Old scandals and destructive truths are exposed when a woman from Hugh Marsden’s past is murdered in cold blood.
Principal Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden is used to living in the shadow of disgrace. First, as the illegitimate son of the late Viscount Neatham, and second, as the man who permanently maimed his half-brother in a duel six years ago. Reviled by the posh ton, Hugh happily severed ties to polite society—until the enigmatic Duchess of Fournier, Audrey Sinclair entered his world and turned it upside down.
Now, Hugh’s half-sister Eloisa has done the same. Just days after returning to London and hiring him to find a missing person—someone Eloisa claims holds a destructive family secret—she is murdered in cold blood on a ballroom floor. The prime suspect? Hugh Marsden.
When Audrey learns the Bow Street officer she’s come to cherish is on the run and being hunted for the crime, she vows to clear his name, no matter what it takes. Restricted to clandestine meetings, Audrey and Hugh’s investigation to find Eloisa’s true killer peels back years of Neatham family secrecy, and with it, a diabolical scheme to conceal the circumstances surrounding Hugh’s birth.
The desperate killer will stop at nothing to prevent Audrey and Hugh from unearthing the rest of the wicked truth—even if it means sending them both to an early grave.
Penance for the Dead, the fourth riveting installment in the Bow Street Duchess Mystery series is perfect for fans of the Lady Sherlock, Veronica Speedwell, and PBS Masterpiece’s Miss Scarlet & the Duke.
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Another brilliant instalment in the series.
The story kicks off with a bang when Hugh's half-sister is murdered and he is named number one suspect. Audrey investigates to clear his name leading to family secrets being exposed and life-changing consequences for Hugh that I didn't see coming. Audrey's husband has also made some shocking plans for their future and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Audrey although I suspect things will somehow, work out alright in the end.
Audrey and Hugh's relationship moves forward a little bit in this book. They can't be together because she is married but at the same time, neither of the two can stay away from the other for very long.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. It is fast-paced, and angsty, with plenty of twists and no end of suspects. I liked the surprising nature of the first crime when the killer used smoke as a distraction technique at the ball. It was unusual and unique which made the scene that bit more intriguing and dramatic.
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