'A rip-roaring, helter-skelter adventure careening breathlessly through Regency society… An uproarious delight ' Historical Novel Society

'A rip-roaring, helter-skelter adventure careening breathlessly through Regency society… An uproarious delight ' Historical Novel Society

1812 London

Up-and-coming novelist Jane Austen joins forces with London's most esteemed investigative duo – actress Dora Fitz-Pennington and Dr Jacob Sandys – to solve the brutal murder of a French count and his opera singer wife. The killer took his own life immediately after the crime – but who sent him and why?

As they find themselves swept up in the shadowy world of international espionage, can Dora and Jacob uncover the truth without jeopardising national security, and with their betrothal still intact? And will their unique love story end up in the pages of one of Austen’s novels?

Praise for Julia Golding 'Who can resist a smart, resourceful and independent Regency heroine?Prepare to fall head over heels' Good Housekeeping ‘I won't lie, I picked this book up because of the cover –absolutely stunning…it was a perfect read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This bookwas so good, I couldn't put it down’** ⭐⭐** ⭐⭐⭐

‘** Simply delicious!This book is absolutely glorious…in the midst of a lot of Regency retellings, it stands out … There isa wry wit throughout which balances beautifully** with the dark themes’** ⭐⭐**⭐⭐⭐

‘This book is absolutely fantastic!!!I was so caught up in reading it that I missed lunch, and it was past time to start dinner. Only the rumbling of my stomach made me put it down for a quick meal, after which I resumed my reading’** ⭐⭐** ⭐⭐⭐

‘Starts with a bang, never really pauses for breath, and has two main protagonists who are instantly likeable and easy to cheer for!’** ⭐⭐** ⭐⭐

‘A roller-coaster ridewith plenty of twists’** ⭐⭐** ⭐⭐

‘** What a compelling read!I found it a captivating, dynamic and enthralling book that kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end’ ⭐⭐** ⭐⭐

‘The writing of this book was exquisite… I was hanging on to every last word’** ⭐⭐** ⭐⭐