Former lovers become reluctant allies in this delightfully witty historical rom-com from the bestselling author of A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem—for fans of Evie Dunmore, Enola Holmes, and Netflix's Bridgerton!
England, 1867: As half of the writing duo behind England’s most infamous crime column, Miss Caroline Hardcastle has quite the scandalous reputation. It may have cost her a fiancé, but she would much rather bring attention to crimes against those ignored by society than worry about what the ton thinks of her.
After Caro’s dear friend is kidnapped, however, she has no choice but to work with Lord Valentine Thorn, the same man who broke her heart. Worse, when her actions put her father’s business at risk, a marriage of convenience may be her only solution . . . but can she trust Val to stand by her? Or will their past repeat itself?
Val—the new Viscount Wrackham—is in an untenable position: His father is demanding he find a respectable bride to secure the succession. Yet the only woman he’s ever loved, Miss Caroline Hardcastle, is notorious for behaving improperly. And she’s never forgiven him for his youthful transgressions, missteps made in the name of familial duty, but ones he still regrets to this day.
As they grow closer to unmasking the culprit, Val sees an opportunity to show Caro he’s a changed man. But can he convince her to give their love a second chance—before death does them part?
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"A delectable mystery that reads like Victorian Moonlighting (with a good heaping of Nancy Drew's gumption). Collins writes with a brisk whimsy, her diverting characters popping off the page . . . adroitly threading the needle of her darkly amusing sense of humor, genuine suspense, and a deep sense of connection. . . . A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem is wickedly smart, so engrossing it'd be a crime not to read it immediately."
— Entertainment Weekly on A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem
“Narrator Mary Jane Wells transports listeners to mid-nineteenth-century England…Using a wide variety of accents, Wells flawlessly portrays all levels of English society, from tough thugs to aristocrats. Wells’s performance sparkles as Caroline and Valentine grow closer while working to solve the mysteries of the missing.”
— AudioFileAfter delighting readers with A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (2020), Collins is back in fine fettle with another fetching mix of sprightly wit, nimble plotting, and engaging characters that is certain to endear her to fans of historical romances and cozier historical mysteries.
— BooklistUtterly charming.
— PopSugar on A Lady's Guide to Mischief and MayhemA fun and flirty historical rom-com with a mystery afoot!
— SYFY WIRE on A Lady's Guide to Mischief and MayhemSmartly plotted, superbly executed, and splendidly witty.
— Booklist on A Lady's Guide to Mischief and MayhemThoroughly enjoyable.
— Library Journal on A Lady's Guide to Mischief and MayhemBoth romance and mystery fans will find this a treat.
— Publishers Weekly on A Lady's Guide to Mischief and MayhemManda Collins smoothly blends romance and an English country-house whodunit . . . The twists and turns of the plot will keep readers guessing, but Kate's independent attitude and the interesting friends she gathers around her bring the story to vivid life.
— Bookpage on A Lady's Guide to Mischief and MayhemWhen I pick up a Manda Collins book, I know I'm in for a treat. With compelling characters and a rich Victorian setting, A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem weaves mystery and romance into one enthralling tale.
— Tessa Dare, New York Times bestselling author[Manda] Collins is a delight! I read A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem waaay past my bedtime, absorbed by its spot-on period detail, the well-crafted characters, and of course the intriguing mystery. Brava!
— Elizabeth Hoyt, New York Times bestselling authorWith wicked smart dialogue and incredibly strong characters, Manda Collins reminds me why I love historical romance so much. Witty, intelligent, and hard to put down, you'll love A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem.
— Rachel Van Dyken, #1 New York Times bestselling authorMystery, romance and an indomitable heroine make for a brisk, compelling read.
— Madeline Hunter, New York Times bestselling authorManda Collins writes sexy and smart historical romance, with a big dash of fun.
— Vanessa Kelly, USA Today bestselling authorSexy, thrilling, romantic . . . Manda Collins makes her Regency world a place any reader would want to dwell.
— Kieran Kramer, USA Today bestselling authorBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Manda Collins spent her teen years wishing she’d been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. When she’s not writing, she’s helping other people use books, as an academic librarian.
Mary Jane Wells (a.k.a. McAllister Lee) is a British actress, writer, voice-over artist, and Earphones Award and Audie Award–winning narrator. A graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, she held a recurring role on the BBC’s Half Moon Investigates and narrated the BBC Three television show My Children, which won a Scottish BAFTA.