Wrexford and Sloane series provides intriguing insights into the main characters pasts and their relationship as well as a mystery that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. The book is fast-paced and very well written. It can certainly be read as a stand-alone book, but you’ll miss all of those formative interactions among all of the characters and their relationships with each other. I’ve now read both books in the series and they are both outstanding!
The Regency period sees the very early beginning and the burgeoning of social and technological changes within England. Science and technological innovation were changing the way people lived and worked. Social order was beginning to change as well and was constantly challenged by satirical cartoonists who were actually quite powerful in molding public opinion. I think that the fact that our author chose Sloane as a very gifted and influential satirical cartoonist and Wrexford as an earl who is a gifted scientist is a big part of what makes this series very appealing to me. The characters are wonderful, fully-developed, humorous, brave and intelligent and when you add in an excellent dose of great history and an excellent mystery, you just can’t go wrong.
Wrexford is a bored, pragmatic, cynical, emotionless man who is also a gifted scientist. He governs his life by scientific principles. No emotions, only empirical evidence, and the step-by-step scientific process need apply! That is – unless Charlotte is involved and then – well maybe it is a little harder to be pragmatic and emotionless.
Charlotte Sloane has secrets – many secrets. Wrexford knows some of her secrets, but not all of them. One of Charlotte’s secrets is that she is the political satirist known as A. J. Quill. It is very important that she keep that secret, though Wrexford knows it, because it is how she earns her living. Were it to become known that A. J. Quill was a woman, nobody would publish her work and she would starve. Charlotte also has a large network of street urchins (boys and girls) as well as other important contacts that keep her up-to-date on what is going on. She always seems to be one step ahead of everyone else when it comes to her cartoons. Charlotte is also a pragmatic lady who always strives to control her emotions.
The prologue begins with a heart-pumping chase through the worst part of London. A thick mist from the river is covering the area and the wind is howling (I love the word the author used – skirled – isn’t that perfect it). Our victim is new to London and is hopelessly lost – and finally – he is brutally attacked and killed. Elihu Anthony is an inventor who is on the cusp of patenting a brilliant ground-breaking new technology that will increase the power of steam engines. The patent is worth a fortune for whoever manages to file for it first. Now – what will happen to the patent? Is it the Luddites who are trying to prevent the patent? Is it a greedy investor? Is it family?
Wrexford and his friend Christopher Sheffield are returning home from a gaming hell and take a route through the more unsavory parts of town and discover a lifeless and mutilated body at Half Moon Gate. Not only is the body mutilated, but his clothes are cut and ripped at the seams. Wrexford and Sheffield notify Bow Street, give their account and then go on home. Later, Wrexford is visited by Isobel, the wife of Mr. Anthony and she asks him to solve the case because Bow Street isn’t taking it seriously. That sets us off on a chase that leads to places and events you wouldn’t imagine. There are so many suspects and all of them are very viable – but you won’t guess who the real culprit is until almost the very end (unless you peek).
Raven and Hawk are featured again in this book and they are delightful. They are the street urchins that Charlotte taken into her life and is trying to encourage them to actually live with her and give up their street ways. They are leery of doing that, but she’s winning them over.
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Publication Date: 3/27/18
Penrose’s second book in the Wrexford and Sloane series provides intriguing insights into the main characters pasts and their relationship as well as a mystery that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. The book is fast-paced and very well written. It can certainly be read as a stand-alone book, but you’ll miss all of those formative interactions among all of the characters and their relationships with each other. I’ve now read both books in the series and they are both outstanding!
The Regency period sees the very early beginning and the burgeoning of social and technological changes within England. Science and technological innovation were changing the way people lived and worked. Social order was beginning to change as well and was constantly challenged by satirical cartoonists who were actually quite powerful in molding public opinion. I think that the fact that our author chose Sloane as a very gifted and influential satirical cartoonist and Wrexford as an earl who is a gifted scientist is a big part of what makes this series very appealing to me. The characters are wonderful, fully-developed, humorous, brave and intelligent and when you add in an excellent dose of great history and an excellent mystery, you just can’t go wrong.
Wrexford is a bored, pragmatic, cynical, emotionless man who is also a gifted scientist. He governs his life by scientific principles. No emotions, only empirical evidence, and the step-by-step scientific process need apply! That is – unless Charlotte is involved and then – well maybe it is a little harder to be pragmatic and emotionless.
Charlotte Sloane has secrets – many secrets. Wrexford knows some of her secrets, but not all of them. One of Charlotte’s secrets is that she is the political satirist known as A. J. Quill. It is very important that she keep that secret, though Wrexford knows it, because it is how she earns her living. Were it to become known that A. J. Quill was a woman, nobody would publish her work and she would starve. Charlotte also has a large network of street urchins (boys and girls) as well as other important contacts that keep her up-to-date on what is going on. She always seems to be one step ahead of everyone else when it comes to her cartoons. Charlotte is also a pragmatic lady who always strives to control her emotions.
The prologue begins with a heart-pumping chase through the worst part of London. A thick mist from the river is covering the area and the wind is howling (I love the word the author used – skirled – isn’t that perfect it). Our victim is new to London and is hopelessly lost – and finally – he is brutally attacked and killed. Elihu Anthony is an inventor who is on the cusp of patenting a brilliant ground-breaking new technology that will increase the power of steam engines. The patent is worth a fortune for whoever manages to file for it first. Now – what will happen to the patent? Is it the Luddites who are trying to prevent the patent? Is it a greedy investor? Is it family?
Wrexford and his friend Christopher Sheffield are returning home from a gaming hell and take a route through the more unsavory parts of town and discover a lifeless and mutilated body at Half Moon Gate. Not only is the body mutilated, but his clothes are cut and ripped at the seams. Wrexford and Sheffield notify Bow Street, give their account and then go on home. Later, Wrexford is visited by Isobel, the wife of Mr. Anthony and she asks him to solve the case because Bow Street isn’t taking it seriously. That sets us off on a chase that leads to places and events you wouldn’t imagine. There are so many suspects and all of them are very viable – but you won’t guess who the real culprit is until almost the very end (unless you peek).
Raven and Hawk are featured again in this book and they are delightful. They are the street urchins that Charlotte taken into her life and is trying to encourage them to actually live with her and give up their street ways. They are leery of doing that, but she’s winning them over.
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April 24, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Interesting mystery, engaging characters but.....
Interesting mystery, engaging characters but.....
October 8, 2019
Very enjoyable historical mystery, Penrose continues to weave intricate murder mysteries into accurate and fascinating look at Regency London. She adds details of scientific advances of the time into her books, often as a cause of the murder.
Here, the Earl of Wrexford and his friend Kit are returning home from a night out when they literally stumble across the dead body of a murdered inventor. Wrexford is satisfied with letting Bow Street handle the investigation, until the widow asks him to intercede. Of course, Mrs. Sloane becomes involved - as satirical artist AJ Quill, she is interested in the latest scandals and scientific innovations, and Wrexford values her insights and network of informants.
Exciting ending, and we finally get more information on the enigmatic Mrs. Sloane’s secret - not hard to guess, considering her education, and that her dead husband was an artist who called her m’lady! I’m glad I have the next book from the library, Murder at Kensington Palace .
Here, the Earl of Wrexford and his friend Kit are returning home from a night out when they literally stumble across the dead body of a murdered inventor. Wrexford is satisfied with letting Bow Street handle the investigation, until the widow asks him to intercede. Of course, Mrs. Sloane becomes involved - as satirical artist AJ Quill, she is interested in the latest scandals and scientific innovations, and Wrexford values her insights and network of informants.
Exciting ending, and we finally get more information on the enigmatic Mrs. Sloane’s secret - not hard to guess, considering her education, and that her dead husband was an artist who called her m’lady! I’m glad I have the next book from the library, Murder at Kensington Palace .
February 9, 2022
I really enjoyed the action and collaboration in this story. The Earl of Wrexford is something of a man of science, and his knowledge and contacts are essential in solving the murder of a man who had developed a better steam machine for manufacturing. The patent had not yet been applied for and it was the intent of stealing "all" that a couple of miscreants went about murdering others in their efforts to catch the prize. Sloane and her two young street rascals were instrumental in tracking people and finding dead bodies, etc. The three also have to adjust to their new digs. Wrexford and Sloane become closer as they work together.
3.5 stars from 4 because: This is Regency period. The author used the phrase "less than a snowball's chance in hell" - and the first use of that expression was not recorded as in use until the 1880's.
Kindle Unlimited
3.5 stars from 4 because: This is Regency period. The author used the phrase "less than a snowball's chance in hell" - and the first use of that expression was not recorded as in use until the 1880's.
Kindle Unlimited
Did not finish
November 12, 2023In honour of my NOvember challenge, where I yeet books that don’t entertain me, DNF 20%.
This was tedious and trite.
Onwards and upwards!
This was tedious and trite.
Onwards and upwards!
February 16, 2022
I found this slow for the first half but after that it was pretty good, focused on technology and the rise of patents as well as the Luddite movement.
May 17, 2023
Wexford finds himself drawn into another murder-mystery when he is approached by the dead man’s widow. Besides knowing of the man, he cannot help but get involved when bow street seems to have written it off as a robbery. The widow believes he was murdered to steal his designs for a revolutionary steam-powered engine. Designs that are now missing.
Wexford engages the help of Mrs. Sloane. He is hoping the contacts she uses for her work will also have knowledge of the designs and murder. The tale that unfolds once again captured me and the outside world slipped away. This story is wonderfully paced, with a complex mystery that will keep you guessing. Suspects, danger and the characters themselves will hook you.
We learn more about Sloane, and see her soften towards accepting help from Wexford, who cleverly lends it under the guise of helping the urchins. As before, I delighted in their back-and-forth banter and an underlying chemistry that neither addresses. Danger, rescues, and red-herrings made for a nail-biting adventure. Indeed, the author kept me guessing.
James Cameron Stewart continues his brilliant narration. He captures our characters perfectly, even the exuberant youth. I feel the romance is enhanced with the audio as well, bringing voice to their building attraction.
Fans of Lady Sherlock will simply delight in this series, if they haven’t already done so. I am excited to begin the next audiobook, Murder at Kensington Palace.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Wexford engages the help of Mrs. Sloane. He is hoping the contacts she uses for her work will also have knowledge of the designs and murder. The tale that unfolds once again captured me and the outside world slipped away. This story is wonderfully paced, with a complex mystery that will keep you guessing. Suspects, danger and the characters themselves will hook you.
We learn more about Sloane, and see her soften towards accepting help from Wexford, who cleverly lends it under the guise of helping the urchins. As before, I delighted in their back-and-forth banter and an underlying chemistry that neither addresses. Danger, rescues, and red-herrings made for a nail-biting adventure. Indeed, the author kept me guessing.
James Cameron Stewart continues his brilliant narration. He captures our characters perfectly, even the exuberant youth. I feel the romance is enhanced with the audio as well, bringing voice to their building attraction.
Fans of Lady Sherlock will simply delight in this series, if they haven’t already done so. I am excited to begin the next audiobook, Murder at Kensington Palace.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
December 13, 2019
One of the things I do not like about reading a series, is that each subsequent book in a series is a little less praiseworthy than the first, and I’m sorry, this is also the case in this series BUT it was still a very good mystery, with the the characters of Wrexford and Sloane, Raven and Hawk, Sheffield and Tyler.
Alongside the story line the chemistry begins to spark between W and S , but not in poor taste.
The really fun thing about Penrose’s books is that you really don’t know who the true villain or villains are until the very end...keeps one guessing!!! The first book was a 4.25 stars, I would still give this second 4 solid stars.
So far it’s a series I could definitely recommend if you like:
Historical fiction
Regency period
Hanging with “guttersnipes” to “His Nibs”, and earl
Idealism
A good murder mystery.
Alongside the story line the chemistry begins to spark between W and S , but not in poor taste.
The really fun thing about Penrose’s books is that you really don’t know who the true villain or villains are until the very end...keeps one guessing!!! The first book was a 4.25 stars, I would still give this second 4 solid stars.
So far it’s a series I could definitely recommend if you like:
Historical fiction
Regency period
Hanging with “guttersnipes” to “His Nibs”, and earl
Idealism
A good murder mystery.
Read
October 16, 2025Dnf, I’d rather watch paint dry
January 5, 2026
★★★ 1/2
Continuing to read this fun, readable mystery set in regency era London. This one gets an additional half star because the mystery was particularly interesting. The relationship between Wrexford and Sloane continues to evolve in a nice, satisfying, slow burn kind of way.
January always seems to be my month to grab a hold of a series and just start binge reading. As long as my library has them available via Libby, I will keep going!
Continuing to read this fun, readable mystery set in regency era London. This one gets an additional half star because the mystery was particularly interesting. The relationship between Wrexford and Sloane continues to evolve in a nice, satisfying, slow burn kind of way.
January always seems to be my month to grab a hold of a series and just start binge reading. As long as my library has them available via Libby, I will keep going!
April 1, 2018
Rounding up from 3.5 stars rather than down, as I usually do because I enjoyed this second entry in the series, even though it did have a problem or two.
The mystery is very well done--lots of twists and turns; the actual villain was a surprise to me. It took me quite a while to figure out. Which is good! The blurb lays out the plot quite well, so I won't bother with a recap. Let's just say that all the secrets got to be a bit much at times. Speaking of secrets...
As befits a second book, we learn a bit more about our continuing characters. We finally learn Lord Wrexford's given name, though he does make a joke of it. The two young boys who have been 'adopted' by Charlotte Sloane receive 'real' names from Wrexford in a really touching scene (and then take delight in using said names whenever they visit Wrexford on errands from Charlotte). The sub-plot about Charlotte moving to a nicer neighborhood was interesting because it revealed a very uncertain woman, one not sure whether she welcomed change or not. Her mental dithering had me wanting to shake her at times. By the book's end we learn her big secret as well.
There's a nice bit of romance developing between Charlotte and Wrexford (no surprise there!). It will be interesting to see how that plays out in future books.
All in all, I'm glad I spent some time with these folks; I hope to see them again soon.
The mystery is very well done--lots of twists and turns; the actual villain was a surprise to me. It took me quite a while to figure out. Which is good! The blurb lays out the plot quite well, so I won't bother with a recap. Let's just say that all the secrets got to be a bit much at times. Speaking of secrets...
As befits a second book, we learn a bit more about our continuing characters. We finally learn Lord Wrexford's given name, though he does make a joke of it. The two young boys who have been 'adopted' by Charlotte Sloane receive 'real' names from Wrexford in a really touching scene (and then take delight in using said names whenever they visit Wrexford on errands from Charlotte). The sub-plot about Charlotte moving to a nicer neighborhood was interesting because it revealed a very uncertain woman, one not sure whether she welcomed change or not. Her mental dithering had me wanting to shake her at times. By the book's end we learn her big secret as well.
There's a nice bit of romance developing between Charlotte and Wrexford (no surprise there!). It will be interesting to see how that plays out in future books.
All in all, I'm glad I spent some time with these folks; I hope to see them again soon.
July 6, 2020
With the first in this series I was unsure if it would become a series for me to continue. I appreciated the unique occupation of the female protagonist (political cartoonist), time and setting (regency London), and diversity of character types (aristocracy, struggling young widow, street urchins, all finding themselves amateur detecting the same crime).
My chief concerns were largely flat characters and character stereotypes, and strong hints of romance genre tropes throughout. I generally prefer my crime fiction straight up, not shaken into romantic suspense.
This second installment deepened the characters a little but didn’t move much away from stereotype.
It commits wholeheartedly to a romantic suspense foundation in all the ways that chafe and distract me from what I want to enjoy in the story.
While I’m thus distracted I have trouble letting go of sometimes petty problems with the writing (for instance, someone please lock up the word “sardonic” — it got loose in this book and multiplied like mad).
As much genuine potential as this series holds, I’ve gone far enough to see I should let it be, it’s not really for me.
My chief concerns were largely flat characters and character stereotypes, and strong hints of romance genre tropes throughout. I generally prefer my crime fiction straight up, not shaken into romantic suspense.
This second installment deepened the characters a little but didn’t move much away from stereotype.
It commits wholeheartedly to a romantic suspense foundation in all the ways that chafe and distract me from what I want to enjoy in the story.
While I’m thus distracted I have trouble letting go of sometimes petty problems with the writing (for instance, someone please lock up the word “sardonic” — it got loose in this book and multiplied like mad).
As much genuine potential as this series holds, I’ve gone far enough to see I should let it be, it’s not really for me.
May 9, 2021
This is recommended for readers who don’t mind phrases like “cut to the chase” in their Regency novels.
February 10, 2021
I thought this was better than the first book. In this novel we discover more of Charlotte’s past as well as Wrexford’s. The first murder was brutal and the mystery was engaging, with a couple of red herrings thrown in for good measure.. I enjoyed Charlotte’s relationship with Raven and Hawk, and loved the scene where Wrexford helps them to choose new names. It was a altogether a nice way to spend the day. Also I loved McClellan and hope to see more of her.
April 8, 2018
Audentes Fortuna iuvat, Pliny’s famous “fortune favors the bold” quote; Mrs. Charlotte Sloane, fond of Latin phrases as she is, would find it an apt saying for the adventures in "Murder at Half Moon Gate." Once again, Andrea Penrose weaves an amazing tale filled with the richness of her prose and an intriguing situation that leads to murder. The scientific background (for which the author includes historical notes at the back of the book) is detailed and specific -- perhaps too specific for some readers. I, and I suspect Lord Wrexford would find me a kindred soul, enjoyed what is essentially a detailed description of the changing landscape of Britain through what was indeed a true revolution, industrialization.
What is paramount here, however, is the give and take of the relationship between Charlotte Sloane and the Earl of Wrexford. They are both outside the norm of society (she with her great secret, her alter ego, and her propensity for doing things that no “proper” English woman would do, and he with a view of society that is quite unlike his class). Both are slowly but surely being drawn into a world where each will be comfortable with each other. Luckily for readers, everything seems to be progressing satisfactorily.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy ahead of publication, in exchange for an honest review.
What is paramount here, however, is the give and take of the relationship between Charlotte Sloane and the Earl of Wrexford. They are both outside the norm of society (she with her great secret, her alter ego, and her propensity for doing things that no “proper” English woman would do, and he with a view of society that is quite unlike his class). Both are slowly but surely being drawn into a world where each will be comfortable with each other. Luckily for readers, everything seems to be progressing satisfactorily.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy ahead of publication, in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2023
I dove right back into the second book in the series and was swept up once again into Wrexford and Sloane’s fascinating, gritty Regency London world for a new grisly murder. Murder at Half Moon Gate shows the first book was no fluke and I eagerly devoured it once I started reading.
Murder at Half Moon Gate is book two in the Wrexford and Sloane series which presents a new murder mystery for them to solve, but continues with the equally intriguing and complex personal relationships begun in book one so they are best read in series order.
Mere weeks after the events in Murder on Black Swan Lane, Wrexford and Sheffield stumble across a fresh murder in an East End back alley. The victim is someone Wrexford knows- a leading engineer in the field of steam engines. He might have let it go as a random act of violence and thieving, but the widow insists it’s not and he feels compelled to follow the bloody trail of clues to the truth. He taps Sheffield for his familiarity with the aristocratic clubs and gaming hells and hesitantly pulls in Mrs. Sloane for her chain of informants. Turns out Charlotte has her own ties to the murder victim and wants to get at the truth even if it means more of her secrets are drawn out and danger returns to her world.
I really enjoy the way Andrea Penrose sketches in her Regency London world from the sparkling wealth of Mayfair to the grime and shadows of the East End poor districts and does an even better job with cast of characters from all spectrums of life. Lord Wrexford and Mrs. Sloane have a chemistry that is at the center of the investigation and an unorthodox friendship they tentatively form. They bring out the best (and the flaws) in each other. The Weasels, Sheffield, Henning, Tyler, and Griffin return to help solve the murder. I appreciate seeing good development in the series plot, but also following the cunning and twisting trail to the solution of their latest case. Another breath-catching climax and satisfying ending with a fascinating secret of Charlotte’s revealed.
Again, I was left wanting more. This historical mystery series caught me up from the beginning and is fast rising to my favorite’s list. Definitely a recommend.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy Mar 15th
Buddy Read with Kara @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Murder at Half Moon Gate is book two in the Wrexford and Sloane series which presents a new murder mystery for them to solve, but continues with the equally intriguing and complex personal relationships begun in book one so they are best read in series order.
Mere weeks after the events in Murder on Black Swan Lane, Wrexford and Sheffield stumble across a fresh murder in an East End back alley. The victim is someone Wrexford knows- a leading engineer in the field of steam engines. He might have let it go as a random act of violence and thieving, but the widow insists it’s not and he feels compelled to follow the bloody trail of clues to the truth. He taps Sheffield for his familiarity with the aristocratic clubs and gaming hells and hesitantly pulls in Mrs. Sloane for her chain of informants. Turns out Charlotte has her own ties to the murder victim and wants to get at the truth even if it means more of her secrets are drawn out and danger returns to her world.
I really enjoy the way Andrea Penrose sketches in her Regency London world from the sparkling wealth of Mayfair to the grime and shadows of the East End poor districts and does an even better job with cast of characters from all spectrums of life. Lord Wrexford and Mrs. Sloane have a chemistry that is at the center of the investigation and an unorthodox friendship they tentatively form. They bring out the best (and the flaws) in each other. The Weasels, Sheffield, Henning, Tyler, and Griffin return to help solve the murder. I appreciate seeing good development in the series plot, but also following the cunning and twisting trail to the solution of their latest case. Another breath-catching climax and satisfying ending with a fascinating secret of Charlotte’s revealed.
Again, I was left wanting more. This historical mystery series caught me up from the beginning and is fast rising to my favorite’s list. Definitely a recommend.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy Mar 15th
Buddy Read with Kara @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
January 19, 2026
The most grating part about these books is how hard they’re trying to be “historical”. I swear the sentences must have been written down first and then translated to a very stilted “ye olden times” version of English which I’ve come to believe American romance writers have patented. If this is the best a Yale graduate, in love with Jane Austen can do, then im very disappointed with Yale. The other grating part is her insistence that the books should take place in England. Just as there is such a thing as orientalism, a view of orient as the general population of westerners think of it and which only exists in their minds, there should also be a word that describes historical Britain in the way the American romance writers think of, which also only exists in their minds. I have come to think that there are so many nuances about writing a historical novel taking place in British high society that almost no one but the British themselves can pull it off, with a few exceptions here and there such as Loretta chase, because even when she breaks the rules she does it so well that you don’t care.
The next problem is the very long, arduous, boring plot. For a mystery/romance to work well, especially since it’s a slow burn, both the mystery and romance should be a lot of things but most important of all they have to be absolutely on point with pacing, and interesting at the very least. None of these books were either. No chemistry, no suspense, nothing. They were flat and dry and boring. Anyways I read the few I had because they were lent to me. In fact I skimmed them. And I wouldn’t really recommend the three that I skimmed.
The next problem is the very long, arduous, boring plot. For a mystery/romance to work well, especially since it’s a slow burn, both the mystery and romance should be a lot of things but most important of all they have to be absolutely on point with pacing, and interesting at the very least. None of these books were either. No chemistry, no suspense, nothing. They were flat and dry and boring. Anyways I read the few I had because they were lent to me. In fact I skimmed them. And I wouldn’t really recommend the three that I skimmed.
October 2, 2021
A decent mystery set in Regency era England that could have been even better but for a few weaknesses that I found incredibly annoying. It might be me getting grumpier as I get older, not sure!
1. Italicized single words or phrases thrown in at random every page. Damnation. Hell's Bells. After 50 pages of this, I found myself increasingly annoyed.
2. Do we have to be reminded about the deep inner feelings of both protagonists every paragraph? Suffice it to say that by Page 5, their profound personalities filled with mystery were self-evident ad-nauseam. Move the story along for heaven's sake.
Will probably try one more in the series and see if it makes me grumpier.
1. Italicized single words or phrases thrown in at random every page. Damnation. Hell's Bells. After 50 pages of this, I found myself increasingly annoyed.
2. Do we have to be reminded about the deep inner feelings of both protagonists every paragraph? Suffice it to say that by Page 5, their profound personalities filled with mystery were self-evident ad-nauseam. Move the story along for heaven's sake.
Will probably try one more in the series and see if it makes me grumpier.
June 24, 2025
I don't know if I fully understood the mystery but I'm excited for the relationships that are developing. I liked some of characters that we met during the investigation and hope we see a bit of them in the future books. I am really loving Wrexford and I'm curious to know more about him and Sloane's pasts.
August 8, 2022
Second book of Wrexford & Sloane series bring Lord Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane to work together again, to find answer behind a murdered inventor. I really enjoyed this perspective of Man vs. Machine discussion of the yesteryear. Technology/Machine can help people, but yes, at the same time, they can make one's job obsolete. It still happens now with the digital technology, I think. Like banking front liners being replaced by smart ATM machines.
Anyway, the mystery is intriguing. I enjoyed that both Wrexford and Charlotte had their own "networks" and they approached the mystery from two different perspectives. Wrexford with his penchants for logic and science, while Charlotte more of the keen observations of artists and human behavior.
I also adored the two wards that Charlotte has taken under her wings, Raven and Hawk. Raven with his eyes for numbers, and Hawk I believe can grow up as fine man with heart for animals (he seems to like Wrexford's horses). Oh, and of course the other characters, most notably Wrexford's best friend, Kit Sheffield, and his sarcastic valet, Tyler.
There's a slight progress of Wrexford and Charlotte relationship - not yet intimate physical touches, but they clearly started to acknowledge that they may have feelings for one another. Definitely look forward to further development.
Anyway, the mystery is intriguing. I enjoyed that both Wrexford and Charlotte had their own "networks" and they approached the mystery from two different perspectives. Wrexford with his penchants for logic and science, while Charlotte more of the keen observations of artists and human behavior.
I also adored the two wards that Charlotte has taken under her wings, Raven and Hawk. Raven with his eyes for numbers, and Hawk I believe can grow up as fine man with heart for animals (he seems to like Wrexford's horses). Oh, and of course the other characters, most notably Wrexford's best friend, Kit Sheffield, and his sarcastic valet, Tyler.
There's a slight progress of Wrexford and Charlotte relationship - not yet intimate physical touches, but they clearly started to acknowledge that they may have feelings for one another. Definitely look forward to further development.
March 16, 2018
Murder At Half Moon Gate is the second book in the Wrexford & Sloane Historical Mystery series.
I love historical mysteries that give me a visual feel of the time and location in which they are set and have a cast of characters that are well developed and believable and continue to be developed with each book. This series has all those, I feel.
In the first book, Murder on Black Swan Lane, I felt that there was a fair amount of friction between Wrexford and Charlotte, which is understandable since they come from different positions in life and didn’t know that much about each other. Now, in Murder at half Moon Gate, I did sense that they are not at odds and are more willing to work together as they both realize they are working towards a common goal, just that they may be approaching it somewhat differently.
Wrexford and Sheffield are on their way to a gambling when near Half Moon Gate they come across the brutally murdered body Elihu Ashton. Wrexford makes a note of wounds that were on Ashton’s and pays close attention to the state of his clothes which looked like someone expected something to might be hidden in them. The policeman that comes to investigate, is ready to write the death off to someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but Wrexford thinks otherwise.
Wrexford calls on Mrs. Ashton to let her know of her husband’s death and find out why Elihu might have been in that area. She recalled that he had received a note telling him to Half Moon Gate and to bring the drawings.
Wrexford soon finds that Ashton was working on a new steam engine design that would revolutionize the manufacturing process. At this time in England, there is unrest among the workers in the mills, they feel that these improvements will put them out of work. There are organizations forming that hope to put a stop to these improvements. When he meets with Charlotte and tells her of the markings on the torso of Ashton, she remembers seeing a similar design on one of the labor organizations brochures.
The more they look for answers to who might have been behind the murder, the more dead bodies that they come across. At one of the scenes, the last words out of the victim’s mouth are: the answer is in the numbers. A sheet with a series of numbers is found in the victim’s room, but without a code, they are at lost ends to decipher the message. Knowing that the one who gets the patent on this new technology will become very rich they also start looking at his widow and those that have been helping with designing of the new steam engine. They will be hoping that they solve this murder before any more lives are lost.
I will definitely be watching for the next book in exciting series.
I love historical mysteries that give me a visual feel of the time and location in which they are set and have a cast of characters that are well developed and believable and continue to be developed with each book. This series has all those, I feel.
In the first book, Murder on Black Swan Lane, I felt that there was a fair amount of friction between Wrexford and Charlotte, which is understandable since they come from different positions in life and didn’t know that much about each other. Now, in Murder at half Moon Gate, I did sense that they are not at odds and are more willing to work together as they both realize they are working towards a common goal, just that they may be approaching it somewhat differently.
Wrexford and Sheffield are on their way to a gambling when near Half Moon Gate they come across the brutally murdered body Elihu Ashton. Wrexford makes a note of wounds that were on Ashton’s and pays close attention to the state of his clothes which looked like someone expected something to might be hidden in them. The policeman that comes to investigate, is ready to write the death off to someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but Wrexford thinks otherwise.
Wrexford calls on Mrs. Ashton to let her know of her husband’s death and find out why Elihu might have been in that area. She recalled that he had received a note telling him to Half Moon Gate and to bring the drawings.
Wrexford soon finds that Ashton was working on a new steam engine design that would revolutionize the manufacturing process. At this time in England, there is unrest among the workers in the mills, they feel that these improvements will put them out of work. There are organizations forming that hope to put a stop to these improvements. When he meets with Charlotte and tells her of the markings on the torso of Ashton, she remembers seeing a similar design on one of the labor organizations brochures.
The more they look for answers to who might have been behind the murder, the more dead bodies that they come across. At one of the scenes, the last words out of the victim’s mouth are: the answer is in the numbers. A sheet with a series of numbers is found in the victim’s room, but without a code, they are at lost ends to decipher the message. Knowing that the one who gets the patent on this new technology will become very rich they also start looking at his widow and those that have been helping with designing of the new steam engine. They will be hoping that they solve this murder before any more lives are lost.
I will definitely be watching for the next book in exciting series.
November 5, 2018
Does NOT stand alone - read the first book ahead of this one!
Best analogy would be a restaurant meal with a decent-but-not-outstanding main course, but dessert proves a knock out! The first book in a series is usually more set up, and less tension, but not here. Good sequel, characters are developed well, especially young Raven. My point is that it's quite character-driven, rather than a series of exciting plot developments (until late in the story).
I was a bit concerned that there are only two books, and none on a forthcoming list that I could find. However, at the author's website she explains that the third manuscript has just been sent off to the publisher, so she's hopeful for it to be printed sometime next year. Yay!
Best analogy would be a restaurant meal with a decent-but-not-outstanding main course, but dessert proves a knock out! The first book in a series is usually more set up, and less tension, but not here. Good sequel, characters are developed well, especially young Raven. My point is that it's quite character-driven, rather than a series of exciting plot developments (until late in the story).
I was a bit concerned that there are only two books, and none on a forthcoming list that I could find. However, at the author's website she explains that the third manuscript has just been sent off to the publisher, so she's hopeful for it to be printed sometime next year. Yay!
February 23, 2020
Very good. Loved everything about it.
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