I received this book for review, and I started it before realizing it was book 2.
There just seemed to be too much I didn't know. So, I found book one and listened to it, and still found there was a lot I didn't know. Abigail, Lady Worthing has a huge backstory that comes out in bits and pieces in each book.
Born of a Scottish father and East Indian mother, she enters a marriage of convenience with Lord James, who she somehow saved from hanging. He does not appear in either book but is out sailing around, presumably in the East Indies.
She is estranged from her father, her mother apparently left her father for Lord Vaughn, her sister is missing, and Abigail helps a magistrate, Lord Duncan solve murders. This is all learned in the 2 books.
The most interesting part of this book is the historical parts, which had me googling people and events as I read.
Drury Lane theater was owned by Richard Sheridan, a playwright as well as a member of Parliament. His play, A school for scandal is still read today.
However, the main historical part of this book is the passing of the Slave Transport Act, which plays an important part of this book. It is worth reading just for that.
Riley writes books showing the diverse cultures we are not expecting in Regency times. Her "blackamoor" and mulatto characters open a new understanding.
In addition, the growing attachment between Abigail and her neighbor Henderson, is growing quickly, so I am particularly intrigued by the ending of the book, and will have to see how Riley intends to deal with it in the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

Curtains Closed

As I opened the second book in the Lady Mystery series I was in awe of the number of characters listed. The prolougue ending had me thinking no matter how may characters are listed I am in this story till the bitter end.
As I entered into the theater the comfort zone of Lady Abigail Worthing where she puts all her secrets, and the fears of her life to sleep as she enjoys a good play.. A piercing scream set Lady Worthing on a new path. I found myself asking why theater, is Abagail now in over head?
Throughout the book the character kept me making notes and asking questions, as the charters evolved I became one with them.If you a looking for a shock factor,turmoil,,and vivaciousness, Murder in Drury Lane is the book for you.
Thank you Vanessa Riley, NetGalley, and publishers for the ARC, above is my honest review.

The mystery in Murder in Drury Lane is very good. The first chapter draws the reader in fast and the action and thrill never stops. The pacing was fast and kept me reading. The historical time period was interesting and this book told a different story than normal early-1800s mysteries.

I highly recommend reading Murder in Westminster prior to reading Murder in Drury Lane. It sets up the main character duo (Abigail and Stapleton). My one issue with both books in the series so far is that there’s a lot of backstory. I wish there was a prequel to include all the backstory. Overall, I would recommend this book to historical mystery readers.

This is the second book in the series. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters were again well written but I found that I enjoyed the first one more. I found this one a little hard to follow with one of the characters sprouting theater lines which for me, made the story a little confusing. I am not big on Shakespeare. I loved the relationships between the characters and enjoyed finding out a little more about their background. I am now looking forward to the next installment to see where the relationships go. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.

"Portraying the true diversity of the Regency-era and the hidden intrigue of England's abolitionist movement, this vibrant, inclusive new historical mystery from acclaimed author Vanessa Riley features an engaging heroine with an independent streak, a notorious past, and a decided talent for sleuthing...

Pressed into a union of convenience, Lady Abigail Worthing knew better than to expect love. Her marriage to an absent lord does at least provide some comforts, including a box at the Drury Lane theater, owned by the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Abigail has always found respite at the theater, away from the ton's judgmental stares and the risks of her own secret work to help the cause of abolition - and her fears that someone from her past wants her permanently silenced. But on one particular June evening everything collides, and the performance takes an unwelcome turn...

Onstage, a woman emits a scream of genuine terror. A man has been found dead in the prop room, stabbed through the heart. Abigail's neighbor, Stapleton Henderson, is also in attendance, and the two rush backstage. The magistrate, keen to avoid bringing more attention to the case and making Lady Worthing more of a target, asks Abigail not to investigate. But she cannot resist, especially when the usually curmudgeonly Henderson offers his assistance.

Abigail soon discovers a tangled drama that rivals anything brought to the stage, involving gambling debts, a beautiful actress with a parade of suitors, and the very future of the Drury Lane theatre. For Abigail the case is complicated still further, for one suspect is a leading advocate for the cause dearest to her heart - the abolition of slavery within the British empire. Uncovering the truth always comes at a price. But this time, it may be far higher than she wishes to pay."

I'm all for murders happening during theatrical performances, though I doubt that Lady Abigail Worthing had as much solitude at the threatre as she thought.

An excellent Lady Worthing mystery. I love trying to solve the murder along side Lady Worthing. But her past is just as mysterious! Pieces of her life, both with her husband and without, are doled out in small increments with each book. I want more of her story!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

I enjoyed this period mystery, but with some reservation.

The title and description hinted at a more theater-centric mystery. I love literary or theatrical novels and expected that of this. The unfinished play promised to be a bigger part of the story than it really was. And, the racial progress ( or lack of it) emerged as an omnipresent issue, but felt somewhat forced to me. I respect what the author was trying to do, but the family dramas didnt hold my interest and seemed repetitive.

I enjoyed the characters. . . Both villains and heroines, but would have enjoyed more genuine political background and theater “ color.”

I actually enjoyed this one better than the first book. The author does historical fiction right. The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

I’m more familiar with Victorian England than the Regency period and was hoping to learn more here, but didn’t see a massive differentiation as hoped. The theater setting was interesting and the protagonist touches on
the abolition of slavery but this isn’t really developed this substantially.