The Pittsburgh Writer March is all about mystery. Mysteries and the occasional murder. There’s also a healthy mix of historical fiction, fairy tale fantasy, murder mysteries, and accidental letters. What I also like is that all of these were published in recent years and not just within 2022/2023. It’s quite all right to give older books some love as well. Without much else to say on the subject, here are all the books I plan to read in March 2023!
The Gilded Shroud
Series: Lady Fan Mystery Book 1
Length: 392 pages
Pub date: 21 June 2018
Synopsis: When a murder is committed a lady’s companion finds herself as an amateur sleuth…
1789, London. When Emily Fanshawe, Marchioness of Polbrook, is found strangled in her bedchamber, suspicion immediately falls on those residing in the grand house in Hanover Square.
Emily’s husband – Randal Fanshawe, Lord Polbrook – fled in the night and is chief suspect – much to the dismay of his family. Ottilia Draycott is brought in as the new lady’s companion to Sybilla, Dowager Marchioness and soon finds herself assisting younger son, Lord Francis Fanshawe in his investigations.
The Last Storm
Series: Rogue x Ara Book 1
Length: 355 pages
Pub date: 12 November 2022
Synopsis:Hidden in the shadow of her controlling father, General Evander of Auryna, Ara has never tasted true freedom. For most of her life, she’s been locked away in his estate as he is determined to protect her from the bloodthirsty Fae across the border. But as her twenty-sixth birthday comes and goes, he decides it’s time for her to marry, against her wishes and completely unbeknownst to her.
Ara’s fate is sealed the moment he announces her engagement.
Rogue Draki’s entire life has been a painful truth.
Raised at the hands of his father, the merciless king of Ravaryn, Rogue has never tasted an ounce of kindness. Now that his father is dead, the crown has been thrust upon him, and it is his responsibility to save his people from the wrath of Auryna.
It is for that reason he crosses the border into Auryna to spy on the court in the Capitol—for secrets, leverage, anything. Rogue’s fate is sealed the moment he lays eyes on Ara Starrin.
Murder at the Mayfair Hotel
Series: Cleopatra Fox Mysteries Book 1
Length: 402 pages
Pub date: 1 December 2020
Synopsis: It was the most fashionable place to stay in London, until murder made a reservation. Solve the puzzle in this new cozy historical mystery from USA Today bestselling author of the Glass and Steele series.
December 1899. After the death of her beloved grandmother, Cleopatra Fox moves into the luxury hotel owned by her estranged uncle in the hopes of putting hardship and loneliness behind her. But the poisoning of a guest on Christmas Eve throws her new life, and the hotel, into chaos.
Cleo quickly realizes no one can be trusted, not Scotland Yard and especially not the hotel’s charming assistant manager. With the New Year’s Eve ball approaching fast and the hotel’s reputation hanging by a thread, Cleo must find the killer before the ball, and the hotel itself, are ruined. But catching a murderer proves just as difficult as navigating the hotel’s hierarchy and the peculiarities of her family.
Can Cleo find the killer before the new century begins? Or will someone get away with murder?
Murder at Half Moon Gate
Series: A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery Book Two
Length: 370 pages
Pub date: 27 March, 2018
Synopsis: As the Industrial Revolution roils London, “a daring pair of Regency sleuths tackle a series of coldblooded murders” in this historical mystery (Kirkus Reviews).
When the eminent scientist Lord Wrexford discovers the body of a gifted inventor in a dark London alley, he promptly alerts the authorities. But Wrexford soon finds himself drawn into the murder investigation when the inventor’s widow tells him that the crime was no random robbery. Her husband’s designs for a new 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 publishes scathing political cartoons under the pseudonym A. J. Quill. Her extensive network of informants is critical for her work—and for tracking down the occasional killer. The suspects include ambitious assistants, greedy investors, and even the inventor’s widow. And when another victim falls, Wrexford and Sloane know they are on the trail of a cunning and deadly foe.
A Brazen Curiosity
Series: Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries Book 1
Length: 225 pages
Pub date: 5 August 2018
Synopsis: Nothing ruins a lovely house party like bloody murder.
At the decrepit old age of six-and-twenty, Miss Beatrice Hyde-Clare has virtually no hope of landing a husband. An orphan living off her relatives’ charity, her job is to sit with her needlework and to keep her thoughts to herself.
When Bea receives an invitation to an elegant country party, she intends to do just that. Not even the presence of the aggravatingly handsome Duke of Kesgrave could lead this young lady to scandal. True, she might wish to pour her bowl of turtle soup on his aristocratic head – however, she would never actually do it. But a lady can fantasize.
But, when she stumbles upon the dead body of another houseguest, all Bea’s good intentions fly out the well-appointed window. Although the magistrate declares it a suicide, she knows better.
Time for some very unladylike behavior.
Lady Ludmilla’s Accidental Letter
Series: Merry Spinsters, Charming Rogues Book 1
Length: 266 pages
Pub date: 25 February 2022
Synopsis: A resolute spinster. An irresistible rake. One accidental letter… Can love triumph over this hopeless muddle in the middle of the London season?
Lady Ludmilla Windmere is mortified. The spinster extraordinaire has fallen in love with her best friend, and that cannot be. The problem? She hasn’t met him. Not once. For they have only ever corresponded by letter. When she sets out to uncover his identity, her world shatters. For Addy turns out to be none other but London’s worst rake.
Adrian St.Addington is perturbed. The rakehell extraordinaire is developing a marked tendre for a spinster, and that cannot be. The problem? She might be mistaking him for someone he is not. Or, what is worse, know precisely who he is. A depraved heart like his surely cannot fall in love…least of all with a plain, outspoken spinster.
Determined to discover the truth behind the man she loves, Lu does what she does best: she sits down and writes a letter…
I must say that I am really enjoying the covers for the last two stories I shared. It seems like publishers and cover designers are really breaking the mold and finally thinking outside the box. I know they say we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but whomever came up with that phrase just didn’t know how to look for a gorgeous cover! What books do you plan on reading this month?
