Murder in Masquerade is the second book in the A Lady Of Letters Mystery series by Mary Winters.

Widowed two years ago, Lady Amelia pens an advice column as Lady Agony in a penny weekly. Also living in Lady Amelia’s home is her Aunt Tabitha and Lady Amelia’s late husband’s niece, 11-year-old Winifred.

Amelia and her handsome neighbor, Lord Simon Bainbridge, will attend the opera. Simon is attending the opera to keep an eye on his sister, Marielle, who has been stepping out with George Davies. Davies is a former horse trainer for the Bainbridge family. Simon has recently learned that Davies wants Marielle to run off to Gretna Green and get married. Simon considers Davies a no-good gambler and social climber. When the opera ends, Simon notices that Davies has left and Marielle is still in Lord Burton’s box. He and Amelia collect Marielle and head for the carriage to return home. As they near the carriage, they see a disturbance in a nearby narrow alley. As they enter the alley, they find that Davies has been stabbed in the chest and is dead. They do find a large amount of cash on Davies. The question in their minds is whether it was a robbery gone wrong or a case of outright murder.

This book is an excellent start to an enjoyable new series. I particularly liked the letters to Lady Agony and also her replies. The story was well-written and plotted. I enjoyed the characters and thought they were well-developed and very believable.

I’m looking forward to the next book for more letters to Lady Agony and seeing if there will be a romantic connection between Amelia and Simon.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the free book! #berkleypartner

Widowed Victorian-era Countess Amelia has a secret: she writes an advice column for a London penny paper under the penname Lady Agony. Handsome Marquis, Simon asks Amelia to help prevent his sister from marrying a scoundrel and save his family from scandal. When things take an unexpected turn, and the scoundrel in question does not survive a night at the theatre, Amelia ends up dealing with more than she bargained for.

I have not read the first book in this series, and while this works as a stand-alone, I enjoyed it so much that I want to go back and see how Amelia's story began! This was a delightful historical mystery! Well-plotted and intriguing, this has lovely characters and a dash of romance.

I loved Amelia's character. She was a resourceful sleuth and a clever secret advice columnist. Each chapter opens with one of her columns and her witty and spot-on replies to readers. I could honestly read an entire book of just those, especially the ones that cause the occasional stir! Amelia is candid, intelligent, and skilled at navigating Victorian society. Her budding romance with Simon is full of chemistry, and the shenanigans and situations they find themselves in are fun. The writing style is engaging and features witty dialogue, vivid scenes, well-rounded characters, and period details mixed with a few twists to make for an entertaining read! If you enjoy historical mysteries, you'll want to add this one to your tbr!

Happy Publication Day to Mary Winters for Murder in Masquerade, book two in her Lady of Letters cozy historical mystery series. While this second entry into the series can easily stand on its own, I encourage readers not to miss book one, Murder in Postscript, as it is equally enjoyable!

Countess Amelia Amesbury continues to keep busy writing her advice column for a London penny paper. She will do whatever she can to help her readers–especially when one of her readers is Marielle, the beloved younger sister of marquis Simon Bainbridge. Simon has intercepted Marielle’s letter to the Lady Agony column and discovers that Marielle is seeking advice on her plans to elope with a man her family does not approve of. Before Amelia can get too involved, the man in question is found murdered outside the theater. Determined to see justice prevail, Amelia and Simon launch their own investigation.

This is such a delightfully charming historical mystery. Suspects and red-herrings abound in this plot and I had no idea who the culprit was! Amelia is one of my favorite protagonists. She is not afraid to seek the truth, even when it puts her in awkward or dangerous positions. The light romance between Amelia and Simon continues to develop and leaves this reader wanting to look into the future. Side characters such as Amelia’s best friends, Grady and Kitty, the aunt of the family Tabitha, and her niece Winifred add humor and love to the plot.

Fans of Katharine Schellman’s Lily Adler Mystery series and Dianne Freeman’s Countess of Harleigh Mystery series should put this series on their TBR lists!

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Welcome to London in 1860, early in the Victorian era! I enjoyed this second Lady of Letters mystery. The primary characters were defined well in the series debut, and the author grows their personalities in this mystery. The setting in some of London’s finest homes sounds lovely; I could almost picture and smell the gardens at the Amesbury home. The mystery was a challenge, and kept me guessing. I especially enjoyed the humor woven in; one scene in particular was an incredibly funny situation for a Lady and a Marquis to be found in!

Amelia was widowed after only a couple months of marriage to Edgar, one of the wealthiest men in London. He had chosen her to marry and to raise the niece he was guardian of, as he knew his genetic disorder would take his life long before Winifred, now twelve, was of age. Neither Amelia nor Winifred would ever have need of employment, but Amelia’s old friend Grady had asked for her help answering what were called “Agony” letters (think of Dear Abby) when in need of a new responder at the magazine. She brought a fresh, young viewpoint, but her responses were considered too progressive. Because of her position as Edgar’s widow, nobody could know she was Lady Agony, especially her late husband’s great aunt Tabitha, a pillar of society, and Winifred.

Amelia and Marquis Simon Bainbridge became friends in recent months, especially while they helped solve a series of local murders. He learned by accident of her secret identity as Lady Agony. His younger sister had been causing a bit of agony to him in recent months, and he turned to Amelia for help in how to handle her since their mother passed away years ago.

Marielle had been seeing George, a stableman who made a name for himself training Derby-winning horses. George was a womanizer and a gambler, someone who would do anything to get money and a title. Marielle has both, and her father learned, almost too late, that they planned to elope. The scoundrel had been doing his charming best to hide his temper and bad habits to win Marielle’s heart.

Simon invited Amelia to the opera one night after learning Marielle and George would attend. George stepped out when the opera was almost over, but Marielle did not know where he went. Simon, Marielle, and Amelia walked to the carriage, and Amelia tripped over a pair of legs sticking out from the alley. They were George’s legs; he had been murdered moments before. Marielle was devastated.

Simon wanted Amelia’s help to find George’s killer and try to salvage his relationship with Marielle. Her late husband’s Aunt Tabitha did not want anything going on between the two. Since Amelia was charged with raising Winifred, with whom she had established a loving mother/ daughter relationship, Tabitha took the responsibility of guarding the family’s good name. Simon was very well liked and respected and had been best friends with Amelia’s husband. Tabitha didn’t want them to be more than friends.

Simon and Kitty, Amelia’s best friend, are the only people who knew her Lady Agony persona. They are also the two people who helped her solve a recent series of murders. Kitty’s knowledge of local people and their backgrounds, as well as her talent at helping Amelia consider various scenarios, were vital to finding George’s killer.

Each character is designed with care as demonstrated through their conversations and actions. My favorites are Amelia and Winifred, Amelia sees the time passing quickly, knowing that her time enjoying Winifred will go by in a blur. It will be only a few short years before Winifred makes her debut in society. They had grown close when they mourned Amelia’s husband / Winifred’s uncle soon after the teen lost her parents and grandparents. Amelia also struggles to maintain the decorum required of society ladies and still celebrate life.

Finding the bad guy was not an easy task. Amelia, Simon, and Kitty learned enough about George to know he was worse than they thought. Simon suspected that his father could have been behind the murder so Marielle could not elope with him. The killer was not a complete surprise, as I had a growing suspicion about the person. All was resolved to this reader’s satisfaction, and I am looking forward to the next mystery in the series. I highly recommend this historical / cozy mystery!

This was such a fun read.

Even without reading book 1, it didn’t cause any issues.

I really enjoyed the characters. They were well written and well rounded. No one was boring or flat.

The mystery itself was good. Didn’t expect a few things.

Looking forward to more Lady Agony and Lady Amelia!

This was a fun and quick read, a welcome relieved after a heavy historical fiction that took forever to read. If that’s your thing, enjoy “Murder in Masquerade”

A fun cozy set in 1860 London which is enhanced by Amelia's agony aunt letters and advice at the beginning of each chapter, I missed the first book but that wasn't a problem- it's clear that Amelia has a good relationship with Simon, that they've successfully solved crimes together, and that they're walking gently around an attraction that started in the first book. Amelia has agreed to help Simon with his younger sister who is entranced with an inappropriate man and then that man is murdered! Well, cozy fans know there's more than meets the eye here. I liked this for the atmospherics, the characters and the light humor. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

As a fan of Mary Winters' Lady of Letters Mystery series, I eagerly anticipated Murder in Masquerade, the second installment. Set in Victorian England and featuring the resourceful Countess Amelia, writing under her pseudonym Lady Agony, the series is a delightful blend of mystery and charm.

Amidst the twists and turns of the murder mystery, Amelia juggles her personal affairs, from supporting her best friend to managing familial obligations. Yet, amidst the social engagements and garden parties, Amelia remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice, uncovering clues that lead her closer to the truth.

Like peeling layers of an onion, the mystery unfolds gradually, keeping readers captivated until the final revelation. Mary Winters' storytelling prowess shines, enhanced by the inclusion of Lady Agony's columns at the start of each chapter, offering poignant insights into the human condition.

Murder in Masquerade by Mary Winters is a riveting Victorian mystery brimming with engaging characters, unexpected twists, and a dash of romance. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this captivating tale and eagerly await the next installment.

3.75 (but not rounded up)

If you’re looking for a period novel centering around a masquerade ball, then you’ll be disappointed. The only character in disguise in this book is the murderer. If you’re looking for a cute historical romance, I mean mystery, then you will find “Murder in Masquerade” a fun read.

My motto is always to read the books in order, but I would definitely make sure to read the first book in the series, “Murder and Postscript”, before attempting the second installment. As I read so many books, I was a little lost to begin with and I had to check out the first book from the library to refresh my memory. It didn’t take long for me to remember the interesting characters and varied plot layout. I don’t know if this second book has as clever of a crime story or not, but it definitely would make up for it in the chemistry between Amelia and Simon. Of course, it doesn’t go too far because this is an ongoing series, but there’s definitely movement in the right direction and you will be surprised by Amelia’s boldness.

The story, which was introduced at the very end of the first book, is based upon Simon’s sister Murielle who is in her first season but has taken up with a man who used to work in their stables but has gained some clout and wealth through training thoroughbred racehorses. Because it deals with his young sister, Simon is especially emotional and committed to solving the mystery of who killed the horse trainer in question. The two, Amelia and Simon, get up to all sorts of hijinks, including both climbing down a tree from a second story balcony, Amelia in a bright off-the-shoulder dress with a large, wired cage to give extra fullness to her skirt. Not ideal when there’s a gentleman below you looking up.

This was a fun and quick read, a welcome relieved after a heavy historical fiction that took forever to read. If that’s your thing, enjoy “Murder in Masquerade”!

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

This is the second book in the Lady of Letters cozy mystery series. It takes place in London in 1860. Amelia Amesbury is the widowed Countess of a man who died two years earlier of a degenerative disease. She filled the boring time of her mourning by writing an advice column in a penny paper. Each chapter begins with one of the letters and her answer.

The problem in this episode concerns the younger sister of her friend Simon Bainbridge who is being courted by an unsuitable man. Her brother wants to break up the relationship before George Davies, a social-climbing stable master, convinces his sister Marielle to flee to Gretna Green with him.

However, before he can convince her, someone solves the problem by stabbing Davies to death with a distinctive knife. Simon and Amelia are on the case to discover who killed Davies even though Simon thinks the death was helpful to him.

As the two track down various clues, Amelia begins to see Simon as something more than just a man who was a friend to her when her husband died. And he seems to return her regard.

This was just an okay historical mystery/romance for me. I didn't get any sense of the time period except for throwing in a few clothing descriptions. I had trouble believing that Amelia who is the daughter of rural innkeepers would ever have been allowed to marry a peer of the realm. And, having married him, I can't see her being accepted into high society as she seems to have done. I thought she seemed too modern in her outlook and actions for the time period. Many of the other characters were also unrealistic including an opera performer who is also a Lady and a street flower vender who is able to plan high class social events. It seems the author paid little attention to the rigid class system of the day.

The mystery was entertaining and the motive for the crime believable if one allows for a villain who is obsessed.

Just as enchanting as the first installment, Murder in Masquerade, charms from the first Lady Agony letter. Amelia, Lady Amesbury, writes an agony aunt column with plenty of good and often controversial advice. She’s also a mother to her niece, Winifred, and solves murders with a most handsome marquis named Simon Bainbridge. When his younger sister Lady Marielle gets entangled with a fortune hunter who is murdered; he turns to Amelia for help. Together they discover that the suitor had plenty of enemies and some dangerous friends. Red herrings, slow burn romance, and a first-rate mystery make this a must read!

Dear reader, you could read this installment as a standalone. However, the first book is so delightful that I recommend that you read it first, Murder in Postscript.

I will post review on my socials 2/6/24:
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@HastingSamantha
www.SamanthaHastings.com

Mary and me are doing an Instagram live 2/20/24 at 9pm est.

Another delightful installment of The Lady of Letters historical mystery series. This is the second book, set to release Feb. 20, 2024. It reads as a standalone mystery but don’t miss book one (Murder in Postscript) for background details on how it all started. Both books are pure fun. Lady Amesbury is a 25 year old widow, recently out of mourning, living with her 11 year old stepdaughter and her husband’s prickly Aunt Tabitha. She was her husband’s devoted caretaker but is now ready to re-enter Victorian London’s high society. Through her anonymous Lady Agony column she gives out practical and sometimes controversial advice to her readers. With her late husband’s best friend Lord Simon Bainbridge at her side, she sets off to solve another murder mystery that this time hits close to Simon’s home. The characters in this series are fantastic. I enjoyed the mystery, manners, and hint of romance. 4.5/5 stars, rounded up.

My thanks to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. A positive review was not required and all thoughts are my own.

Widowed countess Amelia Amesbury is used to being in sticky situations. She has gone to great lengths to uncover truths as the secret author of a popular advice column. Her latest escapade led her to join forces with Simon Bainbridge, a marquis and close friend of Amelia's late husband. But now it seems that Simon is the one in need of assistance. Simon discovers his younger sister has written to Lady Agony asking for advice on whether or not to elope with a man her family disapproves of, and he is desperate for Amelia to dissuade her. But when the man is found dead in an alleyway, Amelia believes there's more to the story. With Simon's family's reputation on the line, it'll take all of Amelia's know-how to solve the case.

I'm so glad I found this series. It's so fun! The characters are my favorite part. Amelia is so plucky, and I love how outspoken she is. Each chapter begins with her advice column, and her replies are blunt and amusing. And Simon is one of those characters that I dare anyone not to fall in love with. He's charming, handsome, and best of all, goes along with whatever scheme Amelia has in mind. I love how he tries to insist on protecting her but is then like, 'Oh, alright.' They play off each other so well, and I'm impatiently waiting for their romance to finally kick-off. We got little moments in here, but I want more. Like in the previous book, the mystery isn't mind-blowing, but it's entertaining. It's become one of my favorite cozy historical mystery series, and I can't wait for more.

historical-novel, historical-research, cozy-mystery, London, amateur-sleuth, romantic, murder-investigation, family-expectations, family-dynamics, 1860s****

Cute period mystery/ suspense/romance with witty dialog and engaging characters. The publisher's blurb is a good hook that keeps its promise.
Enjoyed it!
I requested and received an EARC from Berkley Publishing Group/Berkley via NetGalley.

"Murder in Masquerade" is a mystery set in 1860 in England. Amelia's role as a advice column writer played very little role in this story beyond showing her progressive, feminist attitudes toward social norms. Her boyfriend's sister was going to run away with a man who's in debt and managed to anger a number of people on the racetrack. When they stumbled across his murdered body, Amelia and Simon felt like they had to discover whodunit. The police were pretty much missing from this scenario.

The main characters were likable. Amelia and Simon asked questions to discover who had a motive and was present when the murder happened. Amelia bickered a lot with Simon about who should question whom or go where. He hid something, so she snooped in his bedroom. When about to be found together in his room, rather than handling things an easier way, they climbed down a tree while she's wearing a crinoline dress. Frankly, it would have been even harder than described, but the author wanted a funny scene and so forced it.

I guessed whodunit jokingly and was surprised to be right as the motive was really weak. Amelia did finally figure it out based on one clue after several wrong guesses based on all the other clues. There was no sex. There were only a few uses of bad language. Overall, I didn't enjoy the characters as much as in the first story and wasn't impressed with the mystery.

3.5 stars

#2 in the Lady of Letters historical mysteries featuring a Countess secretly moonlighting as a no-nonsense advice columnist. The premise is entertaining as Lady Amelia dishes out honest and often blunt words of wisdom. Only her editor, her best friend and her old friend Simon know her secret.

Simon comes to her for help when his wayward sister threatens to run off to Gretna Green with an inappropriate suitor and ruin her life. When the young man is murdered shortly after, it's somewhat of a relief but Simon and Amelia must find the killer to prevent suspicions about his family.

This was a fun romp with lots of great banter and action and light-hearted humor. But even as a widow, Amelia's pushing the limits of acceptable conduct for females seems out of bounds. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The second Lady of Letters mystery might even be better than the first. In Murder in Masquerade, Amelia, the countess of Amesbury, attempts to save Marielle, Simon Bainbridge’s sister, from herself by advising her, as Lady Agony, not to elope. But when a night at the opera ends in murder, Amelia finds herself investigating with Lord Bainbridge once more. A solid mystery, witty dialog, and engaging characters.

I’d call Mary Winters’ second Lady of Letters mystery, Murder in Masquerade, a historical cozy. Fans of Dianne Freeman’s Countess of Harleigh series would probably enjoy enjoy the lighthearted mysteries featuring Amelia, Countess of Amesbury, as she responds to agony letters in a penny newspaper. The emphasis in the story is on Victorian society as much as it is on the mystery itself.

The Marquis of Bainbridge’s younger sister, Marielle, wrote a letter to Lady Agony, saying her family doesn’t approve of her love interest, so she might elope to Gretna Green. Although Amelia warns her not to do that, Simon is worried about Marielle’s headstrong choices. In her first season, she’s attracted to George Davies, a horse trainer who was once the stable manager for their family. Simon sees him as a no-good gambler and social climber, but his warnings carry little weight with his sister.

Knowing Marielle will be going to the opera, Simon persuades Amelia to attend with him so they can keep an eye on the couple. The opera and theater are places to be seen, even more than a place to see a show. But, the true show is afterwards, when Marielle stumbles across Davies’ stabbed body in an alley, and is hysterical enough to blame her brother for his death. Simon knows the only way to prove he loves his sister is to find Davies’ killer. Amelia is willing to work with him, but she sees him pick up something at the crime scene, an item he doesn’t include in his comments about Davies’ murder.

As I said, Murder in Masquerade is a historical cozy. There are details about society, social climbing, gambling among gentlemen, and scandal. Amelia and Simon are both strong-willed, interesting characters, a wealthy widow and a former Navy man. While the mystery is interesting, there’s little doubt that the emphasis is on society, and a possible romance between the two protagonists.

Really loved this book, super interning plot and loved the writing style. Winters really captivated the attention of the reader with still flowing the classic elements of mystery

Second in the cute "Lady of Letters" mystery series set in Victorian London, MURDER IN MASQUERADE by Mary Winters features bold, funny Agony Aunt letters and a diverting romance with a devastatingly handsome Marquis. The witty dialogue is half the entertainment. The main character, Amelia, challenges Victorian conventions about women just enough to not strain credibility (and makes the reader cheer, and imagine Amelia's fictional progressive newspaper readership cheer as well). After all, Amelia is anonymous and sometimes she does get angry letters.

Recommended for fun light reading if you love Georgette Heyer or the earlier work of M. C. Beaton (writing as Marian Chesney).