This seems like a nice Regency romance but I wasn't quite expecting what it turned out to be.

In the beginning of the book, there is an author's note where Hemmerling explains the history of poison detection. Arsenic was "a particular favorite among nobility." "This story is based on the new discoveries on the detection of poisons and specifically a treatise published on the subject in late 1813 by Dr. Mathieu Orfila." I found this interesting. 

Rose Warren has been promised to Simon Trumbull since birth.  As children, they got along well but as Simon ages, he began to rebel against the thought of marriage to Rose.  

Now, the two are grown and end up finding a common interest.  Simon's cousin, Caleb, has long been suspected of killing his brother to gain the Earldom but no one has been able to prove it.  Rose has recently come in contact with Dr. Orfila.  She brings the subject to the attention of the Garden Society that helps solve mysteries, founded by Lady Lancaster.  
<blockquote>"He killed his brother - she turned to look at Lady Lancaster- didn't he? Do you think there is something in Dr. Orfila's book that can help point us in the right direction?"</blockquote>

Simon agrees to help Rose prove his cousins guilt.  He has held his own suspicions and is interested in proving himself right.  However, Simon is not known for "deep, dark thoughts."  He wanted to be seen as the "happy-go lucky, extremely charming, good for a good time but not much else kind of man." Rose does not like Simon.  She feels he is petty and a jerk. However, things change when they both start to work toward their common goal.

Although the two have been betrothed for many years, Simon is not yet ready to "marry yet and he doubted very much that he would be ready any time soon." 

Early on, things sounded and read like a typical romance novel.  The hero is your typical rake who is uninterrestested in settling down.  The heroine is the typical pushover who accepts the hero as he is.  In this book, It is much the same. But I found I dislike the hero.  Rose is okay and grows on me but she comes off a bit awkward.  

Lord and Lady Lancaster seem to hold a certain distinction in the book but I feel like I don't know who they are or how they fit in exactly.  It's not as though Rose is a Lancaster.  

The book's character development was poor.  I was so confused as to who certain people were and how they fit into the story.  Like who is Hannah?  She just pops up out of nowhere and Lady Lancaster...I just needed and wanted more information.  

Overall, the writing is not very good at all.  It has no flow and no real explanation for things.  It is by no means historically accurate. The dialogue is laughable.  The characters are not very likable and I didn't care about them.  The mystery is so very obvious, not even a challenge.  There are implications to bad behavior by the characters that I found odd.  The few love scenes were laughable and totally not explained well.  I cannot recommend this book to anyone.  

Content: mention of torture devices, sexual toys/devices

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.