Murder on Black Swan Lane

This first-in-series book is set in Regency London, a place I would love to see via time machine (but only to visit—not to live there—because I like my creature comforts way too much).  

The two main characters, Charlotte Sloane and the Earl of Wrexford, are from different sides of the tracks, so to speak, but there is some evidence that Charlotte may have experienced affluence at one time. Charlotte and Wrexford team up to solve a murder for which Wrexford stands accused. Their witty dialogue, disparate strengths, and willingness to overlook the other’s shortcomings make this a great read. 

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This series is more romance-oriented than the others on this list, yet putting two very different characters together made for some interesting dialogue and scenes. The series started a little slowly with a good story but little depth in the main characters (that improved in subsequent books).

The Earl of Wexford leads a rather reckless lifestyle which has led to a sharp exchange of words with the Rev. Holworthy. When the clergyman is murdered, Wexford comes under suspicion, a situation made worse by the cartoons of A.J. Quill depicting him as a demonic figure. Wexford tracks down the artist only… show more.

Like my Detective Lavender books and the Sebastian St Cyr series by C. S. Harris these novels are also set in Regency London. But the protagonist, Charlotte Sloane is an enterprising – and unique – woman who's carved out a secret and successful career for herself as a satirical cartoonist. She’s the perfect match for the mercurial and scientific Earl of Wrexford, her crime-solving partner, and the chemistry between them adds an extra layer of interest to the novels. The secondary characters in this series are delightful, especially the Raven and Hawk, the street-wise young orphans whom Charlotte has… show more.