My favorite books are British mysteries and this one looked very interesting. I honestly was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It is the first book in the Rosalind Thorne series which is set in Regency London. Rosalind is a young gentlewoman who has come down in the world. Her family used to be part of upper-class society (the haut ton) until her father fell into gambling troubles and turned to embezzlement. Knowing she can no longer marry the man she loves, Devon Winterbourne, she tries to become a useful woman by helping women in society with their problems. The mystery is certainly foremost in this book, but Ms. Wilde also writes romances and there is a romantic triangle at play in this book as well, but it does not overwhelm the story.

I found the writing to be excellent and the editing likewise. There were several historical explanations thrown in, but they added to my enjoyment of the book. The book seems to be well-researched and historically accurate.

The clues all there and presented in the flow of the story, but were not blatant. One could have reasoned out the murderer, and I believed I had but was surprised at the end. The plot was suspenseful, but not overly so, but I thought the story moved along nicely. The author does a good job of letting us get to know the protagonist and her motivations.

There are unfinished story lines with regard to Rosalind's family situation and her romantic interests, which make me eagerly anticipate the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book to any one who enjoys historical mysteries with a bit of romance thrown in.