When I started reading this book, I had no idea that there were previous books featuring Dan Foster but now I'm certainly interested enough to go back and read them. I liked that this wasn't just an upper-crust ton Regency era mystery but had the grittier side of life during that time. There's two murders in this book, one Dan is ordered to help solve and one that he doesn't want to let go without solving. There are two side stories one involving Dan's son and another involves a suspect in one of the murders that adds to this. I hope there's more books in the future with these characters.

5 stars

A young woman was raped and beaten to death in a shed outside a public house. Dan Foster who is an officer at Bow Street responds to the call. But he barely starts his investigation when he is pulled off the case to work with John Townsend on the murder of a woman named Louise Parmeter. She was a former actress and former lover of Prince George. Dan is surprised for John has never liked him.

John acts like a bully, is too quick to judge and makes ill-advised snap decisions. Dan tries to talk some sense into him, but John brushes him off. Dan is determined to continue with his investigation into to unnamed woman's death as well.

Other duties have taken John's attention away, so Dan is left to work Ms. Parmeter's murder alone. Which suits him.

This is a very well written and plotted historical novel. Ms. Boyce has done an outstanding job in describing the citizenry and conditions of the London of that era. The poverty and hopelessness of the working person in contrast to the wealth and opulence of the upper classes. And Prince George – just wow... I felt like a real-life witness to the goings on as the scenes were described so very well. The historical research that Ms. Boyce delved in to was evident in her attention to detail. This was my first Lucienne Boyce novel, but it won't be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to look at her other books. I truly enjoyed this novel.

I want to thank NetGalley and Cameron Publicity & Marketing, Ltd. For forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely great book for me to read, enjoy and review.

This is the third book in the Dan Foster mysteries and is set in Georgian England. Dan Foster is investigating the two unrelated murders of women..This book is well-paced and interesting but, not having read the previous 2 books, I feel a little at a disadvantage. I'd recommend going back and reading the first two.