Murder in Berkeley Square - (The Lady Worthing Mysteries) by Vanessa Riley

Book Synopsis

With elegance, wit, and welcome diversity, this spellbinding historical mystery series follows a captivating, resourceful heroine whose notorious past--and unparalleled detecting talent--crosses swords with a killer cutting a vengeful swath through London high society . . .

A marriage of convenience saved Lady Abigail Worthing's family from disgrace, but she's finding her absent husband's endless conditions increasingly repressive. Unwilling to stay at their London home during Yuletide, she accepts a ride to her aunt's residence in Cheapside from her neighbor, Stapleton Henderson. However, she's less than delighted that she's his excuse to avoid a dinner held by Lord Charles Duncan, one of London's most powerful--and relentless--magistrates. More irritating, women are decidedly unwelcome at the evening's prestigious discussion of criminality--even though Abigail and Stapleton have solved several cases together . . .

Then an unexpected blizzard strands them at Lord Duncan's with his other houseguests. Suddenly, an evening of fine dining, fine brandy, and insightful debate becomes an inescapable--and deadly--ordeal. One of the guests is found dead in front of the Berkley Square mansion. And when another party is murdered, Abigail discovers each had received a taunting, prophetic nursery rhyme . . . coincidence, or clues?

Through deft interrogation, she learns everyone present is connected to Lord Duncan's greatest failure: the conviction of a Martinique plantation informant for a murder he didn't commit. But as Abigail races to identify the killer among them, she'll be forced to put her own and Stapleton's life at risk in a gambit that will alter their fates forever--or end them permanently.

Review Quotes

Praise for Vanessa Riley's Lady Worthing Mysteries:

"Riley continues to dazzle readers with an inclusive, vibrantly fashioned historical setting while also gracefully tipping her literary cap to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None (1940) in the form of a cleverly conceived, closed-circle-of-suspects plot and an inventive Regency-era rhyme standing in for the nursery rhyme Dame Agatha employed in her work." --Booklist on Murder in Berkeley Square

"Riley seamlessly interweaves edifying insights about the period's racial dynamics...Top-shelf atmosphere." --Publishers Weekly on Murder in Berkeley Square

"Lovers of Agatha Christie will find this puzzle both disturbing and delightful." --Kirkus Reviews on Murder in Berkeley Square

"Acclaimed historical fiction author Vanessa Riley pens a historical mystery about a woman who's helped solve a number of criminal cases--but is barred from a dinner discussing such matters with men." --Book Riot on Murder in Berkeley Square

"In a time when Black and mixed-race people were marginalized and overlooked, the author brings these voices to the forefront through vibrant and well-developed characters. Readers will enjoy the Bridgerton-esque setting and dialogue and will keep working to uncover the clues. Combining elements of an Agatha Christie-style whodunit with the vivid portrayal of a more encompassing view of Regency-era England, the second Lady Worthing mystery does not disappoint." --Library Journal on Murder in Drury Lane

"Riley's Regency Era thriller diverges from most period mysteries in two respects: The heroine's first-person narrative is brisk and economical, and the whodunit plot is woven into Abigail's story of survival in a judgmental society. As if her abandonment by her husband were not challenge enough, Abigail faces bigotry and sexism as a Black woman as well. It's her empathy for Danielson's widow that compels her to solve the crime, though the revelation of the killer might endanger the pending abolition bill in parliament. An Author's Note provides much interesting background information on people, places, and history. Not your grandma's period mystery." --Kirkus Reviews on Murder in Drury Lane

"With impeccable attention to period details, a vividly evoked setting, a cast of richly nuanced characters, and a captivating plot that fully embraces the challenges and oft-overlooked diversity of the Regency era, Riley's second stunning addition to her Lady Worthing series is a delight." --Booklist on Murder in Drury Lane

"It's a promising theme, and Riley sets her sights on a pivotal, fascinating period in British history." --Publishers Weekly on Murder in Drury Lane

"Riley skillfully puts race into historical context. She takes the reader through all the twists and turns, although where Lady Worthing's heart lies remains a mystery." --Tampa Bay Times on Murder in Drury Lane

"Riley's inclusive, keenly drawn cast shines a light on the role of people of color in the Regency era...Snappy dialogue, abundant intrigue, and Abbie and Stapleton's increasingly flirtatious antagonism keep the tension high and the narrative drive strong. Smart, fun, and full of moxie." --Kirkus Reviews on Murder in Westminster

"Riley's storytelling gift is strong and her prose is lovely and evocative." --Mystery Scene Magazine on Murder in Westminster

"Murder in Westminster (historical mystery) is sure to be a great read to add to your current must-read lists." --Essence Magazine on Murder in Westminster

"Riley's prose is unique, nestling a lush, lavish image next to a swift, chopping realization...The book is an absorbing experience, a complicated mystery rooted in the compelling historical struggle for abolition that navigates the nuances of race and class with a heroine the reader can't help but love. Highly recommended." --Historical Novel Society on Murder in Westminster

"Fans of Regency-era historical mysteries featuring intelligent heroines (such as Andrea Penrose's Lady Arianna or Tasha Alexander's Lady Emily) will find this series a welcome addition to the genre." --Library Journal

"Riley offers a vibrant picture of the roles Black and mixed-race people played in Regency life. Fans of Bridgerton will enjoy this one." --Publishers Weekly on Murder in Westminster

"Murder in Westminster is a fresh, unique take on the Regency, deftly weaving historical fact with dastardly intrigue. Lady Worthing is an intrepid and unforgettable heroine and I can't wait for the next adventure! Clever and engaging." --Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries

"You don't want to miss this invigorating take on the Regency lady sleuth. Vanessa Riley breathes new life into the genre and offers a unique perspective in Murder in Westminster." --Sherry Thomas, USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Sherlock series on Murder in Westminster

About the Author

Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of historical romance, mystery, and fiction novels featuring realistic multicultural communities and powerful persons of color. To fuel her interest in the Regency and early-Victorian eras, she made time for attending renaissance fairs and consuming period novels and films while obtaining her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and a master's in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University, as well as a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. A frequent speaker at literary, women's, and STEM events, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her military husband and teenage kid. Visit her online at VanessaRiley.com.