Cleopatra Fox sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we, the readers, can get to know her better. Are you ready? Here’s Cleo!

What is your full name?
Cleopatra Fox

How old are you?
23

What is your profession?
I call myself a private detective, but don’t tell my family. They wouldn’t approve.

Do you have a significant other?
It’s complicated.

Do you have any children?
No

Do you have any siblings?
No, but I have 2 cousins who have become like a brother and sister to me ever since we reconnected last year.

Are your parents nearby?
They died when I was 10. I was raised by my maternal grandparents, who have also died. I moved in with my aunt and uncle who’d been estranged to me up until last year. They live in a luxury hotel in Mayfair (owned by my uncle) where I now live too.

Who is your best friend?
Harmony, one of the maids in the hotel. She’s independent, courageous and smart. But she’s built a cage around her heart to protect it – not that one of the hotel cooks has noticed. It’s fun watching him try to flirt with her.

Do you have any pets?
No.

What town do you live in?
London. It’s the year 1900.

Do you live in a small town or a big city?
City

What type of dwelling do you own or rent?
I live in my uncle and aunt’s hotel in Mayfair, the most exclusive area of London.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
My suite of rooms gives me refuge from the busy city and hotel. I also like the library.

What is your favorite meal and dessert?
I love afternoon tea in the Mayfair Hotel’s sitting room. It’s famous in London for its delicious confections, sandwiches, scones and tarts.

Do you have any hobbies?
Some consider my crime solving as a hobby. It does consume a lot of my time.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
I’ve never been on a holiday. Growing up, we couldn’t afford one.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
Spending time with my friends, particularly Harry Armitage. But don’t tell him that. He’s egotistical enough as it is. Our relationship is complicated, but after a rocky start, he has become my favorite person.

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
Cleopatra Fox: An Unconventional Woman

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Amateur. The staff at the hotel help me solve crimes, as does Harry Armitage. His father is a detective for Scotland Yard so we get inside knowledge through him.

What is a typical day in your life like in general and when you are on a case?
There is no such thing as a typical day when I’m working a case. It depends on where the clues take me. When not investigating, I do what is expected of the niece of one of London’s wealthiest families – attend luncheons and afternoon teas, shop with my cousin, go to museums or on walks, attend the theatre. Most of it’s dull and I try to get out of it as much as possible, but appearances are important to my family and they are important to me, so I do what I have to.

Murder in the Drawing Room, A Cleopatra Fox Mystery #3
Genre: Historical
Release: December 2021
Purchase Link

Scandal, secrets and bawdy photographs are uncovered when the wife of a politician is murdered. Untangle the lies with Cleo and her friends and find the killer.

When Harry Armitage passes an investigation to Cleo involving adultery, they both think it will end in divorce. But when the client’s wife is found stabbed in her drawing room, it becomes clear that marital problems are only part of the story. Reluctantly joining forces, Cleo and Harry realize the wrong person was targeted, but the police think they have their killer and refuse to look elsewhere.

Taking on the investigation themselves, they peel back the lies and expose the sordid details of a marriage in tatters, and see firsthand how gossip and politics fuel the machinations of high society.

Meanwhile, at the Mayfair Hotel, expansion plans are on the menu, causing tensions to heat up in the kitchen between the chef and Cleo’s uncle. To make matters worse, Cleo’s family notices her spending less time at the hotel and more time investigating – and some members don’t like it.

About the author
With more than 2 million copies of her books sold, C.J. Archer is the USA Today bestselling author of over 50 novels in the historical mystery and historical fantasy genres. She lives in Australia, sets her books in England, and has fans all over the world. For more information about her books or to contact C.J, check out her website at cjarcher.com.

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