All's Fair in Love and Treachery - (Lady Petra Inquires) by Celeste Connally

About the Book

"Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in this dazzling next installment in a captivating Regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin. 21 June, 1815. London may be cheering the news of Napoleon's surrender at Waterloo, but Lady Petra Forsyth has little to celebrate after discovering that the death of her viscount fiancâe three years earlier was no accident. Instead, it was murder, and the man responsible is her handsome, half-Scottish secret paramour Duncan Shawcross-yet the scoundrel has disappeared, leaving only a confusing riddle about long-forgotten memories in his wake. So what's a lady to do when she can't hunt down her traitorous lover? She concentrates on a royal assignment instead. Queen Charlotte has tasked Petra with attending an event at the Asylum for Female Orphans and making inquiries surrounding the death of the orphanage's matron. What's more, the there may be a link between the matron's death and a group of radicals with ties to the aristocracy, as evidenced by an intercepted letter. Then, Petra overhears a nefarious conversation with two other men about a plot to topple the monarchy, set to take place during three days of celebrations currently gripping London. As the clock counts down and London's streets teem with revelers, Petra's nerves are fraying as her past and present collide. Yet while all's fair in love and war, she can never surrender, especially when more orphaned girls may be in trouble. And to save their lives, the monarchy itself, and even her own heart, Lady Petra must face her fears with the strength of an army of soldiers and fight with the heart of a queen"--

Book Synopsis

*A USA Today bestseller*

Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in this dazzling next installment in a captivating Regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin.

21 June, 1815. London may be cheering the news of Napoleon's surrender at Waterloo, but Lady Petra Forsyth has little to celebrate after discovering that the death of her viscount fiancé three years earlier was no accident. Instead, it was murder, and the man responsible is her handsome, half-Scottish secret paramour Duncan Shawcross--yet the scoundrel has disappeared, leaving only a confusing riddle about long-forgotten memories in his wake.

So what's a lady to do when she can't hunt down her traitorous lover? She concentrates on a royal assignment instead. Queen Charlotte has tasked Petra with attending an event at the Asylum for Female Orphans and making inquiries surrounding the death of the orphanage's matron. What's more, there may be a link between the matron's death and a group of radicals with ties to the aristocracy, as evidenced by an intercepted letter.

Then, Petra overhears a nefarious conversation with two other men about a plot to topple the monarchy, set to take place during three days of celebrations currently gripping London.

As the clock counts down and London's streets teem with revelers, Petra's nerves are fraying as her past and present collide. Yet while all's fair in love and war, she can never surrender, especially when more orphaned girls may be in trouble. And to save their lives, the monarchy itself, and even her own heart, Lady Petra must face her fears with the strength of an army of soldiers and fight with the heart of a queen.

Review Quotes

"Although its haute ton setting nods at Bridgerton, Lady Petra's story owes more to Sex and the City... A light and lively romp." --Kirkus Reviews

"An excellent addition to the world of Regency mysteries. Petra is an exceptionally strong heroine, who refuses to play by the rules of a society that does not give women the same rights as men... Highly recommend." --Historical Novel Society

Praise for Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord:

"Fast-paced, witty....For fans of headstrong women sleuths and readers of Deanna Raybourn and Kerry Greenwood." --Library Journal (starred review)

"Effervescent...A delightful period adventure with pitch-perfect banter." --Kirkus Reviews

"Delightful...Petra is marvelously drawn--an easy-to-love, instantly memorable heroine--and Connally equips her with a brisk, page-turning adventure. This is catnip for historical suspense fans." --Publishers Weekly

"Refreshing for the complexity of its lead characters and will be popular with Bridgerton fans." --Booklist

"Witty and wise, a delightful feminist romp. Connally's series serves as a reminder to never settle, that what's right and what's easy are rarely the same." --Jessica Fellowes, New York Times bestselling author

"A smart, engaging historical mystery with a feminist twist and a simmering romance that I couldn't get enough of. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, and fell in love with its unconventional, intrepid heroine. I can't wait to read Lady Petra's next adventure!" --Martha Waters, author of To Have and To Hoax

"Captivating...a sensational blend of mystery, suspense, and romance." --Ashley Weaver, author of A Peculiar Combination

"Regency England comes alive in Celeste Connally's Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. It's rollicking good fun with Lady Petra who is remarkably capable of getting herself into and out of compromising and danger situations. You'll love this one!" --Marty Wingate, USA Today bestselling author

"With its atmospheric storytelling, thought-provoking plot and plucky heroine, this novel whisked me away to Regency England and held me there until the very last page." --Jessica Ellicott, author of Death In a Blackout

About the Author

CELESTE CONNALLY is a USA Today bestselling author, an Agatha Award nominee, and a former freelance writer and editor. A lifelong devotee of historical novels and adaptations fueled by her passion for history--plus weekly doses of PBS Masterpiece--Celeste loves reading and writing about women from the past who didn't always do as they were told. She is the author of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord and All's Fair in Love and Treachery.