October 1786
To: His Lordship the Earl of Harecross
Of: Harecross Manor, County Kent, England
From the hand of Lady Anne Addison.
Dearest Papa:
You asked, in your latest letter, about a day in my life while I reside in Bath with Mother and Grandmama. I am spending the Bath Season as you might expect, dissolute with activity! My mornings are spent with the seamstress, Mrs. McKellar, who has the loveliest hand with embroidery you could imagine. My afternoons pass visiting friends and acquaintance, and my evenings in decadence.
Knowing how you feel about Bath I will not bore you with tedious reminders of how many people were in the Pump Room, and how many at the last assembly. I will not recount my evening at the Assembly Rooms concert, tho’ the most recent was magnificent; Telemann was never done so well under any other conductor.
But despite my busy-ness, I have reacquainted myself with my dear school friend Mrs. Alethea Birkenhead. Do you remember little Thea, who you thought such a harum-scarum child? She is all grown up, a proper missus now. She has introduced me to their friends, Mr. Alfred Lonsdale (nephew to Mrs. Clary Blasenstoke. . . you remember Mama’s particular friend?) a rather disconsolate vicar, and his friend, a scoundrel by the name of Mr. Thomas Graeme. I have grave doubts about the suitability of Mr. Graeme as a friend to a vicar; he seems suspect to me, and yet I know not what to suspect him of.
So I find my time here more entertaining than I expected, though there are puzzling goings-on I find curious, to say the least. Chief among them is a most fascinating mystery! Lolly and I went to visit the Mystic of Bath, an elderly woman who does not even wear a turban, but who prognosticates and foretells from a seedy room above Margaret’s Buildings. It was most entertaining, but I’ll confess to a feeling of unease in her presence. She knew too much about me. All are clamoring for a visit; Lydia desires to go, and Quin already went with me. Even he, the most skeptical of all my friends, was shaken by her accuracy concerning the most intimate of his life’s details.
And all of this uses up my time while I await Lord Darkefell. I know he spoke with you, Papa, and I know I am all but committed to him, but I cannot find the courage to declare our engagement to the world, not when I know what a furor it will cause, and how I will become the cynosure of all. Bath is a gossip-filled city, as you know. I cannot bear it, not until he arrives anyway.
I will close with my love, of course—you always have it—and to my dear brother Jamey too. Mother stepped in just now and urged me to send her love to Jamey. She says she thinks of him often. Do you think it true, Papa? I wish to believe it.
Anyway, you both have my love, and I am pleased to hear from you that the new secretary is working out. Mr. Boatin has arrived in Bath to procure a townhome for Darkefell; I’m sure he will have news for me.
So with such mysteries and unknowns before me, I bid you adieu, dearest Papa. I hope to see you soon.
Your affectionate daughter,
Anne.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win $20 USD Amazon gift card/certificate. Giveaway ends July 10, 2020. Good luck everyone!
Lady Anne and the Menacing Mystic is the fourth book in the “Lady Anne Addison” historical mystery series, released July 7, 2020.
Lady Anne is in Bath staying with her mother and grandmother while planning her nuptials and awaiting the arrival of Lord Darkefell. Word reaches her of a profoundly accurate mystic working in town, and while she doesn’t believe in such things, she’s eager to visit for an hour of harmless entertainment.
But the Mystic of Bath seems to know things, and her dark pronouncements have a decidedly harmful affect on Lady Anne’s friends, and may even have led a gentle and well-liked local cleric to take his own life. Or. . . did someone else have a hand in his death? He had secrets and enemies, Anne learns.
Convinced that the woman’s predictions are part of larger swindle, possibly in league with other mysterious individuals who have become prominent on the Bath scene, Lady Anne must navigate the swirling rumors and murky affiliations of Bath society to unmask the charlatan for what she is and discover the real culprit behind a tragic death.
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About the author
Victoria Hamilton is the national bestselling author of four mystery series: the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries; the Merry Muffin Mysteries; the Lady Anne Addison Historical Mysteries and the Gentlewoman’s Guide Regency Mysteries.
Victoria loves to read, especially mystery novels, and enjoys good tea and cheap wine, the company of friends, and has a newfound appreciation for opera. She enjoys crocheting and beading, but a good book can tempt her away from almost anything. . . except writing!
She now happily writes about vintage kitchen collecting, muffin baking and dead bodies – among other mysterious topics for publisher Beyond the Page.
Visit Victoria’s website at victoriahamiltonmysteries.com and sign up for her newsletter! You can also connect with Victoria on social media at Facebook, on Twitter or on the Gentlewoman’s Guide & Lady Anne Addison Facebook page.
All comments are welcomed.
Please enter me in the giveaway. Best of luck with the latest book!
I have one of the books. I love historical mysteries!
Nice letter and way to hear about her goings on. Bath seems to be a very popular place! Thanks for the chance to win!
Intriguing! Thank you for the chance to win.
wfnren at aol dot com
I enjoy Victoria Hamilton books. I have not read this series. Would love to try this series.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. Although I have not read any in this series, I enjoy the books in your other series.
Love the cover! Also sounds like a great read!
This sounds like a really interesting story. Thanks for the contest.
This historical mystery sounds captivating and unique. Beautiful cover artwork.
I haven’t read this series yet. I’ll be checking it out.
Bath is one of my favorite British cities, so I am very intrigued after reading A Day in the Life of Lady Anne Addison and look forward to reading about her time there ~
This author’s mystery would be greatly enjoyed. What a dramatic cover and fascinating story.
Thank you for the wonderful introduction to Anne! I am eager to start this series now.
Gorgeous cover and an excellent teaser for the story with her letter!! I am familiar with this series but haven’t read any yet. Thanks for the chance to win.
Yes please Dru, I’d love to be entered into the giveaway. My Amazon book buying fund is running a bit low.
I have really gotten interested in historical fiction/mysteries. Victoria Hamilton is one of the best authors I’ve found in this genre. Thanks for your review and also the opportunity to enter your giveaway.
Enjoy reading historical fiction.
I loved the letter format! Now I’m really curious about the family relationships and Lord Darkefell. What an ominous name!
I really enjoy historical mysteries. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance.
I am a fan of this author’s books. The missive to Lady Anne’s father reminds me of the lost fun of receiving actual chatty letters.
New author and series for me, sounds good!
Dreaming of all I can buy with a $20 gift card. Please!
Please enter me to win this giveaway!
I love being able to experience another time period thru a historical mystery!
Nice to see you all here!! Hope you enjoy the book…
LOVE the cover!!!
I love reading historical mysteries! I read the first one and loved it. Please enter me in the contest. Thank you for chance and this series!
**** WINNER ****
$20 USD Amazon gift card is Michelle Fidler
Congratulations!