This seventh entry in the Wrexford and Sloan series strikes a great balance between continuing the characters’ story arcs, describing Victorian England, and resolving mysteries. In this book, we have to solve the murder of a longtime friend, understand the geopolitical and economic impact of ships crossing oceans using steam power, and deal with how Countess of Wrexford’s alter ego should expose societal inequities. It sounds busy and complex, and it is — but the author wraps up all the plot lines in this charming mystery with believable characters set in an interesting world.

NetGalley and KensingtonBooks provided an advance reader copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

I loved this book. The story captured me right away and didn’t let me go until the end. I loved the characters, the good and the bad. The camaraderie and banter between the protagonists were excellent. But to me, a great part was the Author’s Note which put the science into historical context and is a must read. This book is a great historical fiction/mystery story with history of science added in. Many books try to cover multiple areas and the stories get lost in the process. Not this book, it stays on target. The only thing I didn’t like was that I just found out about the series at book 7 which functions very well as a stand-alone. I did not feel lost for a second because I didn’t read any of the prior books. Now I want to go back and read books 1-6. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the digital review copy.

This was a very interesting book. I like the fact. That it's like a murder mystery too. It makes it more fun. I love books that have librari it. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review.

The Earl and Countess of Wrexford (Wrex and Charlotte) are pulled into two different conundrums in #MurderattheMertonLibrary, the seventh Wrexford and Sloane mystery by Andrea Penrose. Wrex is summoned to meet Neville Greeley, a librarian at Oxford’s Merton Library, and a former soldier who was in the same outfit as Wrex’ late brother, Thomas. Neville and Thomas were ambushed during the war with Napoleon—Thomas was killed while Neville survived with what we would recognize today as PTSD. Wrex arrives at the Merton Library only to discover that Neville was brutally murdered the night before.

In the meantime, Charlotte is preoccupied with a potential innovation that could mean significant changes to Britain’s economy and military might, and how her alter ego, satirical artist A. J. Quill, should bring the issue to the public’s attention.

Other friends and family members are dealing with their own challenges: Mac is struggling with a problem she refuses to discuss; there is tension between Kit Sheffield and his fiancée, Cordelia Mansfield, which could impact their engagement; and Peregrine (Lord Lampson) will soon reluctantly return to Eton after living as part of Charlotte’s and Wrex’ extended family.

Ably assisted by their inner circle—which in addition to Raven, Hawk, Peregrine, Kit and Cordelia, includes Tyler, McClellan, Lady Peake, Henning and Griffin—Charlotte and Wrex pursue their investigations, in social settings as well as rougher environments. Eventually, their efforts turn up clues indicating that the two investigations are related.

As usual, it all adds up to an interesting mystery with a charming cast of characters, who continue to exhibit intellectual as well as emotional growth.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for a free copy of the book.

What I was hoping for in the Wrexford & Sloane Mystery series, it had everything that I enjoyed from the series and I was invested in what was happening. It did everything that I wanted it to and it had a great concept overall. I enjoyed how good everything was and the characters were written-well. I enjoyed the way Andrea Penrose wrote this and can't wait for more from them.

"It was easy to understand why her friend didn’t like Lady Kirkwall. There was an aura of supreme self-confidence—and perhaps a sense of entitlement—about the widow, who looked to be around Charlotte’s own age. But in truth, Charlotte rather admired the fact that she didn’t try to hide her strength of character or her intelligence.“I have come here to share with you an exciting new advance in science,” continued Lady Kirkwall. “Not merely a theoretical one that adds to our abstract understanding of the world but a practical one that will improve the quality of life for people all over the world.”