This was a fun read and I didn't hate the romance aspect of it! So much lying and intrigue in trying to accomplish the same thing without knowing it! I would absolutely be here for book 2 if this becomes a series, which I hope it does! I want to know how the Duke and Albertine are living life and what shenanigans she gets up to!

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From the cover and description, I expected a solid mystery with a slow burn romance. This is a romp that never captured my attention. Albertine gets into some cringy situations. She’s more silly than sharp. The mystery is weak and the romance had no chemistry. The author has a great voice but bad characterization, unearned insta love, and strange pacing made this a miss for me.

4/5 stars

A quick read with some fun elements. I wasn't expecting the romantic subplot but it only added to the overall story. This was a first for me from this author and I enjoyed their style of writing. I would definitely read another book if it becomes a series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

As a romance I suppose this novel is up to snuff, but it falls incredibly flat as a detective story. I had hoped for a more balanced work, based on the description. The characters were very typical, almost but not quite caricatures.

The Mayfair Dagger by Ava January is a glorious escapade, fun, intriguing, scintillating and just a little bit tittlating, but clean and a great read

Albertine does not want to marry a farmer with 15 children so runs away to London to find her own way in the world. Not an easy task for a woman in 1894, let alone a single woman! Albertine decides to works as a female sleuth under the pseudonym, the Countess Von Dagga and does not have the best of beginnings in her sleuthing career. After all, getting framed for murder is just a tad inconvenient, let alone antisocial

Firmly placed at a wonderful cross section between historical mystery and cozy mystery and very well written

Thank you to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and the very talented Ava January for this wonderful ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an early read of The Mayfair Dagger. This cozy mystery set in 19th century London, follows independent heroine Albertine Honeycombe. After her father’s death, her cousin inherits her home (simply because he is a man) and threatens to marry Albertine off to the farmer next door with fifteen children! Albertine runs away to London with her maid/childhood friend and pretends to be a Countess, while trying to start a detective business. She only has enough money to last a few months, so she is desperate to succeed. When she becomes a suspect in a murder, she realizes she needs a man to help be the face of her business. Little does she know the handsome stranger who applies for the job is actually a Scotland Yard detective and a Duke. Full of fun, mystery and romance, this book was an easy read, perfect for curling up with a cup of tea.

Albertine Honeycombe, aka Countess Von Dagga, is determined, smart, a bit naive, and kind hearted. She is still grieving the death of her beloved brother while trying to make her own way as a detective. Her best friend and maid, Joan, is a hilarious flirt. Spencer Sweetman, Duke of Erleigh, is a Scotland Yard Detective who investigates her.

The mystery wasn't that complicated but provided the background for laugh-out-loud situations, romance, and a young lady with good intentions learning some hard lessons about navigating the world she was unprepared for. I know there are those out there that don't like much emphasis on the romance part of mysteries, so take note that this has a stronger romance element than most. It is still a mystery, but it has a strong romantic element.

The killer seemed pretty obvious even with a few red herrings, but the journey was worth it since I became vested in Albertine. I was hooked early and read this pretty fast for me. It kept my interest through the entire book. The climatic reveal was tense and different from any other reveal I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope this will be a series.

Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

#TheMayfairDagger#
The Mayfair Dagger is a delightful historical novel. A Lord hiding his past and a Lady masquerading her past become involved in solving the murder of a member of the aristocracy. The murdered man has a dubious reputation. The lady detective becomes compromised in his presence and is forced to give the man a sleeping draught to protect her honor. Alas, she loses part of her bracelet in his private room. The romp continues as she tries to retrieve the charms from her bracelet and to discover if the innocent sleeping draught she administrated killed the man.
The Lord in disguise is working as her accomplice in the detective business. Neither are aware of their true positions.
You must read this book to enjoy the laugh-out-loud moments of their antics solving the crime.
Thank you #NetGalley# and publisher for a copy of this book for an honest review..
I highly recommend the book.

Love this historical mystery with an amazing female lead in Albertine. This was amazing. I loved this and it had some twists that were superb. I had a great time reading this book and hope there will be more with Albertine solving mysteries.
I just reviewed The Mayfair Dagger by Ava January. #TheMayfairDagger #NetGalley
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“Mayfair Dagger” by Ava January unfolds as a witty and feminist mystery, immersing readers in the vibrant tapestry of 19th-century London. In this daring adventure, the protagonist, Albertine Honeycombe, emerges as a captivating woman detective, a character set to resonate with enthusiasts of Deanna Raybourn and Katharine Schellman. Set against the backdrop of 1894 London, Albertine, staunchly opposed to the notion of marriage, ingeniously reinvents herself as Countess Von Dagga. This guise allows her to navigate the upper echelons of society as a private detective, a role she embraces with fervour. The clever ruse involves a non-existent husband, affording Albertine more freedom than the constraints of singlehood.

The narrative takes an intriguing turn when Lord Grendel, a beneficiary of Albertine’s detective skills, is murdered, thrusting her into the spotlight as the prime suspect. The plot unfolds with a mix of mystery, suspense, and a dash of humour. The reviewer, not typically a fan of historical books, found “Mayfair Dagger” to be an exception, finishing it in a single day. The main character, Albertine, is commended for her resilience and ability to navigate from one predicament to another. The story blends action, twists, and turns seamlessly, striking a balance between seriousness and comedy. The historical setting is well-crafted, and the characters, including the supporting cast, contribute to the book’s overall charm.

The book’s modern touches are appreciated, adding to its appeal. The romantic subplot involving Albertine, Joan, and Spencer (a Scotland Yard inspector turned Duke) adds depth to the narrative. The reviewer expresses eagerness for a potential sequel, anticipating the continued evolution of the characters and their relationships. In conclusion, “Mayfair Dagger” stands out as an entertaining and enjoyable historical mystery, enriched by its engaging characters, a touch of modernity, and a promising setup for future developments. Ava January’s storytelling prowess shines through, offering readers a compelling and satisfying experience within the pages of this feminist mystery set in the heart of Victorian London.

The Mayfair Dagger is a delightful entertaining novel that combines historical fiction and a mystery.

Albertine has started her own detective agency along with her good friend Joan in London.

Albertine is trying desperately not to have to return home so as not to get married to someone who is not her choice.

Things don't run smoothly for the duo and Albertine is soon accused of two not one murders.

I laughed with her and Joan, I cheered them on and hoped the ladies would prevail.

Its a fun read that I hated to end.

Ava January you have a new fan and I certainly will be reading more of her books

i loved this book so much!! this was so fun and i'm so thankful that i got to read this one early! thank you so much to netgalley and everyone should pick this up soon!!!

The Mayfair Dagger-Cringy Comedy

I want to be able to review this book as a witty feminist mystery set in the heart of 19th-century London. But instead, I’m going to review this book as a madcap comical farce, possibly set in 1894. There’s a threat of romance, although absolutely no sizzle between the two main characters, and while there is a mystery, I spent most of the book cringing as the FMC landed in one absurd circumstance after another.

If you’re looking for a daring adventure with an intelligent heroine, look elsewhere.

The main character and her friend, who may or may not have been a maid back home – have traveled to London To avoid an arranged marriage and fulfill the dreams of the deceased brother of the FMC by opening a detective agency.

Nearly every time that the FMC has found herself in yet another pickle, she will wistfully recall how her father always said she was “sharp as a dagger” and that gives her the courage to forge onward. It doesn’t matter that usually, her next step is something that digs the hole deeper and is indeed the opposite of anything a “sharp“ person would do. I began to think that perhaps her father thought she was simple and told her she was “sharp as a dagger” to encourage confidence. The actions of the FMC were more idiotic than courageous. How she and her equally dim “maid” have made it to London for nearly three months is beyond me.

The MMC is a surprise Duke. A second son who has come into the dukedom reluctantly. He is an inspector at Scotland Yard, a position he seems too young to have, but that’s minor compared to all the other outrageous suppositions.

All the elements of a suspenseful mystery with a Slow-burn romance were there. The characters had so much promise, but the story took a ridiculous turn into unbelievable territory within the first few pages. I just felt it was not a mystery, nor was it suspenseful. It was a comedy. I kept reading it, looking for some mystery and suspense, and I was disappointed on nearly every page.

Had I known this was a comedy, I might have had different expectations. I probably would’ve enjoyed the book much more.

This was a lovely read. The initial setting promised a story about a talented private detective who would use subterfuge to expose those who were selfish and exploitative. It turned on the death of one of her targets and developed into a murder hunt. However, as the book progressed, it evolved into a comedy with some farcical elements. Not least the coffin scene! After a dramatic ending and a happy ever after ending, the book left you with a feel good factor. The characterisation is great! In particular, the female lead, Albertina who as well as being resourceful and determined is universally likeable. A really enjoyable novel

Albertine needs to escape an arranged marriage, so she flees her home for the upper crust townhomes of fashionable London and sets herself up as a detective, just as she and her late brother had hoped to do. She begins by helping ladies in distress but soon becomes one herself. What ensues is a madcap romp of a Victorian romance with a bit of mystery on the side. An enjoyable read!

Who is The Mayfair Dagger for? Readers who like me love romance and can have it sprinkled or spread over every other genre.
Who is the Mayfair Dagger not for? Readers who expect an amateur sleuth style novel, or a real mystery, and can barely tolerate romance.
The mystery in this case is not the main focus of the book. It's more about the romance between Albertine and Sweetman. I was a little disappointed because I didn't get to follow them solving a murder, but I believe this is the first of a series and in the next installment, there will be more detective work. Overall, I like the main characters and the banter between them. Joan though got on my nerves a little, but that means the author did a great job bringing her to life. I'll give the next installment a try hoping there will be more detective work!

Thank you, Ava January, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for the e-ARC.

Maybe it was the description about a witty, feminist mystery set in the heart of nineteenth-century London advertising a daring adventure that made me request this book by Ava January on Netgalley for a review or the mention that it was "in the style of Deanna Raybourn and Katharine Schellman", I really don't remember.

I certainly was looking forward to read a historical mysterie set in 18th century Londen. Instead this turned out to be a flimsy love story with just a murder thrown in just to be able to advertise it as a mysterie instead of a simple love story. Albertine, the destitute daughter of an earl, is posing as the Countess von Dagga and trying to set herself up, rather unsuccessfully, as a detective. When she retrieves a coupe of rather illicit love letters during a masked ball she drugs her host, Lord Gremble. Later it turns out that that Lord Gremble has been murdered.
This is the start of a series of pretty stupid actions and of Albertine hiring the Duke of Erleigh, who is also one of the leading detectives at Scotland Yard, as a man of all business. From that moment on the story is mainly a love story with very little mysterie.

During the story Albertine refers a lot to herself as her daddies clever girl and we are repeatedly reminded that daddy used to call her "sharp as a dagger", hence the title Mayfair Dagger. However, based on the silly actions Albertine and her friend Joan perform I would rather say that these are certainly not the sharpest knives in the drawer. At times the book brought a smile to my lips but I certainly wouldn't describe it as witty and at the end it was more like a farce. If the author's intention was to write a parody of the genre, she succeeded very well, but somehow I think that has not been the intention.
I will round up 2,5 stars because the book sometimes made me smile.

I really wanted to like this more than I did. It had a great premise and I was hooked from the first page but it just didn’t grip me across the story. Something was missing for me. It’s well enough written but not something I’d read again.

1890s, London, extortion, false-identities, falsely-accused, romantic, verbal-humor, situational-humor, private-investigators, murder, murder-investigation*****

Albertine needs to make her own money to avoid a dire fate, so she utilizes teachings of her father to begin a detective agency.
Joan is more than a maid but less than a sister with a flair for the dramatic and an eye for a handsome man.
Spencer is a Scotland yard inspector who recently and unexpectedly inherited the title of duke and has an interesting time portraying the face of the detective agency incognito.
Then Albertine is in the frame for murder and can't rescue herself!
Good fun and sometimes farcical. I loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

I have mixed feelings about this book.
I enjoyed its third parts in spite of my personal expectations of finding mystery and suspense.

The whole story is based on the romance between Spencer Sweetman, the new Duke of Erleigh and Albertine Honeycombe, the apparent Countess Von Dagga, the mystery and everything else is in the background.

It feels these two characters are the victims of the era where they lived. Spencer victim of the oppression and sadness of loosing freedom for duty, and Albertine victim of the nonexistent right of her gender and at the same time both victims of vicious and superfluous people that were part of the ton. The book felt more of a critique of England at that time.

If I could recommend something is that towards the end of the book I felt the story needed at least a few more chapters to let the flow of the story reach the ending. Spencer went from this chivalrous and strong character to an insipid and sad one.
She didn’t save herself and he definitely didn’t save her at all, on the contrary. What saved her was a miraculous sense of justice the other women of the ton felt at the end when they actually could have prevented the caos long time ago. Their appearances in court felt force and out of context. I think the lies and betrayal of Spencer left Albertine with so much hurt and anger according to the description of the author that simple words towards the end didn’t feel like a grant gesture at all. That’s something I would definitely change if I could.