Book Review: A Most Intriguing Lady, by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

Her Heart for a Compass was the first best selling novel written by the Duchess of York and coauthored by Marguerite Kaye, telling the story of Lady Margaret. This is the second. A Most intriguing Lady is set in Victorian Scotland with a backdrop of castles and aristocratic society, Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott is constantly overlooked and underestimated by the rest of her peers, family and high society acquaintances. Beneath a shy exterior lies a fierce intelligence and talent of observation, both excellent qualities when solving crimes, especially when the aristocratic victims reputations are at risk. Mary meets Colonel Walter Trefusis in her parent’s castle when she sneaks out of the formal dining room. After an incident during a grouse shoot an alliance is formed between the pair as they set out to solve these crimes. A friendship and romance slowly develops Tre realises that Mary is not a wallflower, but full of surprises. 

I enjoyed the intertwining of historical facts and fiction, so well researched and put together in a way that the reader could imagine being there. The descriptions of the castle,  grounds, food and fashion are described in great detail. The novel illustrates how restricted women were, controlled first by their fathers, then either by their husbands or senior males in the household. The status of both men and women also restricted their lives: societal expectations influenced sex lives,  who they could be friends with etc. The characters are likeable and honest- they are unsure if they want to give up their lives to be together. Lady Margaret, the heroine of the first book and Mary’s sister makes cameos throughout the novel, as does their mother Lady Buccleuch showing how she has become more understanding and sympathetic towards her daughters. which is interesting as so many series authors fail to make use of this as a way to maintain the reader’s interest, the book can be read as part of a series or as a stand alone novel. The novel is clearly signposted and methodologically set out, enjoyable to read combining both a love story and the solving of crimes. 

An enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more in this series. 

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I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted