Do you prefer series or standalone novels? I like both!

King George IV is trying to get a divorce from his queen. This has caused great strife in London. It has also brought back up rumors that King George was married previously to Maria Fitzherbert and that is his true bride. Rosalind Thorne is known for helping women through difficult situations. She is summoned by Mrs. Fitzherbert and told that her marriage certificate to King George did exist and has been stolen. Who stole it and why?

My thoughts on this novel:
• I enjoyed this mystery in this novel. I have read before about the rumors of Mrs. Fitzherbert. It was interesting to get to know her as a character and wonder how history would have been changed if this document were to be released to the public. With murder, riots, romance, and more, this was a great mystery that kept me reading.

• Ex Bow Street Runner, Adam Harkness, helps Rosalind with her investigation. Rosalind and Adam had a nice slow burn romance in this novel. It made me wonder about them. I need to read more of this series to find out!

• There are other friends that help Rosalind, including Amelia who poses as a lady’s maid to gather intel from inside Mrs. Fitzherbert’s home. I loved reading Amelia’s perspective.

• This novel is set in 1820 in London.

• There were a lot of characters thrown at the reader at once in the beginning of the novel. It got better once the action picked up. This is the eighth novel in the Rosalind Thorne series, but the first one I’ve read. This can be read as a standalone, but just be aware that there are a lot of characters at first. I need to go back and read the rest of this series.

• I loved the ending of this novel. There is also a great author’s note that points out that most of the story about Mrs. Fitzherbert was true. She really did have a signed marriage certificate kept in a lock box, but it wasn’t stolen (that we know of).

Overall, The Matter of the Secret Bride by Darcie Wilde is a riveting well-written Regency historical mystery that involves real life historical people from that time as well as intriguing fictional investigators. I recommend this novel for all lovers of historical mystery.

Book Source: Review copy from Kensington Books as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Publishing and Austen Prose PR for the gifted book.

As the eighth riveting installment in the beloved Rosalind Thorne Mysteries series, this book boasts a delightful cast of characters who come together to solve an exhilarating mystery inspired by real occurrences. While it can be enjoyed independently, exploring the previous installments will enrich your understanding of the characters' fascinating backstories, and I can’t wait to dive into them.

In this enthralling tale, Rosalind Thorne and Adam Harkness join forces to recover the stolen secret marriage certificate of Mrs. Fitzherbert and King George IV—an item that holds potentially explosive political implications for the nation. With her loyal friends by her side, Rosalind skillfully navigates a maze of suspects and uncovers hidden truths along the way.

The author's vivid and engaging writing style pulls you in, making this book impossible to put down. The gripping blend of murder, political intrigue, and rich historical detail captivates and keeps your heart racing as you piece together the intricate puzzle.

For anyone who appreciates Regency-era historical mysteries featuring relatable and expertly crafted characters, this book is a must-read. I eagerly anticipate what thrilling adventures lie ahead for Rosalind and Adam!

The Matter of the Secret Bride by Darcie Wilde is an enthralling addition to the Rosalind Thorne Mysteries, combining Regency-era elegance with a richly layered mystery. Wilde immerses readers in the political and social intrigue of early 19th-century England, crafting a story brimming with suspense, secrets, and wit.

The plot centers on a high-stakes investigation involving a stolen marriage certificate belonging to Maria Fitzherbert, a document that could shake the foundations of the monarchy. Rosalind Thorne, a "useful woman" to the ladies of London’s ton, is tasked with recovering this elusive item. Her mission becomes perilous when a man connected to the case is found murdered, drawing Rosalind and her steadfast ally, Adam Harkness, deeper into a tangled web of deception and danger.

Wilde's portrayal of Rosalind is nothing short of inspiring. Her intelligence, resourcefulness, and poise make her a compelling heroine who navigates society’s rigid constraints with grace and determination. The slow-burning tension between Rosalind and Adam adds a captivating layer to the story, offering both heart-stopping moments and tender exchanges that leave readers yearning for more.

The narrative is rich with historical detail, capturing the nuances of Regency London in vivid color. From glittering ballrooms to shadowy legal offices, Wilde transports readers to a world teeming with intrigue. The novel’s complexity, with its interwoven subplots and political ramifications, demands close attention but rewards with a deeply satisfying story.

Darcie Wilde masterfully blends mystery, romance, and history, delivering a novel that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The Matter of the Secret Bride is a must-read for fans of intelligent, atmospheric mysteries with a strong female lead. Rosalind Thorne’s journey will leave readers eagerly anticipating her next adventure.

This was a clever and complex mystery. It was based on actual events, making it even more intriguing.

Rich in atmosphere and period detail, it was obviously well researched. The glimpse of Ilife and customs in early 1800s London was fascinating.

The characters were really well developed, and the slow burn romance between Rosalind and Adam was nice, but definitely took a backseat to the mystery.

This is book 8 in the series and the first one I’ve read, but now I definitely want to check out the previous books.

I received a copy from the author, publisher, and Austenprose via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Matter of the Secret Bride is the 8th book in the Rosalind Thorne Mysteries series by Darcie Wilde. Guess which book I started this series with? You got it...this one! I do admit I have most of the previous books in my TBR pile, but hadn't read them yet. I'm happy knowing that I didn't spend money on books I wouldn't like, because I really enjoyed this one. Starting a book just a few days before Christmas just wasn't the brightest idea, because I didn't have much reading time. But when I found time to read, this was an engaging historical mystery.

In 1820 London, Rosalind Thorne is a young woman possessing a particular talent helping women of the ton with delicate problems they would prefer to keep quiet. But her newest situation is royally important. Seriously. King George IV is petitioning Parliament for a divorce from his queen on the grounds of her infidelity. But rumor has it that the king secretly married Maria Fitzherbert long before he married the queen! Now Mrs. Fitzherbert frantically needs Rosalind's help, as she has been robbed, and the thief took the proof that she and King George really did marry. If the proof gets out, it can mean the ruin of Mrs. Fitzherbert's family, and the proof of the king's bigamy. Rosalind rushes to investigate, and with her is ex-Bow Street officer, Adam Harkness, with whom Rosalind shares a growing bond. The situation goes from bad to worse when the case of theft soon leads to murder. Josiah Poole, a disreputable attorney specializing in helping debtors, was seen entering Mrs. Fitzherbert’s house, and now he has been brutally murdered. Could Mrs. Fitzherbert, who has debts, staged the theft and employed Mr. Poole to sell the marriage certificate? Or could the truth possibly be even more complicated? Mrs. Fitzherbert’s daughters have secrets of their own, and Poole himself had no shortage of enemies. Things become more dangerous, and Rosalind's livelihood is also being threatened. They must solve the case before all comes tumbling down!

Apparently the author writes her stories with a basis of historical fact, which made this story quite interesting! This is a bit of history that I actually had a little knowledge about. This story stands alone, so it can be enjoyed without reading the previous novels. However, I recommend reading from the start of the series, if possible, as I missed the nuances of Rosalind and Adam's growing relationship, along with the history of the supporting characters, most namely Amelia, Alice and George. Rosalind was a fascinating character. She apparently was on her own from a young age and was making a living helping out women of the ton who had "delicate issues" that needed to be resolved. (I really can't wait to go back and see how she started and what kinds of situations she handled!) Apparently she has an excellent reputation, since she was summoned by Mrs. Fitzherbert, who obviously had close ties - very close - to the king. The story was interesting when Rosalind began searching for the thief, but things really revved up with the murder of Mr. Poole. Rosalind was assisted by her paramour, Adam Harkness, who was formerly a Bow Street runner, but now works as an assistant to the coroner. I'm extremely interested in finding out the details as to his break with Bow Street. The relationship between Rosalind and Adam comes to a crucial point here, and I was pleased with the outcome. Supporting characters Alice (a newspaper reporter turned author) her brother George (also a newspaper writer) and Amelia (an assistant to Rosalind, and romantic partner to Alice) were all interesting and really helped move the story along. Mrs. Fitzherbert, being an actual historical figure, made the story more real. I enjoyed the author's afterword explaining the situation between Mrs. Fitzherbert and the king. I look forward to reading the next installment in this series, and also to catching up with all I missed. I'll just make sure not to read at Christmas time!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the mystery as it related to the actual historical details. There was a bit too much going on though, and when one person of their team found out something, I had to read about them relaying the information to the rest of the team... so it was repetitive, and too drawn out. I also think that while the individual characters were developed pretty well, their relationships with each other were not, especially Rosalind and Adam's. Anyway, I found myself skimming the repetitive recaps, and then I enjoyed the mystery more. And I appreciated the historical note (though I would have liked more detail there).

The Matter of the Secret Bride plunges the reader into a complex mystery involving the King of England, a divorce, & secret marriage. Rosalind Thorne is a gently bred lady who solves mysteries for the ladies of the ton and her latest case involves the highest echelons of society. The King is seeking a divorce from the Queen for adultery, however rumors abound that he was previously married to an unsuitable woman & is still married to her. Mrs. Fitzherbert is the woman in question & when her marriage certificate to the King is stolen, she enlists Rosalind’s help to retrieve it before it causes irreparable damage. As two factions arise, one supporting the King and the other the Queen, the race to find the marriage certificate is fierce especially when the man who supposedly took it winds up murdered. It’s up to Rosalind, her love interest Adam Harkness formerly of Bow Street, & her friends to find the certificate before it’s too late.

This is the eighth book in the Rosalind Thorne mystery series & my first book by Darcie Wilde. I enjoyed her writing style & the descriptions of Regency England. It was reminiscent of an Anne Perry mystery. I’m wishing though I’d been more familiar with the series before picking up this book. I found myself behind the eight ball so to speak in understanding all the characters & their relationships as well as following the mystery with lots of moving parts. It took me several chapters before I finally felt comfortable with everything & by that time, the mystery was well under way. The last 25% of the book was when everything came together & I was finally invested in the mystery & finding out who the murderer was. While I had my suspicions, the ending was a definite surprise.

If you’re a fan of Anne Perry or like feminist female protagonists, you might enjoy this series. I highly recommend starting with the first book in the series to fully appreciate the characters. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

"The Matter of the Secret Bride" is an enthralling and fast-paced book from author Darcie Wilde! This is the first book I've read from this author but it certainly won't be my last! The historical setting is described with clarity and attention to detail that I appreciate especially when reading historical fiction. The characters feel three-dimensional and like real people and are very likeable! I enjoyed getting to know Rosalind and the other characters. The speed of the plot is great, the writing style is smooth, the plot is captivating without a dull moment, and the story itself is very well-crafted and feels original! This is such an enjoyable book to read especially if you like historical fiction with historical politics and intrigue! 5 stars

Thank you very much to the author, AustenprosePR, and Kensington Books for the great opportunity of being a part of this book tour and for providing me with physical and digital copies to read and review honestly.

Her books are great! I adore the
Regency era and mystery aspects of her books. Here work very detailed. Only 4 stars for me only because of the length. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book.

If you enjoy, mysteries in historical regency , you will like this, It's Quite enjoyable but it's a bit of draggy & repetitive. Im not sure Im going to continue with the series but you can still read this as a standalone though!

This was such a cozy book to curl up and read on a cold, wintery night.

This is book three in the A Useful Woman Mystery series. I read this one easily, even not having read the first two.

Set during the Regency period, in London, this story is a mix of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. Our main character, Rosalind Thorne, helps ladies of the "ton" with most delicate matters. She's like a modern-day fixer for celebrities.

Rosalind takes on a case that involves the King's rumored secret marriage and she wonders if she's taken on too much when two people are found dead over this matter, and her reputation ends up at stake.

The historical aspect of the story was very interesting. I did not know about this period of history, King George IV's attempt to divorce the queen, and his secret marriage to a Mrs. Fitzherbert. It made for a great story of intrigue, m$rder, and mayhem.

I really enjoy stories set during this period with strong female characters who buck normal social conventions, and Rosalind Thorne is a great character. The romance throughout this story between Rosalind and her business associate, Adam Harkness, was so sweet, especially at the end of the story.

Add this to your reading list if you enjoy Regency era stories, with some mystery and romance.

Thank you to Kensington for the free advance electronic copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

Rosalind's livelihood is helping women with their tricky problems, orchestrating solutions from the shadows and maintaining the gentile position in society on which everything depends. So when Maria Fitzherbert--King George IV's one-time mistress--begs her to recover her stolen marriage certificate (proving she actually married the King), Rosalind thinks twice. After all, King George IV's divorce proceedings against Queen Caroline are public and incendiary, and the certificate's existence would throw more fuel on the fire already gripping London. But when a man is murdered who might have connections to Mrs. Fitzherbert, Rosalind and her beau Adam have to consider the possibility that they may have been suckered into this investigation for other reasons.

This is a stand-alone novel, but the relationships and some references make more sense if you've read the previous books in the series (I'm almost caught up!) The "will they or won't they" tension from the earlier books is gone, but in it's place are questions about Rosalind and Adam's future. This installation did move the characters in a different direction, which I found interesting: Rosalind is used to working with a low profile, and the notoriety of this high-stakes problem upends her life and uncovers some feelings and memories she had buried. I also appreciated the treatment of the tricky topic of divorce: English law made two people one at marriage by erasing the individual identity of the woman and making her totally dependent on her husband. So if the King could set aside his wife so easily, what chance did a normal woman have? Also, like now, the way that debt was managed was a business that benefitted those holding the debt more than it helped the debtors escape it's hold on them.

Triggers: violent murder, off-page death of a loved one, misogyny

The mystery is well-crafted with plenty of possible suspects as Rosalind and Adam and their team of friends rush around investigating the missing marriage certificate, This story is based around real character like George IV and Mrs Fitzherbert which is a nice touch. However there was rather a lot of politics that did distract a bit from the story. But the romance between Rosalind and Adam was just great looking forward to further developments. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I truly enjoyed this story because it had great historical information. A mystery of the first order, Rosalind risks her reputation to solve the mystery of the missing certificate. Filled with great character depth as well as adventure, this is one series I'm going to want to continue reading and one I'm going to go back to for the first two books.

Rosalind puts her reputation and position in society on the line to help the King's former wife in the latest Rosalind Thorne mystery. Her relationship with Adam is also in flux, as marriage could mean giving up everything she's worked for.

Why you should read this book: Excellent characters, intriguing plot, and as always, great dialogue.

Why you might not want to read this book: If historical cozies based on true events and people aren't your thing, you might want to give this one a pass, but that would be a shame.

I received an advance copy from Kensington via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 out of 5 stars

This is the third book in Darcie Wilde's second series, eighth book overall, featuring Rosalind Thorne, a Useful Woman, who solves problems for aristocratic ladies at the beginning of the nineteenth century. This time the woman needing help is Mrs. Maria Fitzherbert, rumored to be the unacknowledged first wife of King George IV, who is attempting to divorce queen Charlotte. Mrs. Fitzherbert's marriage certificate has been stolen, apparently by Josiah Poole, who has been murdered. Adam Harkness, formerly of Bow Street, again works with Rosalind to solve the mysteries--who killed Josiah Poole and where is the marriage certificate--and what happens with the relationship between Rosalind and Adam? Entertaining, but a bit confusing in places. Probably not the best book in the series, but still worth reading.

Darcie Wilde is a new author to me, but I was excited to get back into a good Regency mystery with romantic elements. This is the third novel in a series, but worked okay as a standalone, although I think I would get more out of it starting with the first in the series, as the first few chapters were a bit confusing to me.

The primary mystery is surrounding Prinny's secret marriage to Mrs. Fitzherbert, and the marriage certificate has gone missing/been stolen.  I have never been very interested in royals and royal intrigue, so the mystery itself was not as captivating for me as I hoped, although there is some murder involved in the plot.  There are lots of twists and turns, attention to detail, and some romantic elements that make this a good read for mystery lovers but the layered elements may also turn off other readers.  This includes jumping into secondary character POVs, which was interesting for me but may also be too much for some readers.

I didn't really find similarities with Fleabag or Jane Austen, so that was a misleading pitch that disappointed me.  The book was also long, with a lot of extra info dumping about political aspects that some readers will enjoy but I found dampened momentum as a reader.

There is mature subject matter, some violence, and sexual themes so while on the cozier side of mysteries probably not appropriate for readers who like it "sweet".

I will give the first in the series a go and then maybe retry this one.  For now, I would say great for readers who love the royal history, political intrigue, and light romance.

With the theft of a secret marriage certificate of Mrs. Fitzherbert and King George IV, Rosalind Thorne and Adam Harkness team up to locate it. If they don’t find it, the political atmosphere that is already rife with tension could become even more volatile. Rosalind walks a fine line between helping the noble families with their difficulties and earning a living. One false move or a slip of the tongue could ruin everything she has worked hard to obtain. I like that she is courageous and is determined to see this case through with all of its complexities.

With several subplots and red herrings, you are given several possibilities as to what happened, which is what I liked about this mystery I enjoyed the romantic aspect of the relationship between Rosalind and Adam. He understands her better than anyone else, and they will be an even stronger detective duo in the future after solving this case.

This is part of a series but the first one I have read. It can be read as a standalone without it affecting your understanding of the story. The author’s notes at the end were informative. I love history, so it was interesting to learn a bit about King George IV and his personal life that is central to the plot.

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

Ah! Rosalind Thorne and friends!

Rosalind is asked for discretion and help by the King’s longtime mistress and possible wife Mrs Maria Fitzherbert.
Mrs Fitzherbert’s morganatic marriage to King George could be exposed if it falls into the wrong hands.
George is suing for divorce from Princess Caroline and the two camps are firmly and riotously dividing the nation.
No sooner has Rosalind said yes to Mrs Fitzherbert, one of the main background players is murdered. What follows is more death, secrets, and planned elopements. The game is definitely afoot!
As well, Rosalind is involved with ex Bow Street runner Adam Harkness but marrying him will mean her loss of independence that she’s fought so hard for.
All her gathered put together family of close knit friends play important roles, supporting Rosalind in full—Alice, Amelia, George.
Looming in the background is Lady Jersey and Countess Levine, both of whom could easily destroy Rosalind’s hard won role.
Intriguing and gratifying read!

A Kensington Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I always enjoy a historical novel when I find that it is based on true events or people. This novel was about the scandal of King George IV trying to obtain a divorce from the queen based on her being an adulterer. The document proving otherwise has been stolen and Mrs. Fitzherbert has called upon Rosalind and ex-Bow street officer Adam to discretely investigate the matter and as quickly as possible. As Adam does the boots on the ground research, Rosalind comes up with a plan to get someone on the inside to hopefully obtain information from those who see and hear everything that happens in the house every single day. But as the two work to find who had the motive, it seems those who they need to inquire to, are found dead. As bodies pile up and word starts getting out about the theft, Rosalind and Adam know they don't have much time to figure this out. As the townsfolk make clear whose side they believe, Rosalind once again comes up with a public scheme to flush out the culprit. I enjoyed the tangled web this story wove as we uncovered who did it and why? Thank you to the author and Austenprose PR for the complementary ebook. This review is of my own opinion and accord.