Emily and Colin are vacationing in the south of France, along with Emily's dear friend Jeremy and his new fiancée, Amity. Emily is doing her best to like Amity, but things keep happening between them to make that difficult. And then one of their friends is found dead in an apparent suicide, putting a crimp in the engagement party and propelling Emily into an investigation. This tenth entry in Alexander's historical series (after The Counterfeit Heiress and Star of the East) offers important character development, while giving the reader the feeling they've also been on holiday on the Riviera-minus the dead bodies. Verdict An enjoyable historical murder mystery that will please existing fans, while being very accessible to new readers. Those who like Lauren Willig, Charles Finch, or Deanna Raybourn should give this author a try. [See Prepub Alert, 4/13/15.]-Laurel Bliss, San Diego State Univ. Lib. © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Amity Wells, American heiress, is engaged to Jeremy, Duke of Bainbridge, and her mama is throwing a huge party for their friends and family. Lady Emily is counted one of Jeremy's best friends and so the Hargreaves are invited. Unfortunately, as often happens around Lady Emily, a death occurs: the lifeless form of Chauncey Neville is found lying prostrate in Jeremy's room. Was it suicide or murder? Did the wrong man die? Who would want to kill the bridegroom's best friend? What this cozy mystery lacks in plotting and suspense (mystery fans will easily spot the killer) is more than offset by the gently amusing comedy of errors, the witty banter of privileged Victorians on holiday, and Lady Emily's growing resemblance to Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody. We even brush shoulders with the Queen! This tenth delightful entertainment featuring the Hargreaves detective duo is very acceptable indeed. For fans of Amelia Peabody, of course, but also readers who can't resist Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey novels, starring the British aristocrat and her delectable husband, the brooding detective Nicholas Brisbane.--Baker, Jen Copyright 2015 Booklist

Alexander's diverting 10th late Victorian mystery (after 2014's The Counterfeit Heiress) finds Lady Emily Hargreaves and her husband, Colin, in Cannes, France, where they're celebrating the engagement of a childhood friend of hers, Jeremy Sheffield, Duke of Bainbridge. A confirmed bachelor, Jeremy has surprised everyone by falling for wealthy American Amity Wells. Emily doesn't quite trust Amity's "studied perfection," but her doubts are overshadowed when a member of their party is found dead in Jeremy's hotel suite. The coroner rules it suicide, but Emily suspects murder-and wonders whether Jeremy was the real target. Alexander weaves a compelling story of intrigue among upper-crust fin de siècle society, though the Wells family fails to transcend stereotypes of crass, conniving Americans. Chapters from Amity's perspective, narrated in the third-person, provide glimpses of colonial India and Egypt, though they do little to flesh out her character. Readers who guess the killer's identity may still be surprised by the motive. Agent: Anne Hawkins, John Hawkins & Associates. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.