I love a good mystery and this was great. I definitely want to continue reading this series as I really enjoyed it.

What could be better than a Regency era mystery? The storyline is set right from the very first sentence. The characters develop nicely as the book continues. Like a onion their layers are peeled revealing more of their personality. Ms. Quincy offers several potential suspects for the Murder in Mayfair. Skillfully she exonerates them from the suspect list or are they ever really free of suspicion? The relationship between Atlas and Lilliania is one of trust, friendship, and at times self preservation. Maybe in will develop further in the next book in the series, which is already loaded in my kindle. I loved the author's Regency spy novels, written under Diana Quincy. She weaves a pretty good murder mystery as well.

Murder in Mayfair is an excellent debut historical cozy, with a labyrinthine plot that pulls you deep into their Georgian era world from the very first page. It was so easy to lose myself in the world the author created, from the picturesque English countryside to London's dirty streets, the attention to period detail was adept without weighing down the story. This was the kind of book where the characters become almost like familiar friends, from the enigmatic Lilliana to the brilliant Thea to the dashing and witty Atlas Catesby (that name, right? I feel like I need a jaunty cat named Atlas Catesby.) and the suspenseful plot kept me turning pages well into the night.

Overall, Murder in Mayfair is a lovely introduction to the world of Atlas Catesby, with a taut, suspenseful plot with many twists and turns, a charming early 1800s setting and riveting characters it will definitely be a series to watch for.

Set n the early 19th century, adventurer Atlas Catesby, the youngest son of a baron, is thrown into a unusual situation when he is witness to a man auctioning off his wife. Rescuing her proves to be more problematic that expected because she wants to remain with her sons. When the ne'er-do-well husband is found murdered, Atlas is forced to find the real murderer to clear his "property"'s name.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this start to a series. The characters were interesting, some need a bit more fleshing out, but overall, I think the time period is my greatest issue. Maybe the next in the series will clarify my mind as to whether I like or dislike the story.

A new historical mystery. Cant wait to read the second in the series.
Goodreads

I don't usually bother with too much plot summary in my reviews; it seems a bit pointless when it only takes a couple of clicks or a scroll to read a blurb. But this time I'm going to make an exception. Copied from Goodreads:

<I>In 1810, Atlas Catesby, a brilliant adventurer and youngest son of a baron, is anxious to resume his world travels after a carriage accident left him injured in London. But his plans are derailed when, passing through a country village, he discovers a helpless woman being auctioned off to the highest bidder--by her husband.

In order to save her from being violated by another potential buyer, Atlas purchases the lady, Lilliana, on the spot to set her free. But Lilliana, desperate to be with her young sons and knowing the laws of England give a father all parental rights, refuses to be rescued--until weeks later when her husband is murdered and Atlas is the only one who can help clear her name of the crime.</i>

I mean – come on. Look at that. That's mildly awesome. That's a series of bombshells. That sounds like a book that you'd remember for years.

And yet … the reason I had that summary saved on the document where I write my reviews is that I had no memory of the book when I went to do this. None. The description helps – but what happened after and around that basic outline I have almost no idea. I didn't even take notes or highlight anything while I was reading.

I do recall that, while this was a perfect setup for an historical romance, there was actually very little along those lines in the plot – this Lilliana, the rescued damsel, is single-minded in her quest to get her children back, and in that quest she does some really stupid things. Her protector, Atlas, is an anachronism of feminist support and aggrieved patience. Apart from this … it's pretty much a blank.

At least this means the writing wasn't terrible - <I>that</i> I would remember, right? But I do wonder if three stars is a bit generous for something that is such a … lacuna. Ah well. I'll go with my first instinct and leave it.

The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.

D.M. Quincy introduces Alex Catesby, explorer and younger son of a baron, in Murder in Mayfair. This regency gentleman rescues a lady in distress when her unsavory husband sells her. Later, her husband is murdered and Alex has to find out the murderer to prevent suspicion falling on him. The victim was hated by many and loved by no one. Surprising twists and turns before the story comes to a satisfactory conclusion. Look forward to more Alex Catesby stories.

Thanks Crooked Lane Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Great, awesome! Quincy is one author I'll read forever. This series has all the hallmarks I love in a mystery and I can't wait to read the next one.

I absolutely love this new mystery series. Waiting for the next one.

1814 and Atlas Catesby and his friend the earl of Charlton are on their way back from Bath to London when stopping at an Inn they witness a man selling off his wife. Ever the gentleman Catesby buys the wife to save her from worse degradation.
Unfortunately for the wife, her husband is found dead. And Endicott, the Bow Street Runner employed to find the murderer suspect her and Catesby. To clear their names he is determined to find the guilty party.
A well-written, romance mystery with characters who seem to have some progressive views for the time period though this didn't distract from the story. I look forward to see how the characters develop in the next book.

Murder in Mayfair by D. M. Quincy
Atlas Catesby Mystery #1

Did you know that in England in the past a husband and wife would dissolve their marriage through the sale of the wife to another – a sale that took place publically – and perhaps acted in place of a divorce? With women being “owned” by their husbands, divorces considered expensive and disgraceful, and often not sanctioned by the government or church - a sale was one way out. At the beginning of this story Atlas Catesby, fourth son of a Baron, finds himself buying such a woman to save her from rather despicable men. With the deed of sale for Lilliana Warwick in his “possession” he headed back to London, housed her with his sister Thea and tried to find an amicable way for Lilliana to have access to her sons since her husband refused to let her near them. From that point on a few more people are introduced, a number of incidents occur, Lilliana’s husband ends up dead, the solving of the mystery of how the husband died is worked on and the second mystery of Lilliana’s true identity is dealt with. There is some romance between Atlas and Lilliana but there is no real HEA or HFN conclusion for the couple by the end of this book. They could spend time together in book two (my guess) or not see one another ever again. Hmm…

What I liked:
* Catesby’s strength of character
* Lilliana’s love for her children
* The plot sequence
* The supporting characters (want to see some of them in future books)
* The interaction of Catesby with Lilliana’s sons, new valet and his friend Gabriel
* Thea, Catesby’s sister
* Charlton, Catesby’s friend
* The fact that I feel this book ended well and without a cliffhanger and yet leads me to want to read the next book in the series.

What I did not like:
* Perhaps it was not in true keeping with the times of the early 1800’s – in more ways than one – though this did not detract from the overall story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

What a terrific start to a new series! I loved the Regency setting, which Quincy used to full effect. Atlas is wonderful; he's smart, he's wily, he's determined. Liliana, well, you decide! This is a double mystery which made it much more enjoyable than I expected. Nice writing and good historical detail made this a winner for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to the next book. You will like this if you enjoy complex, historical mystery tales!

5 helms

Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)

Oooh, D.M Quincy, you did a mighty fine job with this debut historical mystery! An excellent read where I just couldn't get enough of the characters, their lives and of course the mystery they manage to entangle themselves in! I'm already eagerly awaiting the next instalment of Atlas Catesby's adventures :)

Atlas Catesby and his best friend the Earl of Charlton, are having dinner at an inn in Slough on their way home to London when they hear a commotion outside. Investigating further, a bride sale is being conducted right under their noses! Aghast at the cruelty of this woman's husband, Atlas finds himself purchasing Lilliana Warwick just so he could offer his protection from her repugnant husband.

Lilliana's husband is found dead a few weeks after the sale takes place and Lilliana and Atlas find themselves as the main suspects in the murder investigation. Atlas who has a thing for solving mysteries also decides to investigate and deduces his own theories. He also suspects Lilliana is not telling him the whole story about her family background as her bearing is positively regal and her marriage to a tradesman does not add up. Finding himself searching for answers regarding the murder and Lilliana's secrets, he has the weight of a murder mystery and his growing attraction to Lilliana on his shoulders ( couldn' help myself with that one haha).

It has been a while since I was this excited about a book! This was damn well done! I'm so impressed and I can't stop thinking about the characters and little pieces within the novel are still falling into place. I was kept guessing throughout the book and we don't just get one mystery, we get two! There was a lot going on in each character's lives but everything adds up and makes sense and I was never confused or bogged down with information.

I felt like I was transported back into Regency London as D.M Quincy had her Regency speak down pat (don't quote me on the historical accuracy of the era as I'm no historian!) but it was very very good as it would be exactly how I would imagine the gentry conversing. Her London location choices were excellent and she capture's the tradesman atmosphere at Bond Street in the Regency very well. I live a few stops away from Bond Street so probably why I could totally relate!

Atlas had an intriguing supporting cast in the novel and all the characters were exciting in their own way! Thea, Atlas's mathematician sister, is married to a husband she cares about but we never meet. The Earl of Charlton's and Thea's relationship should be an interesting little story indeed! They seem like total opposites and yet there's something there which I cannot wait to explore further! And of course, there's something simmering between Atlas and Lilliana but we don't know the outcome yet :(

I was quite surprised at the potential romances that blossomed in the book as they were unexpected (I was expecting pure mystery!), which kept the romance reader in me very happy! And yes D.M Quincy does write historical romances under the pen name Diana Quincy which of course I looked up and have added to Mount TBR! The only thing that stood out to me were the medical explanations within the book, as they had a very modern approach to them. This information may have been viable within the Regency, but the medical terminology just had a modern feel to it, in comparison to the Regency setting we were immersed in.

This is going to be one of those binge read series as it just leaves you craving more! You don't want to miss out on this well written book and how gorgeous is this cover!?!! The clover alone makes me want to pick this book up!

*Thank-you D.M Quincy, Netgalley & Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.

Thanks Crooked Lane Books and netgalley for this ARC.

D.M. Quincy creates a awesome, wry, rakish, questing new world in this series that I hope continues at least three more books.

Atlas Catesby is the youngest son of a baron and a world traveler who delights in solving puzzles. A carriage accident and a damaged foot have kept him in England longer than he would like. His stay becomes more interesting when he discovers a young woman being sold to the highest bidder by her husband. Being a gentleman, he steps in and buys the young woman - Lilliana Warwick - and finds himself in the midst of a criminal investigation when her husband is found dead.

There are a number of suspects because Godfrey Warwick was not a nice man. Besides the way he treated his wife, he was jealous of his brother and attempted to blackmail a number of his business acquaintances. Everywhere Atlas looks, more suspects appear. Atlas has to do his own investigation because the runner who has the case thinks Atlas makes the best suspect.

This historical mystery makes good use of the time. In England, in 1810, women had no rights. They and their children were the property of their husbands and had no legal identity beyond him. Lilliana learns this when Godfrey sells her and denies her access to her two young sons.

The story also has the beginning of a romance between Lilliana - who has a big secret she has been keeping - and Atlas but a number of things are conspiring to keep them apart. This was an engaging and entertaining mystery.

I need to find other books by this author. I loved the characters and want to know what happens to them. Also enjoyed the London Regency setting.

Atlas Catesby, perfectly disposable fourth son of a baron, is a restless world traveler who never stays in one place for long. By chance, he's traveling through the English country village of Slough when he witnesses something foreign even to his worldly ways: a man auctioning off his own wife. Atlas's gentleman nature compels him to buy the poor woman, but from the very start he suspects he's stepped into a situation more complicated than your average damsel in distress. Lilliana is vague about her past and seems much too high born to be the wife of a small town tradesman. Then Liliana's vile husband turns up murdered, and Atlas becomes a suspect. He needs to find the real killer and clear his name. His investigation starts to uncover the kind of secrets someone might kill to protect.

I have two minds toward this book. I did enjoy it but had numerous problems with it. It's a bit more of a romance than a mystery, although the mystery itself is well done. The biggest problem for me is that the characters just do not <i>fit</i> into Regency England. For instance, Atlas has strong opinions on women's rights, is permissive of homosexuality, and doesn't care about societal rules or class restrictions. All of the main characters are twenty-first century time travelers pretending to be from 1810. They use modern slang, and talk about things that would <b>never</b> be spoken of in that time period, and they do it in mixed company. Doctors and medical examiners seem to have modern knowledge. Many readers will not be bothered by any of this, and, in fact, would be turned off by a main character with Regency mores, but it drove me nuts the entire book.

I was wanting something way different after draining read with this author catching my eye. New to me with this also being the first one in the series is a plus also. This is also set back a bit in time which means I get a adventure on top of a mystery. This centers around Atlas who has the knack for lots of things including catching the attention of a reader. This will also open up a delicious mystery that will be quite the puzzler for Atlas. He comes across the door to his mystery being sold that he purchases -Lilliana of all things but actually a person. Events will escalate and the chase is one to solve it all. You will be kept to the brunt of it having to know the answers will the adrenaline rises. This has been such a gem of a discovery this author that was the most exciting for me other than the story.

This is a delightful debut mystery. It was especially welcome that, unlike many mysteries set in 19th century England, the main character was a main. The mystery was complex enough to keep one reading steadily in hop of finding the solution. Quincy's skill with character development is quite impressive, and I liked the characters enough to hope they appear again in future books. TQuincy has clearly thoroughly researched the period and used her research to advantage. I look forward to her next book! Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for allowing access to the electronic ARC!

Perhaps my favorite book of 2017. It has everything a reader could want and left me wanting the next book. Ms Quincy set her world up in a smart and simple way using characters and places that keep the reader turning the page for more. I felt she left the clues for me to find right before exposing them in the story. Brilliant. I loved every page and would recommend it to any fans of light mystery.