Someone left a baby on Emma’s doorstep and while Nanny, Katie and Stella care for him, Emma sets out to find the mother. She uses her friends and family to get her invited to the upper class parties so that she can figure out which lady of society is the mother.
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I am reading everything I can find by this author now. The book was well paced and I enjoyed the protagonist very much. Will be looking forward to more in this series.

I love the world of Newport and its fascinating Gilded Age mansions, and this mystery was a fun way to get to delve in to the people who populated those fantastic summer houses. Maxwell's characters are delightful, and she weaves a spectacular historical mystery.

"For Newport, Rhode Island’s high society, the summer of 1896 brings lawn parties, sailboat races…and murder.

Having turned down the proposal of Derrick Andrews, Emma Cross has no imminent plans for matrimony—let alone motherhood. But when she discovers an infant left on her doorstep, she naturally takes the child into her care. Using her influence as a cousin to the Vanderbilts and a society page reporter for the Newport Observer, Emma launches a discreet search for the baby’s mother.

One of her first stops is a lawn party at Mrs. Caroline Astor’s Beechwood estate. But an idyllic summer’s day is soon clouded by tragedy. During a sailboat race, textile magnate Virgil Monroe falls overboard. There are prompt accusations of foul play—and even Derrick Andrews falls under suspicion. Deepening the intrigue, a telltale slip of lace may link the abandoned child to the drowned man. But as Emma navigates dark undercurrents of scandalous indiscretions and violent passions, she’ll need to watch her step to ensure that no one lowers the boom on her…"

Cozy murder mystery, gilded age, yes. A hundred times yes!

What a wonderful read. The author has written a novel with strong character development and plot line that engage the reader from the very beginning and doesn’t let go until the end. A moving novel that will not disappoint any reader. Highly recommended

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