The Abduction of Rosalind Thorne - (Useful Woman Mystery) by Darcie Wilde (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Brimming with intrigue, the latest novel in this charming Jane Austen-inspired mystery series finds resourceful Rosalind Thorne--a discreet sleuth for Regency London's ladies of ton--facing her most perilous, and awkward, predicament yet...

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. . .

Review Quotes

Praise for Darcie Wilde's A Useful Woman Mysteries:

"Rosalind Thorne treads a knife edge in [Regency] London....Penniless, she maintains her small household by helping more prosperous members of the haute ton solve their problems....Wilde springs a series of surprises....that are also opportunities for the reader to bond with her...Compelling." --Kirkus Review, STARRED REVIEW on The Secret of the Lost Pearls

"Well-crafted...The chapter headings include quotes from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice; and like Elizabeth Bennet, Rosalind seeks to know the truth of characters' motivations and feelings through acute observation of small actions...A sweet romance involving the handsome Adam Harkness of the Bow Street Runners enhances the complex puzzle surrounding the pearls. Fans of Dianne Freeman and Anna Lee Huber will find much to enjoy." --Publishers Weekly on The Secret of the Lost Pearls

"The novel intricately weaves historical facts with fiction, delivering a complex and engaging mystery." --Historical Novel Society on The Matter of the Secret Bride

"Compelling period drama." --Kirkus Review on A Counterfeit Suitor

"Meticulously crafted...Rosalind is an empathetic, perceptive lead, and her relationships with her caring friends add much to the book's appeal. A plot as complex as a Chinese puzzle box will keep readers turning the pages. Wilde offers a fascinating, richly detailed look at Regency society." --Publishers Weekly on A Counterfeit Suitor

"A well-researched story, the narrative is fast-paced with spot-on dialogue...An absolute delight." --Historical Novel Society on A Counterfeit Suitor

"Wilde writes about high society social codes the same way Phoebe Waller-Bridge makes cheeky asides in "Fleabag." --Bookpage on A Lady Compromised

"Complex social networks spark an equally complex puzzle." --Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW for A Lady Compromised

"Wilde's description of people, places, and events create an immersive experience for the reader...A Lady Compromised portrays the outwardly straight-laced mores a complicated social connections of the country gentry vividly through a varied cast of characters." --Mystery Scene on A Lady Compromised

"Rosalind carries the soul of Sherlock Holmes in the world of Elizabeth Bennet, and it's a hard combination to beat." --BookPage on And Dangerous to Know

About the Author

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, including Fool's War, a New York Times Notable Books of the Year selection. She lives in Michigan and can be found online at DarcieWildeRomance.com.