Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

Catherine Lloyd

Aug 2023 · A Miss Morton Mystery Book 2 · Kensington Books

About this ebook

Set against the timelessly intriguing backdrop of 1830s high-society London, this delightful historical mystery series features Miss Caroline Morton, daughter of a disgraced earl, now gainfully employed as a lady’s companion—along with a sideline in sleuthing . . .

Lady Caroline is happy to be back amid the swirl of London society, guiding her employer’s daughter, Dorothy Frogerton, through her first Season. Declared “an original” by a patron of the exclusive social club, Almack’s, Dorothy is sifting through potential suitors. Mrs. Frogerton, meanwhile, finds her own diversions, including spiritualist gatherings at the home of Madam Lavinia, and begs Caroline to come along.

Caroline is skeptical of Madam’s antics and faux French accent—until she slips a note into Caroline’s hand, which contains intimate family knowledge. Even as Caroline tries to discern whether the spiritualist’s powers are real, a much darker mystery presents itself: Madam Lavinia is found lifeless in her chair, a half-empty glass of port at her elbow. In her desk is a note addressed to Caroline, entreating her to find her murderer.

Caroline needs no psychic abilities to determine a motive, for it seems that Madam was blackmailing clients and has left a trail of aggrieved aristocrats behind. But as Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton investigate further, they find other suspects, and deceptions, some very close to home. Now Caroline must keep all her wits about her if she is to stop others from joining Madam Lavinia in the afterlife . . .

Ratings and reviews

I enjoy this duet of Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton. This time out, Mrs. Frogerton found spiritualism and dragged Caroline along. Secrets led to murder and a note for Caroline. I loved how they worked out the clues together. A bit on the long side, but overall, the secrets, danger, and witty conversations kept this story moving along. I received an ARC, and this is my unsolicited review.

August 11, 2023 England 1830 Exciting, entertaining and a fun whodunit will have you enthralled to the last page! Lady Caroline, companion to Mrs Frogmorton, is in London trying to guide her employer's daughter through her come out in society. Meanwhile Mrs Frogmorton asks Caroline to attend a seance with Madame Lavinia. Of course, a murder occurs and it seems Madame had many enemies. Who could the culprit be? Delightful and engaging, you will be thoroughly engrossed until the end!!

About the author

Catherine Lloyd was born just outside London, England, into a large family of dreamers, artists, and history lovers. She completed her education with a master’s degree in history at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and uses the skills she gained there to research and write her historical mysteries. Catherine currently lives in Hawaii with her husband and four children. Her website is located at www.catherine-lloyd.com.