Murder at the Ice Ball

Lady Katherine Regency Matchmaker #3

by Leighann Dobbs, Harmony Williams

When a tragic accident turns out to be murder, Lady Katherine finds herself embroiled in an investigation tainted by lies and deception.

With conflicting witness testimony, mysterious neighbors who saw the impossible, and a secret someone would kill for, Katherine must dig into the dark side of polite London society to uncover the truth.

Naturally, she has help. Maybe too much help. Along with her loyal maid, Harriet, her pilfering pug, Emma, and her Bow Street Runner friend Lyle, Katherine is joined by budding investigator Pru Burwick and her eccentric Scottish fiancé, Lord Annandale. Katherine wouldn’t mind their help so much if Annandale didn’t keep bringing the insufferable Captain Wayland along.

When the investigation takes a disturbing turn, Katherine gets a lead that indicates someone close to her may not be telling the truth, and she must make a tough decision. Protecting her loved one means keeping a secret from her closest allies. Hopefully it does not also mean letting a killer go free.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2018

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.

Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.

Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.

Reviews

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for the latest in the Lady Katherine Regency Mystery series. Lady Katherine, female detective and reluctant matchmaker, is back with her maid Harriet, Bow Street Runner friend Lyle, want-to-be-investigator and friend Pru, the "insufferable" Captain Wayland, and of course, her thieving pug Emma.

Grandma Bath has secretly hired Katherine to find a match for her grandson, Lord Bath, so while attending Lady Dalhousie's Ice Ball looking for suitable ladies, Lady Rochford falls to her death from a balcony. Was it just an unfortunate accident or could it be a murder made to look like an accident?

Thanks to Lyle and his mathematical calculations, Katherine believes Lady Celia Rochford was pushed to her death. Katherine and Pru, who wants to learn the art of investigating, set out to find who could've killed Lady Rochford, and why. There are many suspects--the elderly husband, Baron Rochford, her ex-lover Lord Conyers, her coach driver, and possibly even Lady Katherine's step-mother who was friends with Lady Rochford. Katherine and her friends have their work cut out for them weeding through the list of possible suspects.

I enjoy these Regency mysteries because women weren't supposed to be detectives back then and Lady Katherine has to use her matchmaking cover, deception and other sometimes hilarious means to get the information she needs to solve the murder. She's got trusted friends like Lyle, and now Pru to help her out. I just wish we'd find out why Katherine's father doesn't like Captain Wayland so he and Katherine can work together solving cases, but her father's being tight-lipped about it for now.

Leighann Dobbs has written another satisfying cozy mystery with characters I've come to know. I did have my own idea of who did it, but dismissed it, but was proved to be right in the end. Usually I don't guess correctly. If you like clean Regency mysteries with a strong female lead this could be the series for you.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Katherine is at the Ice Ball in her roll as match-maker when they hear a scream and find Lady Rochford face down in the snow. Dead. After either jumping or being pushed from the balcony.

Lady Katherine has many reasons to find the person who pushed her if it was indeed murder. Among which she was Katherine's step-mother's closest friend, and Katherine is worried that the continued unknown circumstances will cause another miscarriage in her parent's attempt for an heir.

It appears that Pru, Katherine's friend and co-investigator is also attempting to return the favor of being matched, by setting up a match for Katherine. In Pru's opinion, Katherine is just being stubborn.

This is the third outing for Lady Katherine from Leighann Dobbs. It has well developed characters, a good bit of suspense and also a good bit of humor in it.

[Jacy Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest Lady Katherine Regency Mystery is the best one yet. Katherine and Pru have a real “Who Dunnit” on their hands. The twists and turns and many possibilities make for a delightful read. Though this is part of a series it’s a great stand alone. feel free to jump right in.
There’s so much else to say, but I don’t do spoilers. Just know you will enjoy the time spent with these delightful ladies, and sleuth right along with them.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 solid stars
This was delightfully adorable and I like how the team of investigators is filling out.

[Cinda Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Lady Katherine Regency Mysteries series by Leighann Dobbs and Harmony Williams.
Lady Katherine Irvine is still wanting to prove to her investigator father, the Earl of Dorchester, that she, too, can be a great investigator. Masquerading as a "matchmaker" because women are not accepted as investigators in their society, she has been hired by the Lord of Bath's grandmother to find him a suitable wife. While attempting to do so at the Ice Ball it appears that Lady Celia Rochford has fallen to her death from a balcony.
Lady Katherine and her friend, Prudence Burwick, who Lady Katherine is attempting to teach the art of investigating, rush to Celia's fallen body. Lady Katherine steps off the distance from the body to the balcony in an effort to have measurements for her friend, Lyle Murphy, a Bow Street Runner, to use in his scientific methods. Having done so, Lady Katherine and Pru think this is possibly a murder and not an accident.
Lady Celia is best friends with Lady Katherine's stepmother, who is pregnant after having had four miscarriages. Lady Katherine wants to find out what happened as quickly as possible to alleviate the stress on her stepmother.
In addition to Pru assisting Lady Katherine, she also has Pru's Scottish fiance', Lord Annandale and Captain Dorian Wayland.
The characters are very real with each one adding to the story. A great story for those who enjoy mystery, romance and humor, this book is for you.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Millett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the Lady Katherine Regency Mystery series and it is the best one yet. While attending the Ice Ball with her friend Pru, Lady Katherine witnessed a young woman fall to her death. The dead woman is a personal friend of Lady Katherine's stepmother so she begins to investigate the death. At first it seems like an accident or suicide but with the help of her friend Lyle, Lady Katherine determines that it is murder. With Pru and her fiance by her side, Lady Katherine, her maid Harriet, her dog Emma and her nemesis Captain Wayland begin to check out all the suspects. The suspects initially include the victims husband, Lord Rochford, her lover Lord Conyers and yes even Lady Katherine's own stepmother. Using her skills as an investigator and her contacts in the upper crust of England, Lady Katherine begins to narrow down the suspects. Will she find the murderer? You will have to read it to find out in this delightful, Regency English Mystery that is well worth the read. I couldn't put it down and finished it in 2 days. Kudos to Leighann Dobbs as she has another winner on her hands.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner!!
This is a wonderfully written Regency romance. London is the location for this one, and is nicely described, as are the secondary locales and homes.
A very well developed plot with lots and twists, will will still be guessing until the very end.
The characters are great, and they keep evolving, as do their relationships.
Although this is part of a series, each can be read as a stand-alone.
I received an ARC from the author to read and give my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book, and can't wait for the next in the series!!!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

London around 1816 finds us accompanying
Lady Katherine, her pug Emma, her maid
Harriet, her friend Pru with Pru’s fiancé Lord
Annandale, another friend Lyle plus Captain
Wayland as they investigate what looks like
an accidental death. But using Lyle’s scientific
projections, it is actually murder.
At the Ice Ball festival, a woman falls from a
balcony to her death. Who wanted her dead?
During this time period being a detective was
not a woman’s profession so Lady Katherine
poses as a Regency matchmaker.
It was a fun story with a colorful, realistic, well
defined cast of characters. Each character has
their own quirks. A nice array of suspects
complicates the plot providing plenty of twists
and turns.
An enjoyable read!!

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Ice Ball is Book 3 in the Lady Katherine Regency Mystery Series. While I suggest reading Books 1 and 2 , because they are GREAT, this book does act as a stand alone story.

When what first appears to be an accident turns out to be murder, Lady Katherine is wound up in a murder mystery. Lady Katherine has her loyal maid , Harriet, her pug Emma, her friend Lyle and Pru and her fiancé Lord Annandale to help her along the way.

The clues point to someone close to Lady Katherine and she has to solve the murder before he/she strikes again.

This book is set in London in 1816 and is and I found myself feeling like I was right there. The details and the language transport you to another time. There are many twists and turns until the VERY surprising end. A mystery you won't be able to put down!

[Kidzmomca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new addition to the Lady Katherine Regency Series is both intriguing and fun to read. Extremely well written with amazing descriptions that draw you into an intricate world of social graces and conventions that seem to foment desperation and murder. The characters are well developed and become more so with each new novel. Definitely recommend this series as one to read.

[Mary B. Bater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! I didn't know who the murderer was until the end! So many twists and turns!

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didnt read the first two books in This series because this book had the highest rating.

I love the secondary characters almost as much as Lady Katherine herself. The pug Emma steals my heart, and the twists and turns are easy to follow but an enjoyment. I love that the romance isn't the forefront of this book, but that it is there tantalizing us along.

[Nancy I · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Leighann Dobbs book I've read, although she has written approximately 70 other books, under this name and a few others (Lee Anne Jones, Annie Dobbs, and L.A. Dobbs) and is a USA Today best-selling author. Not all her books are Lady Katherine Regency Mysteries, but are cozy mysteries and romance books, as well as a few paranormal mysteries thrown in for good measure. I was trying to determine who her publisher is, but had no luck. She has won awards for a few of her books, so maybe they indicate a publisher, or is she strictly into self-publishing? I sure don't know. In any event, this book is a fast-moving light mystery. When I began the book, I was wondering how it would compare to many of the Anne Perry (author of historical detective fiction, best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series), and have to say that I think Anne Perry does a much better job in character development and plot line.
In Murder at the Ice Ball, Lady Katherine quickly thinks something is murder, while most think it's just a tragic accident. Lady Katherine, a match-maker by trade, is more interested in being an investigator, like her father, the Earl of Dorchester. The author wants us to suspect folks right along with Lady Katherine, as she investigates along with her new BFF Pru Burwick. However, as she moved from one suspect to another, I knew who the culprit was much sooner than Lady Katherine. Did this spoil the book, no, but overall it's more of a beach or plane read rather than something in which you can really sink your teeth. Will I opt for more of her books? Probably only if my Mystery Book Club selects something by Dobbs.

[Mari Schroer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Katherine is back and once again is embroiled in a mysterious death. Lady Katherine attends the Ice Ball, hosted by none other than the notorious gossip Lady Dalhousie. A woman lands in the garden, having fallen from the balcony above, did she fall or was she pushed? As the mystery unravels, Lady Katherine again uses her gift for investigation and the skills she has attained with the Royal Society for Investigative techniques to solve the crime. With her cover of being a matchmaker always a necessity, she extricates herself from yet another entanglement and finds a match for her client. The Lady Katherine Regency Romance series is more appealing with each installment. Will Lady Katherine be able to live as an independent woman? What Mystery will she solve next? Who is the next fortunate client for whom she will make a match? With an enchanting cast of characters including her side kick Pru, the notorious Captain Wayland and fellow investigator Lyle Murphy one of "Sir John's Men" I look forward to the next adventure.

[Amanda Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak..

Everyone wants to marry a Duke, except Katherine, a body falls from the balcony above and the runner's seem set on it being written off as suicide even though it is impossible because Lyle, who must have time travelled to have the theories and answers to so many questions that are totally out of era, has done his math.. it's maths, by the way.. says so when he works it out with only part of the information despite stating he needed all the measurements accurately taken (which Katherine couldn't do as she was measuring with footsteps and I don't recall her walking up the wall to the balcony to measure the drop), and Lyle the genius is a runner himself, so how can he know, but none of the others??

And why did it take them so long to realise who it was?? That information was provided really soon after the event, and was screaming out from the page but no.. everyone ignores it.. until the really not very bright Katherine finally wakes up and smells the coffee, to use a really annoying Americanism in return..

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Kathryn runs a private investigating company under the guise of a matchmaking business. It seems that in 1816, matchmaking was a socially acceptable way for a society lady to earn pin money, but investigating was not. Kathryn's good friend Pru, engaged and therefore distracted by wedding plans, is her partner in investigations. They are ably assisted by Lyle, a Bow Street runner. And here is where this series falls off the historical rails. Bow Street, in 1816, was not the official police department it would morph into under Sir Robert Peel twenty plus years later. The murder mystery itself is intriguing, however. The much younger wife of a peer falls to her death off a balcony at the ice ball given by Lady Dalhousie. Lyle does the trajectory math and proves to Kathryn's satisfaction that the victim was pushed. Many false leads and suspects later, Kathryn confronts the somewhat perplexing murder.

[Kymm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in a series of four mysteries set in the 1800's and they are so enjoyable to read. I love them especially after I've read something really heavy and thought provoking. These are my go to can't put down, quick read stories. They center around a female investigator, Lady Katherine who attends society affairs under the guise of being a matchmaker just so she can solve whatever crime has been committed. She has help from her maid, a previous client, who is now her assistant and her dog Emma. There's also a romance that's building between Lady Katherine and another detective, but she insists she has no feelings for him, he's in each book. The author does a great job of bringing all the books together so they make sense, yet the stories are all different and there's always something going on. Just a fun, entertaining read, sorry I only have one more to go.

[moxieBK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the Ice Ball (The Lady Katherine Regency Mystery #3) — Leighann Dobbs and Harmony Williams/Narrator: Beverley A. Crick (26 titled chapters) May 16, 2023

I just had to read the next book in the series. I hope the authors keep narrating this series because the plots are fun!

In this one, Pru, Harriet, Emma, and Pru’s eccentric fiance, Lord Annadale, work on solving a murder with conflicting eyewitnesses, lies, and deceit at every turn.

When more nastiness happens, and Katherine realizes one of her close friends might be involved, she must consider her choices carefully before someone else gets hurt, and the murderer gets away.

And did I say Captain Wayland is still tagging along despite her father’s insistence that he is bad? Oh, yeah.

Great, quick plot. I read it in one day.

Same narrator; the same great narration.

Four stars.

[Patricia Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder and matchmaking makes for an interesting combination. While attending the Ice Ball a friend of her stepmother falls to her death. But did she fall or was she pushed and if so who did it? Lady Katherine has a number of suspects, including her stepmother, all with different motives. In addition to solving the murder she also has a matchmaking client. This mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. This is the third book in this series and the characters keep evolving and growing in each one. I have loved each book in this series more than the last. This can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend them all.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

Slightly better than the previous book but not by much. We seem to spend a lot of time on Katherine's obsession with Wayland's changed attitude, especially since she's supposed to be not interested in him!

Then there's the fact that she dithers between wanting to do the investigation by herself and wanting help from Pru and Lyle. And she patently can't solve anything without her maid Harriet and especially her pug Emma who again is pivotal in solving the murder. I'm still not sure what Katherine's father's problem is with Wayland so am going to see if I get more clarity in the next book.

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series! This 3rd book doesn’t disappoint! Lady Katherine is such a great main character. Her personality is very strong. It is very entertaining to “hear” her thought processes while investigating as a single woman in Regency London. Can’t wait to read the next installment to see if she and Captain Wayland ever get together. This book can be read first, but I would recommend reading the first in the series, “An Invitation to Murder” first, to get a good introduction to Lady Katherine and the other characters that make up The Lady Katherine Matchmaker series.

[Argum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katherine is back in London - secretly matchmaking for Lord Bath on Grandma Bath's orders. Pru is anxiously awaiting her fiancé's return and Wayland is nowhere in sight. When one of her stepmother's friend dies after a fall from a balcony at an Ice Ball, Katherine realizes it is up to her to investigate what is originally deemed an accident. The culprit seemed obvious to me with obvious motives, but still an entertaining adventure. Getting bored with the family secret about Wayland not being revealed.

[Dawn]

DNF. I was bored and just couldn’t get into this book. I found my mind wondering when I would try to read it and I didn’t really care for the main character, Lady Katherine. Her intelligence seemed to be more in her own mind rather than in reality and I felt like I was reading more about the oppression and superiority of women than the story itself. I like a strong female character, but I was reading for entertainment, not to hear about social issues. Maybe if I had read the first in the series it would have been better, but it just lacked anything to keep my interest.

[Asia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably my favorite one so far. Yes, some of the complaints I had in the last book were still on-going in this one. But I'm also trying to not take it too seriously. These are just a fun easy read to either fill in the time or if I haven't found any books I've enjoyed. Yes it has many problems(realizing the killer many chapters in advance and watching the main character finally stumble into it was frustrating). I think I'm waiting to see what Wayland did and when that romance finally starts. Otherwise another fun silly read.

[CelKat_reading_hea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical Regency Mystery

Katherine & Pru are back with another mystery to solve.
Katherine is also still busy with matchmaking and this time she has her eyes set on Pru 💕

This installment is wrapped up nicely with all the parties, except Katherine and Whalen.

These mysteries do not contain any romance, only talks about matchmaking schemes so, please don’t think that you’re getting any chance of a romance.

We get the satisfaction of the mystery solved and the “why’s answered” to wrap everything up.

[Kyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solving murders while attending fancy balls

A regency mystery with a strong female protagonist? Yes, indeed. Lady Katherine is a spinster at the ripe old age 25 with no desire to marry. She works as a detective, following in her father’s footsteps, with a sideline as a matchmaker. With her trusty sidekicks she solves crimes within the restrictions placed upon her as a woman in the regency period.

[Jeannifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a lovely story, I find that there is much repetition of the main characters worries. The story could move forward a bit faster if she didn’t second guess herself do much. Also, if she’s such a grand detective, she shouldn’t be so oblivious to Waylands attentions and also put herself in harms way with criminals.

Still a great read & a delightful series, in which you feel a part of the team & friends with the characters.

[martha s. williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ice Ball

This is easily my favorite of the series so far. The characters have become more familiar and fleshed out. I think I rather like Pru and her fiancé as well as Katherine and her absolute blindness when it comes to Wayland. Perhaps Harriet has a soft spot for Lyle? Even though this is light reading, it is still full of enough facts to have me looking up the regency lifestyle. Very well done.

[Technoplum Troop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely evocative of Regency times, this murder mystery is enjoyable and moorish. The matchmaking elements are fun and Lady Katherine and Pru are a good double act as investigators. The main characters in the mystery are well-developed and interesting. There is enough context to read this book without having read the previous books in the series, but I will now go and read books 1 and 2!

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good 3.5 from the author. I especially love how the main character essentially bucks a very strict social system to make her own way in the world (who wants a wedding ring when you can have a career solving mysteries?!?) My biggest complaint- I want to know more about Captain Wayland, one of Lady Katherine's companions. Will definitely read the next in the series when it comes out!