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Murder on Black Swan Lane

Book 1 in the series:Wrexford & Sloane

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"Murder on Black Swan Lane" follows the Earl of Wrexford, a fabulously wealthy and arrogant man who dabbles in chemistry, and Charlotte Sloane, a talented artist who takes over her late husband's satirical cartoonist business under the alias A.J. Quill. When a clergyman is murdered, Wrexford becomes the prime suspect, leading him to team up with Charlotte to uncover the true killer. Set in Regency London, the story is a complex, multi-layered mystery filled with memorable characters, intricate world-building, and a blend of science and art that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed and diverse, with the main duo presenting contrasting backgrounds and personalities.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is descriptive and engaging, although it sometimes suffers from anachronisms and clarity issues.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a complex murder investigation in Regency London, intertwining themes of science, satire, and societal intrigue.

Setting:

The story is set in an authentic and dynamic Regency London, showcasing both the upper crust and the underprivileged.

Pacing:

Pacing is primarily steady, though it can slow down with detailed elements, picking up significantly towards the end.
A plume of steam rose from the bubbling crucible, the curl of silvery vapor floating ghost-like against the shadowed wood paneling before dissolving into the darkness. After consulting his pocket watc...

Notes:

The story is set in Regency London, a time of great social change.
The main characters are the Earl of Wrexford and widow Charlotte Sloane.
Charlotte supports herself by creating satirical cartoons under the pseudonym AJ Quill, a name she adopted after her husband's death.
The Earl of Wrexford is a scientist who becomes a prime suspect in a murder case.
Charlotte helps Wrexford clear his name and they form an uneasy alliance.
Alchemy and early scientific experiments play a significant role in the plot.
The story involves elements of humor, mystery, and intrigue.
Charlotte is portrayed as fiercely independent and brave, living in the shadow of her husband's death.
Wrexford exhibits a mix of logic and emotion, making him a complex character.
Secondary characters, like street urchins Raven and Hawk, add depth to the story.
The book combines lighter themes of social commentary with darker undertones of murder and betrayal.

From The Publisher:

In Regency London, an unconventional scientist and a fearless female artist form an unlikely alliance to expose a cold-hearted killer . . .

The Earl of Wrexford possesses a brilliant scientific mind, but boredom and pride lead him to reckless behavior. So when pompous, pious Reverend Josiah Holworthy publicly condemns him for debauchery, Wrexford unsheathes his rapier-sharp wit and strikes back. As their war of words escalates, London's most popular satirical cartoonist, A.J. Quill, skewers them both. But then the clergyman is found slain in a church-his face burned by chemicals, his throat slashed ear to ear-and Wrexford finds himself the chief suspect.

An artist in her own right, Charlotte Sloane has secretly slipped into the persona of her late husband, using his nom de plume A.J. Quill. When Wrexford discovers her true identity, she fears it will be her undoing. But he has a proposal-use her sources to unveil the clergyman's clandestine involvement in questionable scientific practices, and unmask the real murderer. Soon Lord Wrexford and the mysterious Mrs. Sloane plunge into a dangerous shadow world hidden among London's intellectual enclaves to trap a cunning adversary-before they fall victim to the next experiment in villainy . . .

"Thoroughly enjoyable . . . with sharp, engaging characters, rich period detail, and a compellingly twisty plot, Andrea Penrose delivers a winner."

-Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author

"Fans of C.S. Harris take note! A riveting ride through Regency London, from the slums of St. Giles, to the mansions of Mayfair."-Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author

"Historical chemistry meets alchemy . . . A delight of a book."

-Joanna Bourne, award-winning author

Ratings (11)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (5)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (20):

Read It (11)
Want To Read (7)
Not Interested (2)

2 comment(s)

It Was OK
1 month

This book is the equivalent of a sort of mid-period prestige drama that astonishingly has like, five seasons, even though you’ve never heard of it before because it was on PBS or MGM+ or something. I listened to it and while there were many moments I thought I would not return to the story I kept finding myself wondering what was going to happen next and if certain things about the characters were going to be revealed. Sort of a perfect cozy mystery vibe but for the regency period.

Not gonna lie tho I thought it was the Victorian Era which explains a lot of why I was so confused most of the book but was just vibing with it. Not a huge fan of the regency era.

Might start the second one if I can’t find a good Victorian mystery!

 
Incredible
6 months

Detailed. Intense.

 

About the Author:

Andrea Penrose is the 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.

 
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