Review - Scandal in Mayfair

I enjoy this series so much and look forward to each new release.  Let's see how the fifth in the series measures up.  Check out the previous reviews of this series I've done:

1) A Body in the Garden (click here) 

2) Silence in the Library (click here)   

3) Death at the Manor (click here) 

4) Murder at Midnight (click here)  

Release date is August 20, 2024

Author: Katharine Schellman

Copyright: Aug 2024 (Crooked Lane Books) 320 pgs

Series: 5th in Lily Adler Mysteries

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Historical, historical amateur sleuth

Main Character: Lily Adler, young widow who helps society members discretly deal with problems

Setting: 1815 Regency London, England

Obtained Through: Publisher via Netgalley for honest review

 

Book Blurb:  "London, 1817. The London Season is beginning once more, and Lily Adler’s return to her home on Half Moon Street feels different this year. No longer a recent widow, she has a life and friends waiting for her. Lily also has new responsibilities in the form of her protégée Amelia, the sister of her longtime friend Jack Hartley, who is escaping her own brush with scandal and murder.

It doesn’t take long for Lily’s growing reputation as a lady of quality who can discreetly find what is missing or solve what is puzzling to bring a desperate young woman to her doorstep. But helping her means unraveling a tangled web of family secrets. Soon, a missing will, a dead body and the threat of blackmail leave Lily facing danger every way she turns. 

The glittering society of Mayfair conceals many secrets, and the back alleys of London hide even more. Lily Adler will need to find the connection between them quickly if she wants to stop a killer before it’s too late."

MY Thoughts:

Lily Adler is a delightfully intelligent, witty, and independent young widow taking her life into her own hands. In this addition to the series, she faces a blackmail and  a most challenging case.  Captain John (Jack) Hartley was her late husband's best friend which has been a barrier to them becoming closer.  But in this outing, that situation may change.  The Captain's younger sister, Amelia is staying at Lily's for her aid in being presented during the "season".  Miss Ofelia Oswald of West Indies is the witty side kick again.  The Bow Street Runner, Mr. Page and his family get more attention in this book, which I enjoyed getting more time with him.

The pacing was spot on as I hated putting the book down. The slow-burn between Captain Hartley and Lily gets a little more heated (yeah!), adding to the overall pleasure of this story.  The killer reveal was exceptionally well done and satisfying. A quite unexpected killer. 

A stellar addition to the series with a fine mystery, hints of romance, and delightful characters.  Thoroughly entertaining and highly recommended.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.