Sophia Rose Reviews Murder at the Merton Library by Andrea Penrose

Today Sophia Rose returns with a review of Murder at the Merton Library by Andrea Penrose. Stop by and see why she likes this series so much.
Enjoy!

Murder at the Merton Library by Andrea Penrose

#7 Wrexford and Sloane

Historical Mystery

Publisher:  Kensington Books

Published: 9.26.23

Pages:  304

Rating: 4.5 stars

Format: eARC

Source:  NetGalley

Sellers:  Amazon

ADD TO: GoodReads

 

GoodReads Blurb:

Responding to an urgent plea from a troubled family friend, the Earl of Wrexford journeys to Oxford only to find the reclusive university librarian has been murdered and a rare manuscript has gone missing. The only clue is that someone overheard an argument in which Wrexford’s name was mentioned.
 
At the same time, Charlotte—working under her pen name, A. J. Quill—must determine whether a laboratory fire was arson and if it’s connected to the race between competing consortiums to build a new type of ship—one that can cross the ocean powered by steam rather than sails—with the potential to revolutionize military power and world commerce. That the race involves new innovations in finance and entrepreneurship only adds to the high stakes—especially as their good friend Kit Sheffield may be an investor in one of the competitors.
 
As they delve deeper into the baffling clues, Wrexford and Charlotte begin to realize that things are not what they seem. An evil conspiracy is lurking in the shadows and threatens all they hold dear—unless they can tie the loose threads together before it’s too late . . .

 

Sophia Rose's Review:

Navigating newlywed life and their expanded colorful family of choice, Wrexford and Charlotte have the challenge of how to prioritize principles, duty, and love when faced with not one, but two deadly mysteries.  Murder at the Merton Library delivers another faceted jewel full of complex characters, layered plot, and well-drawn historical backdrops.

 

Murder at the Merton Library is the seventh in an addicting historical mystery series that reads best in order.

 

Wrexford faces the challenge of solving his beloved deceased brother’s best friend being murder and being compelled to solve it while facing the shadows of past pain from memories the case dredges up.  Wrex is forced to lay aside a sense of guilt toward his younger brother’s death and the bitter pain of suspecting the late earl would have rather not have only been left with the older, broody son.  And, while solving this mystery, he does what he can to help Sheffield navigate his floundering love life with Cordelia and help Charlotte figure out who is performing nefarious deeds of theft of plans and sabotage of rivals as private and government concerns seek to be the first to work out ocean going marine propulsion engines.  Naturally, the stakes are high, but Charlotte, the boys, and their friends won’t be intimidate when duty to justice and right is called for.

 

I’ve appreciated before how the author can weave together a cunning mystery, a curious scientific element, and a compelling character-driven side full of surprise twists, action, and thoughtful moments.  This was still the case in the latest installment.  I loved seeing Wrexford and Charlotte tackling adopted parenthood though both felt inadequate to the task and doing so well because they were careful with the Weasels and Peregrine.  Fun new face to add to the boys’ group.

 

In summary, it was stellar and another swiftly devoured entry in the series.  I came to this series after seeing it highly touted and now I can’t help begging my fellow historical mystery fans to jump on this series.

 

Author Bio:

Andrea Penrose is the USA Today bestselling author of Regency-era historical fiction, including the acclaimed Wrexford & Sloane mystery series, as well as Regency romances written under the names Cara Elliott and Andrea Pickens. Published internationally in ten languages, she is a three-time RITA Award finalist and the recipient of numerous writing awards, including two Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Historical Mystery and two Gold Leaf Awards.

A graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Art and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design, Andrea fell in love with Regency England after reading Pride and Prejudice and has maintained a fascination with the era’s swirling silks and radical new ideas throughout her writing career. She lives in Connecticut and blogs with a community of historical fiction authors at WordWenches.com. She also can be found at AndreaPenrose.com and on Instagram @AndreaPenroseBooks.

Sophia’s Bio:

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments, restaurants and theaters are her jam. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance. Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.

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