1814 has arrived and Atlas Catesby is back from Jamaica. At the request of his friend Lady Roselyn he starts to investigate the death of Gordon Davis, a clerk, who is brother to her maid. Davis' death has been pronounced as an accident.
A well-written, enjoyable mystery with characters that I like.
A NetGalley Book ( )

Lady Lillianna asks Atlas Catesby’s help in solving a murder. Her maid’s brother has been poisoned but the death is ruled an accident. As they investigate, they discover that the brother was a gigolo and there are plenty of suspects with secrets to hide, all the while Lilliana and Atlas are falling deeper in love. ( )

The second installment in D.M. Quincy's Atlas Catesby series, Murder in Bloomsbury is a beguiling historical mystery.

Atlas Catesby has not been home long from his latest travels when he unexpectedly teams up with Lady Roslyn Lilliana Sterling Warwick to investigate the death of Gordon Davis, the brother of Lilliana’s maid, Tacy. Gordon died from an overdose of arsenic and his death has been ruled accidental. However, there are enough inconsistencies surrounding his death that Atlas agrees there is chance foul play might be involved, so he and Lilliana begin their investigation.

Atlas quickly discovers that Gordon had no shortage of enemies. He was incredibly good looking and he was well liked by the ladies. He definitely had aspirations of rising above his lower class status and he had no trouble turning the heads of aristocratic young women. Atlas also learns that Davis lost more than a few positions over his improper relationships. He also hears a rumor about Gordon's ongoing romance with a married woman whom he supposedly truly loved. He and Lilliana quickly determine that Gordon was an indiscriminate lover who did not care if he ruined the young ladies' reputations and he was quick to use blackmail to line his pockets.

In between the investigation, Atlas tries to keep his distance from Lilliana due to their complicated history together. He holds her in the highest esteem so he wants nothing but the best for her and her two young sons. Atlas is dismayed by the news that she is being courted by the Marquess of Roxbury but he also knows the Marquess can offer her everything she deserves in life. But will Lilliana agree with Atlas's assessment?

Murder in Bloomsbury is a fast-paced mystery with a charming cast of characters. Atlas is quite clever and his penchant for solving puzzles serves him well as he tries to unearth the truth about Gordon's death. Lilliana is a strong and independent woman who knows her own mind and does not hesitate to go after what she wants. D.M. Quincy brings the setting and time period vividly to life. An absolutely delightful addition to the Atlas Catesby series that will leave readers eagerly awaiting Atlas and Lilliana's next adventure. ( )

Actually this book was quite entertaining, it held my interest, & I even liked the characters.... This series is similar to the Charles Lenox series by Charles Finch and since there has yet to be a new installment, this filled in quite well. But unlike the Charles Lenox series, this book has a lighter less formal tone.

Atlas Catesby is a member of the aristocracy and an adventurer. The previous year saw him attempting to clear both his & Lady Lilliana Warwick's names of murder. Now as he has hoped to relieve his memory & heart of lady Lilliana, he finds himself once again in close dealings with her, while attempting to suss out a murderer.

The contemptible brother of Lady Lillliana's maid has been found dead. Authorities are calling his death an accident, but the maid insists it was murder.

The dead man was a charmer of women of all stations of life and more than one person had reason to kill him....

Nicely written, easy & entertaining to read. ( )

I like this series; this is book 2, and the second that I have read. It is a bit of a readalike for Charles Finch's Charles Lenox Mysteries. In the first one, I noticed a few atmospheric bits that took me out of the Regency era into the Victorian era, but was not too troubled because the story was unexpected and entertaining.

In this second book, that happened more frequently. And while I am currently reading a surprisingly similar series, I can not stop comparing the two. Both heroes are gentleman recovering from an injury to their foot, and both have been lucky enough to stumble into friendship with a pink of the ton. I use the word lucky, because that allows them to move more freely in society, and society views the friendship as such. Both men consider themselves socially at the lower end of the scale, barely gentleman. Both have a strong sense of honour and protective streak. So far, both seem to have a bit of a forbidden romance with an 'untouchable female'. And both solve mysteries.

Atlas Catesby is summoned to help Lady Roslyn look into the death of her maid's brother. Atlas shows no subtlety, and charges around aggressively questioning newly met people of all social status, which they seem to allow with little reluctance. Shockingly anachronistic behavior is discovered. A wife of a peer talks freely and bluntly about an affair that she is having, to a man she has just met. The plot moppets that were bouncing around book one make a tiny appearance. Atlas's sense of honour suddenly seems mercurial. For example, when he learns that Elizabeth could not have killed Davis, even though she is convinced that she has, and is distraught. He does not even think of telling her that she could not have killed him, while she is overwrought for a few days. Stop by for 5 minutes to reassure her? No, let her stress about losing her family and being put to death. Cad.

This series has inconsistencies. In the characters, in the writing, in the timing. It just is not as good as the first in the series. Things are told, not shown, and told again. And again. Very early in the book, we meet young Harriet, walking on the street with a slingshot. Immediately I am thinking, that slingshot will reappear at the denouement. Sure enough, Harriet is absent for the entire book, and than pops back in at the end to cheerfully pop the baddie in the head with a rock to save the day.

I am not sure whether I will continue with this series, as my tbr is ginormous. And I am reading a very similar yet seemingly superior series, which I prefer. Might check back again later.

*eARC Netgalley* ( )