Review: Fatal by Design

“Fatal by Design” is the fifth installment of Cara Devlin’s Bow Street Duchess mystery series. Widowed Audrey leaves her brother-in-law’s home in advance of the house party set to begin soon. On the way to her country home, she comes across an abandoned carriage that turns out to belong to her estranged sister. Millie is missing and the coachman is dead. The motive for her disappearance isn’t clear but Audrey and Hugh, who arrives to attend the house party, learn that somehow it involves long lost love, a purple diamond, and a crumbling estate. The duo must work quickly to find Millie before the killer claims another victim.

Against the backdrop of Millie’s disappearance, Audrey and Hugh must also come to terms with her status as a widow and dowager. It seems yet another roadblock will keep them from happiness. 

Audrey and Hugh, along with their friends, continue to delight as they draw on each other’s strengths. The slow burn romance has definitely caught fire, but societal restrictions and lingering questions are still in the way of a happily ever after. These characters and the story line make for an exceptionally fast read and “Fatal by Design” will leave you wanting more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.