Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance - (A Miss Morton Mystery) by Catherine Lloyd

Book Synopsis

Social standing is everything in Regency England, and no one knows better than Miss Caroline Morton, the daughter of a disgraced earl, now gainfully employed as a lady's companion--along with a sideline in sleuthing. But when she has a chance to claim what's rightfully hers, the one obstacle in her way is a dangerous murder mystery . . .

Miss Caroline has doubts when she receives an urgent invitation from a London law firm to discuss her late father's estate. After all, the dishonored Earl of Morton died without a pound sterling to pass on to his two daughters. But while immersing herself in helping Mrs. Frogerton's capricious daughter navigate the high social season, Caroline meets with a cagey lawyer, Mr. Smith, who shares life-altering news--the earl composed a second will, leaving behind an undisclosed fortune.

Mrs. Frogerton, however, is thoroughly unimpressed with the firm's conduct and suspicious of their true motives. Her instinct proves right when the two ladies find the office ransacked, staff in turmoil, and Mr. Smith missing. The full weight of the situation doesn't sink in until Mr. Smith dies following a brutal attack on the street--discovered with an empty envelope bearing Caroline's name in his pocket.

With a connection forming between two deaths at the firm, Caroline can't imagine why anyone would kill twice over the contents of a will. Further complicating matters is the amorous Mr. DeBloom--who claims his mother goaded the earl into making bad investments and promises to link Caroline to her inheritance--and the disappearance of Susan, her younger sister. As Caroline unwittingly becomes the center of both a criminal case and a sordid love triangle, she must tread with caution while seeking the truth . . . because someone is waiting to reduce her to nothing more than a signature on a dotted line.

Review Quotes

Praise For the Miss Morton Mystery Series By Catherine Lloyd:

"[A] lively historical cozy...Numerous plausible suspects and perceptive observations on the period's social mores make this an entertaining entry in the series. More Morton mysteries would be welcome." -Publishers Weekly on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

"A charming combination of mystery, Regency romance, and social mores." -Kirkus Reviews on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

"A thoroughly captivating Victorian whodunit." -Historical Novel Society on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

"A fast paced, well-written walk through London's high society in 1838." -New York Journal of Books on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

"Social injustices, prejudices, and all things Regency, including the appropriate flowery narrative, may be hard pills for present-day readers to swallow, but are era appropriate and well researched in this superb series debut. Caroline is an absolute gem of a heroine, whom readers will surely come to love as she bravely maneuvers through polite society to gather evidence and determine whodunit. Regardless of the unresolved ending, fans of historical mysteries and uncompromising women protagonists will find Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder impossible to put down." -Mystery Scene Magazine

"A charming cross between a Regency romance and a well-constructed detective story with a surprising denouement." -Kirkus Reviews on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder

"[A] smart and colorful sleuthing trio." -Publishers Weekly on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder

"Utterly engrossing." -Historical Novel Society on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder

"Lloyd's story has myriad twists and turns--enough to keep the reader entranced--all the while thinking they have solved the crime and discovering that they have not. Lloyd's imagination takes us on a roller coaster ride through the murders, romances, illicit affairs, and secrets of Regency England, enough so it is hard to put the book down." -New York Journal of Books on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder

About the Author

Catherine Lloyd is the acclaimed author of Regency-set historical mysteries, including the Kurland St. Mary Mystery series and the Miss Morton Mysteries. Born just outside London, England into a large family of dreamers, artists, and history lovers, she holds a master's degree in history from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. She currently lives with her family in the UK and can be found online at Catherine-Lloyd.com.