It’s been a while since I posted a book recommendation. I slowed down a bit over the past couple weeks as I was finishing up a semester of my bible classes and taking exams.
In searching for my next read, I had scrolled through my Goodreads “want to read” list. This one had been on their for a while – Murder on Black Swan Lane. It looked “Sherlock Holmes-ish,” so I read it.
I had no idea that this was part of a series of books. I lucked out because it is the first of the Wrexford and Sloane series. It was written in 2017. Andrea Penrose had put out a Wrexford and Sloane novel every year since, with the latest due out this year. That will bring the series up to 9 mysteries.
I was right in my thoughts that it was Holmes-ish. It takes place in England and would be considered “Regency-era historical fiction.” Before I move on here is the Goodreads synopsis:
In Regency London, an unconventional scientist and a fearless female artist form an unlikely alliance to expose unspeakable evil . . .
The Earl of Wrexford possesses a brilliant scientific mind, but boredom and pride lead him to reckless behavior. He does not suffer fools gladly. So when pompous, pious Reverend Josiah Holworthy publicly condemns him for debauchery, Wrexford unsheathes his rapier-sharp wit and strikes back. As their war of words escalates, London’s most popular satirical cartoonist, A.J. Quill, skewers them both. But then the clergyman is found slain in a church—his face burned by chemicals, his throat slashed ear to ear—and Wrexford finds himself the chief suspect.
The thing I liked about this was that it broke away from the “norm.” Instead of there being a murder and a detective swoops in to solve the crime, the main suspect has to solve it to save himself. You see the story from a whole new angle. The suspect is in a race against time to put together the pieces before he is arrested and tried for a crime he didn’t commit.
The book was not one of those “find out who the killer is on the last page” books. Whether you consider that a spoiler or not, I don’t know. I will just say that the way everything falls into place adds to the excitement and leaves you waiting for the next adventure.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 