How do you have someone around you all day and have no clue who they are? Why be so invested in finding out what happened? But that is the mystery. Who was she and what was her story? Zoe finally has something that interests her as she searches for answers. Actually a pretty good story. Often I wanted to smack the sass off her but she is still young. The hunt is on to find answers.

The mystery of Lucy's murder is good. It's hinted at early on, but there's quite a wrinkle in the denouement. However, in my opinion, it's secondary to setting up the main cast.
The authors did an excellent job of developing Zoe, Quinton, Hugh, Simone, etc. It's a large cast, but each is introduced in a way that shows their relationship to Zoe or Quinton.
I enjoyed the chemistry and growing attraction between Zoe and Quinton. Their being able to begin a courtship, should that be chosen, is set in motion at the very end. Also like the growing friendship between Zoe and Mary.
I would read more books featuring these characters.
Highly recommend this title.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sandra & Taylor Preisler for an advance copy.
#TheTiesThatDivide#NetGalley

The writing was good, but it just didn't keep my attention. Some of it felt repetitive. I felt that Zoe in particular was annoying. I know she's supposed to show growth throughout the book, but I was thinking it would be better for a younger person to read than for a seasoned woman who has read a lot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC of the book. #sponsored

Exciting new Regency mystery series!

Zoe Demas is a usual young woman, a French aristocrat’s daughter. As a young child, she and her mother Simone escaped the Terror, fleeing to England as emigres. Simone met and married a barrister Lord Hugh Dovefield. Zoe was a precocious and intelligent child. Hugh used to take Zoe with him to court, discussing points of law with her. Now older, painting and law remain her two focuses. She is a skilled sketch artist. Now older, Zoe doesn’t ever forget her time as a child when the streets ran with blood.
Zoe’s background of violence and her questioning mind meant she did not take kindly to leading the life of a genteel lady. If anything she’s careless of herself and of others around her.
That all changes the day Zoe’s maid Lucy goes missing, to be found dead on a street in Whitechapel. It’s ruled an accidental death. Zoe is shocked, the puzzled. What was her maid, who was even scared about walking walking in Hyde Park in broad daylight, doing in that part of town at night? Not satisfied with the coroners verdict she hires an inquiry agent, Quinton Huxley to investigate. Quinton grew up hustling on the very streets, where he now plies his craft.
The sparks fly between Zoe and Quinton. Zoe is stubborn and insists on going into unsuitable places. Quinton tries to hold her back from such surroundings. No luck! She insists on joining him even when he visits a bull baiting pit. Now there’s a scene!
Sure there’s some familiar tropes. A detective who’s a step away from being a Bow Street runner investigates with lady of quality, albeit a rebel. A mysterious background surrounds said detective. Baby farms, orphans preferring the streets to other alternatives, friends on both sides of the law, multiculturalism of the time—all grist for the mill!
An exciting new Regency mystery, with a cast of interesting and strong supporting characters—some on the wrong side of the law. How they develop will be something to watch.
A great start to a new series, I’m looking forward to what follows.

A Book Whisperer ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

The Ties That divide by Taylor & Sandra Preisler is a mystery novel set in the Regency time period. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book that I received on NetGalley and I always review every book that I read. This one will keep you turning pages and trying to figure out who committed the murder - and why. I enjoyed Zoe's unconventional methods that were so contrary to the customs of that period. I felt that the plot and characters were well developed. This book will keep you wanting more with these characters. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley. These are new authors and I hope this is the beginning of a series. Zoe's maid has been murdered and she realizes she knows very little about her personally. After her acquaintance, the Bow Street Runner takes her to Quinton the investigator to help find out what has happened to Lucy and was it something from her past that brought it about. Zoe learns a great deal about the city she never thought about or people she would come in contact with before. With the help of her stepfather who has taught her about the law and some who stay close to the line of the law also a unofficial coroner, they are able to solve the crime. I look forward to the next book.

Courtesy of Netgalley and The Book Whisperer, I received the ARC of The Ties That Divide, a debut novel by the mother-daughter team, Taylor and Sandra Preisler. This well written Regency era mystery was compelling, the characters engaging and interesting. Exploring the complexities of London's class system while investigating a surprising murder, Lady Zoe Demas proves a complex and strong leader! Highly recommend!

This was a good start to a new historical series from author's that are new to me. The character's are interesting and engaging and the mystery is full of twists and turns. It does end on a note that suggests there is much more to come. The only negative is that modern language has found it's way where it doesn't belong (Ms and lighten up wouldn't be used in this era) Apart from this it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

The Tie That divide is an engaging romp that will leave you satisfied both historically, setting you perfectly in its time , and emotionally, with well-drawn characters and tantilizing romance. The class system is well covered, and well handled for the Regency period. There are a few comments that seemed contemporary to our time, though, but, most likely are edited out of the final product. None of it was enough, to keep me from enjoying the book thoroughly, a lighthearted mystery with complex characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always love the first book in what looks to be a series. The author.....in this case, authors........must build a community of characters and their stories while building this first book around central characters and completing an entire story while still leaving threads that will come to be volumes of the series. This must all be accomplished while still giving readers enough depth and mystery to keep their curiousity bringing them back and building loyalty to the series. Taylor and Sandra Preisler, a mother and daughter team, have done this well enough to earn their stars and set the stage for the next story line.

After trying to read a couple of heavy historical mysteries, this one was such a delight to read. The characters were well-written with a lot of character and the storyline flowed beautifully, with twists, turns and humour. I also found the budding romance something I will enjoy seeing develop over the series I am hoping will come. It was an easy read and I am now waiting to see if this will turn into a series. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

A Historical Drama Full of Diverse and Interesting Characters.

The Ties That Divide authors are a mother daughter team Sandra and Taylor Preisler. For their first book they have done an excellent job on this Regency-era mystery. The book is a historical drama full of diverse and interesting characters. Zoe and her mother Simone escape from France and move to London England. Simone then meets and marries a London Barrister called Hugh. As they grow closer Hugh and Zoe spend a lot of time together. Zoe spends her time observing and studying Hugh in court. Zoe is very smart and quickly finds that she absorbs and retains the knowledge she listens to. When Zoe’s maid Lucy is found dead in Whitechapel Zoe does not believe it was an accident but murder.
Zoe uses her legal knowledge and hires a private investigator Quinton Huxley to help solve Lucy's murder. I immediately fell in love with Zoe and Mary and found Quinton Huxley to be very captivating. Quinton and Zoe make a good team, investigating their suspects among the upper-class and in some of the poorest parts of the city. Along the way Zoe learns to understand a lot about herself. The characters bring the book to life and the authors have left the ending on a mysterious note of more books on this unlikely duo who make a talented team and the dialogue between them is well-written. If you like mysteries and suspense you will enjoy this book. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.



20-21st

What is better than an historical fiction set in Regency London where there is a mystery surrounding the death of a lady's maid which puts Zoe Demas, a young French woman, in the spotlight!

Well this is a story that has some great characters as well as a wonderful storyline. It is a quick and easy read that will keep you guessing and keep you intrigued. There was a bit of fun in the story as well and clues to help you along on solving of the mystery. A great start to what sounds like it may be a series. I hope so.

Thank You NetGalley and Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a really cute mother/daughter debut murder mystery novel. I thought the pacing was very well done and the clues that led around the city were enough without giving away the mystery of "who done it." I liked Zoe as the main character, despite her being unlikeable in the beginning; she showed a lot of growth toward the end. Quinton was a little forgettable as far as male characters go and despite liking the bond he has with the other men, I'm not sure those parts we're completely necessary and felt a little repetitive. They all grew up on the rough side of town but looked out for each other becoming "brothers." I think that can be conveyed without showing us multiple scenes where they reminisce about the same thing. I will say, I saw part of the "twist" coming but not all of it so that was a nice surprise. Things wrapped up nicely so this could be read as a standalone but was also left open ended with possible more murders/mysteries to solve. Overall very easy enjoyable read.

Historical drama full of diverse and interesting characters. A plot which twists and turns,keeping the reader guessing.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of “The Ties that Divide,” in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.

A quest for justice for a murdered maid drives the narrative of “The Ties that Divide,” the first book in a new Regency-era series by authors Sandra and Taylor Preisler. Doing so will bring Zoe Demas, once a French refugee and now a London barrister’s stepdaughter, and Quinton Huxley, orphan who grew up on the streets and now plies a trade as what in modern times comes closest to the role of a private detective. She’s a member of the “ton,” although there are those who snub her because of her origin and her independent lifestyle, and he isn’t, not by a long shot. And you can probably see where this is going; these two negotiate a way through this ready-made dilemma of “can’t be together because of their difference in class” throughout the story. That it does not take over the mystery theme and leaves both characters as interesting people rather than caricatures is a testament to the skill of the writers.

I enjoyed “The Ties that Divide,” although there were some unfortunate word choices that took me out of the story; for instance, the usage of Ms. in place of Miss, in a couple spots (perhaps a typo?) and also when a character tells Quinton to “lighten up;” I really can’t see someone using that term in the early 19th century. And be advised there’s a bull-baiting scene that might be tough to get through for some readers. But the authors have a good sense of time and place, especially when it comes to how scandal would affect young women of the times, and also how the justice system works for those of the rich and privileged classes.

The book ends on a mysterious note, offering the hint of future books. Quinton and Zoe make a good team, and there will continue to be the romantic spark between them. “The Ties That Divide” should satisfy readers who enjoy an entertaining whodunit with intriguing characters, hints of romance and a finely drawn background in which all the pieces are put together very well.

This had a great overall feel of a mystery feel to it and worked with the historical feel to it. The characters worked with what I wanted and enjoyed the feel of the mystery. I enjoyed the main character and how smart and strong she was. Taylor & Sandra Preisler write strong overall story and can’t wait for more from them.

This book wasn’t a good fit for me. I found the pace slow, the characters unlikeable, and the plot confusing. These authors have potential, but I don’t think this book is ready yet.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

A good start for a new historical series: well plotted, compelling, cast of fleshed out characters.
The mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The authors are a mother daughter team, and they did a great job with this debut novel that I assume will be a series as the book ends on a cliffhanger. The characters are well drawn with very different and diverse backgrounds, which really help this novel stand out.
Zoe and her mother, Simone, escaped from France and lived on the edges of society until Simone married a barrister, Hugh, who has very modern ideas. He is influenced by his friend and real-life reformer, William Garrow, the person who said innocent until proven guilty. Hugh has allowed Zoe to watch him work, and as she is very clever, she has absorbed quite a lot of law.
When her maid Lucy is found dead in Whitechapel, Zoe refuses to believe it was an accident, and finds an investigator, Quinton Huxley, to help her solve the crime.
There is a large cast of characters, each more interesting than the last.
John, a biracial Bow Street runner and his sister Mary, who becomes Zoe's maid, and Charlie, another biracial character who has an English father and Indian mother. Quinton, John, and Charlie grew up on the streets together, with Charlie's mother giving them love and food.
It is the characters who really bring the book to life and I look forward to meeting them all again in the next book.
The mystery slowly unfolds and the denouement is quite surprising.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Book Whisperer for my EARC. I am giving my honest review and do recommend this book.