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Wrexford & Sloane #7
Murder at the Merton Library
Responding to an urgent plea from a troubled family friend, the Earl of Wrexford journeys to Oxford only to find the reclusive university librarian has been murdered and a rare manuscript has gone missing. The only clue is that someone overheard an argument in which Wrexford’s name was mentioned.
At the same time, Charlotte—working under her pen name, A. J. Quill—must determine whether a laboratory fire was arson and if it’s connected to the race between competing consortiums to build a new type of ship—one that can cross the ocean powered by steam rather than sails—with the potential to revolutionize military power and world commerce. That the race involves new innovations in finance and entrepreneurship only adds to the high stakes—especially as their good friend Kit Sheffield may be an investor in one of the competitors.
As they delve deeper into the baffling clues, Wrexford and Charlotte begin to realize that things are not what they seem. An evil conspiracy is lurking in the shadows and threatens all they hold dear—unless they can tie the loose threads together before it’s too late . . .
At the same time, Charlotte—working under her pen name, A. J. Quill—must determine whether a laboratory fire was arson and if it’s connected to the race between competing consortiums to build a new type of ship—one that can cross the ocean powered by steam rather than sails—with the potential to revolutionize military power and world commerce. That the race involves new innovations in finance and entrepreneurship only adds to the high stakes—especially as their good friend Kit Sheffield may be an investor in one of the competitors.
As they delve deeper into the baffling clues, Wrexford and Charlotte begin to realize that things are not what they seem. An evil conspiracy is lurking in the shadows and threatens all they hold dear—unless they can tie the loose threads together before it’s too late . . .
361 pages, Hardcover
First published September 26, 2023
929 people are currently reading
17459 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Penrose
21 books1,975 followersAndrea Penrose is the USA Today bestselling author of Regency-era historical fiction, including the acclaimed Wrexford & Sloane mystery series, as well as Regency romances written under the names Cara Elliott and Andrea Pickens. Published internationally in ten languages, she is a three-time RITA Award finalist and the recipient of numerous writing awards, including two Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Historical Mystery and two Gold Leaf Awards.
A graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Art and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design, Andrea fell in love with Regency England after reading Pride and Prejudice and has maintained a fascination with the era’s swirling silks and radical new ideas throughout her writing career. She lives in Connecticut and blogs with a community of historical fiction authors at WordWenches.com. She also can be found at AndreaPenrose.com and on Instagram @AndreaPenroseBooks.
A graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Art and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design, Andrea fell in love with Regency England after reading Pride and Prejudice and has maintained a fascination with the era’s swirling silks and radical new ideas throughout her writing career. She lives in Connecticut and blogs with a community of historical fiction authors at WordWenches.com. She also can be found at AndreaPenrose.com and on Instagram @AndreaPenroseBooks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 552 reviews
September 27, 2023
Most of the reviews of the ARC at this point are from NetGalley users who didn’t read books 1-6. Well, I’ve read the previous books (most of them twice) and I’m disappointed by this installment.
The writing has become overwrought and over-the-top dramatic. The first 250 pages are a slog of info dumping. Things pick up slightly in the last 100 pages. Even with four pages to go, though, I was exasperated with the writing. How many times is the word “miscreant” used for the villain? Over and over and over. Even the children who are reformed street urchins are using the ridiculous dialogue. It’s not flowery - flowery is pretty. It’s tedious.
There are a couple cute moments with the kids, but almost nothing between Wrex and Charlotte.
I preordered this, but got an ARC. I’m not sure I’ll preorder the next. The magic of the early books isn’t here.
The writing has become overwrought and over-the-top dramatic. The first 250 pages are a slog of info dumping. Things pick up slightly in the last 100 pages. Even with four pages to go, though, I was exasperated with the writing. How many times is the word “miscreant” used for the villain? Over and over and over. Even the children who are reformed street urchins are using the ridiculous dialogue. It’s not flowery - flowery is pretty. It’s tedious.
There are a couple cute moments with the kids, but almost nothing between Wrex and Charlotte.
I preordered this, but got an ARC. I’m not sure I’ll preorder the next. The magic of the early books isn’t here.
August 1, 2023
3.5 stars
I mentioned several books ago that with this series, I no longer pay attention to the mystery. It all feel repetitive after a while. Plus it involves a LOT of talks about mechanical invention of the yesteryear (that I don't really care about) or conspiracy/secrecy of government (another thing I don't care about). So the series become ALL about the characters for me.
Unfortunately, after the high of the previous book, with an addition to Wrexford & Sloane's colorful family, this one felt rather stagnant. Not much happening in terms of character development. Charlotte still worried a lot about her family, especially now that Peregrine was going back to Eton. The Weasels would always be able to insert themselves in the family investigation. Kit and Cordelia still somehow fighting about money (really, Kit, STOP being idiot!). And well, people were still dying
The few things I did enjoy here was a more insights about Wrexford's relationship with his deceased brother. There was a WONDERFUL moment here between Wrexford and Raven that just made my heart felt tight. Also we found out slightly more about Mac's past.
But the rest, wasn't as good as the previous books. I hope the next one would be a bit better. I wonder if it would take in Kit and Cordelia's wedding... because THAT would be another havoc in their life *laugh*
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
I mentioned several books ago that with this series, I no longer pay attention to the mystery. It all feel repetitive after a while. Plus it involves a LOT of talks about mechanical invention of the yesteryear (that I don't really care about) or conspiracy/secrecy of government (another thing I don't care about). So the series become ALL about the characters for me.
Unfortunately, after the high of the previous book, with an addition to Wrexford & Sloane's colorful family, this one felt rather stagnant. Not much happening in terms of character development. Charlotte still worried a lot about her family, especially now that Peregrine was going back to Eton. The Weasels would always be able to insert themselves in the family investigation. Kit and Cordelia still somehow fighting about money (really, Kit, STOP being idiot!). And well, people were still dying
The few things I did enjoy here was a more insights about Wrexford's relationship with his deceased brother. There was a WONDERFUL moment here between Wrexford and Raven that just made my heart felt tight. Also we found out slightly more about Mac's past.
But the rest, wasn't as good as the previous books. I hope the next one would be a bit better. I wonder if it would take in Kit and Cordelia's wedding... because THAT would be another havoc in their life *laugh*
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
February 20, 2024
Good. Gooder. Goodest. After seven entries in this series has Ms. Penrose lost a step? Nah. Murder at the Merton Library just as great as the others. For some, this novel may lean a little too much into the technical side of Charlotte and Wrexford’s investigation as they pursue leads on multiple fronts in a supposed scientific breakthrough that could reshape the progress of mankind, but Ms. Penrose handles it all with her usual aplomb, and turns into a rousing good adventure, complete with the usual witty repartee we have come to love with this series. We’ve come a long way from the first book. Charlotte and Wrex are married now, with a growing number of family members, friends, and colleagues, each of them uniquely distinct and enjoyable. Fortunately, the author never lets the growing cast become too much and overwhelm the story. In fact, it only increases the tension as multiple POVs slowly help draw out the plot. Europe is at peace at last after the long Napoleonic wars that ripped it apart, and in that vacuum, new evils arise and new players on the scientific and political stage. So get a ticket and sit back and watch the show… or rather, read it. What a great period movie series this would make!
September 10, 2023
Weasels add another avian moniker to their crew.
Wrexham, Charlotte and the weasels find themselves confronted with the truth behind a British reconnaissance mission in Portugal where Wrex’s beloved brother Thomas was killed in action. The English had been betrayed. Somehow a traitor, probably highly placed, had passed information to the French.
Called to a meeting at Oxford library at Merton Hall by his brother’s friend, Wrexham arrives to find that Neville Greeley has been murdered, and as he later discovers, most mysteriously a renaissance paper in Latin has been stole.
Coincidentally, Peregrine has been invited by a friend of his uncle’s workshop. Mr. Tilden is an inventor.
Worth mentioning is that currently, beginning to catch investors’ attention is the race, in scientific, political and international circles, to invent a steam powered engine able to sail the oceans.
Wrexham and the ‘family’ become caught up in nefarious plots to steal plans of several naval prototypes, and the destruction of important workshops designing and experimenting with parts.
The weasels have another young person join their bird named group. This time a young midshipman, great nephew to the Dowager Duchess Alison, Countess of Peake. Of course they aptly name him Osprey. Let’s just say that the beginning of their relationship was not auspicious.
Characters from Charlotte’s maid Mac’s (McClellan) past appear who seem closely aligned with a consortium of investors for the production of steam power for the high seas.
A.J. Quill is kept busy as are all the group as they finagle their way through a morass of intrigue, betrayal and danger.
Another superb episode in the lives of my favorite miscreants.
I love the way Penrose combines the excitement of this era, the innovations and political events into a solid tale.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Wrexham, Charlotte and the weasels find themselves confronted with the truth behind a British reconnaissance mission in Portugal where Wrex’s beloved brother Thomas was killed in action. The English had been betrayed. Somehow a traitor, probably highly placed, had passed information to the French.
Called to a meeting at Oxford library at Merton Hall by his brother’s friend, Wrexham arrives to find that Neville Greeley has been murdered, and as he later discovers, most mysteriously a renaissance paper in Latin has been stole.
Coincidentally, Peregrine has been invited by a friend of his uncle’s workshop. Mr. Tilden is an inventor.
Worth mentioning is that currently, beginning to catch investors’ attention is the race, in scientific, political and international circles, to invent a steam powered engine able to sail the oceans.
Wrexham and the ‘family’ become caught up in nefarious plots to steal plans of several naval prototypes, and the destruction of important workshops designing and experimenting with parts.
The weasels have another young person join their bird named group. This time a young midshipman, great nephew to the Dowager Duchess Alison, Countess of Peake. Of course they aptly name him Osprey. Let’s just say that the beginning of their relationship was not auspicious.
Characters from Charlotte’s maid Mac’s (McClellan) past appear who seem closely aligned with a consortium of investors for the production of steam power for the high seas.
A.J. Quill is kept busy as are all the group as they finagle their way through a morass of intrigue, betrayal and danger.
Another superb episode in the lives of my favorite miscreants.
I love the way Penrose combines the excitement of this era, the innovations and political events into a solid tale.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
September 21, 2023
God this was so boring. I read about 60% of the book and decided I couldn’t do that to myself anymore. The author is constantly cramming her technical knowledge down your throat. It’s just a constant info dump, war councils, and no progress or action. Everyone is so holier than thou that it’s exhausting. I am done with this series.
October 16, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because i love the characters.
This one is a real mixed bag.
The mystery was good and well thought out. The were lots of twists and turns, with very little firmed up until the exciting, action-packed final confrontation.
It was interesting to see Wrexford wrestling with some deep emotions. Charlotte was wrestling with her own personal worries--she still hasn't quite settled into the best way to be a society countess, a loving wife and 'mother' to the Weasels, and continue to be the fearless political cartoonist she knows she needs to be.
I enjoyed all the science-y bits (though I think the author was guilty of showing off the depths of her research by cramming in more information that the story needed.)
The author introduced a charming young midshipman, Horatio Porter, who plays an important part. And the foreign librarian was a nice addition to the list of characters. I thought the author did a good job of working most of the regular secondary characters into the story without forcing them to be there. Aunt Alison was epic, as always.
And that brings me to what I thought went wrong.
It was the actual prose. Good lord! Was the author replaced with some AI version of herself? The constant use of the words 'miscreant' and 'varlet' by all of our familiar characters was so distracting. Calling McClellan (Mac) 'the maid' so often was also confusing. Why not just say 'Mac'? Yes, technically she's acting as Charlotte's ladies maid, but she is so much more. To keep referring to her as 'the maid' seems somewhat demeaning. Plus, in the first half of the book, there are some stilted bits of dialogue issuing from the mouths of Raven and Hawk--very formal and not like what anyone would really say.
I hope this was just a one book aberration. I'll be on hand for the next book. I like these characters too much to give up on them over some sloppy word craft.
This one is a real mixed bag.
The mystery was good and well thought out. The were lots of twists and turns, with very little firmed up until the exciting, action-packed final confrontation.
It was interesting to see Wrexford wrestling with some deep emotions. Charlotte was wrestling with her own personal worries--she still hasn't quite settled into the best way to be a society countess, a loving wife and 'mother' to the Weasels, and continue to be the fearless political cartoonist she knows she needs to be.
I enjoyed all the science-y bits (though I think the author was guilty of showing off the depths of her research by cramming in more information that the story needed.)
The author introduced a charming young midshipman, Horatio Porter, who plays an important part. And the foreign librarian was a nice addition to the list of characters. I thought the author did a good job of working most of the regular secondary characters into the story without forcing them to be there. Aunt Alison was epic, as always.
And that brings me to what I thought went wrong.
It was the actual prose. Good lord! Was the author replaced with some AI version of herself? The constant use of the words 'miscreant' and 'varlet' by all of our familiar characters was so distracting. Calling McClellan (Mac) 'the maid' so often was also confusing. Why not just say 'Mac'? Yes, technically she's acting as Charlotte's ladies maid, but she is so much more. To keep referring to her as 'the maid' seems somewhat demeaning. Plus, in the first half of the book, there are some stilted bits of dialogue issuing from the mouths of Raven and Hawk--very formal and not like what anyone would really say.
I hope this was just a one book aberration. I'll be on hand for the next book. I like these characters too much to give up on them over some sloppy word craft.
October 15, 2023
2-1/2 / 5
Why the title of this book is “Murder at the Merton Library” is a mystery in itself since the murder at the Merton Library becomes secondary to the investigation into stolen plans for the latest in steam engine technology which frankly is discussed over much and didn’t interest me one bit. Scientific talk is expected as Wrex is a scientist but in this installment it takes over everything else.
Wrex is determined to solve the Merton Library murder mystery because the murdered man was a friend of his dead brother. For me this would have been an interesting plot by itself as it presents a very personal side of Wrex, something we have not had a lot of before.
I love the language which rings true for the era and the Weasels are always fun and I’m impressed that Charlotte has continued as A.J. Quill without being found out - other than that unless you are scientifically inclined much of this book will be porridge.
I have enjoyed this series up to this point, but this is the end for me.
Why the title of this book is “Murder at the Merton Library” is a mystery in itself since the murder at the Merton Library becomes secondary to the investigation into stolen plans for the latest in steam engine technology which frankly is discussed over much and didn’t interest me one bit. Scientific talk is expected as Wrex is a scientist but in this installment it takes over everything else.
Wrex is determined to solve the Merton Library murder mystery because the murdered man was a friend of his dead brother. For me this would have been an interesting plot by itself as it presents a very personal side of Wrex, something we have not had a lot of before.
I love the language which rings true for the era and the Weasels are always fun and I’m impressed that Charlotte has continued as A.J. Quill without being found out - other than that unless you are scientifically inclined much of this book will be porridge.
I have enjoyed this series up to this point, but this is the end for me.
September 25, 2023
Andrea Penrose has created magic with this series. She blends strong complex characters with engaging storylines. Each novel shares the complexities of their daily life, romance and family, all against the backdrop of historical London. She does so while delivering fresh murder-mysteries that keep me guessing. I highly recommend the series.
In Murder at the Merton Library, the Earl of Wrexford received an urgent missive from the Oxford librarian. When he arrived at the library, he discovered that someone had murdered the man and stolen a rare manuscript. Charlotte has her own investigation and is trying to determine if a laboratory fire was arson. She is curious to know if it’s related to the race to develop the first steam powered oceanic ship.
The tale that unfolds delivered a suspenseful murder-mystery. Why was Neville Greeley murdered and what was so important about the Latin manuscript? Who is responsible for the arsons? With Kit investing, Charlotte is determined to find answers. Wrexford & Sloane soon come together as pieces to the puzzle click. The historical tidbits on steam-powered ships proved fascinating.
With Peregrine off to Eton, the Weasels have a new friend. A young midshipman, and the great nephew of the Dowager Duchess Alison, Countess of Peake. Naturally, the boys give him a bird name. Osbrey. I enjoy these young folks and how Wrexford and Charlotte dote on them.
Penrose blends history, beloved characters, mystery and intrigue to create a story that transports the listener. James Cameron Stewart narrates the story and does a brilliant job with these characters and enhances the story. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
In Murder at the Merton Library, the Earl of Wrexford received an urgent missive from the Oxford librarian. When he arrived at the library, he discovered that someone had murdered the man and stolen a rare manuscript. Charlotte has her own investigation and is trying to determine if a laboratory fire was arson. She is curious to know if it’s related to the race to develop the first steam powered oceanic ship.
The tale that unfolds delivered a suspenseful murder-mystery. Why was Neville Greeley murdered and what was so important about the Latin manuscript? Who is responsible for the arsons? With Kit investing, Charlotte is determined to find answers. Wrexford & Sloane soon come together as pieces to the puzzle click. The historical tidbits on steam-powered ships proved fascinating.
With Peregrine off to Eton, the Weasels have a new friend. A young midshipman, and the great nephew of the Dowager Duchess Alison, Countess of Peake. Naturally, the boys give him a bird name. Osbrey. I enjoy these young folks and how Wrexford and Charlotte dote on them.
Penrose blends history, beloved characters, mystery and intrigue to create a story that transports the listener. James Cameron Stewart narrates the story and does a brilliant job with these characters and enhances the story. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
September 22, 2023
Navigating newlywed life and their expanded colorful family of choice, Wrexford and Charlotte have the challenge of how to prioritize principles, duty, and love when faced with not one, but two deadly mysteries. Murder at the Merton Library delivers another faceted jewel full of complex characters, layered plot, and well-drawn historical backdrops.
Murder at the Merton Library is the seventh in an addicting historical mystery series that reads best in order.
Wrexford faces the challenge of solving his beloved deceased brother’s best friend being murder and being compelled to solve it while facing the shadows of past pain from memories the case dredges up. Wrex is forced to lay aside a sense of guilt toward his younger brother’s death and the bitter pain of suspecting the late earl would have rather not have only been left with the older, broody son. And, while solving this mystery, he does what he can to help Sheffield navigate his floundering love life with Cordelia and help Charlotte figure out who is performing nefarious deeds of theft of plans and sabotage of rivals as private and government concerns seek to be the first to work out ocean going marine propulsion engines. Naturally, the stakes are high, but Charlotte, the boys, and their friends won’t be intimidate when duty to justice and right is called for.
I’ve appreciated before how the author can weave together a cunning mystery, a curious scientific element, and a compelling character-driven side full of surprise twists, action, and thoughtful moments. This was still the case in the latest installment. I loved seeing Wrexford and Charlotte tackling adopted parenthood though both felt inadequate to the task and doing so well because they were careful with the Weasels and Peregrine. Fun new face to add to the boys’ group.
In summary, it was stellar and another swiftly devoured entry in the series. I came to this series after seeing it highly touted and now I can’t help begging my fellow historical mystery fans to jump on this series.
I rec'd an eARC from NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy Sept 20th.
Buddy read with Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
Murder at the Merton Library is the seventh in an addicting historical mystery series that reads best in order.
Wrexford faces the challenge of solving his beloved deceased brother’s best friend being murder and being compelled to solve it while facing the shadows of past pain from memories the case dredges up. Wrex is forced to lay aside a sense of guilt toward his younger brother’s death and the bitter pain of suspecting the late earl would have rather not have only been left with the older, broody son. And, while solving this mystery, he does what he can to help Sheffield navigate his floundering love life with Cordelia and help Charlotte figure out who is performing nefarious deeds of theft of plans and sabotage of rivals as private and government concerns seek to be the first to work out ocean going marine propulsion engines. Naturally, the stakes are high, but Charlotte, the boys, and their friends won’t be intimidate when duty to justice and right is called for.
I’ve appreciated before how the author can weave together a cunning mystery, a curious scientific element, and a compelling character-driven side full of surprise twists, action, and thoughtful moments. This was still the case in the latest installment. I loved seeing Wrexford and Charlotte tackling adopted parenthood though both felt inadequate to the task and doing so well because they were careful with the Weasels and Peregrine. Fun new face to add to the boys’ group.
In summary, it was stellar and another swiftly devoured entry in the series. I came to this series after seeing it highly touted and now I can’t help begging my fellow historical mystery fans to jump on this series.
I rec'd an eARC from NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy Sept 20th.
Buddy read with Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
January 28, 2024
This was a quick, sort of light/easy read. Think Agatha Christie but more detail/character view points.
There were a lot of characters, different views, and different events all going on at the same time. It was hard to follow in some places when it got a bit in depth about the traitor, and also the boat propeller/design information, oh and the machines. So much detail and discussion about these.
I feel like those portions could have been cut down, although I do appreciate all the time and research that went into it to make it fit this time frame. It was personally a lot of fluff.
The book did keep be interested/guessing the whole way through.
I did not read the first 6 books in this series, and was able to read this as a stand alone.
Thank you for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
There were a lot of characters, different views, and different events all going on at the same time. It was hard to follow in some places when it got a bit in depth about the traitor, and also the boat propeller/design information, oh and the machines. So much detail and discussion about these.
I feel like those portions could have been cut down, although I do appreciate all the time and research that went into it to make it fit this time frame. It was personally a lot of fluff.
The book did keep be interested/guessing the whole way through.
I did not read the first 6 books in this series, and was able to read this as a stand alone.
Thank you for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2024
This is a favourite series and I enjoy each new book - including this one - very much.
Andrea Penrose has a wonderful way with characters. She creates people I can love, root for and enjoy catching up with through each new installment of her multiple series' that I enjoy reading. Wrexford and Sloane are a perfect example of that.
Lord and Lady Wrexford are not your typical aristocrats, which is an understatement. They both have unique skills, which they use - along with their rag-tag group of family and friends - to solve the mysteries and murders that regularly land on their doorstep.
These books also always provide a fun history lesson on some aspect of Britain and other countries of the time. These are skillfully woven into the main plot and never feel like a college lecture but instead really do add to the story in a unique way.
I love this series and its characters and will keep reading it as long as Penrose continues to write new books.
Andrea Penrose has a wonderful way with characters. She creates people I can love, root for and enjoy catching up with through each new installment of her multiple series' that I enjoy reading. Wrexford and Sloane are a perfect example of that.
Lord and Lady Wrexford are not your typical aristocrats, which is an understatement. They both have unique skills, which they use - along with their rag-tag group of family and friends - to solve the mysteries and murders that regularly land on their doorstep.
These books also always provide a fun history lesson on some aspect of Britain and other countries of the time. These are skillfully woven into the main plot and never feel like a college lecture but instead really do add to the story in a unique way.
I love this series and its characters and will keep reading it as long as Penrose continues to write new books.
Read
April 4, 2023tl;dr
Another great installment in the Wrexford & Sloane series with a well-researched historical mystery and a very strong cast.
Thoughts
The historical and scientific research that goes into this series has always impressed me, and this book is probably one of the best in the whole lot. I absolutely love Andrea Penrose's ability to build up the thrill of scientific discovery. With most of our mystery-solving crew now well established, the focus of this book manages to be the mystery instead of the relationships. Not that we don't get a touch of drama between Kit and Cordelia, and unfolding a bit more of Wrex's history is a welcome piece of storytelling, but it is nice to see everyone working together so efficiently to unravel what turns out to be a very cool mystery. This also feels like it might be the last "casual" story of the series, with even more international intrigue happening, along with my new favorite character (I've always had a soft spot for librarians). The Weasels are, as always, a delight, with Peregrine finally hitting one of the plot points I've always wondered about (in terms of recognizing art style), and I'm happy to see that they haven't been relegated to background characters over the course of the series.
Fans of the series will find this another solid book. Newcomers are welcome to start here if it's what you've got, but I do heartily recommend reading at least the first volume just to set the stage.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Another great installment in the Wrexford & Sloane series with a well-researched historical mystery and a very strong cast.
Thoughts
The historical and scientific research that goes into this series has always impressed me, and this book is probably one of the best in the whole lot. I absolutely love Andrea Penrose's ability to build up the thrill of scientific discovery. With most of our mystery-solving crew now well established, the focus of this book manages to be the mystery instead of the relationships. Not that we don't get a touch of drama between Kit and Cordelia, and unfolding a bit more of Wrex's history is a welcome piece of storytelling, but it is nice to see everyone working together so efficiently to unravel what turns out to be a very cool mystery. This also feels like it might be the last "casual" story of the series, with even more international intrigue happening, along with my new favorite character (I've always had a soft spot for librarians). The Weasels are, as always, a delight, with Peregrine finally hitting one of the plot points I've always wondered about (in terms of recognizing art style), and I'm happy to see that they haven't been relegated to background characters over the course of the series.
Fans of the series will find this another solid book. Newcomers are welcome to start here if it's what you've got, but I do heartily recommend reading at least the first volume just to set the stage.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
October 4, 2023
I was really looking forward to this book, but then had to force myself to finish it. The dialogue was so, so tedious, stilted and repetitive, especially all the technological stuff. Where that was interesting in previous books of the series, in this one it seemed to drag on and on.
And the death scene of one of the villains was completely unbelievable - would she really spend roughly a half page of words to rationally explain her actions while she was in her final death throes? It just didn't ring true to me.
Anyway, I don't think this was one of Penrose's better efforts. Hope she redeems herself if there's a next one in the series.
And the death scene of one of the villains was completely unbelievable - would she really spend roughly a half page of words to rationally explain her actions while she was in her final death throes? It just didn't ring true to me.
Anyway, I don't think this was one of Penrose's better efforts. Hope she redeems herself if there's a next one in the series.
April 5, 2023
When the Earl of Wrexford is summoned to Oxford by an old family friend, he arrives just in time to discover that the reclusive librarian has been murdered. The only pieces Wrexford has to go on are a missing manuscript and the fact that Greeley was overheard saying Wrexford’s name in a heated conversation with his potential killer. Solving this crime is personal for Wrexford, as the dead man was best friends with Wrexford’s younger brother, killed in the Peninsular War. Emerging whispers of a British traitor connected with Greeley’s death — and perhaps that of Wrexford’s brother and other soldiers — fuels his determination to root out the truth.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is drawn into a seemingly unrelated series of sabotages on laboratories and a naval facility, both locations at the heart of the race to design the first ocean-traveling steamship, a race spanning countries and continents. It becomes apparent that these sabotage attempts and the murder at Merton Library are connected after all, and bound together by the missing manuscript.
Soon Wrexford, Charlotte, and their inner circle band together to figure everything out and catch the ‘villains’ and ‘miscreants’ holding the puppet strings in this tangled mess. It’s always good fun to join this cast of characters, and I enjoyed this entry in the series. At times the details surrounding the mechanics of propeller design and steam travel bogged down a bit for me, but not overly so.
Here’s the big puzzler that kept niggling in my mind and I’d love to ask the author for an understanding of it: Horatio being a midshipman in charge of a unit of thirty men. I understand that the aristocracy were officers without having to rise through the ranks, but did they really have that kind of responsibility at his age? The book refers to him being about Peregrine’s age, which is roughly 13 based on the previous book. Someone that young would command a unit of men? Was I the only reader confused?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is drawn into a seemingly unrelated series of sabotages on laboratories and a naval facility, both locations at the heart of the race to design the first ocean-traveling steamship, a race spanning countries and continents. It becomes apparent that these sabotage attempts and the murder at Merton Library are connected after all, and bound together by the missing manuscript.
Soon Wrexford, Charlotte, and their inner circle band together to figure everything out and catch the ‘villains’ and ‘miscreants’ holding the puppet strings in this tangled mess. It’s always good fun to join this cast of characters, and I enjoyed this entry in the series. At times the details surrounding the mechanics of propeller design and steam travel bogged down a bit for me, but not overly so.
Here’s the big puzzler that kept niggling in my mind and I’d love to ask the author for an understanding of it: Horatio being a midshipman in charge of a unit of thirty men. I understand that the aristocracy were officers without having to rise through the ranks, but did they really have that kind of responsibility at his age? The book refers to him being about Peregrine’s age, which is roughly 13 based on the previous book. Someone that young would command a unit of men? Was I the only reader confused?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 22, 2024
Well now I am free at last. I finished the last of the Wrexford and Sloane which have been released to the general public.
In this one we are looking at finding a way to use a steam engine for an ocean ship and yes of course a murder in the library.
Interesting and entertaining.
In this one we are looking at finding a way to use a steam engine for an ocean ship and yes of course a murder in the library.
Interesting and entertaining.
October 6, 2023
A solidly plotted historical mystery despite highly disappointing use (or lack of use) of setting.
This is my first read in this series and I found it to be well-plotted and paced. But I picked it up because of the Oxford setting and library setting, and both are a complete nonfactor in the story, which lessened my enjoyment of the book.
The characters are fine and I enjoyed some of the ancillary content about shipbuilding, but it bugs me to see a book advertising itself as rooted in an Oxford setting that could have been set pretty much anywhere during this era and come out exactly the same.
If you read historical mysteries primarily for plot rather than setting or atmosphere then this probably won’t bother you the way it did me, but if sense of place matters significantly to you as a reader, this one falls a bit short.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This is my first read in this series and I found it to be well-plotted and paced. But I picked it up because of the Oxford setting and library setting, and both are a complete nonfactor in the story, which lessened my enjoyment of the book.
The characters are fine and I enjoyed some of the ancillary content about shipbuilding, but it bugs me to see a book advertising itself as rooted in an Oxford setting that could have been set pretty much anywhere during this era and come out exactly the same.
If you read historical mysteries primarily for plot rather than setting or atmosphere then this probably won’t bother you the way it did me, but if sense of place matters significantly to you as a reader, this one falls a bit short.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
July 23, 2023
Very enjoyable, but perhaps not the strongest in the series. Perhaps it’s my lack of interest in ships and ocean travel, but I found it very difficult to get into the story. About halfway through, though, the pace picked up, and it was back to the Wrexford and Sloane mystery I adore.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Want to read
May 21, 2025I feel that this series has become a slog. It is repetitive, using the same words and phrases over and over and over. The character development has literally been drowned under the deluge of historical facts, some so minute (like how steam engines work at this period in time) that further add to the slog.
I want a historical story. Not a history lesson. Add that to the overuse of the certain words and phrases that have become "Wrexford & Sloan lore" at this point, and the heart of our story is totally submerged. In the last couple of books, I've used the word 'caricatures' in my review because that is what these characters have become, caricatures of themselves from the first few books of the series.
The "mystery" of the last few books is no longer the sole focus but runs concurrently with other historical drama that really doesn't serve and takes page time away from our characters actually INTERACTING beyond the basic redump of their backstories. It almost feels like character page time is being checked off the list "Raven, the mathematical genius, sneaks out to help even though he is asked to stay home" check. "Sheffield wanders in to declare what a dumb loser he is even though he solves the mystery" check. "Charlotte worries about Raven and Hawk fitting into their new social class" check. And so on.
Speaking of Charlotte and Wrexford, they might as well be business colleagues for the amount of chemistry they share now. And poor Charlotte, an actual main character with a mission in life getting pushed into a bit role. Her cartoons used to be a driving catalyst. They too have been pushed into the shadows with Charlotte while she dithers the back and forth of being rich and how its unfair to the masses as she is, rich.
I don't know if this series and I are breaking up but I've been trying to read this book since March 2025 and every time I listen for 15 mins and get so annoyed I move on to another book/author. So now I've "vented my spleen" we'll see if I come back after a break to maybe try the next book, but honestly, these issues seem to be even WORSE in the next installment.
I want a historical story. Not a history lesson. Add that to the overuse of the certain words and phrases that have become "Wrexford & Sloan lore" at this point, and the heart of our story is totally submerged. In the last couple of books, I've used the word 'caricatures' in my review because that is what these characters have become, caricatures of themselves from the first few books of the series.
The "mystery" of the last few books is no longer the sole focus but runs concurrently with other historical drama that really doesn't serve and takes page time away from our characters actually INTERACTING beyond the basic redump of their backstories. It almost feels like character page time is being checked off the list "Raven, the mathematical genius, sneaks out to help even though he is asked to stay home" check. "Sheffield wanders in to declare what a dumb loser he is even though he solves the mystery" check. "Charlotte worries about Raven and Hawk fitting into their new social class" check. And so on.
Speaking of Charlotte and Wrexford, they might as well be business colleagues for the amount of chemistry they share now. And poor Charlotte, an actual main character with a mission in life getting pushed into a bit role. Her cartoons used to be a driving catalyst. They too have been pushed into the shadows with Charlotte while she dithers the back and forth of being rich and how its unfair to the masses as she is, rich.
I don't know if this series and I are breaking up but I've been trying to read this book since March 2025 and every time I listen for 15 mins and get so annoyed I move on to another book/author. So now I've "vented my spleen" we'll see if I come back after a break to maybe try the next book, but honestly, these issues seem to be even WORSE in the next installment.
April 2, 2023
I love love this series!
Wrex and Charlotte, the Weasels, the newest weasel, Kit and Cordelia, the dowager, Mac, Baz, Tyler—I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, but they're the best as a found family.
The story starts out with two different mysteries to solve, one by Wrex and one by Charlotte, but the more they delve with the help of their friends and family, the more things get tangled up until they realize what's at stake. It's personal for Wrex, trying to bring justice to his brother and his brother's friend, but there also clues to a case of national treachery.
The historical side of the technology to develop ships capable of crossing oceans was fascinating, as were the parts related to the Oxford library. I also enjoyed seeing Wrexford's connection to the boys.
It's a standalone but you'll enjoy it more when you've read the previous books in the series. This is one series you don't want to miss.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
Wrex and Charlotte, the Weasels, the newest weasel, Kit and Cordelia, the dowager, Mac, Baz, Tyler—I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, but they're the best as a found family.
The story starts out with two different mysteries to solve, one by Wrex and one by Charlotte, but the more they delve with the help of their friends and family, the more things get tangled up until they realize what's at stake. It's personal for Wrex, trying to bring justice to his brother and his brother's friend, but there also clues to a case of national treachery.
The historical side of the technology to develop ships capable of crossing oceans was fascinating, as were the parts related to the Oxford library. I also enjoyed seeing Wrexford's connection to the boys.
It's a standalone but you'll enjoy it more when you've read the previous books in the series. This is one series you don't want to miss.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
September 2, 2023
I love how science and historical events are interwoven in Penrose’s mysteries. There’s always a balance between Wrexford’s science and logic and Charlotte’s intuition and feelings–and that’s part of the reason they work so well together. I still wish for more depth between them, especially since they’ve married, but we had some good backstory development about Wrex’s brother.
I hope these aren’t going to shift to a more cozy style. There was a lot of gathering everyone to rehash info and making sure there were biscuits and brandy on hand. As much as I like the ensemble cast, I prefer a faster pace and more grit. Well plotted if a little slow, it was a good edition to the series and I’m eager to see what happens next.
3.5 stars I received an ARC from netgalley.
I hope these aren’t going to shift to a more cozy style. There was a lot of gathering everyone to rehash info and making sure there were biscuits and brandy on hand. As much as I like the ensemble cast, I prefer a faster pace and more grit. Well plotted if a little slow, it was a good edition to the series and I’m eager to see what happens next.
3.5 stars I received an ARC from netgalley.
August 3, 2025
I really enjoy this mystery series and I think that the formula is very charming.
However, it is a formula. And now that I'm on book 7, the shine is coming off, a little. Would love a little bit of narrative variety in the next one!
However, it is a formula. And now that I'm on book 7, the shine is coming off, a little. Would love a little bit of narrative variety in the next one!
January 18, 2024
TLDR review: No competently edited book should use the word “skullduggery” FIFTEEN times. (And “miscreant” came in at sixteen.)
Longer review:
If I was new to this series I’d have walked away about 50 pages in. There’s probably nothing meaningful reviewing the 7th book in a series—other readers are either already invested or apt to start with Book 1 anyway—but this is such a negative departure from the early books I felt compelled to review it. If this is indicative of quality moving forwards, I’m sadly done with Wrexford & Sloane.
What. A. Slog. Please read the following in Bill Hader’s voice as Stefon on SNL:
This book has EVERYTHING:
• a veritable ton of info-dumping
• action that takes too long to develop and is anemic even once it does
• the overuse of words that no competent editor would allow more than two or three times in a book (skullduggery, miscreant, and ambrosial are the three that most annoyed me)
• Wrexford being described yet again as irascible—in a twist, he whispers it to himself rather than having a different character apply it to him
• an overly complicated plot that also relied way too heavily on large info dumps
• an unwieldy cast of core characters (that has, if I’m not mistaken, added yet another who is likely to feature in future books)
• Charlotte talking out loud to herself more frequently than she speaks to anyone else
• overblown purple prose and dialogue to the point it’s painful (my favorite example, a pronouncement rendered unironically by its speaker: “The bullet pierced his sin-black heart.”)
This read like a second draft with an utter dearth of line editing. I have to wonder if it was rushed—if the pressure from the publisher to get another installment out within a year-ish was too great to allow the draft to breathe before judicious editing. Whatever the case, this was pretty awful at a technical level. Had I not so much enjoyed the early books I would probably not feel so frustrated as a loyal reader by this one.
Longer review:
If I was new to this series I’d have walked away about 50 pages in. There’s probably nothing meaningful reviewing the 7th book in a series—other readers are either already invested or apt to start with Book 1 anyway—but this is such a negative departure from the early books I felt compelled to review it. If this is indicative of quality moving forwards, I’m sadly done with Wrexford & Sloane.
What. A. Slog. Please read the following in Bill Hader’s voice as Stefon on SNL:
This book has EVERYTHING:
• a veritable ton of info-dumping
• action that takes too long to develop and is anemic even once it does
• the overuse of words that no competent editor would allow more than two or three times in a book (skullduggery, miscreant, and ambrosial are the three that most annoyed me)
• Wrexford being described yet again as irascible—in a twist, he whispers it to himself rather than having a different character apply it to him
• an overly complicated plot that also relied way too heavily on large info dumps
• an unwieldy cast of core characters (that has, if I’m not mistaken, added yet another who is likely to feature in future books)
• Charlotte talking out loud to herself more frequently than she speaks to anyone else
• overblown purple prose and dialogue to the point it’s painful (my favorite example, a pronouncement rendered unironically by its speaker: “The bullet pierced his sin-black heart.”)
This read like a second draft with an utter dearth of line editing. I have to wonder if it was rushed—if the pressure from the publisher to get another installment out within a year-ish was too great to allow the draft to breathe before judicious editing. Whatever the case, this was pretty awful at a technical level. Had I not so much enjoyed the early books I would probably not feel so frustrated as a loyal reader by this one.
March 15, 2023
The Earl and Countess of Wrexford (Wrex and Charlotte) are pulled into two different conundrums in #MurderattheMertonLibrary, the seventh Wrexford and Sloane mystery by Andrea Penrose. Wrex is summoned to meet Neville Greeley, a librarian at Oxford’s Merton Library, and a former soldier who was in the same outfit as Wrex’ late brother, Thomas. Neville and Thomas were ambushed during the war with Napoleon—Thomas was killed while Neville survived with what we would recognize today as PTSD. Wrex arrives at the Merton Library only to discover that Neville was brutally murdered the night before.
In the meantime, Charlotte is preoccupied with a potential innovation that could mean significant changes to Britain’s economy and military might, and how her alter ego, satirical artist A. J. Quill, should bring the issue to the public’s attention.
Other friends and family members are dealing with their own challenges: Mac is struggling with a problem she refuses to discuss; there is tension between Kit Sheffield and his fiancée, Cordelia Mansfield, which could impact their engagement; and Peregrine (Lord Lampson) will soon reluctantly return to Eton after living as part of Charlotte’s and Wrex’ extended family.
Ably assisted by their inner circle—which in addition to Raven, Hawk, Peregrine, Kit and Cordelia, includes Tyler, McClellan, Lady Peake, Henning and Griffin—Charlotte and Wrex pursue their investigations, in social settings as well as rougher environments. Eventually, their efforts turn up clues indicating that the two investigations are related.
As usual, it all adds up to an interesting mystery with a charming cast of characters, who continue to exhibit intellectual as well as emotional growth.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for a free copy of the book.
In the meantime, Charlotte is preoccupied with a potential innovation that could mean significant changes to Britain’s economy and military might, and how her alter ego, satirical artist A. J. Quill, should bring the issue to the public’s attention.
Other friends and family members are dealing with their own challenges: Mac is struggling with a problem she refuses to discuss; there is tension between Kit Sheffield and his fiancée, Cordelia Mansfield, which could impact their engagement; and Peregrine (Lord Lampson) will soon reluctantly return to Eton after living as part of Charlotte’s and Wrex’ extended family.
Ably assisted by their inner circle—which in addition to Raven, Hawk, Peregrine, Kit and Cordelia, includes Tyler, McClellan, Lady Peake, Henning and Griffin—Charlotte and Wrex pursue their investigations, in social settings as well as rougher environments. Eventually, their efforts turn up clues indicating that the two investigations are related.
As usual, it all adds up to an interesting mystery with a charming cast of characters, who continue to exhibit intellectual as well as emotional growth.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for a free copy of the book.
August 8, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed this latest entry in the series, even if it was a little slower than than some of the other stories. We learn more about Wrex's backstory, particularly his relationship with his late brother. We also get to learn more about Mac's history here, as her past starts to intertwine with the mystery that Charlotte and Wrex are investigating. The scientific focus of this story is the race to develop early prototypes of the steam engine and the important role that it would play in the military, trade and government. I will admit I was less interested in this area than some others that have been featured in the series (even with all the sabotage and spying involved), but I always appreciate that I learn something new from each of these stories. One other minor critique: I was not a fan of the potential new addition to the Weasels' group, Osprey. I don't recall how old Raven is supposed to be at this point, but Osprey was both older yet less mature than him. Given the difference in their upbringing that's not surprising, but I still was not a fan.
Looking forward to reading what's next for Charlotte, Wrex and their crew!
Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!
Looking forward to reading what's next for Charlotte, Wrex and their crew!
Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!
August 23, 2023
Charlotte, her husband Wrex, and some friends are working together to solve a few mysteries: the murder of a late brother’s good friend, and an act of arson.
I realized 25% in that this is like the 7th book in the series so that was unfortunate. Regardless, I couldn’t finish at 41%. It was basically the same people just standing in different rooms repeating the same information, and not gaining any insight. Oh and discussion of science and other topics that are important to the author (but the author couldn’t be bothered to weave it into the story, it was just an information dump).
I realized 25% in that this is like the 7th book in the series so that was unfortunate. Regardless, I couldn’t finish at 41%. It was basically the same people just standing in different rooms repeating the same information, and not gaining any insight. Oh and discussion of science and other topics that are important to the author (but the author couldn’t be bothered to weave it into the story, it was just an information dump).
January 9, 2024
You could get pretty tipsy if you played a drinking game where you took a shot every time someone mentions "ginger biscuits" but at least Penrose manages to keep down the amount of purple prose, and only uses the word "ambrosial" once. The plot, which concerns the development of steam powered ocean going vessels is quite interesting.
October 3, 2023
not the best
It's almost as if ther were 2 authors writing this book
One who could move the well written plot ahead and one who's writing was all talk no show slowing the pace and enjoyment of the story
It's almost as if ther were 2 authors writing this book
One who could move the well written plot ahead and one who's writing was all talk no show slowing the pace and enjoyment of the story
December 15, 2023
Just could not bring myself to finish reading - horrible dialogue with everyone from the countess to the weasels sounding the same.
June 3, 2024
Ein großartiger historischer Abenteuerroman
Buchmeinung zu a Andrea Penrose – »Mord in der Merton Library«
»Mord in der Merton Library« ist ein historischer Kriminalroman von Andrea Penrose, der 2024 im dp Verlag in der Übersetzung von Tobias Eckerlein erschienen ist. Der Titel der englischen Originalausgabe lautet »Murder at the Merton Library« und ist 2024 erschienen. Dies ist der siebte Band aus der Serie Wrexford & Sloane.
Zum Autor:
Andrea Penrose ist Bestsellerautorin historischer Belletristik, darunter die gefeierte Krimiserie über Wrexford & Sloane. Außerdem hat sie unter den Namen Cara Elliott und Andrea Pickens mehrere Regency-Romane veröffentlicht. Ihre Romane wurden bisher in zehn Sprachen übersetzt. Andrea Penrose war dreimalige RITA-Award-Finalistin und erhielt zahlreiche Literaturpreise, darunter zwei Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Historical Mystery und zwei Gold Leaf Awards.
Zum Inhalt:
London 1814: Lord Wrexford wird um Hilfe gebeten, aber er kommt zu spät. Der Bibliothekar der Merton Library ist ermordet worden und ein altes Schriftstück ist verschwunden. Zeitgleich gibt es ein Feuer in einem Forschungslabor.
Meine Meinung:
Bei dieser Serie steht neben den Ermittlungen in einem oder mehreren Mordfällen auch immer eine Erfindung im Fokus der Autorin. Diesmal geht es um Dampfschiffe, die hochseetauglich gemacht werden sollen. Wem dies zuerst gelingt hat militärisch und wirtschaftlich einen großen Wurf gelandet. Lord Wrexford samt Gattin Charlotte Sloane sind mit ihrem Team gefordert und stürzen sich in die Ermittlungen. Natürlich sind auch die Geheimdienste aktiv und nebenbei soll der Mörder von Wrexfords Bruder gefunden werden. Die Handlung ist komplex und das gesamte Team muss seinen Beitrag leisten, seien es die adoptierten Straßenjungen, der junge Peregrine, die Hausdame, Wrexfords Diener und etliche ihrer Freunde. Die Figuren sind interessant mit Ecken und Kanten gezeichnet und bei einigen Figuren ist lange nicht klar, ob sie Freund oder Feind sind. Gesellschaftliche Entwicklungen spielen eine wichtige Rolle und natürlich mischt Lady Wrexford als geheimnisvoller Karikaturist A. J. Quill mit ihren Enthüllungen mit. Erst seit kurzem können Adlige in Firmen investieren und machen davon regen Gebrauch. Die Ermittler sind meist sympathisch und man fiebert mit ihnen mit. Sie sind aber keine Superhelden, machen Fehler, geraten in Gefahr und geben doch ihr Bestes. Es ist jederzeit spannend und manche überraschende Wendung sorgt für eine neue Lage. Der Schreibstil ist informativ, humorvoll und zuweilen gefühlvoll. Mit der Zeit ist diese Serie zu einer meiner Lieblingsserien geworden und dieser Titel bestätigt diese Einschätzung.
Fazit:
Ein wunderbarer historischer Abenteuerroman mit einem Hauch Wissenschaft, der mich schlicht begeistert hat, Deshalb bewerte ich den Titel mit fünf von fünf Sternen (100 von 100 Punkten) und spreche eine Leseempfehlung aus.
Buchmeinung zu a Andrea Penrose – »Mord in der Merton Library«
»Mord in der Merton Library« ist ein historischer Kriminalroman von Andrea Penrose, der 2024 im dp Verlag in der Übersetzung von Tobias Eckerlein erschienen ist. Der Titel der englischen Originalausgabe lautet »Murder at the Merton Library« und ist 2024 erschienen. Dies ist der siebte Band aus der Serie Wrexford & Sloane.
Zum Autor:
Andrea Penrose ist Bestsellerautorin historischer Belletristik, darunter die gefeierte Krimiserie über Wrexford & Sloane. Außerdem hat sie unter den Namen Cara Elliott und Andrea Pickens mehrere Regency-Romane veröffentlicht. Ihre Romane wurden bisher in zehn Sprachen übersetzt. Andrea Penrose war dreimalige RITA-Award-Finalistin und erhielt zahlreiche Literaturpreise, darunter zwei Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Historical Mystery und zwei Gold Leaf Awards.
Zum Inhalt:
London 1814: Lord Wrexford wird um Hilfe gebeten, aber er kommt zu spät. Der Bibliothekar der Merton Library ist ermordet worden und ein altes Schriftstück ist verschwunden. Zeitgleich gibt es ein Feuer in einem Forschungslabor.
Meine Meinung:
Bei dieser Serie steht neben den Ermittlungen in einem oder mehreren Mordfällen auch immer eine Erfindung im Fokus der Autorin. Diesmal geht es um Dampfschiffe, die hochseetauglich gemacht werden sollen. Wem dies zuerst gelingt hat militärisch und wirtschaftlich einen großen Wurf gelandet. Lord Wrexford samt Gattin Charlotte Sloane sind mit ihrem Team gefordert und stürzen sich in die Ermittlungen. Natürlich sind auch die Geheimdienste aktiv und nebenbei soll der Mörder von Wrexfords Bruder gefunden werden. Die Handlung ist komplex und das gesamte Team muss seinen Beitrag leisten, seien es die adoptierten Straßenjungen, der junge Peregrine, die Hausdame, Wrexfords Diener und etliche ihrer Freunde. Die Figuren sind interessant mit Ecken und Kanten gezeichnet und bei einigen Figuren ist lange nicht klar, ob sie Freund oder Feind sind. Gesellschaftliche Entwicklungen spielen eine wichtige Rolle und natürlich mischt Lady Wrexford als geheimnisvoller Karikaturist A. J. Quill mit ihren Enthüllungen mit. Erst seit kurzem können Adlige in Firmen investieren und machen davon regen Gebrauch. Die Ermittler sind meist sympathisch und man fiebert mit ihnen mit. Sie sind aber keine Superhelden, machen Fehler, geraten in Gefahr und geben doch ihr Bestes. Es ist jederzeit spannend und manche überraschende Wendung sorgt für eine neue Lage. Der Schreibstil ist informativ, humorvoll und zuweilen gefühlvoll. Mit der Zeit ist diese Serie zu einer meiner Lieblingsserien geworden und dieser Titel bestätigt diese Einschätzung.
Fazit:
Ein wunderbarer historischer Abenteuerroman mit einem Hauch Wissenschaft, der mich schlicht begeistert hat, Deshalb bewerte ich den Titel mit fünf von fünf Sternen (100 von 100 Punkten) und spreche eine Leseempfehlung aus.
March 9, 2024
As is usual in the Wrexford & Sloane series, the titular murder is only the beginning of the mystery. Also, as usual, the reader both is and is not a witness to said murder. We hear what is said, and done, but we get few, if any clues about who the perpetrator might be. At least, not until Wrex and his wife Charlotte discover that the deed was done – and that it hits a little too close to home.
No matter how much, or how sincerely, they promised each other that they wanted a bit of peace and quiet with no murder investigations at the end of the previous book in the series, Murder at the Serpentine Bridge.
(They promise each other the same at the end of this entry in the series. I’m getting the impression that THAT is going to be a recurring theme of the series – one of the VERY few things they promise each other and the rest of their family that is doomed to lay unfulfilled. On that other hand, if their lives were that peaceful, this marvelous series wouldn’t exist!)
The mystery in this particular entry in the series hits both close to home and reaches back into the past. It’s also a case of woulda, coulda, shoulda in more ways than one.
One of the regrets of Wrex’ life before he met Charlotte is related to the death of his younger brother, Thomas, during the recently concluded, or at least paused, Napoleonic Wars. (Napoleon is in exile on Elba in the process of becoming less “able” as that old palindrome had it, “Able was I ere I saw Elba.”
Wrex’ brother and his cohort died by treachery, as someone on the British side sold their location to the French for gold. But the identity of the traitor was never uncovered. Eight years later, the only survivor of Thomas’ unit finally figures out that identity – right before the man kills him in ice-cold blood.
Wrex owes it to his brother, owes it to his own past, that the traitor be unmasked and brought to justice. Meanwhile, his wife Charlotte, AKA the satirical cartoonist A.J. Quill, is mired in an investigation of her own in London, looking into the possibilities of corporate espionage that surround the race to solve an engineering problem that will, quite literally, change the world.
Several inventors say they are on the cusp of building a steam engine capable of powering a ship out of sight of land and out of the reach of fuel – across the vast oceans.
If Britain owns the solution, their naval power will be assured for centuries. If the newly-fledged United States figures it out first, the century will be theirs. If Russia manages to steal either the plans or the engineers who make them – or better yet both – they will become a superpower the likes of which they have not yet dreamed of.
The two cases, a murder in Oxford – at Merton Library, hence the title of the book – and theft, arson and fraud in London, shouldn’t REALLY have any relationship to each other. But there are few if any clues in either case, leading Wrex, Charlotte and their ever-growing found family to cast about for the tiniest of threads that might point them in the right direction.
Or any.
As those threads are gathered, they do point somewhere, but not anywhere that either Wrex or Charlotte imagined. Because those clues all point towards their two cases becoming one – even though neither of them believes that makes any sense at all.
But as another famous detective will have said, “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
Escape Rating A-: I discovered this series last summer – another time when I was hunting for a good mystery series – and it has been an absolute delight every single time I’ve picked the series back up. But I held onto this entry because I’ve learned that no matter how great a series is – and this absolutely is – it just isn’t a good idea to read the series books too closely together no matter how much I’m tempted.
But when I picked up the eARC for the next book, Murder at King’s Crossing, last week, I decided it was time to get caught up, so here we are. Also, I just can’t resist a murder set in a library – even if the story doesn’t stay in the library quite as long as I might have liked.
I said at the top that this was a ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’ kind of story. What I meant by that is that there are elements of both mysteries that were on the cusp of going a different way, or rather, in one case a character should have made a different choice, and in another, an invention would have happened IF real, historical circumstances had been just a bit different.
The macguffin that drives much of this story is almost real. Or rather, is in the process of becoming real but isn’t quite there yet. As this story takes place in 1814, steam power has been proven to work and is already revolutionizing transportation. Ocean-going vessels are the next big – really, really big – step. It’s a problem that is absolutely going to be solved and certainly was solved within the decade.
All of which means that the developments were oh-so-close and the stakes were oh-so-high, so it’s not surprising that the competition was equally as fierce, that corporate and government espionage was a very real factor, and that the possibilities for financial fraud were ridiculously high, giving that side of the mystery equation an air of plausibility, near-certainty, and hope triumphing over experience that felt very real.
At the same time, Wrex’ side of the mystery, the part that revolved around the death of his brother, was equally familiar but for different reasons. There have been other Regency-set mystery series where exactly this type of treason led to just this manner of death for someone close to the protagonist – with just the same desire for revenge and retribution motivating the investigator, whether amateur or professions, to bend more of the rules than is comfortable for either the character or the reader. (I know I’ve read at least one such book relatively recently, so if this plot sounds familiar to you and you recall what it was, please let me know!)
And on my third hand, one of the people caught up in this farrago clearly wasn’t onboard with all the deviltry involved, and could have had made much different choices, and we are confused by and feel for that character almost as much as Charlotte does.
Overall and absolutely positively, I had a grand time with this entry in the series, as it tells two mysteries very well, feels marvelously steeped in its time and place, AND allows for character growth on the part of most of the members of the family. It certainly had this reader on the edge of their seat as everything built to an explosive crisis.
So now I’m twice as eager as I was before to start Murder at King’s Crossing, and am glad that I only have a few months to wait!
Originally published at Reading Reality
No matter how much, or how sincerely, they promised each other that they wanted a bit of peace and quiet with no murder investigations at the end of the previous book in the series, Murder at the Serpentine Bridge.
(They promise each other the same at the end of this entry in the series. I’m getting the impression that THAT is going to be a recurring theme of the series – one of the VERY few things they promise each other and the rest of their family that is doomed to lay unfulfilled. On that other hand, if their lives were that peaceful, this marvelous series wouldn’t exist!)
The mystery in this particular entry in the series hits both close to home and reaches back into the past. It’s also a case of woulda, coulda, shoulda in more ways than one.
One of the regrets of Wrex’ life before he met Charlotte is related to the death of his younger brother, Thomas, during the recently concluded, or at least paused, Napoleonic Wars. (Napoleon is in exile on Elba in the process of becoming less “able” as that old palindrome had it, “Able was I ere I saw Elba.”
Wrex’ brother and his cohort died by treachery, as someone on the British side sold their location to the French for gold. But the identity of the traitor was never uncovered. Eight years later, the only survivor of Thomas’ unit finally figures out that identity – right before the man kills him in ice-cold blood.
Wrex owes it to his brother, owes it to his own past, that the traitor be unmasked and brought to justice. Meanwhile, his wife Charlotte, AKA the satirical cartoonist A.J. Quill, is mired in an investigation of her own in London, looking into the possibilities of corporate espionage that surround the race to solve an engineering problem that will, quite literally, change the world.
Several inventors say they are on the cusp of building a steam engine capable of powering a ship out of sight of land and out of the reach of fuel – across the vast oceans.
If Britain owns the solution, their naval power will be assured for centuries. If the newly-fledged United States figures it out first, the century will be theirs. If Russia manages to steal either the plans or the engineers who make them – or better yet both – they will become a superpower the likes of which they have not yet dreamed of.
The two cases, a murder in Oxford – at Merton Library, hence the title of the book – and theft, arson and fraud in London, shouldn’t REALLY have any relationship to each other. But there are few if any clues in either case, leading Wrex, Charlotte and their ever-growing found family to cast about for the tiniest of threads that might point them in the right direction.
Or any.
As those threads are gathered, they do point somewhere, but not anywhere that either Wrex or Charlotte imagined. Because those clues all point towards their two cases becoming one – even though neither of them believes that makes any sense at all.
But as another famous detective will have said, “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
Escape Rating A-: I discovered this series last summer – another time when I was hunting for a good mystery series – and it has been an absolute delight every single time I’ve picked the series back up. But I held onto this entry because I’ve learned that no matter how great a series is – and this absolutely is – it just isn’t a good idea to read the series books too closely together no matter how much I’m tempted.
But when I picked up the eARC for the next book, Murder at King’s Crossing, last week, I decided it was time to get caught up, so here we are. Also, I just can’t resist a murder set in a library – even if the story doesn’t stay in the library quite as long as I might have liked.
I said at the top that this was a ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’ kind of story. What I meant by that is that there are elements of both mysteries that were on the cusp of going a different way, or rather, in one case a character should have made a different choice, and in another, an invention would have happened IF real, historical circumstances had been just a bit different.
The macguffin that drives much of this story is almost real. Or rather, is in the process of becoming real but isn’t quite there yet. As this story takes place in 1814, steam power has been proven to work and is already revolutionizing transportation. Ocean-going vessels are the next big – really, really big – step. It’s a problem that is absolutely going to be solved and certainly was solved within the decade.
All of which means that the developments were oh-so-close and the stakes were oh-so-high, so it’s not surprising that the competition was equally as fierce, that corporate and government espionage was a very real factor, and that the possibilities for financial fraud were ridiculously high, giving that side of the mystery equation an air of plausibility, near-certainty, and hope triumphing over experience that felt very real.
At the same time, Wrex’ side of the mystery, the part that revolved around the death of his brother, was equally familiar but for different reasons. There have been other Regency-set mystery series where exactly this type of treason led to just this manner of death for someone close to the protagonist – with just the same desire for revenge and retribution motivating the investigator, whether amateur or professions, to bend more of the rules than is comfortable for either the character or the reader. (I know I’ve read at least one such book relatively recently, so if this plot sounds familiar to you and you recall what it was, please let me know!)
And on my third hand, one of the people caught up in this farrago clearly wasn’t onboard with all the deviltry involved, and could have had made much different choices, and we are confused by and feel for that character almost as much as Charlotte does.
Overall and absolutely positively, I had a grand time with this entry in the series, as it tells two mysteries very well, feels marvelously steeped in its time and place, AND allows for character growth on the part of most of the members of the family. It certainly had this reader on the edge of their seat as everything built to an explosive crisis.
So now I’m twice as eager as I was before to start Murder at King’s Crossing, and am glad that I only have a few months to wait!
Originally published at Reading Reality
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