Murder In Westminster

Perfect for readers looking for a darker twist on Bridgerton, this first in a vibrant, inclusive historical mystery series from an acclaimed author Vanessa Riley portrays the true diversity of the Regency-era, as an aristocrat whose skin color and notorious family history have left her with few friends she can rely on is named as the prime suspect in a murder case… “A great read to add to your current must-read lists.” —Essence Magazine “Riley’s storytelling gift is strong and her prose is lovely and evocative…particularly clever.” – Mystery Scene Magazine “Snappy dialogue, abundant intrigue, and Abbie and Stapleton’s increasingly flirtatious antagonism keep the tension high and the narrative drive strong. Smart, fun, and full of moxie.”—Kirkus Reviews A BiblioLifestyle Most Anticipated Mystery Discovering a body on her property presents Lady Abigail Worthing with more than one pressing problem. The victim is Juliet, the wife of her neighbor, Stapleton Henderson. Although Abigail has little connection with the lady in question, she expects to be under suspicion. Abigail’s skin color and her mother’s notorious past have earned her a certain reputation among the ton, and no amount of wealth or status will eclipse it. Abigail can’t divulge that she was attending a secret pro-abolition meeting at the time of the murder. To her surprise, Henderson offers her an alibi. Though he and Juliet were long estranged, he feels a certain loyalty to his late wife. Perhaps together, he and Abigail can learn the truth. . . . Abigail, whose marriage was not a love match, knows well how appearances can deceive—and how treacherous London’s high society can be. Yet who would have killed Juliet, and why? Taking the reins of her life in a way she never has before, Abby intends to find out—but she may uncover more danger than she ever imagined . . .

Be one of the first to read this sneak preview sample edition! Perfect for readers looking for a darker twist on Bridgerton, this first story in a vibrant, inclusive new historical mystery series from an acclaimed author portrays the true diversity of the Regency-era, as a widow whose skin color and notorious family history have left her with few friends she can rely on – just as the local vicar names her the prime suspect in a murder case… “Snappy dialogue, abundant intrigue, and Abbie and Stapleton’s increasingly flirtatious antagonism keep the tension high and the narrative drive strong. Smart, fun, and full of moxie.” —Kirkus Reviews Discovering a body on her property presents Lady Abigail Worthing with more than one pressing problem. The victim is Juliet, the wife of her neighbor, Stapleton Henderson. Although Abigail has little connection with the lady in question, she expects to be under suspicion. Abigail’s skin color and her mother’s notorious past have earned her a certain reputation among the ton, and no amount of wealth or status will eclipse it. Abigail can’t divulge that she was attending a secret pro-abolition meeting at the time of the murder. To her surprise, Henderson offers her an alibi. Though he and Juliet were long estranged, and she had a string of lovers, he feels a certain loyalty to his late wife. Perhaps together, he and Abigail can learn the truth. Abigail, whose marriage to Lord Worthing was not a love match, knows well how appearances can deceive. For all its surface elegance, London’s high society can be treacherous. Yet who in their circle would have killed Juliet, and why? Taking the reins of her life in a way she never has before, Abby intends to find out—but in the process she will uncover more danger than she ever imagined . . . “Fans of Bridgerton will enjoy this one.” —Publishers Weekly

Discovering a body on her property presents Lady Abigail Worthing with more than one pressing problem. The victim is Juliet, the wife of her neighbour, Stapleton Henderson. Although Abigail has little connection with the lady in question, she expects to be under suspicion. Abigail's skin colour and her mother's notorious past have earned her a certain reputation among the ton, and no amount of wealth or status will eclipse it. Abigail can't divulge that she was attending a secret pro-abolition meeting at the time of the murder. To her surprise, Henderson offers her an alibi. Though he and Juliet were long estranged, and she had a string of lovers, he feels a certain loyalty to his late wife. Perhaps together, he and Abigail can learn the truth.

Amateur sleuth Kitty Worthington once more jumps into the fray to catch the wily murderer of a high-ranking member of the nobility. Can she nab the killer before her sister's beloved pays the ultimate price?London. 1923. Much to her consternation, Kitty Worthington's debut season is a resounding success, prompting marriage proposals from lords, rogues, scoundrels, and ne'er do wells. Even as she dodges them, a new intrigue arises, and at Westminster, no less. A high-ranking member of the nobility is murdered, and her sister's beau has been framed to take the fall.With her sister's happiness at stake, Kitty once more sets out to investigate, ably aided by her faithful maid, two noble lords, a titled lady, and Sir Winston, her still flatulent Basset Hound. As they dash about London from the stews of St. Giles to the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair in search of the wily killer, can she convince the maddening Inspector Crawford to aid their quest? For if she fails to find the killer, her sister's beloved may very well hang from the wrong end of a rope.Murder at Westminster, Book 2 in The Kitty Worthington Mysteries, is another frolicking, historical cozy mystery filled with shifty suspects, a wily villain, and an intrepid heroine sure to win your heart. Book 3, Murder at the Masked Ball, is set to release in the Spring of 2022.

1559. Elizabeth is about to be crowned queen of England and wants her personal musician Kate Haywood to prepare music for the festivities. New to London, Kate must learn the ways of city life…and once again school herself as a sleuth. Life at the center of the new royal court is abuzz with ambition and gossip—very different from the quiet countryside, where Kate served Elizabeth during her exile. Making her way among the courtiers who vie for the new queen’s favor, Kate befriends Lady Mary Everley. Mary is very close to Elizabeth. With their red hair and pale skin, they even resemble each other—which makes Mary’s murder all the more chilling. The celebrations go on despite the pall cast over them. But when another redhead is murdered, Kate uncovers a deadly web of motives lurking just beneath the polite court banter, and follows the trail of a killer whose grievance can only be answered with royal blood.

A fast moving crime story set in Victorian London about an MP found murdered in his study. Inspector Hadley and Sergeant Cooper are assigned the case but they are hampered by Victorian society anxious to protect the prime suspect who is the MPs' wife. As more murders follow, the detectives uncover underhand financial dealings that go to the very heart of Government.

Diana Bakewell is London's savviest and best connected tour guide. As the lead guide at Chartwell and Crouch Tours, she's busy teaching her young assistant Zaf the ropes alongside dealing with company politics and her slimy boss. In her spare time she's helping Zaf find his feet in London and coming to terms with the fact that a tabby cat called Gus has stowed away on her vintage tour bus. But when Diana and Zaf take a group of students on a tour of the Houses of Parliament and an MP's researcher dies, Diana suspects all is not as it seems. The police are at a loss. They interview witnesses, including Diana's tour group, but seem to be getting nowhere. Diana, however, was at the scene. She witnessed people's reactions when the young woman died and knows that there's a link between her group and the murder. Can Diana solve the crime and ensure justice is done, while keeping her tour group under control around London and protecting Chartwell and Crouch Tours' reputation? Death in Westminster is the first part in a playful cozy mystery series set in a nostalgic version of London. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz and the Paddington books.

A macabre discovery in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey. Augusta Peel is puzzled by a mysterious customer in her bookshop. But when the encounter leads to an attack in the abbey cloisters, she finds herself entangled in a murder investigation. Who is the mystery customer? And why did he give a false name? Obscure information imparted on a death bed forces Augusta and Scotland Yard detective Philip Fisher to follow a trail of clues. It's not long before they're pulled into the shadow of an event everyone would rather forget: the Great War. When the murderer strikes again, Augusta and Philip are forced to rethink their investigation. But just as they're making progress, Philip makes a decision which changes everything...