Miss Morton Takes the Waters - (A Miss Morton Mystery) by Catherine Lloyd (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In Victorian England, Bath is the destination to restore a lady's health. But after accompanying Mrs. Frogerton to the spa town, a poison-pen campaign and a locked-room murder lead lady's companion Caroline Morton into troubled waters...

On the advice of her doctor, Mrs. Frogerton has arranged a visit to Bath to take the waters and regain her health and good spirits. While she reflects on her own next steps in light of her changing circumstances, Caroline goes with her to ensure the good lady's well-being. Daily life in Bath takes on a routine of its own, with visits to the spa interspersed with social occasions and new acquaintances, including a group of women who live on Queen Square and gather to drink tea, play cards, and gossip.

When it comes to light that some of the ladies are recipients of poison pen letters, a rejuvenated Mrs. Frogerton offers to help. Sorting through the social dynamics of the group for motive and opportunity, she talks with the ladies while Caroline questions their companions.

The situation becomes more grave when Lady Greatmere, the oldest and most unpleasant of the ladies, is discovered strangled in her own locked drawing room, a half-finished epistle on her dressing table suggesting she might be the author of the poison pen letters. As Lady Greatmere's companion falls under the suspicion of the Bath constabulary, Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton attempt to read between the lines to force the killer to come clean . . .

Review Quotes

Praise For the Miss Morton Mystery Series By Catherine Lloyd:

"Lloyd gives the plot's multiple mysteries satisfying-enough resolutions, but the real pleasure is in her beautifully realized Regency setting and empowered heroines. Series fans will enjoy themselves." --Publishers Weekly on Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance

"A complex case with plenty of dead ends, surprises, and romantic interludes." --Kirkus Reviews on Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance

"I found Caroline's strong character and determination to remain independent particularly engaging... I like that she never succumbs to the desire for marriage, like so many heroines. I also especially enjoyed Mrs. Frogerton's talkative, amusing manner and genuine kindness towards Caroline." --Historical Novel Society on Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance

"[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.