I know that some people feel that November is the perfect time to start enjoying the holidays and others feel that it is far, far too early. If it is too early for you, feel free to set this aside and wait for a couple weeks! This is one of my favourite historical mystery series, and I was happy to return to Regency society once again- your Bridgerton-esque mystery, if you will! Let’s get into Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally!
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillian for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Murder of a Merry Gentleman, Celeste Connally
London, December, 1815. It’s Christmastime, and Lady Petra Forsyth is assisting the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms with four bachelor-auction dances to be held in the fortnight before Christmas Eve. With one eligible young lady per night winning the right to dance with the four eligible bachelors—called “the Merry Gentlemen” in a nod to the season—it’s sure to be a delightful event.
Until the first dance, when Petra and a group of science-minded young ladies discover the dead body of one of the bachelors. The death is deemed an accident, but when another bachelor’s life is nearly ended, Petra fears something sinister may be afoot. What’s more, Petra’s young friend Teddy has arrived at her door, begging for help. His long-absent mother has been imprisoned, and Teddy is certain she is innocent of her crime.
Time is of the essence in both cases, and Petra is asked to investigate from within by pretending to be one of the ladies vying for the bachelors’ attentions. Indeed, it’s enough to make an obstinate headstrong girl scream.
As she works to unravel the truth, Petra will need to act like a lady—a Lady Patroness, that is—think like an enterprising scientist, and use every investigative tactic she’s learned to solve two mysteries before she becomes the next target.
Why You Should Read This…
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillian for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I very much enjoy spending time with Petra, and I love that we are back in London for this novel! (The last instalment was in Windsor- delightful, but I love London.) Murder of a Merry Gentleman focuses on a group of female scientists who witness a murder after their laboratory is ransacked, and I love that we are not just focusing on the aristocracy.
Women still face a great deal of prejudice in the lab settings, but in 1815, they faced an exponentially higher amount of opposition. I think that Connally used this element of the story well to help build around the murder and mystery.
The secondary mystery/plot around Petra’s young friend Teddy and his mother also helps flesh out the story. While it certainly is the second plot, I think it further builds life in London (and beyond) outside of the aristocracy. It also helps build Petra’s character; as the protagonist, we aren’t “missing out” on her per se, but it continues to build the series.
This is set during the holiday season, but the story does not depend on Christmas- if you aren’t a huge fan of the holidays, I would say that you would still be able to read this.
Is Murder of a Merry Gentleman on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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