London, England, October 1810
I am a fortunate woman; I know it. I have a home, though it is not mine. It belongs to my eldest brother, Leopold St. Germaine. I have servants and a carriage and driver, though none of my servants, even my maid, is actually in my employ; they are paid by my brother. I have gowns and jewels and my own money, though I am only afforded an allowance from my inheritance. As a lady I must have a gentleman to oversee it, and that gentleman is, unfortunately, that same eldest brother, Leopold. I am, according to the law, not competent to control my own fortune. If I marry it will become my husband’s, unless we agree on some other arrangement in the marriage settlements. Such is our society.
I have been asked to describe the routine of my usual day. As I reflect on it, it seems to mostly consist of hiding who I am. I shop for items I don’t need and have fittings for more gowns and pelisses and Spencers than I will ever wear. I attend the opera, or a play, or a recital or art exhibit with my companion, mostly so I will be seen in the right places with the right people.
For it would never do if my dear brother Leo (what drollery is that, to address him so, as dear?) discovered how I spend the best part of my day and evening, with whom and doing what. Those activities – the secret disguised outings, the dangerous nighttime travels, those ones I hold most important – I cannot speak of, not even to you. I clutch them to my bosom, those secrets, for without them I feel I am nothing, the veriest shadow of a woman.
My confidantes – dearest Fiddy, my cousin-companion; Gillies, my fierce Scottish maid; and Josephs, my faithful driver – along with a certain Jewish businessman of my acquaintance are the only ones who know all my secrets. Or. . . perhaps not all my secrets. Some I keep hidden in my heart, for they would forever taint even my dearest friends’ opinion of me.
I have a past of which I am not proud. I think I suspect so many men of evil doings because I know from my own desires and wretched shortcomings the evil I would have been willing to do if fate had not stepped in and changed my life. I have a violent heart; rage is my constant companion. I work to quell it, but am not always successful. I long to be kind, to be sweet, to be ladylike and lay down the burden of anger, but there is too much wrong in the world to do so. Fortunately I have a group of like-minded ladies who aid me in my quest to rescue those in trouble. I value that more than I can even say.
Perhaps that is why I understand that whomever murdered Sir Henry Claybourne may have had a good motive. He was a foul beast, an abusing wretch. If I didn’t fear being uncovered and blamed for the crime, I would not concern myself with bringing his killer to a dubious justice.
But I am in danger, and cannot rest. But neither can I stop doing those things that put me in danger. It is a dilemma, and one to which I see no easy solution, and so I seek whomever killed Sir Henry Claybourne, and hope the guilty soul is not someone for whom I care.
That, dear readers, is my day.
Giveaway: Comment below for a chance to win a one signed copy of A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder with a bookmark and a fan. U.S. and Canadian entries only, please. The giveaway ends February 11, 2019. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Emmeline St. Germaine in A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder, the first book in the NEW “Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder” historical mystery series, released February 8, 2019.
Scandal and slayings among Regency London’s elite
The shocking murder of Sir Henry Claybourne leaves Regency London shaken and horror-struck. But for genteel spinster Miss Emmeline St. Germaine, the crime slices far too close to home.
Just hours before the knight’s death she held a dagger to him, threatening him to stay silent as she rescued a scullery maid he had procured for his pleasure.
Did the man— or woman— who murdered the knight know of her visit? Her secret identity at risk, her reputation and life in jeopardy, Emmeline must solve the crime or face scandalous exposure and ruination, or worse— the hangman’s noose— for a crime she did not commit.
Purchase Link
Coming soon as an audio book from Tantor!
# # # # # # # # # # #
About the author
Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of author Donna Lea Simpson. Victoria is the national bestselling author of two mystery series, the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mysteries. She is also the bestselling author of Regency and historical romance as Donna Lea Simpson.
Her latest adventure in writing is a Regency-set historical mystery series, starting with A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder, published by Midnight Ink! Don’t miss out on this bold, adventurous series featuring gentlewoman Miss Emmeline St. Germaine, a young lady intent on defying every expectation that she will be demure and retiring; she’s a lady with a dagger, and she knows how to use it.
She now happily writes about vintage kitchen collecting, muffin baking and dead bodies for publisher Beyond the Page for the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries (the first five books of the series were published by Berkley Prime Crime) and Merry Muffin Mystery series, also moving to Beyond the Page this year.
Visit Victoria at victoriahamiltonmysteries.com and on Facebook. Victoria also blogs at Killer Characters.
All comments are welcomed.
This books sounds great! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I love this cover. I also love stories that are written in the past eras. I read Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mysteries series. I have been a fan of hers(Victoria Hamilton) for sometime now.
Sounds really interesting. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
This sounds great….historical reads are fun and I love starting a new series at the beginning. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Love her other books. This sounds very different. Thanks for the chance.
I can’t wait to read this historical book – I have enjoyed Victoria Hamilton’s Vintage Kitchen Mysteries very much! Thank you for the giveaway.
Awesome Giveaway
Thanks for the chance to win 😃💖😍💗
Spooky looking cover
Shared on Twitter 😍❤😍
https://mobile.twitter.com/LindaMoffitt02/status/1093858860413186053
I generally prefer contemporary mysteries but I had the opportunity to read the first chapter of this book/series. Wow! It is definitely on my must read list. I have enjoyed Ms. Hamilton’s Vintage Kitchen series very much. I have no doubt this new work will provide equal enjoyment.
This sounds interesting
Fascinating historical which is unique. Wonderful feature and giveaway. Thanks.
I can’t wait to find out more of Emmeline’s secrets. And is Leo that awful?
I am infatuated with historical fiction and Victoria Hamilton is one of the best authors for it. Thanks Dru Ann for your review and information about Ms. Hamilton’s latest book.
This book sounds great! Thanks for the contest.
Thanks for this historical. The series would be very interesting and enjoyed.
I have been impatiently waiting for this book to come out and look forward to reading it. Thank you for the chance to win.
This sounds very intriguing. I will put this on my TBR list right away. Congratulations to Victoria Hamilton on the new series, and thank you for the giveaway!
Wow, this story sounds like it has quite the complex heroine! Very intriguing.
A Day in the Life of Miss Emmeline St. Germaine has certainly whetted my appetite to know more about this mysterious lady. I look forward to reading this book and appreciate your featuring it on your blog, Dru Ann ~
I appreciate all of Virginia Hamilton’s books.
She writes with great style.
Wow, that’s some description of a character–can’t wait to read it and find out about her secret life.
Yes please, I’d love to win that gift pack. The fan would come in handy when those nasty hot flashes hit.
Sounds interesting and a change from what I have read from her before! Thanks!
I’ve not read you before but this sounds like a great read.
I love historical mysteries, especially Regency and Victorian so it’d be great to win this.
Miss Emmeline St. Germaine sounds like a very interesting character.
I am intrigued by Emmeline. I’m dying to know more about her. With her intellect, Sir Henry’s murderer doesn’t stand a chance. I hope she escapes the danger that her curiosity has attracted.
Sounds like a character like me. Emmeline feels one way, but has to act another. Women in Regency and Victorian times had men control their lives. They weren’t suppose to understand the world. Her character is in hiding. I feel like that sometimes in this day and age. I love historical mysteries. I often felt I was born in the wrong era. That’s why I enjoy reading books from a long ago era. This series sounds especially intriguing. The era I love to read about.
I really like the 1810 time period in the book. Will be interesting to read about how women were treated in that era. Looking forward to reading, adding to my TBR list.
Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’m intrigued. This sounds like a fascinating read!
Thanks for the info on what looks like an interesting book
Thank you for this, It definitely is interesting!!!
Thanks for offering a chance to win this book!
This sounds like an awesome new series. I love strong women!
Thanks for the chance to win this book and great swag!
Emmeline seems like a great lady. I look forward to reading her story.
Looks like a good start to a new series
Love her books! Thanks for a chance to win this one.
This author has been one of whom I have enjoyed with her Vintage Kitchen mysteries especially. Those books bring back such fond memories of my youth and they were so interesting. I can’t say I lived in Victorian times 😄 but I do enjoy historical mysteries by another author whom I love. So I really would be interested in reading this book as I’m sure it will be enjoyed very much.
Thank you for the opportunity to possibly win this book and the fan. (I still use hand fans especially when my daughter and granddaughters and I go to tea rooms for lunch or high tea and pastries!!
Thanks so much for the chance to win.
Cynthia
**** WINNER ****
A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder with bookmark and fan is Audrey Stewart
Congratulations!