Cecelia knows there's something wrong at Danby. Paintings and other knock knacks have gone missing but no one is kicking up a fuss. Plus, it's just expensive to be in the upper classes of England these days. Her parents are trying to get her married off (lovingly, but there is still pressure) and they've invited am American heiress to a house party in the hopes that she will fall in love with Cecelia's brother, Patrick.There is a brief moment of horror when the ship the heiress is on sinks but she does show up with her maid, Jane, in tow. The party begins but almost comes to an abrupt halt when one of the guests, a famous explorer, dies at dinner. The heiress is convinced the poison he drank was meant for her. There are more obvious reasons to kill the explorer but when there's another attack, it seems like she may be right.
Jane and Cecelia hit it off, bonding over the cat, Jack, that Jane rescued from the ship. And it is their work that helps them solve the case, but not before they are in some danger.
Some world building since this is the first book in the series and the ending was a little overdramatic but overall an enjoyable read.
Three and a half stars
This book comes out November 26th
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Groupand NetGalley
Opinions are my own
