Genre Fiction
![Sarah Ferguson - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B09BD9W9PM.jpg)
A Most Intriguing Lady: A Novel
From Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, a sweeping, romantic compulsively readable historical saga about a Duke's daughter-the perfect Victorian lady-who secretly moonlights as an amateur sleuth for high society's inner circle.
Victorian London was notorious for its pickpockets. But in the country houses of the elite, gentleman burglars, art thieves and con men preyed on the rich and titled. Wealthy victims-with their pride and reputation at stake-would never go to the police. What they needed was a society insider, one of their own, a person of discretion and finely tuned powers of observation, adept at navigating intrigue.
That person was Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott, the youngest child of Queen Victoria's close friends the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. Bookish, fiercely intelligent, and a keen observer, Mary has deliberately cultivated a mousey persona that allows her to remain overlooked and significantly underestimated by all. It's the perfect cover for a sleuth, a role she stumbles into when trying to assist a close friend during a house party hosted by her parents at their stately Scottish home, Drumlanrig Castle.
It is at this party where Lady Mary also meets Colonel Walter Trefusis, a distinguished and extremely handsome war veteran. Tortured by memories of combat, Walter, like Mary, lives a double life, with a desk job in Whitehall providing a front for his role in the British Intelligence Service. The two form an unlikely alliance to solve a series of audacious crimes-and indulge in a highly charged on-off romance.
Pacy, romantic, and fun, A Most Intriguing Lady documents one remarkable woman's ability to be both the perfect lady, and a perfectly talented detective...and, of course, to find love too.
Victorian London was notorious for its pickpockets. But in the country houses of the elite, gentleman burglars, art thieves and con men preyed on the rich and titled. Wealthy victims-with their pride and reputation at stake-would never go to the police. What they needed was a society insider, one of their own, a person of discretion and finely tuned powers of observation, adept at navigating intrigue.
That person was Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott, the youngest child of Queen Victoria's close friends the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. Bookish, fiercely intelligent, and a keen observer, Mary has deliberately cultivated a mousey persona that allows her to remain overlooked and significantly underestimated by all. It's the perfect cover for a sleuth, a role she stumbles into when trying to assist a close friend during a house party hosted by her parents at their stately Scottish home, Drumlanrig Castle.
It is at this party where Lady Mary also meets Colonel Walter Trefusis, a distinguished and extremely handsome war veteran. Tortured by memories of combat, Walter, like Mary, lives a double life, with a desk job in Whitehall providing a front for his role in the British Intelligence Service. The two form an unlikely alliance to solve a series of audacious crimes-and indulge in a highly charged on-off romance.
Pacy, romantic, and fun, A Most Intriguing Lady documents one remarkable woman's ability to be both the perfect lady, and a perfectly talented detective...and, of course, to find love too.
Editorial Reviews
"A fantastic historical mystery with plenty of passion as you would expect from the Duchess of York. A triumph!" - Roma Downey OBE, actress, producer and New York Times bestselling author
"A rollicking, romantic tale of love and intrigue in aristocratic Victorian Scotland. Sarah Ferguson's fascinatingly detailed novel kept me turning the pages as it's very entertaining." - Dame Joan Collins
"She's done it again, and I bet this one will be even more successful." - Jeffrey Archer
"[An] intriguing coming-of-age story fans of historical drama are sure to enjoy…the novel…[paints] a rich, believable picture of 19th-century life." - USA Today on Her Heart for a Compass
"Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has delivered to readers a brilliant and glittering jewel of a novel, replete with fascinating historical detail, lush lyrical language, and compelling, complex characters who leap from the page. I was wholly swept away by this story, wishing to race through its gripping plot while also lingering to relish each delicious page. This beautiful novel heralds the entry of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, as the new leading voice in Historical Fiction." - Allison Pataki, New York Times Bestselling author of The Queen's Fortune, on Her Heart for a Compass
"A tale of daring and determination, set against the glamorous heights, and the harsh restrictions of aristocratic society in the middle years of the British nineteenth century." - Sir Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey, on Her Heart for a Compass
"Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has looked deep into her own generous impulsive heart to write a compelling story of a young woman who rebels against the restrictive Victorian conventions of her time to find self-fulfillment and love." - #1 New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Archer on ...
"A rollicking, romantic tale of love and intrigue in aristocratic Victorian Scotland. Sarah Ferguson's fascinatingly detailed novel kept me turning the pages as it's very entertaining." - Dame Joan Collins
"She's done it again, and I bet this one will be even more successful." - Jeffrey Archer
"[An] intriguing coming-of-age story fans of historical drama are sure to enjoy…the novel…[paints] a rich, believable picture of 19th-century life." - USA Today on Her Heart for a Compass
"Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has delivered to readers a brilliant and glittering jewel of a novel, replete with fascinating historical detail, lush lyrical language, and compelling, complex characters who leap from the page. I was wholly swept away by this story, wishing to race through its gripping plot while also lingering to relish each delicious page. This beautiful novel heralds the entry of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, as the new leading voice in Historical Fiction." - Allison Pataki, New York Times Bestselling author of The Queen's Fortune, on Her Heart for a Compass
"A tale of daring and determination, set against the glamorous heights, and the harsh restrictions of aristocratic society in the middle years of the British nineteenth century." - Sir Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey, on Her Heart for a Compass
"Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has looked deep into her own generous impulsive heart to write a compelling story of a young woman who rebels against the restrictive Victorian conventions of her time to find self-fulfillment and love." - #1 New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Archer on ...
Readers Top Reviews
Kindle
A very enjoyable novel. The slow build up was excruciating! I enjoyed every minute of reading and waiting for the satisfying ending.
rannKindle
A Most Intriguing Lady starts quickly by revealing two intriguing characters. Lady Mary, a young woman who prefers to keep to her quiet ways, enters the story by performing a balance beam act on the castle parapet. She is seen only by Colonel Trefusis, whose past will not leave him alone. Both are very likable characters, looking for their place in life. Mary is observant, discrete, quiet and often overlooked by her family and everyone around her. Which makes her the perfect person to solve a domestic mystery, with some assistance from Trefusis. After solving one mystery, Mary’s services are in demand, keeping her busy and giving her purpose. Meanwhile, Trefusis has his own secret mission which keeps him away from Mary. The two part, meet again, and learn more about each other as they solve more mysteries and then part again. They cycle continues, keeping the two apart, while at the same time bringing them closer together. This book is a romance, which means that someday, somehow, Mary and Trefusis are bound to get together. But this long term, slow burn courtship is doomed to failure until they both grow enough to find a clear give-and-take path that leads to their happily ever after. I found their steadfastly growing relationship to be quite refreshing. The added mysteries strengthened the characters and the plot, and made for a very satisfying story! Through NetGalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.
KarenKarenrannKin
My sincere thanks to Partner @bibliolifestyle @avonbooks for my complimentary copy! My thoughts are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed the latest book by Sarah Ferguson, set in Victorian England. Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott is just coming into her own after two disappointing London seasons. At a house party hosted by her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, she uncovers the mystery behind a theft. Realizing she has astute powers of observation, she becomes the perfect undercover sleuth when a series of thefts occur at the estates of the London elite. She joins forces with war veteran Colonel Walter Trefusis, who secretly works for the British Intelligence Service. I love reading novels set during the Victorian era! I enjoy reading descriptions of the exquisite clothes, elaborate house parties, and interesting rules of etiquette from a time long gone by. Lady Mary makes for a delightful main character, as she navigates the moral norms of her day, while politely questioning her suspects and cunningly determining what is going on! Colonel Trefusis (Trey) is her perfect ally, and I really enjoyed reading their story. I have not read 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨, the story of Lady Mary’s older sister, but I definitely plan to! Read this if you enjoy: *strong, yet charming female characters *honorable male characters with strong values *Victorian mysteries with a bit of romance
cjayLauraKarenKar
After reading the previous novel Heart is a Compass I was quite disappointed in this sequel. It lacks much of the dept of the main character evolution in the previous book, thus the rating. I found it uninspired, And finally began to really enjoy the story in the final few chapters.
