A Gentleman of Fortune

February 21, 2011
At the start of Dean's agreeable sequel to 2010's Bellfield Hall, Miss Dido Kent, who's visiting fashionable Richmond in the spring of 1806, writes to her sister about the death of a neighbor, Mrs. Lansdale, carried off "by a sudden seizure." When it appears to be a case of murder, suspicion points to the deceased's nephew, Henry Lansdale, much to the distress of Henry's friend Flora, who's Miss Dido's cousin. Miss Dido sets out to prove Henry innocent, but her investigation takes some unexpected turns: "She had never supposed that the quiet death of a respectable old lady could lead her into such dark and distressing matters—or uncover so many shocking secrets." The plight of a gentleman raised in luxury yet entirely dependent on the good will of elderly relatives will resonate with fans of Jane Austen's Emma.

Starred review from April 15, 2011

A murder among the English gentility once again challenges the inquisitive prowess of Miss Dido Kent (Bellfield Hall, 2010, etc.).

Dido is residing in the fashionable town of Richmond with her cousin, Mrs. Flora Beaumont, when the ladies learn that the charming, eligible bachelor Mr. Lansdale has finally come into his fortune on the death of his invalid aunt. This happy occasion is disrupted by the vicious gossip of Mrs. Midgely, a neighbor who insinuates that Mrs. Lansdale was murdered. Certainly Dido considers the circumstances strange. She notes the death of the victim's little lap dog and a puzzling burglary through a window broken from the inside. When Mrs. Midgely prevails upon the local apothecary to bring the case to the magistrates, Dido gives in to her natural curiosity. By paying visits, eavesdropping in shops and attending to the subtleties of parlor games, Dido aspires to defend Mr. Lansdale's innocence. She is assisted in her endeavors by Mr. William Lomax, with whom she hopes to share mutual affection. As the plot thickens, Dido begins to doubt Mr. Lansdale's innocence, and Mr. Lomax presumes to entreat Dido to cease her investigations for her own safety. In the end, however, she manages to untangle the mystery and preserve justice, all while remaining the soul of discretion.

Delightful. The clever puzzle and pitch-perfect Regency prose will charm readers.

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February 15, 2011

In May 1806, Miss Dido Kent has arrived in Richmond for a visit with her cousin Mrs. Flora Beaumont. Dido is meant to be relaxing after having spent the winter assisting a nervous sister-in-law with her sickly baby, but Dido isn't one to be idle. When a near neighbor and friend of the Beaumonts, Mr. Lansdale, comes under suspicion for the sudden death of his wealthy aunt, Dido agrees to help clear his name. Mr. William Lomax's arrival provides the greatest challenge for Dido; how can she retain his good opinion while ignoring his request to end her investigation, even for her own safety? This second novel, following Bellfield Hall, is Dido's chance to begin embracing her naturally inquisitive nature and her strong deductive reasoning. Looking past the surface ideals of respectable Regency society, the author thoughtfully explores the limited choices women, both married and single, were allowed. VERDICT With its engaging characters and stories of substance, this compelling series will give enjoyment to fans of Anne Perry, Agatha Christie, or Deanna Raybourn. [Library marketing.]--Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH

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