Henrietta and Clive's wedding finally arrived and they are off on their honeymoon starting in England. There is eventually a murder but not really much of a mystery story, more of a family saga. So a diappointment for me and I still find that I don't like the character of Henrietta.
A NetGalley Book ( )

Wedding bells! Wedding bells!! Wedding bells!!!

Is the wedding and celebration to be the bride's wishes or will she have to accept all the plans of her future Mother-in-law Antonia? Can the wedding plans be resolved to the delight and satisfaction of Henrietta and Antonia? Then it's time for the honeymoon in England and introduction of Henrietta to more of the family at Castle Linley, the Howards' ancestral estate in England.

There are also changes ahead for Henrietta's Mother and siblings as planned by father/grandfather Oldrich Exley. Oldrich isn't used to having his willful decisions questioned or challenged.

I am enchanted with reading this series and can't wait to read the next novel in this series! ( )

Finally back to being a mystery novel.... although it did take quite a long time to get to the mystery.

Henrietta & Clive are now married, her family is ensconced in an upper class neighborhood with their Grandfather having sent the children off to boarding school, Eugene (the thief) to military school, & her sister Elsie to their Aunt Agatha for lessons on becoming a "lady".

Henrietta & Clive go off to England to stay w/ his English family where the mystery occurs. Clive's cousin Wallace disappears most every night, when a London Estate Agent is murdered w/ Wallace's cane things look dim for Wallace as he refuses to give an alibi.

Clive & Henrietta investigate Wallace's disappearances which in turn provide for his innocence.

Clive was rather a misogynist in this one and Henrietta's sister turns out to be utterly stupid in love.

Too many of the characters are "deplorables". ( )

A Little Downton Abbey, a LOT of Jane Austen, and a bit of Nick and Nora Charles

This third book in a series featuring a couple that was destined to be together in a variety of adventures and family intrigue is a fun ditty that mixes up several genres (romance, mystery, historical fiction) with liberal nods to the archetype works on which it’s based. Though readers will benefit from reading the first two books, the many references will just make you want to go back and delve deeper. This episode in the life of Henrietta and Inspector Howard is clearly designed to take these beloved characters into a new era, just as possibly into English country house territory as into the tradition of married sleuths who hang out a shingle. Each time you’re certain you know which way this is headed, Cox throws in another ringer. It’s a stay-tuned novel that will make the news that a fourth is coming soon very welcome. ( )

This is my second book featuring Henrietta and Inspector Howard. These two are a couple in love from two different sides of society. That doesn’t bother Clive Howard though – he is in love and he doesn’t care who Henrietta’s family is. He just wants to settle down with her and live their lives. But circumstances, responsibilities and life itself is not going to let that happen.

The bulk of this book is the preparation for and the wedding of Clive and Henrietta. A fair bit of time is also spent on the disposition of Henrietta’s family and her sister’s relationships. I’m sure that this is all laying groundwork for future books which is just fine by me as I thoroughly love being immersed in the lives of the characters that Ms. Cox has created.

The mystery aspect of this novel doesn’t really kick in until the last third of the tale while Henrietta and Clive are on their honeymoon in England visiting family. While staying at the family castle (?!) a man is murdered in the local town and the suspect is Clive’s cousin. Even though Clive has resigned from the police department he is still a detective at heart and so he interjects himself into the investigation – for his cousin’s sake of course! Henrietta also helps but finds herself learning that being Mrs. Howard brings out a side of Clive she does not necessarily like.

I enjoyed this book as it further fleshed out the characters from the A Ring of Truth. Much more of Henrietta’s mother’s story was told and it allows the reader to understand the root of her bitterness. There is not a lot of plot in this tale as the action as it were does not really happen until the end of the book. There is a small subplot involving Henrietta’s sister, Elsie and her romances.

Ms. Cox takes great care in setting the scenes for her characters. It could be the denizens of a dance club or a party in the toniest house in the city. As the reader you will feel as if you are there with the characters as all is so well depicted. I am really looking forward to the next installment in this endearing series. ( )