Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a terrific new Regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin.

When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation—in front of London’s loosest lips—that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.

But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper—uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy.

Review:

Atmospheric, witty, and mysterious!

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is an engaging, amusing tale set in London during 1815 that features Lady Petra Forsyth, a young, independent woman who, after losing her fiancé and declaring she will never marry, finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery when she begins to notice an unusual amount of high society wives disappearing and a servant who knows too much turns up dead.

The writing style is rich and light. The characters are adventurous, plucky and resourceful. And the plot is a well-paced, immersive tale full of red herrings, tricky situations, amateur sleuthing, awkward moments, danger, deduction, duplicity, attraction, and friendship.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is a compelling, suspenseful, highly entertaining tale by Connally that is not only a wonderful start to the Lady Petra Inquires series but, in my opinion, a great choice for anyone who’s looking for a historical mystery that’s not only lighthearted but playful.

This novel is available now.

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