This captivating Regency-era mystery inspired by the novels of Jane
Austen is perfect for fans of Andrea Penrose, Lauren Willig, and Deanna
Raybourn, as readers venture beyond the glittering ballrooms and elegant
parties of Regency London to the dark side of the city and its
unexpected dangers.
Rosalind Thorne may not have a grand fortune of her own, but she
possesses virtues almost as prized by the haut ton discretion, and a
web of connections that enable her to discover just about anything about
anyone. Known as a "most useful woman," Rosalind helps society ladies in
need--for a modest fee, of course--and her client roster is steadily
increasing.
Mrs. Gerald Douglas, née Bethany Hodgeson, presents Rosalind with a
particularly delicate predicament. A valuable pearl necklace has gone
missing, and Bethany's husband believes the thief is Nora, Bethany's
disgraced sister. Nora made a scandalous elopement at age sixteen and
returned three years later, telling the family that her husband was
dead.
But as Rosalind begins her investigations, under cover of helping the
daughters of the house prepare for their first London season, she
realizes that the family harbors even more secrets than scandals. The
intrigue swirling around the Douglases includes fraud, forgery,
blackmail, and soon, murder. And it will fall to Rosalind, aided by
charming Bow Street officer Adam Harkness, to untangle the shocking
truth and discover who is a thief--and who is a killer.
