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    Murder at Half Moon Gate
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    Murder at Half Moon Gate
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    Murder at Half Moon Gate
    Ebook432 pages7 hours

    Murder at Half Moon Gate

    By Andrea Penrose

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    As the Industrial Revolution roils London, “a daring pair of Regency sleuths tackle a series of coldblooded murders” in this historical mystery (Kirkus Reviews).
     
    When the eminent scientist Lord Wrexford discovers the body of a gifted inventor in a dark London alley, he promptly alerts the authorities. But Wrexford soon finds himself drawn into the murder investigation when the inventor’s widow tells him that the crime was no random robbery. Her husband’s designs for a new steam-powered engine went missing the night of his death. The plans could be worth a fortune . . .and very dangerous in the wrong hands.
     
    Joining Wrexford in his investigation is Charlotte Sloane, who publishes scathing political cartoons under the pseudonym A. J. Quill. Her extensive network of informants is critical for her work—and for tracking down the occasional killer. The suspects include ambitious assistants, greedy investors, and even the inventor’s widow. And when another victim falls, Wrexford and Sloane know they are on the trail of a cunning and deadly foe.
     
    “Penrose deftly combines a Regency romance with a tricky mystery that delves into social unrest and the darker side of this storied period.” —Kirkus Reviews
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKensington Books
    Release dateMar 27, 2018
    ISBN9781496710802
    Author

    Andrea Penrose

    Andrea Penrose is the USA Today bestselling author of Regency-era historical fiction, including the acclaimed Wrexford & Sloane mystery series, as well as Regency romances written under the names Cara Elliott and Andrea Pickens. Published internationally in ten languages, she is a three-time RITA Award finalist and the recipient of numerous writing awards, including two Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Historical Mystery and two Gold Leaf Awards. A graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Art and an M.F.A. in Graphic Design, Andrea fell in love with Regency England after reading Pride and Prejudice and has maintained a fascination with the era’s swirling silks and radical new ideas throughout her writing career. She lives in Connecticut and blogs with a community of historical fiction authors at WordWenches.com. She also can be found at AndreaPenrose.com and on Instagram @AndreaPenroseBooks.

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    Reviews for Murder at Half Moon Gate

    4/5

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    • 5/5
      A wealthy lord who happens to be a brilliant scientist . . . an enigmatic young widow who secretly pens satirical cartoons . . . a violent killing disguised as a robbery . . . Nothing is as it seems in Regency London, especially when the Earl of Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane join forces to solve a shocking murder.When Lord Wrexford discovers the body of a gifted inventor in a dark London alley, he promptly alerts the watchman and lets the authorities handle the matter. But Wrexford soon finds himself drawn into the murder investigation when the inventor’s widow begs for his assistance, claiming the crime was not a random robbery. It seems her husband’s designs for a revolutionary steam-powered engine went missing the night of his death. The plans could be worth a fortune . . . and very dangerous in the wrong hands.Joining Wrexford in his investigation is Charlotte Sloane, who uses the pseudonym A. J. Quill to publish her scathing political cartoons. Her extensive network of informants is critical for her work, but she doesn’t mind tapping that same web of spies to track down an elusive killer. Each suspect—from ambitious assistants to rich investors, and even the inventor’s widow—is entwined in a maze of secrets and lies that leads Wrexford and Sloane down London’s most perilous stews and darkest alleyways.With danger lurking at every turn, the potent combination of Wrexford’s analytical mind and Sloane’s exacting intuition begins to unravel the twisted motivations behind the inventor’s death. But they are up against a cunning and deadly foe—a killer ready to strike again before they can recover the inventor’s priceless designs . . .DUE OUT: MARCH 27, 2018MY THOUGHTS:I was sent this book in exchange for my honest review.What a thrilling ride! This second installment to the series is even better than the first. There is a murder to be solved and although that is a huge part of the book, there is another element, a character development element that continues to grow. As the book proceeds, the characters become well-fleshed out and more familiar to the reader. Their arcs continue to gravitate to completion as their inner struggles slowly dissolve into satisfying conclusions.The relationship between Wrexford and Sloane also continues to develop with glimpses into their intriguing pasts providing slivers of insight and generating a few questions.The setting is the Regency period London. The prologue grabs your attention and draws you in to the chase and atmosphere. The book is fast-paced and moves from one plot event to another with the addition of several plot twists along the way that keep you guessing about the murderer right up to the very end.What I like about Penrose’s writing is that each book can exist as a standalone if you wish, but the interactions and character growth may fall short for you without their backstory of the previous book, an excellent writing ploy, I might add. I certainly can see why this book is getting such great reviews. The author’s voice is intoxicating, making you want more of the emotions her writing generates.The era this book is written in, is highlighted throughout the author’s use of technological, scientific and social references, accenting changes that were occurring in England as seen and focused on by the people of this time. Opinions were heavily influenced by satirical cartoonists’ work (Sloane). The fact that the identity of these cartoonists could easily be hidden behind secret identities allowed for the author to use a woman for this character for a time-period when women in print and publication was not popular.The whole meshing of era, characters, and plot work so well for this series and I can’t wait to see what’s next.I found Wrexford typical of the male population of the times and Sloane, an excellent opposition of force for him. Emotional restraint was a social acceptance of this time which made people seem cold and disjointed, however, this is quickly undone for the main characters when they work together.I love all the characters. They are full of life traits that makes them seem real and likeable. The fact that some of the characters from the first book are revisited in the second gives expansion to the world the author has built and a realism that life influenced by these characters is affected by their presence.I loved, loved this book!
    • 5/5
      After discovering the body of a dead inventor, Lord Wrexford is content to allow the authorities to handle the matter. He is drawn into the case when the dead man's widow appeals to him for help. With the aid of Mrs. Sloane and more murders around every corner, Lord Wrexford finds himself once more in the dark side of Regency London.I have been looking forward to this book since I finished reading the first book of the series last year. I absolutely adore Lord Wrexford, who approaches everything with logic and science. He is balanced by Mrs. Sloane, who looks at problems from a more creative side. Together, they are stronger, and I loved that their relationship was allowed to grow in this second book.Once again, this duo faces a murder. More than one as they follow their leads. The suspect list grew with almost every page until it became obvious who the villain really was.This is without a doubt my favorite new series. I'm excited to see where the author takes Lord Wrexford and Mrs. Sloane in the future, and I hope Raven and Hawk continue to delight.I received a free copy from NetGalley and am reviewing of my own choice.
    • 5/5
      Bedazzled all over again!Another satisfyingly brilliant novel that follows the Earl of Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane and their small circle of unlikely and very likeable characters into the depths of the rookeries and dark places of London.Wrexford, seemingly diamond hard and astute, a man of Science and logic, with a softer side he hardly dares acknowledge. Charlotte and her double life as the leading satirical caricaturist A.J. Quill, still harboring her own deeply held secrets, always struggling for anonymity and keeping to the shadows. And of course, the weasels, Raven and Hawk, the unlikely guttersnipes that have captured my heart just like they've won Charlotte's, and dare I say Wrexford's if he'd own to having one.This time, as Penrose declaims in her wonderful author's note, "steam engines lie at the heart of the mystery" and this exacting duo and their comrades follow murder and mayhem set against the 'heart' of the mechanical revolution of the Regency Era. The notes are well worth looking at, giving an insight into the author's exacting understandings of the times and the political, social and economic machinations of the era.This is a time of great flux and change! And change is creeping up on Charlotte. She is moving to slightly more upmarket living quarters, with of course Raven and Hawk. (By the way their adaptation of new names is just wonderful along with Wrexford's elegant solution). For me I t's these little very human moments that set the Wrexford and Sloane mysteries apart from others of the same genre.Of course the story is littered with apt Latin phrases that Wrexford and Charlotte mutter to themselves reflect or quote at each other. "Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis—The times are changing, and we change with them. “I, of all people, ought not be intimidated by change,” [Charlotte] whispered. The gravitas of Latin usually served to steady her emotions."A further conundrum about Charlotte's background! How does a woman of this era know enough Latin to freely use it?The combination of mystery and the plethora of engaging characters makes this edgy series a joy to read. A new character that's been added and looks set to join the menagerie (I hope) is the rather wonderful, matter of fact, ready for anything, lady's maid, McClellan.I am particularly pleased that more is revealed about Charlotte. As I said in my review of the first of the series, Murder on Black Swan Lane, I'm hooked! And this new episode gives me no reason to unhook!A NetGalley ARC
    • 5/5
      In the second Wrexford and Sloane mystery, Wrexford and Charlotte investigate the death of inventor Elihu Ashton who is about to patent a revolutionary new steam engine. Wrexford is approached by the lovely widow of the inventor. Wrexford had corresponded with him about a problem Ashton was having with his boilers. Wrexford and his friend Sheffield had stumbled on Ashton's body as they were taking a shortcut through a dangerous part of town but didn't know who the victim was. Charlotte has been busying herself with a series of satirical cartoons about the current conflict between the new inventions and the workers who are being put out of work by them. She is also getting ready to move, along with her two young wards Raven and Hawk, to a more genteel part of town. She fears that as she has more contact with the gentility, her own deeply buried secrets of her past will be revealed. She is being assisted by her friend Jeremy, Lord Sterling, who has emptied some of his attics to help her furnish her new place which makes her feel indebted. Wrexford and Charlotte have a number of suspects including the inventor's secretary and assistant, all the investors in his invention, and even his lovely widow. When it is discovered that Lord Sterling is one of the investors and went to school with Ashton's assistant, Charlotte becomes even more determined to figure out who murdered Ashton and clear her friend's name.I loved the period detail. I also loved the growing relationship between Charlotte and Wrexford which can certainly change both of their lives. One of the major themes of this story was change and it was shown from the personal to the societal. This was an excellent mystery which made good use of the history of the time.
    • 4/5
      Lord Wrexford, a man of science, with his friend Sheffield discover the body of a brilliant inventor in a London alley. He leaves the discovery of the murderer to the Bow Street Runners until the widow asks for his help.
      Joining him in his investigation is Charlotte Sloane and her team of street urchins.
      Once again an enjoyable well-written story made better with the likeable and interesting group of characters.
      A NetGalley Book
    • 3/5
      2.5 stars rounded up. I wanted to like this series, but I didn't care much for this one either. I didn't entirely take to either of the main characters, and maybe even disliked the main male character a bit. I didn't notice any real chemistry between them, which is fine, they don't have to be love interests, but suddenly in this book, especially near the end, they just act like of course it's been there all long... I'm not impressed so I'm just going to end this series here.