Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

Description

Set against the timelessly intriguing backdrop of 1830s high-society London, this delightful historical mystery series features Miss Caroline Morton, daughter of a disgraced earl, now gainfully employed as a lady’s companion—along with a sideline in sleuthing . . .

Lady Caroline is happy to be back amid the swirl of London society, guiding her employer’s daughter, Dorothy Frogerton, through her first Season. Declared “an original” by a patron of the exclusive social club, Almack’s, Dorothy is sifting through potential suitors. Mrs. Frogerton, meanwhile, finds her own diversions, including spiritualist gatherings at the home of Madam Lavinia, and begs Caroline to come along.

Caroline is skeptical of Madam’s antics and faux French accent—until she slips a note into Caroline’s hand, which contains intimate family knowledge. Even as Caroline tries to discern whether the spiritualist’s powers are real, a much darker mystery presents itself: Madam Lavinia is found lifeless in her chair, a half-empty glass of port at her elbow. In her desk is a note addressed to Caroline, entreating her to find her murderer.

Caroline needs no psychic abilities to determine a motive, for it seems that Madam was blackmailing clients and has left a trail of aggrieved aristocrats behind. But as Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton investigate further, they find other suspects, and deceptions, some very close to home. Now Caroline must keep all her wits about her if she is to stop others from joining Madam Lavinia in the afterlife . . .Praise For the Miss Morton Mystery Series By Catherine Lloyd:

“[A] lively historical cozy…Numerous plausible suspects and perceptive observations on the period’s social mores make this an entertaining entry in the series. More Morton mysteries would be welcome.” –Publishers Weekly on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

“A charming combination of mystery, Regency romance, and social mores.” –Kirkus Reviews on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

“A thoroughly captivating Victorian whodunit.” –Historical Novel Society on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

“A fast paced, well-written walk through London’s high society in 1838.” –New York Journal of Books on Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld
 
“Social injustices, prejudices, and all things Regency, including the appropriate flowery narrative, may be hard pills for present-day readers to swallow, but are era appropriate and well researched in this superb series debut. Caroline is an absolute gem of a heroine, whom readers will surely come to love as she bravely maneuvers through polite society to gather evidence and determine whodunit. Regardless of the unresolved ending, fans of historical mysteries and uncompromising women protagonists will find Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder impossible to put down.” –Mystery Scene Magazine
 
“A charming cross between a Regency romance and a well-constructed detective story with a surprising denouement.” –Kirkus Reviews on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder
 
“[A] smart and colorful sleuthing trio.” –Publishers Weekly on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder

“Utterly engrossing.” –Historical Novel Society on Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder

“Lloyd’s story has myriad twists and turns—enough to keep the reader entranced—all the while thinking they have solved the crime and discovering that they have not. Lloyd’s imagination takes us on a roller coaster ride through the murders, romances, illicit affairs, and secrets of Regency England, enough so it is hard to put the book down.” –New York Journal of Books on Miss Morton and the English House Party MurderCatherine Lloyd is the acclaimed author of Regency-set historical mysteries, including the Kurland St. Mary Mystery series and Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder. Born just outside London, England into a large family of dreamers, artists, and history lovers, she holds a master’s degree in history from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. She currently lives in Hawaii with her husband and four children and can be found online at Catherine-Lloyd.com.US