Historical Fiction - Summer Reading Fun

Lavinia Lake was sure that Tobias March was a mad man. But as it turned out, he was a spy who had uncovered a criminal network that was threatening the life of Lavinia and her niece.

Soon he had them packed up and on their way back to England, with many protests from Lavinia. When their paths next crossed they were on the trail of a blackmailer and a murderer. Out of necessity Tobias joins forces with this headstrong and exasperating woman to become partners in the private inquiry business. As they come closer to solving the murders, things begin to sizzle in more than their investigations.

The Lake and March agency which provides "discreet private inquiries for individuals of quality" continues. After the stunningly, beautiful young wife of one of Lavinia's old family friends and fellow mesmerist is murdered and the very valuable and unusual antique blue Medusa bracelet disappears, the pair must rush to find both the missing antiquity and Celeste Hudson's murderer.

Together, Tobias and Lavinia search for clues everywhere from the glittering ballrooms of societies' rich, to London's seediest taverns. Along the way they encounter a mesmerist who specializes in "ladies' hysteria" and his treatment is most unconventional. All the while they continue to merrily, but discreetly, disport themselves beneath the sheets.

Years ago, the first and legendary Memento-mori man, a killer for hire, dealt his brand of justice only if he felt the victim deserved it. Now one of the signature death's head rings is found on the bedside table of a nobleman, just after he fell (or was pushed) from the top of a country house where Lavinia and Tobias are enjoying a weekend get away.

An old acquaintance of Tobias, Aspasia Gray, implores him to find the new Memento-mori man after she receives one of the rings in a package left on her doorstep. Lavinia despises their new client, but pairs up with Tobias again as they go on a full-fledged man hunt to find the new killer for hire.

The wit and humor of Amanda Quick and her extensive knowledge of Regency era England combines to make Late for the Wedding (in my opinion) the best of the three.