Another wonderful addition to a Regency era historical mystery series! Although this likely will be most appreciated by those who have read at least a few in the series (there are a lot of characters and relationships), it would still make a good standalone- and you'll learn a bit about bridges. This time out,, Charlotte and Wexford find themselves working with the weasels and their pals to solve the murder of a man who was an innovative engineer. it's complex (sometimes a bit complicated) and the characters are engaging. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Thank you to Kensington Press and NetGalleu for the opportunity to read this early. Murder at Kings Crossing is another wonderful entry into the Wrexford and Sloane mystery universe. Penrose never fails to bring her characters to life. The science is always fascinating to read about and how it weaves into what is going on, although it does feel occasionally the science is too much. I twist in this one I didn’t see coming. As a fan of the series and Penrose work I would definitely recommend!!

I thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance reader copy of “Murder at King’s Crossing.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Another “science and technology-adjacent” mystery is in store for fans of the Wrexford and Sloan series by Andrea Penrose, this one involving the skill of bridge-building and the expertise involved thereof. And when that knowledge includes murder, diplomatic intrigue, and “secrets found in smoke and shadows,” as the book has it, well, the Earl and Countess of Wrexford will have their hands full solving this one.

We’ll eventually have some dead engineers, a missing cousin, and an appearance by the likes of Marc Isambard Brunel to fill another engaging plot by an author who likes to educate as well as entertain. Ms. Penrose uses her considerable expertise to weave a complex tale of murder and machinations, one which also includes the Wexford and Sloan family dynamics we’ve come to know across eight books now.

There’s probably more in here than you may ever want to read about the building of bridges, and mathematical theories, but as the author explains in her Author’s Note, the need for easier travel was becoming important. What we take for granted now was virtually impossible in the Wrexford’s time. The Note is also used to explain how mathematics, especially calculus, impacts bridge engineering. Indeed, one does learn something new every day. This is not a bad thing. “Murder at King’s Crossing” offers up a plot that will keep you guessing from page to page, as Charlotte and Wrexford, with help from their friends and family, band together to catch a killer and stop an international plot with far-reaching implications.

Andrea Penrose has once again written an intriguing mystery perfectly set within the industrial advancements of the early 1800's. Murder At King's Crossing is the eighth book in the Wrexford & Sloane Mystery series. I love learning the history of the era, of both the political and the social landscapes. Penrose includes actual historical figures in with her wonderful fictional characters which makes the book all the more engaging. Do not neglect to read the author notes after the story---her research is detailed and very interesting.

All of my favorite characters are back ready to do whatever they must to solve the various mysteries in play. I particularly enjoy the antics and comradery of the "weasels" and their clever solutions to evade getting caught out. On the adult front, Wrexford and Charlotte are still winsome and work well together. The mystery portion is as twisty and action oriented as I expect it to be, red herrings and all.

I look forward to more adventures in this series. Thank you to #KensingtonPublishing #MurderatKingsCrossing #NetGalley #AndreaPenrose for granting my request for an ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions and thoughts are my own. I am happy to recommend this book to other readers who enjoy historical mystery/thrillers with a big dash of humor.
-----------------COMING SEPTEMBER 24, 2024-------------

"When the murder of a scientific genius on the verge of a momentous discovery upsets the wedding of their dear friends, Wrexford and Charlotte must risk all they hold dear to deconstruct a sinister conspiracy in the latest installment of Andrea Penrose's USA Today bestselling Wrexford and Sloane Mysteries.

Celebration is in the air at Wrexford and Charlotte's country estate as they host the nuptials of their friends, Christopher Sheffield and Lady Cordelia Mansfield. But on the afternoon of the wedding, the festivities are interrupted when the local authorities arrive with news that a murdered man has been discovered at the bridge over King's Crossing, his only identification an invitation to the wedding. Lady Cordelia is horrified when the victim is identified as Jasper Milton, her childhood friend and a brilliant engineer who is rumored to have discovered a revolutionary technological innovation in bridge design. That he had the invitation meant for her cousin Oliver, who never showed up for the wedding, stirs a number of unsettling questions.

Both men were involved in the Revolutions-Per-Minute Society, a scientific group dedicated to making radical improvements in the speed and cost of transportation throughout Britain. Is someone plotting to steal Milton's designs? And why has her cousin disappeared?

Wrexford and Charlotte were looking forward to spending a peaceful interlude in the country, but when Lady Cordelia resolves to solve the mystery, they offer their help, along with that of the Weasels and their unconventional inner circle of friends. The investigation turns tangled and soon all of them are caught up in a treacherous web of greed, ambition, and dangerous secrets. And when the trail takes a shocking turn, Wrexford and Charlotte must decide what risks they are willing to take with their family to bring the villains to justice..."

Seriously, this week is made for those who love their Historical Murder Mysteries. In fact, just take the week off, you'll need it to read all these fabulous books.

Lord and Lady Wrexford and the extended cast of characters are back in another installment. Each book in the series has a lot of focus on scientific/technological innovation during the 1800s. This one specifically focuses on innovations in bridge building and the impact of transportation improvements. That all can get a bit dry but it surrounds a mystery of course- an old friend of Cordelia's, a good friend of the Wrexfords, who was working on these innovations, is murdered. There's lots about the "weasels" (Wrexfords' young wards) and other recurring characters as well. I will say there's more mention of affection/the relationship between Charlotte and Wrexford which had been lacking since they got married. The mystery with the personal tie to Cordelia was interesting. and there were definitely twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.
All and all definitely recommend this as an enjoyable installment of this fun series- I would definitely recommend starting from the beginning of the series though and not starting with this one to get full enjoyment, though you could certainly follow along if you're a new reader.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrea Penrose for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder at King’s Crossing coming out September 24, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed this series! I love Wrexford and Charlotte and I think they work really work well together. I would’ve liked to see a little more of their personal lives. I think they were caught up in the mystery. I thought the mystery was really good though and there were some red herrings. I’m not sure why this book would be compared to Bridgerton. It didn’t feel like that to me. I would definitely read more books in the series!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries!

As a long time fan of the series--we're talking once binged the whole series in four days--I can say that Murder at King's Crossing is a delightful addition. Of course, if this is your first foray into the series, then that would do you a disservice. For while this continues to play at the author's strengths (worldbuilding, with the world feeling unique and lived in and grounded and gritty compared to other historical mysteries; the author continues to delight in using less popular niches of the time period; and the murder of course), the author's weaknesses (the characters continue to service the plot rather than being fully lived in people with dimension) are still present.

It's not the perfect book, but it's a good time and exactly what the book has been since it's inception.

Charlotte, Wrex, and the Weasels are looking forward to spending some quiet and peaceful time in the country after they host the wedding of their friends Christopher (Kit) Sheffield and Cordelia Mansfield. Alas, it was not to be as the ink had hardly dried on the registry page before the coroner and magistrate from a nearby area arrived and announced they’d found a body with no identification other than an invitation to Kit and Cordelia’s wedding. Once they determine who it must be – and that he had been murdered – nothing would do but except for them to investigate. All clues point in one direction – but – surely he isn’t the murderer. Or is he?

It is all hands on deck to identify the murderer and to find Oliver, Cordelia’s missing cousin. The deceased, Jasper Milton, is a brilliant engineer whose brain grasps abstract concepts and designs that will improve the lives of everyone and is the best friend of Oliver, Cordelia’s missing cousin. Is Oliver also deceased? Or, is Oliver the murderer?

As more bodies turn up, the investigation becomes more and more intense. Then, if you add in shadowy government figures, you have no idea what to expect. The plot is delightfully twisted and leaves your head spinning as you wonder what happens next. Never fear, Wrexford, Charlotte, the Weasels, and the rest of the characters will tease out the clues – and even invade Eton before they finally have the solution. WOW! What a ride.

One of the things I love about this author’s books is the amount of research she does to truly understand the period in which the story is set and the scientific developments at the time. Those things are seamlessly woven into a story that will intrigue you and improve your mind at the same time. The characters have all grown and developed throughout the series and have become one big family. As always, I started wishing for the next book in the series as soon as I finished this one.

You will probably like this book if you love complex characters solving an intricately woven, nuanced, exciting, and interesting mystery. This can be read as a standalone story, but you should read at least one or two of the earlier books to truly understand the characters, their growth, their relationships, etc. This author always includes a lengthy Author’s Note section and it is always excellent reading if you are interested in learning more about the author’s research. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Murder at King’s Crossing is the eighth installment of Andrea Penrose’s Wrexford & Sloane historical mystery series. It is a unique blend of historical fiction and thrilling mystery. The overall series focuses on scientific advances occurring during the industrial revolution. The series explored an aspect of technological innovation while incorporating a murder(s) to resolve. It was lovely to visit Wrexford and Charlotte, the Weasels and their eclectic group of family and friends once again.

Our story began at Wrex and Charlotte’s country home where the couple played host to Cordelia and Sheffield’s nuptials. As friends and family celebrated, a murder was in progress. The victim was a brilliant mathematician and bridge designer, and a childhood friend of Cordelia. He developed a revolutionary method for building stronger bridges which had the potential to be transformational in the area transportation. Cordelia's cousin comes under suspicion along with a variety of individuals, ranging from competing governments to rival businesses and even envious colleagues, setting the stage for an absorbing investigation.

I found the story engrossing from start to finish. The narrative is compelling and well-written. There were numerous twists and turns, as well as real life historical references. The reader is drawn into the novel by the appealing characters, lively interactions, and the intriguing plot that keeps the reader interested. I adored the characters and their development throughout the series. I also enjoyed learning about the technological innovations of the period and the impact on society.

Murder at King’s Crossing is an excellent read and a terrific addition to the series. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, each book in the series builds on the other and you would have a better understanding of the characters and their back stories. I highly recommend this book and the entire series. I am so looking forward to the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Andrea Penrose for providing a copy of the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

I have read every book in this series & really enjoy it and the characters. It's different than other cozy mysteries I read in a good way. This was a solid entry in the series. I admit that some of the math & science in this one made me glaze over a bit, but that is more my own problem than any issue with the writing. I always enjoy the appearances of historical figures of the time & learn something new with each book. I did feel that the villain wasn't considered as seriously as a potential suspect as they should have been, which took away some of the enjoyment of the mystery for me. While this is definitely an interesting plot, I'm not sure it's the strongest mystery in the series. Overall I enjoyed this one & will continue to read this series.

Thanks to NetGalley & Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Murder at King’s Crossing is book eight in the regency-set Wrexford and Sloane series. Unlike most similar series, writer Andrea Penrose uses the emerging science of the era as a hook: in this volume, a murdered man is discovered at the bridge over King’s Crossing with only an invitation to a wedding being held at the Earl of Wrexford’s estate to help identify him. The victim turns out to be Jasper Milton, an engineer who has discovered an innovative bridge design. Milton is a member of the Revolutions-Per-Minute Society, a group that wants to improve the speed and lower the cost of moving people and goods across Britain. Wexford and Sloane (along with their wards, the boys known as the Weasels) investigate the murder. They are caught up in scientific competition, intellectual property rights, greed, and ambition. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Another great addition to the series! I so enjoy the family dynamic of Charlotte, Wrexford and the Weasels, along with their extended group of close friends, like Cordelia and Sheffield, who finally get married in this book! As with all the books in this series, this book focuses on a scientific innovation that is integral to the mystery. In this particular book, the innovation has to do with mathematics that equate the various amounts of stress that a bridge can withstand in an effort to make longer and stronger spans. The brilliant mind behind the innovation is highly coveted by multiple countries as they see the economic and labor related benefits but he is murdered before he can give his ideas to anyone. The investigation in this one is a little slow to begin but it picks up and was thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommend!

Wrexford and Charlotte's country estate wedding is disrupted when a murdered man—Jasper Milton, Lady Cordelia's childhood friend and a brilliant engineer rumored to have revolutionary bridge designs—is found. Suspicions mount as Cordelia’s cousin does not appear. Suspecting a plot to steal Milton's innovations tied to the Revolutions-Per-Minute Society, Wrexford, Charlotte, and their unconventional circle join Lady Cordelia in investigating a treacherous web of greed, ambition, and dangerous secrets. As the mystery deepens, they must decide how far they are willing to go to bring the culprits to justice while protecting their family.

It is always a delight to return to the mystery solving duo of Wrexford and Sloane. Each mystery seems to enlarge their ‘family’, but I do like that they make use of the resources and friends they know to learn what they need. I do feel as though Charlotte’s secret is perilously close to being unveiled by now.

The science and math of the story was interesting, even if it went over my head most of the time. I had my suspicions behind the murders early on, but it took until Wrexford put it together for me to understand the motivation.

This is definitely a series that I think needs to be read in order, and I think fans of the series will enjoy this latest addition.

I am an admirer of Andrea Penrose’s series , but this particular novel disappointed me.

The characters have evolved, and lives of changed and some of the tension in the story disappeared with too much domestic bliss. I dont want squabbling spouses, but the “ happy family saga” seemed to overtake much of the book.

And, it felt like some of the domestic scenes were played over and over and over again. ( If the cook prepared one more batch of ginger biscuits I was going to scream).

Penrose created two compelling protagonists for this series, and I love the auxiliary characters too. But this book felt less original and a bit formulaic, which disappointed me.

Netgalley provided me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a candid review.

Just when they thought they could enjoy some quite time together, Wrexford and Charlotte find themselves trying solve another murder. This time it involves plans on how to make bridges stronger and longer to accommodate those new railroads. With the help of their friends, and the Weasels, they embark on solving this mystery. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my honest review.

Another well researched book by Andrea Penrose.I love how she delves into the new inventions of the time in her books.The gang is all here for this new mystery .Some of it was a bit too much of technological information but she makes we’ve through the plot very successfully.
Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC

5 stars

A return of the family of sleuths. We have the earl: Wexford, Charlotte his wife and is a secret cartoonist, the weasels: their adopted boys, their friends Cordelia and her husband Sheffield, the doctor, the policeman and then there's the victim : a friend of Cordelia and her cousin Oliver is a possible suspect and missing. There was a lot of action and it was reasonably easy to keep the threads in play. I suppose I miss the romance of Wexford and Charlotte but then Raven, Hawk and Falcon are being more fleshed out. Some good historical content on Bridge building.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

This was a great story. What I enjoy about Andrea Penrose’s novels is the amount of research she does. She finds a great theme and creates a great story around it.

I highly recommend this novel - I also suggest you start with the first in the series - “Murder on Black Swan Lane” and read in order.

This was probably one of my favorites in this series - Wrexford & Sloane. The gang is all back for this mystery.

Even better - we are set up for the next story in the series!

Thank you Kensington for this ARC copy.

I love getting to visit Charlotte, Wrexford, the Weasels, et al, but I have to admit that this mystery was a struggle to get through. The item for which the first murder occurs was over intellectual property, nothing physical to hold. And the having so much of the drama relate to mathematics and civil engineering… well, I think I was simply out of my depth. But long time readers will appreciate how the Wrexford “family” continues to grow and evolve.