A novel disguise

Larsen (The Invention of Sophie Carter, under the pseudonym Samantha Hastings) launches a series with this delightful historical mystery headed by 40-year-old spinster Tiffany Woodhall. Tiffany is facing a grim future in 1784 London when she discovers her half-brother, Uriah, the duke of Beaufort's librarian, dead and covered in foul-smelling fluids. Uriah's death doesn't distress Tiffany so much as her fate as a penniless woman soon to be cast out of the duke's estate. After disposing of Uriah's body, Tiffany dons his clothing and powdered wig and assumes her late half-brother's position as palace librarian. An untimely visit from Tiffany's childhood friend--now the duchess--and the murder of a palace maid soon complicate Tiffany's double life. The maid's death, identical to Uriah's, drives Tiffany to investigate, which eventually threatens not only her Shakespearean gender swap but also her life. Rich with detail about life in the 18th century and starring a unique, well-drawn sleuth, this frothy whodunit is wildly enjoyable. Mystery fans should keep their eyes peeled for future Lady Librarian entries. Agent: Jen Nadol, Unter. (May)

In 1784 London, a woman attempts to salvage her life in a highly unusual way. Tiffany Woodall, a 40-year-old spinster, lives with her half brother, Uriah, who treats her like a servant. After years of near poverty, Uriah has finally obtained a post as librarian for the Duke of Beaufort, a position that comes with a little cottage. When she finds her brother dead in bed, surrounded by vomit, Tiffany, with nowhere to go and desperate to avoid penury, comes up with a scheme to pretend to be Uriah, since they look enough alike for her to pass if she wears his clothes and makeup. After burying him in their yard, she cleans herself up in the lake, where she encounters Mr. Lathrop, a handsome bookseller who has the duke's patronage. She soon begins to masquerade as Uriah while occasionally appearing as herself. If it weren't for her precarious position, Tiffany might find it amusing to pose as Uriah, but she knows so little of his job that she's always on the brink of discovery. The members of the duke's household, both upstairs and down, have secrets of their own, including illicit love affairs and thievery. A childhood playmate who snubbed Tiffany after marrying a duke arrives for a visit, but their friendship cannot overcome the class differences that have arisen between them. Although the minister, who already has 14 children, wants to marry Tiffany, she much prefers Mr. Lathrop and seeks to communicate her lack of interest to the minister as both her brother and herself. When the thieving maid dies just like Uriah and a footman becomes very ill, she realizes they were both poisoned and sets out to find the killer. Class differences, prejudice, and the lack of women's rights drive this enjoyable mystery. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.