On Flashback Fridays, I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released, that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
Once Upon a Murder (A Lady Librarian Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – 1784 England
Publisher : Crooked Lane Books
Publication date : February 20, 2024
Print length : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 1639106219
ISBN-13 : 978-1639106219
Kindle ISBN-13 : 978-1639106226
ASIN : B0C4J6WW7B
Audio CD Publisher : Blackstone Publishing, Inc.
ISBN-13 : 979-8874740955
ASIN : B0CZ6LZ3FR
Audiobook ASIN B0CPTFR9J2
Miss Tiffany Woodall must sleuth the slaying of a footman to clear her beloved’s name in the second Lady Librarian mystery, in the vein of Deanna Raybourn and perfect for fans of Bridgerton.
1784 England. Officially hired as the librarian for the Duchess of Beaufort, Miss Tiffany Woodall is through with masquerades and murders for good. That is, until she stumbles upon the frozen dead body of former footman Mr. Bernard Coram. The speed with which her peaceful new life is upended is one for the record books: the justice of the peace immediately declares her the primary suspect in the murder.
As Tiffany hunts for the truth to clear her name, she learns that Bernard got into a fight over a woman at the local pub the night of his death–but he was also overheard blackmailing Samir. The justice of the peace arrests Samir, and Tiffany realizes that her life may have more in common with a tragic play than a light-hearted romance.
With her love locked up in jail and her own reputation on the line, Tiffany must attempt to solve the murder before the book closes on her or Samir’s life.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The Duchess of Beaufort has formally hired Miss Tiffany Woodall as her head librarian, meaning the woman can be herself and leave her disguises behind. Miss Tiffany is also teaching 6-year-old Duke of Beaufort (Beau) until a proper governess can be found.
As she leaves her home, Bristle Cottage, to go to Astwell Palace, she trips over the body of a dead man, half covered in the snow. She recognizes that it’s Mr. Bernard Coram, a former footman at the palace. Found in front of her home, she is named the prime suspect by the justice of the peace. In an effort to clear her name, she learns that on the night of his death, Mr. Coram was involved in a fight at the local pub, but also that he was blackmailing the love of her life, local bookseller and constable, Samir Lathrop. Soon, it is Samir who is arrested. Tiffany is going to need all the help she can get to prove his innocence. A new arrival in town adds to the drama. The Lady Librarian has her hands full. Can she find the real killer? Or will Samir hang for a crime he didn’t commit?
Like in the first book of this series, A Novel Disguise, Ms. Larsen’s characters come alive within these pages. They are diverse, coming from all classes, and Miss Tiffany Woodall interacts with them all. She beams as she teaches her young charge, really making learning fun. She is comfortable in her new position, and a new friendship blooms when she needs a friend most. She thought she knew where her relationship with Samir was going, but new developments, and he being accused of murder, could mean she may never get her happy ever after.
I really enjoyed the author’s descriptive writing style, especially when Tiffany, her friend Thomas, and others traveled around the countryside trying to find the answers they needed. It’s always great to have a friend with power and the right connections to help move investigations along. Through the author’s words, I felt that I was right on the scene, whether it be at the palace, in the kitchen or library, the church, the pub in town, or the blacksmith shop in a town up the road.
I loved the way Tiffany fostered young Beau’s love for books. The palace library was “sadly lacking in children’s literature,” and she was determined to fix that by adding several books, including fairy tales. They were reading Gulliver’s Travels, complete with dressing up as pirates with swords to search for hidden treasure and with mathematical pirates’ problems to solve.
Ms. Larsen packs a lot into this well-plotted and well-written book. It is filled with twists and turns, a very satisfying reckoning, and a delightful final chapter and epilogue.
What we didn’t know when this book was released was if there would be a book 3. I can now report that there is, but the release is unique in that A Poetic Pox is being released first as an audiobook/CD on July 22, 2025, and will be released in other formats a few months later.
Once Upon a Murder is a captivating and entertaining story filled with a smart and loyal protagonist, a motley cast of supporting characters all caught up in an intriguing mystery, that includes the perfect amounts of romance and humor. To enjoy this book to the fullest, I believe you have to read A Novel Disguise first, as Once Upon a Murder picks up right where it leaves off. Then you will be ready when A Poetic Pox hits stores.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Booksand NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
Samantha Hastings met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, having tea parties, and chauffeuring her four kids. She teaches World Literature at Brigham Young University. Her young adult fiction books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selections and her historical romances are published around the world. She also writes murder mysteries under Samantha Larsen that Publisher’s Weekly called “wildly enjoyable.”
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A Novel Disguise is on Sale now for $1.99 for the Kindle format.
Find Books Written as Samantha Hastings HERE.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Sounds great, I hope to get a chance to read it 🙂