I'm usually a little dubious when authors use famous historical figures as their main characters-especially doing things that seem outside the realm of believability. In this case, I had no cause to worry. The Heir is an excellently written peek inside Kensington Palace walls at a young Princess Victoria, chafing against the rules and restrictions placed on her by her mother and advisors, and the manipulations and machinations of Sir John Conroy. Introducing Sir John's daughter, Jane, as a foil and helper to the young princess as they scheme to get around the prying eyes of ladies in waiting and paid off servants gives the princess her own confederate to add to trusty Baroness Lehzen. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery, and I hope there will be more in this series!

I found this book to be completely fascinating, and I read it in a single afternoon. Not only was the mystery compelling, but the political maneuverings at the palace? Good lord! And it’s all the more shocking to be based on Victoria’s actual upbringing. I’ll happily read more of this series from Darcie Wilde (as long as I can get more Rosalind Thorne, too). Thanks to Kensington for the ARC.

A fascinating mystery that brings to life the early years of the future Queen Victoria, letting her solve a mystery that, although fictional, sheds light on forces that would shape her character. I do hope Wilde brings us more mysteries and more glimpses into the formation of Queen Victoria.

The Heir
by Darcie Wilde
Pub Date: Aug 26 2025

Destined for a life beyond her wildest dreams, born fifth in succession to the throne, and determined to get to the bottom of a most foul puzzle, the future queen vows to solve the mystery of a dead man scandalously discovered on the grounds of Kensington Palace—by her!

The young Victoria remembers nothing but Kensington Palace. Arriving as a baby, she has been brought up inside its musty, mold-ridden walls. Others may see the value of Kensington’s priceless artifacts and objets d’art, but the palace is a jail cell for young Victoria. Raised with an incredibly strict regimen to follow, watched at all times by her mother, the controlling, German-born Victoire, and Victoire’s prized advisor, the power-hungry Sir John Conroy, the bright 15-year-old is allowed no freedom at any time—except that which she steals or wheedles for, always in the company of Conroy’s resentful daughter, Jane.

But one fateful afternoon, Victoria slips away from her mother to ride out on her beloved gelding, Prince. With reluctant Jane in tow, the princess gallops out from the palace green. But what would normally be an uneventful trot around very familiar terrain presents the mutinous princess with a most bewildering sight—a dead man, and on the grounds of the palace, no less.

Determined to get to the bottom of the inscrutable puzzle, young Victoria is met with shocking disrespect and any number of obstacles. Sir John lies to her, her uncles and aunts join with her mother to stonewall her questions and curtail her movements. But Victoria will not be deterred. With Jane Conroy as a tentative and untrustworthy ally, Victoria’s first “case” is underway . . .

I have mixed feelings on this book, and I am sure I will be in the minority. Several people already love it and I am sure many more will too

Princess Victoria, who would later become Queen Victoria, is one of my favorite historical figures. I love learning about her and thought a mystery with her as a Princess solving it would be a good story.

Parts of it are good, and parts of it really seemed to drag on. There is some language included which didn’t feel appropriate given the time period, but that is my opinion

It’s well known that Victoire and Conroy were absolutely awful to the Princess and that fact is driven home more times than I can count.

I do think this could be the start of a good series and I might even read the next one, but this one was not for me. The drama went a little overboard and I often found myself skipping ahead to see what was happening.

I did enjoy seeing Victoria and Jane becoming more bold in their actions as the story progressed. In fact, those were my favorite parts. A definite indication of the Queen that would later rule England.

Thank you to Kensington Books for the copy of this book. All views are my own.

The Heir by Darcie Wilde is a great historical mystery that is the first in a new series: A Young Queen Victoria Mystery. I really liked this one.

I love anything involving Queen Victoria, but I do not think I have read anything that incorporates the historic Queen into a fictional narrative, and also including a murder mystery. It was so cute to read her thoughts and interactions with her family, staff, and navigating her constraints and strengths for a successful investigation.

I really feel that the author did a good job blending fact and fiction to create a realistic fiction narrative. Jane and Victoria are great sleuthing partners and I really am excited about where this series can go.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/26/25.

I loved this book it was a delightful tale with wonderful characters and settings. I received a review copy from NetGalley but the views and opinions expressed herein are my own.

An exciting first in a new series featuring a young Queen Victoria as a sleuth. Histfic fans will cheer and wait as breathlessly as I am for her next adventure. Huzzah!

This book is everything I love about historical romances. The romance is subtle but brimming with tension, woven into Victoria’s journey of defiance and discovery. The dynamic between her and Jane crackles with suspicion and reluctant trust, adding another layer of complexity to an already gripping story. I love how the book doesn’t just explore the mystery but also Victoria’s fierce determination to carve out her own destiny. It is a historical romance with a bite, a heroine with a mind sharper than any courtly scheme, and a story that keeps you utterly enthralled.