Cover Image: Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This was what I call a “Transformation” book in a series. Our characters are evolving more and more into a family. FINALLY! (Operatic Voice.) It's so exciting! Usually, for me, these types of books are scary tricky and can make or break you, but this is a joy to read. Not only does Miss Penrose do an excellent job, but she was able to balance the changes and still write a good mystery.

The Weasels are still as cute as ever and two of my favorite characters in the series. They always make me laugh because of the antics that they pull. Wrexford and Sloane are like Peanut Butter and Jelly know and so stinkin’ adorable it hurts! I love the lovey-doveyness. If this is any indication of how they’ll be as a married couple, I like. I like it a lot.
The journey so far has been exciting and has kept me on the edge of my seat too many times to count. I love that feeling, and I’m stoked to see where Miss Penrose takes us in the coming books.

Was this review helpful?

A secret discovery, a body and a strange white substance are all left behind at the botanical gardens in this entralling story of "Murder at the Royal Botanical Garden" This book tells the story of a mysterious murder that leaves questions behind with the body. Follow along as Lady Charlotte and Lord Wrexford work together to solve the mystery before it is too late. While I enjoyed this book, I struggled to follow along at the point of view of the characters changed quickly. I really enjoyed this book and would reccomend!

Was this review helpful?

Andrea Penrose is a very good writer, but I lost the connection I had with her characters in the first three stories of this series. They were just weeks away from getting married, but neither Wrexford nor Lady Charlotte had evolved. By now, the chemistry and burn I was hoping for was lukewarm at best.

The Weasels loved ginger biscuits. Aunt Allison wanted more family time. McClellan continued to act more like a mother than a housekeeper and I thought Tyler needed more page-time.

Quotes in Latin and historical facts were one of Ms. Penrose’s strong suits. Another strength was maintaining a creative atmosphere in the Regency era. There were multiple plots, twists and overall subterfuge, but it was over the halfway mark before the action kicked in. Before that, it was lots of telling, not showing. I thought the author got caught up trying to maintain numerous historical facts in connection with the mystery.

My overall rating of three stars was because of the reasonable, but sober plot. The suspenseful resolution had a nice twist, but the MCs lacked the magical spark that would have made it really good.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers for the opportunity to read a free ARC of this story in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Welcome to the wonderful world of thriller, mysteries. Andrea Penrose knows how to set a scene, create a character, make you feel like you’re right there next to them solving crime. Settle in for the day or night and read this fantastic page turner.

Was this review helpful?

This is the newest book in a series but it can mostly read as a stand-alone, given that the plot for this novel is somewhat separate from the previous ones. It can be difficult to remember who is who, since everyone is introduced one after another (typical in fashion for a novel late in a series). There was little description of the setting, which made it hard to get into the time and place of the novel. The dialogue helped but sometimes the novel was so full of dialogue that I had to go back a few pages to remember where the characters were or how many people were together. The mystery regarding the murder is pretty complex and solid, with a good twist and surprise reveal. I found that this novel as a whole was a good mystery but the characters themselves didn't grow or develop, which made it hard to really get invested.

Was this review helpful?

My first book by the author and I throughly enjoyed the book.
Although this is book 5 of the series, the book could be read as a stand alone, but I wanted to go back to read from the start, and did exactly that. I read book 1 and onto 2 now.

The wedding plans of the Earl of Wexford and Lady Charlotte Sloane is interrupted by a murder. And thus starts the romance murder mystery.

Ms. Andrea Penrose has written a thoroughly engaging and detailed book.

I recommend the book. Absolute 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

The upcoming marriage of the Earl of Wrexford and Lady Charlotte Sloane promises to be a highlight of the season, if they can first untangle—and survive—a web of intrigue and murder involving the most brilliant scientific minds in Regency London. This is the 5th Wrexford & Sloane mystery and the series is only getting stronger. A great portrayal of the regency period and all the complicated roles associated with that make the relationship between these two so fun and interesting. And the mystery aspect of this story doesn't disappoint. I am looking forward to the 6th that I hope comes soon. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

Was this review helpful?

Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens is the fifth installment in Wrexford & Sloane series. In this new book Charlotte, Wrex and the others have to face another murder while preparing for the upcoming nuptials. I enjoyed this story, even if the mystery/murder (despite being well plotted) wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but I was happy to see all the characters again.

Was this review helpful?

The 5th book in the Wrexford and Sloan series picks up with preparations for the wedding. Making their debut as an engaged couple at an event at the royal botanical gardens, Wrexford and Sloan are begrudgingly drawn into another murder investigation into the death of a botanist about to unveil a major medical breakthrough into the treatment of malaria. While the initially try to keep their distance, they are firmly committed to solving the murder when the evil DeVere from a previous investigation reappears and seems involved.
Another great installment into this regency era mystery series.

Was this review helpful?