Murder at the Merton Library (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery)

A perplexing murder in a renowned Oxford University library and a suspicious fire at a famous inventors London laboratory set Wrexford and Lady Charlotte on two separate investigations in this masterfully plotted, atmospheric Regency-set mystery from USA Today bestselling author Andrea Penrose. [Penrose] mixes well thought out mysteries, early forensic science, great details of the era and a slow burning attraction creating a compulsive read. The New York Public Library Responding to an urgent plea from a troubled family friend, the Earl of Wrexford journeys to Oxford only to find the reclusive university librarian has been murdered and a rare manuscript has gone missing. The only clue is that someone overheard an argument in which Wrexfords name was mentioned. At the same time, Charlotteworking under her pen name, A. J. Quillmust determine whether a laboratory fire was arson and if its connected to the race between competing consortiums to build a new type of shipone that can cross the ocean powered by steam rather than sailswith the potential to revolutionize military power and world commerce. That the race involves new innovations in finance and entrepreneurship only adds to the high stakesespecially as their good friend Kit Sheffield may be an investor in one of the competitors. As they delve deeper into the baffling clues, Wrexford and Charlotte begin to realize that things are not what they seem. An evil conspiracy is lurking in the shadows and threatens all they hold dearunless they can tie the loose threads together before its too late . . .