I signed up to Audra Jennings blog tours and read an E-pub of this title. The full review will be published for my blog tour post. This is a shortened version.

Regency and Mystery aren't always two genres that work well together, but I think Erica Vetsch did a grand job with this title, which is supposed to be the first in a new series. There were plenty of twists, turns and excitement in the mystery storyline.
Juliet began by believing that she was engaged in a relatively harmless treasure hunt, following various clues given to her by her father, but becomes embroiled in the middle of a dangerous mystery.

Identity is a major theme in this story, Juliet is shocked be revelations about her parents, whilst Daniel Swann is an outsider who is judged for the circumstances of his birth and held in disregard because of his occupation. I think this was explored more with Daniel's character than Juliette's. Although since this was the first book in a series, there may be more character development in the next story.

The only detail which didn't ring entirely true was the spying subplot. I'm not sure why spies would be interested in a glorified art theft. Not exactly a threat to national security. Still maybe I have been watching too many Episodes of M1-5.

Overall though this was an enjoyable novel and I look foward to later installments in the series.

This was a wonderful Regency Mystery by Erica Vetsch! I loved seeing a few familiar characters from her other books. I loved the “cat and mouse” game between Juliette and Daniel. I loved how they interacted with each other and I loved seeing how they both struggled with figuring out what to do for the greater good. I loved that she set things up for another book. I also really liked learning a little more about art and what the wealth would be willing to pay in order to have certain pieces. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading her next book.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

The Debutante’s Code by Erica Vetsch is the first book in the Thorndike & Swann Mystery Regency novel. Lady Juliette Thorndike comes back from studying abroad to find her family away. She learns her life is not what she thought as learns how to be a spy from her Uncle.

The story had all the wonderful pieces of a Regency novel and the suspense added to the story. I felt myself caught up in the mystery and loved solving it with our heroine. I also appreciated the humor sprinkled throughout, and the many interesting characters that I enjoyed getting to know.

This story is filled with mystery, intrigue, balls, spies, and faith! It was delightful and I greatly enjoyed reading it. The author is becoming a go to for me for Regency novels. I highly recommend The Debutante’s Code.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

So much intrigue. I really enjoyed working the puzzle of random thefts and coded objects alongside Daniel and Juliette, especially considering they were on the same team, but unaware of it.

The story started off a little slow and it took a few chapters to get into the meat of the mystery. I was also expecting more romance but it was very light. This was more of an introduction to Thorndike and Swann.

Readers of this author’s Secrets and Serendipity series will be happy to reunite with a few characters from it. I, for one, was pleasantly surprised to see them again.

Note: I received this book complimentary from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Erica Vetsch has a way with story telling that I just cannot get enough of. I am easily drawn to this storyline for many reasons. One – the characters are charming, relatable (even though we live in different time periods, there are certain aspects of Juliette’s world that I seem to connect with), and fun to be around. Two – the mystery is so fun in this novel. I think I’ve figured it out and Vetsch provides a fun twist to spin my head around to another direction. It’s enough to keep my guessing and on my toes, which I love! Three – the faith element. Here’s the thing. We grow up thinking that our parents know what they’re talking about, and sometimes those thoughts feel like they are our own, but really not. Juliette has some lessons to learn throughout this novel and her faith is something she needs to assess – is it based on her parents, or her personal opinions/connections. I don’t want to give anything away, but this was interesting to read.

I am so excited that Vestch is giving us a new series, and I’m already wishing the next release date was here. I go hope we get more from Daniel and Juliette in that book. I highly recommend readers check out this wonderful historic read. Vetsch will take you back in time, have you dancing, laughing, and crime solving. Can you ask for anything better!?

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bow Street runner Daniel Swann and Debutante Juliette Thorndike keep running into each other in unconventional ways as their missions intersect they are in a race against the clock.

A wonderful introduction to the characters of a brand new series by Erica Vetsch, and if you've read her last series you may even recognize some familiar faces along the way. Filled with intrigue and mystery, I liked how this book has the characters circling each other as they work on their separate but connected missions. This book is unique in that you get to know the characters more as individuals as they aren't working together, but do keep running into each other through out the book.

Overall, a fun fast paced adventure with intriguing characters and fun interactions. A twisting plot with great reveals long the way. I can't wait to see where this dynamic duo will go next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow! This is only the second book I’ve read by Erica Vetsch, but The Debutante’s Code just pushed Vetsch into my must-watch authors.

An adventurous and resourceful debutante, fresh from finishing school, Juliette’s biggest desire is to return home to get reacquainted with the parents she has missed for seven long years. Unfortunately, upon entering society, she finds herself in the care of a drunken uncle and an overbearing dowager duchess. When Lady Juliette makes a surprise discovery about her parents, can she reconcile the faith they taught her with what she now knows to be true?

Daniel Swann of Bow Street, a young police constable, has humble beginnings that his superior never tires of reminding him about. Yet, when he meets Juliette Thorndike following a robbery at a wealthy residence, he is intrigued.

I fell in love with both characters. Juliette is kind, intelligent, and so brave, and willing to learn all she can about her new calling.
I felt her pain and confusion in my own soul over her parents’ absence. Daniel Swann… well, for starters, Swann is very close to the word Swoon. Perhaps there is a connection! Poor Daniel!! He has parental issues, too. Plus, his job is in jeopardy because of unfair bias. The closer Daniel gets to Juliette, the more he realizes she is not who she seems.

Unfortunately for the reader, this book ends without a solid conclusion. We must wait for book two to see what develops in many ways. I will be first in line!

The epilogue and author’s notes are essential parts of this book. There are links to more information on certain items of interest.

I received a copy of this book from the author through I Read with Audra via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all thoughts are solely my own.

I totally loved Erica’s last series so I was very excited to read this one…she did not let me down and I loved that there was appearance of a character from the previous series.

I will say it was bit strange that our two main characters really didn’t have much interaction until after the half way point. But that didn’t take away from the story, it was just different then other books when the two characters have a lot of interaction early on.

I also found it interesting that we find out who stole the painting and I wondered how Erica would hold my attention, but that she did.

If you like historical books with mystery and romance I am sure you will enjoy this one. I can’t wait to read the next one.


A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.

Secret codes and spies, oh my! Mystery, secrets, and suspense are plentiful in The Debutante’s Code. I loved the brilliant blending of a regency romance with a somewhat Gothic style mystery that includes the legendary Bow Street runners.

I literally did not want to put this delightful novel down. Vetsch is a word master extraordinaire who dragged me down the dark streets of London more than once as the heroine sometimes reluctantly searched for the answers requested of her. At times the characters all seemed to be at cross purposes as I never knew what to expect of any of them next.

It was with great regret that I reached the end much too quickly. I must find time to work it into my schedule again if at all possible. Did I say brilliant? Can’t wait for the next installment!

This is an engaging mystery that kept me guessing until the end. I love to try and solve the crimes but will admit that I didn't even come close to guessing who was behind the desire to unearth those working for the crown. I had a few suspicions but I wasn't correct, but that is ok because that is the fun in trying to decipher a mystery!

I'm not sure which character I liked the most, they all had redeeming qualities and added depth to the story. Juliette is a debutante that is pulled into the spy world, but at what potential cost? Is it something she wishes to pursue? She does dive headfirst into learning some of the tricks of the trade from Uncle Bertie since her parents are away. She definitely takes to this world like a duck to water and proves to be adept at cyphering codes, pickpocketing (those piano lessons help with nimble fingers), and with a few lessons, she learned how to transform herself and even protect herself from nefarious criminals. However, her aversion to blood could be her downfall but only time will tell.

Juliette has a best friend, Agatha, but I don't feel like we got to know her as well as we could have but mostly because she was a cover for Juliette whether she knew it or not. I hope that if this becomes a series that we see their friendship continue and perhaps she becomes involved in some capers, but unwittingly. Of course, Agatha does have a penchant for saying too much and it is her revelations that caused me to look in other directions for the guilty party.

Uncle Bertie is a hoot, he might be my favorite character...but I'm not 100% sure. Detective Daniel Swann is a morally upstanding man and I know he has to wrap his head around the situation when all is revealed. Plus there is a bit of chemistry between Juliette and Daniel even if they haven't given in to it...yet.

Overall, this was a different twist in the mysteries I normally read but I loved it all the same and look forward to another book in this series and it looks like one will be out next year. yeah!

We give this book 5 paws up.

Lady Juliette Thorndike returns to England after years away at boarding school, eager to reunite with her parents and be presented for her first season. But when she arrives to find her parents mysteriously away and her care given over to her tippler of an uncle, she doubts how much her family really cares for her. Her life becomes even more complicated when a theft occurs at her debut ball, and she realizes she may be more connected to the case than she ever imagined.

Daniel Swann's life has taken a twisty road, but at long last he's been given his first full case as a Bow Street detective. The string of thefts from wealthy homes, complete with a murder to tie them together, have him completely puzzled. But one thing is certain—everywhere he turns, there is Lady Juliette. What does she know about this crime spree? Could she possibly be involved?

I confess that I'm not a huge fan of mysteries, so while I enjoyed this book, I believe those who like this genre would find it more appealing. I also never really became a huge fan of either main character. However, the historical detail and setting was very well-researched, and as I love Regency stories, there was plenty that I found to like within the pages.

This is the first book in Erica Vetsch's new series. If you like this one, be sure to watch for the second book to be released in 2022.

I received my copy of the book from Read With Audra. All thoughts in this review are my own.

The Debutante’s Code is an FUN Regency mystery with many twists, turns, colorful characters, and a heroine to root for. As Juliette learns of her parents’ true field of work and her potential for helping solve a mystery she seems to be deeply involved in already, she sees her life in a different light. Her personality is perfectly suited to her role, as well! I appreciate the way Vetsch uses her characters’ place in society to add perspective, especially characters in unconventional situations or out of their comfort zones.

I’m excited that this series is going to focus on the same main characters. I love it when series continue developing a hero and heroine’s relationship, history, and depth through multiple books. Some of my favorites read that way. In this case, the romance is a little less prominent, but I see its foundation and I’m highly anticipating ALL the potential between Juliette and Daniel 🙂 in books to come.

As a fan of Vetsch’s “Serendipity & Secrets” series, I was delighted to see the Duke of Haverly and some people close to him make an appearance in this story! According to Vetsch, we will see more of those characters in the rest of this series.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

This book was absolutely fantastic. It was purely mystery when I was expecting a little romance. It looks like it is part of a series which I am absolutely excited about. I can't say enough good things about this book.

I was pulled in very quickly as Lady Juliette and her traveling companion arrive on a cargo ship. With that beginning, how could this be a typical Regency set up.

I must say I love Regency spy stories and this one holds to that genre quite well. I would love to say more about the twists and turns, but I wouldn't want to spoil it.

Juliette is delightful and she is believable as one being introduced to a world she didn't know existed around her. I was reticent about her Uncle Bertie at first, but found him to be a fun character as well. Her friend Abigail is loyal even as she is pursuing her own London Season.

This book had me hooked as I read it through. I can't wait for the next one!

I received an early copy through the publisher via Netgalley, This is my honest review.

What an exciting start to a brand new Regency mystery series by Erica Vetsch, Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries!
A mystery within a mystery… A dual mystery is maintained throughout the entire novel, which makes for a thrilling kind of read. And the ending leaves you hanging, waiting for the next installment.
Characters from the author’s previous series, Secrets and Serendipity, have a role to play in the new series. It’s not entirely necessary to read book three of Secrets and Serendipity (though you won’t be disappointed if you do), to appreciate the intrigue of The Debutante’s Code.
And what was a pleasant surprise, is that this is not a historical romance! At least this first book anyway. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good romance as the next person, but the market is flooded with Regency romances making it a challenge to find one in the CF genre that isn’t a romance. It’s a breath of fresh air to read a book that is focused on the mystery, rather than the romance. However, there is a hint of romance to come. After all, a debutante’s coming out season is all about finding a marriage partner…
Everything about this story had me hooked, from the opening scene to the colourful cast of characters to the mystery, suspense and mayhem of Juliette’s return home from attending school abroad. No one, and nothing, is what it seems. The mark of a great mystery.
I can’t wait for book two!
I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Debutante’s Code by Erica Vetsch is the first book in her Thorndike and Swann Regency Mystery series. Lady Juliette Thorndike has been away at finishing school and has now come home to London for her debut season. Looking forward to getting to know her parents after such a lengthy separation, she is disappointed to learn that they are not in London at all; and are in fact missing. With the aid of her uncle, Juliette learns of her family’s double life! She comes from a long line of spies! Can she solve the clues left behind by her parents before she is exposed? They were definitely right when they said this story was “Sherlock Holmes meets Jane Austen”! I love a good Regency romance, but throw in some suspense and you have the makings of a truly great story. I can’t wait for the next installment!

I received this book from Reading with Audra for my honest review.

The description of Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes is perfect for this novel as there is a mix of mystery and romance throughout the story. I loved the code that Juliette’s father would use to write to her and thought this was such a creative spin on the story. There is additional espionage and intrigue that kept my interest easily. One of my favorite eras for reading is the Regency Period, so there was also much to love about the details and descriptions of this historical time period. The romance is clean and subtle, and I look forward to reading more about Juliette and Daniel in the next novel. I loved that we had a visit from a character from one of Erica Vetsch’s previous novels. This book is a great start to a new series and I cannot wait for more!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I love the combination of Regency and mystery! I felt like this story had a lot of compost that I look for in a great read, however I found myself not as invested in the mystery or characters as I wanted to be. The secret agent angle was really fast and I wanted to see more development of skills and the Juliette as a character in order to really get behind her new clandestine occupation. I had a hard time accepting Juliettes swift ability to decipher codes and solve puzzles. I really enjoy a hero who is an underdog and I appreciated Daniel’s hard work ethic. The characters were likable and there is a mystery thread in the book that holds a certain amount of intrigue. I would have loved more character interaction from Danielle and Juliette earlier in turn book. This one is an easy read that ticks several boxes for fans of historical with a bit of mystery!

What an absolutely delightful story! I know, it's a mystery, but it WAS delightful. Delightfully mysterious!

Lady Juliette Thorndike returns from university with her friend Agatha Montgomery just in time for craziness to start happening everywhere they go! Missing artifacts, robberies, and murder just to name a few. Bow Street detective, Daniel Swann, is on the case though, but nothing seems to be adding up. He and Ed, a fellow Bow Street gent, try to unravel the mystery of missing items, thefts, and murder.

I thoroughly enjoyed Juliette. She was clear headed and very inquisitive. Agatha is like every other debutante though and is focused solely on the Season. While Juliette wants to spend the Season getting back into her London life, Agatha has a Duke in her sights. Daniel is struggling with what he's going to do with his future. His mysterious benefactor is cutting off his finances and his job is in peril. Honestly, he's had it rough and is one very discouraged fellow. He's the lead investigator, and he just wants to leave his job on a high note by solving the case.

Now, in regards to the mysterious happenings, I'll tell you what, I knew who was the bad guy from the start... until I didn't! The further I got into the story I kept thinking I might NOW know who the bad guy was and realized I didn't. The author keeps the twists and turns coming until the very end! As pieces of the puzzle unfolded, I was more and more surprised! I loved it!

I thought Juliette's faith journey was a very interesting one. Throughout the story, she based her relationship with God on what her parents taught her, but with what she learns, she wonders how her faith now fits into what she learned growing up. And with Daniel, being fatherless & being turned away by his mother, he struggles to believe in God.

In 1816 England, Lady Juliette Thorndike returns to London from school with her best friend, ready to make her society debut. Her parents, however, are mysteriously absent. At every society event she attends, there seems to be a mystery involving a lost or stolen work of art. Juliette becomes involved in the mystery - with the help of handsome police detective Daniel Swann.

I wanted to read this novel because I love the Regency period. I enjoyed the author's Serendipity and Secrets series, and knew what a strong writer she is.

The Debutante's Code is a delightful start to a new series! I enjoy Regency fiction, but rarely see books set during this period that are also engaging mysteries. The mystery aspect of this novel was my favorite part. There are so many fascinating details about the art that is stolen (and all the art was based on real pieces, as detailed in the last section of the book!). I actually felt I learned some interesting details about art history just from reading this book. (The Shakespeare folio was especially fascinating!)

Juliette is a bold amateur detective, especially when paired with Daniel Swann. The romantic sparks between them makes the book even more intriguing.

This was an unusually fast paced read for a historical novel - I couldn't put it down and found myself planning the evening around extra reading time.

I highly recommend The Debutante's Code for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone who enjoys historical mysteries and the Regency period.

A disastrous trip home from finishing school on a cargo vessel is only the beginning of what looks to be a disappointing debut season for Lady Juliette, especially when chaperoning duties are given to the Dowager Duchess of Haverly. You aren’t alone if that name sounds familiar because it felt that way to me as soon as I came across it. The Haverly family was heavily featured in Erica Vetsch’s, Serendipity and Secrets series. Marcus Haverly, the Dowager’s son, was my favorite character in those books so it’s great to see him again. I do suggest re-reading this series if you have access to it, even though you’re introduced to the family via Juliette and the other lead character, Daniel Swann.

The Debutante’s Code is a novel about a scavenger hunt of sorts. It’s a tale where not everyone is what they seem. Daniel is examining a series of thefts and trying to make his mark in criminal investigation, but he’s also just a few months away from being cut loose from a mysterious benefactor. Juliette and her uncle are in a race against Detective Swann and other, unknown, enemies who’ve already taken lives. At times, I wanted to bang Juliette and Daniel’s heads together. If only they would work together and share what they each knew… But they are on opposite sides for most of the book. Meanwhile, if anyone knows where Juliette’s parents are they aren’t telling.

Readers who like everything to be neatly wrapped up and sealed with a kiss will be disappointed with the ending, as not all questions are answered and there’s no immediate Happy Ever After. Personally, I’m looking forward to book two of Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries. Millstone of Doubt will no doubt (ha ha!) further the storyline begun in this intriguing novel, and I’m sure the payoff at the end of the series will be sweet.

Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the opinions above are my own.