Murder in Westminster

A Riveting Regency Historical Mystery

The Lady Worthing Mysteries #1

by Vanessa Riley

Published by: Kensington

Imprint: Kensington

352 Pages, 5.55 x 8.28 x 0.89 in

ISBN: 9781496738691
On Sale: 09/26/2023
FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Historical

$16.95 (USD)

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Praise

Perfect for readers looking for a darker twist on Bridgerton, this first in a vibrant, inclusive historical mystery series from a acclaimed author Vanessa Riley portrays the true diversity of the Regency-era, as an aristocrat whose skin color and notorious family history have left her with few friends she can rely on is named as the prime suspect in a murder case…

“A great read to add to your current must-read lists.” – Essence Magazine

“Riley’s storytelling gift is strong and her prose is lovely and evocative…particularly clever.” – Mystery Scene Magazine
“Snappy dialogue, abundant intrigue, and Abbie and Stapleton’s increasingly flirtatious antagonism keep the tension high and the narrative drive strong. Smart, fun, and full of moxie.”—Kirkus Reviews

A BiblioLifestyle Most Anticipated Mystery

Discovering a body on her property presents Lady Abigail Worthing with more than one pressing problem. The victim is Juliet, the wife of her neighbor, Stapleton Henderson. Although Abigail has little connection with the lady in question, she expects to be under suspicion. Abigail’s skin color and her mother’s notorious past have earned her a certain reputation among the ton, and no amount of wealth or status will eclipse it.

Abigail can’t divulge that she was attending a secret pro-abolition meeting at the time of the murder. To her surprise, Henderson offers her an alibi. Though he and Juliet were long estranged, he feels a certain loyalty to his late wife. Perhaps together, he and Abigail can learn the truth. . . . Abigail, whose marriage was not a love match, knows well how appearances can deceive—and how treacherous London’s high society can be. Yet who would have killed Juliet, and why? Taking the reins of her life in a way she never has before, Abby intends to find out—but she may uncover more danger than she ever imagined . . .

Praise for MURDER IN WESMINSTER

“Riley’s inclusive, keenly drawn cast shines a light on the role of people of color in the Regency era…Snappy dialogue, abundant intrigue, and Abbie and Stapleton’s increasingly flirtatious antagonism keep the tension high and the narrative drive strong. Smart, fun, and full of moxie.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Riley offers a vibrant picture of the roles Black and mixed-race people played in Regency life. Fans of Bridgerton will enjoy this one.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Fans of Regency-era historical mysteries featuring intelligent heroines (such as Andrea Penrose’s Lady Arianna or Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily) will find this series a welcome addition to the genre.”
—Library Journal

“Riley’s storytelling gift is strong and her prose is lovely and evocative. She made me see 1806 London in an entirely new way – I’m a fan of Jane Austen as well as Dianne Freeman and many others – but she gave me the gift of an expanded perspective, along with a really well told mystery. The denouement is particularly clever and includes both grim irony and a dandy twist. I’m hoping this will be a long-lived series and I can visit with Lady Abigail again soon.”
—Mystery Scene Magazine

“Murder in Westminster (historical mystery) is sure to be a great read to add to your current must-read lists.”
—Essence Magazine

“Abigail’s complex world, a mix of family, Caribbean immigrants, and the ton, is exactly the world readers today are eager to discover—and to return to. Calling all regency enthusiasts, historical mystery fans, and Bridgerton devotees—this one’s for you.”
—Brian Kenney, First Clue Newsletter

“Riley’s prose is unique, nestling a lush, lavish image next to a swift, chopping realization….The book is an absorbing experience, a complicated mystery rooted in the compelling historical struggle for abolition that navigates the nuances of race and class with a heroine the reader can’t help but love. Highly recommended.”
—Historical Novel Society

“Smart, witty, and refreshingly diverse, this new Regency-set series from acclaimed author Vanessa Riley combines her signature emotional richness and attention to detail in a historical mystery featuring a strong, clever, and captivating heroine . . .”
— Fresh Fiction

“Vanessa Riley deftly combines historical fact with an exhilarating story and a truly inclusive cast of characters in a novel that’s not just a great read, but important, shedding light on the abolitionist movement. Murder in Westminster is a triumph: atmospheric, evocative, and utterly irresistible.”
—New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander

“Murder in Westminster is a fresh, unique take on the Regency, deftly weaving historical fact with dastardly intrigue. Lady Worthing is an intrepid and unforgettable heroine and I can’t wait for the next adventure! Clever and engaging.”
—New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn, author of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries

"You don't want to miss this invigorating take on the Regency lady sleuth. Vanessa Riley breathes new life into the genre and offers a unique perspective in Murder in Westminster."
—Sherry Thomas, USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Sherlock series

"Riley provides readers with her trademark rich tapestry of characters of assorted privilege and how they were both constrained by and empowered by the society of the early 19th Century.”
—Maryelizabeth Yturralde, Creating Conversations Booksellers (Redondo Beach, CA)