There's a lot to recommend this first Lady Adelaide mystery set in 1924 England. Robinson gives readers a good sense of the time period: so many women "left on the shelf" because of the hundreds of thousands of men killed in the war, people wanting to throw off gloom and misery and have fun. Anglo-Indian Inspector Devenand Hunter also shows people's attitudes toward someone of mixed race.

The cast of characters is an interesting mix. The secondary characters who arrive at Compton Court seem to be pulled from the Entitled and Obnoxious bin at Harrod's, but the first string more than held my interest. I liked Addie, her voice and her spirit. I also liked the fact that she rebelled against her mother's conformity as often as possible. For example, she wears her glasses. The women of her family have weak eyesight, but Addie's the only one who'd rather see where she's going than be vain and constantly walk into the furniture. Another point in her favor? She truly cares about her servants and purchases things to make their lives more comfortable.

The only way she worked my nerves was by her inability to keep her mouth shut when her husband's spirit would show up to talk at her when she's in a room with other people. Over and over again, it looked as though she was talking to thin air, and it's a wonder no one had her committed to the nearest mental health facility. Moreover, since the inspector from Scotland Yard came across her "talking to herself" most often it's surprising he believed a word she said. Speaking of the inspector, I liked his character most of all-- he has a different perspective from his time in the trenches as well as from dealing with the prejudices of others, and his parents are a constant source of amusement.

The author is known for her historical romances, which made me a bit nervous, but she kept the hearts and flowers to a minimum, and the story never bogged down with too many hormone-filled longings and ponderings. The one drawback to Nobody's Sweetheart Now is the fact that I really think the story could be just as good, if not better, by leaving the spirit of Addie's husband out completely. Other than making her look as though she's lost her mind, he has very little to do with the action. How do I feel about continuing with the series? I'll have to think about it. Addie's ghostly husband is almost a deal breaker.

I had a hard time connecting to the characters and I didn't feel that the ghost angle really added anything. The mystery wasn't strong enough to compensate for the other lacks.

"A delightful English cozy series begins in August 1924. Lady Adelaide Compton has recently (and satisfactorily) interred her husband, Major Rupert Charles Cressleigh Compton, hero of the Somme, in the family vault in the village churchyard.

Rupert died by smashing his Hispano-Suiza on a Cotswold country road while carrying a French mademoiselle in the passenger seat. With the house now Addie's, needed improvements in hand, and a weekend house party underway, how inconvenient of Rupert to turn up! Not in the flesh, but in - actually, as a - spirit. Rupert has to perform a few good deeds before becoming welcomed to heaven - or, more likely, thinks Addie, to hell.

Before Addie can convince herself she's not completely lost her mind, a murder disrupts her careful seating arrangement. Which of her twelve houseguests is a killer? Her mother, the formidable Dowager Marchioness of Broughton? Her sister Cecilia, the born-again vegetarian? Her childhood friend and potential lover, Lord Lucas Waring? Rupert has a solid alibi as a ghost and an urge to detect.

Enter Inspector Devenand Hunter from the Yard, an Anglo-Indian who is not going to let some barmy society beauty witnessed talking to herself derail his investigation. Something very peculiar is afoot at Compton Court and he's going to get to the bottom of it - or go as mad as its mistress trying."

I think this book has everything that makes a perfect read in my mind; 1920s, England, cozy, yes, yes, and yes!

The first in a new cozy mystery series. 1920s England, and Lady Adelaide is done mourning her unfaithful husband, who died 6 months prior in a car crash and decides to hold a small house party. As the guests arrive, she has her doubts and then a dead body shows up in her barn. Plus she thinks she is losing her mind as her husband seems to have come back as a ghost.

I really enjoyed this, it was perfect after some more involved books. A book like cotton candy and I do like me some of that.

This is fun! Addie's husband Rupert was a cad in life and now he's back as a ghost, causing trouble and annoying her to no end. AND then, her dinner party, meant to lighten her mood and just be a good time, turns into a murder investigation. Never fear, though, the detective, Dev Hunter, is smart, dishy, and just the person she needs to help. Of course, all of her guests have secrets, some of which won't be revealed til the end. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. The dialogue is lively, the plot nicely done, and I'm hopeful that this is only the beginning of a new series.

If you like Ms Fisher or Downton Abbey, read this series right away! Such a fun kickoff. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Although Lady Adelaide as been in mourning for her dead husband Rupert for only six months she decides to hold a weekend house party. Unforuntaley for her a body is discovered on her estate grounds, probably murdered. Anglo-Indian Inspector Devenand Hunter is sent from the Yard to investigate. Complicating the issue for Lady Adelaide is her dead husband. It seems Rupert has been sent back as a ghost to redeem himself.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery, and it is a good solid start to the series. I probably would have preferred it to be a straight mystery without a ghost.

I've read and enjoyed many of Maggie Robinson's romances so I was curious to see how she tackled a mystery. Nobody's Sweetheart Now is a fun book to read with lots of humorous moments interspersed with the more serious aspects of identifying the killer. I liked the characters and the plot and there are a few red herrings thrown in to confuse the reader. My one complaint is that the dialogue often seems a little stilted and awkward.

I enjoyed seeing how Addie interacts with the other characters, especially with Dev, Rupert, and Lucas. However, once the killer has been identified, the ending is somewhat abrupt and Addie just sort of rides off into the sunset, which I guess is the author's way of keeping the reader interested enough to look for more books in this series. It will be interesting to learn what role (if any) Dev, Rupert, and Lucas will play in upcoming novels. I look forward to reading more mystery books by this author featuring Lady Adelaide.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book at first but I kept reading and then I hated to put it down. The characters were well done revealing shallow self serving people for what they were and a few genuinely good people which is generally true in the world. The book represented the time period in which it was written pretty well. So many of these stories have female heroines who totally disregard convention without a care just because they have money. But I am not so sure that those women really could have skated so easily in those times. Here we have na character who may have resented conventional strictures but she did not completely flaunt her disregard. She subtly managed it while considering bolder moves. I hope this will become a series. I am wondering what her next choices might be. I did not give it fives stars because I think the writing itself was not quite up to par with writers who just have a flair with language but she is certainly above some who do not even have basic grammar down.

A delightful story of murder at the manor in an English countryside. Quite entertaining characters and plot. Lady Adelaide Compton's late husband Rupert comes back from the dead to "help" her solve the case, along with the inspector Dev Hunter.

<i>I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. </i>

First and foremost, I loved the time period of this book. The flapper era (1920's) is one of my favourites so, basically, I was destined to enjoy the novel.

The large cast of characters really helped make the novel an enjoyable experience and I especially liked Rupert, the deceased husband of Lady A. His appearances made for a light hearted murder mystery and he was one of my favourite characters within the novel.

Nobody's Sweetheart Now is the first in the Lady Adelaide Mystery series. I am looking forward to reading more as they are released.

I need more Lady Adelaide. Plain and simple. She's like the flip side of Phryne Fisher. I love all the characters in this book - Lady A. is making her way as a young widow, making her own decisions (starting with redecorating!), while contending with the ghost of her former Husband, Rupert, who seems intent on hanging around to give advice on everything, then there's the dashing Inspector Dev Hunter! Where to even begin... he's Anglo-Indian (exotically handsome), a working class guy but raised by a Mother with manners to compete with the Queen, and he agitates Rupert to no end. I also appreciate that Lady A. keeps it classy, no explicit details and no sex scenes. Thank you Ms. Robinson for that, please keep it that way.
I have to say this is the first time in a long time (Phryne Fisher series excepted, of course) that I've enjoyed the characters and the relationships just as much if not more than the mystery itself. I can't wait for more of Lady A.! Besides - too many questions left hanging - I need to know!

This is a terrific book. If one can consider a book with 2 murders delightful, this is delighful.

I am a new reader of Maggie Robinson. If this is an example of what I have missed, I have missed a great deal.

Lady Adelaide is a widow of only 6 months. Her late husband was a World War I hero. He was a flying ace. He also had been sleeping with many, many women during their marriage. His death came when he was driving too fast with one of his lady friends in the passenger seat of his car.

Addie has decided to have a house party. She has invited some of her London friends to come and spend some time at her country estate. Although she is still in mourning and wearing black, she wants to have the diversion of visiting with some of the people she knows best.

There are many surprises during her house party. She does not really know these people who have been in her life for years. They are filled with surprises. But, the largest surprise would be when her late husband, Rupert, appears to her. He is a ghost who believes he has been sent to protect her. Neither of them know exactly what dangers will require his protection. But, Rupert is certain that he has a duty to be with Addie before he can continue on his journey. Rupert is not sure which direction he is going.

This is a very funny story. No, people being murdered is not amusing. But, everything else is pretty humorous.

Addie not only talks to herself, but she also talks to Rupert. Since she is the only one who can see or hear him, it appears she is losing her mind. In fact, Addie believes she will end up in an institution. Rupert admits to all his affairs, and he also provides a great deal of information about their mutual friends. Some are secrets from the past, others are what is happening right now in the house party.

Addie and Rupert are two of the most wonderful characters. Their conversations are funny and very informative about their former relationship. She has no patience with him. Most importantly, this is the first time she can address his philandering directly with him. He is apologetic, but he also is rather proud of his reputation. He is truly sorry for the pain he has caused her, he loves her, but he is unable to change his past.

The two of them together have some of the most entertaining dialog I have read in quite some time.

When the local constable is unable to handle the investigation, an officer from London is sent to untangle the mess. He is Dev Hunter, a detective who is very good at what he does. He is half English and half Indian. He is very handsome, very intelligent and very able at solving puzzles. This time, he is dealing with more suspects and more motives than any ordinary policeman should have to face.

Dev and Addie begin investigating together. That was not the original plan, but it just seems to work out that way. She is familiar with the people who are suspects and he is familiar with human nature, even the seamy side of human nature. And there is a great deal of that in this story.

Addie is conscientious about reporting what she learns. Dev is conscientious about following the clues wherever they may lead.

This is a well done mystery. As events progress, the reader learns about each of the people involved. There are very few who do not have dark secrets. Some of those secrets are very dark and all of them are surprises to Addie. She is continually shocked to find that there was so much going on around her and she never had a hint.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

A very enjoyable new cozy mystery featuring a titled English widow and an Anglo-Indian detective. Lady Adelaide Compton is hosting her first house party since the death of her cheating husband, Rupert. The party is disrupted by the discovery of a body in one of the outbuildings. At least as disconcerting for the hostess, she is suddenly being visited by the ghost of her less-than-lamented late husband. Lady Adelaide is initially certain that she is losing her mind... and when Rupert persists in popping in unexpectedly and engaging her in conversation, Inspector Devenand Hunter (who can hear only Lady Adelaide's side of the conversation) has some concerns about her mental state as well. Add a cast of characters including Lady Adelaide's mother and newly vegetarian sister, an old friend who would like to be her suitor, a perhaps dodgy banker, and a best friend with a serious problem of her own, and this was an engaging read. There are a plethora of new cozy mysteries set in post-WWI England, but I felt Nobody's Sweetheart Now was set apart by Rupert's ghost, apparently sent back to earth to do good deeds before he can move on. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. I'm very happy to see that this is first in a new series. A definite "to-read" for fans of Carola Dunn's Daisy Dalrymple, Ashley Weaver's Amory Ames, and Rhys Bowen's Her Royal Spyness mysteries. Many thanks to NetGalley and the Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity in return for an honest review.

Good characterization, lots of surprises and quirks in the plot, and a nice balance of investigation and romance (the hunky policeman and the titled lady) fill the pages of Nobody’s Sweetheart Now. (Readers will find out where the title comes from, in the course of reading, which is nice.) You pretty much need a scorecard to keep track of the characters (who are all decidedly British), and luckily the author provides one at the beginning of the book.

Quickly – a Bright Young Thing is found murdered in the titled (and widowed) lady’s barn, and the race is on to find the one who done the deed. This loss is thought at first to not be much mourned, but boy, we find out that isn’t true – this becomes not your granny’s historical mystery when you found out who really is missing the deceased! And I’m not talking about the racy dialog, either. I do think the author dropped the ball here, with who should have known about this aspect of the woman’s life. Seems she could have brought this up in the plot. She certainly explored everything else; the book is overly long, in my opinion, with lots of tooing and froing by Lady Adelaide (“Addie”) and inspector Devenand (“Dev”) Hunter, lots of tampering with evidence and tampering with the truth, which could have been condensed.

There’s also another killing, which Lady Adelaide especially regrets. She’s invested with Inspector Hunter to find the perpetrator now, which she doesn’t mind at all, because said policeman is especially attractive. You can see where this is going, I’m sure. Although the ending is unclear.

Finally, my biggest problem with the book, what turned me off immediately, and what I couldn’t get past; I don’t like ghosts in stories – especially snarky ghosts. Who Know All but Won’t Tell. Others may not feel the same way, of course.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book, in exchange for this review.

Thank you Net Galley. A delightful cozy mystery that was an easy, quick read. Perfect for a long commute or a late night read. I look forward to reading more in the series.

infidelity, cozy-mystery, British-detective, amateur-sleuth, murder-investigation, ghosts, situational-humor, verbal-humor

Even better than Cosmo Topper! It's 1924 and Addie is a widow of six months and of a titled and wealthy family. Said husband was brave in the Great War, but it became obvious that he was a real bounder even before that. Now he returns as a ghost just as two very separate people have been murdered on the estate while Abbie is having a quiet weekend gathering to keep away the boredom. What a mess! When the local constabulary raises hackles, the Yard sends nice guy DI Hunter and he is endlessly becoming aware of her habit of talking to herself. Or something.
The characters are all a bit wacky and not just from the hot weather, the sleuthing gets infinitely complicated, and there is even a man who identifies as a psychic! Outstanding fun read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

A delightful first entry in a new historical mystery series, sure to appeal to fans of Rhys Bowen or Ashley Weaver.

I liked this book as it was a very nice mystery. I love the time period and the zigs and zags kept me interested. It was fun to read and I recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advanced digital copy of Nobody’s Sweetheart Now by Maggie Robinson. The book is introduced as the first in a new cozy series featuring Lady Adelaide Compton. If the book leads to a series, this reader hopes the future books will include some of the more interesting secondary characters as well and an opportunity to see how relationships develop. The book is well written and offers an enjoyable opportunity to spend time with some of the wealthy and titled in England during the roaring twenties.

Lady Adelaide is a kind-hearted, innocent woman of impeccable breeding who has recently been widowed. Her philandering husband was killed in a fatal automobile wreck while driving with his latest mistress. The accident and resulting death is how Lady Adelaide learns her husband is and has often been unfaithful. Her response has been to gather her thoughts, remodel the country home she inherited along with the flat in London, and begin to move forward with her new life. She was aware the marriage was less than happy, but clueless as to the extent of his philandering, which combine to prevent her experiencing any deep grief at her new status as widow.

With her desire to move forward and begin to enjoy life again, she plans a weekend party at her country estate, inviting a number of her long-time friends. The guest she didn’t invite, but who shows up anyway, is the ghost of her now dead husband. Throughout the book the reader gets the opportunity to eavesdrop as Addie moves from believing he is a figment of her imagination to accepting that she is now being visited by a ghost.

The weekend party is barely underway when the discovery of a dead body is found on the grounds of Addie’s estate. Not long after, a second body is found and Addie begins learning that most of her friends have lives both secret lives and activities far darker than she would have believed. She is truly an innocent who is kind-hearted toward friends and servants alike, and it comes as somewhat of a shock when she learns not everyone is the same.

Because the local constabulary bungles the initial interviews and angers many of Addie’s upper class guests, Devenand Hunter an Anglo-Indian detective from Scotland Yard is called in to take over the investigation. He is a few years older than Addie, single and incredibly handsome as well as intelligent. While there are hints at an attraction between Addie and Dev, as well as another male character who has known Addie for most of her life, these are very much background stories and serve to add character and depth to Addie and others instead of pushing the book over into a romance novel.

While the ending is satisfying, it was not as tight as I might like for it to have been. The solution to this mystery is given toward the end of the novel without many clues and red herrings leading up to the conclusion, so the reader isn’t afforded the opportunity to solve the mystery on their own much before the denouement. Still, with many likeable characters and an intriguing look into the period, the story remains enjoyable and I would definitely consider reading a second book in the series.