If you love a Regency Historical Fiction novel, look no further. Just be ready for a crazy ending!

After losing her fiance and soulmate, Lady Petra decides to use her mothers inheritance to live off of instead of looking for a man to keep by her side. During 1815 in London, that was unheard of. When Petra hears of a dear friend's suspicious death, she starts to look into it. She discovers a private asylum where men can take their wives and daughters to be locked away. Petra starts to wonder if her friend is actually dead, or being kept in this facility.

I loved Petra, her independence and fiery heart was so refreshing. Feminism radiated from every chapter of this novel. While Petra wants to crush social norms she also doesn’t want to ruin her family's reputation, but some things are just more important.

The beginning of this novel was very slow for me.I loved the hints of romance but really wish there was more in this department. The ending of this novel took me by surprise. I love a good cliffhanger but also need some closure. I do think that regency novels might not be for me!

Thank you Minotaur Books for sending me the physical copy!

What a delightful read! This well-written feminist mystery has an intriguing premise, compelling characters, humor, and a touch of romance. Lady Petra investigates the mysterious death of a friend. She uncovers a disturbing plot, one that highlights some of the frightening issues women faced during this period of history.

Petra is an unconventional and fantastic FMC who consistently outwits the men who hold power. Her character is well-developed, gutsy, intelligent, caring, self-assured, and resourceful. She's brave enough to defy conventions and stay true to herself, living life as she wishes at a time when women had so little control over their lives. The secondary characters were also vivid, from the charming to the infuriating to the sinister. And street-wise Teddy was an endearing stand-out.

The historical detail is excellent, as is the dialogue, and this has definite Bridgerton vibes, although it's focused more on the mystery than the romance. And the mystery is layered and interesting. With a fair amount of world-building, it takes a bit for the action to build up. But once it does, things become very suspenseful, and toward the end, it is hard to put down! This is a series to keep an eye on and one I look forward to continuing.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Publication: November 14, 2023

Rating: 2 stars

This was my first time reading this type of genre, where it's a bit of romance and Regency era. I think this will be my last time trying outside of my regular genres to read. This book was painfully slow for me and I ended up losing interest. I think this is all a me problem since I don't usually read this type of book.

This Regency period mystery is smart, funny, and feminist. Lady Petra has declared that she intends to remain a spinster after her beloved fiance dies. Fortunately, thanks to an inheritance from her mother, she is financially able to do as she chooses. With this freedom and the connections of her family, she is able to move about society making investigations possible. I enjoy historical fiction mysteries, and this is a nice addition to the genre. The story tackles an issues that women of the time faced where they were at the mercy of men in their lives who could have them spitefully put away. I particularly like how even though childhood friend Duncan tries to protect Petra, she takes care of herself and is clearly the one who resolves the mystery.

I am looking for to reading more from the author and this series as Petra is a great heroine.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Joining the now crowded regency mystery field, Celeste Connally manages to make her entry a stand out in her series debut. Set in 1815, Lady Petra Forsyth has declared to all of society that she plans to remain unmarried. Unusually for the time, she has her own monies left to her by her mother, and she’s mourning not only a dead fiancé but the loss of her dearest childhood friend, Duncan Shawcross. The two were raised together and parted on a terrible note after the death of Petra’s beloved, who was also Duncan’s best friend.

It's now three years later and the two meet up again at a huge ball. They seem determined to remain prickly toward one another (or at least Petra seems determined). More importantly, however, Petra is fending off veiled and not so veiled insults from some of the titled men in her circle, regarding her announcement of intentional spinsterhood. She’s also puzzled about the recent sudden death of a friend, whom a footman at the ball claims to have seen recently – after her purported death date. This is something Petra wants to pursue.

Through a series of machinations, she arranges to “run into” the footman on Rotten Row, the daily London perambulation for fancy horses. Petra loves to ride (and even scandalously rides astride in breeches when she’s at home). She does “run into” the footman, but he’s dead, and this launches an entirely new inquiry, colored now by Petra’s guilt as she feels responsible for his death.

Petra is a fabulous character, a descendant of Deanna Raybourn’s delightful Veronica Speedwell. She knows what she wants and she knows how to go about getting it – mostly. There would be no story if there weren’t some obstacles, and there are some here. For one thing, there’s her judgy uncle. For another, she’s finding a pattern of missing high born wives, those considered problematic for various reasons, including her dead, or not dead, friend. The more she looks into it, the more alarmed she becomes. It also becomes apparent that as free and strong minded as she might be, in 1815, men were in control of things in every possible way.

The investigation draws in an assortment of interesting characters, Duncan included, but also a street urchin named Teddy, Petra’s maid, Annie, her best friend, Caroline, and an interesting female herbalist and pharmacist who is drawn into their circle for various reasons which I won’t give away.

Connally has written a vivid and gripping story, which is one part adventure, one part romance, and one part a look at a horrible underbelly of society, a la Anne Perry. It was so suspenseful toward the end that I couldn’t stop reading. It’s also a lightish but still serious look at the gender-based power divisions in 1815 London. I once heard Laurie King say that writing about the past really means writing about the present, and there are some real echoes of the present here, especially in the societal division Connally is depicting between open minded and more conventional thinkers.

There’s a hard to describe feel of a book that really succeeds in what it’s set out to do. Everything hangs together. It draws the reader in. The story blooms organically, from one plot point to the next. The reader becomes invested in the character or characters, and the writing needs to have just a bit of sparkle. Connally has truly succeeded in delivering a sparkling read.

Lady Petra Forsyth, who lost her fiance in an accident, has decided never to marry again. This is quite a shock to society in London, 1815. But Petra has made up her mind to enjoy her life and freedom as best she can without her love, even while having to take on the mocking title of "spinster." But when women around Petra start disappearing, she discovers something shocking. Men are paying to have their daughters and wives put into an asylum, for crimes such as feeling sad, speaking their minds, or being too independent. The asylum is run by a cruel and dangerous man. Lady Petra, who dares to ride astride instead of sidesaddle and possesses her own fortune, is in danger as well. Can she stop this man for good?

This is a compelling mashup of mystery, romance, and thriller, and a look at how few rights women had at that time. Lady Petra is a strong, determined woman who is not easily fooled. Duncan Shawcross, her former childhood friend, is a great foil to Petra's character, and their misunderstandings fuel the plot in many ways. The villain in this story is oh, so evil, as are the men who help him. The first 25 percent of the book moves a little slowly for me, but then the pace picks up dramatically and the action doesn't stop until the end.

I listened to the audiobook version, which is well narrated by Eilidh Beaton.

This is a strong look at the harsh treatment of women, even women of means, in early 1800s London. It will transport you to that time and take you on an adventure with a memorable main character.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is a feminist historical fiction novel with a mystery thrown in for good measure. It is all delivered in Shakespearean style. The protagonist tragically loses her lover and determines to find the truth surrounding his death. But a problem arises in that it is 1815, and women are to know their place, which is to follow, not to lead.

The writing style was entertaining, and the plot was full of twists and turns. Uncovering the mystery was an encompassing adventure, with humor sprinkled throughout the story. I enjoyed the description of a woman’s life during this time period. The including of royalty gave validity to the historical aspect of the book.

When Lady Petra’s betrothed dies shortly before their wedding, she vows that she will never again entertain the idea of marriage, a shocking proclamation for a young woman in Regency England, even one of independent means. She refuses to stop socializing – and to accept news of a friend’s death from melancholia, which she decides to investigate.

This is the author’s first novel, and it was a good one. Although I struggle with the limitations put on women in that era (not to mention the whole servant issue), I get that it’s historically accurate.

I really liked Lady Petra and her unwillingness to let others coerce her into doing things that are out of character for her. Her father and her maid were great characters as well, giving her free rein of her own life, but some of the other characters in the book were just plain despicable.

Once the story got going, the primary plot line gave me chills, knowing how easily it could have been accomplished. I figured out what was going on – and who was behind it – relatively early in the book, but I still liked following along to see how everything would work out. I truly hope this is the first book of a series, because I’d like to read more about Lady Petra, her friends, and her adventures.

I enjoyed the mystery in this novel, but I found the heroine to be a bit of a TSTL lady. She continually pokes her nose into trying to solve a mystery that involves evil men getting inconvenient women in their lives locked up in some sort of asylum. And she ends up getting kidnapped when it’s quite clear that she is in danger. She drinks a drink that tastes bitter just after she found out that someone hid opium in her room. I just got so impatient with her.

And there is somewhat of a romance in the story, but there is hardly any interaction between the two of them. And then there is a cliffhanger at the end to set up the next book in the series. And from the set-up of the cliffhanger, I have a feeling that she is going to suspect the hero and be stupid for the second book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Act Like a Lady Think Like a Lord AUDIO by Celeste Connally is a very entertaining book featuring a young woman of the ton (Regency) who is determined to become a spinster. She had lost her betrothed several years before and none of the gentlemen she met seemed to fill his spot. Lady Petra Forsythe has her own fortune, thanks to her dead mother, so she had no need to settle. We open to find her disapproving uncle, Lord Allington, has arrived for his visit, early. He didn’t approve of her and didn’t hesitate to express his displeasure. She wouldn’t put up with it and so accepted an invitation to a ball in town, hosted by the Duchess of Hillmorton. Surely that would be a good enough excuse to flee. Once at the ball she received the disturbing news that her friend, Lady Milford had died. She saw a footman she knew who used to work for Lady Milford and he hadn’t heard the news, indeed had just seen the lady on the street two days previous. Another disconcerting event was the return of her childhood friend, Duncan Shawcross, who had been on the continent for three years and had never answered even one letter. When she kept her appointment to meet the footman the next day at the park, she found him dead. And who should appear but Shawcross. He was a comforting presence. Thus began their investigation of some strange things happening to women in the ton.

Petra was a strong character, not so different from her peers in many ways, and not without good friends. She was headstrong and independent, but her widowed father had raised her that way. She loved thoroughly and hated just a thoroughly. Duncan was a strong man with good sensibilities, and knew Petra well, so well, he believed what others believed to be her ramblings.
The characters were interesting and the plot was quite good and not at all unbelievable as shipping a wife one had grown tired off off to an asylum was quite common. It was a good story. Highly entertaining!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Act Like a Lady Think Like a Lord by St Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress # ActLikeALadyThinkLikeALo

Great book. I really enjoyed the combination of historical fiction and mystery. And Petra is just the most fabulous of heroines. She is feisty and not at all what you would expect from that time frame, rather advocating for the independance of women. Of course that gets her into all kinds of trouble.

Her spirit gives some great moments of humour as well, and takes her into all kinds of places where she maybe doesn't belong, at least not for a woman during that timeframe. That is part of what makes this such a great book.

3.75

i’ve had “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord” on my shelf for quite a while, not knowing where it fit in to my priority reading list between books by fave authors and series I love. I didn’t even realize it was a mystery until after I read a bit. To be clear, this is for the people who love a light but absurd regency book on par with (list any of a million Regency books here). I haven’t read many, but the Martha Waters books come to mind, even though this isn’t a romance per se.

Petra is a bona fide spinster after having lost her fiancé and love of her life tragically a few years before. She has an inheritance from her mother and a relaxed father and has thus decided there’s no need to marry. She is a perceptive, active person with many friends, some in high places. At the ball to end all balls, or marathon ball, she discovers a strange plot where one of her friends has died, she thinks, and, if so, under potentially suspicious circumstances. She tries to get information from a servant who sparks questions about what she’s been told, but trial and then tragedy get in her way.

Women are being shipped away by their husbands to rid them of any number of “ailments” and the numbers are rising. These women have done everything from having dark moments to acting out plus some worse things that they may or may not have actually done. The plot gets more complicated, but it was an interesting idea, and I don’t want to spoil it. There is a budding, sorta, romance, but you don’t know what will happen because this seems like the first in a series and they never let anything happen too early with a romance in a series.

All in all, this was a fun read. A nice break from listening to Rachel Maddow’s new “Prequel” and the stressful times outside of books. The next story is cued up amongst the increasingly absurd wrap ups to the story so expect more. Since most series books tend to get better than the previous ones, this could be a good series for a bit of a release and enjoyment read.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for providing an unbiased review.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD by Celeste Connally. I think it would be important for people to know that they should go into this book with really low romance expectations. I feel like the beginning sets up a romance that doesn't really end up being a very big part of the book—it's there, but it's light. The mystery is definitely the main focus—which is the genre of the book, so it makes sense. I did enjoy the mystery and felt really pulled through by wanting to find out what was going on. The historical feminist aspects of it were also awesome and got me really fired up for women's rights. So, the romance was a bit disappointing, but everything else was great so I enjoyed it overall.

refreshing, entertaining take on the regency subgenre that embraces modern ideas in a traditional background. Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Lord keeps the reader engrossed, and the main characters deliver humor and romance in spades!

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book for review.

If you're a fan of strong female sleuths, "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord" is a must-read. Set in the Regency Era, this adventurous and inspiring mystery follows Petra, a headstrong protagonist who defies societal expectations of women. Despite facing criticism, she remains steadfast in her choices. When one of her friends mysteriously dies, Petra embarks on a journey of sleuthing, encountering moments of humor and suspense. Guided by her deduction skills and aided by others, she unveils a sinister plot against vulnerable women. As the mystery unravels, the story exposes the power dynamics between men and women, highlighting the extortion and abuse faced by those without a voice. Petra emerges as a hero, not only for solving the mystery but also for standing by her own decisions. "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord" is an entertaining and inspiring read that explores themes of feminism and sisterhood.

I liked this mystery set in Regency England. Petra was a fantastic heroine but I loved her ladies maid, Annie. She was utterly hilarious.

Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Lord is a Regency-era mystery novel that takes place in London and the nearby countrysides. Lady Petra Forsyth has declared herself a spinster after the unexpected death of her beloved finance 3 years earlier. This is a shocking proposition in the early 1800s wealthy society. When she learns that a friend might not have actually died, she sets out to discover the truth of the matter. She soon finds out about an asylum where husbands and fathers send their wives and daughters when it is no longer convenient to have them around. Her determination puts her own life at risk.

While I enjoyed Lady Petra's spunk and her determination, I didn't find the plot to be intriguing. It was good, not great. I think fans of Bridgerton and other Regency novels would be more drawn to it than I was.

The author does end the story with a cliffhanger, so I am certain we'll be seeing Lady Petra again.

I had really been looking forward to this one, having loved the author's Ancestry Detective series. Alas, I found this to be disappointing. It read like modern day social commentary grafted into the Regency Era. The writing itself was excellent - it kept me turning the pages. It was the content I didn't care for.

First I would like to give a special thanks to NetGally, Celeste Connally, and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review. 
I found Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord to be an extremely slooooooooooow read. I found this to be extremely frustrating as the first 3/4 of the book was terribly boring. The book takes place in the early 1800s. 
Lady Petra was very comical as the main character/heroine. Her stubbornness does get the best of her most of the time. The ending was a little bland considering that the first half of the book every little thing was described in grave detail.

Regency Era Mystery with a touch of romantic suspense!

Lady Petra Forsyth, lost her fiancé and has declared herself a spinster. She is perfectly content riding horses and being independent. She’s got an inheritance and doesn’t need a man.
The first 20% of the book is an intro to the characters and nothing much happens in terms of plot. The author is setting up the scene and my understanding is that this will be the first book of a series so it makes sense to have a long introduction. Push through and you will get to the juicy bits!
Gossip spreads about a Lady who has died under a physician’s care and Petra investigates through a series of friends and conversations. She is the first on the scene of a murder in the midst of this investigation which adds to the suspense.
Her uncle, maid, father and best friend are crucial characters to this story.