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Dora Fitz-Pennington find themselves drawn into the scandals of the British elite when William Wordsworth’s notebook of unpublished poems goes missing.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.

I’m really enjoying this series. Dora and Jacob are so perfect together - I love seeing their relationship grow. The mystery was red-herring filled and bounced all over - definitely kept me guessing. And a bombshell was dropped at the end, which I can only imagine will lead to awkward family dinners in the future. Can’t wait! Thanks to One More Chapter for the ARC.

"A dead body, a missing manuscript, and a villain intent on revenge...

1812

Investigative duo, Dora Fitz-Pennington and Dr Jacob Sandys, have escaped London and headed north to the Lakes, both needing time away from danger after their two most recent cases. Death, unfortunately, hasn't got the message that it isn't welcome to join them.

Now, as William Wordsworth's opus goes missing, and disappearances and a murder follow in quick succession, Dora and Jacob are forced to abandon their holiday and use their unique skills to track down a reckless killer intent on destroying the Romantic poets and all they stand for..."

Isn't it annoying when you just want a nice vacation and then there's death? I mean, Poirot probably likes that, but I can't really think of anyone else who would.

Dora and Jacob have quickly become one of my favorite sleuthing couples. I adore historical mysteries with a romantic subplot, but one of the fun differences with this series is that Dora and Jacob aren’t in a “will they, won’t they” slow-burn relationship. They got together in the first book and have been navigating a major class difference since. Dora’s an illegitimate actress and forget. Jacob is a third son of a viscount and physican who returned from war with an opium habit. They’re playful, but seriously devoted to each other, even though Dora doubts they can last in light of his position in society.

The mysteries in this series always involve real people and this one involves Wordsworth and the creative, passionate young men around him in the country. At first, there’s simply a lost poem, but when finding the poem intersects with a murder back in London, things get messy! Of course more dead bodies enter the picture and the politics of the day are a major factor in the story.

The pace is fast, but this isn’t necessarily a quick and easy read because the mystery is layered and there a large cast. Still, I devoured this in 24 hours.

Thanks to the publisher for early access. The opinions in this review is my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the preview. All opinions are my own.

This is another fantastic addition to the Jacob and Dora mystery series. This time we take a literary turn and venture into Lake Country with Wordsworth and Coleridge.

I just love Jacob and Dora; both their relationship and how good a pair they make in solving crimes. They have such respect for each other and an appreciation for their individual talents. Plus great chemistry and a tender relationship.

As usual, I followed all the red herrings, and didn’t figure out the culprit until our dynamic duo did.
I will say I absolutely hated Jacob’s brother Arthur. There was not a single instant he was on page that I didn’t want to smack him. Dora’s friend Ruby also tried my nerves. I was rather irritated by the ending on their account.

But I will absolutely read more of these! I love these 2 and want them to get an HEA on top of successfully solving their mysteries!

A great story in the third instalment of this series. Dora is a force to be reckoned with supported by always by her charming husband Jacob. The two have to work together to solve another Regency mystery. Set in a world of intrigue and fancy, this book is a great read.