Andrea Pickens

The sixth book in the Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries takes place during the Peace Celebrations to celebrate the victory over Napoleon.

Charlotte and Wrexford are recently married and Charlotte is still trying to fit herself into the somewhat restrictive role of Lady Wrexford. She is happy and glad to be reunited with her formerly estranged family. She and Wrexford along with the Weasels are set to attend a weekend party and meet her brother's wife and family.

However, a body discovered while Rex and the Weasels are out walking their oversized dog may put a halt to those plans. Jeremiah Willis was an engineering genius who had invented a gun that would quickly fire multiple shots. However, his plans and prototypes are missing, and the government has tasked Wresford for locating them.

There are rumors of a deeply secret auction that will be held to transfer the plans to one of the countries attending the Peace Celebration. Charlotte, Wrexford, the Weasels, and all their other contacts are on the hunt for the murder who is also a traitor. Also, they met her brother's brother-in-law's young ward who is the nephew of the deceased engineer. The Weasels have made the boy Peregrine their friend and brother. Peregrine holds some secrets to the resolution of the mystery.

This was a fast-paced mystery with an intriguing plot and engaging characters. I like the historical detail which includes prejudice against Blacks and other foreigners. Peregrine is a quadroon and the heir to the estate which his uncle really resents.

I especially enjoy the Author's Note which lets me know what is fiction and what is nonfiction in the story and which of the characters were real people. As always, this series is both entertaining and thought-provoking.… (more)

The sixth book in the Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries takes place during the Peace Celebrations to celebrate the victory over Napoleon.

Charlotte and Wrexford are recently married and Charlotte is still trying to fit herself into the somewhat restrictive role of Lady Wrexford. She is happy and glad to be reunited with her formerly estranged family. She and Wrexford along with the Weasels are set to attend a weekend party and meet her brother's wife and family.

However, a body discovered while Rex and the Weasels are out walking their oversized dog may put a halt to those plans. Jeremiah Willis was an engineering genius who had invented a gun that would quickly fire multiple shots. However, his plans and prototypes are missing, and the government has tasked Wresford for locating them.

There are rumors of a deeply secret auction that will be held to transfer the plans to one of the countries attending the Peace Celebration. Charlotte, Wrexford, the Weasels, and all their other contacts are on the hunt for the murder who is also a traitor. Also, they met her brother's brother-in-law's young ward who is the nephew of the deceased engineer. The Weasels have made the boy Peregrine their friend and brother. Peregrine holds some secrets to the resolution of the mystery.

This was a fast-paced mystery with an intriguing plot and engaging characters. I like the historical detail which includes prejudice against Blacks and other foreigners. Peregrine is a quadroon and the heir to the estate which his uncle really resents.

I especially enjoy the Author's Note which lets me know what is fiction and what is nonfiction in the story and which of the characters were real people. As always, this series is both entertaining and thought-provoking.… (more)

Lady Charlotte has a lot to deal with in the run-up to her wedding which is just days away. She is worried about the changes in her life that her marriage will bring. She is also worried about an upcoming reunion with her estranged family.

It doesn't help that a body is discovered in her first public outing with Wrexford at a symposium held at the Royal Botanic Gardens. At first it looks like the botanist suffered from a heart attack but traces of some white residue around his mouth place the diagnosis in doubt. Still, she and Wrexford shouldn't feel obligated to investigate as there is no connection to their family.

Then it is learned that Charlotte's ward Hawk was present though hidden and caught a glimpse of the killer. Still both Charlotte and Wrexford plan to turn all of their findings over to the Bow Street Runners and not get involved.

However, the reappearance of an old enemy who appears to be working with some of the suspects in the murder and who is threatening Charlotte's loved ones, means that she has to get involved in order to protect the ones she loves.

The scientific innovation that this story is centered on in the new science of botanic medicine. The victim had a potential cure for malaria to reveal at his keynote address. But there are also references to the United States and Great Britain working together to eradicate the slave trade and some of the suspects are involved in that too.

This was another excellent historical mystery. I really like the way Charlotte and Wrexford are working together to define the kind of life and marriage that they want. It is also good watching her wards grow up. It was nice to revisit a number of the characters who had roles in earlier books in the series.… (more)