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The Lady Jack Mysteries #1
Something in the Heir
London 1887 ~ When dubiously acquired American fortunes are exchanged for respectable British titles. Everybody’s doing it!
Raised by a man with no heart, heiress Kate Dellamort swore she’d never marry ~ until she lost her head to Jack Penrowan, a British lord low on funds but full of fun. Now the honeymoon’s over and Jack’s always away at his club, and though Kate’s new relatives are thrilled with her fortune, they find her American self appalling. Then people start dying ~ and an otherwise seemingly intelligent detective from Scotland Yard seems to think Kate’s to blame!
The Gilded Age has a dark side.
When a body turns up on the Penrowan estate, Inspector Gabriel Hart would like nothing better than to arrest Lord Jack. The last time the man killed someone, he got away with it. There’s only one small problem—it seems the murder was ordered by an American-based terrorist organization bent on disrupting the Queen’s Golden Jubilee—a group known to have ties to the father of Jack’s dollar-princess bride.
Raised by a man with no heart, heiress Kate Dellamort swore she’d never marry ~ until she lost her head to Jack Penrowan, a British lord low on funds but full of fun. Now the honeymoon’s over and Jack’s always away at his club, and though Kate’s new relatives are thrilled with her fortune, they find her American self appalling. Then people start dying ~ and an otherwise seemingly intelligent detective from Scotland Yard seems to think Kate’s to blame!
The Gilded Age has a dark side.
When a body turns up on the Penrowan estate, Inspector Gabriel Hart would like nothing better than to arrest Lord Jack. The last time the man killed someone, he got away with it. There’s only one small problem—it seems the murder was ordered by an American-based terrorist organization bent on disrupting the Queen’s Golden Jubilee—a group known to have ties to the father of Jack’s dollar-princess bride.
372 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 9, 2022
Brilliant
If you love historical mysteries like C.S. Harris, Anne Lee Huber, and Deanna Raybourn, then you must read this book. Jane Hedwig’s debut novel is utterly spellbinding. The plot is rich and the characters are richly penned.
If you love historical mysteries like C.S. Harris, Anne Lee Huber, and Deanna Raybourn, then you must read this book. Jane Hedwig’s debut novel is utterly spellbinding. The plot is rich and the characters are richly penned.
March 26, 2023
The writing was fairly good. The plot was not a plot. The book started out trying to find out who Mr Box was. That went quickly by the wayside. The emergence of Maddie as the mass murderer of the men that stood between her and running the Penrowan household is rediculous. Her involvement in the Penrown estates is tenuous at best based on the assumption that after killing all the men in line to inherit the estate her brother would inherit the estate, never marry and would choose her to run the domestic side of the estate. Really after all these years living in the bosom of the Penrown family why didn't she start her murdering much sooner, making the killings spaced out over years so she could take advantage of perfect opportunities as they occurred instead of rushing the killings over weeks where being caught would be exponentially higher and much more difficult to explain. The characters were not developed in depth, just bits and pieces here and there. And all of a sudden after years the unspoken about daughter is now wanted to know by the father whether she is alive or dead. And suddenly she pops up right under the nose of her brother. This could have been done better in a later book after mention of her in previous books to pave the way for the "great unvailing" .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2024
This book was a bit of an odd duck for me. I felt as if I was thrown into the middle of a story and not sure that I ever caught up.
An American heiress, pregnant by her low-on-funds aristocratic husband (who she alternately loves/hates), must navigate her snobbish in-laws (as well as the rest of the British upper crust) and avoid suspicion as murder victims begin to accumulate around her.
To be honest, I did not relate to any characters or even like them very much. And I felt there was a lack of depth both to them and the story itself. Just not as good as I had hoped for.
An American heiress, pregnant by her low-on-funds aristocratic husband (who she alternately loves/hates), must navigate her snobbish in-laws (as well as the rest of the British upper crust) and avoid suspicion as murder victims begin to accumulate around her.
To be honest, I did not relate to any characters or even like them very much. And I felt there was a lack of depth both to them and the story itself. Just not as good as I had hoped for.
April 30, 2025
Not what I expected
Which is good and not. I was expecting Lady Jack to be the main character and find a way to become the detective. If that's what you're expecting too, then it's not. However, it is a GOOD mystery with compelling characters and enough to keep you guessing on the Whodunit till just about the end. I was somewhat sure of the villain, but didn't know for sure until the detective put it together. Parts of it are wordy and in need of a talented editor, but overall I enjoyed it and will check out the next in the series.
Which is good and not. I was expecting Lady Jack to be the main character and find a way to become the detective. If that's what you're expecting too, then it's not. However, it is a GOOD mystery with compelling characters and enough to keep you guessing on the Whodunit till just about the end. I was somewhat sure of the villain, but didn't know for sure until the detective put it together. Parts of it are wordy and in need of a talented editor, but overall I enjoyed it and will check out the next in the series.
December 13, 2023
Awww man, I'm so confused as to how to rate this book. I don't know how many times I almost gave up but I really wanted to know how it ended. Basically the book is a large pit and fifty characters were thrown into it holding a card with the most basic information about themselves. As the story progresses they receive a little more information about themselves, not as character development but to move the plot along so the ending makes sense.
May 7, 2023
Heiress in trouble
Kate didn't know what she was getting into, but once she realized the truth about her marriage to the English lord, she took precautions. Still, she became a suspect in a murder. Luckily, the detective inspector was not as prejudiced against Americans as many English people are. Also, luckily, she had a maid and cousin in her corner. I will definitely read the next in the series.
Kate didn't know what she was getting into, but once she realized the truth about her marriage to the English lord, she took precautions. Still, she became a suspect in a murder. Luckily, the detective inspector was not as prejudiced against Americans as many English people are. Also, luckily, she had a maid and cousin in her corner. I will definitely read the next in the series.
August 22, 2023
Great read.
This book started a bit slow, building the background universe for the characters. I need characters that I can care about. I also need characters I love to hate. Not only was this a good mystery with twists and turns, but with characters I look forward to meeting again for their next adventures. Jane Hedwig built a strong world, one that I hope to visit again and again.
This book started a bit slow, building the background universe for the characters. I need characters that I can care about. I also need characters I love to hate. Not only was this a good mystery with twists and turns, but with characters I look forward to meeting again for their next adventures. Jane Hedwig built a strong world, one that I hope to visit again and again.
August 1, 2024
Heir something
This was a new series I thought had promise. An American lady and a English lord is a great setup. However, in my opinion, it never was a "Lady Jack" mystery, just a police procedural. I also felt the mish-mash of the families never added to the story. On the positive side, the characters were well defined and well developed. I am just not sure if another in the series is for me. A 3.6 out of 5 rating.
This was a new series I thought had promise. An American lady and a English lord is a great setup. However, in my opinion, it never was a "Lady Jack" mystery, just a police procedural. I also felt the mish-mash of the families never added to the story. On the positive side, the characters were well defined and well developed. I am just not sure if another in the series is for me. A 3.6 out of 5 rating.
February 27, 2025
my first time reading her. I was delighted!
Oh how I loved this book. Drawn in from page one and couldn’t put it down. The character development was amazing. I felt like I was living through it with them, feeling what they felt whether heroine or villain. My favorite part is that it’s clean with nothing gratuitous. Just good writing and a truly engaging story. Can wait to read another by Jane Hedwig.
Oh how I loved this book. Drawn in from page one and couldn’t put it down. The character development was amazing. I felt like I was living through it with them, feeling what they felt whether heroine or villain. My favorite part is that it’s clean with nothing gratuitous. Just good writing and a truly engaging story. Can wait to read another by Jane Hedwig.
April 2, 2025
What an interesting book!
From beginning to end I was completely devoted to Lady Jack, Detective Hart, Cousin Sylvie, Becky and so many more. A convoluted mystery that never felt contrived and a satisfying reveal. There were humorous asides, delightful insights, and tru!y touching and emotionally draining events. Hart's vulnerability and care for those considered socially beneath him allowed him to be ahead of his times. I am on to the second book. Huzzah!
From beginning to end I was completely devoted to Lady Jack, Detective Hart, Cousin Sylvie, Becky and so many more. A convoluted mystery that never felt contrived and a satisfying reveal. There were humorous asides, delightful insights, and tru!y touching and emotionally draining events. Hart's vulnerability and care for those considered socially beneath him allowed him to be ahead of his times. I am on to the second book. Huzzah!
July 17, 2025
This type of book is usually my cup of tea. Not this time. The characters were numerous and hard to keep track of. There were two ragamuffins. One of them had an unlikely, out of nowhere, history. The other was just tragic and then quickly forgotten. The mystery changed half way through the book. The second mystery was solved but didn't make much sense. The first mystery is probably being left for future books. It doesn't even bother me that I will never know the answer.
November 26, 2022
solid opening for a new series
My expectations weren’t terribly high, but I was pleasantly surprised by the complexities of the story and hints of future threads laid out in this debut. I will definitely be watching for book two to be released and see what happens next to Gabriel and Kate!
My expectations weren’t terribly high, but I was pleasantly surprised by the complexities of the story and hints of future threads laid out in this debut. I will definitely be watching for book two to be released and see what happens next to Gabriel and Kate!
December 29, 2022
Wonderful
It's wonderful to find an author who writes well, tells an engaging story and populates it with interesting characters. The mystery had me going too. Usually I know right away who the killer is, but this one kept me guessing. And I never did come close!! So, hats off to a well-spun tale.
It's wonderful to find an author who writes well, tells an engaging story and populates it with interesting characters. The mystery had me going too. Usually I know right away who the killer is, but this one kept me guessing. And I never did come close!! So, hats off to a well-spun tale.
March 5, 2023
Good story
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward go the sequel, but I must confess having a hard time keeping up with the characters. There were many and some were called by different names at different times, which further confused me! i guess that is a British tradition. By the end of the book, I was acquainted with most of them so it worked out.
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward go the sequel, but I must confess having a hard time keeping up with the characters. There were many and some were called by different names at different times, which further confused me! i guess that is a British tradition. By the end of the book, I was acquainted with most of them so it worked out.
May 26, 2023
Interesting mystery
I enjoyed reading this book. I should have guessed the culprit but didn’t.
My only difficulty was keeping track of who was who. Sometimes a character would be called “Lady” something or other then later identified by her Christian name. I had trouble keeping them all straight. This is not a weakness in the book but my problem with British honorifics.
I enjoyed reading this book. I should have guessed the culprit but didn’t.
My only difficulty was keeping track of who was who. Sometimes a character would be called “Lady” something or other then later identified by her Christian name. I had trouble keeping them all straight. This is not a weakness in the book but my problem with British honorifics.
June 21, 2023
Wow! A worthy read
Some stories are worth the read. This is one of them. Great characters, complete story line with me not able to guess the murderer, AND writing style that gives the joy of reading the story as it unfolds. I feel that this book should have a medal or an award. ...maybe it already does. Enjoy!!
Some stories are worth the read. This is one of them. Great characters, complete story line with me not able to guess the murderer, AND writing style that gives the joy of reading the story as it unfolds. I feel that this book should have a medal or an award. ...maybe it already does. Enjoy!!
December 9, 2023
Really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to the next. It was a little slow at first to get all the characters straight but once I managed that it was smoth sailing. Not the usual love and romance story.. all the characters have some flaws and problems but still most are likeable. It would make a good PBS TV Mystery show.
January 16, 2023
Good Read
It was definitely mysterious! She kept you guessing. Great characters! The charming and dreadful. I will recommend this author, Jane Hedwig to my friends and family. Read and enjoy!
It was definitely mysterious! She kept you guessing. Great characters! The charming and dreadful. I will recommend this author, Jane Hedwig to my friends and family. Read and enjoy!
March 14, 2023
Excellent read!
I had trouble putting this book down so I could get to sleep at night! Delightful characters and a well-crafted plot kept me reading Ling past bedtime. Highly recommend!
I had trouble putting this book down so I could get to sleep at night! Delightful characters and a well-crafted plot kept me reading Ling past bedtime. Highly recommend!
January 7, 2024
A crime in1880s England
A mix of Downton Abbey, English and Ireland politics, and American millionaire bride and a strong of murders.
A entertaining read, who keeps you guessing who's guilty
A mix of Downton Abbey, English and Ireland politics, and American millionaire bride and a strong of murders.
A entertaining read, who keeps you guessing who's guilty
February 24, 2024
Kate is an American heiress with her decision that she would stay single. She meets Jack who is a Lord and about to sweep her off her feet. They marry and before she knows it she is in England. His brother is the heir but the family needs money. They are not too happy about her being an American but enjoy the money. His brother is always trying to get the maids or Kate in a compromising position but Kate puts him in his place. When he is killed everyone wants to blame Kate. Then there are other murders. The story keeps you wondering who did it until the very end.
August 26, 2024
What wonderful storytelling. I loved it. It gripped you from the start and was fun at every turn. The twists and turns ran throughout the novel and it was such a beautiful sweet ending. Definitely worth reading and I can’t recommend it enough.
September 6, 2024
Who Done It
First time I’ve read a book by this author, but her mystery was written to keep your attention and focus on who was the culprit. The characters were perfect and the darkness so real and broken hearts made you cry.
First time I’ve read a book by this author, but her mystery was written to keep your attention and focus on who was the culprit. The characters were perfect and the darkness so real and broken hearts made you cry.
December 28, 2024
This was so entertaining and the twist at the end was not one I saw coming! Some of the loose threads tied up a little too neatly but for a cozy mystery it was perfect and I will definitely read the rest in the series!
April 8, 2025
I don't normally read murder mysteries but I will say I enjoyed this book but I also found it hard to keep track of all the different characters in the story. I did figure out one of the aspects of the story long before it is mentioned in the book but none of the murders.
January 15, 2023
An excellent start to this new series. Lady Jack is a fantastic heroine. Loved the different layers in the story. I loved all the side characters as well. I am excited for the next book, Rogue Rage.
April 24, 2023
Well done
A full 5 star read. Great plot and loved all the supporting cast. Now to grab the next in the series.
A full 5 star read. Great plot and loved all the supporting cast. Now to grab the next in the series.
October 28, 2023
Well written story and characters
It's a great story lots of twists amd turns, don't be surprised if you , missed sleep because you strayed up top late reading
It's a great story lots of twists amd turns, don't be surprised if you , missed sleep because you strayed up top late reading
August 6, 2024
I liked it but this writer needs transitions between scenes. I like abrupt turns in a story as much as anyone but it was almost like reading many scenes cobbled together
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews