Celeste Connally's witty second Regency-era mystery, All's Fair in Love and Treachery, follows Lady Petra Forsyth and her intrepid band of friends as they crisscross London trying to investigate a murder, find a missing girl, and foil a plot to throw England into chaos.
Though she is reeling from some stunning personal news, Petra is forced to put her emotions aside when Queen Charlotte asks her to discreetly investigate the death of a local orphanage matron, Mrs. Huxton. As she digs into the case, Petra discovers connections to the Bellowers, a group whose reformist tendencies may be veering toward anarchy--and which may be linked to both of the men she has loved. Connally (Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord) expertly weaves real-life political events (notably Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat at Waterloo) together with biting social commentary and a group of strong-minded women who refuse to sit back and let the men handle matters. Petra's Scottish lover, Duncan Shawcross, makes a welcome reappearance, as does Petra's whip-smart maid, Annie, alongside a handful of other characters from various social classes who aid Petra in her quest to track down Mrs. Huxton's killer. As London throws itself into wild revelry at the news of the Duke of Wellington's victory, Petra and her friends must unravel a web of deceit and stop a dangerous scheme from being carried out.
Clever, romantic, and filled with historical detail, Petra's second adventure provides a fascinating glimpse into Regency life and politics, and a highly satisfying romp through the streets of London. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams