DNF

Based on the description, this should have been the book for me. I love historical fiction murder mysteries with feisty, intelligent heroines, and the inclusion of an airship should have just made it that more interesting. Unfortunately, I could not stand our protagonist. She reads like a relic from bad 1990s historical romance: she hates skirts and petticoats and corsets, not out of any adherence to the Dress Reform movement or a sensory issue with fit and fabric or anything else remotely interesting, but rather to signal to the audience that she is Not Like Other Girls. For the same reason, the narration tells us that she WANTS to curse and speak her mind, but doesn’t, for… no reason she ever gives. And she wants to release her “wild spirit” but doesn’t, also for no discernable reason (and with no evidence of said ‘wild spirit’ actually existing). If the book were trying to paint her as a flawed, narcissistic, privileged snot who was going to be confronted by perspectives beyond her own, that would be fine, but the narrative so far is presenting these traits as positive. Perhaps if the narrative were more interesting, I could ignore my dislike for the cliched protagonist, but unfortunately this midair adventure put me to sleep.

A really enjoyable fast paced cosy mystery. It was was well written and if you suspended thoughts on how such an ornate and huge scale contraption could possibly fly it made for a great entertaining read. The chapters switching between the two leads was really good and I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this book.

for fans of SJTR and Agatha christie ,,,,,

I loved this book so much the main character was whitty and fun. I loved the themes of the book...... it had gilded age vibes. the story was intriguing. I love reading every page and once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. it is a must read.

4.5 stars

Oh this was such a fun locked ‘room’ (or airship, in this case) Gilded Age/Victorian mystery with a super yummy romance too! I would have enjoyed it based on the cleverly-plotted mystery alone, but all that delicious romantic tension made it even better, especially for this diehard KissingBooks fan. Ahhhhh I’m still swooning!! (And I’m REALLY hoping this story will be the first in a series because I need to revisit this couple and their fabulous chemistry.)

One of the things that sets A Lethal Engagement apart from other historical and/or locked room mysteries is the fact that it takes place on an airship going from America to England. This added a different sort of tension to the story as well as a fun ‘steampunk’ feel, and I found the whole atmosphere completely fascinating (macabre murders notwithstanding). From the division of accommodations by classes (like an ocean liner would have had) to the extravagant opulence for the upper echelon that the Gilded Age is known for (a garden on an airship!!), Skelly brings this airship of victims, suspects, sleuths, and everyone from the elite to the servants vividly to life. To be honest, I don’t know that I would be brave enough to fly across the ocean in an airship back then… or now either for that matter. Heck, I don’t even fly in airplanes. But certainly not when that technology was so new. So all of the characters on that ship started out with a tally in the ‘respect’ category from me… and then several of them quickly lost that distinction as I got to know them better lol. (But they were supposed to.)

Two characters I absolutely loved were our amateur sleuths – and story narrators – American heiress Cora Beaumont and her soon-to-be-brother-in-law (and duke’s heir) Lord Nicholas Tristan. Cora is so much more than than a wealthy heiress; she’s intelligent, quick-witted, and courageous. Nicholas is the kind of guy you imagine would make you feel safe but he also has this magnetic appeal that makes him – much to his dismay – the target of all marriageable females on board. Considering that Cora is engaged to Nicholas’ younger brother Terrance, this murder-solving-partnership may seem unlikely at first blush but oh what a delight it turned out to be! Their personalities are actually very well-matched, despite their differences, and they make a very good team of detectives in a pinch.

Bottom Line: Nothing is exactly as it seems in A Lethal Engagement by April J. Skelly, a delightfully entertaining historical mystery that takes the locked room trope to a whole new level. As in, the friendly (or not so friendly) skies on a voyage across the ocean that gives off fun steampunk vibes and seamlessly highlights many fascinating social dynamics of the Gilded Age. I loved that the story switches between the first person perspectives of our two sleuths Cora and Nicholas, and I loved how Skelly uses these POVs to sketch out their personalities with engaging detail. (Also because Nicholas is super dashing in every way and it was quite swoony to tag along with him.) And wow!!! Talk about some killer twists in this story! The author totally caught me off guard at least twice, which is not easy to do, and she’s made a forever fan out of me for that … and for the swoonilicious, breath-stealing romance! PLEASE let there be more to come with these characters! I need to know what happens next and what other intriguing mysteries Nicholas and Cora might team up to solve!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.
A great locked-room historical mystery debut.

This is an interesting new series with the journey being aboard an air ships which both new and different. The mystery ticked along at a good pace with the body count mounting and was very intriguing and the personal relationships developed nicely although I did think we were left hanging a little at the end so hopefully more will follow. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Nur 24 Stunden nach ihrer Verlobung steht die zwanzigjährige Cora Beaumont über dem toten Körper einer Frau, der in einer Blutlache liegt. Von ihrem zerrissenen Kleid wird sie kaum noch bedeckt und der Täter hat ihr eine grausame Nachricht eingeritzt.

Dann springt die Erzählung 12 Stunden zurück, New York 1890. Cora und zahlreiche weitere Personen brechen zum Jungfernflug des größten bislang gebauten Luftschiffes auf. Es geht nach England. Sie hat die Lady Air nach dem kürzlichen Tod ihres Vaters geerbt. Mit an Bord ist auch ihr ganz frisch Verlobter Terrance Tristan, der zweite Sohn eines Dukes. Er gehört zu einer alten, einflussreichen Familie in England. Cora geht mit ihrer neuen Freundin Lady Ophelia, einer Cousine der Tristans an Bord. Die Anstandsdame Mrs. Beesly darf auch nicht fehlen.

Die anwesenden Mitglieder der britischen Gesellschaft beobachten Cora kritisch. Sie kann sich keinen Skandal leisten. Auch ihr zukünftiger Schwager Nicholas ist anwesend, der Erbe des Dukes. Bislang hat noch keine amerikanische Geschäftserbin so hoch in den englischen Adel eingeheiratet. Auch wenn Terrance nur der zweite Sohn ist. Ihre Väter waren Freunde und als Kinder kannten sie sich. Sie wurden einander versprochen, haben sich aber als Erwachsene nun erst vor 2 Tagen kennen gelernt. Das Luftschiff ist komfortabel und luxuriös ausgestattet. Für die Passagiere der 1. Klasse beginnt die Reise mit einem Ball. Doch schon bald stößt Nicholas auf die erste Unruhe, eine Suffragette aus der dritten Klasse will vorgelassen werden.

Cora ist das späte, unerwartete Kind einer zweiten Ehe. Ihr Vater hat sie verwöhnt und ihr auch unkonventionelle Hobbys erlaubt. Sie durfte ihn sogar bei den Schiffsplänen unterstützen und mit zu archäologischen Ausgrabungen. Ihre anstehende Hochzeit schützt sie und ihr Vermögen vor ihrem gierigen Halbbruder, aber sollte die Verlobung scheitern, wäre sie ihm wohl ausgeliefert. Auch wenn er zunächst von der Verlobungsidee begeistert war, ist Terrance nun unaufmerksam und unruhig, so dass sein Bruder häufiger einspringen muss.
Anders, als erwartet kehrt nach dem Ball jedoch auf dem Schiff keine Ruhe ein, sondern einige Beteiligte begeben sich heimlichen zur dritten Klasse. Die Spannung steigt, es kommt zu einem unglaublich riskanten Stunt. Cora wird mit dem Mord konfrontiert, aber lässt sich nicht wie gewünscht zur Seite drängen.
So geraten sie und Nicholas zusammen in die Ermittlungen. Schnell muss er feststellen, dass er Cora ziemlich unterschätzt hat und sie problemlos ihren Mann stehen kann. Aber sie haben auch gemeinsame Interessen und so wird er sie bei den Nachforschungen unterstützen.
Sie kommen der Lösung des Falls einfach nicht näher, aber die Gefahr wird zunehmend bedrohlicher. Die Atlantiküberquerung des Luftschiffes bringt ein ganz besonders Setting mit sich. Der Kriminalfall kann mit überraschenden Wendungen überzeugen.

Cora und Nicholas sind zwei sympathische Protagonisten. Er schätzt ihre Intelligenz und Direktheit und sie ist begeistert, dass er sie ernst nimmt und unterstützt. Sie haben nicht mal die nahestehenden Personen über den Todesfall informiert. So hat sie mehr mit ihrem zukünftigen Schwager zu tun als mit ihrem Verlobten. Und immer hofft sie noch in ihrem Verlobten Ähnlichkeit zu Nicholas zu finden, der ihr längst zum Freund und Vertrauen geworden ist. Die Entwicklung ihrer Gefühle füreinander ist überzeugend.

Ein spannender historischer Krimi mit einer gefühlvollen Liebesgeschichte und einem besonderen Setting.

A fun and charming mystery that takes place on an airship crossing the Atlantic on its maiden voyage. Cora, both the owner and newly engaged to the son of a duke, is horrified when someone is murdered and there seems to be a link to her newly deceased father or herself. If she can't find the murderer soon it will ruin the reputation of the new airline and her guarantees of financial independence.

I really enjoyed the conversations and the relationship that developed between Cora and Nicholas, who is suppose to be her soon-t0-be brother-in-law, but that seems more and more unlikely as Cora's fiancee seems distracted by another woman and may even be a suspect in the murder. Nicholas is attracted and somewhat scandalized by the unusual Cora who doesn't quite fit the normal mold of a Victorian woman. It is nice to see how he relatively slowly changes his mind about the role women should have and engages Cora as an equal. I also like the friendship between Cora and Fee.

The mystery moves along and the setting of an airship is an unusual one for a murder. I hope this becomes a series, I would read more for sure.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I had a blast reading this historical mystery. I loved the time period, and I really enjoyed the setting of the airship. It gave the story a bit of a steampunk vibe, which I loved.

I liked that the story was told from both Cora and Nicholas’ points of view. While there were a few times in the middle of a chapter that I forgot who was narrating it, I figured it out again fairly quickly, so it didn't bother me too much.

I really liked Cora and Nicholas, but I think Ophelia was my favorite character. She had such a vibrant and fun personality. She certainly kept things lively!

The mystery was very intriguing. It definitely kept me guessing! I ended up being very surprised by the reveal.

I really enjoyed this book and hope there’s a sequel! I’d love to revisit these characters again. If you’re a fan of historical mysteries, grab a copy of this book. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝐉. 𝐒𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟐𝐭𝐡

- - -
Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC.

It took me forever to finish reading this book. I really wanted to DNF but also wanted to know who the murderer was. I love the Bridgerton vibes in this book. I truly love books/series set around that time. But to be honest, this book is not my cup of tea.

The pacing is so uneven. There are more dialogues than action. I guess I expected more. I liked the dual POV. Especially Cora's. I love how she has her own mind and doesn't care about the opinions of the other people. She's a brilliant woman.

Such a fun, entertaining read, a great mystery, full of plenty twists and turns, and loveable characters!!!

When I saw the words mystery, 1890, and airship in the same sentence, I screamed count me in!

This was a fun, quick read that blends historical romance with a dash of mystery. If you're a fan of Bridgerton and want something with that same dramatic flair—but with a whodunnit twist—you'll likely enjoy this.

From the start, I knew the airship element would involve some creative liberties. While airships did exist in 1890, they weren't used for lavish, multi-class travel quite like this. That said, I’m all for bending history if it makes the setting pop—and here, it works. The airship serves as a unique, visually rich backdrop that elevates the plot.

It’s important to note: this is very much a historical romance with a mystery subplot—not the other way around. Nearly every chapter focuses on the intense (and at times, repetitive) attraction between the leads. Each twist in the mystery seems designed to show how “different” the female main character is and to catch the eye of the handsome male main character.

Final thoughts? Pick this up if you're craving romance with a bit of flair and don’t mind a healthy dose of creative license. The setting is lush, the chemistry is strong, and Phee alone is worth the read.

Thank you to April J. Skelly, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the ARC! All thoughts are my own. Publication Date: April 22nd, 2025

I loved A Lethal Engagement! It's a Victorian era historical mystery with romance and a bit of steampunk/fantasy. The only element that is steampunk/fantasy is that it takes place on an airship which is basically like a really fancy ship that's also a blimp! The setting was so imaginative, and I loved how the author described everything with so much detail. It really felt as if I were on that airship too!

The author brought the characters to life through both her descriptions and the characters’ dialogue. Cora and Nicholas are the narrators, so you get to experience the mystery through their eyes. The murders are very brutal and personal, and Cora feels that she may become another victim due to the clues left by the murderer. I was shocked when I found out who the murderer was! The author does a wonderful job with dropping red herrings! I really thought I had it all figured out!

And, oh, the romance! It’s so swoony, but I’m not going to spoil anything for you! You’ll have to read it. This is a clean romance so no steamy stuff! I loved it so much!

I highly recommend this charming, exciting, imaginative novel! 5 stars!!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Absolutely loved this! It's set during the Gilded Age, one of my favorite time periods; it happens on an air ship (think Hindenburg); and it's filled with interesting characters. Murders occur; main character Cora has to deal with male chauvinism; and the actual culprit ends up being a shock. If you love historical mysteries, this is definitely a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc, which I voluntarily reviewed.

A Victorian murder mystery set on an.....airship? Cora, an American is on her way to marry Terence when a second class passenger is murdered and she finds herself working to find the villain with her brother-in-law-to-be Nicholas. That would have been a fine set up for a mystery set on a sailing ship. I understand the urge for a unique setting and appreciate that this one is really unique but there wasn't enough worldbuilding for me and I was distracted by thinking about logistics.. I did like the characters (especially Cora) and it is clever, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

Unfortunately, I DNF-ed this book. I kept going back to it until I couldn't. I think I stopped at 40/50%
1. It was slow
2. I didn't like the MMC. His routine of 'I only know insipid vapid women' was getting boring.
3. I started the book because of the mystery, but nothing much had happened when I dnfed it.
4. The FMC was okay tbough

4.25/5 stars

I enjoyed this more than I expected to and although not billed as the beginning of a series, I think it would lend itself well to being so.

It's a bit mystery, a bit romance and a bit steampunk. Nice character development (especially enjoyed the spunky heroine in this one), good atmospheric world-building and an absorbing plot.

A fun read and would love to see it continue forward.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing the free early arc of A Lethal Engagement for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

In this alternate history mystery set in 1890, Cora Beaumont is on her way to England to take her place in British Society. She is traveling with her fiancé and her fiancé's older brother who are the sons of a Duke. The journey is the first step on her way to independence. Yes, the fiancé will get her dowry, but she will get and retain as her personal property the airship they are traveling on.

When the murder of a second-class passenger occurs, she definitely wants to keep it quiet so as not to damage the reputation of the Lady Air. Of course, since she was about checking on rumors of conditions in third-class when the murder happened, she has her own reputation to protect too.

The ship's captain's refusal to recognize her authority means that she will be teaming up with her fiancé's older brother as they investigate the murder. This close proximity to him and her fiancé's indifferent behavior toward her causes her to question her future since she seems to be falling in love with the wrong brother.

Cora needs to deal with a lot in this book. She needs to solve three murders, keep her reputation and that of her airship pristine, deal with snotty and snobby, upper-class females, and also figure out why her fiancé is indifferent to her while worrying about the thunderstorm that is dogging the airship and could cause it to crash.

This was an excellent and engaging historical mystery. Fans of historical mysteries will enjoy this story.

This one had all the ingredients I thought I’d love—an American heiress on a luxurious airship to England, a murder mystery mid-journey, and a bit of romance. A lethal engagement promised a high-stakes whodunit with floating ballrooms and corset-tight tension. While the concept was fun and the writing strong, I found myself more confused than captivated at times.

The worldbuilding left me scratching my head. I needed just a bit more grounding in the logistics of this luxury airship situation.

Character-wise, Cora leaned into the “I’m not like other girls” mold, and Nicholas mirrored that with “I’m not like other dukes.” Unfortunately, I wasn’t particularly invested in either of them—or rooting for a romance between them. The mystery had a good build-up but unraveled with an ending that felt a little unsatisfying.

All that said, this wasn’t a bad book by any means—it just wasn’t for me. If you enjoy historical mysteries with a flair for the dramatic and don’t mind a little suspension of disbelief, this might be your vibe. Fans of airships, aristocratic scandal, and sleuthing with a side of gossip will find plenty to enjoy.

In 1890, American heiress Cora Beaumont boards the Lady Air to England, eager to secure her place in British society through her engagement to a duke’s son. When a murder occurs on the first night, leaving a calling card meant for her, Cora joins forces with her fiancé’s brother to unmask the killer before she becomes the next victim. As gossip spreads and tensions rise aboard the airship, Cora must navigate both deadly secrets and her fiancé’s indiscretions to reach England with her life—and reputation—intact.

This looked like it would be fun since it had a bit of a steampunk vibe with talk of airships, even if it isn’t in a steampunk category. However, this did leave me confused at times. The Lady Air was a massive ship with a ballroom, hot house, and printing room. I had no idea how it actually worked, and that feeling of confusion was annoying.

Cora was very much a “I’m not like other girls!” Nicholas was also a “I’m not like other titled men.” And I found myself annoyed with them both. I was not rooting for them to somehow get together. Their mystery was alright, though I was confused by the ending. It felt like it came out of nowhere.

Clearly, this book is not my cup of tea, but others may enjoy a steampunk adventure since it was well written.