What do you think?
Rate this book
Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries #1
The Debutante's Code
Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series
Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.
Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spy craft. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner Daniel Swann, who suspects her of a daring theft.
Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission? Or will it lead her to a terrible end?
Best-selling author Erica Vetsch is back with a rollicking, exciting new series destined to be a hit with Regency readers who enjoy a touch of mystery in their love stories. Fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, and Anne Perry will love the wit, action, and romance.
Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.
Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spy craft. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner Daniel Swann, who suspects her of a daring theft.
Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission? Or will it lead her to a terrible end?
Best-selling author Erica Vetsch is back with a rollicking, exciting new series destined to be a hit with Regency readers who enjoy a touch of mystery in their love stories. Fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, and Anne Perry will love the wit, action, and romance.
312 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2021
About the author
Erica Vetsch
80 books1,434 followersBest-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can learn about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspi... where she spends way too much time!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
December 13, 2021
[4.5 stars.]
About this book:
“Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series.
Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.
Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spy craft. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner Daniel Swann, who suspects her of a daring theft.
Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission? Or will it lead her to a terrible end?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries” series.
Spiritual Content- A couple Scriptures are mentioned & remembered; Prayers & Asking God why; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Juliette thinks that God and her parents abandoned her and that God isn’t listening to her (*Spoiler* ); Juliette struggles with lying and wondering if the Lord would ask her to enter into a life of deception (she struggles throughout the book of her parents teaching her not to lie and yet they lied to her about their work); Daniel prays about 2/3s in and catches himself as he thinks he and God have a “don’t-bother-me-and-I-won’t-bother-you" status, but prays again later on; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of blessings; Mentions of a statue of a saint; A few mentions of churches & church going; A mention of Heaven; A mention of a church’s stained-glass depicting Biblical events;
*Note: A mention of the phrases “needs must when the devil drives”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘drat’, a ‘hang it’, two forms of ‘idiot’, and three ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling; Finding a body (barely-above-not-detailed); Seeing an autopsy (barely-above-not-detailed) & discussing the findings with the doctor (up to semi-detailed, not gruesome, mostly from a more medical standpoint); Aiming guns, firing them, injuring another for self-protection (barely-above-not-detailed); Being held at knife-point, gun-point, being kidnapped, & threatened; Blood/Bleeding, Injuries, & feeling faint (barely-above-not-detailed); Juliette has to lie because of secrets (she struggles with this); Daniel goes to a pub to find out information (he does not drink nor order a drink); All about many mentions of thieves, criminals, crimes, stealing, stolen items, break-ins, & robberies; Many mentions of murders, murderers, killings, bodies, finding bodies, & how the deaths happened (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of the war & fighting; Mentions of gallows & executions; Mentions of jails/prisons; Mentions of vandalism & vandals (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of lies, lying, & deception; Mentions of rumors & gossip; Mentions of drinking, social drinking, drinks/alcohol/wine, pubs/salons, drunks, & hangovers (Juliette’s uncle acts like a drunk a couple of times); Mentions of cigars, pipes, tobacco, smoking, & smoke; Mentions of hunts & hunting (including going to a hunt, Juliette is relieved that the hounds are unable to get the fox); Mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of being bullied; A couple mentions of the possibility of someone being captured or dead; A couple mentions of fights/brawls; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of regicide; A mention of a possible fire; A mention of a possible gambling debt; A mention of snuffboxes.
Sexual Content- A couple greeting kisses (on the hands/knuckles); Noticing, Nearness, & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Daniel is an illegitimate child (he calls himself that, a “by-blow”, and a “baseborn”, and also resents his mother for agreeing for him to be in someone else’s care. He does not know his biological father. At one point he wonders if Juliette’s father could be his father, but quickly throws out the notion when he thinks that if that was the case, him and Juliette would be half siblings); A couple mentions of blushes; A mention of a man possibly trifling with another man’s wife & a jealous husband; A mention of a couple being found together in a storage room; A mention of a man liking one of the barmaids at a pub; A mention of a prostitute (a man assumes Juliette is one because of her clothing and leers at her); Very light attraction, & the emotions (not romance or relationship heavy. Juliette and Daniel notice each other, but nothing really happens in this first book);
*Note: A mention of a woman being attacked (not said if it was a physical or sexual way).
-Juliette Thorndike, age 19/20 (?)
-Daniel Swann, age 24
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1816
320 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)
Okay, wait, that was so much fun.
I picked this book up on a whim because 1.) regency 2.) spies and 3.) art mysteries. It’s easy to say, sold, sigh me up.
I really liked Juliette and her thought processes felt very relatable in many ways. Juliette accepted her family’s secret quicker than most would, but it didn’t bother me much because she was determined to bring her parents home soon, so she quickly got to work. She struggled a lot with the concept of having to lie but yet also wanting to honor God in the way of how she was raised. I really appreciate that struggle being shown and while it wasn’t fully wrapped up by the end of this novel, I think it will be shown again and discussed more in the next book.
I think my only negative was two minor things, but it did drop my rating from a 5 star to a 4.5: there was a lot of characters to keep up with. A lot. Because I read this book as an e-book I made use of the search feature often to remind me which Duke this was or who’s Christian name was so-and-so. The second would be that I had a bit of a hard time with the writing style, though, I’m wondering now if it was actually the font of the e-book that was different from normal.
Another note: I absolutely adored was the use of different words. (I may have slightly swooned over the vocabularies found in this book.) There were so many new and usual words that I highlighted to save to use some day. It was so fun and the dictionary feature of the e-book system definitely came in handy. Most were of French origin and it made it feel very different from the other regency books I’ve read, in a good way.
So, all of that was the cake itself and the icing, but the cherry on top of said cake was finding out that this series is going to continue to be about these same main characters, not a side character that we were introduced to. I don’t see many series published nowadays that follow the same main characters through out for how ever many books the series will be. I’m quite tickled pink, actually, about this development. That’s why the romance was super light in this book (though, I have to admit I’m a little concerned for the later books’ romance content…I really hope it stays on the lighter side) and wasn’t the main focus of the plot at all. It was so nice. It was very focused on the mystery that while Juliette and Daniel were noticing each other, it wasn’t over the top or anywhere near what the book was about. (Major plus in my eyes!)
I’m so glad I randomly picked up this book as it’s now one of my top favorites from the year. I’m ready for the second book! :D
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series.
Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.
Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spy craft. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner Daniel Swann, who suspects her of a daring theft.
Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission? Or will it lead her to a terrible end?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries” series.
Spiritual Content- A couple Scriptures are mentioned & remembered; Prayers & Asking God why; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Juliette thinks that God and her parents abandoned her and that God isn’t listening to her (*Spoiler* ); Juliette struggles with lying and wondering if the Lord would ask her to enter into a life of deception (she struggles throughout the book of her parents teaching her not to lie and yet they lied to her about their work); Daniel prays about 2/3s in and catches himself as he thinks he and God have a “don’t-bother-me-and-I-won’t-bother-you" status, but prays again later on; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of blessings; Mentions of a statue of a saint; A few mentions of churches & church going; A mention of Heaven; A mention of a church’s stained-glass depicting Biblical events;
*Note: A mention of the phrases “needs must when the devil drives”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘drat’, a ‘hang it’, two forms of ‘idiot’, and three ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling; Finding a body (barely-above-not-detailed); Seeing an autopsy (barely-above-not-detailed) & discussing the findings with the doctor (up to semi-detailed, not gruesome, mostly from a more medical standpoint); Aiming guns, firing them, injuring another for self-protection (barely-above-not-detailed); Being held at knife-point, gun-point, being kidnapped, & threatened; Blood/Bleeding, Injuries, & feeling faint (barely-above-not-detailed); Juliette has to lie because of secrets (she struggles with this); Daniel goes to a pub to find out information (he does not drink nor order a drink); All about many mentions of thieves, criminals, crimes, stealing, stolen items, break-ins, & robberies; Many mentions of murders, murderers, killings, bodies, finding bodies, & how the deaths happened (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of the war & fighting; Mentions of gallows & executions; Mentions of jails/prisons; Mentions of vandalism & vandals (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of lies, lying, & deception; Mentions of rumors & gossip; Mentions of drinking, social drinking, drinks/alcohol/wine, pubs/salons, drunks, & hangovers (Juliette’s uncle acts like a drunk a couple of times); Mentions of cigars, pipes, tobacco, smoking, & smoke; Mentions of hunts & hunting (including going to a hunt, Juliette is relieved that the hounds are unable to get the fox); Mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of being bullied; A couple mentions of the possibility of someone being captured or dead; A couple mentions of fights/brawls; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of regicide; A mention of a possible fire; A mention of a possible gambling debt; A mention of snuffboxes.
Sexual Content- A couple greeting kisses (on the hands/knuckles); Noticing, Nearness, & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Daniel is an illegitimate child (he calls himself that, a “by-blow”, and a “baseborn”, and also resents his mother for agreeing for him to be in someone else’s care. He does not know his biological father. At one point he wonders if Juliette’s father could be his father, but quickly throws out the notion when he thinks that if that was the case, him and Juliette would be half siblings); A couple mentions of blushes; A mention of a man possibly trifling with another man’s wife & a jealous husband; A mention of a couple being found together in a storage room; A mention of a man liking one of the barmaids at a pub; A mention of a prostitute (a man assumes Juliette is one because of her clothing and leers at her); Very light attraction, & the emotions (not romance or relationship heavy. Juliette and Daniel notice each other, but nothing really happens in this first book);
*Note: A mention of a woman being attacked (not said if it was a physical or sexual way).
-Juliette Thorndike, age 19/20 (?)
-Daniel Swann, age 24
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1816
320 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)
Okay, wait, that was so much fun.
I picked this book up on a whim because 1.) regency 2.) spies and 3.) art mysteries. It’s easy to say, sold, sigh me up.
I really liked Juliette and her thought processes felt very relatable in many ways. Juliette accepted her family’s secret quicker than most would, but it didn’t bother me much because she was determined to bring her parents home soon, so she quickly got to work. She struggled a lot with the concept of having to lie but yet also wanting to honor God in the way of how she was raised. I really appreciate that struggle being shown and while it wasn’t fully wrapped up by the end of this novel, I think it will be shown again and discussed more in the next book.
I think my only negative was two minor things, but it did drop my rating from a 5 star to a 4.5: there was a lot of characters to keep up with. A lot. Because I read this book as an e-book I made use of the search feature often to remind me which Duke this was or who’s Christian name was so-and-so. The second would be that I had a bit of a hard time with the writing style, though, I’m wondering now if it was actually the font of the e-book that was different from normal.
Another note: I absolutely adored was the use of different words. (I may have slightly swooned over the vocabularies found in this book.) There were so many new and usual words that I highlighted to save to use some day. It was so fun and the dictionary feature of the e-book system definitely came in handy. Most were of French origin and it made it feel very different from the other regency books I’ve read, in a good way.
So, all of that was the cake itself and the icing, but the cherry on top of said cake was finding out that this series is going to continue to be about these same main characters, not a side character that we were introduced to. I don’t see many series published nowadays that follow the same main characters through out for how ever many books the series will be. I’m quite tickled pink, actually, about this development. That’s why the romance was super light in this book (though, I have to admit I’m a little concerned for the later books’ romance content…I really hope it stays on the lighter side) and wasn’t the main focus of the plot at all. It was so nice. It was very focused on the mystery that while Juliette and Daniel were noticing each other, it wasn’t over the top or anywhere near what the book was about. (Major plus in my eyes!)
I’m so glad I randomly picked up this book as it’s now one of my top favorites from the year. I’m ready for the second book! :D
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
March 21, 2022
Cute.
I don't like my heroines to be so young and to act also very much in accordance to her age, but I cannot fault the book for this since it was coherent!
I liked the story and it was intricate enough and full interesting information about artifacts.
I didn't like often mentions about God and His will inserted randomly in the story. It just didn't rung true (for me at least).
It seemed like forcing it into the sotry to make this a Christian romance...
I'm still curious enough to see how things will proceede in the next book!
I don't like my heroines to be so young and to act also very much in accordance to her age, but I cannot fault the book for this since it was coherent!
I liked the story and it was intricate enough and full interesting information about artifacts.
I didn't like often mentions about God and His will inserted randomly in the story. It just didn't rung true (for me at least).
It seemed like forcing it into the sotry to make this a Christian romance...
I'm still curious enough to see how things will proceede in the next book!
December 17, 2021
4.5* This was so awesome! It didn't feel like a normal 300+ page book; I say it quite a lot with books, but here too, time just zinged past so fast. I really enjoyed Juliette's character, even though I didn't connect with her as much. Ah, and Daniel Swann was the perfect detective! A little on the newbie side, and him being such a character. And this is going to be a continuing series!!! (can you hear me squealing?!) So there wasn't as much romance here, but that was hardly noticeable since a lot of the exciting stuff revolved around the mystery! Erica Vetsch is a superb writer. 😍😋
November 29, 2021
This is Erica Vetsch at her very best. Absolutely everything that I love in a Regency mystery is in this story. It is satisfying, yet it whets my appetite for more.
What is a debutante to do when she returns home after seven years to find her parents gone? She doesn’t know if they are in danger or just too preoccupied to care about her. When Juliette and Uncle Bertie are present at events where items are stolen, they are suspected by a detective, Daniel Swann. “The detective was handsome and interesting...and dangerous. He stirred in Juliette feelings of excitement tinged with guilt. His purpose was to dig out secrets and hers was to keep them hidden.”
Daniel has secrets of his own that have direct bearing on his past and his future.
Full of intrigue and clues to keep you guessing, this was an excellent start to a new series. I loved the disguises and the codes hidden in unlikely places, it reminded me of a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The characters were interesting and well represented. The plot was complex but moved at a pace that kept me turning pages.
With one mystery solved, there are still things unfinished, namely what is going to happen on Daniel’s next birthday? His fate awaits in the next book. Too bad I have to wait til next year to find out!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel as a participant in the I Read With Audra Jennings book tour. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
What is a debutante to do when she returns home after seven years to find her parents gone? She doesn’t know if they are in danger or just too preoccupied to care about her. When Juliette and Uncle Bertie are present at events where items are stolen, they are suspected by a detective, Daniel Swann. “The detective was handsome and interesting...and dangerous. He stirred in Juliette feelings of excitement tinged with guilt. His purpose was to dig out secrets and hers was to keep them hidden.”
Daniel has secrets of his own that have direct bearing on his past and his future.
Full of intrigue and clues to keep you guessing, this was an excellent start to a new series. I loved the disguises and the codes hidden in unlikely places, it reminded me of a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The characters were interesting and well represented. The plot was complex but moved at a pace that kept me turning pages.
With one mystery solved, there are still things unfinished, namely what is going to happen on Daniel’s next birthday? His fate awaits in the next book. Too bad I have to wait til next year to find out!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel as a participant in the I Read With Audra Jennings book tour. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
January 27, 2022
Squeal!
Eeeepppp!!
Squeeeeeeppppppp!!!!!!
I'm in such a dithering tizzy-fit of epic Regency spyness that I can barely catch my breath let alone type! My bookish anticipatory state was at such a high that I woke up in the wee hours of the audible release date and started listening and was hard pressed to stop and go back to sleep.
Right off the top let me exude accolades upon the narration of The Debutante's Code. Kim Bretton delivered a captivating performance and increased my already over-the-top enthusiasm for this book tenfold. She portrayed each character brilliantly, capturing all their nuances from accents to temperament with such skill -- well, it was joy to listen to. Highly recommend the audible edition for maximum enjoyment of this story (if you are an audio book kind of reader.)
What an exceptional start to this new series. And (plug your ears for another round of squueeeping) the Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries is the continuous kind -- where these same characters will be featured in future books. Which means the romance is barely more than the inkling of an ember but holds oh-so-much-promise!!!!
Loved our introduction to Juliette and Daniel and their back stories and the way their paths cross...and keep crossing until they are hopelessly entangled in intrigue and danger. I loved being right about some things (I think I might make a good spy!) and the way Vetsch spins a clever plot with enough hairpin turns to keep me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.
Readers of her first Regency series, Serendipity and Secrets, will discover some familiar faces in this one. I've only read the first book but I'm itching to get my hands on the second and third ones as well. It will give me something to do while I impatiently wait for the next Thorndike and Swann book to come out. I'm desperate to find out more about Daniel's mysterious benefactor and I have my suspicions about a few secondary characters. I need to know if I'm way off base or intrepid spy material. Bwahahaha!
Eeeepppp!!
Squeeeeeeppppppp!!!!!!
I'm in such a dithering tizzy-fit of epic Regency spyness that I can barely catch my breath let alone type! My bookish anticipatory state was at such a high that I woke up in the wee hours of the audible release date and started listening and was hard pressed to stop and go back to sleep.
Right off the top let me exude accolades upon the narration of The Debutante's Code. Kim Bretton delivered a captivating performance and increased my already over-the-top enthusiasm for this book tenfold. She portrayed each character brilliantly, capturing all their nuances from accents to temperament with such skill -- well, it was joy to listen to. Highly recommend the audible edition for maximum enjoyment of this story (if you are an audio book kind of reader.)
What an exceptional start to this new series. And (plug your ears for another round of squueeeping) the Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries is the continuous kind -- where these same characters will be featured in future books. Which means the romance is barely more than the inkling of an ember but holds oh-so-much-promise!!!!
Loved our introduction to Juliette and Daniel and their back stories and the way their paths cross...and keep crossing until they are hopelessly entangled in intrigue and danger. I loved being right about some things (I think I might make a good spy!) and the way Vetsch spins a clever plot with enough hairpin turns to keep me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.
Readers of her first Regency series, Serendipity and Secrets, will discover some familiar faces in this one. I've only read the first book but I'm itching to get my hands on the second and third ones as well. It will give me something to do while I impatiently wait for the next Thorndike and Swann book to come out. I'm desperate to find out more about Daniel's mysterious benefactor and I have my suspicions about a few secondary characters. I need to know if I'm way off base or intrepid spy material. Bwahahaha!
December 31, 2021
It isn't easy to write a mystery, but Erica Vetsch has delivered one that kept me riveted from the first page to the last. I read this book in about two days, which shows how much I loved it. The fabulous cast of characters holds enough depth and variety to support what I hope will be a long series. The debutante the novel is named for isn't interested in romance, and this plot had no real need for it either. While balls, dinners, hunts, and partners abound, the real story was the puzzle Lady Juliette Thorndike and detective Daniel Swann were bent on solving. I won't mind at all watching a romantic attachment develop in the future, but The Debutante's Code is fully satisfying on the merits of its mystery alone.
July 7, 2025
6⭐ I had so much fun with this story! Secret messages, dubante balls, spies? Everything I enjoy in a great story. I can't believe its taken me this long to discover this author. I have read two of her books in the past week and enjoyed both of them tremendously! I think Erica Vetsch could be a new favorite author for me.
August 21, 2021
'Had everything in her life been leading to this moment? This choice? Had God been directing things to put her in this place for this purpose?'
Erica Vetsch has begun an especially intriguing new series with The Debutante's code. Described as Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes, which is indeed a perfectly apt comparison, this takes the reader into the world of Regency England. And the world of spying.
In the midst of stolen art, secret codes, nasty ruffians, a well brought up young aristocratic woman discovers the secret world of her parents. Will Lady Juliette decide to train as a spy? Especially when there is a dashing Bow Street Runner, Mr. Daniel Swann, on all the cases? Hmmm. You must read it to find out.
Vetsch is always good and this offering is no exception. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in this series1
My thanks to Kregel Publications for a copy of this book via the Net Galley platform. I was not pressured to leave a positive review. The opinion here is entirely my own.
Erica Vetsch has begun an especially intriguing new series with The Debutante's code. Described as Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes, which is indeed a perfectly apt comparison, this takes the reader into the world of Regency England. And the world of spying.
In the midst of stolen art, secret codes, nasty ruffians, a well brought up young aristocratic woman discovers the secret world of her parents. Will Lady Juliette decide to train as a spy? Especially when there is a dashing Bow Street Runner, Mr. Daniel Swann, on all the cases? Hmmm. You must read it to find out.
Vetsch is always good and this offering is no exception. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in this series1
My thanks to Kregel Publications for a copy of this book via the Net Galley platform. I was not pressured to leave a positive review. The opinion here is entirely my own.
December 13, 2021
Oh my goodness. I loved this regency story. There’s the hint of romance. Mystery. Whiffs of suspense. And rich details of the time period. I loved the heroine and felt for her as she comes home to disappoint and the unknown. A story that has me wishing the next book was out already. So good!
December 5, 2021
What a fascinating story and a wonderful trip into the world of Regency spies and Bow Street Runners! Lady Juliette’s debut season ended up being very different than she had imagined it would be. I felt for her as she grappled with wondering if she ever really knew her parents at all and even struggled with the idea that maybe she wasn’t very important to them. Yet, all the while, she worried for their safety as she and her uncle worked together to keep important information out of enemy hands.
Daniel Swann, the Bow Street Runner assigned to the case of the stolen artwork, was an interesting and likable character. He had an intriguing back story that continued to impact his daily life and even, at times, the investigation. He and Lady Juliette ended up crossing paths all through the novel and it was fun to watch Daniel try to piece together the facts.
Fans of the Serendipity and Secrets series will be happy to see a few familiar faces in a handful of scenes, yet this story is not dependent on that series, so don’t worry if you haven’t read it. The Debutante’s Code was a very enjoyable Regency mystery with just the beginnings of a hint at a romance that could develop in future books. It was a lot of fun to read.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Daniel Swann, the Bow Street Runner assigned to the case of the stolen artwork, was an interesting and likable character. He had an intriguing back story that continued to impact his daily life and even, at times, the investigation. He and Lady Juliette ended up crossing paths all through the novel and it was fun to watch Daniel try to piece together the facts.
Fans of the Serendipity and Secrets series will be happy to see a few familiar faces in a handful of scenes, yet this story is not dependent on that series, so don’t worry if you haven’t read it. The Debutante’s Code was a very enjoyable Regency mystery with just the beginnings of a hint at a romance that could develop in future books. It was a lot of fun to read.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Read
August 2, 2021from endorsement:
The Debutante’s Code is alive with Erica Vetsch’s hallmark romance and impeccable research and some of my favourite catnip to boot! A strong and whip-smart heroine, Juliette Thorndike already stands out in a society of fox hunts and regattas but when she learns of a fascinating family secret, she is determined to live out the espionage and adventure in her blood. Thrown together with the dashing Daniel Swann, Juliette is cast into a world of The Bow Street Runners, mysterious clues and near danger— all brilliantly spun in Vetsch’s strong Regency-authentic voice. The Sanditon and Bridgerton loving crowd will fall hard for this delightful heroine and dashing hero and the the ease in which they appropriate the London ton on their pursuit of growing attraction and twisting and turning adventure. I look forward to many more instalments in this exciting new series. Erica Vetsch is at the top of her game!
The Debutante’s Code is alive with Erica Vetsch’s hallmark romance and impeccable research and some of my favourite catnip to boot! A strong and whip-smart heroine, Juliette Thorndike already stands out in a society of fox hunts and regattas but when she learns of a fascinating family secret, she is determined to live out the espionage and adventure in her blood. Thrown together with the dashing Daniel Swann, Juliette is cast into a world of The Bow Street Runners, mysterious clues and near danger— all brilliantly spun in Vetsch’s strong Regency-authentic voice. The Sanditon and Bridgerton loving crowd will fall hard for this delightful heroine and dashing hero and the the ease in which they appropriate the London ton on their pursuit of growing attraction and twisting and turning adventure. I look forward to many more instalments in this exciting new series. Erica Vetsch is at the top of her game!
February 26, 2022
This has been intriguing as well as enlightening with regards to the spying aspect...I liked the spiritual references with her struggling to reconcile being a spy and lying with what God wanted, how he as well as her parents were watching over her even when she didn't realize it..... I was sometimes confused by who was who, what connections at times; perhaps it me being tired and falling asleep despite trying to stay awake to read!.... many unanswered questions that hope will be resolved such as the parentage of a main character!!....
January 23, 2022
London 1816
Fun start to a new historical mystery series!
Lady Juliette returns home to London after spending several years away for her education. She's disappointed to find her parents aren't there to greet her and be a part of her debut season.
My favorite character was Daniel Swann.
The long chapters took a bit to get used to. Chapter One was 49 pages.
Look forward to continuing the series.
Fun start to a new historical mystery series!
Lady Juliette returns home to London after spending several years away for her education. She's disappointed to find her parents aren't there to greet her and be a part of her debut season.
My favorite character was Daniel Swann.
The long chapters took a bit to get used to. Chapter One was 49 pages.
Look forward to continuing the series.
November 7, 2021
“If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, then she must seek them abroad.” Jane Austen says of Catherine Morland in the beginning pages of Northanger Abbey. However, what is true for Catherine is decidedly not true for Lady Juliette Thorndike or the young Bow Street Runner trying to solve his first big case. Erica Vetsch introduces a sparkling new mystery series set in Regency London featuring an intrepid and unlikely detecting pair and a cunning mystery.
Lady Juliette has been away seven years to a ladies’ seminary in Switzerland honing genteel accomplishments and studies while looking forward to the day she is to return home to the parents she is not embarrassed to miss terribly. After a harrowing journey home by way of Italy with her close school friend who will share her coming out, she is hurt to discover her parents gone away and not likely to return in time to help her through her societal debut.
They are met at the boat by her ‘man about town’ and slightly ramshackle Uncle Bertie who deposits her into the hands of the Dowager Duchess of Haverly’s hands for guidance to the London Season and chaperonage throughout. At her introductory ball, things go from mildly pleasant to intriguing when her host’s expensive new piece of art turns up stolen.
Daniel Swann knows he is a lucky man. Instead of growing up the illegitimate son of a servant and scrambling his way through life, an anonymous benefactor plucked him up and put him through the upper class schools and let him choose his own trade which the benefactor would subsidize through Daniel’s twenty-fifth birthday which is coming soon enough. Daniel wanted to help people and he has a yin for solving puzzles so he chose Bow Street as his vocation. Only, Daniel has run afoul of the superintendent’s own ambition to hire a nephew and was forced to take on Daniel in his stead. Now, his superintendent gives him tedious work and obscure cases and bides his time watching for Daniel to make the mistake that he can use to get rid of him. It infuriates the man when his veteran detectives are all busy on other cases and he has to give the high society art theft to Daniel. This is Daniel’s big chance and he won’t let a cranky boss, starchy aristocrats, or a young lady he suspects knows more than she’s saying get in his way. He hasn’t been on the case long when the art dealer who sold the painting is found knifed and his gallery turned upside down. Then there is another theft…
Meanwhile, Lady Juliette makes a cryptic discovery hidden in the piano that turns all her assumptions about her parents upside down. Agents of the crown? Her parents? Uncle Bertie cautiously lets her in on the truth and now she is sworn to learn and follow in the path of her parents by apprenticing with Uncle Bertie if she is ever to help bring about her parents’ safe return. Balancing her first season, pursuing her new training, breaking the codes cleverly hidden away, and tracking down the traitors keeps a young lady’s calendar quite full and right in the crosshairs of the disconcerting Bow Street Runner who she can’t shake from the trail or that of the shadowy danger who has already killed more than once to get what they want.
The Debutante’s Code was an amalgamation of all the good things with the bringing together of a Regency Romance and Historical Mystery with a fresh new class-difference partnership and a tantalizing whiff of romance between them. This book is a first in series and kept up a good pace though does have brief moments when it slows and strong development that happened naturally along the way.
Juliette and Daniel take turns narrating their side of the story and introducing their separate class worlds and characters as well as themselves. I appreciated that the author created a few extra curiosities surrounding Daniel with his unknown benefactor and Juliette and her hidden family heritage. They both demonstrate separate, but partnering talents so that they come at the same problem with different end games and motives, but end up on the same side in the end in spite of their sometimes antagonism of one another. The author didn’t stint on the minor character development, either. I’ll be glad to see several return in subsequent books.
All in all, I curtsey deeply in admiration to The Debutante’s Code and impatiently wait for further books in the series. Historical mystery lovers who don’t mind a dash of sweet, slow burn romance should slip this one into their book stacks when they get the chance.
I rec'd an eARC from the publisher to read in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Juliette has been away seven years to a ladies’ seminary in Switzerland honing genteel accomplishments and studies while looking forward to the day she is to return home to the parents she is not embarrassed to miss terribly. After a harrowing journey home by way of Italy with her close school friend who will share her coming out, she is hurt to discover her parents gone away and not likely to return in time to help her through her societal debut.
They are met at the boat by her ‘man about town’ and slightly ramshackle Uncle Bertie who deposits her into the hands of the Dowager Duchess of Haverly’s hands for guidance to the London Season and chaperonage throughout. At her introductory ball, things go from mildly pleasant to intriguing when her host’s expensive new piece of art turns up stolen.
Daniel Swann knows he is a lucky man. Instead of growing up the illegitimate son of a servant and scrambling his way through life, an anonymous benefactor plucked him up and put him through the upper class schools and let him choose his own trade which the benefactor would subsidize through Daniel’s twenty-fifth birthday which is coming soon enough. Daniel wanted to help people and he has a yin for solving puzzles so he chose Bow Street as his vocation. Only, Daniel has run afoul of the superintendent’s own ambition to hire a nephew and was forced to take on Daniel in his stead. Now, his superintendent gives him tedious work and obscure cases and bides his time watching for Daniel to make the mistake that he can use to get rid of him. It infuriates the man when his veteran detectives are all busy on other cases and he has to give the high society art theft to Daniel. This is Daniel’s big chance and he won’t let a cranky boss, starchy aristocrats, or a young lady he suspects knows more than she’s saying get in his way. He hasn’t been on the case long when the art dealer who sold the painting is found knifed and his gallery turned upside down. Then there is another theft…
Meanwhile, Lady Juliette makes a cryptic discovery hidden in the piano that turns all her assumptions about her parents upside down. Agents of the crown? Her parents? Uncle Bertie cautiously lets her in on the truth and now she is sworn to learn and follow in the path of her parents by apprenticing with Uncle Bertie if she is ever to help bring about her parents’ safe return. Balancing her first season, pursuing her new training, breaking the codes cleverly hidden away, and tracking down the traitors keeps a young lady’s calendar quite full and right in the crosshairs of the disconcerting Bow Street Runner who she can’t shake from the trail or that of the shadowy danger who has already killed more than once to get what they want.
The Debutante’s Code was an amalgamation of all the good things with the bringing together of a Regency Romance and Historical Mystery with a fresh new class-difference partnership and a tantalizing whiff of romance between them. This book is a first in series and kept up a good pace though does have brief moments when it slows and strong development that happened naturally along the way.
Juliette and Daniel take turns narrating their side of the story and introducing their separate class worlds and characters as well as themselves. I appreciated that the author created a few extra curiosities surrounding Daniel with his unknown benefactor and Juliette and her hidden family heritage. They both demonstrate separate, but partnering talents so that they come at the same problem with different end games and motives, but end up on the same side in the end in spite of their sometimes antagonism of one another. The author didn’t stint on the minor character development, either. I’ll be glad to see several return in subsequent books.
All in all, I curtsey deeply in admiration to The Debutante’s Code and impatiently wait for further books in the series. Historical mystery lovers who don’t mind a dash of sweet, slow burn romance should slip this one into their book stacks when they get the chance.
I rec'd an eARC from the publisher to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2023
4 Stars ✨
"Disappointment was only a short step away from resentment, she found. For years she had made excuses . . . . . How did she honor her parents as God intended when their decisions thwarted the desires of her heart?"
London 1816
Juliette returns home after being away for school. She’s so excited to be reunited with her parents when she arrives at the docks in London. Rather than being met by the count and countess though, she’s met instead by her Uncle Bernard. He is acting very jumpy and has plenty excuses as to why her parents aren’t there. Juliette is devastated to learn her parents are away- with it being her debut season, but she senses something is amiss. The longer her parents are away, she sets off down a rabbit hole to understand what happened to them. With many mysteries to solve and meeting intriguing characters along the way.
This was such an exciting adventure and so delightful to read. I absolutely adored Juliette. She was a fabulous main character and so likable. To me, this books atmosphere had such a Sanditon type feel to it and being a lover of Sanditon, I couldn’t help but enjoy The Debutants Code! I can’t wait to see what happens with Jules and Daniel in the next book! Would recommend ❤️
June 1, 2024
☕ “God, are you there? Are you even aware of what is happening to me? Do you care?”
A typical debutante returns to London in 1816 (after a seven-year absence) to realize that nothing is typical at home anymore. Her parents don’t even bother to greet her. They appear to be missing, yet she’s expected to attend her first season in high society without them.
All she wants are answers!
📚 WHAT’S TO LOVE? I’m a huge clean or Christian Regency-era reader. I was excited to read a series about that era that involved high society normals blended with undercover espionage and spy work for the crown.
Our main characters both know the Lord but haven’t fully accepted some things.
I enjoyed getting into the minds of Lady Juliette AND policeman Daniel Swan.
*No profanity
**No spice - I don’t think there is even a kiss
***Very light romance
📚 CAUSE FOR PAUSE? Believe it or not, I found no clues that this novel’s mystery would involve murder. I looked on the back cover and descriptions before purchasing. I thought it was about finding clues to track an art thief by way of espionage. I see "now" on Goodreads that Sherlock Holmes is used as a tagline.
That part of the story is done very well though - nothing too gruesome. It is just not something I enjoy reading at this time. All the mystery but none of the other is hard to find. So I just skimmed over the details of the crime scene situation.
I know, I know. I’m the only human on the planet who doesn’t want to read about that.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style, pacing, and intrigue the author brought, so kudos for that!!
📚 CONSIDER READING IF… you want a Christian, Regency Era intriguing tale of trusting God, yourself, and those around you. 😀
MY RATING 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A YouTube video coming soon to talk more in-depth about this book and many others from my May TBR!
☕📚
A typical debutante returns to London in 1816 (after a seven-year absence) to realize that nothing is typical at home anymore. Her parents don’t even bother to greet her. They appear to be missing, yet she’s expected to attend her first season in high society without them.
All she wants are answers!
📚 WHAT’S TO LOVE? I’m a huge clean or Christian Regency-era reader. I was excited to read a series about that era that involved high society normals blended with undercover espionage and spy work for the crown.
Our main characters both know the Lord but haven’t fully accepted some things.
I enjoyed getting into the minds of Lady Juliette AND policeman Daniel Swan.
*No profanity
**No spice - I don’t think there is even a kiss
***Very light romance
📚 CAUSE FOR PAUSE? Believe it or not, I found no clues that this novel’s mystery would involve murder. I looked on the back cover and descriptions before purchasing. I thought it was about finding clues to track an art thief by way of espionage. I see "now" on Goodreads that Sherlock Holmes is used as a tagline.
That part of the story is done very well though - nothing too gruesome. It is just not something I enjoy reading at this time. All the mystery but none of the other is hard to find. So I just skimmed over the details of the crime scene situation.
I know, I know. I’m the only human on the planet who doesn’t want to read about that.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style, pacing, and intrigue the author brought, so kudos for that!!
📚 CONSIDER READING IF… you want a Christian, Regency Era intriguing tale of trusting God, yourself, and those around you. 😀
MY RATING 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A YouTube video coming soon to talk more in-depth about this book and many others from my May TBR!
☕📚
December 25, 2021
"Disappointment was only a short step away from resentment, she found. For years she had made excuses . . . . . How did she honor her parents as God intended when their decisions thwarted the desires of her heart?"
Returning home after years away at finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is met at the docks with disappointment; rather than the count and countess meeting her for a joyous reunion, her Uncle Betrand is there instead; short on excuses and anxious to be on with his business. With her debut into London society less than twenty-four hours away, Juliette cannot understand why her parents have assigned the dowager Haverly to chaperone her through the presentation. As it turns out, the entire debut proves to be most unusual, most unusual indeed, for who would imagine concluding a glorious evening being witness to a most unusual crime?
When Bow Street runner Daniel Thorndike is called out to investigate the details surrounding a stolen painting, he invites himself into a lavish party scene, the guests being some of London's most recognizable elite who exhibit predictable displeasure about being questioned by the police. Upon further study, his attention cannot help but hover around the lovely Lady Thorndike, whose intelligence spills over into her every expression. Subsequently, when the one crime broadens into several, Daniel is forced to turn his focus back to the lady and her uncle, unknowingly becoming caught up in something far bigger than whether or not he can sustain his own career.
What a rare find! A conventional mystery wrapped tightly within the embellishments of a fine Regency historical. It's clever, it's interesting, and it's incredibly enjoyable, for following the clues sends readers toward the same dead ends as the characters, who themselves are not even sure whom to trust. Needless to say, the author also smoothly incorporates the topics of abandonment, honesty, integrity, faith, doubt, and even love, for who hasn't uttered this sort of prayer; "God what should I do? Where can I turn?".
Readers will be clamoring for more of "Thorndike and Swann"!
Returning home after years away at finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is met at the docks with disappointment; rather than the count and countess meeting her for a joyous reunion, her Uncle Betrand is there instead; short on excuses and anxious to be on with his business. With her debut into London society less than twenty-four hours away, Juliette cannot understand why her parents have assigned the dowager Haverly to chaperone her through the presentation. As it turns out, the entire debut proves to be most unusual, most unusual indeed, for who would imagine concluding a glorious evening being witness to a most unusual crime?
When Bow Street runner Daniel Thorndike is called out to investigate the details surrounding a stolen painting, he invites himself into a lavish party scene, the guests being some of London's most recognizable elite who exhibit predictable displeasure about being questioned by the police. Upon further study, his attention cannot help but hover around the lovely Lady Thorndike, whose intelligence spills over into her every expression. Subsequently, when the one crime broadens into several, Daniel is forced to turn his focus back to the lady and her uncle, unknowingly becoming caught up in something far bigger than whether or not he can sustain his own career.
What a rare find! A conventional mystery wrapped tightly within the embellishments of a fine Regency historical. It's clever, it's interesting, and it's incredibly enjoyable, for following the clues sends readers toward the same dead ends as the characters, who themselves are not even sure whom to trust. Needless to say, the author also smoothly incorporates the topics of abandonment, honesty, integrity, faith, doubt, and even love, for who hasn't uttered this sort of prayer; "God what should I do? Where can I turn?".
Readers will be clamoring for more of "Thorndike and Swann"!
December 1, 2023
What a fun romp! A regency mystery that, as the promotions say, is like a combination of Jane Austen and Sherlock Holmes.
I enjoyed every moment.
Content notes: Hints at a future romance. The violence that goes with murder (not detailed) robberies, and spies. Faith is mentioned but not a major part of the story.
I enjoyed every moment.
Content notes: Hints at a future romance. The violence that goes with murder (not detailed) robberies, and spies. Faith is mentioned but not a major part of the story.
November 13, 2025
I am binging this series!! So good!!
September 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this regency mystery! I liked the characters, and it really made me think about what I would do and how I would react if I were put in the same situation as Juliette. And I was totally wrong about who the bad guy was.
November 14, 2021
What an absolutely delightful story! I know, it's a mystery, but it WAS delightful. Delightfully mysterious!
Lady Juliette Thorndike returns from university with her friend Agatha Montgomery just in time for craziness to start happening everywhere they go! Missing artifacts, robberies, and murder just to name a few. Bow Street detective, Daniel Swann, is on the case though, but nothing seems to be adding up. He and Ed, a fellow Bow Street gent, try to unravel the mystery of missing items, thefts, and murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed Juliette. She was clear headed and very inquisitive. Agatha is like every other debutante though and is focused solely on the Season. While Juliette wants to spend the Season getting back into her London life, Agatha has a Duke in her sights. Daniel is struggling with what he's going to do with his future. His mysterious benefactor is cutting off his finances and his job is in peril. Honestly, he's had it rough and is one very discouraged fellow. He's the lead investigator, and he just wants to leave his job on a high note by solving the case.
Now, in regards to the mysterious happenings, I'll tell you what, I knew who was the bad guy from the start... until I didn't! The further I got into the story I kept thinking I might NOW know who the bad guy was and realized I didn't. The author keeps the twists and turns coming until the very end! As pieces of the puzzle unfolded, I was more and more surprised! I loved it!
I thought Juliette's faith journey was a very interesting one. Throughout the story, she based her relationship with God on what her parents taught her, but with what she learns, she wonders how her faith now fits into what she learned growing up. And with Daniel, being fatherless & being turned away by his mother, he struggles to believe in God.
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
Lady Juliette Thorndike returns from university with her friend Agatha Montgomery just in time for craziness to start happening everywhere they go! Missing artifacts, robberies, and murder just to name a few. Bow Street detective, Daniel Swann, is on the case though, but nothing seems to be adding up. He and Ed, a fellow Bow Street gent, try to unravel the mystery of missing items, thefts, and murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed Juliette. She was clear headed and very inquisitive. Agatha is like every other debutante though and is focused solely on the Season. While Juliette wants to spend the Season getting back into her London life, Agatha has a Duke in her sights. Daniel is struggling with what he's going to do with his future. His mysterious benefactor is cutting off his finances and his job is in peril. Honestly, he's had it rough and is one very discouraged fellow. He's the lead investigator, and he just wants to leave his job on a high note by solving the case.
Now, in regards to the mysterious happenings, I'll tell you what, I knew who was the bad guy from the start... until I didn't! The further I got into the story I kept thinking I might NOW know who the bad guy was and realized I didn't. The author keeps the twists and turns coming until the very end! As pieces of the puzzle unfolded, I was more and more surprised! I loved it!
I thought Juliette's faith journey was a very interesting one. Throughout the story, she based her relationship with God on what her parents taught her, but with what she learns, she wonders how her faith now fits into what she learned growing up. And with Daniel, being fatherless & being turned away by his mother, he struggles to believe in God.
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
November 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this Regency mystery! It was fun, with lots of unexpected twists. It left me with just enough unanswered questions to make me excited to read the next book in the series. This is my first read from this author. I will definitely read more from her!
July 6, 2024
The Debutante’s Code was an enjoyable book and also the first book I read by Erica Vetsch. I thought it was fun reading a historical book about spies. I enjoyed the characters and I would like to read the rest of the series here in the near future.
Read
December 16, 2021Unknowingly trained in the art of spying, had the time come for Lady Juliette Thorndike to step into her predetermined role? Having completed finishing school, Juliette should now be preparing for her debut. Excited to see her parents again after several years, imagine Juliette's disappointment to find them gone and her uncle there in their stead. He is her Uncle Bertie and his reasons for their absence are very unclear to her.
Juliette begins to settle in, but strange things begin happening. There are a series of thefts that begin to occur and the detective handling things, Daniel Swann, has a lot of questions. One of them is why it seems more than coincidental that the thefts occur whenever Juliette or Bertie are present. Of course, they are innocent and what better way for them to prove that by looking for clues on their own. Not only will they maintain their innocence, but they will find answers that appear to be deluding Daniel.
It doesn't take Daniel very long to realize that Juliette just might be an excellent ally, despite the danger that begins to escalate for everyone involved. Meanwhile, Juliette still pines for her parents and pieces of a puzzle slowly begin to come together, possibly connecting their absence with current events.
One exciting thing about this delightful book is the way Juliette started looking for answers and that had to do with the way her father communicated with her in letters while she was away at school. Bertie led her to a set of clues that were similar wo what she read in those letters. I loved how the pair of them solved clue after clue - and avoided Daniel Swann when necessary - to solve the thefts.
Mystery, intrigue and a slow-brewing romance all came together in another wonderful book by Erica Vetsch. I loved the pacing of this book and really enjoyed how everything came together in the end. I smiled from ear to ear as this happened, leaving me more than eager for the next book in a series that I cannot wait to continue.
Many thanks to Kregel Publications and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Juliette begins to settle in, but strange things begin happening. There are a series of thefts that begin to occur and the detective handling things, Daniel Swann, has a lot of questions. One of them is why it seems more than coincidental that the thefts occur whenever Juliette or Bertie are present. Of course, they are innocent and what better way for them to prove that by looking for clues on their own. Not only will they maintain their innocence, but they will find answers that appear to be deluding Daniel.
It doesn't take Daniel very long to realize that Juliette just might be an excellent ally, despite the danger that begins to escalate for everyone involved. Meanwhile, Juliette still pines for her parents and pieces of a puzzle slowly begin to come together, possibly connecting their absence with current events.
One exciting thing about this delightful book is the way Juliette started looking for answers and that had to do with the way her father communicated with her in letters while she was away at school. Bertie led her to a set of clues that were similar wo what she read in those letters. I loved how the pair of them solved clue after clue - and avoided Daniel Swann when necessary - to solve the thefts.
Mystery, intrigue and a slow-brewing romance all came together in another wonderful book by Erica Vetsch. I loved the pacing of this book and really enjoyed how everything came together in the end. I smiled from ear to ear as this happened, leaving me more than eager for the next book in a series that I cannot wait to continue.
Many thanks to Kregel Publications and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
December 27, 2021
Regency spiced up with mystery, secret codes, family secrets, and a swoon worthy Bow Street runner named Daniel Thorndike. Doesn’t that name just have your imagination working to picture that dashing hero. It would be scary to be thrown into the world of spies that Lady Juliette finds herself immersed in. I admire her strength and faith that carries her through. The twists and turns of this story is like trying to get out of an escape room. I laughed out loud at a few situations and was trying to figure out how the pieces fit at the next situation. The build up was spot on and had me wanting more by the end. What a bang up job to start this new series. Anxious to read the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
November 22, 2021
I totally loved Erica’s last series so I was very excited to read this one…she did not let me down and I loved that there was appearance of a character from the previous series.
I will say it was bit strange that our two main characters really didn’t have much interaction until after the half way point. But that didn’t take away from the story, it was just different then other books when the two characters have a lot of interaction early on.
I also found it interesting that we find out who stole the painting and I wondered how Erica would hold my attention, but that she did.
If you like historical books with mystery and romance I am sure you will enjoy this one. I can’t wait to read the next one.
A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.
I will say it was bit strange that our two main characters really didn’t have much interaction until after the half way point. But that didn’t take away from the story, it was just different then other books when the two characters have a lot of interaction early on.
I also found it interesting that we find out who stole the painting and I wondered how Erica would hold my attention, but that she did.
If you like historical books with mystery and romance I am sure you will enjoy this one. I can’t wait to read the next one.
A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.
March 15, 2022
What a fun book! I didn’t read the blurb before listening to it as it was highly recommended by a friend and so I had some surprises in store for me that are revealed in the blurb. The narrator did a great job. I particularly liked her Agatha voice. I’m happy to see this labeled as book 1 so I can look forward to more of Lady Juliette. Cozy mystery with a family element. Light on the romance (which I didn’t mind one bit).
October 23, 2024
I read this book for book club, and the book was really interesting! I enjoyed the story and the mystery! I was looking forward to this book by Erica Vetsch, since I’ve heard such good things about her writing! It was a good read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
I did fluctuate between 3.5 stars and 4 but decided to do 3.5. The book felt pretty slow to me and all the action happened in the last quarter of the book. But I really loved the ending, just wished it was a little more fleshed out. I also felt like there could have been more ingrigue in this book. There was a lot of introspection, which I enjoy in most books, but felt out of place in a mystery story.
I enjoyed Juliette’s strength of character and will. It was shown in many parts even before she discovered her parents’ espionage. She was a great FMC. Daniel’s patience and hard work were great to read as well! I’ll be interested to see how their relationship continues in the series.
However, I really enjoyed the characters and I am going to finish the series cause I want to know what happens to Juliette and Daniel!
Content Guide:
Language: None
Spice: None
TW: Theft, murder, espionage, robbery, kidnapping/hostage
I did fluctuate between 3.5 stars and 4 but decided to do 3.5. The book felt pretty slow to me and all the action happened in the last quarter of the book. But I really loved the ending, just wished it was a little more fleshed out. I also felt like there could have been more ingrigue in this book. There was a lot of introspection, which I enjoy in most books, but felt out of place in a mystery story.
I enjoyed Juliette’s strength of character and will. It was shown in many parts even before she discovered her parents’ espionage. She was a great FMC. Daniel’s patience and hard work were great to read as well! I’ll be interested to see how their relationship continues in the series.
However, I really enjoyed the characters and I am going to finish the series cause I want to know what happens to Juliette and Daniel!
Content Guide:
Language: None
Spice: None
TW: Theft, murder, espionage, robbery, kidnapping/hostage
November 18, 2021
This novel was not only entertaining but informative. I always appreciate learning something when I read historical fiction and this novel provided insights into spies during the Regency era. There's stolen art involved and the Author's Note gives great information on the art and artifacts mentioned.
Vetsch has crafted a good heroine too. I like Lady Juliette. I could really identify with her wanting to be where the action was happening. I liked that she was good at code breaking thanks to her father's coded letters to her. And I like Daniel, a Bow Street investigator. He gives readers a good sense of how crimes were investigated at the time. I can see future adventures involving Juliette and Daniel, perhaps even a possible romance despite their difference in social circles.
I liked the combination of mystery and espionage. Vetsch has done a great job setting this novel firmly in the society and culture of the day. There is another in the series already in progress and I will be watching for it.
I received a complimentary egalley through I Read With Audra. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Vetsch has crafted a good heroine too. I like Lady Juliette. I could really identify with her wanting to be where the action was happening. I liked that she was good at code breaking thanks to her father's coded letters to her. And I like Daniel, a Bow Street investigator. He gives readers a good sense of how crimes were investigated at the time. I can see future adventures involving Juliette and Daniel, perhaps even a possible romance despite their difference in social circles.
I liked the combination of mystery and espionage. Vetsch has done a great job setting this novel firmly in the society and culture of the day. There is another in the series already in progress and I will be watching for it.
I received a complimentary egalley through I Read With Audra. My comments are an independent and honest review.
November 14, 2025
4.4 ⭐️! Erica Vetch has done it again. A clean Regency Mystery with espionage, art, murder, a touch of faith content, and hint of romance. I’m already looking forward to book 2!
Some of the internal monologue got a little repetitive, but this felt well-written for the time period and I kept wondering how they would tackle the next challenge. This is something I felt comfortable listening to around my kids & would be a fun read for an older teenage daughter in the future.
Content: occasional mild violence, one murder & autopsy scene (but not very descriptive), reference to an illegitimate child, no kisses, no language
Some of the internal monologue got a little repetitive, but this felt well-written for the time period and I kept wondering how they would tackle the next challenge. This is something I felt comfortable listening to around my kids & would be a fun read for an older teenage daughter in the future.
Content: occasional mild violence, one murder & autopsy scene (but not very descriptive), reference to an illegitimate child, no kisses, no language
Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews