I enjoyed the banter and relationship between Grace and Roland. I also had never heard of the queen's pick of the debutantes being referred to as the "Diamond". I learned something new! I think this is a promising start to a new series, and I look forward to the next book. The ending was abrupt and almost a cliff hanger. That's my one quibble. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

My Dear Readers,
It has come to this writers attention that author Lynn Morrison and her editor and new collaborator Anne Radcliffe. have delivered a work of art. As we approach the middle of the Regency period in England, We are introduced to Roland, Lord Percy, who has returned home for military service after becoming heir to his grandfather the Duke of Northumberland, and to the debutantes and best friends Lady Grace Tilbury and Lady Charity Cresswell. They are being received by Queen Charlotte at the beginning of the London season. Queen Charlotte has chosen Charity as her "diamond of the first water". Roland, who is being pressured by his grandfather to marry and produce and heir, is causing Roland to make bets at White's that he can marry the "Diamond" by the end of the season. Quite the scandal. To our surprise, Charity has disappeared and her father is seeking help from Queen Charlotte. She calls on Roland and Grace to secretly find Charity before she is ruined. Leading us on a mystery to find Charity and find how "who done it" while meeting powerfully built characters and suspense around every corner. So who do you think could have took the diamond and why? Join the fun and read this work of art;. You will not be disappointed.

Many thanks to authors Lynn Morrison & Anne Radcliffe, Marketing Chair Press and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC.
My review is given freely and without incentive.

Netgalley

It’s 1813 and when the Queens diamond Lady Charity goes missing her best friend Lady Grace is distraught. Desperate to find her she is thrilled when the Queen herself bestows the task on her and Lord Percy, Lady Charity’s suitor.

We follow there journey as the subtlety investigate the ton in an attempt to find out Lady Charity’s whereabouts.

I felt absorbed in this regency era mystery and look forward to reading the next in this new series.

London, 1813: With his reputation and inheritance on the line, Lord Percy is determined to win the heart of the coveted diamond of the season. When that beautiful woman vanishes, his failure seems all but certain. Unless, that is, he can find her.
Lady Grace is devastated when her best friend disappears. Society may be willing to believe the worst, but Grace knows her friend would never run off without leaving her a clue.

Thus begins an interesting series featuring Roland and Grace whose job it is to find Charity and save her from ruination. I approached this book assuming it to be another historical romance with a happy ever after ending.....however, without spoiling the story, it transpires that this is but the first in the series. There is romance but it is slow and steady and rumbles on beneath the main plot. And the plot is very good, a fiendishly clever attempt to thwart Charity from becoming the 'Diamond' of the season by ruining her reputation is the root of the plan and it is told well. I liked both writers styles, the story flowed well and is well plotted however, the use of 'americanisms' continues to jar but I fear I must suffer it in the cause of a good story..... ah me! The Missing Diamond is full of great characters which I hope we will meet in future books of this series and I will be buying book 2. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a worthy 5 stars.

When Roland Percy’s father dies in a drunken accident, he’s forced to leave the military and return home. Under his grandfather’s threats, he must marry and produce an heir as soon as possible. Roland is set on courting the diamond of the season, Charity Cresswell, but things go awry when she goes missing. Everyone thinks she’s run away to elope with a secret lover, but Grace Tilbury knows her best friend must have been abducted. Now it’s up to Grace and Roland to find Charity before her virtue is destroyed in the eyes of society. As Grace and Roland grow closer, their romantic candle has been lit, leaving a whole new set of problems on their hands.

When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. A regency era romance turned cozy mystery? Sign me up! If you’re looking for a book that’s heavy in the romance department, this may not be the book for you because it’s a very slow burn. However, it really works for the story. I think that when the romance gets kicked into full gear in book two, all the work put into the romance’s beginning is going to pay off in a huge way. What a scandal that will be, though! Phew. I’m already ready for book two.

That said, this was a super fun read. I really enjoyed all of the characters. Even the evil characters were interesting and well-written! We are introduced to many characters, but it’s done slowly and never feels overwhelming. One of the things I really like is that no matter how briefly we see a character, they are really well planned out and it feels almost like we’re meeting and talking to them ourselves. It was also fun to see Roland learn that not only are women just as capable as men, but also see how much society holds women back as he gets to know Grace.

The mystery itself was fun to follow. Who abducted Charity, or did she really sneak away with a secret lover to elope? We see all the angles and see a lot of fun interactions as Grace and Roland investigate things. There are "Bridgerton" vibes mainly because Queen Charlotte gets involved thanks to Charity being her carefully selected diamond of the season, which does add to the story. I did figure out who did what because it made the most sense given the circumstances, but it was still really fun to see how it played out.

All in all, this was such a great read. My only real issue with the story is how it ends. It was so abrupt that I actually thought the advanced copy I received had accidentally cut off the ending! I actually said, that’s it?! It does leave off on a small cliffhanger of sorts, so I’m sitting on the edge of my seat while waiting for the next installment. It’ll be interesting to see how the next book plays out and what mystery will be thrown into the mix since this is listed as a regency mystery series. I just hope that the ending of the next book will be less abrupt.

Lord Roland has just become the heir to a dukedom, and is trying to remember how to fit into Regency society after years in the military. Lady Grace Tilbury is content to be in the shadows of her friend, Lady Charity Cresswell, who has been designated the “Diamond” of London’s social season. When Lady Charity goes missing, Lord Roland and Lady Grace are thrown together as unlikely allies in the quest to solve the mystery. Even Queen Charlotte gets involved. Will they find Lady Charity before her reputation is ruined? Find out in this compelling Regency mystery, but be warned that this is the first book in a new series, so there are some loose ends at the conclusion.

This review features “The Missing Diamond”the first in a series called The Crown Jewels Regency Mysteries written by both Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe which will be released this summer. I enjoyed this one so much I already preordered the other two! I was not sure where the story was taking our heroine and hero at first but the authors did a great job of combining regency romance, mystery, and suspense.
We explore family secrets, complex relationships and most unexpected dangers, but in my opinion best of all there is more to come! I really enjoyed that the romance is also ongoing and is a bit of a mystery in itself. You have to check this book out if you enjoy romance, mystery, suspense, or all of the above!

A Regency mystery new series. A story that will keep you guessing when everyone is a suspect.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In Regency London's glittering ballrooms, a well-made match can mean the difference between power and ruin. When Lord Percy’s pursuit of the season's most beautiful debutante is jeopardized by the lady’s mysterious disappearance, he must join forces with Lady Grace, who is equally determined to find her missing friend. As they navigate society's intrigues and face strong wills and brash decisions, they must decide if they can trust each other to uncover the truth and save their reputations.

I am always excited when a new Regency mystery appears. However, this one didn’t feel as though it was actually set in the Regency period. It felt like a glamorized version of the Regency. At the end, there are historical notes where the authors say they feigned ignorance about how a waltz was really performed, but movie and tv shows do the same thing so they’re in “good company”. This really rubbed me the wrong way.

The premise itself had potential, but I didn’t feel like anyone treated Charity’s disappearance with any kind of seriousness. As far as the romance, I was not rooting for Grace and Lord Percy to get together.

Overall, this was just not the book for me and I doubt I’ll continue the series. I would recommend it to readers who are not looking for historical accuracy in their Regency mysteries.

I was looking forward to this one as it's my favourite trope mystery and romance combined. However it just didn't live up to my expectations. The idea was fine and it was well written but it just didn't quite work. The mystery was a bit lame and the romance never felt like it really happened. It also ended abruptly in what might be called a bit of a cliff hanger. I realise that things will progress more as the series develops but it still didn't work quite as well as others have and the Queen Charlotte business wasn't historically accurate for 1813 which put me off a bit. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily..

Loved the story, but the ending with regard to the villain was a disappointment. Though I understand why, it still didn't seem fair. Aside from that, it was like stepping into a Bridgerton-style world, one I thoroughly enjoy being in. I look forward to more from these two authors.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC, which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The diamond is missing and the Queen wants her found. In a social marriage mart, competition and pressure is high.

Lady Charity is named as the diamond od the season by the Queen and is being courted by the most eligible bachelor of rhe season Lord Percy. She is being supported by her friend Lady Grace. Except she goes missing and the queen calls Lord Percy and Lady Grace to find her. In the course of the investigation, the two of them start developing feelings. The mystery is solved and the queen decrees that Percy should marry Charity to save her face in society.

The mystery was intriguing, storyline well developed, but I do hate this whole budding romance that is unnecessarily nipped trope. I guess we'll see in future books if Percy and Grace can be together, but I rather they get together now and the focus remain on the mysteries. We'll see I guess.

In the historical romances of this era our young debutantes are presented to the Queen, she picks her favourite. That young lady has an awful lot of pressure on her. As much as that pleases their mothers, it can be too much. The men also have some pressure. Sometimes from their families and sometimes because their purses demand it. They must find a "suitable " match. In this story someone is trying to enact revenge for perceived wrongs. Its our characters task to find out who.
Lots of fun.

I liked this story line; it had all the ingredients to keep me engaged. Lord Roland Percy, recently returned from the wars with his trusty sidekick, Thorne by his side. His grandfather, the duke, insists that Lord Percy meet and marry this season or else.

The Diamond of the season named is Lady Charity Cresswell who is sharing the season with her best friend, Lady Grace. During a ball, Charity disappears and a day or so later, a ransom note arrives revealing she has been kidnapped. Queen Charlotte tasks Lord Percy and Lady Grace to investigate the case and find her missing diamond or risk her selecting another debutante to hold this coveted title.

Lord Percy, being a former military man, is unsure Lady Grace will be able to assist in this assignment. However, Grace proves herself worthy for the task, noticing things that have slipped others' notice.

The final reveal was from an unexpected source that provided the missing information that helped in the rescue of Charity. All in a beautifully written, well thought out story line. I wait impatiently for book two to see how this story progresses! An enjoyable read.

I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley with thanks and am voluntarily submitting my honest review.

I was unfortunately unable to complete the book before it was achieved, so my review will be based on the first half of the book, for now. I will update when I am able to find a copy of the book and finish it.
Perfect for fans of Bridgerton and clearly heavily inspired by the series, The Missing Diamond is a fresh and interesting take on the classic Regency romance. The mix of suspense and romance really helps the book stand out from others it may be compared to. However, the book does seem to have several anachronisms, which some readers may find hard to ignore.
I hope to be able to finish it so I can post a full review soon.

The first in Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe’s Crown Jewels series, The Missing Diamond is a regency delight. Starting at the beginning of the London season, the drama, at first, revolves around who will marry who. At first it seems obvious that the season’s most eligible bachelor, Roland, Lord Percy, will wed the season’s diamond, Lady Charity. Charity is determined to marry as well as she can and her best friend, Lady Grace, is happy to help her do so.

Grace is much more interested in avoiding marriage and hopefully, one day, seeing the world. As much as her mother schemes for Grace’s prospects, she is content to help Charity with her own. The fact that Charity is commanding all the attention in the room doesn’t hurt, either. As Roland and Charity edge toward a courtship, tragedy strikes.

At a ball at a noble family’s house, Charity disappears. Not only that, Grace witnesses the death of a maid who appeared intoxicated before she is spirited home by her anxious mother. Grace is frantic when she finds out that Charity has vanished and both she and Roland are summoned before the queen. It seems that Roland had made a bet that he would marry Charity before the end of the season. The queen feels that, if he isn’t involved, than he and Grace, who knows society better than Roland does, should prove it by tracking down Charity.

Both are desperate to find her for reasons of their own, and end up growing closer in the process. However, neither acknowledge it – as it is likely Roland marrying Charity is the only way to save her reputation no matter what happens. Both hero and heroine are interesting and likable, and they clearly have more layers to peel back as the series progresses.

Fans of regency romance will eat this up with a spoon. It also doesn’t have any of the spice of the Bridgerton books, making it a cozier read than that series. As someone who eagerly rewatches a Jane Austen adaptation whenever she can, this book was an excellent time. – Margaret Agnew

Years ago, I exclusively read Regency novels by one indie author, unable to get into other writers' works. This past year, I've been devouring Historical Fiction and Regency novels. I enjoyed The Missing Diamond, a mystery novel that I think fans of Bridgerton would love. The story features well-crafted characters and a focused narrative with just a couple of main protagonists. Lady Grace and Lord Percy are tasked with finding Lady Charity, who went missing during a social event. While the novel doesn't have any explicit romance scenes, the developing relationship between Lord Percy and Lady Grace is evident as they navigate their reluctance to be pushed into a courtship. I’m definitely looking forward to book #2 in this series and exploring more works by these authors.

This regency mystery/romance borrows the ahistorical portrayal of Queen Charlotte from the Bridgerton TV series. The diamond in question is the Queen’s chosen Diamond of the season. She disappears from a ball and her best friend, Grace, and Percy, heir to a dukedom and the main suitor for the Diamond, are tasked by the Queen with finding the missing beauty.

They follow various clues and lucky bits of information to find the Diamond. The villain of the kidnapping was a surprise until we found out the key bits of information from Grace’s mother.

The story ends with an almost-cliffhanger. We know that Grace and Percy belong together, but the Queen has decreed that Percy must marry Charity, the rescued Diamond. So we have to wait until the next novel to see if the authors untangle the love interests and find someone else for Charity so Grace and Percy can get together. Or are they going to drag out the romance while having the couple solve mysteries.

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.

I liked the narrative of this book, where a girl was kidnapped and the two lead characters were charged with hunting for her. There then follows a ‘does he like me, is he using me’ dialogue where you wanted to shout ‘of course he does get on with it.’ My main disappointment wa#sthat theirs was a love unrequited at least until the sequel or maybe beyond. This however made you want to read the next story. To see them get together.

The Missing Diamond,
by Lynn Morrison & Anne Radcliffe
Book 1, The Crown Jewels Regency Mysteries
Rating: 4.5⭐️

Fake courtships, a mysterious abduction to solve under sworn secrecy for fear of a reputation’s total ruin and an unlikely pair of amateur sleuths joining forces all marry together a captivating regency-era novel.

I was swept up immediately, twirling upon the dance floors of regency London’s high society ballrooms and tonish withdrawing parlours, held firm in a thrilling chokehold from start to completion. Intent on finding the missing Lady Charity Cresswell - the Season’s declared Diamond beyond compare - to prevent her scandalous ruination, FMC Lady Grace and Lord Percy, the missing Charity’s suitor, are sent to investigate by none other than Queen Charlotte herself.

Although there are elements of romance in this book, it’s most definitely not a fluffy flowery read. Jam-packed with intrigue and an unrequited yearning betwixt the MCs, there’s more focus on loyalty and the importance of fulfilling one’s societal obligations versus love. Powerfully built characters with engaging rapport and a rag-tag collection of supporting cast kept me invested and swiping those pages. With a “who done it” and why conundrum the suspense was strong in this beauty! I was left guessing until the very end.

I await with bated breath, the second instalment from A Crown Jewels Regency Mystery series; The Ruby Dagger, released this June.


Pre-order The Missing Diamond ahead of the May 30th release:
https://mybook.to/MissingDiamond

Available for purchase on Kindle and Audible, Free on KU.

Many thanks to authors Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe, Marketing Chair Press and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC.
My review is given freely and without incentive.