THE BUTTERFLY CONSPIRACY (A Merriweather and Royston Mystery #1) by Vivian Conroy is an entertaining historical cozy mystery that pulled me in from the start. I love mysteries set in Victorian times, with all the new discoveries and inventions and the societal conventions that are still in place, but on the verge of change. This is a great start to a new historical cozy mystery series that is both fast paced and easy to read.
Miss Merula Merriweather would much rather be in her conservatory hatching exotic butterflies and studying all things zoological than worrying about the latest fashions and balls. Left as a toddler to be raised by her mother’s sister and husband, Merula has been encouraged in her interests by her uncle. Because of the times in which they live, her uncle Rupert must take credit for her discoveries and accomplishments.
When she releases her latest hatchling at a meeting of the Zoological Society to prove it is real, it lands on Lady Sophia’s arm and she immediately falls over dead. Uncle Rupert, who everyone believes is the true butterfly expert, is immediately accused of her murder and arrested. Merula believes that her butterfly had nothing to do with Lady Sophia’s death, but how to prove it?
Lord Raven Royston feels responsible for the arrest of Merula’s uncle and believes the authorities will come after her when they find out she is the true butterfly expert. It was because of his belief the butterfly was fake that Merula released it at the meeting. Lord Raven helps Merula to escape the police and they both start to try to piece together the real cause and reason for Lady Sophia’s death.
I love Merula and Raven! The author has brought the main characters to life in description and dialogue. Each has a partial backstory revealed during the book that added depth and I am sure will lead to future adventures. Thoughout the book their friendship grows and I hope it will turn into more in future books. The secondary characters of Galileo, Bowsprit and Lamb add to the realism of this time period and its class system. This is a great cast of characters that I am looking forward to following into future mysteries. The plot was full of red herrings and I felt the execution of the murder was ingenious. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
Thank you so much to Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set during the Victorian era, The Butterfly Conspiracy spins a tale of murder, mystery, and burgeoning science.

While attending a Royal Society Zoology meeting the guest of honor suddenly collapses and dies. The suspected cause? The butterfly that landed on her arm prior to her death. Accused of the crime? Rupert Merriweather, Uncle to Miss Merula Merriweather, the true owner and breeder of the suspected butterfly. Determined to prove the innocence of her uncle, Merula join forces with Lord Raven Royston.

Merula and Royston, thrown together by these unexpected circumstances, embark on a journey to determine the true killer all the while working to maintain their own freedom. And through their adventures we meet their friends and family. And how I enjoyed my time with them as they provided a backstory to who Merula and Royston really are as well as how class effected relationships .

The references to the evolving science around food allergies fascinated me - particularly as a mother of a child with a peanut allergy. The weaving in of science at the time to the core of the mystery was a great touch and kept me engaged in solving the mystery.

My one drawback was how easily Merula stepped out of the bounds of the norm during that time. Yes, it was a highly unusual situation, and propriety had to take a backseat to the issues at hand. However, I feel that she would have been more troubled by the situation and the potential harm to her reputation. This was addressed but I felt it was a bit glossed over. Of note, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of this story but rather had to adjust my expectations over it.

Merula and Royston clearly have chemistry but what shone through was their budding friendship and growing respect for one another. There is a spark there and I look forward to watching it develop as the series moves forward.

Overall, this was an entertaining historical mystery and I can't wait to read more adventures with Merula, Royston, and their band of merry family and friends.

This was a 3 and 1/2 star read for me - but since there are no 1/2 stars I am bumping up my rating to 4 stars.

I received an e-arc via Netgalley from Crooklane Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a good story well written, and made such a lovely change from the usual psychological thrillers I read. An awful lot of research has gone into the writing of this book but you would never know from just reading, as it is seamlessly woven throughout the story, which has a charming and elegant pace. The characters are so vivid and authentic that I had no trouble becoming emotionally engaged, and was fascinated by their lifestyles and the social inhibitions of the age. Apart from being thoroughly entertained throughout, this book left me feeling very grateful to be living in the present time.

A captivating historical cozy mystery, The Butterfly Conspiracy is an excellent debut to a new series! Suspenseful and thrilling, I was immediately sucked into the Victorian world superbly created, with intriguing characters and a puzzling plot that kept me turning pages.

I liked the dynamic between Royston and Merula. She's wasn't a passive Victorian flower, he wasn't a man strong-arming her into being a passive Victorian flower. Although the possibility for a romance was hinted at, it wasn't overt and took a backseat to the plot. I appreciated that, just like in food, the best flavors are in the background as an enhancement. It also leaves the door open to future story lines, and I look forward to seeing how their relationship develops.

The plot was intriguing; at a zoological meeting, Merula unveils the exotic butterfly she has cultivated. Because she is a woman, Merula's Uncle Rupert agrees to take the credit, but when a woman dies after the butterfly lands on Lady Sophia's arm and she falls over, dead, Uncle Rupert is accused of murder. Determined to clear his name, Merula teams up with Lord Royston, uncovering many motives and suspects while pursued by the police. I have no idea if the method of death is feasible or not, but it wasn't something I've ever seen before and really enjoyed it, as well as the surprising and exciting ending.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. Always on the lookout for a new historical mystery series, I decided to request this title based on the description; I was happy I did so. Merula lives with her aunt, uncle, and cousin; she doesn't remember her parents or life before her aunt and uncle's house. Merula has a love of natural science and has a hot house area devoted to growing orchids and butterflies. She decides to bring her newly hatched butterfly to a Royal Zoological Society meeting even if she has to left her uncle take credit for her endeavors. After the unveiling, Lord Raven Royston questions if the butterfly is real and Merula lets it fly free. It lands on Lady Sophia who promptly dies; attendees are quick to blame the butterfly for her death (not understanding that butterflies can't sting or poison someone). Unfortunately, Merula's uncle had words with Lady Sophia recently and is quickly taken into custody by the police. Before Merula faces the same fate as her uncle, Raven ushers her back to her house to obtain the other butterfly which is her best chance to prove her butterfly wasn't the cause of death. Merula and Raven follow the clues around London and to outside environments in an attempt to find the real culprit. Although not as complex as Deanna Raybourn and Sherry Thomas stories, the mystery and clues keep the readers interest; interesting secondary characters and hints of Merusa and Raven's backstories have me looking forward to a follow-up story.

I finished this novel in 3 days. It was so good, so filled with suspense...so engaging that I could not put it down. The characters were likeable and the dialogue well-done. Conroy left room for multiple stories. This will be a great series and one that I will definitely want to read. All classes of Victorian London were represented in this book and the plot was tight. There were multiple villains, making it difficult to figure out the mystery. It kept me guessing until almost the end! Very good book by a very good author! I'm looking forward to the next book in this new series!

Thank you Net Galley. A delightful, cozy mystery, from Ms Conroy. It is perfect for reading at bed time or on a commute. The old time, historical setting gives it a fantasy feel and somehow makes it very relaxing!

Merula Merriweather refuses to succumb to society’s expectations of what a well-bred Victorian woman should be. Instead of looking for a husband, she’s fascinated with butterflies and spends all her time observing them in her uncle’s conservatory. While attending a scientific lecture, a guest dies after contact with Merula’s prize butterfly. Her uncle, who has presented himself as the scientist who hatched the butterfly (a young woman would not have been permitted to do so) is accused of murder. Merula and the intriguing Lord Raven Royston set out to find the real reason the young woman was killed, and who would have reason for wanting her dead. A delightful romp through Victorian England with a smart, witty heroine and a dashing and enigmatic hero