Alex Haversham has become the fourth man in four years to hold the title of Duke of Fordham, when his elder brother, Freddie, is found dead. It is Lady Georgiana Fenton, the fiancée of Freddie who determines that he has been murdered. Lady Georgiana and Fordham are determined to find the killer.
Unfortunately, although an enjoyable story I would say it is more a romance story than the murder mystery tale I had hoped to read.
The book can easily be read as a standalone story even though it is the third in the series.
A Netgalley Book ( )

The Last Duke Standing by Cheryl Bolen
Book #3: The Lords of Eton Trilogy
Source: ARC from author and NetGalley
My Rating: 5 HUGE stars

As I come to the end of The Lords of Eton trilogy, I find myself wishing two very different things: 1) I wish the Lords of Eton had a great many more friends so the series can go on and, 2) I am so glad the series is limited to these three alone as it is such a strong series that I have truly enjoyed.

Alex never considered he would become the Duke of Fordham; as the third son, his role was never meant to be a leader but as circumstances and life have shown, situations can change quickly and without warning. In the wake of the untimely deaths of his two elder brothers, Alex has assumed the title of Duke of Fordham and he must now readjust his thinking and his life to accommodate his new role. In a most unfortunate turn, Alex’s first act as Duke of Fordham is to inform his brother’s betrothed of his death.

Lady Georgiana Fenton is not to be trifled with. As the first born among her siblings, she has always, despite her small stature, been a forceful and somewhat aggressive woman with a fierce intelligence behind her actions. She is pragmatic, somewhat stoic and not at all accepting of the explanation of the cause of her fiancé’s death. In fact, Lady Georgiana is certain he was murdered and with the help of the new duke, she intends to prove just that!

To say Alex is intrigued by Lady Georgiana Fenton is putting is mildly. She isn’t at all the type of woman he is normally attracted to and yet, he finds himself drawn to her. With her sharp tongue, quick wit, and keen intelligence, she is match for Alex in every way imaginable. With the investigation into his brother’s demise between them, Alex finds ways to spend time with Lady Georgiana and though she often infuriates and vexes him, she also fascinates him. From Lady Georgiana’s perspective the new Duke of Fordham is a stubborn and most unusual man who, though not intended to be entitled, seems to be taking to the role quite nicely. In fact, from where Lady Georgiana is standing, Alex is ideally suited to his new role and approaches it in a far more serious manner than her late fiancé did. This, much to her great consternation pleases (and irritates 😊) Lady Georgiana.

The Bottom Line: If I haven’t said it before, I’m saying it now: Cheryl Bolen is one of my absolute favorite authors across all genres! Bolen always delivers for me with characters who aren’t just interesting, but real. Alex is immediately likeable, Lord Wycliff and Sinjin are clear favorites, and Lady Georgiana is the star of the show. This is one of the elements of Bolen’s writing I have always appreciated, she never writes simpering, incapable, or weak women, but women with their own thoughts and feelings, clear intelligence, a core strength that sustains them, and attitudes typically well ahead of there time and place. Hands down, one of my favorite character types!! As with nearly every other book by Bolen, and especially this trilogy, I blazed through this book in record time. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guess, the various tensions running through the whole book, and the presence of so many familiar and wonderful characters all dedicated to helping one another. While I certainly hate to see these characters go, I am also glad they are leaving as they are, with a clear sense of friendship, devotion, and loyalty to one another that has permeated the entire trilogy. Pay attention, lovers of historical romance and intrigue because this trilogy is for you and you’re not going to want to miss it 😊 ( )

Dukes a dying!

Alex, the newly minted Duke of Fordham by unfortunate happenstance (death of his older brother) was never more shocked when his seemingly healthy brother died in his sleep. Not only did he lose a brother, (admittedly they weren't that close) but he now had to give up being a member of the House of Commons and walk in the halls of the House of Lords.
More than that he had to notify his brother's fiancé, Lady Georgiana Fenton, of her betroth's demise.
What Alex didn't plan for was Georgina arriving on the doorstep with a hastily flung together portmanteau. Who was this unusual, 'take charge' woman who insisted on viewing his brother's dead body, then decided that they'd need a doctor's opinion to determine if he'd been smothered.
Now all Georgina and Alex need to do is find the killer. At the top of Georgina's list was Alex!
What neither of them had counted on was the strong attachment that might be more a hindrance than a help.
I loved Georgina but didn't warm to Alex that much. I must admit that the unmasking of the culprit was a bit of a surprise.

A Harper & Appleton ARC via NetGalley ( )

Last Duke Standing by Cheryl Bolen
Have enjoyed the series and this one starts out with Alex and Lord Slade and they are gathered in the library discussing the death of Alex oldest brother. Alex will now inherit everything but his intended fiancée must be told....
She upon seeing his body thinks he was suffocated and she and Alex will work together to find out who murdered Freddie.
They spend a lot of time together, actually getting to know one another and like each other a bit more... Georginna doesn't want to spend a lot of time at her mother's because her grandkids are hellions and not under control by their parents who also live there.
She has to show him the letters that point to another who could have killed his brother...there are other leads that Alex takes up.
Some clues lead to Alex but she knows in her heart it couldn't have been him...
Like the politics and art mentioned in this book and land deals and what they could mean to others...
He knows who killed his brother because of the horse and he knows horses! They are coming after him next...love the trio and how they stand by one another.
Other works by the author and summarized at the end.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion. ( )