Murder at Half Moon Gate

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Language
English

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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 . . .

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ISBN
9781496710796
9781496710802
9781681686400

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Also in this Series

  • Murder on Black Swan Lane (Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries Volume 1) Cover
  • Murder at Half Moon Gate (Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries Volume 2) Cover
  • Murder at Kensington Palace (Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries Volume 3) Cover
  • Murder at Queen's Landing (Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries Volume 4) Cover
  • Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens (Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries Volume 5) Cover
  • Murder at the Serpentine Bridge (Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries Volume 6) Cover
  • Murder at the Merton Library (Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries Volume 7) Cover
  • Murder at King's Crossing (Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries Volume 8) Cover

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Aristocrats-cum-scientists are roped into dangerous criminal investigations in these richly detailed and atmospheric historical mysteries set in Regency (Wrexford and Sloane) and 1920s (Saffron Everleigh) England. -- Andrienne Cruz
These series have the genres "historical mysteries" and "victorian mysteries"; the subjects "murder investigation," "english history," and "nobility"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These series have the appeal factors atmospheric, and they have the genres "historical mysteries" and "victorian mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation," "english history," and "nobility."
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NoveList recommends "Saffron Everleigh mysteries" for fans of "Wrexford and Sloane historical mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
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C. S. Harris and Andrea Penrose write mysteries set in Regency England with aristocratic sleuths. These appealing aristocrats wander through society's estates solving crimes for family and friends. The stories capture the feel of the period through historical detail and interesting characters. Fast paced and fun, these are clever mysteries. -- Merle Jacob
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Published Reviews

Publisher's Weekly Review

Early in Penrose's able second Regency mystery (after 2017's Murder on Black Swan Lane), the Earl of Wrexford, a respected amateur chemist, is returning home from a night of gambling when he stumbles over a mutilated corpse in London's disreputable St. Giles district. He's shocked to learn that the victim is an acquaintance, Elihu Ashton, a textile factory owner who shares his scientific bent. Elihu's widow, Isobel, who reveals that Elihu recently designed a new type of steam engine with huge profit potential, asks Wrexford's help in discovering the killer. Z-shaped slashes on the body point to a radical anti-industrial group called the Workers of Zion, but additional clues persuade Wrexford and his detecting partner, artist Charlotte Sloane, that the crime is more complex. Elihu's assistant and the drawings of his invention go missing, a coded message turns up, and everyone from Isobel to Elihu's investors is hiding secrets. Penrose reveals intriguing new aspects of her protagonists' characters and relationship in a story linked to the era's technological and social changes. Agent: Gail Fortune, Fortune Talbot Agency. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
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Library Journal Review

After a night of gambling, Lord -Wrexford and his friend Sheffield, discover a dead body in an alley. Always a scientist, -Wrexford checks on the victim, although he turns the case over to a watchman. It isn't long before the victim's widow shows up at Wrexford's home begging for his assistance, claiming he had once helped her husband, an inventor, who had been working a revolutionary steam engine design. Wrexford turns to Charlotte Sloane, who under the pseudonym A.J. Quill, is recognized as a skilled satirical cartoonist. Together, the two use his society friends, her network of informers, and a group of clever street urchins to investigate the murder of a man whose inventions could change industry and England forever. VERDICT The compelling follow-up to Murder on Black Swan Lane is an intricately plotted mystery set in Regency England. Its complex story line and authentic historical details bring the early days of the Industrial Revolution vividly to life. Bound to fascinate readers of C.S. Harris and even fans of Victorian mysteries.-Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Kirkus Book Review

A daring pair of Regency sleuths tackle a series of coldblooded murders.The Earl of Wrexford met Charlotte Sloane when they were forced to work together to solve a dastardly crime (Murder on Black Swan Lane, 2017). Wrexford is a wealthy, easily bored aristocrat with a scientific bent. For her part, the mysterious Charlotte, under the nom de plume A.J. Quill, which she took over from her late husband, uses her artistic talents and sharp wit to sell her satirical drawings. When Wrexford and his friend Christopher Sheffield stumble over the brutally murdered body of well-known inventor Elihu Ashton, he can't refuse the widow's request to find the killer. Isobel Ashton suspects that her husband's killer wanted to steal the rights to his new invention, which could make the first person to file a patent very wealthy indeed. Charlotte, meanwhile, is moving to a larger house in a better neighborhood along with Raven and Hawk, the chief boys among the street urchins she uses to keep up with the latest gossip and misdeeds that provide grist for her satires. After Wrexford enlists Charlotte's network to help track down Ashton's killer, their suspicions are divided among the widow, who is stunningly attractive but amazingly cool; Ashton's secretary and assistant; and investors hungry to enrich themselves. Gabriel Hollis, who had something to do with the note that lured Ashton to his death, is the next to die. Although the murders have been set up to look like the work of a group of radical workers whose jobs have been taken over by machines, the sleuths feel more personal relationships hold the key to the case.Penrose deftly combines a Regency romance with a tricky mystery that delves into social unrest and the darker side of this storied period. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Library Journal Reviews

After a night of gambling, Lord Wrexford and his friend Sheffield, discover a dead body in an alley. Always a scientist, Wrexford checks on the victim, although he turns the case over to a watchman. It isn't long before the victim's widow shows up at Wrexford's home begging for his assistance, claiming he had once helped her husband, an inventor, who had been working a revolutionary steam engine design. Wrexford turns to Charlotte Sloane, who under the pseudonym A.J. Quill, is recognized as a skilled satirical cartoonist. Together, the two use his society friends, her network of informers, and a group of clever street urchins to investigate the murder of a man whose inventions could change industry and England forever. VERDICT The compelling follow-up to Murder on Black Swan Lane is an intricately plotted mystery set in Regency England. Its complex story line and authentic historical details bring the early days of the Industrial Revolution vividly to life. Bound to fascinate readers of C.S. Harris and even fans of Victorian mysteries.—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Copyright 2018 Library Journal.

Copyright 2018 Library Journal.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

Early in Penrose's able second Regency mystery (after 2017's Murder on Black Swan Lane), the Earl of Wrexford, a respected amateur chemist, is returning home from a night of gambling when he stumbles over a mutilated corpse in London's disreputable St. Giles district. He's shocked to learn that the victim is an acquaintance, Elihu Ashton, a textile factory owner who shares his scientific bent. Elihu's widow, Isobel, who reveals that Elihu recently designed a new type of steam engine with huge profit potential, asks Wrexford's help in discovering the killer. Z-shaped slashes on the body point to a radical anti-industrial group called the Workers of Zion, but additional clues persuade Wrexford and his detecting partner, artist Charlotte Sloane, that the crime is more complex. Elihu's assistant and the drawings of his invention go missing, a coded message turns up, and everyone from Isobel to Elihu's investors is hiding secrets. Penrose reveals intriguing new aspects of her protagonists' characters and relationship in a story linked to the era's technological and social changes. Agent: Gail Fortune, Fortune Talbot Agency. (Apr.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly.
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