In 1860 London, Amelia Amesbury secretly longs for adventure. The daughter of an innkeeper, she married a man with a degenerative disease, and was widowed after just two years. It was only after she accepted his marriage proposal that she learned he was an earl from one of the wealthiest families in London/ To alleviate her boredom, the Countess Amesbury answers letters addressed to Lady Agony, her secret alter ego, providing advice about love and life. Then one of her readers asks to meet, saying she's a maid who witnessed her mistress' murder. Amelia sneaks out, but she's followed by her late husband's friend, Simon, the Marquis of Bainbridge. When she finds a woman's body, she can't reveal her identity, so Simon calls the police. Now, Amelia is stuck with a partner in her investigation. She's convinced the woman was murdered because of her knowledge and letter to Lady Agony. Amelia won't give up until she learns the identity of the maid and her mistress, and whether their deaths were murder.

The atmosphere of Victorian London with its class differences are essential elements in this delightful character-driven historical mystery for fans of Katharine Schellman or Dianne Freeman.

Why a delightful, entertaining and romantic read. I sat down to read and then suddenly the time had gone and I had finished the book. Looking forward to the next one !