The Wordsworth Key, is the third installment in Julia Golding’s Regency Secrets series, this novel masterfully blends historical intrigue, literary homage, and a touch of romance. Set in 1812, the narrative follows actress-turned-sleuth Dora Fitz-Pennington and her partner, Dr. Jacob Sandys, as they retreat to the Lake District. Their respite is short-lived when they become entangled in a mystery involving the disappearance of William Wordsworth’s notebook of unpublished poems and a gruesome murder in London, where a body is found with a shepherd’s crook wedged in its mouth. ​The portrayal of Dora and Jacob is both endearing and dynamic. Their relationship, marked by mutual respect and playful banter, adds depth to the story. Dora’s resourcefulness and Jacob’s steadfastness make them a compelling duo, navigating societal expectations and personal demons. ​The strength lies in its intricate plot and rich historical context. Golding weaves real historical figures, such as Wordsworth and Coleridge, into the story, adding authenticity and depth. The mystery unfolds with well-paced suspense, keeping readers engaged through unexpected twists and turns. ​The Wordsworth Key has engaging storytelling and vivid characterizations.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

The Wordsworth Key by Julia Golding is a third person dual-POV historical mystery continuation of the Regency Secrets series. Dora and Jacob are back and make their way to Jacob’s family’s home for a rest. But when they arrive, they need to help the sister of the poet Wordsworth find his lost poem and deal with Dora and Jacob’s families making things difficult.

This was a real colliding of worlds as we spend a lot of time meeting Jacob’s family and learning more about who they are and where Jacob come from but we also have Dora’s good friend Ruby come in and she’s determined to find herself a wealthy man to take care of her and her unborn child. Even more than that, Lady Alice is a young woman who is quite interested in making Jacob her husband. Dora tries to keep Ruby from Jacob’s family but it doesn't really work so well nor can she fully hide her romantic interests in Jacob (and he has no desire to hide his intentions to marry her). There’s a lot of subtle drama that reads like a Regency version of Meet the Parents.

One thing I really appreciated was how Dora is secure in her relationship with Jacob. Lady Alice expresses her interest in Jacob to Dora as a way for Dora to say what her relationship is (which I also appreciated) and Dora told the truth that they are not engaged so Alice is free to pursue Jacob. But Dora takes it a step further and says that if Jacob chooses Alice, he was never that committed to Dora in the first place and then gets upset with Jacob when he asks if she’s jealous. There’s something very interesting about someone who is so sure about something that has no actual label and even they themselves don’t know exactly how it’s gonna end. It shows her belief in her and Jacob’s relationship, no matter which direction it goes.

I would recommend this to fans of the previous two books and readers who want a Regency mystery with a strong romantic thread

The Wordsworth Key is a wonderfully imaginative blend of historical fiction, literary mystery, and time-slip adventure. Julia Golding has created a richly atmospheric story that brings Regency England to life while weaving in the legacy of William Wordsworth in a way that feels both fresh and meaningful.

I was quickly drawn into Dora’s journey—she’s smart, curious, and brave, and her dynamic with Jacob added warmth and tension that kept me invested throughout. The way Golding incorporated real historical elements, poetry, and a fast-paced plot made the book feel both educational and entertaining (without ever becoming heavy-handed).

The pacing was strong for the most part, though there were a few moments that felt slightly rushed. Still, the energy and charm of the story more than made up for it. This book works beautifully as a standalone, but now I want to go back and read the rest of the Regency Secrets series.

Perfect for fans of historical mysteries with a literary twist—The Wordsworth Key is a delightful, immersive read that pays tribute to the power of words and the timeless pull of poetry.

From the first page, I was HOOKED and I barely put the book down while I read it.

The third in a series, I've really enjoyed that each book has taken us, the readers, to very different locations in England. It allows us to see the MCs, Dora and Jacob, in different environments, interacting with different people, leveraging their strengths, and keeps things interesting.
I also enjoy how the book fuses together a fictional mystery with people who did exist; in this case, William Wordsworth.

The mystery for this one was intriguing as it started off with a few different things happening, in different parts of England, and slowly, over the investigation, it all came together to a clear, satisfying conclusion. At the same time, Dora and Jacob had to deal with Jacob's older brother, the new Viscount, coming for a visit and his attempts to break up the couple and matchmake Jacob to, in the Viscount's eyes, a more suitable partner.

The side characters in the book were a delight, especially the two young boys who provided valuable information in the course of the investigation and had key roles in the conclusion. It was also fun to read about the influence (even if fictional) of Wordsworth and other romantic poets on society, how it influenced young writers, men, etc.

This series has become one of my favourites and I look forward to the next instalment!

Thanks to Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter for the eARC; all opinions are my own.

The Wordsworth Key by Julia Golding

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Dr Jacob Sandys and Dora Fitz-Pennington find themselves drawn into the scandals of the British elite when William Wordsworth’s notebook of unpublished poems goes missing. Then, when news arrives of a murder in London, Dora and Jacob decide to investigate what’s going on and to try to determine whether everything is as it seems.

This is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. Dora is an actress and Jacob is the son of a viscount. They are a couple (despite his family’s disapproval) and work together as detectives. While on vacation, they are asked to investigate the disappearance of a new manuscript - and then the friend who borrowed the manuscript also goes missing. Following the news of a murder in London and with plenty of other drama arising too, Jacob and Dora have to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible.

Overall, this was a fast paced historical fiction mystery with plenty of action, adventure, and red herrings. Certainly a delightful read that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat!

Third in the series - I haven't read the other two, but the author catches you up without spoilers. Dora's an illegitimate actress and Jacob's the third son of a viscount; they work together as detectives and are also a couple (though his family disapproves).

They're on holiday in the Lake District when Dorothy Wordsworth asks them to investigate the disappearance of her brother's new manuscript - and then the friend who borrowed the manuscript also goes missing. Plus there's a connection to a shocking murder in London, and are Wordworth's friends who they seem?

Add one of Dora's friends coming to them for help when her life gets complicated, Jacob's family issues, and the utterly lovely characters of the Coleridge boys, and we have a fast-paced mystery with a big cast.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for the ARC.

Who knew the Lake District could be so exciting? Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but I’ve never much liked the Lake District and despite living perhaps 60/70 miles away with easy access straight up the motorway, its a place I’ve only visited a couple of times in my life and was unimpressed both times. However, the majority of this book is set there and I found it very atmospheric to the extent I could be tempted to visit again.

This is the third book in the ‘Regency Secrets’ series by Julia Golding with Dr Jacob Sandys and Dora Fitz-Pennington as the central characters in all three books. It could easily be read as a stand alone book but I think you’d be missing out on some fab adventures if you haven’t read the previous two, not to mention Jacob and Dora’s background and ever developing romance.

For myself, I enjoyed this book the most out of the three and I do think the setting, the plot and the supporting characters combined, made it the most enjoyable. Jacob and Dora are up from London, taking a break from their private investigating work, at a holiday cottage in the Lakes belonging to one of Jacob’s relatives. They’ve not been there but a day when bad news about family is brought to Jacob’s door, as well as the sister of William Wordsworth hoping Jacob and Dora might be able to locate a missing manuscript belonging to William Wordsworth which after lending it to a friend, it disappears, as does the friend.

It’s a fast paced story with many strands running through and as in all three books concludes with a tense and thrilling conclusion. As for the romance? Will Dora ever concede to Jacob’s desire to take things further and make Dora his wife? You’ll have to read it to find out.

I hope there’s a further book to come in this series, I missed their adventures when I reached the end of this book and would love to know what happens next in the Dora/Jacob saga.

This book was great. I really enjoyed it and the writing was superb! The story flowed well and I really fell in love with the authors writing style.

Another brilliant, enthralling mystery following Dora and Jacob. The Wordsworth Key has a little bit of everything, action, humour, suspense. I adored the witty romantic scenes between the two leads and I hope to read more from this series. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC.

Another great adventure with Dora and Jacob. Loved seeing the countinued growth with the characters and who doesn’t love a nice country side holiday with a murderer in the lose?!?!

This was a great historical mystery romance book! The plot was very well written and so hard to put it down! Would highly recommend!

Big fan of this series of books and have been lucky enough to read the first two and was delighted to have been invited to read the new one.

Dora and Jacob are at his country cottage in the Lake District when he receives news that his father has died, making his brother, Arthur, the new Viscount. Having to go to the country estate of Rydal Hall for the funeral, he leaves Dora for a couple of days.

Whilst Jacob is gone, Dora is surprised with a visitor, Ruby Plum, who she was on the stage with. Ruby is in an unfortunate (bearing in mind this is Victorian England) predicament. To keep her mind from Jacob, Dora is approached by William Wordsworth sister and a friend of his regarding a missing manuscript, could it be somehow tied to the death of a judge in Billingsgate, London, Sir Richard Leyburn who actually hailed from the Lake District.

Really enjoyed this book, interesting story and characters, cannot wait for the next one.

A good historical mystery. After the last two stories, Dora and Jacob need some rest, but will they actually get to? This is another great addition, I'd recommend reading the first two. Looking forward to more.

I loved this historical mystery! Dora investigates, accompanied by Dr. Jacob, and the story is full of twists and turns. Golding's writing is wonderful and the characters have great depth, even the quirky side characters. Loved it!

Julia Golding has such a wonderful way of combining both humour and more serious matters perfectly, something that is once again shown in The Wordsworth Key.

I loved being able to follow Dora in her latest adventure, alongside her new companion Dr Jacob. When the pair decide to take a break in the Lakes, the last thing they expected was to be asked to help solve a murder. And as this storyline unfolds, I found myself reading late into the evening as I simply needed to know what happened next!.

Another truly enjoyable read from Julia Golding!

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

If you love a mystery and literature, Julia Golding has combined them in The Wordsworth Key. Set around the lake near Grasmere and Kesick, Jacob and Dora investigate murders that reference an autobiographical poem written by Wordsworth. With a host of quirky characters, including Samuel Coldridge’s young sons, the story takes several unexpected turns. Having been to this area last summer, I enjoyed reading the descriptions of the lake and towns. If this were a movie, it would be rated R. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

Another cracking rad from Julia Golding featuring Dora and Jacob. This time they are in the Lake District, hanging out with the Lakes Poets, trying to track down missing poetry when dead bodies start springing up. So enjoyable. Love this series and hope for many more to come.

With two main characters who are so likeable, and never a dull moment, this book balances dark themes with a wry humour in a Regency setting. What a pleasure to revisit the beautiful, resourceful feisty actress turned sleuth Dora Fitz-Pennington and her now business partner, the smitten, loyal ex-army surgeon Dr. Jacob Sandys. Whilst taking a well-earned holiday in The Lakes the pair are approached to solve the brutal murder of a popular local magistrate. The Wordsworth Key is Julia Golding's excellent sequel to the Persephone Code and The Elgin Conspiracy. There is intrigue, poets, romantic rivalry and murders that place Dora in peril amidst the idyllic Cumbrian landscape. A delicious and satisfying read.

The Wordsworth Key offered another fun adventure for Dora and Jacob. This perhaps wasn't my favourite in the series so far, but it was still enjoyable, the plot entertaining, the action also advancing the relationship between the main characters and some of their family members. Everything moved at a good pace, which encouraged me to keep turning the pages, and it ended in a satisfying manner. I can't dwell too much on the plot to avoid spoilers, but a good few historical literary figures make an appearance. I am giving it 4 stars, and I hope we will have another mystery for the duo to solve soon.