Miss Morton and the deadly inheritance

Lloyd's genteel third historical mystery for down-at-the-heels aristocrat Miss Caroline Morton (after Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld), sees her uncovering dangerous family secrets. In 1838 London, Miss Morton receives a letter from Mr. Smith, a lawyer with the firm that represented her father, the late Earl of Morton, informing her that a new will has been uncovered that might alter her prospects. The following day, Mr. Smith is fatally assaulted, and authorities find in his pocket an empty envelope addressed to Miss Morton. Once again, Miss Morton's energetic and forthright employer, Mrs. Frogerton, spearheads their investigation into the matter. While the two look into Mr. Smith's murder, as well as a second death at the same law firm, Miss Morton keeps a bevy of suitors on the hook--including the son of her father's former associate--and inquires about her younger sister Susan's disappearance from school. Lloyd gives the plot's multiple mysteries satisfying-enough resolutions, but the real pleasure is in her beautifully realized Regency setting and empowered heroines. Series fans will enjoy themselves. Agent: Deirdre Knight, Knight Agency. (Sept.)

A penniless aristocrat in Regency England becomes quite the detective. Lady Caroline Morton is lucky in her employer. Mrs. Frogerton, for whom she works as a companion, may have gotten her money from trade, but she's both shrewd and kind. Caroline's father, the Earl of Morton, had left her and her sister, Susan, in a perilous position, and although Mrs. Frogerton generously pays Susan's school fees, Susan is furious with Caroline for sending her away to school. One morning, Caroline is surprised to receive a letter from her father's solicitors regarding his will, and even more surprised when an aunt leaves her and Susan each 500 pounds. A few days after a visit to the law firm that hints there's something odd about her father's newly discovered will, Mr. Smith, the solicitor, vanishes and his office is ransacked. Well-born Inspector Ross, who's investigating the case, has feelings for Caroline based on their work on earlier cases. Because the will is now missing and Mr. Smith, found in a hospital, is later murdered, Mrs. Frogerton insists that they investigate, in case money is actually due Caroline. Caroline soon hears stories about valuable South African mines owned by the DeBloom family, whose mother was involved with her father and whose son has a romantic interest in Caroline. Susan, not to be outdone by all the ructions in London, runs away from school, encouraged by her cousin Mabel, who threatens to carry Susan off to America unless Caroline shares her new inheritance. Caroline ends up putting her life in peril for her ungrateful sister. A complex case with plenty of dead ends, surprises, and romantic interludes. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.