***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
When one of her readers asks for advice following a suspected murder, Victorian countess Amelia Amesbury, who secretly pens the popular Lady Agony column, has no choice but to investigate in this first book in a charming new historical mystery series.
Amelia Amesbury—widow, mother, and countess—has a secret. Amelia writes for a London penny paper, doling out advice on fashion, relationships, and manners under the pen name Lady Agony. But when a lady’s maid writes Amelia to ask for advice when she believes her mistress has been murdered—and then ends up a victim herself—Amelia is determined to solve the case.
With the help of her best friend and a handsome marquis, Amelia begins to piece together the puzzle, but as each new thread of inquiry ends with a different suspect, the investigation grows ever more daunting. From London’s docks and ballrooms to grand country houses, Amelia tracks a killer, putting her reputation—and her life—on the line.
Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters is the first book in a new historical cozy mystery series. The series follows Amelia, the main character as she solves crimes in an era where women are not allowed to do such dirty work.
Story Recap:
Amelia Amesbury is a mother, a widow, and a countess, and she has a secret. She writes an advice column for a London paper where she gives advice to anyone who writes to Lady Agony.
When a ladies’ maid writes to Lady Agony that her mistress is dead and then the maid becomes a victim, Amelia starts to investigate. She enlists the help of her best friend, Kitty, as well as a handsome Marquis, Simon Bainbridge, to help solve the murders.
My Thoughts:
I have been enjoying mysteries more and more lately, especially those set in Victorian England, and this new series is another one to add to my list. I enjoyed the main character, Amelia very much. She’s honest and forthright in her investigation and she is a woman that I could easily root for.
As happens often in the first book of a series, I found the beginning a bit slow as we were introduced to the characters and the setting, but not so slow that I ever wanted to give up. And once the mystery got going, the pace picked up considerably and I couldn’t wait to get to the ending.
I enjoyed this book very much and I am already anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Murder in Postscript to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Mary Winters
Although I have degrees in Literature and Creative Writing, my love affair with Victorian fiction didn’t start in the classroom but with a monthly book club. I was a young eighteen years old, working a job I didn’t particularly enjoy, when I made the fortuitous decision to join a subscription service. From the moment I received my first chunky paperbacks and pink wine glass, I was hooked. I loved coming home and delving into my historical romances. They were the gateway to other historical fiction, including mysteries, like the Amelia Peabody series.
When I enrolled in college, I had already written my first novel, not surprisingly a historical romance. My professors frowned upon the genre, but I saw the heroines as nonconformists, constantly challenging the conventions of the time. Their fortitude inspired my own writing a great deal.
By the time I entered graduate school, I put away my romance novel and wrote a literary novel for my thesis. Then, when I graduated, I put away my literary novel and started a mystery series with an amateur sleuth professor.
But always my love for Victorian literature remained, and in 2019, when my family and I took a trip to England, it was reignited. Seeing Regent’s Park, Piccadilly, Grosvenor Square—all those places I had first read about so many years ago—I knew I wanted to write another book, a mystery, set in the time period. That book became Murder in Postscript, which will be published in 2023. I’m thrilled to see this first dream come true.
I had the same issues with the pacing with this one. Once the story got going I really enjoyed it but the beginning was a bit slow. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Great review, Wendy! I have such cover love for this book and it also sounds like a great story as well. I also love mysteries set in the past. Thanks for sharing!
I think I’m currently in my mystery era haha. I’ve been gobbling up mysteries lately and obviously, that means looking for new titles to add to my TBR. I recently heard good things about this on another blog as well, so it’s obviously a title I need to check out!! Great review 🙂
kamifurr
I have noticed your mystery love lately. I am enjoying the recommendations. I love a good mystery as well. This one looks delightful. I love that cover!
You know how much I love cozy mysteries, Wendy. I will have to watch for this series, it sounds like a fun one. Wonderful review.
I had the same issues with the pacing with this one. Once the story got going I really enjoyed it but the beginning was a bit slow. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This story seems like the perfect way for me to read more mystery books. Glad it’s Book 1 in a series 🙂
I like a good mystery from time to time! Good review, Wendy!
Hi Wendy!
Yea!! So glad to see you have also enjoyed this one! I found it delightful and a nice read through a very busy time!
Elza Reads
This sounds like so much fun. I enjoy mysteries, and ones in historical settings are very enjoyable. Great review, Wendy 🙂
I just started this one and I agree it’s a little slow going. Happy to hear it picks up and that you enjoyed it, Wendy!
I haven’t really read many like this but I might have to start as they sound really good, great review 😊
This one caught my eye for a future read b/c I love historical mysteries. Fun that you’re on a roll with this genre.
This sounds like a good series to get in on the ground floor.
I was just telling Katherine what a lovely cover this is! ☺
Great review, Wendy! I have such cover love for this book and it also sounds like a great story as well. I also love mysteries set in the past. Thanks for sharing!
Nice review, Wendy!
Pretty book cover.
Great review Wendy! I bet you’re glad it’s part of a series!
This one sounds really good Wendy. Wonderful review!🌸📚💜
This sounds great. I like women doing what they love in historical fiction, even though it has to be a secret. Excellent review!
I think I’m currently in my mystery era haha. I’ve been gobbling up mysteries lately and obviously, that means looking for new titles to add to my TBR. I recently heard good things about this on another blog as well, so it’s obviously a title I need to check out!! Great review 🙂
I have noticed your mystery love lately. I am enjoying the recommendations. I love a good mystery as well. This one looks delightful. I love that cover!
I love that she secretly wrote for am advice column which made way for her investigation. Lovely review, Wendy.
Thank you, Rae!
I like the sound of this, lovely review, Wendy.
Thank you, Cathy
This sounds fun. I love the Lady Agony angle. Very cool! Excellent review!
Thank you, Tessa
I liked this one a lot too.
Yay, I’m so glad you enjoyed it too