Following the death of her beloved fiancé, Lady Petra has declared she has no intention to marry. During her trip to London, she learns of the deaths of two friends under questionable circumstances. However, one suddenly is claimed to have been seen. So the mystery begins. Lady Petra begins investigating leading to a suspenseful series of events in which she defies the role the ton has set for her. I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this book, but as I read more I became engrossed in the story. It is a skillfully woven mystery with a bit of tension and a tease of romance.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this with only the requirement for an honest review.

ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD, written by Celeste Connally, is an enjoyable Regency-era mystery novel. Twenty-four-year-old Lady Petra Forsyth is an independent, headstrong woman. It has been three years since her fiancé died, right before their intended wedding, and she has proclaimed that she will never marry. When Lady Petra has misgivings about a friend’s death, her unfettered spirit comes to light as she searches for the truth.

ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD is set in the Regency Era, years earlier than Downton Abby’s Edwardian Era, but Petra reminds me of Downton Abby’s Lady Mary. Petra is a wonderful character, and I can definitely see the future of a series with Lady Petra as the protagonist. Thank you, St. Martins Press and NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review an advance reader copy of ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is a delightful Regency-era mystery featuring Lady Petra Forsyth, a free-thinking, independent woman who knows how to get out of trouble almost as easily as she gets into it. Celeste Connally has assembled a fascinating cast of characters around Lady Petra, and I for one hope to see more of them! Highly recommended.

This book is great! It’s a lot in one- romance and mystery. I thought Petra was a great main character. Great dialogue and fast paced. Very interesting plot. A must read!

Act like a lady, think like a lord is the story of Lady Petra, who despite a tragic backstory has the fortune of independence due to an inheritance left to her by her mother. This independence gives her the courage to declare she will remain a spinster and never marry after her fiancé, and true love died tragically right before their wedding. She continues to enjoy the life of an upper aristocrat in the Ton and while at a ball, learns of the tragic death of a dear friend weeks before. After hearing from a former servant of her friend that he had seen her alive two days ago, Lady Petra begins to think there is more going on than meets the eye. Not to mention her former best friend, who left her when she needed them most has returned after three years and continues to vex her.

What follows is a wonderful mystery filled with wit and humor. This book also has a great feminist quality bringing light to the fact that at the time women were no more than the property of the men in their lives.

I pretty much love any book set in or near the regency era, but add in a mystery and a romance and you’ve got the recipe for a fantastic book!

It wasn’t five star for me only because I felt like the relationship between Duncan and Lady Petra could have had more depth…The beginning of the book had A LOT of world building and I would have loved some more stories of their friendship in the past…That being said I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a heroine born in the wrong time, mysteries and the regency era with a touch of romance.

I found this book to be really engaging and I loved the premise. I'm a sucker for regency lady detective stories so this story was right up my alley. I am looking forward to reading other books by the author.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is the first in a new mystery series by Celeste Connally. As the title indicates, the focus is on how even high-born women were often treated like second-class citizens--or worse--in 1815 London.

After the tragic death of her fiancé and abandonment by her greatest male friend, Lady Petra avows to everyone who will listen that she has decided to remain unmarried. It is a scandalous statement to most, and some take it to mean she prefers women to men. But Petra is proud and determined, and her money and good looks afford her some freedom to live the life she desires. When one of her friends disappears mysteriously and is then declared dead, Petra starts to discover that a deadly conspiracy is afoot, and that other women, including herself, may be in grave danger.

The book takes quite a while to get going, setting the scene and the many characters. The last part of the book is much more interesting--though quite distasteful at times--as Petra gets closer to unmasking the villain(s). I found the plot to be a bit too over-the-top, with the main villain being utterly without redeeming qualities. Men, in general, come off as unsympathetic to say the least, with the exception of Petra's former male friend and a young guttersnipe who admires her enough to help her out when needed. The women are the stars, especially Petra, who often throws caution to the winds to accomplish her goals. The epilogue contains a cliffhanger, which will mostly likely be dealt with in the next book of the series. Personally, I prefer the author's three Ancestry Detective books, under the name of SC Perkins.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

“If only stays, and all like it, would deteriorate at the same rate as my language, we women would rejoice.”

If you are looking for a regency mystery, pick up Celeste Connally's Act Like a Lady Think Like a Lord. Connally's writing is lyrical, funny and relatable. The mystery was very interesting......but that clifhanger!!??!! How dare she end the book like that.

"After all, she thought, even headstrong spinsters who flout the rules are allowed some secrets, are they not?"

True historical mystery vibes right here, which is one of my faves! Loved the suspense of the disappearing women along with the murder, and there was plenty of action with romance sprinkled on top. Strong female lead which was definitely needed in a story like this, especially when highlighting a suppressed period of history for women.

I know the tagline is Agatha Christie meets the Bridgertons, but for me it’s more akin to Cindy Anstey’s books. Petra, shockingly Original in Regency England becomes caught up in a murder investigation that veers into a case that is far more than the sum of its parts.

Full disclaimer: I didn't read the description before diving in and was pleasantly surprised to be met with an exciting, well-thought out mystery.

In this novel, Petra has declared herself a spinster. After her fiance died a tragic death, she has no interest in marrying—why would she, when she's already met (and lost) the love of her life? This creates a wave of controversy in the ton. When women begin to go missing, Petra takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of it. I've torn through Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn's regency novels and Petra is unlike any regency heroine I've ever come across. I adores this title!

I am a big fan of Regency/Victorian mysteries with a strong willed female lead and a slightly questionable but handsome love interests — think Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily series, Rhys No Wen’s Lady Georgie series, and Deanna Raybourne’s Lady Julia series and Veronica Speedwell series. This book gives similar vibes.

Lady Petra is an independently wealthy lady who lost her fiancé and decided to stay a spinster. When her friend mysteriously dies, she sets out on a quest to discover why. Enter Duncan, her childhood playmate whom she had a falling out a few years ago.

I thought the first third of the book could have been trimmed down, the mystery doesn’t really start until then and the pacing felt a little off. However, once Petra is involved in the mystery the book took off. I was a bit annoyed it ended in a cliffhanger, but I’m intrigued and will probably read the next one when it comes out!

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur Books and Celeste Connally for the ARC.

"Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord" provides a good escape read. Celeste Connally's descriptions of dresses, riding, and manners bring the textures of the Regency period to life. While I wanted to love the story itself -- what is not to love about a protagonist who declares herself a spinster after the death of her fiancee and refuses to ride a horse sidesaddle?? -- the oddly dated yet casual language itself kept getting in the way of the story. This passage about Petra wearing a "lady's riding ensemble", for example, landed awkwardly for me, both because of the use of the word "togs" and the qualifying sentence-that-isn't-a-sentence:

"The garments were also constricting and impractical, which was why Petra preferred to ride in her brother's old togs. When safely on her father's lands, or course"

Other readers may not be as bothered by using faux-arcane language but it kept pulling me out of the story.

The book comes into its own once the plot turns to the villainous Mr. Drysdale and ends with a tempting cliffhanger...but one that left me wondering why Petra was so willing to believe aspersions cast by clear villains about people she knows and has trusted?

Set in the early 1800's during the Regency era, the female protagonist, Lady Petra, is most definitely a feminist. Often doing things that the gentleman of the time do, such as ride a stride and have very strong opinions about things and actually state he opinions, she declares her self a spinster when her fiancé dies. When a close friend dies quickly under what seems to be slightly odd circumstances, Petra decides to investigate. This of course leads to more strange deaths and odd incidents that are connected to her. The story is well written and shows the double standard of how men are allowed to act and how women are seen and treated if they act in a similar manner.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord is an enjoyable read about Lady Petra investigating some things she's noticed in her social circle not adding up. I actually thought this was a romance novel but it's mainly a mystery with a bit of romance mixed in. I love that Lady Petra is a spinster by choice and her family and friends support her. It's clear early on to the reader what is happening to the women but some of the characters still keep you guessing. The story wraps up dramatically and generally happy until the last shocking line leaves you questioning if there's more to come.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

I like historical fiction and mysteries; so, the combination of these two made for an interesting read. The main character is strong and independent. Unfortunately, some men during this time period don't find these characteristics to be their strength. The protagonist discovered that difficult women were being sent to asylums to be rid of them. With her sleuthing and some help from friends, she was able to rescue them. Enjoyable read. Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for the ARC.

A fun book to read with its quirky characters. The story line was interesting and well written. This book is definitely a more light hearted current take on historical fiction.

I received a copy of this from netgalley in exchange for a review.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4.

This story started slow. It took me a bit to really get into it, but once I did, I got really into it. Once it really got into the core mystery - what was happening to the Ladies of London and who was all involved was worth the wait. I did stay up late to finish it because once Petra was out of London, I had to know what was going to happen. I thought it wrapped up well, but then the last line being such a huge cliffhanger!! Oh my goodness, there’s gotta be another book for that.

Charming, cozy, engaging, and with real historical details -- a perfect book for curling up with on a rainy weekend! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read it early.

What a fun read! While there is a touch of romance, this is a historical mystery that centers on Petra, an engaging lead character who has decided she will never marry after her fiancé suddenly dies just before their wedding. Petra starts noticing that women in her circle are disappearing or dying, so she investigates … an intriguing mystery ensues, with well-written characters and a terrifically imagined universe.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.