Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters is a splendid cozy historical mystery set in Victorian era London, England. Countess Amelia Amesbury is a widow who takes care of her niece, and she also secretly writes the Lady Agony column in the paper. When a reader shares that she has witnessed a murder Lady Amelia tries to solve the murder with the help of her friend Kitty and Simon Bainbridge, a marquis. .

This book was a sheer delight to read. The characters were very endearing and I was very invested in the story. I adored Lady Amelia and her kind, thoughtful and independent heart. The time period was charming and I enjoyed traveling to the shops, ballrooms, shipyards and drawing rooms of Victorian London as I tried to solve the mystery with Amelia and friends. The mystery kept me on my toes right to the end, and I enjoyed the touch of romance. I am hopeful that there will be more in this series as the ending seemed to imply. I would certainly read anything in this series!

This is a great read for fans of cozy mysteries and for those who love historicals. The author weaves mystery, romance and humor together beautifully. I highly recommend Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read Murder in Postscript. I think it was a nice beginning to what appears to be a developing series. I enjoyed the Lady Agony letters and the mystery throughout the novel. However, I wish more had come of the threatening letters Amelia received as they didn’t seem to hinder her or make her stop and think of her welfare and that of her family. They felt glossed over. I also felt that the ending came rather suddenly. They catch the killer then, boom, epilogue. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to someone interested in the genre. 3 stars

This starts with an interesting premise. Amelia was a country girl and daughter of an innkeeper when she was swept off her feet and married an earl. And not just any earl - a very wealthy dying earl. Within months of her wedding she finds herself a wealthy widow living in London and guardian of her late husband's orphaned niece. Amelia is not used to a life of luxury and most of the household management is left to her husband's opinionated elderly Aunt Tabitha so Amelia ends up working as Lady Agony - answering anonymous questions that are sent in to her childhood friend's newspaper.

Each chapter starts with a letter and the reply from Lady Agony which I very much enjoyed. There is a lot of setup in this story which bogged down the writing a bit and slowed the pace. This often happens with the first book in a series though and I'm hoping this gets better with upcoming books. My other main issue with the book is that at times Amelia's actions drove me crazy. Amelia is intelligent and loves her niece dearly. She's also very aware of her responsibility as her niece's guardian. However, she regularly seems to act impulsive to the point of lunacy such as the visit to the docks.to ask questions and her insistence of investigating with no real reason in the first place.

That said, the mystery kept me guessing until the last minute. I loved Amelia's relationship with her niece and I love Aunt Tabitha. I'm hoping she plays more of an active role in investigations in future books. While this wasn't my favorite read of the month I did enjoy it overall and will be looking for the next book in this series.

Mary Winters has penned the first book in a new series featuring Victorian era countess Amelia Amesbury and is set in London, England. This cozy historical mystery, Murder in PostScript , features great characterization and a view into the lives of the class system that existed as a backdrop to an investigation. Amelia is a widow as well as the mother and guardian of her late husband’s niece, Winifred. She also secretly writes the Lady Agony column for a London penny paper. When a lady’s maid, who believes her mistress was murdered, asks Lady Agony to meet her, Amelia agrees, albeit in disguise. She’s determined to solve the case with the help of her best friend Kitty, and a marquis friend of her husband’s family, Simon Bainbridge.

Amelia is honest and forthright. She stands by her convictions, and she’s outspoken when she feels strongly about something. The remaining characters aren’t as dynamic, but have complex traits that may be expanded upon in future books in the series. I enjoyed the interactions between the various characters and am looking forward to seeing how they develop in future novels.

Readers can easily understand why Amelia is bored and looks forward to the afternoon post which enables her to provide advice on fashion, relationships, and manners anonymously. Initially, only her friend Kitty and her childhood friend, Grady Armstrong, who is the editor of the penny magazine, know that Amelia is Lady Agony.

The author is a wonderful storyteller and I found myself progressing effortlessly through the narrative. With plenty of levels to the plot and several red herrings and twists, the story kept me engaged throughout. Multiple believable suspects with realistic motives give readers the opportunity to solve the mystery along with Amelia and her friends. Most of the action is relegated to the end of the book, but I enjoyed the journey. While the main mystery is solved, there was a thread that I wanted to be resolved that wasn’t. Hopefully, it will be pursued in a future book. There’s also the hint of a possible romance to be explored in the series. Themes include murder, friendship, family, infidelity, integrity, and much more.

Overall, this entertaining story contained humor as well as some somber aspects to it. It grabbed my attention with likeable characters, a mystery to be solved, and a society that was undergoing changes. The Author’s Note at the end of the book provides some history of advice columns and how they changed over time. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Berkley Publishing Group and Mary Winters provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for March 28, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

A Lady of Letters Mystery, Murder in Postscript is a wonderful start to a new Victorian cozy mystery series. It follows Amelia Amesbury, a young widow and mother determined to solve a murder. A wealthy woman, Amelia also secretly writes an advice column for a London newspaper, and when she receives a mysterious letter about a recent death, she decides to investigate.

What a great protagonist! Amelia is smart and caring, and she has an adventurous spirit which often leads her into dangerous situations. She is a well-developed and layered protagonist, and she works hard to make the people she loves happy. She is like the glue of her small family, and she has such an inquisitive nature. This is how she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery; she’s an unconventional woman with a massive amount of curiosity and not much fear.

Simon is fantastic too, and his budding relationship with Amelia is lovely. They work well together, and they fit together so naturally. As an old friend of her husband’s, Simon struggles a bit with his guilt., and, newly returned to London after estranging himself from society, he’s reluctant to reenter. Simon has never met Amelia, and he is quickly entranced by her. He admires her strength and intelligence and is a great complement to her.

I also love Amelia’s family. Her daughter Winifred and her elderly aunt are both fantastic. Though her aunt comes across as demanding and proper, she is independent, intelligent, and so supportive. And Winifred is young and exuberant and lovely. I also really like Amelia’s best friend. I feel like there are so many dynamic women in the story who each claim their independence and fight for what they want in different ways.

This is such a great read. It’s intriguing and well-balanced, and the plot, characters, and suspense are all well-developed and compelling. I also like how all of the chapters begin with a letter written to Lady Agony (Amelia’s pen name) and include her responses. Often, the subjects relate to the characters, plot, or theme, which is cleverly done.

I would definitely recommend the book to cozy mystery or historical romance readers, and I’m grateful to NetGalley and Berkley books for providing me with an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

I was drawn to this book by it's intriguing premise with our protagonist writing advice letters in Victorian Era London which leads her to a mysterious murder investigation.

There are a lot of great details in this book that make it an engaging mystery -- the letters between Lady Agony and her readers, witty banter and the potential for romance, a colorful cast of characters from a piano protege to a narcissistic clerk to a madwoman spinster, and an engaging plot.

The plot was fast paced and clever. I enjoyed following Amelia and Simon as they search for the murderer. Their different encounters with potential suspects and the way they piece together the crime were easy to get into and I was invested in the outcome of the story throughout the novel. I think the author did a good job giving us several potential murderers without revealing the whole crime until the end of the novel. There was a clever amount of uncertainty and a satisfying climax to the mystery.

The writing was enjoyable but I didn't always feel it was true to the time period. I enjoyed the witty banter especially between Amelia and Simon. But I did feel like Amelia was sometimes too outspoken even for the changing times of Victorian England. There were moments when the writing felt rather modern and that took away from the overall feel of the book. Yes, times were changing during the Victorian Age but I don't think it was quite as fast as this book made it seem. There were a few time period mysteries that I wasn't sure added up. For example, when Amelia's husband dies, he leaves his entire fortune to her and she is still considered a countess. But wouldn't the title and lands all be given to someone else? If Downton Abbey has taught me anything, it's that there is always an heir, regardless of how near or far distant a relation. I enjoyed the clear love and affection between Amelia, her adopted daughter and her late husband's Aunt. But I thought some historical details were lacking. That being said, I appreciated the author's note talking about agony aunts during the Victorian Age and appreciate that historical detail.

While I enjoyed the fast paced mystery and budding romance, I had a hard time connecting with the protagonist, Amelia. She felt out of place in the historical time. Yes, women could be more outspoken during the Victorian Age. But she felt over the top. I appreciated her wit and candor in her Lady Agony letters (a highlight of the book for me!) but I also felt like she thought she was invincible. I don't care how passionate you are, wandering around meeting people alone in London late at night is a bad idea. And she seems to have no real concerns about repercussions for herself or her family as she wanders London in search of the killer. I would have liked to see a bit more caution on her part or at least more common sense.

While the epilogue gives a clear opening for a sequel, I would have liked a bit more closure on the current story. And perhaps a declaration or two from our sleuthing team?

Overall, a clever mystery, but not as true to the time as I prefer. The story kept me engaged through the end of the story but Amelia had me more frustrated than impressed.

Mysteries are the bread and butter of my reading journey, so it's only natural that I gravitate towards these books. And throw in a historical setting and a potential romance on the horizon? Well, now I'm in heaven. I loved every moment of this book, from cover to cover. The heroine was charming, kind, and a little eccentric in a way that modern women appreciate but women of that time would find odd. Her backstory was fascinating, since while she was a widow, she was only married a few months and so lacked the jaded quality that many widows tend to have in historical fiction. Left with a child to raise, she bounded into life with ambition and cheerful good will, and honestly, it just gave me the coziest vibes reading about her daily life experiences. Despite the fact that she was trying to solve a murder that turned into a double homicide rather quickly, it didn't feel all that dark. With the entrance early on of a handsome young man who knew her husband and who had clearly taken an interest in her wellbeing, the spark of romance just wrapped up this story in a nice little bow....well, sort of. This is the first in a series. And no romance really happens quite yet, but there is the promise of it in future books. The sexual tension was palpable.

No one would think that a widowed countess and single mother of a young child would secretly be an advice columnist, but that's exactly who Amelia Amesbury is. Having been married just two months, she had barely enough time to learn the expectations of society before her husband died from an illness he had long suffered. What better way to pass the time than help her childhood friend, who happens to be the editor at a popular newspaper, answer letters from readers who needed advice on life and love? However, while it is generally an enjoyable pastime, things take an unexpected turn when she receives a letter from a distraught lady's maid claiming that her mistress has been murdered. When Amelia goes to meet her in secret, she is shocked to discover she has been murdered as well...and she can't tell anyone what she knows without revealing her secret identity. Luckily, she has people who can help that include her glamorous yet adventurous best friend as well as a recently returned from America marquess named Simon Bainbridge, whose resourcefulness comes in handy...even if his protectiveness can be frustrating. With the three of them on the case, they are sure they can solve it. As long as Amelia's life remains safe from harm, which feels less and less likely the closer they get to the truth.

Amelia was just delightful in every way, even when I would have appreciated if she were more mindful of her own wellbeing. Sometimes diving headlong into dangerous activities, she wasn't afraid of adventure or putting herself at risk for the benefit of others, which I could hardly fault her for. At the same time, I could completely understand how her friends could be exasperated by her at times. Her friendship with her best friend, Kitty, was genuine and relatable, and although we don't get a lot of backstory on how it came to be, it didn't feel like it was needed. I could instantly see the chemistry between them, and it was clear how much they saw each other as practically sisters. Much to Kitty's husbands chagrin, poor fellow knew Amelia could be a bad influence on his wife but didn't have the heart to tell his wife no on anything. I would actually adore a novella about their relationship...Setting that aside, the third character in the trio is Simon, who knew Amelia's husband and has a tragic history that makes him skeptical of relationships beyond what is found in friendships. He was engaged once but found his fiancee with another man a week before the wedding. Despite that, I found his character to be generally good-natured. Most of the time characters like that tend to be grumpy, but he had a wonderful sense of humor and was the perfect partner for Amelia. They were a good balance of each other, with her being more spontaneous and him being more methodical, so the investigation was quite effective with them at the helm. And the tension...oh, I needed them to kiss so badly. Alas, we must wait.

Given that this is the first in a series, I am so excited to see where these two characters go next. It is the slowest of slow burns between them, but the chemistry was amazing that I know when they finally give in, it's going to be epic.

What a delightful first in a series, it has all the premise of a good mystery and this one delivers.

Amelia should never have been a countess if not for the urgent need of her late husband of a surrogate mother for his orphaned niece. Yet, now she is and it was the opportunity she had longed for many years. But the life of a peer is not enough to fil her days, she is not the conventional lady, she knows the expectations put on any woman’s name, but she needs more. And she found it with the help of a childhood friend, so she is now Lady Agony, much sought-after columnist, answering readers letters for anonymous counsels.
While the story is told from Amelia’s point of view, she has friends, family and a sort of romantic interest to help her investigate.
Simon, her sleuthing unexpected partner was at first her late spouse’s friend, he estranged himself from the London’s society after a deception, which explains why he was away and never meet Amelia until this very moment. He is still a bit on his guard but Amelia’s unconventionality intrigues him. And he feels a bit guilty because his friend married her on his recommendation.

They make a good team, and with some insights provided by her friends, they are able to piece together who is the culprit and why.
An interesting first in a new series that takes us from upstair to below stairs. I am much intrigued to see how her relationships will evolve whatever with Simon or her aunt.

The excerpts from Lady Agony’s correspondence and her answers at the beginning of the chapters add to the enjoyment of this book.

I have been left with one unanswered question, who is the new bearer of her late husband’s title, because it can not stay in limbos, either it goes to the next relative or it reverts to the crown, so what of it? As depending of the answer, what of the title’s entailed holdings?
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 none, all is in the glances and thoughts

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

If you don’t like this book, there is something wrong with you not it!

Lady Amelia Amesbury is a respected member of the ton. A widow and quasi mother to her niece, Lady Winifred, she juggles social and familial responsibilities with her secret desire to write. She takes the job of Lady Agony, an advice columnist for her friend’s penny paper, and begins her journey as a writer in complete secret. It isn’t long before Lady Agony is dragged into a murder case by one of her readers which threaten to reveal her professional identity and ruin the reputation of her respected family. But, with the help of her editor friend, her best friend, and her deceased husband’s friend the Marquis of Bainbridge, Simon, Amelia does all she can to solve the mystery while protecting her reputation. Murder in Postscript is a mash-up between Bridgerton (a PBS version) and Miss Scarlet and the Duke and I am here for it! I love the fact that each chapter starts with a Lady Agony reader letter that mirrors the theme for the chapter. The letters are EXPERTLY written in the voice of the time period and I find that the more I read them the more I crave them. Like potato chips, I’m just not satisfied with one! But, the real star of the show is the sexual tension between Amelia and Simon as they undergo the sleuthing process. It’s reminiscent of the relationship between the main characters of Miss Scarlet and the Duke a PBS series that I adore! At one point I became so engrossed in the book and its exceptional writing that I read until the sun came up. I only noticed when the hunger pains started and I ventured to the kitchen for what I thought was going to be a late night snack. I had to force myself to put it down and get some sleep before starting my day. When I finished the book I felt excited by the thought of the next installment of the series and saddened that I couldn’t go buy it right now. Trust me when I say that despite receiving an ARC (Advanced Review Copy) from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, I would not misguide you. This book is OUTSTANDING and I hope there are many more to come in the series…many more!

This was an interesting concept but ended up sadly disappointing. It reads like a first draft or outline. Something about the writing style is flat and ‘putting down the facts to flesh out later’ in style and it doesn’t flow - it jerkily stops and starts.

Her niece does not read like she is 10 - she thinks and speaks like an adult.

I am not a history expert, but i have read a lot of historical romances of various eras and this does not feel historically accurate. Too many details feel off, as well as too many turns of phrase.

The plot is…. rather ridiculous. She gets a note saying the writer witnessed a murder. When she goes to meet her she finds her dead. She insists she will investigate and prove it is a murder with… exactly no evidence or indication of where to begin. And she insists her late husband's friend assist her and not leave it to the authorities or tell them.

The dialogue of the characters and thoughts of the main character are very flat and /or have odd emphasis and emotion. It’s like they’re in a monotone except for an exclamation here or there
It just all feels like it needs another edit to smooth things out and make the writing flow better.

Example: the carriage jolts, she and her late husband's friend (who shows up unannounced at odd times) end up in "an awkward half embrace." Once they straighten themselves out he says "Excuse me. It seems we encountered a bump in the road." Which is possibly the most awkward bit of dialogue ever written and completely kills any building sexual tension.

Writing style is very important to me and can make or break a story. This one is definitely not for me as I can't get past the writing to concentrate on the story.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an early copy for review.

This is the first book I’ve read by Mary Winters and it definitely won’t be the last. The mystery was excellently done and the protagonists were likable and relatable. The story was also blessed with a number of excellent supporting characters that I hope we’ll get to spend time with in future books. The premise of the series is unique, interesting, and well thought out. Who better to learn the secrets of the people of London than someone who is anonymous and gives free advice?

Lady Amelia Amesbury guards her secret ferociously. As a widowed countess and guardian of Winifred, a lovely ten-year-old girl, she cannot afford for others to become aware that she is Lady Agony. She doesn’t care about her own reputation, but she has to think of Winifred’s future, and the ton would punish Winifred to get back at Amelia.

Amelia receives a letter telling Lady Agony that the writer has witnessed her employer being murdered and asking Lady Agony to meet in the park. Amelia decides to meet the person because if the claim is true, they need help. Except, when Amelia arrives, the letter writer is dead – murdered. Amelia knows she must uncover the murderer because she couldn’t be the one to report it to the police as they would quickly uncover her Lady Agony identity.

Simon Bainbridge, a marquess and heir to a duke, quickly becomes ensnared in the investigation – and perhaps becomes ensnared by Amelia as well. Simon is tall, handsome, and intelligent, and quickly comes to believe and trust Amelia.

Simon and Amelia know they must be getting close to identifying the murderer when Amelia begins getting threatening letters. Can they keep Amelia safe and still find the murderer? Should she just give up the investigation?

There are many suspects and many red herrings dropped along the path to the murderer’s identity. You will probably suspect who the murderer is (I did), but you won’t be sure until the very end when all is revealed.

I recommend this book because it is well-written, has an excellent mystery, and has the potential for an excellent romantic sleuthing team. I did find myself puzzled by a number of things, but I’m not as familiar with the Victorian period norms as I am with Regency. One thing that puzzled me is what happened to Amelia’s husband’s title. There is no mention of the title dying with her husband – and there is no mention of the new title holder. Maybe it will be cleared up in future books. Should you choose to read this book, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Murder in Postscript" is a mystery set in 1860 in England. The main characters were likable and had distinct personalities. Amelia was supportive and caring toward her ward--her husband's niece. Amelia was a commoner before her marriage, so she wasn't always compliant with high society's expectations in behavior. Plus she could get away with things as a widow that a young miss couldn't. One little rebellion was writing the advice column, though she hid that she's Lady Agony. I still don't understand why the maid wanted to meet with Lady Agony rather than go to the police with what she knew. Amelia felt like she had an obligation to investigate the maid's murder (and therefore the mistress's murder) when she found the maid dead at the meeting spot.

Amelia asked questions to discover who might have a motive and who was present when the original murder happened. This was a clue-based mystery, but I had dismissed whodunit as a suspect because two clues pointed away from whodunit (only one of which was explained away). The mystery was solved by whodunit finally following up on the repeated threat to kill Amelia, resulting in a confession revealing all. I figured out whodunit and why right before the reveal whereas Amelia blithely walked into the trap.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I enjoyed the fun characters enough to recommend this story.

What a fantastic series debut! I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. Be it the setting, characters and their side stories, storytelling or murder mystery, this gem of a historical fiction is fantabulous!

The murder mystery kept me guessing till the end. Plenty of red herrings and suspects made it difficult for me to guess the killer's identity before Amelia could. Speaking of which, their identity was a huge shocker. I didn't see it coming. I never thought they could be capable of something so sinister.

Though a series debut, character and series-plot introduction, and murder mystery gets equal importance. I absolutely loved the storytelling. Character portrayal was simply fantastic. We also have a hint of romance - still in its initial stage - and I am looking forward to seeing how this would be explored in the next book.

If you are looking for an engrossing, unique, riveting historical mystery, Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters is THE book for you.

Thank you Berkley for an advanced copy of this book!

I don't read a lot of cozy mysteries, but I'm glad I picked up Murder in Postscript when Berkley offered it to me! I really liked the premise of this book, and better yet, it kicks off a new series! The premise revolves around a Victorian advice columnist and her sleuthing partner with a bit of romance too...it really has everything I look for in a book!

The plot was interesting, engaging, and it kept me guessing until the end. I liked that the plot was a bit light but still provided twists and turns to satisfy the mystery readers. I found this book so charming that I couldn't put it down. The writing is witty, and I love that each chapter starts with an excerpt of Amelia's writing.

I found Amelia to be such an enjoyable character. She's a bit ahead of her time for Victorian time, but Simon is the perfect supporting man for her. I love a Victorian man in general, but I especially love that he supports her forward thinking mentality.

You will definitely want to preorder this one! It is such a fun read.

Star Rating: 4⭐️

3.5 stars
MURDER IN POSTSCRIPT was a fun, what I would consider “cozy” historical mystery. Amelia runs an anonymous advice column and ends up with a letter that tips her off about a murder; she then partners up with a Marquis named Simon to investigate the deaths. This was a super quick read, so if you’re looking for a palate cleanser or something to pull you out of a reading slump, I’d highly recommend this! There is a bit of romance between the two main characters, but not much happens as we are focused primarily on the mystery, which I enjoyed a lot. The action happens super late in the story and lasts only a chapter or two; it felt a little rushed and unsatisfying since the whole book built up to this point, but the story was still enjoyable as a whole. Amelia also acts as a parental figure to her niece, which was a fun part of the book too. I would recommend this for mystery lovers!

This was a fine cozy historical mystery, but it didn't particularly stand out to me. I did think the advice columnist aspect was original and entertaining. But there was a lot I just didn't really care about. If you enjoy the Countess of Harleigh series, you'll like this one.

I liked this first book in the series very much. I look forward to more. I liked the characters and since I like reading books set in historical London (or just London), this was an added bonus. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for on honest review.

f last week was the week of culinary cozy, then this week is focused on epistolary content. As a long-time fan of advice columns, I was excited to learn about Murder in PostScript, the story of a Victorian agony aunt who stumbles upon a murdered correspondent. When our intrepid heroine - a countess, no less - digs deeper, she finds that there’s some scandal at play in the ton - and it might be worth killing over.

It’s a promising premise - advice columns meet mystery with a dash of historically swoon-worthy romance. I was able to get a preview of the book (thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the gift copy!). And after spending a cozy Sunday in, I have some thoughts on what makes Murder in PostScript special, and who’d most enjoy the read.

Meet Lady Agony

If the premise of Murder in PostScript gave you Bridgerton flashbacks, you're not wrong. In many ways, Amelia Amesbury's secret identity as Lady Agony resembles a similar plot-line in the popular Regency romance series. Both stories feature a member of the ton writing bluntly and directly about elite affairs in a public (and therefore scandalous) forum. And both stories emphasize the need for the columnist to keep her identity secret, ofr reasons of propriety and personal security.

But where Lady Whistledown reports salacious stories from the most elite gatherings, Amelia offers some actually reasonable advice to those navigating the ton. Some of this advice is perhaps a bit too pro to-feminist to be believable, but as a modern reader I can’t complain too much at another “WTF even is a corset” joke. For the most part, the advice and the column feel sound - enough that you can root for Amelia’s anonymity to persist.

That’s important, because unlike in Bridgerton, we know that Amelia is Lady Agony from the start. Not only that - as she investigates the murder, maintaining her anonymity becomes a reasonable constraint on her activities. (Contrast this to Lady Whistledown, whose identity is a constant source of exciting speculation, but has little bearing on the plot for most of the series.) If Amelia chooses to do something (or not) to preserve the Lady Agony identity, it’s important that we’re just as bought in as she is. Luckily, it’s clear that Lady Agony is a net good for the world - and that it would be a shame for Amelia’s identity to disrupt her small circle of friends and family.

A family affair

Whenever I read a cozy mystery, I find myself assessing the community that surrounds the protagonist. Are they kind? Supportive? Fun? Engaging? Amelia Amesbury has a small but mighty squad, comprising her late husband’s family, her editor (and close friend), and a few friends from the City. Add a gallant love interest, and you’ve got the classic cozy mystery mix, rewound for the Victorian era.

I’ve been reading a lot of cozies that feature someone moving away and starting fresh. It was nice to see a story where the protagonists sticks with the family around her - and they support her back. Amelia’s relationship with her husband’s aunt Tabitha was particularly fun to read, as the two women learn to appreciate each other more over the course of events. It’s nice to see a heroine maturing and growing in her own capacity for support.

And then there’s Winifred, Amelia’s niece. It’s interesting to reflect that many modern cozies don’t feature mothers - at least not of young children. (Unless they’re a Finlay Donovan flavor of momma…) Winifred is eleven, with all the charm and challenge of that age. And a modern Amelia would likely not have the free time to engage in mystery-solving, on top of the job required for financial stability. But Regency Amelia can hire domestic help (a governess) and exist on aristocratic income, which gives her time for projects like investigations. It’s an interesting structural point, not least because Winifred adds an additional layer of engagement and buy-in as a reader. And it was nice to see that more intersectional identity represented - Amelia is a mother and a writer and an investigator, at all times.

Mystery for the romance lover

So, what about the mystery - and the romance? Both are… fine. The mystery pertains to a peripheral member of the ton. Amelia gets involved when the victim’s maid writes to her for help - and then turns up dead. That is to say, she’s involved out of duty and interest, but no personal stakes. The puzzle is almost an academic exercise, and while it’s solvable by engaging with the meta-narrative, I wouldn’t call it fully fair-play.

As for the romance, Simon is a fun romantic lead. Amelia’s narration constantly calls out his features - his green eyes, his large hands, and maybe a large knee? This is not exactly my thing, but I’ll accept that many enjoy it. So if you’re up for reminders of how darn good-looking the hero is, this might be your cuppa.

For me, the more compelling part of the romance lay in Amelia’s backstory. She married young and in part to escape the country; her marriage was fine, but not one of love. To some extent, this romance is her story of escape from mourning. But I hope that she gets a chance to truly “opt in” to love, rather than stumbling across a reasonably nice person for the second time.

Reader's notes & rating (⭐⭐⭐✨)

Murder in PostScript was a fun, competent cozy mystery with some unique elements: the setting, the agony aunt conceit, the motherhood angle. But I found other elements distracted me from full enjoyment, including some historical blips and many references to Simon’s distracting beauty. A great read for fans of cozy mystery and fluffy historical romance alike, and I could see myself picking up the next entry for a rainy day in. 3.5 stars.

Read this if...

You enjoyed Bridgerton but wished they did more non-romance stuff

You’re in it for the vibes, more than the accuracy this gave me Countess of Harleigh vibes)

You love stories that feature a supportive family of women

Skip this if...

You care deeply about the historical accuracy

You’re hoping for an intense read

You skip over the community parts or romance bits of cozies

Murder in PostScript will be published March 28, 2023.

I reviewed this book for the May edition of Historical Novels Review, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society. Per their policy I cannot put a review online until after May 1st. I will update the review then.

I really enjoyed this book. Amelia is a different kind of prognosticator than you usually find in a book set in the Victorian era. As the author of an advice column she receives a letter begging for help because her employer was murdered. When Amelia shows up at the meeting spot she finds the woman dead. With no one willing to believe that either murder was more than an accident she decides she must solve it herself. Or die trying.

Great book. I highly recommend it to mystery and historical readers alike.



I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.