A Fatal Assignation is the second book in the Rutherford Trilogy by Alice Chetwynd Ley. Originally released in 1987, this reformat and re-release from Sapere on 3rd Nov 2019 is 231 pages and available in ebook format (other editions available in other formats). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is an easy to read Regency historical mystery with a very light and subtle romance subplot. I would not call it a romance. The mystery is engaging and develops apace with murder and blackmail and a fair bit of skullduggery. One particular thing which struck me positively throughout was the author's attention to period detail. The dialogue sounds right and I found no glaring anachronisms when I was reading. I wasn't yanked out of the story by problems with continuity, plotting, or character. I confess that I read this one in one sitting and mostly as a pleasure read-through instead of with an eye mainly toward reviewing, so my notes are not copious.

I hadn't read the first book in the series, but this one works perfectly well as a standalone. I do intend to pick up the other two for a quick read soon. For KU subscribers, most of the author's oeuvre is available in the KU library.

Four stars. Piquant, true to period, and well written.

As was the case with the first book in this series, this is an enjoyable and easy to read historical fiction mystery. There is not much in the way of character depth or development, but I’m still looking forward to reading the next, which is also the last, in the series.

Once again, despite what the book description say, this really is not a romance novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing an digital ARC.

A missing Lord!
This second in the Rutherford Mysteries is once again a delightful read--if murder and blackmail can be considered that! Justin Rutherford's personae is as always the decisive, yet slightly detached, gentleman detective. Andrea his niece is back being the bright ton darling, smart and at times wayward, and Justin's scintillating accomplice. This time Andrea's friend Charlotte Jermyn's uncle is missing. Only it turns out he's dead and Andrea might have been the last to see him in an unexpected place. It seems Preston was somewhat of a roué with a string of mistresses to his bow. As Justin describes him, "one of Prinney’s set ... Odd fish." It takes some time for a hue and cry to be raised as Lady Jerymn and her husband go there separate ways, having "little in common, and merely try to support the usual observances of marriage." She initially approaches Justin in case her husband reappears from a sojourn in the country or some such activity. An investigation that won't cause embarrassment. Naturally though with Preston dead, Justin takes a hand with assisting Bow Street. This entails interviewing amongst others, Charlotte. There did seem to be a current of attraction between these two, but that might be all it is. A pleasing regency mystery.
A Sapere Books ARC via NetGalley

London 1816 and Justin Rutherford is asked for his help in finding out who murdered Lord Jermyn. His niece Anthea is roped in to help. This is my second book in the series and I found it all delightful.

Reminscent of a Georgette Heyer mystery murder with bits of Agatha Christie thrown in set in an era where everyone pretended that things were right when they weren't and everything was a matter of form and etiquette is good to read (and know that we do not have to conform to this lifestyle at all!)

Lady Jermyn knows her husband has a roving eye, he has had several mistresses over the years and she has grown accustomed to this fact. He has however been considerate to the extent that he does keep her informed of his whereabouts and when he goes missing for five days, not even taking his valet with him she knows something is amiss. His death however has to be investigated and rather than leaving it in the hands of Bow Street Runners alone, she seeks Justin Rutherford's help.

Many husbands would wish Lord Jermyn dead but whether they would actually deal with the actual murder has to be seen and apart from them, his dealings have been murky and they slowly unravel to reveal some unsavoury acquaintances who would dearly like him dead.

Lots of descriptive writing with regard to society at the time, along with touches of romance, this was a very pleasant read.

This was my first reading of Alice Chetwynd Ley. She wrote three of these Rutherford books that combined romance and murder investigation. The pace is lively enough and this will provide light entertainment for lovers of regency romance.

Net Galley copy for me, but available on Kindle Unlimited as well

Alice Chetwynd Ley (1913-2004) wrote Regency Romance and Mystery novels. A Fatal Assignation is a little old-fashioned but entertaining.

from description:
London, 1816

When Lord Jermyn goes missing, his wife asks scholar-turned-sleuth Justin Rutherford to find him without raising a scandal.

It seems that Justin’s niece, Anthea, was the last person to see the rakish lord — waiting in a secret room in a fashionable dress shop.

But days later, Jermyn is found shot and buried in a pauper’s grave.

While not a favorite in this genre, A Fatal Assignation entertained me for a few hours.

NetGalley/Sapere Books
Historical Mystery. Nov. 3, 2019. Print length: 221 pages.

A good and engrossing historical mystery that kept me guessing till the end.
I liked the historical background, the character development and the solid mystery.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.