This is the first book in the series. Petra faced devastation, and has declared she will not marry. THis causes a lot of gossip about her, but she doesnt care. When her married friends start disappearring though, this is when the story begins.

I enjoyed this boook. It was a fast read and kept me on my toes.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally was a fun read, I truly love books from this time period and look forward to reading more from Celeste Connally.

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

I really liked it, super predictable but charming nonetheless. Seemed like a book 2 but is actually book 1??

Connally's work has an interesting mystery woven throughout, and I found myself occasionally liking Lady Petra and her dedication to being herself and solving the mystery. I can see why this work was nominated for an award, but sadly I can also see why it didn't win. Don't get me wrong there are some good things about this work, and I know that there are many readers of historical mystery that will love this work.

The other characters and often even Lady Petra pulled me away from fully enjoying the story. I enjoyed the setting and appreciated Connally's use of language and description.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

It took me a moment to get into ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD by Celeste Connally, but as soon as I was hooked, I couldn’t stop reading. I like that the book blurb lists it as a “Regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin” because that is a perfect description for this first book in the series.

Usually, Regency-era novels have the FMC, feminist or not, aching for love, but unlike the typical crowd, Lady Petra Forsyth, in a proclamation, has declared she will never remarry and remain a spinster, shocking the ton. This allows her to get into the best places and investigate why ladies of the ton are starting to disappear.

If you like the gossip of Bridgerton and the mystery of Agatha Christie, this is a book for you. It was a refreshing take on the ton compared to the typical Regency reads. And I’m looking forward to Lady Petra’s mystery in the next book!

Thanks, Minotaur Books, for the arc!

Content warnings: misogyny, forced institutionalization, gaslighting, medical trauma, panic attacks, drug abuse

Phew. The parallels you could draw between this story & real life. 😳This was an interesting story and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

3.5 stars, rounded up because I really did like it! My 1st venture into the Regency era of 'upper -crusts', aristocrats & debutantes, of 1815 England.....historical fiction....& I even learned a bit about that time period that I hadn't been aware of...always a plus in review! I guess this might be presented as a 'cozy' mystery, but I kind of think it has a bit more of an 'edge' to it.....which I enjoyed. The story contains some real historical aspects, some hint of sexual situations, no bad language or gore, a bit of romance, some mystery & chase scenes.....so there's a little something for everyone in this! It's mostly kind of fun, with also some scarier/threatening parts too. This begins a series & I enjoyed it so much that I'll be watching for the 2nd! There's some great continuing characters introduced here!
I received a complimentary digital ARC from publisher St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley for review purposes.

I love Agatha Christie and Bridgeton, so I was drawn to this book. I found the book very slow paced until midway through then wow did it take off. Lady Petra Forsyth is quite progressive for the time period and scandalous. I will look forward to reading more in this series to see what Petra does next. A good rainy day book.

Thank you #NetGalley, #St.Martin’sBooks, #MinotaurBooks, #CelesteConnally, #StephanieC.Perkins and #ActLikeALadyThinkLikeALord for the ebook for my honest review.

This is the first in a new Regency mystery series by Celeste Connally. I love a good historical mystery, and this one was no exception! Lady Petra is clever, brave, impetuous, and caused me a lot of anxiety while reading. She's headstrong, sure, but it works, and her passion and intensity make her an amazing character. I loved her.

Eilidh Beaton brings this story to life and I enjoyed her narration. As this story dealt primarily with the unequal distribution of power between men and women in the Regency period, there were many moments when I felt angry by what was happening--and I think this shows Connally's skill as an author. I'm so excited to read the next book in the series (which I believe is coming out this fall?) especially because of THAT ENDING.

I'm so mad that I put this one off so long! The idea of a regency mystery novel was so far off my radar that I didn't even think to want one! What a fun romp and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going on!

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC!

(Shared on Goodreads)

Within the pages of this captivating narrative lies a world waiting to be explored. With its compelling characters, vivid settings, and thought-provoking themes, this book offers a journey that transcends the ordinary. From the highs of triumph to the lows of despair, the story weaves a tapestry of emotions that resonate deeply with readers. As the plot unfolds, it unveils layers of mystery, intrigue, and revelation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Whether seeking adventure, solace, or simply a momentary escape, this book promises to captivate and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of its readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins press for an copy in exchange for an honest review!

DNF at 32%. I just couldn't get into this. I tried several times, even switching to audio, but it wasn't keeping me interested. I didn't feel any connection to the characters or the plot.

4 out of 5 stars - if you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

I love book written by this author. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and look forward to more story lines. I will say that I remember having parts of the book make me think there was a book before this.

A fun regency romp, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is a delightful read. Perfect for fans of Jane Austen and Bridgerton who love some adventure with their romance as well as a strong heroine at the helm.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

While I enjoy historical mysteries, I must admit romance is not my favorite genre. Having said that, I tried and tried to get into this book. Then I tried very hard to find a way to explain why I had such a problem.
I was a little lost in the beginning with all of the character names and all of the details of everyone. That kept me having to look back a little to see "who was whom" so to speak. Since I hate having to turn back, I was already off to a bad beginning. Then, I met Lady Petra, a main character I didn’t like. Not liking the main character always makes it a little tough to get into something. There were so many prejudices mentioned that she struck me as one of those people who is a champion against every possible prejudice and really believes in nothing.
I am giving this book a four-star rating because having not read the whole book, I can’t really tell if it’s a three or a four. From what I read it’s a three, but…

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord was advertised as "Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie" which are two of my favorite bookish things in life. While it didn't quite live up to that assessment, I was entertained throughout and really felt myself rooting for Lady Petra. I really loved the setting and the sprinkle of flirting and romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Short synopsis: Petra uses her title as a “Lady” to uncover a suspicious death.

My thoughts: Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie had me so excited for this one! The setting was fun, and I enjoyed the feminist look into a Regency time period.

It did take a bit for me to get into, and the ending was quite dark but set up nicely to continue the series.

Read if you love:
- Historical romance mystery
- Strong women
- Series
- Fun settings

Lady Petra is not like the other ladies in the 1800's. After Petra's fiance passed away she preferred to remain a spinster. She enjoys riding her horse in pants instead of dresses. She is very opinionated and isn't afraid to share it even with men. The secondary characters are interesting but not all are likable. The mystery was well-plotted with plenty of twists. I am happy with the ending.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, I have not been influenced by anyone.

This was a delightful historical regency book with a bit of mystery that I throughly enjoyed. I am anxiously awaiting the next book to find out what Lady Petra will do with the news that she discovered at the end of this book. I appreciated that this book had a bit more substance than other books in this genre. The issue of women's rights in 1815 were nonexistent and it was shocking to learn that men could lock up their wives, daughters and/or sisters if they were proving to be too much "trouble". Lady Petra is such a strong female role model, I hope that she is featured in many more books to come, and that I can learn more about the social issues of that time period.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is the first book in the Lady Petra Inquires series set in 1815. Women were supposed to get married, have children and let their husbands do whatever they wanted. when her fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, Lady Petra vows never to get married, in many eyes, becoming a spinster is unacceptable. She lives with her wonderful father, her mother having passed away. Her mother's brother, is incensed that she is besmirching the family name. When friends of hers begin to die and/or be declared ill with melancholia and hysteria, she becomes worried. The physician that runs the home/hospital is a smarmy, questionable man and Lady Petra decides she needs to investigate, but things get dangerous for her. Will she find out what is going on between the doctor and the husbands of her friends before more than one of them dies?

I enjoyed this book and meeting Lady Petra Forsythe and her friends. I liked the setting and the activities during this time period. Petra a a smart, independent, determined young woman and is lucky to have people around her that are okay with that. She is loyal and that is what sends her on her search for her friends and answers to the mystery/puzzle. The plot where men have their wives and daughters locked away in private asylums is uncomfortable, but true to the times. I am so glad that this is not happening today. I enjoyed meeting the various secondary characters and seeing their friendships. The were well developed and I look forward to seeing more of them in future books. The ending of this one was satisfying, but I would have liked to see the culprits get more punishment after all they had done. I enjoyed the first book in this series and hope to see more of Lady Petra. I listened to this audiobook narrated by Eilidh Beaton. She is a voice that I enjoy and love what she adds to my listening. If you enjoy a fun historical cozy mystery, I recommend Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord.
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