Revenge, Served Royal - (Lady Petra Inquires) by Celeste Connally (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in this dazzling third instalment to the captivating Regency-era Lady Petra Inquires mystery series.

September, 1815. Autumn is in the air as Lady Petra Forsyth and some of the most illustrious members of the ton descend upon Windsor Castle for a week of royal celebrations, with the highlight being Queen Charlotte's inaugural patisserie contest for the best bakers employed by England's finest houses. Not only is Lady Petra's own cook one of the contestants, but Her Majesty has requested that Petra herself serve as one of the judges.

Petra's happiness at tasting delicious cakes and biscuits only increases at finding her beloved Aunt Ophelia in attendance at Windsor, as well as Sir Rufus Pomeroy. As England's most famous former royal chef-turned-cookbook author, Sir Rufus is slated to present his best recipes to the Queen during the festivities, with Petra being granted an early viewing in the royal library.

Yet upon arrival, Petra instead encounters a frantic housemaid pointing to a body of one of Her Majesty's guests--and to the valet still tugging at the silk ribbon used to strangle the victim. What's more, the valet turns out to be Oliver Beecham, the ne'er-do-well brother of Petra's own lady's maid, Annie. But as Oliver is hauled away to the dungeons, he protests his innocence, claiming the late guest argued with several aristocrats, including the Prince Regent and Petra's Aunt Ophelia, and boasted about hiding a potentially scandalous document within the vastness of Windsor Castle.

When some poisoned tea meant for Petra is consumed by one of her fellow judges, it's clear the real killer is still walking the castle's halls. Indeed, in order to prove the innocence of Annie's brother and find the incriminating document, Petra will need to act like a lady, eat like a chef, and think like one of Her Majesty's best spies before a murderer can turn the celebrations from sweet to royally deadly.

Review Quotes

"Bridgerton meets The Great British Baking Show. Lots of plot twists, and lots of fun." --Kirkus Reviews

"Readers should pick this up and be ready for delicious treachery, lies, and scandal." --First Clue

"Celeste Connally's Revenge, Served Royal is a page-turning delight bubbling over with mystery, suspense, and humor that had me riveted from the first page! Lady Petra is an engaging heroine, the Windsor Castle setting is--literally--to die for, the twisty plot will keep you guessing, and the descriptions of the pastries in the bake-off will make your mouth water. I loved it and can't wait for the next book in the series!" --Syrie James, bestselling author of The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall

"An absolute delight! Fans of historical mysteries and The Great British Bake-Off will gobble up this latest installment in the clever Lady Petra Inquires mystery series. It's filled with Regency history, royal intrigue, and delicious twists." --Anna Lee Huber, USA Today bestselling author

"Connolly whips up murder, scandal, and a baking contest with equal parts history, twists, and suspense...Revenge Served Royal is a treat to be consumed in one sitting!" --Dianne Freeman, USA Today bestselling author of the Countess of Harleigh Mysteries

Praise for the Lady Petra Inquires Mysteries:

"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 on All's Fair in Love and Treachery

"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 on All's Fair in Love and Treachery

"Fast-paced, witty....For fans of headstrong women sleuths and readers of Deanna Raybourn and Kerry Greenwood." --Library Journal (starred review) on Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

"Effervescent...A delightful period adventure with pitch-perfect banter." --Kirkus Reviews on Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

"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 on Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

"Refreshing for the complexity of its lead characters and will be popular with Bridgerton fans." --Booklist on Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

"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 on Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

"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, on Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

"Captivating...a sensational blend of mystery, suspense, and romance." --Ashley Weaver, author of A Peculiar Combination, on Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

"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 on Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

"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 on Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

About the Author

CELESTE CONNALLY is the USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Petra Inquires series, an Agatha Award nominee, and a former freelance writer and editor. Her mysteries are set in Regency-era England and feature a headstrong heroine, and as many equestrian scenes as her plots and editor will allow. She delights in giving her mysteries a good dose of romance, too, and a few research facts she hopes you'll find as interesting as she does. Passionate about history and slightly obsessed with period dramas, what Celeste loves most is reading and writing about women who don't always do as they are told.