Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery)
This is the fifth book in Penrose’s series of Regency mysteries featuring the Earl of Wrexford, a brilliant scientist, and his betrothed, Lady Charlotte Sloane, who has a secret identity as the satirical artist A. J. Quill. At their first outing as an engaged couple, a gala banquet at the Royal Botanic Gardens, the discovery of the body of a visiting botanist disturbs the festivities. A trace of white powder on the victim’s lips shows that the man was murdered, just as he was about to announce the momentous discovery of a cure for malaria. Wrexford and Charlotte, with the help of Charlotte’s two wards, the delightful street urchins Raven and Hawk, investigate the crime and find themselves caught up in a web of intrigue involving several villainous characters. The plot thickens when an old enemy shows up. Will our two protagonists solve the crime so their wedding can take place?
Penrose’s series is very enjoyable and is best read in order so the reader can see how the main characters’ relationship develops. Wrexford and Charlotte are opposites in many ways. He relies on science and logic, while she uses her intuition. A powerful attraction develops in spite of their differences. Each volume focuses on a different aspect of Regency science, and here Penrose explores botany and medicinal plants. Another delight of the series is its secondary characters. These include Wrexford’s friend Sheffield, who appears to be an empty-headed wastrel but who is really quite intelligent and courageous. He has an on-again, off-again romance with the mathematician Lady Cordelia. Various members of Charlotte’s estranged family also appear, including her great-aunt Alison and her brother Hartley. Throughout the book, Charlotte is apprehensive about her reunion with her family. I am looking forward to seeing where Penrose will take her protagonists next.
