After I shared my Royal Reading Challenge at the beginning of March to share my love of reading and celebrate the lead up to King Charles III’s coronation, I knew that I wanted to branch out in my reading choices. I set different criteria for the challenge- one historical fiction, one non-fiction, and at least one non-UK focused book. The historical fiction option seemed the perfect choice for being creative. Although Queen Victoria is only mentioned in passing, today’s book does have a royal author… Let’s get into A Most Intriguing Lady by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.
A Most Intriguing Lady, Sarah Ferguson
From Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, a sweeping, romantic compulsively readable historical saga about a Duke’s daughter—the perfect Victorian lady—who secretly moonlights as an amateur sleuth for high society’s inner circle. Victorian London was notorious for its pickpockets. But in the country houses of the elite, gentleman burglars, art thieves and con men preyed on the rich and titled. Wealthy victims—with their pride and reputation at stake—would never go to the police. What they needed was a society insider, one of their own, a person of discretion and finely tuned powers of observation, adept at navigating intrigue. That person was Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott, the youngest child of Queen Victoria’s close friends the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. Bookish, fiercely intelligent, and a keen observer, Mary has deliberately cultivated a mousey persona that allows her to remain overlooked and significantly underestimated by all. It’s the perfect cover for a sleuth, a role she stumbles into when trying to assist a close friend during a house party hosted by her parents at their stately Scottish home, Drumlanrig Castle. It is at this party where Lady Mary also meets Colonel Walter Trefusis, a distinguished and extremely handsome war veteran. Tortured by memories of combat, Walter, like Mary, lives a double life, with a desk job in Whitehall providing a front for his role in the British Intelligence Service. The two form an unlikely alliance to solve a series of audacious crimes—and indulge in a highly charged on-off romance.
Why You Should Read…
I was not entirely sure what to expect with this book. Sarah Ferguson, more commonly known as Fergie, has published several books. However, they were either biographical books of her time in the British Royal Family or children’s books. In 2021, she published her first historical fiction novel. I actually have it waiting in my library, but the plot of this novel jumped out at me more.
Firstly, I appreciate that in her press work, Fergie does acknowledge her co-writer/ghostwriter. However, I think that they really should get a spot on the cover. She acknowledges the people doing the historical research in a note at the end, but this really skews the perspective by only listing her name. (And yes- I know that Avon is absolutely doing this on purpose.)
Secondly, I must say- this was quite an enjoyable historical fiction novel. I am always interested in a good mystery, and there were several different mysteries to be solved throughout the book. Although Avon tends to be a romance imprint, I would say that the large majority of the story is fiction and some mystery, with only a small portion dedicated to romance. It is entertaining and well-written; whoever plotted it is a strong writer. I listened to the audiobook in the span of 2ish days; for a 13-hour audiobook, that is decent. (And yes, Ell Potter is a fantastic narrator!)
Mary was a historical figure- she was the youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. (Yes, the Duchess was included in ITV’s Victoria but was aged up several decades.) However, the sleuthing and hijinks are not confirmed. (And are unlikely…) Fergie is a descendent of the Duke of Buccleuch, so it is easy to see why she would be fascinated by the family and want to build a story around them. Although the notes at the end do discuss the different historical facts that they discovered, it is still fiction.
I did truly enjoy reading A Most Intriguing Lady, and will be reading the first novel soon.
Is A Most Intriguing Lady by Sarah Ferguson on your to-read list? And how is your Royal Reading Challenge going?
Cheers,
The Historian
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