I’m a fan of Hamilton’s contemporary cozies and was excited to see what she would do with a historical cozy mystery and I wasn’t doesn’t disappointed. Hamilton not only writes incredibly likeable characters in Emmeline, Fidelity and her fellow Crone’s but definitely knows how to write a great mystery that will keep you guessing to the last page. Just an FYI, this book does tackle tougher topics then you generally read in a cozy, such as SA & child abuse – so be sure to check all the CWs but Hamilton handles them deftly. This is the first in the A Gentlewoman's Guide to Murder series and I look forward to reading more in the series.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Rich in detail, the story creates a layered mystery. I found it a little wordy in parts and despite trying I found it hard to connect with the main character, but it was overall a good read.

2.5/5⭐️

First in a new series, Emmeline St. Germaine is a young woman (in Regency London) who lives a triple life as a society “spinster”, as a newspaper columnist (the Rogue) and as the Masked Avengeress (part of a larger group of society ladies) who rescues children (usually orphans) who are being abused (usually sexually) as servants. She rescues a young housemaid from her lecherous master only to find that the man is discovered dead later that same night. Thus begins a mystery to solve before anyone uncovers her presence that night and her secret identities.

While I really wanted to like this one as the premise and laurels of the heroine are noble, unfortunately it didn’t rate well for me for several reasons. First, it was entirely too long, and I found myself slogging to get to the end. The heroine, while strong and determined, is way too critical of men…we’re talking basically HATES all men. And while yes, she was seduced at age 16 by her tutor, she blankets every male as an abuser in some form and doesn’t fail to pick fights with any man she comes in contact with (including the poor childhood friend who is in love with her). I’m all for standing up to discrimination as a woman, but to be honest, her over-the-top drama got on my nerves, which is unfortunate as I did like her mission and compassion for her cause. There was also a tendency (conveniently for the plotline) to have most of the male characters turn out to be two-faced in similar ways.

The writing was fine, but otherwise it just did not work for me.

My thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page for providing the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

** A Gentlewoman's Guide to Murder **

It was so refreshing to read a historical piece of fiction that highlights female empowerment in a patriarchal time.
We were thrown right into the deep end with a harrowing encounter that our protagonist manages to stop mid-act. I tend to shy away from anything too graphic, but Hamilton's style of writing enabled me to read through these scenes without having to look away. So although the subject matter had the potential to be triggering, the story was still super enjoyable to read and the heroine made up for the badness of the men.

I loved the main character - she was totally badass and so witty! A real inspiration for all women.

I'm glad I picked this one up,

Preliminary 5-star review. Will post a full review and adjust the rating accordingly after I finish the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

I love women who break out of the box society puts them in, especially during historical periods. In this case the main character leaves three different lives.
Goodreads

This was a really well done historical novel, it works perfectly as a first entry in the series. I enjoyed the way Victoria Hamilton wrote both the story and the people inside the world. It was a interesting mystery and I had fun trying to solve it. The characters were interesting and they didn't feel that they were dumb or one-dimensional. I look forward to reading more in this series and from Ms. Hamilton.

"Her voice trembled and sighed through it, until the final lines: “ ‘More pensive thoughts in my sunk heart infuse/Than Winter’s gray, and desolate domain/Faded, like my lost Youth, that no bright Spring renews.’ ” There was silence, and then a smattering of applause and murmurs of appreciation. Fidelity had a lovely speaking voice, but the subject—loneliness, decline, and death—was gloomy."