All's Fair in Love and Treachery by Celeste Connally is a frolic through regency London. We meet Lady Petra again directly after the events of the previous book, Act like a Lady, Think like a Lord. This time, Petra has been recruited by Queen Charlotte to help solve a mystery that may or may not be connected to a rebel organization that wants to overthrow the monarchy. As Petra investigates, she must decide who to trust and confront questions that have her rethinking her past. Connally does a great job of keeping the momentum from book one going and this story is just as immersive, mysterious, and fun. I love this series so much and the narrator is an instant favorite for me. All the stars!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC and to Minotaur Books for the physical and digital ARCs of All’s Fair in Love and Treachery by Celeste Connally. All opinions are my own.

This is book two in the Lady Petra Inquires series. It picks up right where book one (Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord) leaves off. I would recommend reading them in order because you will miss out on some background information, and there will be spoilers for book one if you don’t.

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I did book one, but it wasn’t a bad story. I don’t read a lot of mystery books, so I may not be the best judge of whether or not this was a good mystery book.

I found the plot of this story to be confusing at times. I also had a hard time keeping straight all of the new characters. It may be easier reading the physical book than the audio, but the audiobook narrator wasn’t bad. She did a pretty good job differentiating the characters.

There was a bit more romance in this book than the previous book, which I did enjoy. One thing that I did not like as much were some of the secrets that were revealed about characters from the previous book.

Overall, I would say to give this book a try if you enjoyed the first book in this series.

This audiobook is narrated by Eilidh Beaton. I've enjoyed books narrated by Eilidh before and hope to in the future. Her voice and tone were perfect for the humorous bits of the story.

I did not read the first book in this series and did not struggle to follow along or keep up with this story much. This follows the adventures of Lady Petra Forsyth and her work for Queen Charlotte. Petra is distantly related to both the royal family and associated members of Parliament. This gives her an inside advantage in her investigations.
There are 2 investigations taking place simultaneously in this book. The assignment from Queen Charlotte regarding the orphanage and the mystery surrounding the death of Petra's beloved late fiancé. The mystery and reveals surrounding Petra's late love, Emerson, and the possible involvement of her new love, Shawcross, are probably richer and more meaningful for readers who've read both books in this series.

This is a fun historical cozy mystery, and I enjoyed Lady Petra's adventures enough to add the first book in this series to my to be read list.

Thank you to Celeste Connally, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

Many thanks to @minotaur_books @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the chance to read All's Fair in Love and Treachery, book two in Celeste Connally’s Lady Petra Inquires mystery series–a regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin. Having loved book one (Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord), I was looking forward to getting my hands on book two, and it did not disappoint!

It’s June 21, 1815 in London and the city is celebrating the news of Napoleon’s surrender at Waterloo. Lady Petra, is not celebrating because she has just received a message that indicates
the death of her viscount fiancé three years earlier was no accident. The message goes further to suggest that the man responsible is her handsome, half-Scottish secret paramour Duncan Shawcross. Duncan, though, has left in a hurry with only a cryptic message for Petra. Is he running away from the truth or is something else going on?

Lady Petra can’t focus all her time on this news, though, because a royal assignment from Queen Charlotte has arrived. The Queen has tasked Petra with attending an event at the Asylum for Female Orphans and making inquiries surrounding the death of the orphanage’s matron. The more Lady Petra investigates, the more she begins to see a link between the matron’s death and a group of radicals determined to topple the monarchy.

There is a lot going on in this mystery, and readers will enjoy turning the pages quickly to see what’s related and who is behind it all. Lady Petra is such a wonderfully brave character, with a strong sense of humor. I had a guess as to the resolution of the mystery, but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the details and piecing it all together. The time-period details are fascinating (be sure to stay for the author’s note at the end), and the blend of humor and suspense make this an enjoyable read. I am hoping for book three!

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all opinions and thoughts expressed are my own. This book picks up immediately following the events of the prior title, so I don't recommend reading it without reading the first. Lady Petra discovers that the death of her fiancé three years prior may not have been the result of an accidental fall down the stairs like she believed, but instead was murder. Even worse, she suspects her longtime friend (and current love) Duncan, was responsible. Now if only she could find him to discuss it with him. As Petra is dealing with this shock, she also becomes involve in investigating the death of a employee of an orphanage with several suspects. Overall, I enjoyed this title; I listened to the audio version of this book and found the narrator added to my enjoyment. The mysteries were nicely done, but I did wish Petra had more faith in Duncan given their history. I like both Petra and Duncan as well as the supporting cast, but there was just a little something missing that I couldn't quite put my finger on that prevented me from giving this book 4 stars. That said, I will definitely be keeping my eye out for any future titles to see where things go from here since the mystery of the fiancé's death was solved so early in the series unlike most historical mystery series.

Loved it!!! Would definitely be recommending it to all my friends while love this genre. And I absolutely loved the whole regency feel it gave.

🎧 Book Review 🎧 Another jaunt back into the Regency era but this time mystery abounds! This delightful book brings women into the forefront as strong, intelligent, and capable! All's Fair in Love and Treachery absolutely sweeps the reader up and away into the early 19th century in England with just a little bit of starstruck syndrome with Queen Charlotte…Lady Pedro Forsyth is no less impressive with her impressive skills and this novel is one gripping read!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy and to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

All's Fair in Love and Treachery is book two of the Lady Petra Inquires series. While the mystery here stands alone, understanding who Petra is and what motivates her makes more sense having read the first book. And I wanted a bit more of a refresher on who each of her friends were.

In this novel, Petra is asked by the queen to solve a mystery at an orphanage. But it quickly becomes clear that the case is also tied up with a plot to overthrow the government and end the monarchy. And Petra's love interest may be a suspect.

This is such a great mystery. It kept me guessing throughout, as it took many twists and turns. I loved being right there with Petra, trying to determine which clues led to what conclusions.

And I equally love seeing an incredibly strong and independent woman feature as the star. She doesn't need a man and continues her insistence that marriage isn't her goal. It's so refreshing to see in any time period, and especially when this book is set in the Regency era.

Eilidh Beaton narrated the 12 hour audiobook quite well. It was funny to hear other characters trying to mimic Duncan's Scottish accents. She also plated with the depth of accents for different scenes (as the text indicated). She was incredibly skilled.

🎧 + 📙: All's Fair in Love and Treachery - Lady Petra Inquiries Book #2

✍️ By: Celeste Connally- I read Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord-I gave it 4 ⭐

🙏🏾: Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur, Macmillan Audio, and Celeste Connally the for this ARC & ALC 🩷! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are mine alone.

🗣️: Narrator: Eilidh Beaton voices all the characters standouts from Petra, Nell, and Duncan. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.

🏃🏾‍♀️Run Time: 9:45

🗓️ Publication Date: 11-12- 24 | Read: 11-10 -24

Genre: Historical Fic, Mystery/Thriller

Tropes: regency, murder investigation, pet friendly, children, inheritance

🌏Setting: London, England

⚠️ TW: orphaned girls, threat of SA/harassment

☝🏾POV: single, 3rd person

💭 Summary 💭: Lady Petra is back at it inquiring on the case of a murdered matron at The Asylum for Orphaned Girls. Her lover Duncan is in the background on a mission himself to find the radicals threatening Queen Charlotte's rule.


🚺Heroine: Lady Petra Forsyth-24, works for the Queen, tasked with finding a link between a matron's death and a plot to overthrow the monarchy.

🚹 Hero: Duncan Shawcross-Petra's secret lover, Petra believes he is responsible for her fiancé Viscount Emerson's death

🎭 Side Cast

✓ Mrs. Huxton-matron @ The Asylum for Orphaned Girls who has been murdered
✓ Mrs. Yardley-the new matron @ The Asylum for Orphaned Girls
✓ Lady Vera- a patron of the orphanage, found Mrs. Huxton deceased
✓ Queen Charlotte- patron of the orphanage
✓ Nell Parker- 15, one of the orphaned girls told by Mrs. Huxton she was left an inheritance.
✓ Lottie Reid- Petra's friend, a dog trainer
✓ Lady Langford-James' mother
✓ James Shawcross-Duncan's rakish half-brother

🤔 My Thoughts: I didn't like this one as much as Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord because of the convoluted sub plots. Petra and Duncan don't spend much time together so there was minimal romance. I didn't care for the political plot after Napoleon's surrender at Waterloo and the three-day celebration. Hopeful the next book will feature Petra and Duncan working together and finally get their HEA!

🌶️: Spice 2/5-closed door/off page
🎧: Narration 4/5
😭: Emotion 3/5
❤️: Couple 4/5
⭐️: Rating 3.5 /5

I hate to say this, but this book just didn't capture me. I enjoy Lady Petra as a fun detective and the feminist vibes that she displays, but the plot just was too jumbled and slow for me. I felt like many of the twists were obvious and a bit circuitous. The big twist at the end was a true shocker, but by that point I had lost a lot of interest. I think that this was more my expectations for this series than the series itself, but I just was left wanting more from the characters. There were a LOT to keep track of, and they were referred to so many different ways (title, first, last, nicknames) that it did become confusing especially listening to the audio. That also made the twists a little less impactful when you're trying to remember who is who and related to whom. I was also confused about the spy plot, because it seemed like everyone knew about the double agents, but also it was a deadly secret? I don't know, maybe we as the readers knew too much at the start and then the story lagged a lot up until the end.

I think lovers of historical mystery will enjoy this, if they enjoy mysteries involving the upper classes.

Note: The audiobook narration is good, though most of the male character narration wasn't my favorite.

Another wonderful installment of the Lady Petra mysteries. If you have never experienced her please start with the first book to get the background information you need to throughly enjoy the series.

This was a great addition to this historical cozy mystery series. I wasn't sure if I liked Lady Petra in the first book, but she's started to grow on me. She solves her mysteries in a fun way and I love how she incorporates her friends. I liked all the layers this story had, and especially liked the authors note at the end that tied all of these to historical events. Such a fun thing! I'll probably keep reading more of this series.

I didn't remember much about the characters in this series, so figuring who was who took a bit of concentration. Certainly the book got off to a slowish start, with Lady Petra believing the worst of her friend and lover Duncan Shawcross on the strength of very little evidence.

I was glad I stuck with it, though, as Petra's and Duncan's investigations for the Queen focused on a treasonous plot, and Petra's investigation of *Duncan* revealed information about her late fiancé that changed much about her understanding of the past.

The audiobook is well read by Eilidh Beaton whose subtle changes in voice and intonation made the characters come to life.

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

All's Fair in Love and Treachery is the second book in Celeste Connally's Lady Petra Inquires series. This book picks up after Lady Petra Forsyth has made the discovery that the death of her former fiancé was not an accident as she originally thought. It was actually a murder and the person that may be responsible is new object of her affections, Duncan Shawcross. She also finds that Duncan has fled in the night. While dealing with this Lady Petra is also brought into a mystery involving missing orphans and the death of the head of the orphanage. She soon discovers that this plot may have something to do with a group of radicals intent on the destruction of the monarchy that may also have ties to her past.

This series is so much fun. There is a good mix of mystery and romance. This book was slightly more mystery forward than the previous one. Lady Petra is a fun and clever protagonist. I loved the historical setting. Duncan and Petra are so much fun together. I liked the way the mysteries tied together. I can't wait to get the next installment of Lady Petra's adventures.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review

All's Fair in Love and Treachery by Celeste Connally is an absolute treat for mystery lovers! The story follows Petra, a wonderfully impetuous and intrepid sleuth, whose sharp wit and bold instincts make her a captivating protagonist. As Petra uncovers long-buried secrets about her deceased fiancée, the suspense keeps you hooked from start to finish. Eilidh Beaton's narration is pitch-perfect, bringing Petra's character to life with just the right mix of charm and determination. (I received an advance listener copy and all opinions are my own.) A delightful, fast-paced read with plenty of twists and emotional depth—highly recommended for fans of clever mysteries and strong, relatable heroines!

"All's Fair in Love and Treachery" is the second installment in the Lady Petra series. She's a strong female character set in 1815 with very liberal and nonconforming (for the time) ideas.

I have to admit, it took me longer than I would have liked to reconnect to the characters I enjoyed so much in the first installment in the series (and to remember who everyone was).

And this time, some favorite characters come under suspicion, since a murder has taken place and secrets are uncovered that call into question who is being truthful and who is lying. Essentially, everyone is a suspect for one thing or another (whether murder or treason). And Lady Petra has to sort through all the information she's uncovered to determine what's real and what's a ruse.

While I enjoyed the story, I do think the first book was stronger. I'm hoping the next installment in the series brings Lady Petra and Duncan back together as a team, rather than working independently from one another. They're better together.

Thank you to Celeste Connally, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

This was a wonderful second installment in the Lady Petra series! I thoroughly enjoyed the many historical details, and the complicated mysteries that Lady Petra is charged with investigating by Queen Charlotte. The book takes place during 1815, just after Napolean is defeated. Lady Petra, along with her friends, attempts to discover who killed the matron of the orphanage for young ladies. Lady Petra also still suspects that her current lover, Duncan, was involved with the death of her fiance, Emerson. She also begins to suspect that many of the people closest to her may be involved in a rebellious plot to overtake the monarchy. The many threads of this multi-faceted mystery were wrapped up in the satisfying conclusion. I alternated reading the ebook and listening to the audiobook of All's Fair in Love and Treachery, and both were equally enjoyable. The narrator, Eilidh Beaton, was very easy to listen to and really brought each character's personalities to life with varied accents. Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and author Celeste Connally for the librarian preview copy.

I really appreciate MacMillan giving me this ALC but this one wasn’t for me. I wasn’t invested in the characters, I didn’t love the story line and it was a little slow.

Lots of things added up to my giving this book three stars—I can't really remember anything from the first book and this one isn't interested in catching me up, the plot here is scattered and not really emotionally compelling, and I no longer feel connected to the characters that I do remember—but the result is the same, so it's sort of a fool's errand and waste of time to really narrow down why this book wasn't a winner for me. It just didn't really work for me, pick one or more of the reasons above or invent your own.

The more books I read in a year (and I've read a lot this year, maybe more than I've ever read in a single year), the more I find myself willing to give up on books that are not engaging me. This is one of those. To be honest, I only finished it because it was an ARC.

There are, happily, a lot of long-running feminist historical mystery series to choose from right now*, and I just think my time will be better spent reading one of them.

*Lady Sherlock, Veronica Speedwell, Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney, The Alewives of Colmar, The Ill-Mannered Ladies, Lady Hardcastle, and The Scottish Ladies Detective Agency, just to name a few.

I alternated between the e-book and the audio version of this book which was narrated by Eilidh Beaton. The narration was good, but I'll admit on this one I found the e-book a bit easier. There were so many characters that were referred to in different ways, that actually reading it gave me more of a chance to slow down and figure out who the character was.

The book takes place in 1815 and has to deal with several people, including Lady Petra and Duncan who are trying to solve a murder and the questionable events that those murdered may have been mixed up in.

The story was pretty good, but at times it seemed like it was just too wordy and it got in the way.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the copies. All thoughts are my own.