Review: Death at Fournier Downs

Audrey, Duchess of Fournier, and Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden join forces once again in Cara Devlin’s “Death at Fournier Downs.” Since the events of the previous spring, Audrey and her husband have been ensconced at Fournier Downs, away from the gossip of London. The story opens with a bang as Audrey witnesses a dear friend running frantically through the woodlands of Fournier Downs, then moments later hears a scream. Audrey races to the rescue, but is too late; she finds her friend’s broken body. 

Audrey is immediately suspicious so she summons Hugh Marsden through her friend’s mother. As the duo delve deeper into the death, they find no shortage of possible suspects. Audrey’s special abilities point them in the right direction, but the clues are not making complete sense. Will they be able to apprehend the murderer before they are silenced?

This is the second installment in the Bow Street Duchess series and is as delightful as the first. The pacing is excellent as is the slow revelation of the central characters’ backstories. The combination makes it difficult to put the book down. I appreciate that while Audrey appears to be self-confident, particularly given her station in life, she has bouts of self-doubt that she struggles to overcome. 

This book is great for anyone who enjoys historical mysteries with a slow burn romance and a touch of the paranormal. 

Thanks to Book Sirens and Cara Devlin for an advance reader’s copy of “Death a Fournier Downs” in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are my own.