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It is my pleasure to share my thoughts about
Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters today!
Murder in Postscript (A Lady of Letters Mystery)
by Mary Winters
About Murder in Postscript
Murder in Postscript (A Lady of Letters Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Victorian London, 1860
Berkley (March 28, 2023)
Paperback : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 0593548760
ISBN-13 : 978-0593548769
Digital ASIN : B0B5D5HW3K
When one of her readers asks for advice following a suspected murder, Victorian countess Amelia Amesbury, who secretly pens the popular Lady Agony column, has no choice but to investigate in this first book in a charming new historical mystery series.
Amelia Amesbury—widow, mother, and countess—has a secret. Amelia writes for a London penny paper, doling out advice on fashion, relationships, and manners under the pen name Lady Agony. But when a lady’s maid writes Amelia to ask for advice when she believes her mistress has been murdered—and then ends up a victim herself—Amelia is determined to solve the case.
With the help of her best friend and a handsome marquis, Amelia begins to piece together the puzzle, but as each new thread of inquiry ends with a different suspect, the investigation grows ever more daunting. From London’s docks and ballrooms to grand country houses, Amelia tracks a killer, putting her reputation—and her life—on the line.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Set in 1860 London
Lady Amelia Amesbury has a secret. She came to London with her husband Edgar who died shortly after from a degenerative disease. While continuing to raise Edgar’s niece, Winifred takes much of her time, she still was bored. “mind-numbingly bored”. So when a friend offered her a job at his penny paper she gladly accepted and Lady Agony was born. Only a very few people know the real identity of Lady Agony. She gives advice on love, etiquette, fashion, and more. She sometimes gets some odd requests as well. Her latest letter is from Charlotte who “witnessed something dreadful” and begs Lady Agony to meet her. Against her better judgment, she goes to the designated spot but all she finds is the body of a young woman, Charlotte.
Believing had she just arrived a few minutes earlier she could have saved the girl Amelia is bound and determined to find her killer. With the help of her best friend Kitty Hamsted and her new friend the Marquis of Bainbridge, she follows each clue wherever it leads no matter how much danger it puts her in.
I am very impressed with Lady Amelia Amesbury. She grew up in a small village working at her family’s inn when a young man arrived and soon proposed. It was then he revealed he was an Earl and that he was part of one of the wealthiest families in London. Sadly, then two months later he was gone. Amelia adapted and followed all the rules of a widow, devoutly watched over by Edgar’s aunt Tabitha. But Amelia is a strong independent thinking woman. While she would never do anything to hurt the family name she doesn’t let the name rule her. This character was strong from the start but she continued to grow and develop throughout the entire story.
The author has surrounded her protagonist with several strong characters as well. Aunt Tabitha, one of the old guard, prim and proper most of the time, tries to keep a tight hold on Amelia as much as she can. Edgar’s niece, Winifred is a sweetheart and smarter than her years and quickly became a favorite of mine. Her friends Kitty and Grady are fun and on hand when she needs them. Then there is the handsome Marquis Simon Bainbridge. I loved the way he and Amelia banter back and forth. The character development of these core characters is so well done.
Ms. Winters has captured the time period so well and plotted out a very complex mystery. With plenty of suspects, the story moves at a great pace. I was delighted to tag along with her around the streets of London and even to the county to get the answers she needed. I loved every twist and the lengths Amelia went through in her efforts to find the truth.
The Lady Agony theme is very entertaining. Getting to read the letters and Amelia’s answers added to my reading enjoyment.
Murder in Postscript
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About Mary Winters
Mary Winters is the author of Murder in Postscript, the debut novel in A Lady of Letters Mystery series. A longtime reader of historical fiction and an author of two other mystery series, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she’s been busily planning her next mystery—and another trip! Find out more about Mary and her writing at marywintersauthor.com.
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Great Escapes Praise for Murder in Postscript (A Lady of Letters Mystery)
by Mary Winters
I just can’t say enough good things about Murder in Postscript! The mystery is well-plotted, I love the time period, and the characters are wonderful. Obviously, I highly recommend this delightful, charming cozy mystery book.
~Christy’s Cozy Corners
Delightfully entertaining and vivid characters abound in Murder In Postscript, with Regency Era worldbuilding at its finest. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
~Novels Alive
What an utterly delightful book this was. Not since the New Year hit us with all its force, have we enjoyed a book this much. This reader has it in good authority that Murder in Postscript will be one of this social season’s biggest surprises. We can’t wait for the next installment!
~Elza Reads
Murder in Postscript is the start of a new series. I cannot recommend this mystery highly enough for fans of cozy mysteries, historical fiction, Victorian settings, and lively storytelling. Five enthusiastic stars!
~View From the Birdhouse
I thought this was an excellent beginning to a new historical cozy mystery series! The mystery was well written. And I love mysteries that take place in the past, it’s always fun to read.
~Just Another Teen Reading Books
Witty and wonderful, MURDER IN POSTSCRIPT combines fantastic characters, a well-devised mystery, and a superb setting to create a spectacular start for the First Lady of Mystery series.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
Murder in Postscript is a delightful beginning to a new historical cozy mystery series set in Victorian London. Its engaging plot is filled with a healthy dose of red herrings and upstairs/downstairs characters.
~Book Club Librarian
If you are looking for an engrossing, unique, riveting historical mystery, Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters is THE book for you.
~The Book Decoder
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You are a new author to me. I can’t wait to read your books.
Thank you!
Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.
I hope you do, Rita! Thank you!
Thank you, Lori, for reading and reviewing. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed Murder in Postscript!
sounds quite intriguing, good premise by the author – but the price is much more than could fit in my single mom budget.
Lori, great review. It makes me want to read it even more!
Mary, I’m first in line to check out your book at my library. Hurry up, Library, and get me this book!