I was expecting a historical mystery, but this was really more of a light romance novel, with a murder to solve, and a vaguely historical setting.
Albertine has a very high opinion of herself, formed entirely by her father's confidence, but not by anything she has accomplished for herself. She sets up as a detective but doesn't manage to secure payment for any of the work she does for high society ladies. Deciding she needs a man to front her business, she hires an undercover Scotland Yard detective, who also happens to be a duke.
There is a great deal of belief to be suspended in this setup, and the escapades that ensue aren't any more believable.

This is a light, casual read with some enjoyable moments.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Albertine Honeycomb has always wanted to be a private detective, so when her cousin inherits her family estate and wants to marry her off, she moves to London under an assumed name of Countess Von Dagga. Along with her sidekick Joan, Bertie tries to establish her detective business. Unfortunately, she is struggling to gain ground and finds herself a suspect in a murder. As Scotland Yard begins to investigate her, the Duke of Erleigh is convinced that she is innocent.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story, as well as the characters, but I personally found the romance aspect to be a bit awkward. I would read another in the series, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

The narrator did a nice job.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for a free copy of #TheMayfairDagger by Ava January. All opinions are my own.

What a great listen! Excellent narrators, cozy, romance, and murder mystery rolled up into one. I will definitely auto “add to cart” future books by Ava January.

The Mayfair Dagger by Ava January is a fun nineteenth-century murder mystery romance.
After the death of her brother and father Albertine Honeycomb was being pressured to marry the elderly neighbor with fifteen children. Wanting to escape her fate and fulfill her brother's detective dreams she assumes the identity of the Countess Von Dagga. As a Countess with
a fake husband, she can gain access to society and get the jobs she needs to survive...or so she thinks. Turns out no one wants to pay a woman. On a job to retrieve some letters for a patron, she drugs Lord Gredel and finds herself shocked when she learns that he was later murdered that night.
I liked Albertine Honeycomb immensely as a character. She has a big heart and is often trying to help people, who don't appreciate it. Her maid Joan is quirky and funny and the perfect sidekick for all of Albertine's mischief. Their antics have a little bit of a Lucy/Ethel feel at times.
Spencer was a great love interest I think his seriousness balanced out some of Albertine's sillier qualities.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Knoweldone and Dennis Kleinman. They both did a great job bringing the characters to life for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook. This review was given voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a decent historical thriller. This was a fun read.

This was such a fun read! This is the first book I've read by Ava January, and I will be on the lookout for more. This is a lighthearted, charming historical mystery/romance that is funny, witty, well written and easy to follow along. The narration in the audiobook was excellent, and very entertaining. You really cheer for this amateur sleuth lady detective and I look forward to a series, perhaps? The romance was very sweet as well. I'm so thankful to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook.

London 1894

A fun, entertaining historical mystery with an excellent cast of characters! Albertine Honeycomb (how can you not love that name!) sets herself up as a private detective. Inventing a name and a dead husband she navigates the upper society and finds herself a suspect herself in a murder.

With the help of a Duke, she tries to prove her innocence and find the murderer.. Cannot wait for more! I read and listen to audible through NetGallery

Albertine and her brother always dreamed of being a detectives in London just like Sherlock Holmes. Sadly, Albertine’s brother died, er father, the Earle died shortly after leaving no provisions for her and her smarmy cousin has inherited the estate and the title. He wants Bertie to married the widowed farmer who lives on adjacent land and take care of his 15 children. Desperate to escape, Bertie and her dear friend Jane runs with her to London. In an attempt to “fake it til you make it” Albertine sells some jewelry and rents a home in a fashionable part of town, has Jane pose as her maid and starts her PI business. She’s pretty good at fining things and, when a lady of the ton asked her to retrieve some private letters from a Lord’s home because he’s blackmailing her, she accepts the challenge. Posting as the fictitious Countess von Dagger, Albertine attends a costume ball at the Lord’s house, drugs him and retrieves the letters. She’s stunned to learn that he’s dead. She’s fairly sure that her sleeping potion didn’t kill him so she needs to find out who did. Because the Victorian world doesn’t give much freedom to women, Albertine hires a man to be the “front” of her detective agency to collect her fees (which she hasn’t been able to do) and pose as the imaginary Count von Dagger when needed. She ends up mistakingly hiring the Chief of Detectives from Scotland Yard who’s recently become a Duke as her male helper. Craziness ensues and maybe love blooms.

I listened to the audiobook version of this and never wanted it to end! This story is about a woman trying to live out her brother's dreams, in hopes of honoring him. But being a detective might not be her calling... especially when she might've accidentally murdered someone...

This book had engaging, fun side characters as well as two main characters who were written with their own unique characteristics that pull them together. The Duke of Erleigh approaches Albertine thinking that she could be a killer but finds a woman with a heart of gold but perhaps a little foolish in her adventures. Together, they form a duo that London's society has certainly never seen!

There were a few parts of this story that were slightly repetitive, but overall The Mayfair Dagger was an engaging, entertaining, and mysterious novel that captured my attention! I highly recommend this book for fans of historical romance or mystery! So excited to look more at this author's other works!

Thank NetGalley for the ARC, I loved this one!

Review posted to Goodreads (4/20), review coming to @evelynlainebooks via Instagram.

Albertine in 1894 is in between a rock and a hard place. She finds out unfortunately her father did not leave her any provisions in his will, already devastated her cousin who inherited everything is trying to force her to marry a local farmer with fifteen children that she will be looking after. She flees to London with Joan to escape this fate and becomes a private detective. She creates a new life for herself as Countess Dagga and a fictional husband who is out of the country so that she can live independently and basically won't be shunned.
However, the rich and powerful have many more mysteries than she originally thought and finds herself right in the middle of a murder investigation and she is investigating in an attempt to clear the suspicion from her name. She also employs an undercover officer, Spencer, who works for Scotland Yard not realizing who it is. Albertine with all of her quirks and the way she really cares for the people she is working for works with Spencer. Spencer slowly falls in love with her only to find the path of their love filled with obstacles and is in a race to prove Albertine innocent before she is hanged for crimes she didn't commit!
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for allowing me to listen and review this one! The narrators were amazing and did a stellar job, they fit the characters and created an enthusiastic listen! If you are looking for a good historical mystery with a splash of romance then you should read this one! It reminds me of Enola Holmes but for Adults!

This book has its feet firmly planted in well-researched history with a delightfully modern sensibility. I enjoyed the classic murder mystery conventions hemmed in by the societal strictures that a woman would face when trying to be a detective in 1890s London. A sweetly slow-burn attraction between two of the main characters added a teensy sprinkle of mild victorian spice to the story. This was fun! I hope Countess Von Dagga gets to investigate more cases.

Interesting, well-paced mystery with a fun, witty female detective frustrated by the constraints of society. I enjoyed getting to know Albertine and Joan but found that the romance took away from the mystery. I’d read another in the series if it became one but hope now that the romance is resolved, the focus would be more on the mystery at hand.

Albertine does not was a husband or children, she wants to be a private investigator. So she poses as a Countess. Someone is murdered, unfortunately, she becomes the number one suspect.

This was interesting and I liked it.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for an audio ARC of this book for an honest review.

I would read something else by the author but it wasn't my favorite historical fiction novel. I enjoyed the dual POV writing style of this novel and I liked the main male character (Spencer) but I was annoyed with the main female character (Albertine).

Albertine and her brother always dreamed of being detectives in London like Sherlock Holmes. With her brother gone, Albertine convinces her friend Joan to leave country life and move to the city to become private detectives. One problem, every thing that could go wrong does in fact go wrong.

This is not your typically who-done-it mystery. While there is a mystery they are trying to solve, the book is much more of a historical romance in my opinion. The plot is fast paced and easily digestible while being very entertaining.

This book does not take itself too serious. (which is a relief) I giggled, laughed out loud, and rolled my eyes through this whole book. The characters are lovable, quirky, and slap stick funny. Joan was a personal favorite of mine.

I will be looking out for more books by Ava January. The audio-narrators where wonderful.

Thanks to Netgalley and DreamScape media for the audio-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced audio copy of this book. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. Albertine Honeycomb pretends to be the Countess Van Dagger. She inadvertently hires a detective of Scotland Yard to be the face of her detective business. Of course evidence seems to start piling up when she is accused of killing the Count Van Dagger as well as a peer of the realm. With her trusty maid and friend, Joan, in tow the adventures happen. It’s a happy ending and you will want more. Add this to your TBR pile ASAP! The narrators are spot on if you’d rather do the audio version. Thank me later.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ava January for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC audiobook for The Mayfair Dagger coming out April 23, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this author. I love Victorian era murder mysteries, so I really enjoyed this book. The narrators were fantastic. I loved there was a narrator for the male and female characters. Albertine was a strong heroine and I enjoyed her interactions with the Duke. It reminded me of the show Miss Scarlet and the Duke. The murder mystery part was the usual affair, but I loved the story. I would definitely check out other books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Victorian murder mysteries!

Special thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, Ava January, and narrator Elizabeth Knowelden and Dennis Kleinman for providing this captivating ALC (Advance Listening Copy). My review is given willingly, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.

What occurs when a determined Victorian lady becomes a detective in the shadowy streets of 1894 London? Ava January weaves a story of mystery, murder, and complicated romance that's sure to captivate, frustrate, and delight. However, does it fulfill all expectations? In Victorian London, Albertine Honeycombe escapes a terrible situation only to be accused of a murder she didn't commit. Posing as Countess Dagga, she confronts a society that looks down on women. When Spencer, the mysterious Duke of Earleigh and undercover Scotland Yard detective, enters her turbulent life, their emotions and safety are at risk. Together, they rush to prove her innocence, facing obstacles of love, betrayal, and social restrictions. As a Victorian historical murder mystery, January's book can be compared to those by Anne Perry or Tasha Alexander. However, unlike those authors who focus on detailed settings and complex plots, January's story sometimes seems more like a romantic adventure posing as a detective story. It focuses more on romance and the characters' struggles than on the details of the murder mystery. Albertine is a complex character. Sometimes, her bravery and determination are admirable and fit the novel's feminist themes. However, her often naive and impulsive behavior can be annoying. Her relationship with her devoted maid, Joan, highlights issues of dependency and lack of appreciation, which might reflect her flaws or critique of Victorian servitude. Meanwhile, Spencer is generally more likable but is a somewhat typical heroic love interest. The main theme of women seeking freedom and acknowledgment in a male-dominated society is powerful and relevant. However, the way it's presented sometimes lacks consistency, with certain plot points, such as the coffin incident, seeming contrived or excessively dramatic. While the murder mystery keeps the story moving, the ending may feel too predictable and shallow for some readers' tastes, leaving them wanting more complexity. The pacing of the novel is inconsistent. Albertine's repeated errors and the romantic elements often slow down the story. Nonetheless, Ava January re-engages the reader with timely plot twists and tense moments. Her writing is clear and appealing, matching the historical context well. The audiobook's dual narration by Elizabeth Knowelden and Dennis Kleinman adds realism and emotional richness, enhancing the experience. Despite its flaws, the novel prompts reflection on women's challenges and resilience, particularly in eras with strict gender roles. Readers may feel a mix of frustration with missed opportunities in the story and satisfaction with its enjoyable aspects. Ava January's Victorian story has both bright spots and drawbacks, making it a bit of a mixed bag. It could serve as a decent starting point for newcomers to historical mysteries, though it's not without its faults. Seasoned genre fans might crave more depth and unpredictability. I suggest checking out other reviews or reading a sample chapter before committing fully. While not for everyone, the book does possess its allure and deserves consideration.

I really enjoyed that one. I'm impressed by how witty Ava January's writing is. The Mayfair Dagger is a historical mystery with fun and interesting characters, and a clever little romance.

January really did their research into the era, and fans of this genre are going to get a kick out of it. Really well done.

The audio version of The Mayfair Dagger is nicely performed by Elizabeth Knowelden and Dennis Kleinman.

Albertine Honeycombe has no other choice but to flee her country home for London. Her father died without making any provision for her in his will, so her odious male cousin Francis inherited the estate. He's decided that Albertine should be married off to a neighboring farmer so she can care for is 15 children. Shockingly, Albertine doesn't think this sounds like a good idea. She takes what money she has, "borrows" a cart, and with her trusty friend Joan sets off to make her own way in London. She had always had plans to do this in order to fulfil a wish she and her brother Algie made as children. They both loved detective stories and vowed to investigate crimes and solve mysteries when they grew up. Unfortunately, Algie died so it's up to Albertine to fulfil their dream. Once in London, she knows no one will hire a female detective, so she invents a title, Countess von Dagger, and an absent husband to give her an entrance into high society. While she does get a few assignments this way, the women who hire her don't have access to money (or claim they don't) so Albertine is quickly running out of money. She decides that she needs a man to act as the face of her detective agency. When a man answers her ad, she has no idea that he's a Duke as well as a policeman working for Scotland Yard. Spencer Sweetman presents himself to the Countess, unaware that he's applying for a job at her agency. Instead, he's there to investigate her. A man was found dead after a ball she attended and another man has accused her of theft. So Spencer decides to play along and try to catch Albertine in the act of dishonesty. He has no idea that their relationship will soon become more than a working one.

I enjoyed the narrator of this audiobook. She did a wonderful job of portraying the various characters, so that you forgot it was only one person doing the narration! The pace of the story was good and the plucky Albertine is certainly someone I hope will be seen again in a future outing!