Review - The Abduction of Rosalind Thorne

Darcie Wilde is the award-winning author of stylishly adventurous historical mysteries and romances, including the Useful Woman Mystery Series and the Rosalind Thorne Mysteries, both Regency-set series inspired by the novels of Jane Austen, as well as the Regency Makeover Trilogy. She has also written, under the name Sarah Zettel, Locus and Philip K. Dick Award-winning novels and was a New York Times Notable Books of the Year selection. She lives in Michigan and can be found online at DarcieWildeRomance.com.

This series is inspired by Jane Austen.  "Rosalind carries the soul of Sherlock Holmes in the world of Elizabeth Bennet, and it's a hard combination to beat." —BookPage 

I have been a fan since the beginning of this series, see below for past reviews.

Penguin Publishing

1)  A Useful Woman (click here)

2) A Purely Private Matter (click here) 

3)  And Dangerous To Know (click here) 

4) A Lady Compromised no review 

5) A Counterfeit Suitor (click here) 

Kensington Publishing (numbering started over)

1) The Secret of the Lost Pearls (click here) 

2016 Guest Post  (click here) 

2017 Guest Post  (click here) 

Author: Darcie Wilde

Copyright: June 2026 (Kensington Books) 288 pgs

Series: 4th in A Useful Woman Mysteries

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical cozy, historical amateur sleuth, woman sleuth

Main Character: Rosalind Thorne, former heiress now survives helping the rich with inquiries

Setting: Regency era 1800s, London

Obtained Through: Netgalley for honest review

Book Blurb: "Rosalind is newly, happily engaged to ex-Bow Street officer Adam Harkness, but lunching with the new fiancée of her old love is still discomfiting. Yet, Clara Kinsdale needs her help, and Rosalind is not one to turn away a lady in distress. It seems Clara's father, Sir Anthony Kinsdale, has fallen for beautiful widow Mrs. Sylvia Lynn—who may be a fortune hunter, or worse . . .

     Sir Anthony is a profligate baronet, who has pinned his financial hopes on two events: Clara's marriage, and his horse winning the upcoming sweepstakes at Lansdown, on which he has wagered heavily. Clara is afraid that her father is being fleeced by the charming—and cunning—Mrs. Lynn and wants Rosalind to expose her.

     But Clara does not realize that her sisters, Elizabeth and Cynthia, are harboring their own secrets and Elizabeth especially will do whatever she must to obstruct plans to separate their father from Mrs. Lynn.

     Rosalind and Adam travel to Bath to meet the family. But their gathering is interrupted by Admiral Walsingham, who is leasing Kinsdale House. Despite his dire finances, Sir Anthony is evicting the admiral—though his reasons appear laughable. Not laughable is that Sir Anthony is found dead soon after their argument, having apparently tumbled from his bedroom window while intoxicated.

     It would be easy to assume the tragedy was an accident, except Admiral Walsingham is found dead at nearly the same time. Secrets, schemes, fraud and forbidden love all drag Rosalind and Adam into a web of high-stakes gambling, murder—and extreme danger. But can they unravel it before they become the next victims."

My Thoughts:

Well done Darcie Wilde! Characters are all spot on great, the mystery is twisty and even though I suspected the person I was never sure. The atmosphere had me on edge, even during a simply dinner.  The killer reveal had plenty of tension and had me invested.  I love Rosalind and her fiancé Adam, plus the dynamic of her ex-fiancé's handling the situation was so well done.  All of the suspects had plenty of motive to go around.  A great addition to the series. I highly recommend to fans of historical mystery.

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

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