Description

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Portraying the true diversity of the Regency-era and the hidden intrigue of England’s abolitionist movement, this vibrant, inclusive new historical mystery from acclaimed author Vanessa Riley features an engaging heroine with an independent streak, a notorious past, and a decided talent for sleuthing…

Pressed into a union of convenience, Lady Abigail Worthing knew better than to expect love. Her marriage to an absent lord does at least provide some comforts, including a box at the Drury Lane theater, owned by the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Abigail has always found respite at the theater, away from the ton’s judgmental stares and the risks of her own secret work to help the cause of abolition—and her fears that someone from her past wants her permanently silenced. But on one particular June evening everything collides, and the performance takes an unwelcome turn . . .

Onstage, a woman emits a scream of genuine terror. A man has been found dead in the prop room, stabbed through the heart. Abigail’s neighbor, Stapleton Henderson, is also in attendance, and the two rush backstage. The magistrate, keen to avoid bringing more attention to the case and making Lady Worthing more of a target, asks Abigail not to investigate. But she cannot resist, especially when the usually curmudgeonly Henderson offers his assistance.

Abigail soon discovers a tangled drama that rivals anything brought to the stage, involving gambling debts, a beautiful actress with a parade of suitors, and the very future of the Drury Lane theatre. For Abigail the case is complicated still further, for one suspect is a leading advocate for the cause dearest to her heart—the abolition of slavery within the British empire. Uncovering the truth always comes at a price. But this time, it may be far higher than she wishes to pay.

About the Author

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Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of historical romance, mystery, and fiction novels featuring realistic multicultural communities and powerful persons of color. To fuel her interest in the Regency and early-Victorian eras, she made time for attending renaissance fairs and consuming period novels and films while obtaining her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and a master’s in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University, as well as a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. A frequent speaker at literary, women's, and STEM events, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her military husband and teenage kid. Visit her online at VanessaRiley.com.

Praise For…

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Praise for the Lady Worthing Mysteries

“The Lady Worthing Books combine the posh settings, witty banter and steamy flirtations of romances like Bridgerton with the too-close-for-comfort mysteries of series like Murder She Wrote… Riley skillfully puts race in historical context…[and] takes the reader through all the twists and turns.” – The Tampa Bay Times on Murder in Drury Lane

“A wildly suspenseful ride.” – AARP (Sisters Newsletter) on Murder in Drury Lane

“With impeccable attention to period details, a vividly evoked setting, a cast of richly nuanced characters, and a captivating plot that fully embraces the challenges and oft-overlooked diversity of the Regency era, Riley’s second stunning addition to her Lady Worthing series.” —Booklist on Murder in Drury Lane

“In a time when Black and mixed-race people were marginalized and overlooked, the author brings these voices to the forefront through vibrant and well-developed characters. Readers will enjoy the Bridgerton-esque setting and dialogue and will keep working to uncover the clues. Combining elements of an Agatha Christie–style whodunit with the vivid portrayal of a more encompassing view of Regency-era England, the second Lady Worthing mystery does not disappoint.” —Library Journal on Murder in Drury Lane
 
“Riley’s Regency Era thriller diverges from most period mysteries in two respects: The heroine’s first-person narrative is brisk and economical, and the whodunit plot is woven into Abigail’s story of survival in a judgmental society.” – Kirkus Reviews on Murder in Drury Lane
 
“Riley sets her sights on a pivotal, fascinating period in British history.” – Publishers Weekly on Murder in Drury Lane
 
“Riley’s inclusive, keenly drawn cast shines a light on the role of people of color in the Regency era…Snappy dialogue, abundant intrigue, and Abbie and Stapleton’s increasingly flirtatious antagonism keep the tension high and the narrative drive strong Smart, fun, and full of moxie.” —Kirkus Reviews on Murder in Westminster

“Riley’s storytelling gift is strong and her prose is lovely and evocative.  She made me see 1806 London in an entirely new way I’m a fan of Jane Austen as well as Dianne Freeman and many others – but she gave me the gift of an expanded perspective, along with a really well told mystery.  The denouement is particularly clever and includes both grim irony and a dandy twist.  I’m hoping this will be a long-lived series and I can visit with Lady Abigail again soon.” —Mystery Scene Magazine on Murder in Westminster
 
“Murder in Westminster (historical mystery) is sure to be a great read to add to your current must-read lists.” —Essence Magazine on Murder in Westminster
 
“Riley’s prose is unique, nestling a lush, lavish image next to a swift, chopping realization….The book is an absorbing experience, a complicated mystery rooted in the compelling historical struggle for abolition that navigates the nuances of race and class with a heroine the reader can’t help but love. Highly recommended.” —Historical Novel Society on Murder in Westminster

“Fans of Regency-era historical mysteries featuring intelligent heroines (such as Andrea Penrose’s Lady Arianna or Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily) will find this series a welcome addition to the genre.” —Library Journal on Murder in Westminster
 
“Riley offers a vibrant picture of the roles Black and mixed-race people played in Regency life. Fans of Bridgerton will enjoy this one.” —Publishers Weekly on Murder in Westminster
 
 “Murder in Westminster is a fresh, unique take on the Regency, deftly weaving historical fact with dastardly intrigue. Lady Worthing is an intrepid and unforgettable heroine and I can’t wait for the next adventure! Clever and engaging.” —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries on Murder in Westminster
 
"You don't want to miss this invigorating take on the Regency lady sleuth. Vanessa Riley breathes new life into the genre and offers a unique perspective in Murder in Westminster." —Sherry Thomas, USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Sherlock series