Cozy Mystery Review: Murder in Masquerade | Mary Winters | Lady of Letters #2

This is the second historical mystery I’ve read recently that centers around a wealthy woman who writes an anonymous advice column for the newspaper and solves mysteries on the side. The similarities end there, so this fun premise still feels fresh! Mary Winters’ new mystery, Murder in Masquerade, puts advice columnist Amelia Amesbury at the center of a case after a deadly night at the theater.

About the Book | Murder in Masquerade

Extra, extra, read all about it! Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury finds herself playing the role of sleuth when a night at the theatre turns deadly.

Victorian Countess Amelia Amesbury’s secret hobby, writing an advice column for a London penny paper, has gotten her into hot water before. After all, Amelia will do whatever it takes to help a reader in need. But now, handsome marquis Simon Bainbridge desperately requires her assistance. His beloved younger sister, Marielle, has written Amelia’s Lady Agony column seeking advice on her plans to elope with a man her family does not approve of. Determined to save his sister from a scoundrel and the family from scandal, Simon asks Amelia to dissuade Marielle from the ill-advised gambit.

But when the scoundrel makes an untimely exit after a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto, Amelia realizes there’s much more at stake than saving a young woman’s reputation from ruin. It’s going to take more than her letter-writing skills to help the dashing marquis, mend the familial bond, and find the murderer. Luckily, solving problems is her specialty!

Review | Murder in Masquerade

This is the second book in the Lady of Letters series by Mary Winters, and places more emphasis on the characters and relationships than the first book. Readers can jump straight into this book, though if you read Murder in Postscript you might have more fun with the romance between Simon and Amelia that is blossoming in Murder in Masquerade.

Set in London in 1860, the story centers around Amelia Amesbury, who is a widowed countess (her husband died several years ago from a degenerative illness). Amelia also happens to have a secret side hustle writing an advice column under the name “Lady Agony” in a London newspaper. Each chapter features a letter and response from Lady Agony, which adds a fun element to the book.

Amelia’s friend (and love interest, perhaps?) Simon Bainbridge is upset when he learns his younger sister Marielle is planning to elope with a man that Simon and the rest of their family don’t approve of. Simon intercepts Marielle’s letter to Lady Agony (Amelia), but before either of them can decide what to do about it, the man in question is found murdered at the theater.

Simon and Amelia agree to investigate the murder and provide a distraught Marielle with closure. Amelia’s best friend Kitty is also a member of the investigative team. Suspects ranging the socioeconomic field from criminals to high society abound, and I will admit I didn’t guess the murderer and had a nice surprise at the reveal.

Amelia and Simon’s chemistry continues to heat up. Amelia is quite smitten with Simon and often comments on his appearance or his scent (like the ocean!). The attraction was more apparent in this book compared to the last, which added a fun romantic side plot to the mystery! The mystery itself was clever, and I enjoy the letters that start each chapter. The dialogue is full of witty banter—Amelia is quite funny as a character and she continues to be a delight throughout the book.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.

About the Author | Mary Winters

Mary Winters is the author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series. She also pens cozy mysteries under the name Mary Angela. A longtime reader and fan of historical fiction, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she’s been busily planning her next mystery—and another trip! Find out more about Mary and her writing, reading, and teaching at marywintersauthor.com.