4 stars for a solid addition to this excellent historical mystery series. It is set in London, January, 1814. Alexi Sauvage has introduced Hero Devlin to a 8 months pregnant wife of a recently impressed cooper. Her husband was snatched of the street by a Royal Navy press gang. She is desperate need of food and coal. Hero and her friend Alexi assist her in the successful birth of her child.
They are returning to Hero's carriage when they stumble upon the body of a woman. Hero recognizes her as Jane Ambrose, piano teacher to Princess Charlotte, the Regent's daughter. She sends word to her husband, Sebastian St Cyr, Viscount Devlin. Sauvage has told Hero that the body was moved after death, due to the lack of blood from the wound. Devlin decides to investigate what was either a murder or manslaughter.
However, the Palace does not want this classed as a murder, because it would embarrass the Royal family. The authorities announce that she died as a result of a fall, hitting her head.
Devlin angers some powerful people by investigating and is attacked. He does solve the murder. There are many suspects with twists and turns in the plot. I was not sure of who the killer was until near the end.
I like that the author incorporates the use of terms in use in 1814 London:
Footpad=robber
cutpurse=thief
Description of Hero's clothes: "Unable to use her carriage in the snow-filled streets and scorning sedan chairs, she pulled on demi-broquins of fine morocco lined with fur, wrapped herself in a fur trimmed pelisse with a matching Swedish hat fastened up on one side, and walked."
The author discusses the plight of the poor, compared with the rich and the inequities of limited suffrage, and limitations placed upon talented women in Regency Britain.
I recommend that you read this series in order, as there are developments in Devlin's personal life throughout the series. See my review of book 1 What Angels Fear: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read this library book in 3 days.