How does the of a librarian in an university and the theft of an ancient rare manuscript involve the Earl of Wrexford? As Charlotte and the Weasels are drawn into a mystery of their own, who is sabotaging the work of competitors developing the first oceanic stream powered engine. Is the consortium that Kit wants to invest in, part of the mystery? So many questions, will they find the answers? Are the two seemingly separate conundrums maybe connected? It is always a joy to revisit the Wrexfords and their ever expanding family. Since the librarian murder is connected to Wrex's deceased brother, we get a little insight into what makes him tick. As with the previous books in the series, the action is fast paced and doesn't slow until the end. Keep the mysteries coming, they just get better and better.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Murder at the Merton Library is the seventh title in the long running Wexford and Sloane series. The book begins with the murder in Merton Library in Oxford. The victim had connections to Wexford's brother and had sent Wexford a note asking him to visit to discuss a matter of utmost importance. Wexford arrives to discover the death and is determined to figure out who did it and why. Charlotte and Kit are involved in determining if claims by an investment group to have made a significant breakthrough on the topic of marine propulsion. and what it means to Kit's business ventures. Both mysteries are well done and I love how Ms. Penrose weaves real historical events and scientific information into her stories. Charlotte and Wexford continue to grow in their relationship as they are settling into married life. I love the cast of secondary characters in this series including Kitt, Cordelia, Raven, Hawk, Perregrine, and Charlotte's great-aunt Alison. I look forward to future titles in the series.

What do a murder in an Oxford library and a suspicious fire in a warehouse laboratory have to do with each other? In “Murder at the Merton Library” Wrexford and Sloane take on seemingly unrelated cases, but then they discover connections between the murder victim and some of the people involved in research related to what was happening in the burned laboratory. Suddenly, they are in a race to find a murderous traitor before he strikes again. Wrex, Charlotte, and the Weasels, along with a delightful cast of supporting characters, including Aunt Allison, take the reader on a fast-paced journey through intrigues old and new.

One of the things I really enjoy about Andrea Penrose’s books is the inclusion of well-researched political or scientific intrigue into the story. In this case, the intrigue revolves around the race to develop an ocean-going steamship. High risk investments are also explored as the characters work through whether or not a proposed investment scheme is legitimate or not.

This book is great for anyone who enjoys historical mysteries and regency-era historical mysteries. Don’t miss the afterword about the competition to develop a steamship that could easily travel on the ocean.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A great addition to this series. Just the right amount of intrigue, sleuthing, history and family values makes this title one of the better ones. Penrose is gifted in her craft.

I absolutely love this series and this installment is no exception. It is another wonderful addition to the series. There are two mysteries in the story-line, one involving solving the murder of a family friend the served with Wexler’s brother during the war. While Charlotte’s mystery has a maritime connection as she delves into the advancement of ocean-going steam engines and its potential economic impact. Could there be a connection between them, if so, what is the link. The story allows the reader a view into the social disparities of the Victorian periods along with the scientific advancement of the industrial revolution.

This book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the books in sequence to get a better understanding of this family of characters and their back stories. I appreciate the author’s ability to connect historical and scientific advancement of the times into the narrative along with the vivid description of Victorian society. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing the digital arc of Murder at the Merton Library for review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Although I'm new to the Wrexford & Sloane mystery series, I truly enjoyed the camaraderie and intelligence that were the hallmarks of this story.

Found family and friends band together to solve not one, but two mysteries that plague their lives. The first is the death of a librarian at Merton Library, a close companion of Wrexford's deceased brother, while the second is an elaborate ruse being put forth by a consortium hoping to raise funds for a life-changing invention.

At the center of it all is Lord Wrexford and his unconventional wife, Lady Charlotte. Aided by their adopted sons and devoted servants, they set out to solve both mysteries before it's too late.

There were aspects of the story that reminded me of Dickens, and other aspects that were more reminiscent of Doyle. All together, it's a cleverly written story with lots of twists and turns, and I look forward to reading further books in the series!

Thank you to Andrea Penrose, Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Weasels add another avian moniker to their crew.

Wrexham, Charlotte and the weasels find themselves confronted with the truth behind a British reconnaissance mission in Portugal where Wrex’s beloved brother Thomas was killed in action. The English had been betrayed. Somehow a traitor, probably highly placed, had passed information to the French.
Called to a meeting at Oxford library at Merton Hall by his brother’s friend, Wrexham arrives to find that Neville Greeley has been murdered, and as he later discovers, most mysteriously a renaissance paper in Latin has been stole.
Coincidentally, Peregrine has been invited by a friend of his uncle’s workshop. Mr. Tilden is an inventor.
Worth mentioning is that currently, beginning to catch investors’ attention is the race, in scientific, political and international circles, to invent a steam powered engine able to sail the oceans.
Wrexham and the ‘family’ become caught up in nefarious plots to steal plans of several naval prototypes, and the destruction of important workshops designing and experimenting with parts.
The weasels have another young person join their bird named group. This time a young midshipman, great nephew to the Dowager Duchess Alison, Countess of Peake. Of course they aptly name him Osprey. Let’s just say that the beginning of their relationship was not auspicious.
Characters from Charlotte’s maid Mac’s (McClellan) past appear who seem closely aligned with a consortium of investors for the production of steam power for the high seas.
A.J. Quill is kept busy as are all the group as they finagle their way through a morass of intrigue, betrayal and danger.
Another superb episode in the lives of my favorite miscreants.
I love the way Penrose combines the excitement of this era, the innovations and political events into a solid tale.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I’ve enjoyed this series since the first book. The characters have grown, matured, and become more three-dimensional. Plus, we’ve added some new and very interesting supporting characters to the group as well. With the major changes that have happened in the characters' lives, the books have also become less recklessly hold-your-breath physical and more thoroughly investigative and intellectual. Not that there isn’t a good kidnapping, or a gruesome murder to solve because there definitely is.

Neville Greeley came home from the Napoleonic wars terribly scarred in both mind and body. He loves the peace and tranquility of working as the head librarian at Merton College Library. Lately, flashes of memory have been coming back to him and he knows he must contact Wexford to tell him what he is remembering. Greeley was the only survivor of an ambush that took the life of his best friend Thomas (Wexford’s brother), and the rest of their group of soldiers. What is he remembering? He’ll never be able to tell because he is found murdered the next morning.

Charlotte Stone, Countess of Wrexford, is in her disguise as Magpie while she watches a huge warehouse/workshop burn. Was the fire set deliberately? Is it something her other alter ego, A.J. Quill, needs to become involved in? She leaves – unsure. However, when she discovers what her wards – collectively known as the weasels – have to share, she knows she’ll have to at least ask questions. The building that burned was the workshop of a gifted inventor who was trying to develop a way to adapt steam to power large ships that could cross the sea. Sabotage? When she discovers their friend Kit has been approached to invest in a consortium that is trying to do the same thing, she knows she has to be involved.

As they work through the clues they come to realize the cases are related – to each other and to a traitorous atrocity from the war years. The villain is as sly and ruthless as they come. Can they discover the villain? Will they catch him before he escapes?

This was a fun and interesting read with the villain(s) about as vile as they come. One thing I really always enjoy in these books is the Author’s Notes. I know – right? The author always bases the books on some set of scientific inventions, etc. that was happening at the time and we always learn so much. I love that! Then, she always explains in the Author’s Notes where she deviated from fact – and she shares more facts. For me, it is always like getting dessert after having a delicious dinner.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This Wrexford & Sloan series entry works very well as a stand alone read. Incorporating a scientific invention of the Regency Era enables the author to skillfully weave a plot that includes pride, greed, lust, love, envy, revenge, justice and gluttony for power. Will definitely go back and read the other books in this series. Thanks to #NetGalley, #MurderAtTheMertonLibrary for advanced digital copy.

Another great addition to this entertaining series.

All of the great characters come back together, and this time Wrex and Charlotte each have a mystery to solve! But they soon start to merge together and with a blend of historical facts and fiction, the story will keep you entertained until the end!!

1814 Old army friend of Wrexham's dead brother asks for his help. But when he arrives at the Merton Library in Oxford, the librarian Neville Greeley is dead. Back in London the race is on to invent an ocean going propulsion system. But rivalrys abound with some destruction resulting. Can this extended family solve these two mysteries.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and varied main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another solid entertaining book in this reliable series. I picked up this book knowing that I would enjoy it as I had the rest of the series. I don't think that I would have requested this book if I had not read the others as it is too far into the series to catch up.

I love how science and historical events are interwoven in Penrose’s mysteries. There’s always a balance between Wrexford’s science and logic and Charlotte’s intuition and feelings–and that’s part of the reason they work so well together. I still wish for more depth between them, especially since they’ve married, but we had some good backstory development about Wrex’s brother.

I hope these aren’t going to shift to a more cozy style. There was a lot of gathering everyone to rehash info and making sure there were biscuits and brandy on hand. As much as I like the ensemble cast, I prefer a faster pace and more grit. Well plotted if a little slow, it was a good edition to the series and I’m eager to see what happens next.

I love this time period. I love the information that was given about new science and scientific discoveries. I just was LOST when I began the book. It seemed like the characters all knew each other and interacted like a well oiled machine, but, as a first time reader of this multi-book series, it didn't make much sense. Once I learned it was a series, I felt better about my inability to keep people in their correct lane.

The story was fabulous, the people interesting, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. What began as two dissimilar events, well you need to read this book to find out about that! My goal is to begin with the first book and go through the series.

Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. The review is my own.

I want to start by saying that I did not know this was part of a series when I requested to review it. NetGalley doesn't really tell you if it is part of a series, or what number in the series it is. With that, I was a little at a disadvantage. Although the book can be read as a stand alone book, usually the first book in a series where a person or group starts solving murders that they come across will introduce your detectives, their motives, how they came to be in the detection game, etc. Then the other books can just jump into the action. Since this is book 7 of the series, it did indeed jump in and I had to figure out the main players/crime solvers on the fly with no context as to who they were or how they got into this. There are, of course, other mentions of previous cases mentioned in the book that while not necessarily relevant to the story, leave you feeling a bit left out if you haven't read the rest of the series. Not a deal breaker, but a slight disadvantage making one play a bit of catch up.

Putting that aside, I did enjoy this book. It is a historical murder mystery but it also involves a scientific element which I hadn't yet run into in a murder mystery book. This one takes a bit of a look at the race to invent propeller engines for easier travel across the oceans. I enjoyed that different approach. However, I will admit that I got kind of a Nancy Drew/Scooby-Doo vibe from the overall story, but for adults not kids. I could imagine the murderer of the story saying something along the lines of... and I'd have gotten away with it if it weren't for you meddling adults! There was also a part where some of our fearless amateur detectives get caught by the villains and have to find a way to escape... like the Nancy Drew stories of my childhood. I'll also say that when the characters think they have the case solved but that the reader is only about halfway through the book, its a dead giveaway that the characters are wrong and there is much more to the story so there's a twist or more coming.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and may even go back and read the rest of the series. However, I'll also admit that it isn't going into my list of favorites and I'm not running out immediately to read the rest of them. If you're looking for a fun murder mystery with some science elements that brings out a hint of nostalgia, then this book is for you. If you're looking for something more than your run of the mill murder mystery, then this may not be it.

This is book seven in Andrea Penrose’s Wrexford and Sloane series and involves two mysteries. Which meant double the introduction for me. The Earl of Wrexford has received a letter from his deceased brother’s best friend that contains some urgency. Unfortunately, Wrexford arrives too late as the man is found dead and a manuscript is missing.

The second mystery involves Wrexford’s wife, Charlotte, pursuing a possible arsonist. The arson in question winds up involving the steam-powered ship to cross the oceans and who will get there first. The suspects are international and reach into the highest levels of government.

I do not recommend this as a standalone. I did and found that I was confused as to who was who and related how. There is some personal backstory given, and no spoilers for previous books, but not enough at the beginning. However, it doesn’t spoil the plot or the flow of the novel. I enjoyed that readers started in a library but found themselves somewhere else entirely. The scholarly path connected with science and history.

The characters are strong, confident, and adorable. They all work together well, and each has a distinct personality. I would love to run around with the Weasels and Peregrine. I’m interested to see if Osprey will continue in the series, and sincerely hope he does.

Overall, I rate this 5/5 stars, and will go back to the beginning of the series hopefully soon.

This is a review for NetGalley for Murder at the Merton Library by Andrea Penrose, that was released on Aug 28.  This is the latest Wrexford and Sloane mystery book 7, and I really enjoy this series, and really enjoyed this book!  It was a murder mystery that was very interesting, including some early forensic science and general science, as all the others were as well, and kept building page by page, and reached a climax that I didn't predict nor expect!  The returning characters felt like old friends, and it was wonderful how they all worked together to solve another murder, but this time it was personal as a friend of Wrexford is killed!  I rate this a 4 out of 5 because it was a great story but a little hard to understand sometimes, but I do highly recommend it as I did really enjoy it a lot!  But you should read book 1 to understand the characters, but you don't have to, as you will understand it as a stand alone too.

The earl of Wrexford has recently lost his brother, and now gets an urgent message from his brother's troubled best friend, who happens to be the librarian at Oxford college's Merton Library, to come see him immediately.  When Lord Wrexford arrives at Oxford, he finds that the librarian has been murdered, and that a rare and ancient manuscript has been stolen as well!  Its up to Lord Wrexford and his sleuthing wife Charlotte, who is also  plus their whole murder-solving crew to work together to find the answers as to why and how this best friend of his brother's died, and what someone wants with that manuscript!  This road leads them to a lab fire, a race to see who can get the first ocean steam ship up and running, and all the power that goes along with that, which is a high stakes game!  The whole gang, including the Weasels, Peregrine, Mac, Sheffield, and the others must work together to solve this multifaceted mystery!  What a winding road they must travel to get answers!!!

So I do highly recommend this book! I love how the author explains everything thoroughly , and makes her stories so interesting!  I learned a lot about steam powered propellers, and the science behind them.  Also learned a lot about how inventors had to struggle when they had great ideas when there were many who wanted to steal their ideas!!  So if you enjoy science and murder mysteries, then the Wrexford and Sloane series is for you!

4.25/5 stars

This Wrexford & Sloane is 7th in series and involves not one but two mysteries.

The Earl of Wrexford is urgently summoned to an old family friend in Oxford only to discover he’s been murdered, and a rare manuscript stolen. Meanwhile, Wrexford’s wife Charlotte, with the help of her secret identity (A.J. Quill, an artist's pen name) delves into possible arson and how it might be related to the international cutthroat race to build the first prototype of a steam-powered ship able to cross oceans. They are aided along the way by their intrepid family and friends.

Overall, I enjoyed this installment…especially learning more about Wrexford’s past and his relationship with his late brother, and the history behind the invention of the steamship (although I did feel that this was a bit long-winded/too much at times). However, I didn’t quite get the feel of engagement with the story/characters as I normally have with previous books…not sure why. It just didn’t feel like one of Penrose’s stronger efforts in this series. Having said that, it’s still a good series, definitely worth reading and I recommend it to all historical mystery lovers.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing the free early arc of Murder at the Merton Library for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Lord Wrexford sets out quickly to Oxford when he receives a message from an old friend, Greeley, a Librarian at Merton College Library. More important, he was the dearest friend of Wrexford's younger brother, Thomas. Thomas was killed in a French ambush in Portugal during the Napoleonic Wars, and Wrexford has always felt guilty that he was not there to save him. Greeley was the only survivor, grievously wounded in both body and spirit. Wrexford would never ignore a request from Greeley. Upon his arrival, he finds that the librarian has been murdered and a valuable manuscript is missing.

Meanwhile, in London, Lady Charlotte is investigating a possible arson fire at a laboratory under her pen name, AJ Quill. This is the age of steam; Stephen Fulton has just introduced the steam paddleboat in America to great success and acclaim. The British are all in on developing an ocean-going steamboat. As was the custom, consortiums are being formed to reap the benefits. Some of the consortiums have dubious characters involved, and Charlotte wants to get to the bottom of them, especially since their friend, Kit Sheffield, is tempted to join one of the most dubious.

As always, the burgeoning world of science is at the heart of the Wrexford and Sloane mysteries. The Regency era brought many new scientific advances and new ways to cheat others out of their wealth. In this particular entry, I found myself lost in all the theories of propulsion from DaVinci to more modern theorists. However, the cast of characters redeems that. Time spent in the company of the Wrexfords, their formerly street urchin wards, Raven and Hawk, and Peregrine, the new addition, Peregrine, is well-spent. It is an unconventional family, but a family nonetheless. We even get answers about Charlotte's taciturn housekeeper, Mac, and a resolution to just who was responsible for the death of Thomas in the ambush that killed him.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review. This series and the characters in the books just keep getting better. I enjoyed the mystery and a look at the science and subterfuges around the development of the ocean going propulsion system.. interesting to hear a little of Mac’s backstory. . I love how the family of Weasels just keep growing.. can’t wait to see what happens next.