Murder in Drury Lane

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Portraying the true diversity of the Regency-era and the hidden intrigue of Englands 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 tons judgmental stares and the risks of her own secret work to help the cause of abolitionand 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. Abigails 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 heartthe 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.

Reviews

Praise for Murder in Westminster:

Rileys inclusive, keenly drawn cast shines a light on the role of people of color in the Regency eraSnappy dialogue, abundant intrigue, and Abbie and Stapletons increasingly flirtatious antagonism keep the tension high and the narrative drive strong Smart, fun, and full of moxie. Kirkus Reviews

Rileys storytelling gift is strong and her prose is lovely and evocative. She made me see 1806 London in an entirely new way Im 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. Im hoping this will be a long-lived series and I can visit with Lady Abigail again soon. Mystery Scene Magazine

Murder in Westminster (historical mystery) is sure to be a great read to add to your current must-read lists. Essence Magazine

Rileys 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 cant help but love. Highly recommended. Historical Novel Society

Fans of Regency-era historical mysteries featuring intelligent heroines (such as Andrea Penroses Lady Arianna or Tasha Alexanders Lady Emily) will find this series a welcome addition to the genre.Library Journal

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

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 cant wait for the next adventure! Clever and engaging. New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn, author of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries

"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

Author Bio

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 masters 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.